Critique Of Microcredit As A Development Model, Grace Levin

Pursuit - The Journal of Undergraduate Research at The University of Tennessee

The field of microcredit (otherwise known as microfinance, microlending, or microcapital) has expanded rapidly since the 1980s as an economic means of lifting people out of poverty. Generally, microcredit has been accepted as an effective method for empowering both individuals and communities. In recent years, however, critics have brought to light some of the problems associated with microlending, such as the complex socioeconomic factors that can cause loan programs to fail. These problems stem from the basic tenet of microfinance: the need for lending programs to be managed locally in order to understand the needs of a community and assess …

Women's Mobilization In Latin America: A Case Study Of Venezuela, Brianna Russell

Master's Theses

Abstract

I examine the following elements in regards to women’s mobilization in Latin America and Venezuela from the late 1950s to the present: (a) the influence of the state and economy on times when women mobilized (b) class division within the movement (c) women’s demands during different time periods (d) the ways in which women were successful in working towards gender equality. This thesis reviews the literature on women’s mobilization in Latin America during the second half of the twentieth century. I find that women mobilized across class lines with the masses to end dictatorships. Women demobilized during transitions to …

A Tale Of Two Superpowers: Nigeria And China Relations, Faouziatou Aboudou Kabassi

Master's Theses

The study discusses the historical development of the Sino-Nigerian bilateral relations. The paper provides a detailed view of china's FDI in Nigeria and the diverse challenges faced by the oil rich country to develop its own economy through NEEDS as a result of china's economic power. China’s partnership with Nigeria is ideally for economic growth but practically poisonous to Nigeria’s development goals as China is solely pursuing its own interest and diverting its partner from working toward its NEEDS goal. A deep investigation of the relations should be reviewed for both countries. This will be needed to produce vital economic …

The Odious Debt System, Andrew Hanauer

Master's Theses

Over the past forty years, African countries have accumulated enormous quantities of external debt. Today, this debt is heavily burdensome; money spent on debt service is money that cannot be invested into infrastructure development, health, education, or other areas that might benefit the large number of Africans who live in poverty. Calls for debt forgiveness have led western institutions to forgive a portion of this debt, but have not addressed the question of whether or not this debt is legitimate in the first place.

Similarly, academic proposals for the classification and subsequent repudiation or forgiveness of so-called "odious debt" have …

Dual Intransigence: An Assessment Of The Us-Iran Conflict And Prospects For Rapprochement, Chad Lama

Master's Theses

In the months leading up to the 2012 Presidential Election, a number of Republican candidates that were vying for the nomination against the incumbent, Barack Obama, made sensational claims regarding the “Nuclear Iran Question”. This study discusses the issue of a nuclear Iran, what this means for regional stability, and what America’s options are in dealing with the Islamic Republic. Specifically the researcher addresses the consequences of a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, conducting a discourse analysis for the purposes of demonstrating the polarizing affect this issue has had on some of the leading scholars, theorists and practitioners. The central …

Between Facebook And Boas: Kichwa Indigenous Identity In Alto Napo And Challenges To Multiculturalism In Ecuador, Anna Maria Fernandez-Marti

Master's Theses

This qualitative study examines contemporary Kichwa indigenous identity formation in the Alto Napo region of Ecuador through Bourdieu’s concept of symbolic capital. Following an extended-case method, I analyze the articulation of indigenousness (as an idealized expression of tradition) vis-à-vis the power relationships of the actors involved in such process. A combination between participant observation, daily field notes and twelve tape-recorded interviews during a two-month research allowed me to deconstruct essentialist portrayals and stereotypes of Kichwa indigenous peoples in Alto Napo, and confirm that their identity is hybrid, multiple and shifting. A comparative analysis between urban and rural social dynamics in …

Human Trafficking In Poland: Further Victimization Of Female Victims Of Human Trafficking For Sexual Exploitation, Katarzyna Peninska

Master's Theses

Poland is a source, destination, and transit country for human trafficking. The country is taking steps to address this crime, but it offers very little benefits to the victims. Currently, the victims are only allowed to stay temporarily in Poland if they testify against their traffickers. During their cooperation with the prosecution they rarely receive legal representation or psychological help. This thesis posed the question of whether Polish laws and the Polish system further victimize female victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation. The research was conducted in Poland between May and July of 2012. The first part of the …

