Catherine Ashton was named EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy in November 2009, an appointment that has raised a number of questions. Was this British labor politician the best person for such an eminent post? It is true that Ms. Ashton is neither an expert in international relations, nor a top politician. But she was Leader of the House of Lords, & Commissioner for Trade in the European Commission, giving her solid credentials, backed by an iron will. In this incisive interview, the EU's "minister for foreign affairs" reviews her primary objectives & says in no uncertain terms that she intends to prove her detractors wrong. European diplomacy will now reflect her voice on today's burning international issues, including the Israel-Palestine conflict, nuclear power in Iran & relations with Russia. Adapted from the source document.
International audience ; This article focuses on stereotypes about rural politics, particularly those held about rural elected officials by council chief executives, their close colleagues. Such stereotypes about their supposed incompetence, apoliticism and con- servatism should not be interpreted as a form of distrust of, or contempt for politicians. On the contrary, these stereotypes seek to make sense of the many difficulties that arise in the chief executives' daily work with elected represent- atives, who are alternately recruiters, decision-makers and colleagues. Viewed from this angle, the world of rural politics can offer heuristic insights into the division of political labour at the top of local institutions. ; On s'intéresse ici aux stéréotypes sur la politique en milieu rural, en particulier à ceux tenus sur les élus ruraux par de proches collaborateurs, les directeurs géné- raux des services. L'article montre que ces stéréotypes (incompétence, apolitisme, conservatisme) peuvent s'interpréter non comme une forme de défiance ou de mépris vis-à-vis du personnel politique, mais au contraire comme une manière de donner un sens aux difficultés nombreuses qui surgissent dans le travail avec les élus, qui sont tout à la fois recruteurs, donneurs d'ordre et collaborateurs. Les mondes politiques ruraux offrent, sous cet angle, un point de vue heuristique sur la division du travail politique.
International audience ; This article focuses on stereotypes about rural politics, particularly those held about rural elected officials by council chief executives, their close colleagues. Such stereotypes about their supposed incompetence, apoliticism and con- servatism should not be interpreted as a form of distrust of, or contempt for politicians. On the contrary, these stereotypes seek to make sense of the many difficulties that arise in the chief executives' daily work with elected represent- atives, who are alternately recruiters, decision-makers and colleagues. Viewed from this angle, the world of rural politics can offer heuristic insights into the division of political labour at the top of local institutions. ; On s'intéresse ici aux stéréotypes sur la politique en milieu rural, en particulier à ceux tenus sur les élus ruraux par de proches collaborateurs, les directeurs géné- raux des services. L'article montre que ces stéréotypes (incompétence, apolitisme, conservatisme) peuvent s'interpréter non comme une forme de défiance ou de mépris vis-à-vis du personnel politique, mais au contraire comme une manière de donner un sens aux difficultés nombreuses qui surgissent dans le travail avec les élus, qui sont tout à la fois recruteurs, donneurs d'ordre et collaborateurs. Les mondes politiques ruraux offrent, sous cet angle, un point de vue heuristique sur la division du travail politique.
International audience ; This article focuses on stereotypes about rural politics, particularly those held about rural elected officials by council chief executives, their close colleagues. Such stereotypes about their supposed incompetence, apoliticism and con- servatism should not be interpreted as a form of distrust of, or contempt for politicians. On the contrary, these stereotypes seek to make sense of the many difficulties that arise in the chief executives' daily work with elected represent- atives, who are alternately recruiters, decision-makers and colleagues. Viewed from this angle, the world of rural politics can offer heuristic insights into the division of political labour at the top of local institutions. ; On s'intéresse ici aux stéréotypes sur la politique en milieu rural, en particulier à ceux tenus sur les élus ruraux par de proches collaborateurs, les directeurs géné- raux des services. L'article montre que ces stéréotypes (incompétence, apolitisme, conservatisme) peuvent s'interpréter non comme une forme de défiance ou de mépris vis-à-vis du personnel politique, mais au contraire comme une manière de donner un sens aux difficultés nombreuses qui surgissent dans le travail avec les élus, qui sont tout à la fois recruteurs, donneurs d'ordre et collaborateurs. Les mondes politiques ruraux offrent, sous cet angle, un point de vue heuristique sur la division du travail politique.
Since the beginning of the 1970's, the South African regime has been undertaking a major shift, as far as its power structure is concerned. The decision-making process is presently in the hands of a few top civil servants, businessmen and politicians, amongst whom high-ranking soldiers have a leading role. The South African policy-making process is thus embodied into an integrated militaristic organization, gathered around the State President. Convinced that it was the main target of a communist inspired «total onslaught», the regime has been able to build up an impressive war machine (on Africa's scale) supported by an integrated industrial and commercial structure and a mobilized white population.
