Methodological issues in the social cost of gambling studies

The appropriate way to classify and measure the social costs of gambling is a very important, unresolved methodological issue that has been addressed by Collins and Lapsley (2000); Thompson, Gazel, and Rickman (1999); and Walker and Barnett (1999), among others. What should be included and excluded from social cost studies continues to be a controversial issue, as illustrated in the literature and recent conferences. This paper is an attempt to explain the economics conception of social costs in accessible language. By using a simple economic model and everyday examples, it shows that the economics methodology is better than the other methodologies currently available. There are four specific goals of the paper: (1) Discuss the importance of the social cost methodological debate and the state of research in the area; (2) Explain the Walker–Barnett definition of social cost in the context of a simple production possibilities frontier and indifference curve model; (3) Use simple illustrative examples to show why many of the alleged social costs should not be classified as such; and (4) Suggest a new method for analyzing the social costs and effects attributable to pathological gambling.     

毛泽东与1956年知识分子问题会议

毛泽东主张召开知识分子问题会议,下决心解决知识分子问题。但会后不久毛泽东就改变了知识分子问题会议作出的关于知识分子"已经是工人阶级的一部分"的正确论断。究其原因,一是中国共产党在革命时期形成的对待知识分子的消极传统;二是国际共产主义运动中的对待知识分子的错误理论和实践的影响;三是中国传统文化中轻视和鄙视知识分子的传统心理和近代知识分子的某些弱点。     

关于文化的几个基本问题

本文在学习、借鉴学术界有关文化研究成果的基础上,仅就文化的几个基本问题进行整合、概述和分析,以便帮助各层次读者对文化的定义、文化的多元化以及如何对待传统文化、如何理解文化的民族性和时代性、如何发展和完善具有中国特色的社会主义新文化等问题,能够有比较清醒的认识,从而提高贯彻"三个代表"所提出的中国共产党代表先进文化前进方向的自觉性。     

REGRESSION ANALYSIS USING SCRAMBLED RESPONSES

This paper investigates the general linear regression model Y = Xβ+e assuming the dependent variable is observed as a scrambled response using Eichhorn & Hayre's (1983) approach to collecting sensitive personal information. The estimates of the parameters in the model remain unbiased, but the variances of the estimates increase due to scrambling. The Wald test of the null hypothesis H₀: β=β₀, against the alternative hypothesis H_a: β#β₀, is also investigated. Parameter estimates obtained from scrambled responses are compared to those from conventional or direct-question surveys, using simulation. The coverage by nominal 95% confidence intervals is also reported.     

西北民族地区交通事业发展的重要性及发展策略探讨

本文从我国经济社会及交通事业发展实际出发,提出中国交通事业发展战略应尽快转向西部地区,尤其重点转向西北民族地区;探讨了构建西北民族地区交通运输网络急需建设的几项大型交通工程,并提出西北民族地区交通建设资金的筹措方案。     

“理性经济人”假设：演进与批判

“理性经济人”是现代经济学最重要的理论假设之一。其基本内涵包含自利的行为动机、理性的行为目标及方法论的个人主义三层含义。在理论假设不断演进的过程中,一些学者从理性人的行为动机、行为目标以及研究方法等不同角度对其进行了批判与修正。无论如何批判和修正,“理性经济人”假设仍然是经济学研究的基础假设与出发点。     

中国解释学的特质——兼与严春友先生商榷

从中国哲学史的整体发展来看,几乎可以把中国哲学史看成是一部经典诠释史,思想家通过经典的注释和解说的形式来发展、建立、表达自己的哲学思想已经成了一种传统。而这一方式必然包含着“客观”地诠释经典的“原意”和建立诠释者自身的哲学体系这对矛盾。从前者看,中国解释学带有方法论解释学的性质;从后者出发,中国解释学的性质则是本体论的。而事实上中国解释学不必遵从西方解释学先有方法论解释学,后有本体论解释学的演进逻辑,中国解释学的特质在于本体论寓于方法论之中,注经、说经是形式,是载体,思想创造才是内容,是实质。     

加入WTO后我国就业问题的对策创新

加入WTO后我国的就业即将面临新的挑战和机遇 ,这就需要对就业问题进行对策创新。具体为 :创新劳动力的供给制度 ;更新择业观念、提高劳动技能 ;开拓经济新增长点和创新经济结构 ;建立再就业管理“新网络”、劳动力市场“新模式”和社会保障“新格局” ;实行弹性就业制和灵活工作制等     

Perceptions of Reconciliation and related Indigenous Issues among Young Residents of Shepparton

It has been argued that reconciliation between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous Australians requires non‐Indigenous Australians to change their attitudes. Some suggest that this process is occurring and that younger people hold more positive attitudes towards Indigenous Australians. This paper explored the perspectives of 86 young people from Shepparton, Victoria in relation to reconciliation and related Indigenous issues. The study found that young participants' views of reconciliation varied, and while some supported reconciliation, many opposed a national apology and indicated that they were not very informed about or interested in Aboriginal issues. Many distinguished between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ Aboriginals based on behaviour. Their talk was embedded with notions of special privilege, ‘sameness’ and social hierarchy but excluded attention to cultural difference. Findings suggest that these young people have embraced discourses of sameness, individualism and ‘practical reconciliation’ and that they are reluctant to reflect on their position of White privilege.     

Parenting a 6-Year Old Is Not What I Planned in Retirement: Trauma and Stress among Grandparents Due to the Opioid Crisis

ABSTRACT

There is little research about trauma, financial stress, and social service needs emanating from the experience of parenting grandchildren caused by the opioid crisis in the United States. We conducted a qualitative study with 15 grandparents who currently or in the past had custodial care of their grandchildren. We also interviewed nine issue-related stakeholders in Eastern Massachusetts. Specific inquiries centered on events leading up to a change in guardianship, stressors related to legal, financial, and family issues, and system-wide response to the grandparents’ needs. Results indicate that the opioid crisis presents distinct challenges for the grandparent-led families and for the systems that serve the new family arrangement. Crisis triggers a change in guardianship and continues throughout the years. The continued crises stem from events related to the parent’s opioid use disorder (OUD) and from expenses related to raising a young family, especially when the grandchild has adverse childhood experiences. Our analysis shows that systems break down on a number of levels, and the fluidity of custodial arrangements due to parents’ OUD status does not map onto existing support or benefit systems. Policy responses must focus on the immediate and long-term needs of grandparent caretakers, especially since the opioid crisis is likely to continue.