Why Eu Work-Family Reconciliation Policies Fail In Italy: A Feminist Legal Analysis, Chrystal Orozco

Master's Theses

Following the establishment of the European Parental Leave Directive (96/34/EC), the female employment rate in Italy is still ranked the third lowest in the European Union (EU) and Italian women continue to do twice as much household work as Italian men. Parents, especially women, struggle to find a balance between professional work and their family lives in a society that encourages the traditional gendered roles of the housewife and the breadwinner. The following study is a theoretical analysis of the Parental Leave Directive and the potential domestic influences that may prevent Italy from progressing socially towards gender equality. This study …

Do Culturally Engaging Reading Materials Matter? An Analysis Of Rural Libraries In Burkina Faso, Erica Ernst

Master's Theses

Academics have noted the lack of culturally relevant reading materials in African libraries. Book collections are primarily composed of donated materials from western countries intended for a western, rather than African audience. This research project aimed to gain insight onto children’s reading preferences in the rural Burkina Faso and to learn about the popularity of local photo books that were added in 2009. Quantitative methods examined library book checkout records in three categories of African, French, and local photo books. Additionally the library subscription records were used in order to gain information about the children including age, gender, and ethnicity. …

Arizona’S Senate Bill 1070: A Case Study On State-Sponsored Immigration Policy, Ryan Murphy

Master's Theses

This study assesses the origins of Arizona’s state-sponsored immigration policy. It attempts to identify the social dynamics within Arizona that contributed to the overwhelming public support for SB 1070. Since it has been two years after the law was passed, this analysis determines what impact the law has had thus far within the state. Finally, it postulates the future of Arizona’s immigration policy.

Re-Evaluating Peacebuilding In The Democratic Republic Of Congo: A Case Study In Dongo, Wilita Sanguma

Master's Theses

Re-evaluating Peacebuilding in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A case study in Dongo

The Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo) is a country rich with natural resources centered in the heart of Africa. Since the colonial era, the country has seen more bloodshed than peace and development. From 1996 to 2003, Congo experienced the worst conflict since World War II, with over six million people dead. Despite having the largest United Nations peacekeeping troops present; Congo continues to be plagued by violence. This research thesis argues that the international community failed to promote a lasting peace in Congo because the international …

The Media Is A Funhouse Mirror: Comparing Economic Interaction Issues In The U.S. And Chinese Media, Yiye Zhang

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

This project studied the differences between mainstream news reporting in the U.S. and China. I employed content analysis to analyze the major features of 427 news reports about the economic interaction between the two countries. The research focused on the key media frames in the two sets of news media, the factors that shaped these media frames, and the real meanings behind those reports. The study found both similarities and differences. The two sets of media showed significant differences in their reporting of news and events about economic issues in terms of the selection of topics, and the discourse …

Egyptian Civil Society (Transnational Vs. Local): The Distinction Between Theory And Practice, Jeremiah Davis

Master's Theses

Abstract:

The strength and dominance of political society, rather than the weaknesses of civil society, is arguably one of the primary reasons for massive civil uprising in Egypt led by independent, unaffiliated members of society. In many cases it appears that civil society was behind the Egyptian Revolution, although is this the case? Did the Revolution happen in spite of civil society? Just as the state can be a roadblock to development and democratization, civil society may also be detrimental to society’s growth. In this thesis, the development and civil society community is analyzed to discover the functions of CSOs …

Oil, Power, And Discourse: How Chevron Evaded Its Dues To The Indigenous Communities Of The Ecuadorian Amazon, Kine Norland

Master's Theses

Abstract

The principal objectives of this thesis were to shed lights on the backside of oil and to question the great power of big corporations. I researched why Chevron refused to acknowledge its legal obligation to remedy the complex problems it has caused in the Ecuadorian Rainforest. The catastrophes the indigenous communities have been facing are about to change as a result of grass root mobilization against Chevron. By the use of observations, discourse analysis of the media, and the use of theories from Michel Foucault, I was able to explain how Chevron has managed to escape from the terrible …

