Suchergebnisse

This paper deals with the puzzle of contemporary political parties. After having discussed the most relevant, classical contributions on party types, the paper emphasizes that parties are now still holding a central position in the system. They have grown stronger & more powerful thanks to their interpenetration with the state, but they have lost full legitimacy. Their passage toward cartelization has been accomplished at the cost of diluting the collective & symbolic benefits that they used to provide members & voters. The increased resources that parties can now distribute thanks to their colonization of the state do not counter the negative impact of the loosening of affective/ideological bonds previously established with their constituencies. Even the most recent attempts at "opening & including" a larger number of members & voters in the decision-making process has not yet proven effective. The puzzle of contemporary parties lies in the contradiction between a larger openness & increased resources vis-a-vis declining legitimacy & attractiveness. 90 References. Adapted from the source document.

This paper focuses on the current position of political science in Italian universities. In doing so, it aims not only at providing a purely descriptive account, but also at evaluating the general status of political science in Italy. The analysis of the academic status of a subject helps us to understand what kind of general status it possesses within a country. The number of people teaching political science, the kind of institutions it is taught in, & exactly what is taught, all provide an understanding -- albeit not an exhaustive one -- of some of the essential conditions influencing the real status of political science in Italy. After a brief historical introduction, detailed figures are given regarding the number & distribution of political scientists in Italy's universities, & the courses currently offered in the field of political science are described & discussed. In the second part of the paper, the author gives his views on the current state of Italian political science, which he considers to be not dissimilar to that of other countries, & they subsequently invite the reader to reflect on the need for an increase in its social status. At the same time, some reflections are presented about the risk Italian political science could fall into without a more conscious collective strategy aimed at improving its own position & status in universities. Tables, References. Adapted from the source document.

This contribution deals with some relevant issues concerning the relations among banking & economic development in China. With respect to the prevailing findings of literature on these topics China offers a unique "counterexample" since, although the common quantitative indicators of "financial deepening" are aligned with those of more advanced financial countries, the qualitative ones move away considerably from them. Consequently China contradicts the neoclassical view by which both "financial repression" & state ownership of banks, in a context of weak rule of law, hamper economic development. This theoretical "enigma" can be unfolded by resorting to non conventional analysis of the role of banking in Chinese economy. Non conventional view emphasizes credit policy as a tool to reconcile the conflicting goals of long run economic development & macroeconomic stability. In fact through a tight control of the state owned banks (the "big four") the Chinese policy makers succeeded in funding the obsolete capital-intensive state-owned firms & prevented the collapse of a considerable share of Chinese industry from reversing the high rate of development. Nevertheless in the late nineties the burden of "non performing loans" began to emerge as a worrying problem for Chinese economic policy, the solution of which was immediately perceived as serious financial constraint on economic development. In contrast with prevailing conventional wisdom the opinion of some analysts who argue that the overall economic resources of China are able to adjust financial imbalance & to reduce the menace to its macroeconomic stability & continuity of its economic development reveals a best understanding of potentiality of this country to run a track leading to status of prominent economic power. Tables. Adapted from the source document.

NEPAD, New Partnership for Africa's Development, is a plan for the development of the African continent, formally adopted by the OAU in Jul 2001. This framework is a promise made by African leaders to eradicate poverty & to place African countries on a path of sustainable growth. Globalization has put African countries at great risk since it penalizes poor & underdeveloped countries, but it has also offered a series of opportunities that world leaders cannot afford to ignore. First & foremost the delocalization of productive processes could favor the African economy, also igniting interesting investment opportunities. NEPAD is the vision that Africa needs to adapt its own development to globalization standards. 1 Appendix. M. Williamson

The Pope observes that world peace, justice, & forgiveness are goals more important than ever in light of the tragic terrorist events of 11 Sept. True peace is the work & fruit of justice, moral character, & legal guarantee. After pontificating on the phenomenon of terrorism, based on contempt for human life, the Pope then notes that no religion should tolerate or promulgate violence or terrorism. At the root of any future project of a just & solid society is the ability to forgive. While peace is a condition for development, true peace is only made possible through forgiveness. The Pontiff calls for pardon, understanding, & interfaith cooperation, & concludes with a prayer for peace. J. Sadler