Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Challenges For The U.S. Administration: A Broader Middle East Strategy, Gabriel C. Lajeunesse, William Wunderle

Gabriel C. Lajeunesse

The U.S. administration of Barack Obama will inherit a host of challenges in the Middle East. Several early policy choices could place its Middle East policy on solid footing:

Généticisation Et Responsabilité: Les Habits Neufs De La Gouvernance Néolibérale (Uncorrected Proofs), Antoinette Rouvroy

Antoinette Rouvroy

Loin du phantasme spectaculaire d’une “maléabilité” génétique de l’être humain, et nonobstant les discours grandiloquants qui ont accompagné la très coûteuse exploration du génome humain, la “nouvelle génétique humaine” ne révèle ni ne porte atteinte à l’essence de l’être humain (encore faudrait-il qu’une telle essence puisse jamais être définie), mais révolutionne notre perception des causes des smilitudes et variations au sein de l’espèce humaine. Le néologisme ‘généticisation’ désigne la contamination progressive des discours sociétaux (médicaux, juridiques, politiques, sociologiques,...) par une logique réductionniste et essentialiste faisant des gènes la cause privilégiée sinon exclusive des variations inter-personnelles et inter-communautaires au sein de …

Ethnicity And Public Service In Nigeria, Ozy B. Orluwene Jp

Dr Ozy B.Orluwene,JP

ABSTRACT This paper essentially examines the concept of ethnicity and public service in Nigeria. It posits that because of the monstrous proportion ethnicity assumed in Nigeria, it has remained a central turning point in the nation’s history. Its impact has further exacerbated problems of growth and development of Nigerian Public service and organizations.

The Growing Inter-Ethnic Conflicts In Contemporary Nigeria: Is Ethnic Security Dilemma A Root Cause?, Ali Simon Yusufu Bagaji

Ali Simon Yusufu Bagaji

Nigeria is ethnically a diverse nation-state. Its ethnic diversity, like that of the United State of America ideally is a source of strength. However on the contrary, analysis of post independence inter-ethnic relations in Nigeria indicates surge from ‘ethnic accommodation to ethnic agitation’. Consequently, due to frequent inter-ethnic conflict, the task ‘to keep Nigeria one’ is therefore more than ever becoming an uphill task. This article explores the root causes of the growing inter-ethnic conflicts in contemporary Nigeria from the perspective of the ethnic security dilemma prism and concludes that it is a relevant explanatory tool for understanding it.

The Perfect Storm Of Patent Reform?, Ron D. Katznelson

Ron D. Katznelson

No abstract provided.

Corruption And Development In Nigeria: A Multidisciplanary Journal, Ozy B. Orluwene Jp

Dr Ozy B.Orluwene,JP

Abstract This paper offers a detail commentary on the state of corruption in Nigeria. It examined the phenomenon in its various dimensions. It posits that because of monstrous proportion it has assumed in Nigeria, it has hampered growth and development.

Remapping A Nation Without States: Personalized Full Representation For California’S 21st Century, Mark Paul, Micah Weinberg

Mark Paul

California is a state of many distinct regions. To give citizens a voice on regional issues and to reinvigorate California’s Legislature, the state’s central institution of self-government, we propose Personalized Full Representation for the 21st Century (PFR21), a system of representation by means of regionally based legislative elections that will allow the state’s citizens to set the agenda for their regions and for the state as a whole. By reshaping the stage on which legisla- tive politics is played out, California can make state govern- ment more attentive to regional issues and give its citizens a means of holding elected …

Regional And Municipal Governance Of Public Private Partnerships, Louis Gunnigan

Louis Gunnigan

This module concentrates on the issues important to those who will be setting up PPPs and who are involved in government at a regional or municipal level. The module is centred on five tasks, namely:

• How to identify PPP opportunities and to find the best private sector partners for a PPP;

• How to organize a PPP programme within a government by enhancing cooperation amongst the relevant departments and ministries, local, regional and national authorities;

• How to be an effective manager and leader in a dynamic PPP unit;

• How to engage public support for PPPs;

• How …

Book Review 17 Me, Myself, And Why? The Secrets To Navigating Change By Lisa A. Mininni, William C. Mcpeck

William C. McPeck

This is my personal review of Me, Myself, and Why? The Secrets to Navigating Change by Lisa A. Mininni which was published in 2007 by PM Publishing.

