Suchergebnisse

An autobiographical narrative of a natural scientist who has bridged the gap between hard science & women's studies describes the path that took her from teaching biology, to geography, to a tenure-track position in women's studies. It all started with the development of a "Women & Science" course for the biology department that led to teaching a similar course in the women's studies department. The importance of the perspective of science to both science & women's studies is discussed, noting the continuing expansion of feminist science studies, & the fruitful analyses that result from working across boundaries of the natural & social sciences. The disadvantages of combining disciplines are also discussed, along with the difficulties involved in attracting natural scientists to women's studies; changes that would occur if a feminist pedagogy were consistently employed within the natural sciences; & the potential for new intellectual & institutional configurations emerging from feminist science studies. 2 References. J. Lindroth

International migration, uneven in both time & space & concentrated in urban cities, is a major phenomenon within Western Europe, though these have not been considered classical immigration countries. While countries such as Belgium, Switzerland, & France had a long immigration history prior to WWII, countries such as the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, Austria & the Netherlands acquired their experience in the decades following WWII, & yet others such as Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece & Ireland were emigration countries until the last decade or two. European perception of immigration is less accepting than that of classical immigration countries, resulting in generally late & piecemeal development of national integration policies. Though the perceptions & policies may change in the future within the EU, the current situation remains incongruous & ambivalent. The Multicultural Policies & Modes of Citizenship in European Cities project (MPMC) was a cross-national research project focused on empirical study & comparison of local immigrant policies & political participation within European studies that was launched in 1996 & ends with the publication of this volume of in depth comparisons on selected topics. 35 References. L. Kehl

Discusses racial interactions in two low-income, racially mixed neighborhoods in Philadelphia, PA, arguing that local government strategies, based on oversimplified national-level models, exacerbate racial tensions rather than achieving interracial cooperation. Fourteen anthropologists between 1988 & 1990 conducted fieldwork in the two neighborhoods of differing political-economic trajectories & racial & class compositions. They observed everyday activities, school, & shopping as well as activist campaigns, neighborhood celebrations, & healing events after tragedies, & they interviewed 50+ community leaders & household members. The political activism encouraged by Philadelphia's Changing Relations Project to improve local conditions reflects state use of conflicting unrealistic discourses of multiculturalism, with identities remaining racialized, stereotyped, & divisive. Economic restructuring has brought neighborhood decline that has hardened racial, ethnic, & class boundaries, effectively disrupting common class-based political subjectivity. L. A. Hoffman

Investigates NJ public opinion toward immigrants & their perceived impacts, drawing on 1994 telephone interview data from 1,201 randomly selected residents. Approximately 50% indicated that they were satisfied by the immigrant level, while 40% believed measures should be taken to reduce the number. Respondents expressed anxiety about jobs for residents as a primary reason for wanting to reduce the number of immigrants, followed by concerns about higher taxes & overcrowding. Older, less educated, urban, & Catholic residents were less likely to be tolerant of immigrants, while individuals who were younger, married, &/or members of minority groups were likely to be more tolerant. 4 Tables, 2 Figures, 59 References. D. M. Smith

Examines the trend toward mobilization to enact local growth controls among US suburban residents & factors that motivate residents to support such controls, based on data from the Orange County (CA) Annual Survey, 1982-1992, which involved in-depth telephone interviews with 1,000 randomly selected residents of an area fitting the New Political Culture (NPC) profile of a youthful, affluent, well-educated community. It was hypothesized that (1) there would be significant public support of local growth controls that would increase in good economic times; (2) the antigrowth coalition is an issue-oriented citizen movement, not predicted by party orientation; & (3) youth, higher income, & higher education would predict public support for growth controls. All were confirmed except for the association between local growth control support & youth, higher income, & higher education. The results imply that the NPC has a significant impact on mobilization for growth controls. Other implications are discussed. 5 Tables. J. Lindroth

Investigates the fiscal impacts of immigrants on NJ, drawing on a microanalysis of 1990 US census household-level data. It is found that both immigrants & native-born residents in NJ receive more in government assistance than they pay in taxes. However, the relative burden of immigrants is greater than that of native-born residents, because they have larger household fiscal deficits. Much of this burden is placed on local governments rather than the state government. Directions for future microanalysis are briefly discussed. 6 Tables, 34 References. D. M. Smith

Uses a theoretical framework of social action as an embodied process to examine how changes in migration transformed the social & political structure of Kennett Square PA, the home of the nation's largest commercial mushroom industry. Information was obtained from participant-observations carried out between 1995-2002 at a local social service provider for Mexican migrants; 60 in-depth interviews with Mexican settlers & English-speaking residents; & three trips to the immigrant's home city in Mexico where 170 household surveys focused on migration & work histories were conducted. The primarily English-speaking residents of Kennett Square considered themselves socially progressive until Mexican families began putting down roots & purchasing homes. Protests against Mexican settlement caused a division within the Anglo community that ultimately led to the formation of a social movement called Bridging the Community. It is contended that the formation of the Bridging movement illustrates how the embodied experience of fear incites social action & reaffirms local identity. The impact of the movement on both Mexican settlers & long-term residents is discussed. Figures, References. J. Lindroth

