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Life in the border regions within the European Union has become normal for many people, especially for younger generations. Crossing the borders is part of everyday life. In recent years, until the refugee crisis, national borders had lost significance due to their increased permeability, although neither borders nor border demarcations have ever become meaningless. National policies and frameworks determine fundamental orientations that have specific implications on both sides of borders. This is associated with processes of inclusion and exclusion, (regional) identities, feelings of belonging and issues concerning a sense of home. Against this background, this paper provides a theory-based introduction to the central constructs and concepts that gain significance in the cross-border context: border(s) and border demarcations, (spatial and regional) identities and home. Identification processes are illuminated and categorised using the example of the Greater Region.

Considers arguments between relativists & antirelativists during debates over the UN's 1949 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. According to antirelativists, there exists a set of principles that transcends any particular culture. This position is refuted by relativists, who point to differing cultural concepts of rights around the globe & suggest that any effort to apply one standard to all will result in intolerance. A coherentist position, which focuses on background features of competing conceptions of cultural concepts to reveal their commonalities, may mediate between the relativist & antirelativist positions. Through use of this method, one may concede that knowledge is relative, but must also insist on the possibility that a universal theory of human rights may be developed. Pursuit of this method would require an expanded role for communication theory & research to develop descriptions not only of existing conceptions, but also of the possibilities for advancing cultural constructs. D. M. Smith

How much knowledge do you need to form opinions and talk about them? Located within a broader body of work on the relation between knowledge and attitude formation, this research explores the role of knowledge in the process of deliberation by taking an in-depth look at a real-world deliberation exercise on social welfare in Germany. Deliberative theory is based on the assumption that while deliberating, informed citizens weigh information in order to form 'ideal' opinions. Yet, empirical findings suggest rather low levels of political knowledge among the population. Taking a real-world case of deliberation on social welfare in Germany, this article has two goals: first, it draws on data collected on the level of knowledge regarding the German welfare system to get an initial insight into the distribution of political knowledge, which has been scarce to non-existent to date. Second, it applies a qualitative content analysis to explore the kind of information people in real-world deliberation exercises use as the basis for their arguments and ends with a discussion of the role of knowledge in group attitude-formation processes. While the results confirm previous findings on relatively low levels of political knowledge among the participants, this study raises three further issues that are relevant for understanding the role of knowledge in transferring theoretical deliberative norms and ideals to reality. These issues, which relate to the weighing of arguments, the handling of false or missing information, and the issue of procedural knowledge, are highlighted, and implications for further research and possible procedures for the transfer of normative deliberative goals to real-world deliberations are outlined.

This article uses research in relation to the provision of public services and infrastructures to support the thesis that primarily one particular perspective on space - namely a material or quantifying perspective - is reflected in current empirical research. The article thus proposes the use of the concept of relational space by Martina Löw (2001) in empirical research to improve our empirical understanding of the space relevant for local people. To conclude, potential insights gained are outlined on the basis of the conceptualisation of a study of private colleges in rural areas in Germany.

An agent-based modeling approach is used to simulate the effects of changed territorial borders on identity conflicts. The model is influenced by complexity & evolutionary theory. It employs computer simulations & Lustick & Dergachev's Agent-Based Identity Repertoire (ABIR) model which is based on the constructivist notion that identities are best conceptualized as repertoires of possibilities. The intuitions of constructivist theory are applied to the relationship between territory & population in present-day Europe to explore what it means to belong to a particular national community under conditions of globalization that make borders more porous. The focus is on what happens to the dominant identity of a society as large numbers of individuals with identities that previously did not exist within that society are admitted. The methodology used to apply ABIR to questions of territory & identity is described. The results of this exercise in virtual political geography show that territoriality matters more, not less, under conditions of globalization, especially when there are strong globalizing pressures & significant cultural mixing has already occurred. 6 Figures. J. Lindroth

An agent-based modeling approach is used to simulate the effects of changed territorial borders on identity conflicts. The model is influenced by complexity & evolutionary theory. It employs computer simulations & Lustick & Dergachev's Agent-Based Identity Repertoire (ABIR) model which is based on the constructivist notion that identities are best conceptualized as repertoires of possibilities. The intuitions of constructivist theory are applied to the relationship between territory & population in present-day Europe to explore what it means to belong to a particular national community under conditions of globalization that make borders more porous. The focus is on what happens to the dominant identity of a society as large numbers of individuals with identities that previously did not exist within that society are admitted. The methodology used to apply ABIR to questions of territory & identity is described. The results of this exercise in virtual political geography show that territoriality matters more, not less, under conditions of globalization, especially when there are strong globalizing pressures & significant cultural mixing has already occurred. 6 Figures. J. Lindroth

"The emergence of order in systems with many actors or agents is an interesting problem for sociology as well as for computer science. Both disciplines can contribute equally to its examination. In this article sociology provides a solution for 'situation of double contingency'
referring to Niklas Luhmann's theory of autopoietical systems. This is a coordination problem in social systems. First of all computer science can contribute techniques from the field of simulation. With these techniques it is possible to examine current as well as non–existing or no longer existing environments. Observations of the latter make it possible to draw further conclusions on the importance of the currently existing environment. At last computer science can utilise this knowledge about social processes especially in the domain of multi–agent systems.
Starting the from sociological theory of the dyadic 'situation of double contingency' as mentioned above, our main focus is on large actor populations and their capability to produce order depending on different actors' constellations. Based on the theory for dyadic actor constellations we present our model of the actor. We do not want the actors to identify
one another, so we do not need to modify this model if we scale up population size next and introduce constellations. Thereby we take regular, random and small–world constellations into account. After describing our measures of order we study emergence of order in different constellations for varying population sizes. By means of simulation experiments we show
that systems with small–worlds exhibit highest order on large populations which gently decreases on increasing population sizes." (author's abstract)

