Suchergebnisse

"Genetics and Heritability Research on Political Decision Making" published on by Oxford University Press.

Examines the basics of the memberships theory of poverty, which centers on the impact that group membership has on an individual's socioeconomic outcome via peer group & role model effects, social learning, & social complementarities. The most common application has been to the role of residential neighborhoods in intergenerational transmissions of poverty & inequality. The relevance of social capital is briefly discussed before turning to the range empirical support for the theory as embodied in ethnographic studies, regression analysis, quasi- & controlled experiments, & the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods. Policy implications are considered, & suggestions for policy directions made. J. Zendejas

The work presented in this paper traces the history of active learning and further utilizes the available literature to define meaning and importance of active learning in higher education. The study highlights common practical problems faced by students and instructors in implementing active learning in higher education and further identifies a set of individual prac-tices being used worldwide to overcome the obstacles. Expectations and responsibilities of stu-dents and instructors are also specified to enhance the efficiency of active learning environment. The paper also traces the importance of student and instructor rapport for a successful learning environment.

The author argues that sustainability of a global environment depends on implementation of current knowledge & capacities to manage the transition to a sustainable future. A historical account of a paradigm shift away from Baconian attitudes about nature is evidenced by international environmental conferences, but evidence shows that human's increased capacity to manage the environment has not been matched by the will to do so. The author argues that governance is our greatest challenge to manage issues such as water & food security, & that all expert sources need to adopt systemic, integrated & multi-disciplinary approaches for the transition to sustainability. Suggestions are offered for a system of governance advocating greater involvement of civil society, & the role of the UN in global commons issues. References. J. Harwell

The rural environment is a complex system in which the differences in development are evident both at the subnational and international level. The difficulties related to methodological analysis are due to such rural diversity and the partial lack of comparable indicators which lead to the development of objectives and indicators that respond to both national and international needs. Harmonization should be easier in view of the common goal, but policies and strategies do not always provide the required coherence. The presence of programmatic documents such as the Agenda 2030 reveals a path that can lead to good practices and reliable results even if they do not offer
universal or global certainties.

"Following its December 2013 discussion on defence, the European Council commissioned a review of 'changes in the global environment' and the resultant 'challenges and opportunities for the Union'. This is overdue. The 2003 European Security Strategy is the product of a bygone era, and reluctance to revisit it has hampered Europe's foreign policy and contributed to the failures of the CSDP. Common external and defence policies require a shared understanding of global developments, of how Europe should respond, and of where armed forces can contribute. But no such shared understanding now exists - as recent surveys of national security strategies and strategic cultures across the EU attest. The consequences include reluctance to cooperate and misapplied defence resources. So the new review will represent an important opportunity for the member states to converge on a shared strategic narrative, and revitalise their common foreign and defence policies. The reverses Europe has suffered in the last few years should concentrate minds." (author's abstract)

The article examines the nature of official accountability, with emphasis on the political environment of the UK. At present, the majority party in the Commons & town halls are at risk of being voted out of office. Measures should be taken to promote a more democratic system of government in GB. The author discusses accountability at four levels: (1) the roles of insiders (politically active citizens) vs outsiders, (2) the customer relations concept as applied to government, (3) the relationship between accountability & the decision making process, & (4) the right of formal review of official decisions. The author calls for an alliance between a new citizenship culture & the lobby for parliamentary reform. J. R. Callahan

Civic energy cooperatives play an essential role in shaping the transformation of the German energy system. They contribute significantly to the decentralised expansion of renewable energy and to the acceptance of the energy transition. This paper aims to shed light on the role of civic energy cooperatives as change agents in the energy transition. A civic engagement approach was chosen because in addition to their economic orientation, civic energy cooperatives are known for their social component with a focus on the common good. The paper will demonstrate the civil society potential of civic energy cooperatives, despite their economic activity and profit motives. The paper will also present the concept of change agents from transformation research and demonstrate the value of the concept for situating civic energy cooperatives within the social context of the energy transition.

Although there is no common fiscal policy at the European Union (EU) level in Croatia, accession will entail important changes in budgetary revenue and expenditure. On the one hand, accession brings transfers from the EU budget, but also means the loss of customs revenue as well as the need to adjust the structure of tax revenue. On the other hand, in conjunction with significant expenditure for adjustment in areas such as transportation and the environment, as well as expenditures for the EU budget, there will be a change in the structure of expenditure, in order to be able to check on transfers from the Structural Funds. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the intensity and direction of fiscal effects that accession will lead to, as well as the changes in
their structure and the possibility of meeting the convergence criteria.

Under global capitalism, social reproduction has become unlinked from production & differences between rich & poor have become starker. As corporate commitment to place is reduced, public disinvestments in health, education, welfare, & environment responsibilities occurs, & many suffer, but especially children. The migration of social capital from poorer to richer countries is just another type of transfer of capital. The political-economic, cultural, & environmental aspects of social reproduction are discussed. The restructuring of social reproduction has left children in poor, underserved neighborhoods without adequate & safe outdoor play. Family & individual efforts to ensure social reproduction are arising as the state pulls back. Topographies & counter-topographies are proposed as research strategies to analyze the material effects on social reproductions produced by global economic restructuring. Counter-topographies link different places engaged in common struggles against globalization; an example from Sudan is described. 29 References. M. Pflum

Under global capitalism, social reproduction has become unlinked from production & differences between rich & poor have become starker. As corporate commitment to place is reduced, public disinvestments in health, education, welfare, & environment responsibilities occurs, & many suffer, but especially children. The migration of social capital from poorer to richer countries is just another type of transfer of capital. The political-economic, cultural, & environmental aspects of social reproduction are discussed. The restructuring of social reproduction has left children in poor, underserved neighborhoods without adequate & safe outdoor play. Family & individual efforts to ensure social reproduction are arising as the state pulls back. Topographies & counter-topographies are proposed as research strategies to analyze the material effects on social reproductions produced by global economic restructuring. Counter-topographies link different places engaged in common struggles against globalization; an example from Sudan is described. 29 References. M. Pflum