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This paper reviews the literature on consumer bankruptcy in Australia and reports on data from a survey of a sample of consumer bankrupts in Melbourne who petitioned for their own bankruptcy. Data on their socio‐demographic characteristics, perceived causes of their bankruptcy and the nature of the experience are presented. It was found that: bankrupts tended to be social security recipients with few assets; and 'non‐interventionist' bankruptcy administration resulted in a fairly benign process which improved the bankrupts' personal and financial affairs. The role of inadequate income support and the lending practices of finance companies are discussed.

The arrival of global rankings in 2003 was a clarion call for urgent reform of European higher education. The results of the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities and the Times Higher Education QS World University Ranking, first published in 2003 and 2004 respectively, challenged the perceived wisdom about the reputation and excellence of European universities. Since then, the EU and its Member States have sought to reshape and modernise higher education in Europe. This paper argues that the emergence of global rankings was not only a challenge to perceived wisdom, but also a stimulus for change in European higher education policy. While it is too soon to evaluate whether new policies have made a direct impact on the performance of European countries in global rankings, it is now time for debate on the apparent influence of global rankings on higher education policy in Europe.

AbstractThis article examines what states are doing to help Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients move into the workforce and become self‐supporting. We first present documentation regarding many different state TANF policies aimed at encouraging work, including benefit structures, time limits, work requirements, sanctions, and work supports. We then discuss how effective these policies are at helping welfare recipients get jobs and increase their income, by reviewing research on each of these elements. We conclude that the TANF program has been effective in increasing employment and decreasing welfare caseloads and expenses, but that this has not resulted in overall income gains for welfare recipients in the long run. We also conclude that the most promising state programs have a strong employment focus combined with focused training and educational opportunities. In addition, we also find that sanctions appear to be harming those most in need of assistance, and therefore that such policies should be reevaluated and refocused.

This article examines what states are doing to help Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients move into the workforce & become self-supporting. We first present documentation regarding many different state TANF policies aimed at encouraging work, including benefit structures, time limits, work requirements, sanctions, & work supports. We then discuss how effective these policies are at helping welfare recipients get jobs & increase their income, by reviewing research on each of these elements. We conclude that the TANF program has been effective in increasing employment & decreasing welfare caseloads & expenses, but that this has not resulted in overall income gains for welfare recipients in the long run. We also conclude that the most promising state programs have a strong employment focus combined with focused training & educational opportunities. In addition, we also find that sanctions appear to be harming those most in need of assistance, & therefore that such policies should be reevaluated & refocused. 4 Tables, 6 Figures, 15 References. Adapted from the source document.