Suchergebnisse

Explores 84 cases of alleged satanic child sexual abuse in England & Wales, 1988-1991, arguing that, like former witchcraft allegations, they communicate a far-reaching moral panic expressed in metaphors of bodily invasion. Case specifics are discussed in terms of the nature of the abused, abuser(s), sources of the allegations, & the social context in which they were made. Most exhibited no evidence whatsoever in support of allegations. In the three cases claiming use of magical powers by adults to coerce children into sexual acts, the ritual abuse was secondary to the sexual abuse. Difficulties involved in children's accounts are discussed. It is concluded that the social significance of these allegations does not involve a danger to children. Rather, the association of children with evil practices gave the accusations emotional force & played on fears that society was under attack. 2 Tables, 16 References. J. Lindroth

The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries saw a phenomenal and unprecedented growth in the provision of higher education in England. At the commencement
of the period, in mid-century, there were but four small university institutions
and a number of provincial Colleges of varying prestige and clientele. For the vast
bulk of the population education beyond elementary school had to be sought
through Mechanic's Institutes or Adult Schools. Within eighty years this Situation
had been completely transformed through a process of growth and systematization.
By 1930 the different elements in what could be discerned as a system stood in a
clear relationship one to another, and identified themselves with particular social
groups. Similarities with higher education in other major industrial societies were
now more manifest: admission qualifications and ages were, by 1930, largely standardized; specialist faculties, each linking with professional occupations, had been established, and, more importantly, a definite hierarchy of educational institutions was
discernible. How did this process occur in England between 1860 and 1930?

Analyzes economic conditions & trends in New England for evidence of increasing or decreasing collaboration among the states in the area. The historical economy & regional cooperation in New England are surveyed, including the New England Council & the New England Regional Commission's New England Regional Plan. The New England identity is utilized for economic advantage by tourism & corporate marketing, & the region's strengths & differences are identified. Challenges include population & demographic trends that demonstrate an outflow of skilled workers. The importance of regional integration is stressed, particularly to managing natural resources & infrastructure. 3 Tables, 1 Figure, 13 References. L. Collins Leigh

Explores the governing institutions of New England as impediments to enhanced regional integration & economic development. Elements of New England politics & institutions are distinguished by political party competitiveness, historical urbanization & dominance of governing political machines, & dominance of the municipal government. Specific conditions for each state -- Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, & Rhode Island -- are highlighted. A history of attempts to form regional organizations across the states is surveyed, & economic & political factors that push toward & against regional integration are analyzed. 6 Tables, 9 References. L. Collins Leigh

Examines efforts at regional collaboration in New England higher education. The history of New England's colleges & universities & their common challenges are summarized. Interstate cooperation through informal agreements & regional organizations is reviewed with commentary on the political & historical factors that encourage &/or inhibit this regionalism. The establishment, conventions, publications, & services of the New England Board of Higher Education are detailed as a case study in regional cooperation. The possibilities for greater regional collaboration in higher education are speculated. 11 References. L. Collins Leigh

Artisanal cheeses have captured the taste buds of many Americans over the last 20 years, especially in dairy states where it can be found in local specialty shops & farmers' markets, but also in Slow Food-approved supermarkets such as Whole Foods. This chapter explores the production & marketing of specialty cheeses in Vermont. It is argued by many that this recent evolution represents the profit-driven creation of an elite niche market for America's most distinguished cheeses. Slick brochures describe such cheeses as Vermont Shepherd, with its "smooth & creamy texture," "rich & earthy flavor," & "hints of clover, wild mint, & thyme," its quality enhanced by the grasses of the natural fields where the sheep graze -- marketing phrases designed to make the customer drool while forking over $20 for a pound of this epicurean delight. However, the author contends that the production of such cheeses is not just market-driven. The cheese artisans want to make the best of the best & take pride in what they do. The husband-&-wife makers of Vermont Shepherd traveled to France, where the Basques taught them the secrets of making the best sheep's milk cheese. It is concluded that the "social relations of small-scale agriculture & food production in the US are driven by sentiment, affiliation, & politics as well as by economic rationality.". References. J. Stanton

The authors argue in this paper that evaluation can function as an improvement strategy when the conditions in school are appropriate. It has stated that it is not evaluation of schooling per se that matters, but the potential of evaluation as a development tool that commends it to us. Consequently they believe that evaluation only becomes a worthwhile activity when it brings with it a commitment to action, some kind of automatic response which is seamlessly joined to evaluation processes. Their experience within the 'Improving the Quality of Education for All' (IQEA) Project suggests that it is possible to make this link, to join reflection to action, to graft improvement onto the rootstock of evaluation. However, it requires a clear comrnitment within the school community, no little energy and, above all, the habit of enquiry amongst teachers. (DIPF/Orig./Ba.).