Human Rights Policy Paper: Rape As A Tactic Of War, Sarah Fitzgerald

Global Studies Student Scholarship

This paper reports on rape used as a tactic of war, outlining the scope of the problem and introducing policy options to address the issue on a global scale. Policy options targeted at relief services include increasing direct aid through funding fistula surgeries, building rural hospitals, and providing skills training for women awaiting surgery. Additional policy options addressing the problem at its root include legislative changes to stop impunity at the International Criminal Court, revising the Convention on Genocide to include sex and gender, utilization of devices such as the Rape aXe, and changing the culture of misogyny through educational …

Educating For A Common Collective : Pedagogies Of Sharing And Caring, Anita Rampal

South South Forum 南南論壇

Declaring an ‘educational arms race’ with India and China, President Obama warned his country against ‘unilateral disarmament’ with budget cuts, because ‘countries that out-educate us today will out-compete us tomorrow.’ Militaristic jingoism leads to new terms such as ‘out-think’ and ‘out-educate’, reflecting a crassly competitive commodification of knowledge. This is contrary to the spirit of transformative education, which looks at education to reduce inequalities, to ensure sustainable development and to address social justice for all through collective action. Despite the Jomtien World Declaration on ‘Education For All’ with an ‘expanded vision’ - for the empowerment of children, youth and adults …

未来的维度 = The Dimension Of The Future, Jinhua Dai

South South Forum 南南論壇

在本论文中，笔者集中讨论21世纪语境中的“未来”作为一个议题及其参数。对于笔者说来，未来议题，不关乎时间，不是乌托邦的别称。“未来”之为议题的提出，针对着没有未来，即“末日”。笔者的问题是：资本主义的末日是否人类的末日？或者，如何避免资本主义的末日成为人类的末日？未来议题同时是关于革命及共产主义的再思考。

The focus of this paper is on “the future” as a subject of concern, and the parameters within which it is broached in the context of the 21^st century. For the writer, the question of “the future” is not really a temporal one, neither is it another name for utopia. Rather, it is moved by apprehensions of the disappearance of time altogether, that is, the looming of doom. My question is: is the end of capitalism the end of humanity? Or rather, how to avoid the fall of capitalism to bring about the fall of humanity, a question …

Political Process And Land Reform In Nepal = 尼泊尔的土地改革与政治过程, Arjun Kumar Karki

South South Forum 南南論壇

Landlessness and political struggles in Nepal are deeply inter-related. Landlessness in Nepal is rooted in a long history of feudal land governance, political inertia and nepotism. Furthermore, the skewed landownership patterns practiced were deepened by a deeply discriminatory and strictly hierarchical society that excluded women, ethnic minorities and tribal groups, especially, those of lower castes and classes. Due to this prevailing exclusion and discrimination, the call for land reform as a rallying cry has long been used by politicians as a tool for political mobilization and for garnering support in Nepal. However, despite several political developments and repeated political commitments, …

Agrarian Reform And Rural Reconstruction In The Philippines = 菲律宾土地改革与农村重建, Isagani R. Serrano

South South Forum 南南論壇

Agrarian reform is at the heart of rural reconstruction and both are essential to achieving sustainable development. It includes not only land redistribution but also empowerment of peasants as key actors in building the rural economy. Land is not only an asset to be owned and accessed but also as a natural resource with multiple uses for both economic development and protection of ecosystems. Land ownership has hitherto been a centerpiece question in Philippine development, indeed, in nation building. Land monopoly on one side and landlessness on the other have defined to a large extent the history and political economy …

梁漱溟乡村建设中心的当代实践 = Introduction Of Liang Shuming Rural Reconstruction Center, Lanying Zhang

South South Forum 南南論壇

梁漱溟乡村建设的核心思想是人的建设和社会的重建。在过去的20年里，一批年轻人在梁漱溟等先人思想的感召下，面对全球化带来的一些列社会问题的挑战，全身心地投入到乡村重建的工作中，从90年支持农民的维权行动，发展到2000年开展综合的新农村建设，坚持不懈地直到今天的生态文明建设的工作。梁漱溟乡村建设中心一直积极地参与到这些工作中，尤其是在组织大学生支农调研维权，到支持农民合作组织来建设农村的自治组织，通过社区支持农业来建构城市和农村互相支持的平台等方面发挥了重要的作用。

