The book establishes marriage as a pervasive idiom for the construction of collective identity in Syria, which is appropriated by individuals, sects, states and intergovernmental organizations alike. ...Its conclusions are relevant to scholars of Middle East studies, sectarianism, anthropology and politics.”
The dark sides of virtue Kennedy, David
2008., 20110627, 2011, 2004, 2004-01-01, 20050101, 20040101
eBook
In this provocative and timely book, David Kennedy explores what can go awry when we put our humanitarian yearnings into action on a global scale--and what we can do in response.
This paper examines the consequences of China’s dramatic socioeconomic and political transformations for individual subjective well-being (SWB) from 1990 to 2007. Although many still consider China ...to be a collectivist country, and some scholars have argued that collectivist factors would be important predictors of individual well-being in such a context, our analysis demonstrates that the Chinese are increasingly prioritizing individualist factors in assessments of their own happiness and life satisfaction thus substantiating descriptions of their society as increasingly individualistic. While the vast majority of quality of life studies have focused on Westerners, this study contributes findings from the unique cultural context of China. Moreover, concentration on this particular period in Chinese history offers insight into the relationship between SWB and rapid socioeconomic and political change.
While the current global context of successive economic and health crises are punishing the economies of different countries in the world, it is particularly relevant to explore the business ...intentions of young university students, as potential entrepreneurs of opportunity. This matter is of the utmost importance, as it helps to facilitate the implementation of measures that can ensure the future recovery of the economy and the creation of new businesses. The objective of this paper is to study the institutional and psychological antecedents of entrepreneurial intention and the role of gender. The theory of planned behaviour is applied to assess how personal attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control can affect students' intention of becoming an entrepreneur. In addition, organizational support and institutional barriers are tested as potentially significant antecedents of entrepreneurial intention, along with the influence of gender. The research carried out was based on survey responses from a sample of 740 students of economics, communications, and education at an Ecuadorian university. The research propositions were tested using a partial least squares approach. Results indicate that behaviour towards entrepreneurship does not change in relation to gender. In addition, personal attitudes and perceived behavioural control regarding entrepreneurship are positively related to students' entrepreneurial intention. Organizational support is also found to be important for generating entrepreneurial intention. The paper adds to the current knowledge base on entrepreneurial intention by analysing the individual and joint influence of the principal elements of the theory of planned behaviour, as well as organizational support and institutional barriers on entrepreneurial intentions. Moreover, the research provides a useful perspective on the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention in an unexplored context such as Ecuador, by responding to the call focusing on entrepreneurial intention in different regions, cultures, and contexts.
The research is aimed at identifying the prospects related to select areas of integration of Ukraine with the countries of the European Union, in the context of their choice of civilisational ...identity in the 21
century. The identity is understood as a civilisational category, hence it equally refers to spiritual culture (history and related fields) and material culture (first of all: technology and economy). The proper understanding of a dilemma faced by Eastern Europeans requires references to the sources of cultural legacy which shape social emotions significant for that region, in order to outline the prospects for the ongoing processes, with the use of the adequate political analysis.
Considering relations between academic activities and practice, the research is of applied character, and its aim is to increase scientific knowledge of European legacy of Ukraine with regard to the processes of European integration. The systemisation of the current knowledge of the process of integration taking place in Eastern Europe is to provide a diagnosis oriented towards identification of a place and an attitude towards the contemporary European integration processes represented by Ukraine. The subject of the research is the process of social and political European integration and the place of Eastern Europe in a system perceived as such. The authors present their attempts at providing an answer to the following question: Do – and to what extent - Ukraine tend to follow the pro-Western orientation in the selected areas of their operations and do this country develop their institutional cooperation with the European Union?
Unsustainable consumption and production patterns have brought human civilization to the brink of a global disaster. Alteration of these patterns to minimize adverse environmental impacts has become ...the key question of survival, a question relevant for every country and citizen.
In this paper we are looking at trends of consumption and production in the post-Soviet republics. These countries have a common history, but they took different routes to development. They are at different stages of economic growth and political processes, with differences also in consumption and production-related environmental pressures and policies.
This study is based on statistical data analysis and snap-shot surveys of national experts from non-governmental organizations, reflecting their views and observations, which often differ from official positions of national governments and international organizations. In order to draw conclusions about the possibilities for further development, we analyze various sustainable consumption and production indicators, policy developments, progress achieved and the main challenges behind sustainable consumption and production governance in these countries.
Sustainable consumption and production policy in the countries of the region is fragmented, and none of the countries uses a holistic integrated approach. The influence of the EU seems to be critical for advancing sustainable development principles. However, the EU accession does not address the growth effect, which is the main driver behind increasing environmental pressures related to consumption. There is still a long way to go from this mosaic of policy elements to a coherent policy with adequate institutional support and funding mechanisms.
•The study is based on statistical data analysis and snap-shot surveys of national experts.•Some SCP principles are scattered in the national sectoral policies.•There is no holistic approach to SCP policy in the countries in transition.•EU accession does not lead to decreasing environmental pressures of consumption.•Increasing consumption as the main driver of environmental pressures are not addressed by any of the countries in the region.
Background: One of the key indicators of a country's macroeconomic stability is certainly inflation. During the past year, there has been a general increase in inflation in Europe. The question ...arises as to how inflation affects other relevant indicators of the stability of a country. One of the most important indicators is gross domestic product. Purpose: This paper analyses the effect of the inflation rate on gross domestic product in the countries of the Western Balkans for the period 2006-2021, which includes the initial period of the emerging health crisis. Study design/methodology/approach: Official data from the World Bank was used to review the analysis of the state of inflation and gross domestic product. The same data was transformed into appropriate logarithms for proper econometric modelling. The methodology used to determine the effect of the inflation rate on the gross domestic product is multiple regression analysis with the ordinary least squares estimation method. Findings/conclusions: The results of the analysis indicate a positive effect of the gross domestic product deflator on economic growth in the sample countries, while the impact of inflation measured according to the consumer price index is not significant. Limitations/future research: Recommendations for decision-makers about inflation targeting, and further methodological approaches are given as part of the research conclusions.
This book argues that Putin's strategy for rebuilding the state was fundamentally flawed. Taylor demonstrates that a disregard for the way state officials behave toward citizens - state quality - had ...a negative impact on what the state could do - state capacity. Focusing on those organizations that control state coercion, what Russians call the 'power ministries', Taylor shows that many of the weaknesses of the Russian state that existed under Boris Yeltsin persisted under Putin. Drawing on extensive field research and interviews, as well as a wide range of comparative data, the book reveals the practices and norms that guide the behavior of Russian power ministry officials (the so-called siloviki), especially law enforcement personnel. By examining siloviki behavior from the Kremlin down to the street level, State Building in Putin's Russia uncovers the who, where and how of Russian state building after communism.
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