Suchergebnisse

Analyzes the perception of the leaders of the People's Republic of China regarding changes in US defense policy following the terrorist attacks of September 11 (2001). The author argues that China is closely watching the evolution of the US defense doctrine, particularly its nuclear weapons strategy. China is aware that the US is modernizing its conventional forces & nuclear capabilities, especially its precision attack capabilities. In response, China is also modernizing its nuclear weapons arsenal, its information warfare commanding capabilities, & precise delivery abilities. China is determined, for at least the next two decades, to avoid major confrontations with the US, & it is intent on deepening relations with the US. L. A. Hoffman

The expansion of judicial power in Italy has been supported by specific elements briefly outlined by the author. The Italian judiciary seems to be characterized by a basic contradiction: its institutional guarantees of independence are extremely effective, &, thanks to the inclusion of public prosecution, its decisions can significantly affect the political process while being inadequately protected from short-term political pressures. The only institutional channel of political influence in Italy is the Higher Council where increased tensions between the judiciary & the political system tend to be dealt with. Consequently, the political environment has compelling incentives to employ all available venues to influence such a powerful body. 16 References. E. Sanchez

This research note chronicles developments in private and public sector trade unionism in Indonesia in the year following President Suharto's resignation. Its findings are based on fieldwork carried out in Indonesia from February to April 1999, ongoing monitoring of the Indonesian press, and information provided by contacts in labour-oriented non-government organisations. While cautioning that more fundamental changes are required at a systemic level before far-reaching labour reform can be achieved, the author concludes that developments in trade unionism since the fall of Suharto indicate that many workers remain committed to collective action despite the dramatic increases in unemployment and the erosion of job security resulting from Indonesia's ongoing economic crisis.

Many developing countries have experienced growing income inequality and an increase in the relative demand for skilled workers during the 1980s. The sources of this trend remain a puzzle. The paper examines whether investment and adoption of skill-biased technology have contributed to within-industry skill upgrading in Chilean plants. The author investigates whether plant-level measures of capital and investment, the use of imported materials, foreign technical assistance, and patented technology affect the relative demand for skilled workers. Some of the increased relative demand for skilled workers can be attributed to capital deepening. The results suggest that plant adoption of foreign technology is not associated with plant skill upgrading. (InWent/DÜI)

The author examines the fascination that so many intellectuals have for totalitarian regimes & how their relationship with the two great totalitarian ideologies of the twentieth century played out. There were shining moments for the public intellectual in this story, especially in Eastern Europe where intellectuals become public leaders, even becoming heroes. Their leadership & heroism arose both from their personal sense of courage as well as their intellect. However, that moment has passed & it is now the case that in both the West & in the former Communist world public intellectuals have a hard time getting a hearing - & when they do it is not always clear that they have something of importance to contribute. D. Knaff

Many of women's political contributions have been overlooked because they occurred outside the "traditional electoral-political arena." Women's involvement in social movements, demonstrations, & other forms of collective behavior have successfully challenged, & often changed, political & social institutions. To capture these contributions, the author argues that the study of women's political participation must be broadened. The "supposed" separation of the public & private sphere, the definition of the political, hidden activism, & the limits imposed by standards of appropriate femininity are all addressed as topics that should be explored to uncover women's true role in the political process. Questions & topics for further research are addressed at the end of the discussion. J. Harwell

In this work the author answers the question why in the history of the USA different initiatives to introduce a German-like national apprenticeship system have failed to sustain. The theoretical background of this work is constituted of the historical institutionalism and its three explaining parameters ideas, institutions and interests. Based on the theoretical and methodical part the work is divided into two country-specific analyses. First of all, the development and accomplishment of a third way ̕to organise, arrange and establish vocational education between progressiveness and competitiveness on the one hand, security and stability interests on the other hand is explained on the basis of the German case

Part of a review symposium on a book by Doug McAdam, Sidney Tarrow, & Charles Tilly, Dynamics of Contention (New York: Cambridge U Press, 2001). Though initially excited at the dynamic approach taken by McAdam, Tarrow, & Tilly to understand contention, the author concludes that their methodological advice is sorely lacking & fails to provide groundwork for future research. Their emphasis on the mechanisms & processes of contention within complex, multievent historical instances of contention is applauded, though they fail to offer a clear methodological guide or research agenda by which to investigate such methods & processes. Their assessment of previous social movement theory is applauded. 1 Reference. K. Hyatt Stewart

The author argues that there exists a crucial triangle for speedy European integration & the institutionalization of representative democracy: a strong state-nation, strong elites, & a reasonable level of economic development. In his view, Portugal was able to accomplish a democratic revolution & accession to the European Union (EU) because it was a strong state-nation, had competitive elites, & was a cohesive society. Eastern European candidates are weaker on these variables, & must rebuild their elites & increase social cohesiveness before becoming full EU members. If they come in too quickly, they will be unable to cope with the challenges they will have to deal with later on. 4 Tables, 4 Figures, 16 References. Adapted from the source document.

The author examines the Zionist national mission to mobilize Jewish ethnic communities in Arab countries, in the period preceding the establishment of the state of Israel. It draws on archival texts to trace a phenomenon known in Jewish historiography as 'Shadarut': a voluntary religious practice of fundraising which was widespread in the Jewish world for hundreds of years. The article shows how this pre-national religious practice (to be labelled 'the cloak') was adopted and incorporated into the Zionist national project ('the cage'), first generating tension between the Jewish religious establishment and the Zionist 'secular' movement, and then blurring the distinction between Judaism as a religion and Judaism as a national identity. (Nations and Nationalism, ECMI)

El autor estudia la creación de una identidad nacional en Brasil durante los siglos XIX y XX, incidiendo en los intereses de las élites gobernantes para formular un determinado discurso integrador de lo indígena y lo africano. ; L'autor estudia la creació d'una identitat nacional al Brasil durant els segles XIX i XX, incidint en els interessos de les èlits governants per formular un determinat discurs integrador d'allò indígena i allò africà. ; The author studies the creation of a national identity in Brazil during the 19th and 20th century, focus on the elites rulers interests to formulate a determined integrative speech of the "native" and the "African".