在多年的实践中，梁漱溟乡村建设中心意识到要实现乡村建设的目标是需要一个长期的努力过程，尤其是在培养人才，进而形成内生的自我解决社会问题的力量。在这个过程中，如何协助参与这个过程的人群的学习，不仅是我们自己，还有我们的合作伙伴-农民，作为主体能够意识到自身所处的小乡村的命运与大社会变革的关系，进而转化为主动型维护自身阶层利益的能力，是非常重要的，也是我们目前所面对的巨大挑战。

Liang Shuming’s core philosophy for rural reconstruction is human reconstruction and social reconstruction. In the past 20 years, a group of people, who believe the philosophy of rural reconstruction, have taken the challenges of globalization through supporting farmers’ legal appeal to protect their rights in the 1990s, supporting government’ new socialist rural reconstruction program in 2000s, and further to build ecological civilization in the society in 2010s. Liang Shuming Rural Reconstruction Center has actively participated in these three phases and has played key roles in the process of college students’ re-education by organizing rural research for farmers’ right …

当代乡村建设的实践与反思, Jiaen Pan, Xiaohui Yan

South South Forum 南南論壇

跳出生态看生态——以中国当代乡村建设实践为例 (潘家恩)

日益“时尚化”的生态议题绝不是少数人制造出来的末日预言，它是真实发生在我们身边的普遍现实，同时也是当代乡村建设的重要工作内容与面向，更是乡村建设结合其它工作进行深入思考的独特角度。所以，乡村建设必须直接回应生态与可持续议题，但需要结合以更广阔的整体视野。本文结合笔者所参与的三组当代乡村建设实际案例展开分析，希望将其放回具体和历史的脉络中，结合以经济、文化、政治等多种面向，尝试指出：生态有问题，不只是生态问题！乡村生态的改善之道自然不可就事论事。

As opposed to being an apocalyptic prophecy advocated by a small group of people, the increasingly “fashionable” ecological issues are not only popular realities happening in our daily life, but also important tasks and aspects of Contemporary Rural Reconstruction and a unique perspective for reflection in amalgamating discussions in Rural Reconstruction with other related tasks and disciplines. Therefore Rural Reconstruction must respond directly to the issues of Ecology and Sustainability but in doing so, requires the incorporation of a broader and more integrative and holistic vision. This paper analyses three of the case studies of Contemporary Rural …

乡村建设思想的历史起点, Xianming Wang

South South Forum 南南論壇

在近代中国思潮的起伏波动中，重商主义的倡导与中国传统的重农思想的冲突在所不免，由此引发了一场持续数十年的“工商立国”与“农业立国”之争。自1901年初《自强说》发表至1911年清朝覆亡的10年间，见诸报刊的讨论文字日渐增多，其观点则大致可分为工商为本论，农工商并重论，农业为本论三大类。1920年《农业立国意见书》的发表，标志着“农业立国论”将在未来的历史选择中开始拥有了独特的时代意义和价值。从某种意义而言，它形成了其后乡村建设思想的历史起点。

论卢作孚“乡村现代化”及“以经济建设为中心”思想及其启示意义 = Discussions On Lu Zuofu's "Rural Modernization" And "Taking Economy Building As Center" , And The Inspirational Meaning Thereof, Chonglai Liu

South South Forum 南南論壇

卢作孚乡村建设思想及实践探析之一

卢作孚主持的嘉陵江三峡乡村建设运动，是民国时期众多乡村建设实验中持续时间最长（1927~1949），成效突出的一个。其重要原因是卢作孚将“乡村现代化”作为其乡村建设运动的宗旨和理想目标；将“以经济建设为中心”作为实现“乡村现代化”的建设方式和实践方针。两者相辅相成，成为嘉陵江三峡乡村建设运动持续不衰的动力，也成为在民国时期众多乡村建设实验取得与众不同较大成就、较好成效的重要原因，对今天建设社会主义新农村和西部大开发具有现实启示意义。

An exploration of Lu Zuofu's thoughts and practices on rural reconstruction

Of the many rural reconstruction experiments that took place during the Republic Period, the "Jialing River Three Gorges Rural Reconstruction Movement " conducted by Lu Zuofu was the most long – lasting and had outstanding success. The major reason was that Lu Zuofu embraced "Rural Modernization” as the aim and ideal for the movement, and "Taking Economy Building as Center” to be the means and practical principle for realizing “Rural Modernization”. The two concepts complemented each other and became a sustainable, unwavering impetus behind the "Jialing River …

梁漱溟乡村建设思想与实践 = Liang Shuming’S Thoughts And Practices On Rural Reconstruction, Peishu Liang

South South Forum 南南論壇

No abstract provided.