The installation of a tram in Caen is a good example of both top-down and sometimes bottom-up planning. Moreover, it is a good example of urban and social transformations. The aim of this text is to show how actors, in the broadest sense, evolve over a period of 20 years: local politicians, state, planners, urban planners, users, transport unions, private companies, advocacy associations, etc. This text aims to show the difficulties in democratising planning and what is known as public participation. If it is accepted that the co-construction of a development project involving all stakeholders is an essential element for its success, it should also be pointed out that in the event of a conflict the risks of blocking and delaying implementation are not to be underestimated. In Caen, tramway involves important territorial transformations: it connects popular peripherals to the city centre and opens a new urban phase with the emergence of almost non-existent urbanity. Urban popularities are redefined. Moreover, it strengthens some form of social cohesion in the sense of symbolic and material rapprochement between socially differentiated neighbourhoods. However, the technical problems associated with technological innovation and the resulting local political conflicts have led to widespread dissatisfaction among the population. ; International audience ; The installation of a tram in Caen is a good example of both top-down and sometimes bottom-up planning. Moreover, it is a good example of urban and social transformations. The aim of this text is to show how actors, in the broadest sense, evolve over a period of 20 years: local politicians, state, planners, urban planners, users, transport unions, private companies, advocacy associations, etc. This text aims to show the difficulties in democratising planning and what is known as public participation. If it is accepted that the co-construction of a development project involving all stakeholders is an essential element for its success, it should also be pointed out ...
The reaction of the Belgian elite to the crises faced by the country between 1919 & 1981 is examined. Political & nonpolitical elite mobility is correlated to specific episodes of crisis to test the hypothesis that in such periods elites adopt a defensive posture marked by less mobility in order to better profit from the status advantages of its members. Of the six sectors of the nonpolitical elite considered (administration, justice, commerce, SE interest groups, & culture), the hypothesis of rigidity in the face of macrosocial crises was confirmed in five. The political elite, however, showed much greater mobility, but primarily as a function of government instability. The changes were mostly compensated for later by a return to former positions. Among top level politicians there was more rotation than circulation. 7 Tables, 3 Graphs. Modified HA.
Compared with normal American politicians, Michael Bloomberg is something of an alien. In November 2001, this self-made man who earned his fortune through stock market information services, surprised all observers by winning the race for mayor of New York City. Elected in the wake of the September 11 attacks, he made the security of New York residents his top priority. Working closely with other major cities around the world, he developed an extremely efficient anti-terrorism organization. In an interview with Alexis Debat, the chief executive of the Big Apple -- who was reelected in November -- expands his horizons to address a wide range of national & international political issues. Indeed, this pragmatic Republican who was long considered closer to the Democrats is currently so popular that there is an insistent rumor that he might make an excellent presidential candidate in 2008. Adapted from the source document.
This thesis aims at bringing new knowledge on political factors and processes affecting local governments. This investigation is made through an empirical analysis of French municipalities' accounts. The first two chapters of this thesis investigate the impact of links between politicians of different tiers of government on the territorial allocation of public investment funds. The analysis focuses on discretionary investment grants received by municipalities. Evidence shows an important impact of multiple office-holding, and a significant influence of top national politicians' career in local councils on the allocation of these transfers. The third chapter of this thesis aims at studying the impact of local income inequality on local public decisions. This work contributes to an important literature in Political Economy on the impact of income distribution on political processes. Evidence suggests a significant role of income inequality on local public investment and local taxation. ; Cette thèse a pour but de contribuer à la connaissance des facteurs et processus politiques agissant sur les finances des collectivités locales. Cette problématique est étudiée à partir d'une analyse empirique des comptes des communes françaises. Les deux premiers chapitres de cette thèse visent à étudier les liens entre décideurs politiques de différents échelons de pouvoir public et leur impact sur l'allocation territoriale de fonds publics d'investissement. L'analyse se concentre sur les subventions d'investissement reçues par les municipalités, et montre un impact important du cumul des mandats ainsi que de la carrière d'élu local des responsables politiques nationaux sur l'allocation de ces transferts. Le troisième chapitre de cette thèse vise à évaluer l'impact des inégalités de revenu au niveau municipal sur les décisions de finance publique locale. Cette analyse s'inscrit dans une abondante littérature en Économie Politique visant à déterminer l'impact de la distribution des revenus sur les processus de décision publique. Les résultats montrent un rôle significatif des inégalités de revenu sur les niveaux d'infrastructure publique municipale et de taxation locale.
