Insecure times? Workers' perceived job and labor market security in 23 OECD countries

By examining the association between employees' perceptions of job security and central labor market policies and characteristics, this paper seeks to understand the mechanisms through which institutions generate confidence and positive expectations among individuals regarding their economic future. The analyses distinguish between different facets of perceived job security and different institutional mechanisms. My multilevel analyses of a data set that contains information on 12,431 individuals and 23 countries show that some labor market policies and characteristics are more likely than others to provide workers with subjective security. Unemployment assistance in particular is an effective means of reducing workers' worries about job loss. Dismissal protection, by contrast, only unleashes its psychologically protective effects under certain conditions. The paper's main conclusion is that the effectiveness of policies varies and that different types of labor market institutions serve as complements rather than as substitutes.     

Icons,Itinerary, and Identity: Associations of Boundary and Mobility within the Contemporary US Passport

Regulatory shifts in US border policy set in motion through implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative are concurrent with recent formal and functional changes to the US passport. This article examines these modifications interweaving themes of boundary, mobility, and identity. The study focuses on the tripartite means by which the state employs the passport: as the primary affixer of national identity; as a mediator of contact and mobility across national boundaries; and as a mode for the projection of a certain territorial discourse to its citizenry and ‘others.’ These concepts are developed through an analysis of the narrative and iconic representations contained within the new book itself; material sources from government archives; as well as discussions and interviews with US State Department functionaries closely associated with the design and distribution of the new e-passport. Through the latter examination, a view is afforded into the process by which key state documents are crafted and an inherent tension revealed within an agency charged with establishing a particular unifying ‘brand’ for the preeminent instrument of national identification, whilst dutifully acknowledging the diverse constituency of a nation that historically fashions itself as one constructed from the many. In conclusion, the study suggests that the new passport is the handiwork of a plethora of state actors and a servant of many masters, for it is not only a facilitator of mobility and a vouchsafe for the identity of the bearer, but also, a tiny but significant piece of US property, itself an agent of border maintenance and boundary construction that enables the state to lay claim to its citizenry.     

Towards a Society for All Ages

Summary

Any social action plan, scheme, or program for welfare or intervention can be formulated only on the basis of data generated by research findings. Empirical data forms the backbone of the formulation of policy. This paper outlines the summary of the Indian research effort in the area of aging. An examination of the research trends shows both strengths and weaknesses. The generation of large and varied pieces of data across disciplines is a strength, while the absence of methodological rigor, integration of research effort, and the building of theory are the lacunae. The needs of the elderly, elder-care issues, State vs. family care, elder abuse, interventional and action plan research are some areas that need accentuation. Documentation of data, creation of databases, and a national body for overseeing research are requirements that cannot be delayed any longer.     

中国价格水平的国际比较：差距及影响因素

基于世界银行2011年国际比较项目（ ICP）数据结果,分析中国价格水平的国际差距,研究其影响因素,剖析世界银行推算的中国购买力平价和价格水平指数的合理性和局限性。研究表明,中国价格总水平相对较低,但在多重因素作用下,呈大幅上升趋势,与国际的差距缩小,价格的国际竞争优势逐渐减弱。在现阶段,中国价格水平与经济发展水平大体相适应。从长期趋势看,中国价格水平继续上升的压力较大,须控制通胀预期,稳定人民币汇率,谨防价格水平上升超出经济发展水平的正常范围。     

汉语国际教育中的安徽文化传播 ——以安徽某大学为例

汉语国际教育是传播安徽文化的重要舞台.在汉语国际教育中要树立对外汉语教师地域性教学意识和地方文化意识,充分发挥对外汉语教学中安徽文化各传播途径的作用,结合语言教学多角度展示安徽文化,加强留学生体验安徽优秀传统文化的实践.     

Conditional VAR and Expected Shortfall: A New Functional Approach

We estimate two well-known risk measures, the value-at-risk (VAR) and the expected shortfall, conditionally to a functional variable (i.e., a random variable valued in some semi(pseudo)-metric space). We use nonparametric kernel estimation for constructing estimators of these quantities, under general dependence conditions. Theoretical properties are stated whereas practical aspects are illustrated on simulated data: nonlinear functional and GARCH(1,1) models. Some ideas on bandwidth selection using bootstrap are introduced. Finally, an empirical example is given through data of the S&P 500 time series.     

应用型本科院校国际化人才培养模式研究——以三明学院为例

国际通识教育课程项目是由教育部下属留学服务中心审批,在通识教育理念的基础上培养人才的国际化办学项目。三明学院作为应用型本科院校,以培养有特色应用技术型人才为目标,积极推进人才培养模式改革。结合三明学院的实际情况,从课程设置、教师资源、授课方式、教学质量保障体系和第二课堂等方面,对国际通识教育课程项目的国际化人才培养模式进行研究,希望能够为应用型本科院校创新人才培养模式提供经验。     

The development of social work education in Russia since 1995

This article presents the findings of a four-year survey on the development of social work education in Russia from 1995 to the present day. Through a series of questionnaires, interviews and discussions with Russian academics, practitioners and students, the study looks at a variety of issues including the high rate of attrition. It focuses on aspects of students’ practice placements such as the type, length and quality of practice placements, the students’ workload and the supervision provided. It also looks at the contribution that international collaboration has made to the development of social work education in Russia.

The survey concludes that there is a need to enhance the overall package for social workers and raise the status of the profession in order to retain qualified personnel. Longer practice placements which start in the first year and are adequately funded and supervised are seen as the key to retaining new graduates. It concludes that although international projects have made a difference to those participating at the time, it is difficult to disseminate these benefits beyond the immediate region. Now that international funding to Russia has been reduced it is critical that any remaining funding is accurately targeted and properly coordinated.     

中东地区国际体系的发展演变及其特点

本文在对中东地区国际体系的历史演变进行回顾的基础上,发现了两个重要特点:一是中东地区的民族国家体系并不是一个完全自足的体系,而是具有某种开放性,其发展演化的逻辑很大程度上受国际体系的影响和制约;二是由于长期的历史和文化联系的存在,中东地区的互动和交流特别频繁,使该地区的国际体系在一定程度上呈现出共同体的特征.