The potential dangers of planned utopian communities are discussed in an examination of the 40-year history of Lakewood, CA, a planned community south of the city that evolved from a model of community cohesiveness to an exemplar of current social problems. Based on a form of contract-based municipal government, Lakewood comprised a series of near identical homes, & residents were promised a utopian vision of family & work life. It is argued that this idealized mythology of perfection was the cause of both the early success & later decline of the community. Although planning, ideology, & institutions of the community were adequate & beneficial in the 1950s, overreliance on these structures, beliefs, & values inspired a resistance to change that undermined development & growth in later decades. Further, residents' unquestioned belief in Lakewood prevented recognition of internal problems & caused conflict with surrounding communities, which were used as scapegoats. Under these circumstances, the distance between the Lakewood vision & reality increased, & the town was exposed to economic recession, unemployment, & eroding spirit without the means or desire to adapt. Data obtained during 1994 interviews with Lakewood residents & officials support these arguments. 4 References. T. Sevier

Discusses the potential impact of various health care reforms on Los Angeles, CA. A number of circumstances distinguish the health care situation in Los Angeles from that of the rest of the country: disproportionately high level of uninsured residents, rapid growth of private & public managed care, a substantial surplus of hospital beds & specialist physicians, an underfunded county-operated health system in need of new facilities, a large legal immigration population in need of culturally & linguistically sensitive services, a large population of undocumented residents, & a 6-year economic recession & rise in unemployment. It is argued that health insurance reform, federalization of Medicaid, nonmandatory subsidies for the purchase of private health insurance, & voluntary medical savings accounts advocated by the US Congress would not have a substantial effect on Los Angeles's greatest problem, ie, its large number of uninsured residents. The recently defeated proposal by the Bill Clinton administration, with its emphasis on universal or nearly universal care, could have reduced this problem, but no solutions have been offered to the dilemma of undocumented persons. It is argued that the problem could be at least minimally handled through limited low-cost coverage for doctor visits, immunizations, & hospital stays. 5 Tables, 20 References. T. Sevier

Observation & interviews conducted 1992 in the Sliven agricultural region of southern Bulgaria, with a 1994 follow-up, support a discussion of Bulgarian villagers' situations & perceptions in the postcommunist transition. The distribution of formerly collective cattle in Oct 1992 is a focal point. Excerpts of interviews with residents illustrate dissatisfaction with both collectivization & decollectivization, & show how the experience of collectivization influenced villager attitudes toward property & other issues, & how kinship served as a balancing force. Observations during the follow-up visit suggest that there is little economic incentive for villagers to participate in livestock activities, although a few are optimistic & many desire land restitution. For the most part, Sliven residents live on small pensions & their gardens. The success of a few villagers can be explained by kinship ties & agricultural desire. 9 References. E. Blackwell

Examines the dramatic increase in Mexican & other Latino immigrant residents that occurred in the rural Delmarva Peninsula region of Maryland & Virginia during the 1990's. The impact of local practices on immigrant rights is considered from both a human rights & a citizen theory perspective. Data were obtained from fieldwork conducted in 2000-02 that consisted of site observations & interviews with immigrants, social service providers, & local activists. Most of the immigrant respondents were poor, young, working-class Mexicans who were interested in permanent rather than temporary, seasonal work. Special attention is given to the immigrant's experiences with labor unions, social services, housing providers, & the political establishment. Even though many of the newcomers lack legal status, they have made significant gains, & local actors have often responded constructively to their presence. The isolated nature of the peninsula & the small size of the communities have led to more personal contact between residents & the immigrants whose rights have been expanded in such areas as labor, education, & legal assistance. Tables, References. J. Lindroth

Examines the sociopolitical dynamics of the influx of Mexican & other Latino immigrants in Lexington KY during the 1990s. The community's response to the newcomers is described as an "ambivalent mixture of paternalistic concern & xenophobia." Data were obtained from census statistics, newspaper articles, participant observation, four focus groups, & a survey completed by almost 1000 Hispanic immigrants. The history, social composition, & demographic characteristics of the immigrant population are described. Although established residents initially treated the immigrants as if they were invisible, their presence has been gradually acknowledged & some steps have been taken to accommodate their needs. A significant proportion of the Latino population has moved from rural to urban jobs in construction, restaurants, hotels, factories, or private homes. Attention is called to the formation of the Hispanic Initiative Network composed of community leaders who explore issues of concern to newcomers. In spite of the development of some political & social self-representation, Hispanics continue to be marginalized & institutionally excluded by most white & black residents. Future prospects are discussed. Tables, References. J. Lindroth

Draws upon philosophical & historical writings to argue for placing limits on the notion of sovereignty based on accepted ideas about individual rights. It is argued that if limits are placed on how states may treat their residents, then limits must also be placed on states in regard to which ill-treatment of residents within other states they are allowed to ignore. Although rights imply duties, certain duties place constraints on the activity of sovereign states as members of international society. The issue of default duties is explored, along with difficulties involved in determining which concrete limits should be placed on a particular state; limits on state sovereignty determined by fundamental individual rights; & whether basic rights can be secured for everyone without imposing unfair levels of duties. The "argument from insufficient motive" proposed by David Miller (1995) is explored in relation to genocidal massacres of people by their own state & limiting the right of powerful states to idly stand by while such monstrous evils are being committed. J. Lindroth