晏阳初乡村建设历程 = Rural Construction Practice Of Yang Yangchu, Hongguo Yan

South South Forum 南南論壇

晏阳初先生是世界著名平民教育家，中国乡村建设运动的奠基人，在上世纪20年代初兴起的的中国平民教育和乡村建设运动中，他一枝独秀，在时间上坚持最长，从1926年定县实验开始到1990年逝世，长达70余年；在空间上扩展最广，从中国的华北（河北定县实验县）、华中（湖南衡山实验县）华西（新都实验县、华西实验区）到亚洲（菲律宾、泰国、印度）非洲（加纳）拉丁美洲（危地马拉、哥伦比亚）。他不但长期躬身实践，积累了丰富的实践经验，而且创造了完整的理论体系，被广泛地运用于世界乡村改造运动。

晏阳初的乡村建设的历程，可分为三个阶段。1926年开始的定县实验，标志着晏阳初领导的平民教育运动实现了从识字运动到乡村建设的（即兼及对人和自然环境、社会环境进行综合改造）的重大转折。这是一个质的突破，标志着平民教育运动发展到一个崭新的阶段。到1936年6月，定县实验才因抗日战争爆发而被迫停止。这10年，是晏阳初乡村建设运动的第一阶段。第一阶段的主要成果是创造了“定县经验”，找到了建设中国农村的正确方法，后来被证明也是适合改造世界贫困农村的正确方法。第二阶段包括湖南衡山实验县、四川新都实验县及华西实验区的工作，其中尤以华西实验区的工作为代表，历时13年。第三阶段是从上世纪50年代起将产生于中国大地，由中国人创造的乡村建设理论推向世界大舞台，经受了不同国度的人文环境、自然环境、政治环境的长期考验。这个阶段是以菲律宾的乡村建设为起始，扩展到亚、非、拉广大第三世界国家和地区，从1950年开始到1990年晏阳初逝世，历时40年。

Yang Yangchu was a world famous civil educator, the founder of national rural construction movement. He worked in this field for the longest time among his peers, since 1926’s Ding Xian experiment till 1990 when he passed away; also involved the most extensive range, from Northern China (Ding Xian, Hebei Province), Central China (Hengshan, Hunan Province), Western China (Xindu) to other Asian countries such as Thailand, India, Philippines; Ghana in Africa and Guatemala, Colombia in Latin America. Not only he practiced in the field, but also constructed a set of theories to be applied in the world wide …

人以何为本？合初人的反思与探索, Yi Zhu

South South Forum 南南論壇

我们认为当今中国以及全球的诸多社会问题和生态危机的关键在于：人们知道“以人为本”，却不知道“人以何为本”，人们追求幸福却不认识幸福的真相。

不认识幸福的真相，如何能找到幸福？不知道“人的本”是什么，“以人为本”将如何实现，又将带给人什么呢？

重庆民间非营利公益组织合初人文化传播社，就是在对这个问题的困惑与思考中创办的，也是在对这个问题的回答中找到了力量的源泉，并在持续的行动中不断地探索着现实的道路——从“本体健康”理念的提出，到健康文化的倡导，到农耕身心康复的尝试……

从帮助城市农民工的自我认知、自我认同、心理健康与人文社会公益教育，到城乡互助与CSA本地化实践……

从合初人自然农园雇佣劳动力从事农耕生产到扶持生态小农户的生态生计，再到“新农夫实习计划”……

从帮助农民工融入城市到“发现与复兴中国乡村社会的魅力”愿景……

从生态农业的试验到生态社区的设计……

从九年前用1万元注册机构组织到三年前1.5万元启动生态农园……

“幸福生活社区课堂”从城市到乡村……

合初人正在探索着如何不依赖政府和资本，如何靠普通人的互助，靠社会力量的支持，靠清醒的信念和本源的力量去持之以恒，走出属于普通人的更多自主、更多合作与更多快乐、幸福的生态生存与永续生活之路……

安龙村合作社经验, Fei Zhang

South South Forum 南南論壇

No abstract provided.

