Suchergebnisse

Die Autorin geht von der These aus, dass Theorie und Praxis der internationalen Politik und auch der Gegenstandsbereich der internationalen Konfliktprävention männlich codiert sind. Am Beispiel von Ergebnissen aus einer Untersuchung über die seit 1993 in Estland arbeitende OSZE-Langzeitmission wird dies demonstriert. Langzeitmissionen gehören zu den typischen Instrumenten, um der Eskalation von Minderheitenkonflikten vorzubeugen. Ende 1999 waren in 22 von 54 OSZE-Staaten solche Missionen stationiert. Hintergrund der Entsendung einer solchen Mission nach Estland ist der Konflikt um die Staatsbürgerschaft. Nachdem Estland von der Sowjetunion unabhängig geworden war, wurde etwa ein Drittel der EinwohnerInnen von der Staatsbürgerschaft ausgeschlossen. Seitdem werden sie als "Russen" politisch, ökonomisch, sozial und kulturell diskriminiert. Die internationale Politik hat sehr früh das Gefahrenpotential dieser ethnopolitischen Sicht erkannt und in einer umfassenden Weise Konfliktprävention betrieben. Der Beitrag analysiert aus einem genderkritischen Blick die Arbeit der OSZE-Langzeitmission in Estland. (ICA2)

In this case study, the author explores how public concern about vaccinations has affected vaccination development & use throughout history. The author shows how perceptions about vaccinations are inaccurate, & identifies how these distortions are shaped. Figures, References. D. Miller

The author explores the political values that ought to shape policy making & risk regulation. The values that provide an alternative to the traditional principles of utilitarianism & democratic elitism are democratic legitimacy, scientific integrity, & international responsibility. The author also argues for increased citizen participation. References. D. Miller

The author examines the role of the media in influencing public opinion. Concern about the media's focus on communicating gloom to increase the audience's emotional response is expressed before the author discusses ways the media can be used to increase citizen participation in public policy making. References. D. Miller

Am Beispiel von Parlamentsdebatten im Niedersächsischen Landtag wird untersucht, in welchem Umfang und in welcher Weise Medieninhalte reflektiert werden und wie Politiker in ihren Debattenbeiträgen auf Medieninhalte verweisen. Art, Umfang und Kontext der Medienverweise wurden anhand der stenografischen Berichte zu neun aufeinander folgenden Plenarsitzungen zwischen dem 29. März und dem 22. Juni 2000 inhaltsanalytisch ausgewertet. Die Analyse führte zu sechs zentralen Ergebnissen: (1) Verweise auf Medieninhalte sind ein übliches rhetorisches Mittel in Landtagsdebatten und werden in beträchtlicher Anzahl und in unterschiedlichen thematischen und formalen Kontexten eingebracht; (2) Medienverweise kommen überwiegend von den Oppositionsparteien, die dadurch ihr Informationsdefizit gegenüber der Regierung ausgleichen und damit ihrer Kontrollaufgabe nachkommen; (3) Heimatzeitungen sind - zumindest im Niedersächsischen Landtag - die häufigsten Quellen der Medienverweise; (4) Medienverweise beziehen sich häufig auf den politischen Prozess und dienen damit der Selbstbeobachtung des politischen Systems; (5) Medienverweise dienen in der Mehrzahl dazu, Fakten in die Debatte einzubringen; (6) Medienverweise haben vor allem in der Phase der Problemartikulation und -definition eine große Bedeutung. Im weiteren Verlauf des Policy-Prozesses verlieren sie hingegen an Bedeutung. Wenn unter Integration die Herstellung der Anschlussfähigkeit zwischen verschiedenen Diskursen verstanden wird, weisen die Ergebnisse insgesamt auf eine deutliche Integrationsleistung der Medien hin. (ICI2)

Data from the CA Vital Statistics Birth Records are drawn on to analyze patterns of multiracial-multiethnic births in that state, 1982-1999, in terms of racial/ethnic group size & maternal age & education, & to construct a profile of the proportion of these newborns by ethnic-racial group. The impact of the continuation of CA's high rate of immigration on multiracial-multiethnic births is explored, acknowledging the influence of factors such as country of origin, generational effects, residential segregation, group size, & intermarriage. Analysis reveals the rapid & continuing growth of the state's multiracial Hispanic population; implications of this & other trends for the future of the state's demographic composition -- & policies based on it -- are discussed. 8 Figures, 22 References. K. Hyatt Stewart

The author presents in his contribution in a critical manner an outline regarding the development of self-evaluation in Scotland during the last decade. In 1988 in Scotland the context for school improvement and accountability was external inspection. Although this did not mean that schools themselves were unconcerned with improvement and accountability, schools tended to see much of the responsibility for quality assurance and accountability as lying outside their control. The author characterises what schools at that time could be. From the late eighties onwards teams of teachers, university researchers and Scottish Office policy advisers worked together to fashion a new system. In 1992 a set of self-evaluation guidelines were launched, distributed to all schools in Scotland, primary, secondary and special schools. They contained an indicator framework, a set of suggested criteria, tools for self-evaluation, guidelines on their use, and examples of professional development activities for teachers. In the final section of his essay "The challenge ahead" the author formulates six characteristics typical of the self-evaluating school. (DIPF/Orig./Ba.).

