经济紧缩,还是经济崩溃?--阿根廷经济复苏的出路

最近的数字显示 ,阿根廷的贫困率已达城市人口的 44%。阿根廷政府正面临多方面的压力。穷人和中产阶级渴望享有社会服务、医疗保障、教育和就业机会。国际货币基金组织要求阿根廷拿出一个经济计划 ,使政府支出随时处于审查之中。阿根廷危机的某些方面与其他新兴国家相似 ,但也有一些独一无二的特征 ,比如外债。据说 ,阿根廷的外债没有用于提高生产能力 ,而仅仅变成了私人资本外流的替代品。这一状况与1 997年韩国危机前夕的情况非常接近。然而 ,阿根廷的预算仍处于赢余状态 ,贸易占ＧＤＰ的比例较低 ,2 0 0 1年的贸易收入仍超过贸易支出。此…     

Disability as the Basis for a Social Movement: Advocacy and the Politics of Definition

Many people with disabilities do not identify themselves as disabled or choose not to be part of a politically active community of disabled persons. This paper discusses both the barriers to the formation of a social movement of disabled people and the ways in which these barriers have been overcome. The role of public policy in the evolution of this movement is discussed, as are the current status and prospects of the disability rights movement.     

Those who cannot have what they want must want what they can get: The experience with company-based early retirement pension schemes in Norway

Early retirement is a central bridge between permanent work and standard pension age. During 1988-1989, 10% of all private Norwegian companies, employing about 20% of all employees, had made use of early retirement schemes, mainly as a means of reducing staff. A central question is whether early retirement creates welfare or reduces it for the early retirees. Case studies of 4 companies and panel studies of potential early retirees have been used to throw light on these questions: what are the experiences of those involved, and do they wish to leave work or is leave taken involuntary? Only 1 of 7 early retirees adapted poorly, mostly due to poor health, a strong work orientation combined with unfilled expectations for part-time work and the feeling that they had no choice but to accept the offer. The majority seem to adjust fairly well to life as a pensioner, especially if they have some part-time work. Besides high financial compensation, satisfaction with early retirement depends on whether the scheme is regarded as legitimate in the community and the individual considers the transition to be meaningful.     

Eight myths on motivating social services workers: theory-based perspectives

A combination of factors has made formal motivational and reward systems rare in human service organizations generally and virtually non-existent in social service agencies. The author reviews eight of these myths by reference to eight motivational theories which refute them: need theory, expectancy theory, feedback theory, equity theory, reinforcement theory, cognitive evaluation theory, goal setting theory, and social influence theory. Although most of these theories have been developed and applied in the private sector, relevant research has also been conducted in social service agencies. The author concludes with a summary of guidelines suggested by the eight theories for motivating human service workers.     

Demographic foundations of the sex role revolution

The current revolution in sex roles is not simply the result of feminist ideology; it is a consequence of the demographic changes that have occurred during this century. Women seek work outside the home in response to a situation created, in part, by the decline in birth and mortality rates. Engaging in productive labor is not, however, a new activity for married women. In fact, the male "breadwinner" system of the last century has been a historical aberration. Women have traditionally participated in production. Feminism clearly provides an ideological basis for the new egalitarianism in marriage, but it is not possible to meaningfully examine the changing sex roles during this century without also examing the concurrent demographic trends.     

Intervention with high-risk infants and toddlers

This early intervention program serves children and parents. It includes a therapeutic infant day care center and a mother-child interaction group. Counseling is also provided for families with children in the center and for families with children under three years of age in the community.     

Are corrupt acts contagious?: Evidence from the United States

This paper adds to the literature by shedding new light on the causes of corruption. Specifically, we provide evidence on the extent to which corruption might be contagious. In other words, what is the extent to which a demonstration effect is at play at inducing corrupt acts? Using state-level U.S. data over the 1995–2004 period, the results show that the effect of neighboring corruption is positive and statistically significant in all cases, implying that corruption does appear to be contagious. Specifically, a 10% increase in corruption in neighboring states appears to increase corruption in a state by about 4–11%. Of the different types of government activity, the size of defense and non-defense federal sectors in a state seem to have opposite effects on corruption, with the former contributing to corruption and the latter serving as a deterrent. The size of the state and local governments does not seem to be relevant. Of the variables controlling for detection and punishment of corrupt individuals, greater corrections employment reduces corruption, while greater judicial employment seems to increase corruption. Changes in the police force do not seem to have a statistically significant impact. These findings generally hold when we control for the disproportionate effects of the Washington, DC area and when a pooled data set is estimated. Contagion effects are also found for other crimes. Policy implications are discussed.