Explores the key concepts & theories that frame the debate on regionalism & regional integration, particularly as it relates to New England, Atlantic Canada, & the Northeast International zone. Several conceptual & theoretical frameworks are summarized & disagreements encircle the role of the state & the push & pull between domestic versus international considerations. Approaches to regional integration include the international relations perspective, economic development debates, & institutional views. An overview of the book with summaries of each chapter is provided. 106 References. L. Collins Leigh

"Angesichts der gegenwärtigen weltweiten Rezession ist das Interesse am Phänomen der Kondratieff-Zyklen wieder stark belebt worden. Trotz einer intensiven wissenschaftlichen Diskussion und zahlreicher empirischer Analysen besteht bis heute kein Konsens in der Frage der Realität solcher Zyklen. Zwar zeigen sich in vielen ökonomischen Indikatorenreihen Trendschwankungen, doch es ist sowohl in der theoretischen wie der statistischen Forschung ungeklärt, ob sich diese Schwankungen mit einer angebbaren Regelmäßigkeit wiederholen. Die Nichtlösbarkeit des Problems in der bisherigen Forschung ist einmal auf das Fehlen geeigneter Datenreihen zurückzuführen, zum anderen auf den Umstand, daß kein brauchbares statistisches Verfahren für eine gegenstandsneutrale Untersuchung zur Verfügung stand. Die zunächst mit hohen Erwartungen eingesetzte Spektralanalyse wird neuerdings mit Recht starker methodischer Kritik unterzogen; denn der in allen ökonomischen Zeitreihen vorhandene Trend macht eine informative Spektralanalyse unmöglich, da diese immer ein Ergebnis liefert, dessen Form bereits Granger als 'typical spectral shape of an economic variable' bezeichnet hat. Ein spektralanalytischer Nachweis langer Wellen erfordert daher immer die vorherige Trendbereinigung der Zeitreihe. Diese exakte Trendbereinigung gelang bislang nicht. Entweder wurden die langen Wellen mit dem Trend ausgefiltert oder es waren die Auswirkungen der Trendbereinigung im Frequenzbereich nicht überprüfbar, so daß immer offen blieb, ob eventuell ausgewiesene lange Schwingungen erst durch das Verfahren erzeugt wurden (Slutzky-Effekt). Die Nichtüberprüfbarkeit der Hypothese von der Existenz langer Wellen war insgesamt ein sehr unbefriedigender Zustand. Ein völlig neuer Weg zur Lösung dieser Frage besteht darin, Zeitreihenanalyse als Filter-Design-Problem zu begreifen und sich methodisch ganz vom klassischen Komponentenmodell zu lösen. Einer Arbeitsgruppe um Prof. Stier in Bochum ist es gelungen, Filter zu konstruieren, die jene scharfen Trenneigenschaften aufweisen, mit denen das Problem der langen Wellen optimal angegangen werden kann. Der Schlüssel liegt in der Kombination dieser neuen rekursiven Filter mit der Spektralanalyse. Damit lassen sich, über die Intention bisheriger Arbeiten hinausgehend, Form und Lage von Langfristzyklen in der historischen Zeitdimension erstmals darstellen. Das Verfahren wurde auf verschiedene Zeitreihen (Preisserien, Produktions- und Lohndaten) angewandt. Von den z. T. überraschenden Ergebnissen seien nur einige kurz skizziert: Langfristzyklen sind in allen untersuchten Reihen nachweisbar. Allerdings zeigt sich der typische Kondratieff-Zyklus nur in Preisreihen. Produktionsreihen weisen eindeutig kürzerfristige Zyklen auf, die vielleicht dem Typ der Kuznets-Zyklen zuzuordnen sind, wahrscheinlich aber einen neuen Typus langer Wellen darstellen. Die mit Hilfe der Spektralanalyse diagnostizierten Zyklen-Typen erfahren allerdings bei der Darstellung in der historischen Zeit wesentliche Modifikationen. Von Zyklus zu Zyklus ändert sich nicht nur die jeweilige Zyklenlänge, sondern auch die Dauer der Auf- und Abschwungsphasen. Hinzu kommt, daß die Amplitudenausschläge deutliche Unterschiede zwischen vorindustrieller und industrieller Zeit aufzeigen. Vergleichsuntersuchungen mit deflationierten Preisreihen haben gezeigt, daß eine schwankende Geldwertstabilität nicht Ursache dieser Zyklen sein kann, sondern nur den Trend beeinflußte. Die als Trend ausgefilterten nicht-periodischen Schwingungen zeigen keinen gleichmäßig linearen, sondern einen wellenförmigen Verlauf. Ob es sich bei diesem Phänomen um ein methodenbedingtes Ergebnis handelt, muß vorerst offen bleiben." (Autorenreferat)