Suchergebnisse

Discusses administrative reforms due to demands for greater access to bureaucratic decision making, more accountability for public agencies, & greater transparency in administrative procedures. Public administration reforms in various countries are illuminated by the two reform agendas -- neoliberalism & democratic accountability. The increased citizen participation in decision-making is explored, with attention to the activities & usage of citizens' juries & consensus conferences. The relationship between citizens' & public administrative decision-making due to recent direct democratic reform is evaluated. 6 Tables. L. Collins Leigh

The 2000 decennial US Census was the first to allow respondents to select more than one category to designate their racial identification. It is argued that this change illuminates the political nature of the census, in general, & its racial & ethnic categories, specifically; it is further argued that politics pervades even allegedly "scientific" aspects of the census. Political motivations for switching to the multiraciality option are reviewed, citing the role of various interest groups & the leading political parties, & it is maintained that the census is inextricably bound up with the administrative needs of the welfare state. The difficulty of balancing the state's demands for authority with the nation's individualistic values is addressed, & it is concluded that multiracialism "will do more harm than good;" specific problems for affirmative action policies are noted. 29 References. K. Hyatt Stewart

The 2000 decennial US Census was the first to allow respondents to select more than one category to designate their racial identification. It is argued that this change illuminates the political nature of the census, in general, & its racial & ethnic categories, specifically; it is further argued that politics pervades even allegedly "scientific" aspects of the census. Political motivations for switching to the multiraciality option are reviewed, citing the role of various interest groups & the leading political parties, & it is maintained that the census is inextricably bound up with the administrative needs of the welfare state. The difficulty of balancing the state's demands for authority with the nation's individualistic values is addressed, & it is concluded that multiracialism "will do more harm than good;" specific problems for affirmative action policies are noted. 29 References. K. Hyatt Stewart

Examines the respective roles of Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels in the development of the Marxian laws of dialectics, drawing on an analysis of their relevant writings. It is suggested that the extant literature has erroneously assumed either that Marx & Engels were intellectual twins or intellectually incompatible on this subject. Marx is shown to have been interested in the contribution of theories of natural science to universal dialectical laws long before Engels. However, after referencing the notion that changes in quantity eventually lead to changes in quality in Capital (1867) & its corresponding application in the field of chemistry, Marx never developed the insight. In contrast, Engels developed a sophisticated thinking on dialectics that proceeded in three stages, culminating in the publication of Dialectics of Nature (1876). Thus, Engels is taken to have developed insights first revealed, but left fallow, in Marx's earlier work. 31 References. D. Ryfe

"The multidimensional, multiactor, multilevel and long-term character of sustainable development means that strategic policymaking is of utmost importance. Therefore, strategies for sustainable development have become a key policy Instrument. In Germany, this activity is largely concentrated at the federal level, although state and municipal levels should also be considered due to their importance within the German political-administrative system." (contract)

Considers the status of black feminist theorizing & activism in the UK, drawing on personal discussions with friends & fellow activists. Black feminism burst onto the scene in the early 1990s as a challenge to the women's liberation movement & other progressive movements. However, since its birth, black feminism has entered into intransigent political positions that have been unhelpful for its continued growth. To move beyond this paralysis, it is suggested that black feminists rethink their usage of a language of authentic subjective experience to articulate their position. This language has encouraged the growth of a certain self-righteousness as individuals have consigned themselves to accumulating oppressed identities. Only when black feminists understand that the political cannot simply be reduced to the personal will their political project overcome the current theoretical obstacles in its path. 4 References. D. Ryfe

The authors discuss the relationship between decentralization and conflict, focusing on the local level. They address the dangers that accompany decentralization, particularly the potential for new ethnic conflicts, or the revival of old ones. Before exploring the situation in Mali, the authors present an overview of scholarship on decentralization and the effects of colonial regimes on the African state. Their discussion of Mali includes a detailed description of Mali and an analysis of the Malian government preparation for and implementation of decentralization.

The research in public administration within the PHD programmes contributes to the satisfying of the need for scientific knowledge in the field. The present study is an approach to the nature of research within the PHD programmes in Administrative Sciences. We synthetize data and information obtained out of the analysis of the activity of the doctoral programmes in Administrative Sciences and we relate it to the criteria that confer the identity and legitimacy of the PHD. We consider three essential elements: major research subjects, research methodologies, and the results disseminated that we relate to the field of study in Administrative Sciences and to the context. We realise a first diagnosis of the stage of the PHD in Administrative Sciences in Romania and the measure that it is relevant to the new economy of knowledge. The conclusion of the study is that the legitimacy of the PHD in Administrative Sciences is mainly ensured by the need to bring the academic studies in accordance to the Bologna system and the criteria imposed in order to follow an academic career. The major subjects of research consider the tendencies of evolution in Administrative Science as a totalizing science.

"This chapter links aspects of institutional coordination at the policy level with problems of more or less institutionalized control on the operational level of administrative performance. It emphasizes the fact that all specific modes of control are selective and at best of only partial influence in complex action situations. Effective control of public administration is one important prerequisite for the solution of the coordination problem in the public sector, but a discussion of various analytical aspects of selectivity shows that one has, conversely, also to discuss the issue of coordinating administrative controls in order to solve the normative accountability problem. When considering the limits and difficulties of designing consistently balanced control systems, it is concluded that a redundancy of controls becomes necessary in order to keep insufficiencies, deficiencies, or even dysfunctional effects of single controls at least partially within acceptable bounds." (author's abstract)

Nationality laws always cover birthplace & bloodline & usually include marital status & residence. Each nation-state mixes these features & specifies techniques by which to acquire citizenship in particular ways. Differences & similarities in nationality law among 25 states (EU states, Australia, Canada, the US, Israel, Mexico, Russian, & South Africa) are analyzed, taking legal tradition & disconnection between territory & constituted population into consideration. Over the last two centuries, historical traditions were modified when contradictions occurred in the application of traditional law. Convergences in nationality laws have occurred because of the need to stabilize borders, pursue democratic values, & deal with immigration. More inclusive (jus soli) regimes have become slightly more restrictive & blood-based descent (jus sanguinis) regimes less restrictive. Four state types are described. 14 References. M. Pflum