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[Introduction .] The objective of the first subchapter is to introduce the differences in labor market outcomes among ethnic groups in China and to acquaint the reader with some of the major determinants of these differences, notably ethnic status, human capital factors and geographic location. A frequently cited reason for lower labor market participation and higher rates of many ethnic minorities in agricultural employment is their comparatively lower educational attainment. Subchapter 1.2, therefore, particularly addresses educational differences among ethnic groups in China. The Chinese government recognized that ethnic minorities have been increasingly excluded from the job market and has taken several measures to overcome these inequalities. Subchapter 1.3 gives an overview of current preferential policies targeted at ethnic minorities and local governments in autonomous areas. Subchapter 1.4 then introduces the definitions of labor market discrimination and job preferences as well as presents the central research questions of this monograph. Subchapter 1.5 highlights the main scientific controversies. The last subchapter, 1.6, presents the organization of this monograph.

Water, energy and food are essential resources for economic development and social well-being. Framing integrated policies that improve their efficient use requires understanding the interdependencies in the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus. Stakeholder involvement in this process is crucial to represent multiple perspectives, ensure political legitimacy and promote dialogue. In this research, we develop and apply a participatory modelling approach to identify the main interlinkages within the WEF nexus in Andalusia, as a starting point to developing a system dynamic model at a later stage. The application of fuzzy cognitive mapping enabled us to gain knowledge on the WEF nexus according to opinions from 14 decision-makers, as well as contributing to raising awareness and building consensus among stakeholders. Results show that climate change and water availability are key drivers in the WEF nexus in Andalusia. Other variables with significant interlinkages within the WEF nexus are food production, irrigated agriculture, energy cost, socio-economic factors, irrigation water use, environmental conservation, and farm performance indicators. The scenario analysis reveals the interdependencies among nexus sectors and the existence of unanticipated effects when changing variables in the system, which need to be considered to design integrated policies.

Land resumption in Hong Kong, which involves involuntary displacement in contemporary development projects, deliberately targets nonindigenous villages, where many residents are landless farmers. In this article, we examine the risks and impacts associated with such displacement of the nonindigenous villagers through a grounded theory approach. Interviews were conducted with nonindigenous villagers who were either in a pre- or in a post-relocation state as well as with activists who condemn the current development projects in Hong Kong. Our major findings are that displacement risks and impacts of the nonindigenous villagers can be understood against the background of five interrelated factors: marginalization by nonindigenous status, demographic characteristics, economic impacts, mental health, and community attachment. Displacement loss unfolds particularly strong for the landless, often elderly, farmers. While Hong Kong is a highly developed area, its nonindigenous villagers largely face the negative outcomes of development projects, similar to the landless people in the developing world.