Problems with conventional definitions of political corruption are highlighted to better define such political behavior. Three categories are identified: corruption by public officials; public officials' abuse of their offices; & corruption by business enterprises & other private citizens. Political corruption is not perceived as a seminal characteristic of organized crime syndicates. Various legal, public interest, & public opinion definitions of political corruption are examined, further demonstrating the problem of preserving traditional definitions. Analysis of several public opinion definitions of corruption indicates significant differences in how the public defines political corruption & that these notions have changed over time. In addition, different nations posses disparate legal, public interest, & public opinion understandings of political corruption. The need to acknowledge the legitimacy of multiple definitions of corruption is stressed. 22 References. J. W. Parker

The author examines how risks are assessed & managed in today's world, focusing on posing & answering three questions about risk management -- the 'risk game.' -- These questions include, (1) why is risk regulation diffuse & fragmented, (2) why is it difficulty to establish accountability, & (3) why does the process often seem to produce adverse effects? In the process of addressing these questions, the author identifies how the 'blame game' shapes the 'risk game'. The 'blame game' refers to the strategies -- presentational, policy, &/or agency -- used by politicians or other public officials to avoid or limit the amount of blame. Tables, Figures, References. D. Miller

In this chapter the author reflects upon the Norwegian experience with school-based evaluation and tries to answer the question: Why is it so difficult to persuade teachers to do school-based evaluation? Part of his answer will be found in the different perspectives on evaluation seen from governmental and municipal level on the one side and ordinary teachers on the other. In many schools the author has studied, a common pattern was observed: Too much pressure to do school-based evaluation creates suspicion of a hidden agenda from above leading to lacking involvement in what should be an important part of school development. (DIPF/Orig./Ba.).

Describes experiences gained as a researcher in the Carolina Longitudinal Study, a multimethod, annual assessment of aggression among two cohorts of 695 NC youth initially sampled in grades 4 & 7 & its relation to later problems in living. Theoretical & methodological shortcomings identified in earlier longitudinal studies are described, along with attempts to ameliorate these in the Carolina study; persistent types of "madness" that plague longitudinal research are identified. Stages & strategies in the research design, pilot testing, sample selection, & study initiation in 8 public elementary & middle schools in rural & suburban areas are recounted. Lessons learned about developmental research in general are summarized, along with some specific insights regarding & the dynamic & changing course of individual life trajectories as a function of larger social influences; implications for attempting to predict across generations are considered. 2 Appendixes, 22 References. K. Hyatt Stewart

Describes a longitudinal study of adolescent mothers in Baltimore, MD, that began in 1965, highlighting changes in the external social situation & in the researcher's own life that occurred across the study's course through its 30-year follow-up. Changes in personal ideas & professional ambitions as the author moved from being a sociological graduate student to a tenured academic are noted, as well as the influence on the study of changing societal ideas about unwed mothers & marriage & the shifting climate of racial relations. Describing ways in which the Baltimore study represented a life-changing experience for the author, broader reflections are offered on the relationship between researcher & subject. 37 References. K. Hyatt Stewart

In this chapter, the author examines the different types of research methodology used in public opinion research, what is being measured in public opinion research -- behavior, knowledge, & views, & distinguishes between opinions, attitudes, & values. References. D. Miller

The author first outlines the case for schools evaluating themselves and present the underlying philosophy and origins of a democratic case study approach to school self-evaluation. Secondly she explores purposes and process and suggests how schools might undertake this task, simply and efficiently taking into account the teaching load and responsibilities they carry. Thirdly she outlines the philosophy of a training programme designed to support schools in this process. Finally, the author examines how the process may be strengthened to include other citizens and to justify the integrity of school self-evaluation to the public, yet maintaining the emphasis on the school evaluating itself. She starts by locating the place of school self-evaluation in the governance of a democratic education system. (DIPF/Orig./Ba.).

The author outlines Sweden's approach to chemicals policy, considered an example of one of the most stringent types of environmental policy developed by any country in the world. The goals & need of such policy to protect the environment are discussed. References. D. Miller