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Most contemporary scholars regard bureaucracy as an inefficient phenomenon. At the same time, we may find a great number of bureaucratic organizations in the various social spheres. Max Weber, who introduced the concept of bureaucracy into the social sciences, however, was convinced that bureaucracy is superior to any other organizational form and explained its prevalence by the immanent rationality of bureaucratic organizations. In analyzing Weber's text, the author argues that Weber was mistranslated into English and then misinterpreted. Weber's term rationality is not at all identical to efficiency. Rationality includes also uncertainty reduction regarding internal organizational procedures as well as outputs. Uncertainty reduction may induce several advantages, which, in several cases, ensure organizational superiority.

Nach einer Einführung in die allgemeine Entwicklung der kirchlichen Jugendarbeit in der sich formierenden DDR und die politisch-kulturellen Rahmenbedingungen dieser Zeit, wird die Herausbildung und Tätigkeit der Evangelischen Studentengemeinde in Halle/Saale charakterisiert. Dazu werden Konfliktlinien und Formen der Einflussnahme auf die Studentengemeinden durch den Staat ebenso geschildert wie die eigentlichen Aktivitäten und Bemühungen der Jugendorganisationen. Die Autorin geht besonders auf die frühen 1950er Jahre ein. ; After an introduction to the general development of church youth work in the emerging GDR and the political and cultural conditions of the time, the formation and activities of the Protestant student congregation in Halle/Saale are characterised. To this end, lines of conflict and forms of influence on the student congregations by the state are described, as are the actual activities and efforts of the youth organisations. The author pays special attention to the early 1950s.

Although the electronic revolution in publishing fostered a new Information Age, the need for government documents in tangible format continues. This paper examines the historical roots of congressional printing compared to 21st century challenges to information policy. The author argues that the founding fathers intentionally did not include language mandating the printing of government information, aside from the Journal as described in the Constitution, for the simple reason that they viewed it as an inherent obligation on the part of all elected officials. As such, restrictive information policies, such as the U.S.A. Patriot Act, impinge upon the original intent of the founding fathers and indeed, threaten the ideal of a democratic society.

(...) This paper addresses the legacy of colonialism as manifested in the educational system of Kenya in the post-colonial era. The author argues that although Kenya is an independent country, it is overly dependent on the West for its cultural and intellectual nourishment. (...) He also argues that even after three decades of political independence, Kenya's education system has not been able to tailor its content and pedagogy to the socioeconomic and cultural realities of its people. Instead it continues to uphold an education system that is centered around schooling rather than learning and which consequently produces a people who are incapable of fitting into their own social environments. (...) (Afr Dev/DÜI)

The author views the changes in the legislation within the framework of the sweeping political changes that occurred in 1990 & 1991. The focus of the analysis of the legislative changes (a comparison of the legislation prior to the political changes with the legislation up to 2002) is the press, the freedom of the press & the media in general, & the cultural changes in the transition that left their impact on media law, ie, the conceptual right to information, the respect for privacy, the distinction between the private & the public persons & politicians, the protection of reputation & honor, & the transparency of influences in the media. 13 References. Adapted from the source document.

In a response to Vujcic's reply to the earlier polemics regarding the review of the author's Politicka i medijska kultura u Hrvatskoj (Political and Media Culture in Croatia), the question of how to define tolerance, & whether this should imply support for the minority instead of just acceptance is taken up once again. The author defends himself against Vujcic's charge that he has not analyzed his own data correctly, pointing out that public opinion & media polling show a broad & general correlation for tolerance of minority viewpoints. Disagreements over the semantics of "tolerance" continue, as Voltaire's definition is once again held up as a model. 1 Table. A. Siegel

This address delves into the underpinnings of the current crisis in the occupied territories: the Bush administration's deemphasis on the Palestine problem to avoid confrontation with Israel over settlement policy; the designation of Sharon as a "man of peace" despite his history; rejection of any exploration of the political roots of 9/11; the deepening alliance between American Christian fundamentalism and Israel; the willful and gross distortion of the Palestinian stance at Camp David. Nonetheless, the author argues that the parameters of a settlement, reinforced by the Saudi initiative, remain the two-state solution, and it is up to Israel and the United States to respond.

This article challenges the traditional argument for the state that holds that because the market is unable to supply the rule-making, adjudicative, & enforcement services that are essential to life in society, the state must, & hence is morally justified. The author argues that the market's inability to supply these basic services proves only that the state must ensure that they are supplied, not that it must supply them itself. This implies that the traditional concept of the minimal state as one that supplies only these basic services is flawed. The 'remedial state' (one that regulates the private provision of these services) is actually the minimal state. [Copyright 2003 Sage Publications, Ltd.]

This essay delves into employment & unemployment as central issues of Mexican economy & society, & into public policies taken by the federal government, during both the era of industrialization & growth (1940-1982) & the period of modernization & restructuration (1983-2002). Unemployment increases with low industrialization & with economic recessions. Its effects can be seen mostly in the composition of active & inactive population as well as in the employed & unemployed labor force. The author suggests policies for the promotion of employment in the formal sector, as well as more general & consistent policies aimed to a truly reduction of unemployment & of workers performing informal activities. 5 Tables, 7 References. Adapted from the source document.

Analyzes conflicts over natural resources and regulatory responses of war economies in Africa; case study of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Summary in English p. 314-5.

Considers the controversial issue of the treatment of political prisoners held in US penal sites. The relationship of academia to the "imprisoned intellectuals" & to their "visionary, risk-taking struggles" is explored. The author observes that activism participates in love & rage & is immediate & responsive, while academia distances itself from life & pain. Activism confronts domination & control, described by one imprisoned intellectual, Mumia Abu-Jamal (2003), as "the state's role in determining whether its purported citizens should live or die," since many lose lives in death row, through poverty, or in wars & epidemics. This article argues that educational sites & political movements are being commodified, & that the marketplace regulates both academia & activism. 5 References. L. A. Hoffman