In this constructivist inquiry into the term "policy," the chapter examines rational speaking agents, their choices, & their intentions. The complex nature of strategic interactions necessitates that rational choices be based on inferences, as not all intentions are directly expressed or even honestly represented. Agreements, though ostensibly based on reciprocity, are not necessarily predicated on exchange promises; rather, an exchange of policy intentions may be seen as akin to gift-giving. Viewing these strategic interactions as speech acts discloses gaps between overt & obfuscated intentions, & bluffs & promises. This perspective has implications for understanding the often slippery relationship between agents & their policy statements. 33 References. K. Coddon

The extent to which broadcasters' control over local TV programming affects politicians' behavior, particularly with regard to the creation of information policy, is investigated. Informed by principal-agent theory, it is claimed that a "paradox of news bias" currently exists between local broadcasters & viewers. An overview of high- & low-information reasoning used by politicians to determine the objectivity of media outlets emphasizes local broadcasters' strategies for overcoming claims of media bias. Noting the difficulties that politicians may experience in uncovering media bias, a rational choice perspective is employed to demonstrate how local broadcasters act opportunistically while preventing viewers & politicians from uncovering such behavior. Based on the negotiations surrounding the 1996 Telecommunications Act, a detailed framework for gathering evidence of news media influence over information policymaking is provided. Various directions for future research are also offered, eg, studying the influence of an entire industry, not individual companies, upon policymaking. 2 Figures. J. W. Parker

Various notions of virtue ethics are used to create a framework for analyzing the ethics of war crimes. Although Aristotle's understanding of virtue ethics is deemed inadequate for such a project because it emphasizes what individuals deserve for committing such violations, Francis Hutcheson's & David Hume's moral sentimentalist perspectives are perceived as providing a more agent-based ethical perspective. In addition, Friedrich Nietzsche's notion of inner strength is viewed as offering an agent-based understanding of virtue ethics. Specifically, Nietzsche's notion of inner strength implies that powerful nations will not seek retribution against other countries that launch unsuccessful attacks. Despite the potential of Nietzsche's virtue ethics, it is suggested that a moral sentimentalist perspective is better suited to explicate why defender nations would not seek vengeance against aggressor countries. J. W. Parker

"The Schumpeterian theory of the state, based on the conceptual framework of fiscal sociology, parallels the theory of entrepreneurship in its concern with the institutional dynamism of capitalist development. Schumpeterian entrepreneurship denotes the capability for carrying out innovations by means of leadership. It may be executed by diverse agents, whose capabilities are embedded in a variety of institutional forms. This institutional variety is an indispensable condition of capitalist development, due to its role in the behavioural articulation of entrepreneurship which is basically driven by atavistic motives. These are also relevant in other domains of socio-cultural evolution, even affecting the genesis of the modern state which is perceived as an equivalent to the entrepreneurial features of competitive capitalism. Its rationale mirrors the emergence of a distinct sphere of self-interested economic activity in a private sector. While the state is concerned with the provision of common goods, its economic impact needs to be assessed with regard to the social interests that mark its relationship with the private sector. This holds for the evolution of the fiscal system as well as for other domains of government activity. Indeed, Schumpeter pointed out that the state could temporarily carry out the entrepreneurial function in capitalist development, quite in accordance with the notion of entrepreneurship as institutional leadership." (author's abstract)

A theory of power inspired by Wartenberg's account is presented in precise terms, together with various specializations amounting to different forms of power, and performing a net. The notion of exerting power is characterized by the actors' intentions and by a believed causal connection between the actions involved. The subordinate agent performs "his" action although originally he did not intend to do so. Some variants of application of the models are discussed.

The relationship between ideological identification & political protest in democracies is examined based on a comparative analysis of survey data from adults in the Federal Republic of Germany, Israel, & Peru (N = 714, 1,266, & 1,571, respectively) measuring political protest, ideological identification, party identification, public goods motivation, personal normative beliefs, & social network incentives. The traditional association of political protest with left-wing ideology was not completely supported by the results, & it is suggested that party identification partially mediates the relationship between political protest & ideological identity. Expected utility variables were the most reliable predictors of protest behavior, & it is thereby argued that ideological identification is significantly impacted by the expected utility of identity & action. The results support the theory that individuals at either extreme of the political spectrum are more likely to define themselves as agents of political protest, & to act accordingly. Although the study did not directly account for the political stance of the incumbent party, political protest was highest among groups opposing the ideological stance of the incumbent party in each country, & it is concluded that this variable should be further considered in future research. 10 Tables, 3 Figures. T. Sevier

As neoinstitutionalism gained a foothold in economics, as did rational choice theory in sociology, during the late 1970s & early 1980s, a closer relationship between the two disciplines began to develop. A competence-based view of the firm that attempts to synthesize transaction cost theory & evolutionary theory is presented to illustrate how economists & sociologists might learn even more from one another. How Philip Selznick's (1957) sociological theory of leadership -- particularly his criticism of the adaptationist paradigm in organizational theory -- may help clarify some of the conceptual problems remaining in a competence-based view of the firm is also discussed. 1 Table. M. Maguire

Presents Preference theory as a methodology to explain the lack of fundamental change after the equal opportunities revolution of the late 20th century. Preference theory is argued to identify inequality among women, & the importance of lifestyle preferences, & is the only evidence-based theoretical framework that correlates with historical research. Analysis of pay gaps between British men & women with a preference model identifies lifestyle choice as the significant variable. An explanation of preference theory defines 4 central tenets based on 5 separate historical changes in society. 3 lifestyle preference groups are identified in relation to contextual factors & theorization of female diversity. Preference theory is concluded to be the only analytical approach that can address the world of contemporary young women. References. J. Harwell