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This article deals with two aspects of inflation: distributive conflict and the role of extra money. In this context, the paper discusses some characteristic features of inflation processes in Brazil, difficulties of the reproduction of the money during inflation and aspects solved by the Real Plan. Finally, Plano Real's prospects are adressed. (Rev Econ Polit/DÜI)

The relationship between actors & structures is an important ontological aspect in social sciences. Today, the notion that this relationship should be seen as categorized by mutual interdependence, & consequently that both actors & structures should be considered primary ontological categories, is not a very controversial one. More controversial, however, is the phenomenon in social as well as natural sciences commonly known as social constructionism (or constructivism). In this article, the actor structure thinking is related to different constructionist conceptions. In connection with this, it is argued that if constructionism is primarily seen as an epistemological approach, it is in fact a natural consequence of the actor structure thinking. From the actor structure perspective then, the constructionist advocacy for contextualism -- ie, the ambition to accentuate the temporally & spatially distinctive character of reality in the analysis -- can be viewed as an important methodological guideline. 1 Table, 1 Figure, 35 References. Adapted from the source document.

This article presents a way of dealing scientifically with the problem of comparison among dynamically evolving units of analysis in social science, namely by using methods from theoretical, computational & mathematical biology & phylogeny (evolutionary tree) analysis. First, the standard political science & static method of comparative analysis is criticized. Second, some important aspects of the dynamic comparison are presented from its multidisciplinary & historic context, commenting on the compatibility with evolutionary institutional as well as universal Darwinian theoretical perspectives. Third, dynamic comparison is approached using first techniques from standard social science statistical software (SPSS) & then from molecular genetics (MEGA, Molecular Evolutionary Analysis). Examples of evolutionary tree analyses of the European nations are presented & discussed. Similarities & dissimilarities between social science & biological applications of the dynamic comparison techniques are discussed, emphasizing the importance of openness to new techniques & application of panel data for elaboration of new methods of dynamic comparative analyses in social sciences. 2 Tables, 9 Figures, 68 References. Adapted from the source document.

The relationship between Brazil and Argentina has experienced moments of political engagement as well as political dissociation. Despite of that, these two nations revealed a converging tendency in their recent history as far as the geoeconomical aspect of their trading potential is concerned. Having in mind primarily the attempts to provide regional advantages for its member countries by setting low tariffs in order to stimulate the flow of goods, services, and capital investment, Mercosul should now focus additionally on the political and social dimensions of each one of the states involved. (Polit Externa/DÜI)

The advent of peace in Angola, in 2002, had nurtured the hope that the end of the civil war would contribute to a greater democratic pluralism and more civil liberties. The present paper argues that Jose Eduardo dos Santos' government reinforced control over all aspects related to the social, economic and political life of the country. Although the September 2008 elections were regarded as "credible and transparent" by international observers, MPLA's victory was anything but surprising. The paper outlines the government's electoral strategies during the process of voter registration in 2007, and basically shows how the governmental authority works and the state spreads its control over the organizations of civil society. Adapted from the source document.

The main objective of this paper is to present some economic aspects that have been taken into account as a basis for the establishment of a pricing policy for the operation of the Internet in Brazil, basically when it is moving from its academic towards its commercial phase. In this respect, the paper seeks to give an overview of what is the Internet and its model in Brazil, together with the possibilities and potential limits for its growth in the Brazilian territory. After taking the marginal cost principle as a platform for a pricing policy for the Internet, the paper suggests the second best approach as the most adequate to the Brazilian social and economic realities. (Rev Econ Polit/DÜI)

The aim is to offer an overview in queer theory designed for political scientists. First of all queer theory is placed in a context of feminist studies, gay and lesbian studies, the discursive turn in social science, postmodern approaches to identity, postcolonial theory and Foucault's ideas of power. Then I highlight the political theorist Shane Phelan and her considerations in citizenship. Taking a critical stance against the Modern use of binaries, Phelan argues that acknowledgement of strangeness/strangers should be given priority in ethical aspects of citizenship. In the third section I refer to Butler's theories about gender performativity and the heterosexual matrix, Sedgwick's approach to the concept of homosexuality as well as Rubin's theory about sexual hierarchies. Finally queer theory is neither antifeminist nor profeminist. Yet this theory may support feminist goals. Adapted from the source document.

This paper intends to contribute to the debate on the reasons why the Geisel administration (1974-78) chose - as it faced an adverse conjuncture - an accelerated growth agenda which was materialized in the 2nd PND (National Development Plan). In order to do so, it resorts to a methodological definition which is based upon an institutionalist approach and favors the interaction between the political and the economic variables. Contradicting the literature that interprets the strong presence of the State and the regional decentralization of the 2nd PND as signs of neopatrimonialism, it is advocated that this category of analysis is inadequate to explain the government's choice, although this aspect is embedded in the Brazilian social-historical formation. The political rationality of the plan must be investigated in the conjuncture itself, marked by the liberalization project, which does not clash with the plan's economic rationality - on the contrary, it is complemented by it. (Rev Econ Polit/GIGA)