The History of the Social Constructions of Dönmes (Converts)*

This paper investigates the history of social constructions, principally conspiracy theories, about a crypto‐Jewish group, the Dönmes, in Turkey. It considers the socio‐political reasons for the conspiracy theories and their significance by analysing their contents in different periods. The findings suggest that the fluid identity of Dönmes makes them stranger figures, in a sociological sense, creates public mistrust and encourages conspiratorial explanations. Moreover, the study shows that the conspiracy theories surrounding Dönmes are also fed by the ontological insecurities of Turkish politics, and that conspiracy theories tend to have appeal for alienated groups during major social transformations.     

The Current State of Social Mobility Research*

Blau's and Duncan's reconceptualization of social mobility analysis in terms of the status attainment model led to a rapid growth in the number of studies of mobility processes in the United States. Observations of differences in the attainment processes of different segments of the population and theoretical and methodological critiques have produced alternative ways of viewing and analyzing social stratification and mobility. Recent European contributions have tended to be more heavily theory-laden and concerned with social class rather than a continuum of occupational levels. Current developments promise to provide a basis for a rapprochement between the two approaches and further clarification of the relative importance of structural and individual factors in the social mobility process.     

The Re-Emerging Role of the State in Contemporary Russia

I examine ownership structure of Russian firms during the 1998?C2006 period, where a greater emphasis is placed on motivations behind increased government ownership in the latter years, when oligarchs?? opportunistic influence on the firm diminished as state ownership correspondingly increased. As this phenomenon is also correlated with improved corporate growth during the period, I argue that state participation in corporate governance acted as an effective substitute mechanism to constrain wealth-tunnelling behaviour of corporate insiders and local bureaucrats in a country defined by a weak property rights system.     

A Review of The Dialectical Imagination: A History of the Frankfurt School and The Institute of Social Research

Theory and Society -     

The Role of Contemporary Family Behaviors in Nonmarital Conception Outcomes of Nonmetro Women: Comments on Albrecht and Albrecht (2004)*

Abstract Recent research by Albrecht and Albrecht (2004) on nonmarital conception outcomes is extended using data from the 1995 cycle of the National Survey of Family Growth. Residential differences in nonmarital conception outcomes are examined, including nonmarital conception, live birth outcomes, and marital status at birth following a nonmarital conception. Analyses emphasize the role of more contemporary family behaviors in conception outcomes and the importance of distinguishing suburban‐metro from central city‐metro residence in studies that emphasize residential variation in family outcomes. Findings are that (1) nonmetro women have retained more traditional family behavior with regards to marriage following a nonmarital conception, (2) nonmetro and suburban women, however, have equally traditional family patterns and behaviors on many of the outcomes of interest, and (3) it is important to include contemporary family behaviors, such as nonmarital cohabitation, in studies that evaluate traditional family behavior among nonmetro populations.     

Disaster Work in China: Tasks and Competences for Social Workers

This paper presents the results of a survey on the social work tasks and competences required in disaster management in China. The survey questionnaire was administered at two training workshops held in Sichuan in July and September 2010. The number of survey respondents was 67. The results of tasks analysis indicated perceptions of a division of labor among government officials, social workers, and other disaster responders. The survey results also showed that identifying and addressing the special needs of vulnerable populations required moderate to high levels of competency. Overall, the results should be seen as preliminary and used as the basis for ongoing dialogue with social work educators and social workers about what is required in disaster training.     

Cultural Organizations and the State: Art and State Support in Contemporary Britain

Only a small proportion of research in the sociological field of arts and culture is on the state and its effects. Literature which touches on this topic often comes from the policy arena and the wide variety of disciplines interested in public policy. Research tends to focus on two key themes: funding and censorship. But the effects of state actions are much broader. Moreover, state support is often set in opposition to the market, but markets and state systems usually exist together. It is ironic that the effects of the state on cultural organizations are increasingly studied at just this point in time, when states are scaling back their involvement and privatization is coming to the fore. Focusing on cultural organizations usually associated with the fine arts (museums and performing arts organizations), I illustrate some of these themes with a discussion of recent events in the UK.     

