The Return of the Market?: Reflections on the Real "Conservative Tradition" in U.S. Policy Discourse

This article examines the ideological continuity underlying recent changes in U.S. policy, arguing that both the "liberal" policies of the 1960s and the "free market" conservatism of the 1980s were based upon the presuppositions of neoclassical economic theory. I first consider the intellectual assumptions of postwar liberalism, emphasizing the degree to which the dominant paradigm of the period accepted the neoclassical framework. Next I examine the conservative neoclassical critique of liberal ideas that developed in the 1970s. The economic upheavals of that decade demonstrated the limits of a postwar liberalism that was only ambiguously committed to state intervention. The result was the reassertion of a more consistent market model in economic policy discourse. I conclude by considering the ideological effects of the dominant neoclassical paradigm today in directing attention away from crucial social problems, particularly those that result from market forces themselves in a rapidly changing global economy.     

Leveling coalitions as network phenomena

The formation of leveling coalitions is discussed as the outcome of a network process. A simplicial complex is used to formalize the concept of a reticulum, and the interlocking of reticulums is naturally analyzed by a Q-analysis. This connective structure of reticulums forms the backcloth for the formation of leveling coalitions. A structure theorem that claims leveling coalitions will fail if the backcloth prohibits them, and may succeed if the blackcloth permits them, is supported by data from two social networks.     

‘Boy, 15, Divorces Parent’: Irreconcilable Difference Applications in Victoria

The provision in Victoria's child welfare legislation, which allows parents or children to apply to the Children's Court on the ground of irreconcilable differences, is examined in the light of a much publicized case in Melbourne. Similar legislation exists elsewhere in Australia, and in New Zealand. The number of irreconcilable difference applications has declined in recent years due to the provision of counselling. A few cases still reach court. It is argued that legal proceedings serve little useful function. Cases of family breakdown are better handled by the provision of services including alternative accommodation, without a change in the child's legal status.     

Current concepts in pediatric primary nocturnal enuresis

It is estimated that enuresis affects 5 to 7 million children in the United States. Although the problem is common and well known, appropriate and effective treatment is not always provided. This may be due to the many etiological theories associated with this condition as well as a correspondingly high number of interventions. The present paper summarizes the empirical literature regarding primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE), with an emphasis on pharmacological and behavioral interventions. The data support the view that children with enuresis have a wide range of negative experiences that can affect self-esteem and development, but that enuresis is not associated with significant psychiatric or behavioral difficulties. Given the strong empirical support for several interventions for PNE, children who have this condition should not go untreated.This paper was supported, in part, by a grant from Rhône-Poulenc Rorer. The comments of Christine T. Majors, M.S., University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, are gratefully acknowledged.Dr. Friman is with Father Flanagan's Boy's Town.     

A reconstruction of the population of North Italy from 1650 to 1881 using annual inverse projection with comparisons to England,France, and Sweden

North Italy annual population and vital rates are reconstructed from 1650 to 1881 using series of vital event indices from many rural parishes and cities. Inverse projection is applied to the reconstructed series of vital events and population to generate annual age distribution, gross reproduction rate, net reproduction rate, life expectancy at birth, and infant mortality rate. The results are compared with official sources and detailed demographic rates produced by annual inverse projection using data from England, France, and Sweden. Over the long term, North Italy is generally characterized by stagnant and relatively high mortality. Fertility and nuptiality are relatively high at the beginning and at the end of the period.     

THE CASE FOR PARITY AND BIRTH-ORDER STATISTICS

Parity refers to the number of (live) births that a woman (or man) has had. Birth order refers to whether a birth is the first, second, third or higher‐order birth of the parent. In the context of low and shifting fertility, parity and birth‐order statistics are becoming increasingly important for understanding fertility trends and patterns, for policy, and for carrying out projections of future fertility. In Australia, the main sources of demographic data are birth, death and marriage registers, and the five‐yearly national census. Both the birth registers and the census are ideally placed to collect data required to calculate parity and birth‐order statistics. However not all Australian states and territories collect or code the necessary information in the birth registers, and the parity question ‘For each female, how many babies has she ever had?’ is only asked every second census; that is, once every 10 years. In this paper, we outline the importance and uses of parity and birth‐order statistics. We discuss the Australian data available at present and their gaps and shortcomings. We then describe the ‘gold standard’ of parity and birth‐order statistics and how Australia can achieve this standard through some minor changes to the data collection process.     

Competitive analysis using matrix displays

The objective of this paper is to explore how selected matrix displays can aid strategic management. Three types of matrix— the Directional Policy, the Hofer and the Patel and Younger— are considered and the particular contribution that each can make is examined. Each type makes a particular contribution and which type, or types, should be used by strategic planners should be a function of the objectives of the exercise and the data available.     

Not for Bread Alone—Motivation Among Hospital Employees in Singapore

Through a series of interviews and a literature review this paper uncovers the key sources of motivation among employees in hospitals in Singapore. The study examines the use of several non-monetary rewards Singaporean managers can rely on to motivate their employees in service industries. One vital finding of this study is that there should be value congruence and person/environment-fit.     

Matching Communities and Hierarchies within the Firm

This article, which draws on recent literature on organizational communities, raises the question of the coherence of the firm through the analysis of the dialectic interaction between hierarchies and Knowledge-Intensive Communities (KnICs) within the firm. Focusing on the cognitive dimension of the firm, we analyze the matching between hierarchies and KnICs and draw conclusions as to the coherence of the firm. Using two key elements (the frequency of interactions and the intensity of communication between communities), we draw a typology allowing a better understanding of the processes of coordination and knowledge creation within the firm. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Multidimension scaling for multiobjective policies

This paper develops and expands the use of multidimension scaling techniques (MDSCAL) as applied in the two separate fields of psychological testing and archaeology to the problem of multiple criteria decision making. Other work by the author published elsewhere shows that it is feasible to use MDSCAL for drawing maps of separate policies using very weak input information from which deductions as to most preferred and least preferred policies may be drawn. An application of this method is made, to show its use and a comparison made with the utility approach. The final, and main, part of the paper examines the robustness of the method for both deterministic and probabilistic input criteria. In this examination it is seen that the mapping method performs very well in picking up extremes of preference even under severe tests of robustness.