Family farmers and major retail chains in the Brazilian organic sector: Assessing new development pathways. A case study in a peri-urban district of São Paulo

The expansion of the organic sector in Brazil is seen as a leverage for the social emancipation of the small family farmers. Next to the traditional alternatives circuits of organic food and farming, new powerful capitalistic actors, such as supermarket chains, are rapidly entering the Brazilian organic arena. Can family farming benefit from the development of these “conventional” commercialisation circuits in the organic sector? Research undertaken in 2007, in a green belt rural community of São Paulo, shows how family farmers may have benefited from the implication of large retail chains in the organic sector and how an economically and ecologically outstanding agriculture may arise from these circumstances. However, we highlight the crucial role played by social regulation: only strong solidarity between farmers and the implication of technicians, militants and researchers in the process made it possible to counter the negative effects of the liberal logic governing the development of organic farming via the major retailers. Still, as tougher competition is expected on the regional organic market, the development of short supply chains involving “committed” consumers and the broader integration of the local farmers in networks of organic militancy appear crucial. It would guarantee a continuous enhancement of the local human and social capital, reinforce an emerging process of internal conversion and allow for a stronger social regulation of the future local development pattern.     

Family Responsibilities,Productivity, and Earnings: A Study of Gender Differences Among Canadian Lawyers

This study examines whether men and women invest in different determinants of productivity and whether these investments affect productivity and salary in different ways. Hypotheses are tested from human and social capital theories that include more direct measures for family responsibilities and family-friendly firm arguments. Data from 670 law firm lawyers were used given they report a standardized measure of productivity in billable hours. Despite men investing more in their careers and women investing more in their families, both report similar productivity and their productivity is affected similarly by these factors. In addition, equally productive men and women are paid the same. The findings further our understanding of productivity and salary and the relevance of family responsibilities and family-friendly firms.

The Tunnel at the End of the Light: the Crisis of Transition in Hungary

The economic, political and social transition processes of the last two decades, far from being in harmony, clearly have a detrimental rather than an enriching influence on each other. These processes will never become harmonised just by themselves in a natural fashion. The worst obstacle of a successful transformation is that the chief actors, such as the government, the market and the representatives of the society. The Prince, the Merchant and the Citizen do not show the necessary commitment, competence and determination to create a new, effective type of partnership. This is a challenge which urgently demands answers on all levels of governance, economic and social life. This must be done in the frames of local communities, and on the regional, the European and the global levels. Nearly twenty years after the political turnabout, Hungary now needs a new social contract and must lay down the ethical, political, institutional and intellectual foundations for its twenty-first century democracy.

自愿不育的人口社会学视角

文章通过对目前人口形势和不育群体现状的分析 ,从人口学和社会学的角度对不育文化作了论述 ,最后分析了几个值得深入探讨的社会问题     

全国流动人口计划生育管理研究

本文根据全国及部分地方有关流动人口计划生育的调查和相关的现有资料 ,分析了中国流动人口的规模、影响人口流动的因素、流动人口的特点和计划生育工作存在的问题 ,并提出了今后加强流动人口计划生育工作的对策和建议。     

关于计划生育干部培训形式的几点思考

目前我国人口与计划生育工作已进入稳定低生育水平、综合治理人口问题的新阶段 ,要求全面提高计划生育干部素质 ,教育培训工作越来越显示出其重要性。本文探讨了原有培训形式存在的问题和今后计划生育干部培训形式的多元化发展     

论语篇翻译中形与意的关系

翻译中形与意的关系也是衔接与连贯的关系。翻译是形的变换 ,意的传达。语篇的形必须衔接 ,意则必须连贯。汉英互译尤要注意衔接对译文连贯乃至神似的影响。     

略述凉山彝族传统家庭生产技能教育

生产技能教育是体现凉山彝族社会传统家庭教育的经济功能的主要特征之一,是教育直接作用于人类社会生产和经济生活的具体表现。这种技艺传授方式,至今仍为凉山彝族地区乡村农民家庭教育所广泛沿用,成为彝族地区经济发展、社会进步的重要手段之一。     

论拓跋鲜卑的“神元”崇拜

英明神武的拓跋力微是鲜卑历史上的杰出领袖,他结束了始自圣武帝晚期的内乱,团结部盟成员,巩固王权,开创了具有转折意义的盛乐时代,积极推进本部族的文明进程,为日后入主中原奠定了坚实的基础。鉴于他的丰功伟绩,北魏开国后追尊始祖神元帝的称号,使其稳坐太庙之首,接受臣民的朝拜。神化力微是拓跋祖先崇拜的高度概括,具体表现在宗教信仰、族群建构、身份归属和政治认同诸方面,深刻地影响北魏政坛与社会。拓跋鲜卑的神元崇拜具有本民族鲜明的特色,有别于其他东北亚种群,是研究拓跋发展史的重要资料。