择优而嫁:当代中国女性婚姻选择的社会基础及影响

择优而嫁这一当代女性婚姻选择现象的产生,具有现实的社会基础,是财富积累和排他性、传统的父母威权与女性自由思想的解放、择偶梯度和失衡的性别比以及当代女性对都市爱情的向往和追求等诸多因素共同作用的结果。然而,当代女性择优而嫁的婚姻选择现象也存在着一些隐性的社会风险,长期发展必将导致女性社会地位的"贬值"、具备买卖性质的婚姻更加突出以及传统家庭教养方式的复兴等问题。作为当代中国女性在择优而嫁的同时,也应该树立一种正向的、健康的婚姻价值观,避免对这一现象的错误解读和过度利用。     

高职院校社会服务体系建设的瓶颈与对策

全面分析高职院校服务社会现存问题,阐明构建服务体系应遵循的原则,重点研究服务社会体系建设的对策.     

The Social Life of the State: Relational Ethnography and Political Sociology

Qualitative Sociology - Political sociologists have typically studied the state as a self-enclosed institution hovering above civil society. In this formulation, the state is rendered as...     

当代中东产油国的社会变迁

随着石油的开发,战后中东产油国的经济、教育迅速发展,并对其社会结构产生了深远影响.其主要表现为:游牧民人数的下降和变迁;大地主阶级遭到沉重打击,转而成为资本家或农场主;小农走上合作化道路,在海湾六国采用了现代耕作方式,或大批向城市迁移;大资产阶级在伊拉克遭受了沉重打击,在其他国家则迅速发展;传统小工商业者受到猛烈冲击,"新中等阶层"不断壮大;奴隶是唯一彻底消失的阶级,产业工人迅速崛起,同时出现了大批城市贫民;官僚资产阶级是一个新兴阶级,宗教人士的传统特权受到限制;作为新兴集团的外籍人员与本国民众存在深刻对立;对于少数群体,各国采取了压制与改善经济文化并重的政策;两极分化在各国普遍存在.总之,中东产油国的社会结构在变化的同时又表现出明显的滞后性.     

当代中东产油国的社会变迁

随着石油的开发,战后中东产油国的经济、教育迅速发展,并对其社会结构产生了深远影响。其主要表现为:游牧民人数的下降和变迁;大地主阶级遭到沉重打击,转而成为资本家或农场主;小农走上合作化道路,在海湾六国采用了现代耕作方式,或大批向城市迁移;大资产阶级在伊拉克遭受了沉重打击,在其他国家则迅速发展;传统小工商业者受到猛烈冲击,“新中等阶层”不断壮大;奴隶是唯一彻底消失的阶级,产业工人迅速崛起,同时出现了大批城市贫民;官僚资产阶级是一个新兴阶级,宗教人士的传统特权受到限制;作为新兴集团的外籍人员与本国民众存在深刻对立;对于少数群体,各国采取了压制与改善经济文化并重的政策;两极分化在各国普遍存在。总之,中东产油国的社会结构在变化的同时又表现出明显的滞后性。     

Contemporary Political Thought and Its Implications for Social Studies Teachers

When social studies students have a role in the processes of designing assignments, constructing rubrics, and conducting assessments, they participate in authentic democratic principles relative to their own learning. When given voice, choice, and ownership in their education, social studies students gain opportunities to strengthen their depth of engagement, expand their breadth of responsibility, and increase their degree of satisfaction. Concomitantly, incorporating genuine collaboration helps social studies teachers enhance their teaching effectiveness and improve their overall classroom assessment systems. Ultimately, these techniques help social studies teachers empower their students to live the social studies they are learning in class and apply the concepts to the contexts of their lives. Thus, the learning process becomes more meaningful, productive, and rewarding.