This thesis aims at bringing new knowledge on political factors and processes affecting local governments. This investigation is made through an empirical analysis of French municipalities' accounts. The first two chapters of this thesis investigate the impact of links between politicians of different tiers of government on the territorial allocation of public investment funds. The analysis focuses on discretionary investment grants received by municipalities. Evidence shows an important impact of multiple office-holding, and a significant influence of top national politicians' career in local councils on the allocation of these transfers. The third chapter of this thesis aims at studying the impact of local income inequality on local public decisions. This work contributes to an important literature in Political Economy on the impact of income distribution on political processes. Evidence suggests a significant role of income inequality on local public investment and local taxation. ; Cette thèse a pour but de contribuer à la connaissance des facteurs et processus politiques agissant sur les finances des collectivités locales. Cette problématique est étudiée à partir d'une analyse empirique des comptes des communes françaises. Les deux premiers chapitres de cette thèse visent à étudier les liens entre décideurs politiques de différents échelons de pouvoir public et leur impact sur l'allocation territoriale de fonds publics d'investissement. L'analyse se concentre sur les subventions d'investissement reçues par les municipalités, et montre un impact important du cumul des mandats ainsi que de la carrière d'élu local des responsables politiques nationaux sur l'allocation de ces transferts. Le troisième chapitre de cette thèse vise à évaluer l'impact des inégalités de revenu au niveau municipal sur les décisions de finance publique locale. Cette analyse s'inscrit dans une abondante littérature en Économie Politique visant à déterminer l'impact de la distribution des revenus sur les processus de décision publique. ...
This thesis aims at bringing new knowledge on political factors and processes affecting local governments. This investigation is made through an empirical analysis of French municipalities' accounts. The first two chapters of this thesis investigate the impact of links between politicians of different tiers of government on the territorial allocation of public investment funds. The analysis focuses on discretionary investment grants received by municipalities. Evidence shows an important impact of multiple office-holding, and a significant influence of top national politicians' career in local councils on the allocation of these transfers. The third chapter of this thesis aims at studying the impact of local income inequality on local public decisions. This work contributes to an important literature in Political Economy on the impact of income distribution on political processes. Evidence suggests a significant role of income inequality on local public investment and local taxation. ; Cette thèse a pour but de contribuer à la connaissance des facteurs et processus politiques agissant sur les finances des collectivités locales. Cette problématique est étudiée à partir d'une analyse empirique des comptes des communes françaises. Les deux premiers chapitres de cette thèse visent à étudier les liens entre décideurs politiques de différents échelons de pouvoir public et leur impact sur l'allocation territoriale de fonds publics d'investissement. L'analyse se concentre sur les subventions d'investissement reçues par les municipalités, et montre un impact important du cumul des mandats ainsi que de la carrière d'élu local des responsables politiques nationaux sur l'allocation de ces transferts. Le troisième chapitre de cette thèse vise à évaluer l'impact des inégalités de revenu au niveau municipal sur les décisions de finance publique locale. Cette analyse s'inscrit dans une abondante littérature en Économie Politique visant à déterminer l'impact de la distribution des revenus sur les processus de décision publique. ...
This thesis aims at bringing new knowledge on political factors and processes affecting local governments. This investigation is made through an empirical analysis of French municipalities' accounts. The first two chapters of this thesis investigate the impact of links between politicians of different tiers of government on the territorial allocation of public investment funds. The analysis focuses on discretionary investment grants received by municipalities. Evidence shows an important impact of multiple office-holding, and a significant influence of top national politicians' career in local councils on the allocation of these transfers. The third chapter of this thesis aims at studying the impact of local income inequality on local public decisions. This work contributes to an important literature in Political Economy on the impact of income distribution on political processes. Evidence suggests a significant role of income inequality on local public investment and local taxation. ; Cette thèse a pour but de contribuer à la connaissance des facteurs et processus politiques agissant sur les finances des collectivités locales. Cette problématique est étudiée à partir d'une analyse empirique des comptes des communes françaises. Les deux premiers chapitres de cette thèse visent à étudier les liens entre décideurs politiques de différents échelons de pouvoir public et leur impact sur l'allocation territoriale de fonds publics d'investissement. L'analyse se concentre sur les subventions d'investissement reçues par les municipalités, et montre un impact important du cumul des mandats ainsi que de la carrière d'élu local des responsables politiques nationaux sur l'allocation de ces transferts. Le troisième chapitre de cette thèse vise à évaluer l'impact des inégalités de revenu au niveau municipal sur les décisions de finance publique locale. Cette analyse s'inscrit dans une abondante littérature en Économie Politique visant à déterminer l'impact de la distribution des revenus sur les processus de décision publique. Les résultats montrent un rôle significatif des inégalités de revenu sur les niveaux d'infrastructure publique municipale et de taxation locale.
