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John Nashs formulation of noncooperative game theory was one of the great breakthroughs in the history of social science. Nashs work in this area is reviewed in its historical context to better understand how the fundamental ideas of noncooperative game theory have been developed and how they have changed the course of economic theory. It is shown in particular how the scope of economics has changed from production and allocation of material goods to the study of rational competitive behavior in any institution of society.

This thesis examines the relationship between media reporting and Sydney's construction as a global city over the period 1983-2008. Following Friedmann, Sassen and others it views globalisation as a process of consolidation in command and control functions in the global economy, financed through the massive creation of liquidity via expanding debt, and enabled by producer services located in a network of 'global cities'. Theoretically, it considers major debates in urban sociology and the sociology of journalism and seeks to reconcile approaches in the two fields to achieve a theoretically coherent framework for analysis that can encompass the changing political economy of Sydney and the ways in which media representation is related to this process. In globalisation studies it examines the meta-theoretical post-industrial/ network society arguments associated with Bell and Castells, and compares them with the neo-Marxist spatiality theses associated with Harvey and Arrighi, and Foster and Magdoff on financialisation. It then discusses the global cities literature in the context of Australian urban studies. In media sociology it starts with the debate about source-journalist power relations. Following Schlesinger and Benson, it offers a critical evaluation of Bourdieu's field theory. It then adopts a framework drawing on Bourdieu, together with Harvey and Lefebvre on spatiality and Gell on temporality, to consider the complexity of dynamic power relations between journalists and other sources of power. There follow two complementary empirical case studies of communication contests over (i) debt-induced growth in the Sydney residential real estate market and (ii) the demutualisation of the largest Australian general insurer, NRMA Insurance Group Ltd. The case studies examine the differing field relations of journalistic reporting and investigation of those activities in select newspapers. It argues that the journalism was deeply engaged with and/or influenced by the interests and activities of its sources in the ...

Enhancing the productivity of agriculture is vital for Sub-Saharan Africa's economic future and is one of the most important tools to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity in the region. How governments elect to spend public resources has significant development impact in this regard. Choosing to catalyze a shift toward more effective, efficient, and climate-resilient public spending in agriculture can accelerate change and unleash growth. Not only does agricultural public spending in Sub-Saharan Africa lag behind other developing regions but its impact is vitiated by subsidy programs and transfers that tend to benefit elites to the detriment of poor people and the agricultural sector itself. Shortcomings in the budgeting processes also reduce spending effectiveness. In light of this scenario, addressing the quality of public spending and the efficiency of resource use becomes even more important than addressing only the level of spending. Improvements in the policy environment, better institutions, and investments in rural public goods positively affect agricultural productivity. These, combined with smarter use of public funds, have helped lay the foundations for agricultural productivity growth around the world, resulting in a wealth of important lessons from which African policy makers and development practitioners can draw. 'Reaping Richer Returns: Public Spending Priorities for African Agriculture Productivity Growth' will be of particular interest to policy makers, development practitioners, and academics. The rigorous analysis presented in this book provides options for reform with a view to boosting the productivity of African agriculture and eventually increasing development impact.