Suchergebnisse

Discusses whether contemporary feminism needs a concept of civil society. It is argued that feminism's pluralist nature is more appropriate for civil society than the family or state; in addition, feminism is more receptive toward social & political transformations. Voluntary associations offer women greater opportunities of political participation than states; moreover, civil society is preferred because the radical sociopolitical changes advocated by feminists are less suitable for conservative states. Nevertheless, several problems with civil society for women are identified: civil society tends to subordinate & exclude women; associations permit more intense discriminatory practices; & civil society is frequently cited to support criticism of the welfare system. Noting that some feminists also view the state as a facilitator of gender justice, it is claimed that feminism paradoxically promotes, yet reprimands, civil society. The need for the redistribution of traditional gender roles in the feminist conception of civil society is articulated. J. W. Parker

Examines the relationship between democracy and feminist theory. Pays particular attention to the implications of this relationship for arguments over group identities and group representation. In assessing the problems which still arise in democracies of group (male) exclusivity, suggests gender quotas as the best possible solution. (RSM)

CITIZENSHIP WILL ALWAYS BE SUBJECTED TO MUCH ACADEMIC DEBATE. THE AUTHOR ESCHEWS THE ACADEMIC AND PURSUES A MORE EARTHY, ALBEIT REFLECTIVE, TACK, ANALYSING THE SOIL WITHIN WHICH CITIZENSHIP CAN ROOT AND THRIVE. HE IS NECESSARILY SELECTIVE, PARTIAL AND PERSONAL. HE SUGGESTS THAT ANY ATTEMPT AT INCULCATING NOTIONS OF CITIZENSHIP IN YOUNG ADULTS IS SURELY CONDEMNED TO VACUOUSNESS UNLESS THE LEGAL SYSTEM ITSELF BROADLY EXEMPLIFIES ITS OWN IDEALS IN ITS TREATMENT OF THEM. HOWEVER, FAR FROM THIS STATE OF AFFAIRS EXISTING, IT IS IN RETREAT. HE ASKS HOW YOUNG ADULTS CAN BE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP AN AWARENESS OF CIVIC IDENTITY SUCH AS WAS VOUCHSAFED THEIR FOREFATHERS, AND CONTENDS THAT THERE IS A VERY WIDESPREAD INGNORANCE OF THE VERY BASICS OF LAW AND DEMOCRACY. HE CONCLUDES THAT AT ROOT, IN SPITE OF THE CHALLENGES, HE REMAINS AN OPTIMIST.

Despite the significant emphasis that most instructors place on textbooks in introductory accounting courses, little research exists to describe how students interact with their textbooks. Using learning journals, 172 undergraduate students provided detailed, real-time accounts of their experiences with 13 chapters of an introductory financial accounting textbook. Using the method of grounded theory, supplemented with quantitative tests of association, this study begins to characterize textbook use from a student perspective. Results indicate that, for students, reading is a motivated behavior, with the specific motives varying across different groups of students and leading to different consequential actions. Academically strong students appear to read with the primary goal of understanding assigned material, as evidenced by their willingness to (1) engage in reading before the related material is covered in class, (2) persist when material becomes difficult, and (3) establish defined action plans that promptly resolve confusion. In contrast, weaker students appear to read with the primary goal of reducing anxiety, by deferring reading and terminating it when comprehension becomes difficult. The findings of this study are used to create instructional guidance that instructors can provide to students and to direct future research by outlining important and interesting questions requiring further investigation.

Cet article explore deux aspects essentiels et inséparables de la méthodologie de Quentin Skinner : son contextualisme et son holisme. Ces postulats ont au moins deux conséquences inattendues. La première est que le sens (le contenu d'une proposition) est contextuel, continuellement redéfini et pas nécessairement restreint. La seconde conséquence est, malgré les apparences, qu'une défense de l'autonomie des idées n'est pas incompatible avec les fondements de l'histoire intellectuelle. Cela permet de mettre en lumière un sujet crucial pour tout historien des idées : le développement diachronique et collectif des théories (c'est-à-dire la manière dont la réception d'un auteur contribue à déterminer ce que cet auteur défend). Cet éclairage permet de mieux comprendre pourquoi la reformulation d'une théorie ne pose pas de problème d'anachronisme.

Criminal justice institutions are held to account in a number of ways yet there is limited knowledge as to how these systems of regulation function. One primary method for regulating systems of punishment is through the use of independent inspectorates, yet very little empirical research has explored how inspectorates engage with the organisations they inspect nor how inspection is received by inspected organisations. Procedural justice theory has been used to understand compliance with laws. It can also shed light on compliance with systems of accountability, although there is a dearth of research in this area. Thus, our understanding of how regulation works in situ is limited. This article uses procedural justice theory to analyse data that were collected in England and Wales to explore how His Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation garners legitimacy from those it inspects. The article suggests that the Inspectorate is seen to be trustworthy and impartial, treats people with respect and provides them with a voice although there is variance between groups. The article contributes to (1) our understanding of how regulation works in the field of probation and (2) procedural justice theory by exposing the mechanisms that underpin compliance with regulatory regimes in institutional settings.