Determinants Of Historic And Cultural Landmark Designation: Why We Preserve What We Preserve, Douglas S. Noonan, Douglas J. Krupka

Douglas S. Noonan

There is much interest among cultural economists in assessing the effects of heritage preservation policies. There has been less interest in modeling the policy choices made in historic and cultural landmark preservation. This paper builds an economic model of a landmark designation that highlights the tensions between the interests of owners of cultural amenities and the interests of the neighboring community. We perform empirical tests by estimating a discrete choice model for landmark preservation using data from Chicago, combining the Chicago Historical Resources Survey of over 17,000 historic structures with property sales, Census, and other geographic data. The data allow …

Gasoline Costs, Public Transit, And Sustainability, Bradley W. Lane

Bradley W. Lane

Excessive levels of automobile driving are generally acknowledged to have several negative externalities that contribute to the lack of sustainability in current transport systems. Achieving a reduction in VMT inevitably requires the introduction of disincentives for driving. This has generally been lacking in the US, which has relatively low parking costs and taxes on fuel compared to its developed-world counterparts. However, starting immediately after the Hurricane Katrina disaster, fuel costs in the United States have increased dramatically relative to previous long-term price behavior. This increase has brought attention to the driving behavior and travel preferences of US citizens. A large …

From Libertarian To 'Ron Paul' Republican, Craig J. Westover

Craig J Westover

Amid the footballs and Frisbees and flags flying over the soccer field at the National Sports Center in Blaine; among the young families sitting on blankets, the older couples comfortably ensconced in canvas lawn chairs, the people of all ages decked out in revolutionary-era garb, Ron Paul and anti-war T-shirts, and red, white and blue in a cacophony of fashion statements, a bald head bobbed along the lengthy beer line snaking along what is normally a soccer field sideline. John Cunningham, looking every bit the 52-year-old Republican (alternate) delegate he is in a gray suit and conservative tie, passed out …

Elite Network And Conflicts In Niger Delta Region, Ozy B. Orluwene Jp

Dr Ozy B.Orluwene,JP

ABSTRACT Our work on Elite Networks and conflicts in Niger Delta region of Nigeria is desired primarily to examine the role of elites in the Niger Delta Conflicts. It explains why volatile conflicts have come to engulf majority of the states in the region. The people and the environment once reputed for its tranquility and warmth has in the past years acquired the notoriety that has extended to all creeks and hinterland of the region. The famed Niger Delta region has become the epicenter of youth restiveness, hostage taking, cult war, and associated vices. It is hoped that clear identification …

The Association Between Government Expenditure And Economic Growth: Granger Causality Test Of Us Data, 1947~2002, Chi-Hung Louis Liu, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Wagner’s Law and Keynesian’s theory are two widely accepted yet contrasting propositions. This paper employs Granger causality test on US federal government data, from 1947 to 2002. We used aggregate data as well as disaggregate data with the sub-categories of five federal expenditures, including: national defense, human resources expenditure, physical resources expenditure, net interest payment, and other expenditure. The results of our study suggest that total federal government expenditure is more consistent with Keynesian’s theory while there are diversified causal relationships among five sub-category of federal expenditure. The policy recommendation generated from this paper is the US federal government should …

The Impact Of Political Decisions On The Roles Of Scientific Experts: A Case Study Of The Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository Project, Raymond E. Keeler Ph.D.

Raymond E. Keeler, Ph.D.

The public tends to be skeptical of scientists if they appear to be advocating a particular policy decision rather than staying neutral. Small changes in public policy can force the scientist’s role away from honest assessments of policy alternatives towards advocating a particular policy. This shift may not be intentional, or affect the quality of the science, but may nevertheless increase public skepticism. Changes to the United States Nuclear Waste Policy Act resulted in a shift towards issue advocacy that undermined scientific credibility and associated public support because the public no longer perceives the scientific experts as neutral.

The Dtv Coupon Program: A Boon To Retailers, Not Consumers, Scott J. Wallsten

Scott J. Wallsten

No abstract provided.

Book Review 16 Wellness Leadership: Creating Supportive Environments For Healthier And More Productive Employees By Judd Allen, Ph.D., William C. Mcpeck

William C. McPeck

This is my personal review of Wellness Leadership: Creating supportive environments for healthier and more productive employees by Judd Allen, Ph.D. which was published in 2008 by Healthycultures.com.

Emergence Of Nanodistricts In The United States: Path Dependency Or New Opportunities?, Philip Shapira, Jan Youtie

Philip Shapira

Multiple economic development theories suggest that research and innovation in emerging technologies will cluster in certain locations rather then distributing equally among all regions. If this is the case, this distributional pattern has implications for where future economic opportunities as well as future risks will be concentrated. In this paper, we probe nanotechnology (hereafter nano) research and commercialization at a regional level. The study examines the top 30 US “nanodistricts” or metropolitan areas which lead in nanotechnology research activity over the 1990-2006 timeframe. We explore the factors underlying the emergence of these 30 metropolitan areas through exploratory cluster analysis. We …

Eureka! Winning Ways: Analysis Of Early Client Experiences, Lynne Manrique, Kamau Bobb, David Roessner, Jan Youtie, Philip Shapira