合作、教育、文化、综合 = Cooperation, Education, Culture, Synthesis, Yong Yuan

South South Forum 南南論壇

简阳市新天地水稻种植专业合作社推广生态农业模式创新

简阳市新天地水稻种植专业合作社成立于2010年3月，历时不到3年，合作社发展迅速，有机生产在全村得到全面推广。

1、合作是基础。新天地合作社在合作主体上由传统的纯农民变为“农户+专家+乡镇农技员”，整合了三方优势，提高了合作社整体素质。在管理上引进参与式方法，实现了民主，激发了农户自主性。

2、教育是关键。提高农户综合素质，特别是实现农户自我学习和自我教育，是推广生态农业的关键。合作社成立了文化中心，农民田间学校，采取举办专题研修班、读书日等方式，对农户进行生态农业、社交礼仪、营养保健、传统文化等多方面的培训学习，将教育作为合作社的首要工作和农民的最大福利。

3、文化是保障。在合作社开展文化建设是保证发展方向、提供发展动力的最佳办法。合作社成立了老年协会、妇女协会和文艺队，在农闲和各种节假日组织各种歌舞等文艺活动，并鼓励农户自己创作，激发农户创新热情。

4、综合促发展。针对农户的综合需求，提供养生保健、市场营销、文化教育、环境治理、儿童支教、统一生产管理等综合服务，促进社区综合发展。

An Innovative attempt to extend Eco-agricultural model by Xintiandi Rice-Planting Cooperative of Jianyang

Xintiandi Rice-planting cooperative of Jianyang was founded in March 2010. The cooperatives developed rapidly in the past three years and spread organic production all over the village.

1. Cooperation is the foundation of the cooperative. Xintiandi Cooperative changed the traditional cooperative agent from pure farmers to “farmers, experts and technicians”. It integrates the strength of the three parts and improves the overall quality of the cooperative. The participatory management is also used by the cooperative to stimulate the famer’s autonomy and …

重庆市忠县自强残疾人服务站, Yuying Chen

South South Forum 南南論壇

组织简介

重庆市自强残疾人服务站是一家成立于2002年5月，在民政部门登记注册残联业务主管的专为外出民工、工伤工友、职业病患者、残疾人、留守儿童等社会弱势群体提供资讯服务，推动自身能力建设的民办非企业单位。

组织理念

助人自助 自强不息

组织愿景

推动外出民工、工伤工友、职业病工友、残疾人、留守儿童等社会边缘群体自身能力建设，改良生存状况和生活质量，倡导团结协作、自强不息，促进社会不同成员公平地享有可持续发展的机会和环境。

服务内容

心理支持：

1、热线咨询、接待来访

为外出务工人员、职业灾害伤残工友提供信息服务和心理支持。

2、探访辅导

探访工伤工友、残疾人士，鼓励他们树立良好的心态，积极、乐观地面对生活，大胆融入社会，努力实现自立、自强。

3、励志启动

开展励志讲座，通过个案分享勉励大家勇于面对困难，树立实现人生价值的信念；书籍借阅，激励服务群体积极面对生活。

4、危机介入

对遭遇工伤、职业病、自然灾害、伤残等危机人群进行心理调适和治疗，使其摆脱危机影响。

生计发展

1、生计帮扶

通过个案访谈了解个体需求，辅助服务群体解决生计困境，并促进其自身能力的增强，实现可持续发展。

2、技能培训

组织开展技能培训，帮助服务群体发展生活能力，重建信心，通过提高自己的能力去改良生活环境。

职业干预

1、务工知识普及及培训

向外出务工人员普及务工知识；对职校学生开展务工前职业安全健康知识的培训，改善农民工务工环境。

2、职业康复锻炼

走访、调查，掌握实际情况，组建职业病康复锻炼网络，整合资源，以小组模式开展职业病的康复工作。

公众倡导

1、 派发资料，宣传演讲，倡导社会关注、尊重弱势群体。促进社会公正、和谐。