Suchergebnisse

The author asserts that the corporate & international organization efforts at liberalization of the agrifood business is undermining the small farmers in the Third World countries that must import food from the West. Regulatory agencies, such as the emerging World Trade Organization (WTO), are developing the potential to strengthen the industrialized world's power & limit the growth of Third World citizens. As the US has sought the potential market for food exports to the Pacific Asian countries, the 1994 agreement of the Uruguay Round, OECD projections predicted the decline in prices from local Third World corn producers by 20% by the year 2000, which would cut the income of 500,000 peasant households. According to Watkins, this agreement requires "developing countries to open their food markets in the name of free market principles, while allowing the US & the EU to protect their farm systems & subsidize exports" (1996). The author traces the history & developments of the Western domination of the agriculture markets including detrimental effects of the green revolution, agro-colonialism & agro-industrialism, the formation of GATT, TNCS, & world-agricultural restructuring. L. A. Hoffman

The author asserts that the corporate & international organization efforts at liberalization of the agrifood business is undermining the small farmers in the Third World countries that must import food from the West. Regulatory agencies, such as the emerging World Trade Organization (WTO), are developing the potential to strengthen the industrialized world's power & limit the growth of Third World citizens. As the US has sought the potential market for food exports to the Pacific Asian countries, the 1994 agreement of the Uruguay Round, OECD projections predicted the decline in prices from local Third World corn producers by 20% by the year 2000, which would cut the income of 500,000 peasant households. According to Watkins, this agreement requires "developing countries to open their food markets in the name of free market principles, while allowing the US & the EU to protect their farm systems & subsidize exports" (1996). The author traces the history & developments of the Western domination of the agriculture markets including detrimental effects of the green revolution, agro-colonialism & agro-industrialism, the formation of GATT, TNCS, & world-agricultural restructuring. L. A. Hoffman

In a discussion of Oakeshott's early influence by Hegel & British idealists, the author of this chapter delineates Oakeshott's critiques of the liberalist conceptualization of the individual relative to the purposive nature it imposes on the state (Leo Strauss, Rousseau, Hegel, Bosanquet, Green). The intellectual evolution to a Hobbesian skepticism of authority & individuals allows for a synthesis of Hobbes & Hegel to further critique liberal atomism by arguing for a socially constructed individual with rights to her choices, in an environment of government limited to the creation of peace. Liberal democracy is recognized as the best form of social integration yet developed. In his later work, "On Human Conduct," Oakeshott places his concept of the individual embedded in civil association to allow for moral practices that are chosen because of a "freedom inherent in agency." The atomism of liberal political philosophy has thus been overcome, but Oakeshott still lacks an Aristotelian moral dignity that would generate allegiance to the political community. 22 References. J. Harwell

Cram attempts to clarify the integration that is central to the European Union (EU). Scholarship by Spinelli, Deutsch, & Haas is cited, with the author leaning toward the last's view of integration as an organic, ongoing, & formative experience for participating nations. There is consideration of integration as the creation of a supranational political union that might outstrip & end in conflict with the momentum of individual nations. Haas's "spillover" theory is delineated. Examination of the issue of control of integration involves review of neofunctionalism & its critics, including Hoffmann. The shift of politics from between member states to within the EU has led to specialized zones of "high politics." It is suggested that the goal of determining the EU's identity may be partially satisfied by comparing it with nations or federal states. A look at the EU policy process further aids dissection, with the author focusing on the evolution of formal rules, informal aspects of policy, an outline of the policy process, examples of agenda-setting, the decision-making role of the Council of Ministers, & factors involved in implementation, enforcement, & specific policy areas. Majone's interpretation of the EU as a regulatory state is included. 20 References. M. C. Leary

Artisanal cheeses have captured the taste buds of many Americans over the last 20 years, especially in dairy states where it can be found in local specialty shops & farmers' markets, but also in Slow Food-approved supermarkets such as Whole Foods. This chapter explores the production & marketing of specialty cheeses in Vermont. It is argued by many that this recent evolution represents the profit-driven creation of an elite niche market for America's most distinguished cheeses. Slick brochures describe such cheeses as Vermont Shepherd, with its "smooth & creamy texture," "rich & earthy flavor," & "hints of clover, wild mint, & thyme," its quality enhanced by the grasses of the natural fields where the sheep graze -- marketing phrases designed to make the customer drool while forking over $20 for a pound of this epicurean delight. However, the author contends that the production of such cheeses is not just market-driven. The cheese artisans want to make the best of the best & take pride in what they do. The husband-&-wife makers of Vermont Shepherd traveled to France, where the Basques taught them the secrets of making the best sheep's milk cheese. It is concluded that the "social relations of small-scale agriculture & food production in the US are driven by sentiment, affiliation, & politics as well as by economic rationality.". References. J. Stanton

Eine der zentralen Fragen der Bildungssoziologie bezieht sich auf das Weiterbestehen und die Reduzierung von sozialer Ungleichheit im Zuge der Bildungsexpansion während des 20. Jahrhunderts. In diesem Zusammenhang fragt der Beitrag, ob die Verbesserungen von Bildungschancen auch im tertiären/ Hochschulbereich angekommen sind. Der Beitrag analysiert folglich, wie es um die soziale Ungleichheit in der deutschen Hochschulbildung im Zeitraum der Bildungsexpansion von 1960 - 2000 steht. Für die Analyse greift der Beitrag auf die Daten des deutschen SOEP zurück und vergleicht diese mit anderen europäischen Untersuchungen. Nachdem der Autor die statistische Methode beschrieben hat, stellt er kurz die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung nach Frauen und Männern getrennt vor. (ICB2).