Suchergebnisse

In contrast to comparative economic studies concentrating on gross national & per capita income, a new approach is presented stressing per capita consumption. Personal expenditures are classified as primary (food, clothing, & shelter), secondary (education, transportation), & luxury. Data from Brazil, El Salvador, the Ivory Coast, Italy, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Portugal, Sierra Leone, South Korea, Tanzania, & the US are used to derive an index of consumption inequality, the validity of which is established by a cross-sectional design. 3 Tables, 3 Figures, 2 Appendixes, 22 References. M. Meeks

In the Netherlands, amalgamation of municipalities is an ongoing process, generally leading to a substantial increase in the size of municipalities. Critics claim this has had negative effects on local electoral participation. Using data on five subsequent elections for all Dutch municipalities, we considered the short-term, medium-term, & long-term effects of amalgamation on electoral turnout. Our analyses reflect the results of actual voting, in contrast to other studies, which are based on self-reported voting behavior in questionnaires. Contrary to conventional wisdom, we found that the effects of amalgamation, if any, were small compared to the steady autonomous decline in turnout that the general figures expressed. Moreover, these small amalgamation effects fade as time passes. In sum, our results indicate only small & temporary disruptions in electoral participation as a consequence of the amalgamation of municipalities. 4 Tables, 3 Figures, 17 References. Adapted from the source document.