Philip Shapira

The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has a longstanding record of helping small- and medium-sized (SME) manufacturers to identify and implement technologies and practices that improve manufacturing efficiency and product quality. More recently, MEP has begun to build a growth services portfolio to assist manufacturers with the development of new products, new customers, and new markets. Its first growth services offering, called Eureka! Winning Ways (E!WW), was piloted in late 2006 and has been implemented widely since the beginning of 2008. To explore the nature of early E!WW client experiences, as well …

Discoveries: New And Noteworthy Social Research, Ryan Alaniz, Erika Busse, Keith A. Cunnien, Meghan L. Krausch, Wesley Longhofer, Heather Mclaughlin, Chika Shinohara, Jon Smajda, Jesse Wozniak

Ryan C. Alaniz

No abstract provided.

Testimony For Fcc En Banc Hearing At Carnegie Mellon University On Broadband And The Digital Future, Scott J. Wallsten

Scott J. Wallsten

No abstract provided.

Mental Health Services Research & Policy Collection: Arl Collection Initiative, Phyllis Ruscella, Ardis Hanson, John Abresch, Claudia Dold

Ardis Hanson

An ARL-level mental health services research and policy collection will support, not only the international and national goals of improving mental health; it also positions USF (USF) within the renowned health services research community, becoming peers with other major university health services research centers. The further development of the mental health services research and policy collections, with the foci on disaster mental health and vulnerable populations and the improved access to related mental health services research grey literature, directly supports USF’s stated goals. It expands the university’s capacity for world-renowned interdisciplinary research. It supports globally competitive undergraduate, graduate, and professional …

Kosova: Eski Dost, Yeni Devlet (Kosovo: Old Friend, New State), Cuneyt M. Yenigun

Cuneyt M. Yenigun

This study discusses Kosovo's unilateral independence proclamation and its positive effects to the Balkan Area.

Coercing Consensus: Unintended Success Of The Octopus Electronic Payment System, Leung-Sea, Lucia Siu

Prof. SIU Leung-sea, Lucia

This paper contrasts the success and failure of two electronic payment systems in Hong Kong, Octopus and Mondex, during 1996-2002. The case illustrates the new properties of electronic currencies, and provides insights for product designers and regulators. Mondex was endowed with the full legal status of money, launched by a mammoth banking group, with Mondex cards given away for free to consumers. Yet the Mondex system went into oblivion within five years. Octopus started as a modest stored value transport ticket that required a deposit. It ended up as a city-wide multipurpose payment card used by 95% of the adult …

Bridging Politics And Science, Carl E. Marklund

Carl Marklund

Dissertation Summary In this dissertation I have tried to map how the concept of “social engineering” has been used from its inception in the early 1890s to the beginning of its decline in the late 1940s. The study concentrates upon the 1930s. In particular, I have asked who used this concept, in what contexts, and against which adversaries. I have taken most of my material from Sweden and the USA since both of these countries have been seen as examples of successful “organization of modernity.” And social engineering is indeed often taken to be exactly that—an attempt at organizing modernity.

Book Review 13 The Art Of Happiness: A Handbook For Living By The Dalai Lama And Howard C. Cutler, M.D., William C. Mcpeck

William C. McPeck

This is my personal review of The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living by The Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, M.D. and published by Riverhead Hardcover in 1998.

Book Review 15 The Future Of Management By Bill Breen And Gary Hamel, William C. Mcpeck

William C. McPeck

This is my personal review of The Future of Management by Bill Breen and Gary Hamel, published by Harvard Business School Press in 2007.

Book Review 14 The Art Of Happiness At Work By The Dalai Lama And Howard C. Cutler, M.D., William C. Mcpeck

William C. McPeck

This is my personal review of The Art of Happiness at Work by The Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, M.D., published by Riverhead Trade in 2004.

(Re)Centering Europe: Competing Israeli And Palestinian Narratives In The Shadow Of Europe, Orli Fridman, Ziad Abu-Rish

Orli Fridman

No abstract provided.

Buenas Prácticas Para Superar El Conflicto En Santander, Katherine Florez Pinilla

KATHERINE FLOREZ PINILLA

El Programa de Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo, Colombia, ha construido el Banco de “Buenas Prácticas para superar el conflicto” que recoge 309 experiencias en todo el país. De estas experiencias ha seleccionado un número reducido de ellas con el propósito de profundizar en su conocimiento e identificar en ellas rasgos característicos del proceso, de los actores, sus acciones, métodos y contexto, con el fin de elaborar un instrumento que permita evaluar, fortalecer y servir de guía a las experiencias existentes y a las nuevas. En este trabajo de investigación, además de la Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga, participan la Universidad …