In earlier cross-sectional gravity-theory reports (see for example Frankel and Romer, 1999), empirical modelling evidence lends support to the hypothesis of ‘trade causes growth’. In our time-series ...study on trade-growth causation for a new Asian regionalism (namely ASEAN+3), the hypothesis was also confirmed (Tran Van Hoa, 2002c). A number of benchmark models have also been proposed to find out what causes trade (for a brief survey, see Baier and Bergstrand, 2001), but specific research on income convergence and Asian or more specifically ASEAN+3 trade is still scarce or even non-existent. The paper focuses on studying the growth of ASEAN+3 bilateral trade in the volatile period 1968-2000 and, using an extended Helpman-Krugman (1985) function-free model and World Bank national account and CHELEM trade data, tests the impact of convergence on this trade. Surprisingly, this convergence is found plausible but statistically insignificant and ASEAN output growth and crises are principal determinants of the trade flows between the East Asia 3 and ASEAN.
...it sets out to critique the arguments of Beijing academic, Chang Kai, about the convergence of Chinese industrial relations with a universalistic capitalist model, and to critique the varieties of ...capitalism theories popular in international management debates. ...this monograph aims to provide evidence to disprove both convergence theory and "varieties of capitalism" approaches to the development of international management, at least as these apply to China.
Seven quality-of-life indicators for children in Europe are reviewed to assess changes over time & the lack of convergence of quality among member states. The UK appears to be average for the ...European Union (EU) indicator of gross domestic product per head & performs moderate to good on indicators such as youth employment, young adult suicides, & education. However, the UK's performance as the worst in the EU in child poverty, household worklessness, & the teenage birthrate has contributed to the lack of convergence between richer & poorer states in indicators & is a cause for great concern. 1 Table, 3 Figures. M. Pflum
This study treats collective bargaining as a social construction of reality. Adopting the framework of symbolic convergence theory, this investigation examines the rituals and fantasy themes of ...bargainers and team members collected through observations of teachers' negotiations and interviews with participants. Fantasy theme analysis reveals that both school districts develop symbolic convergence on common enemies and past negotiations. This convergence instills similar values and motives for the negotiation process. However, the two districts and the labor-management teams differ in the meanings that they hold for the bargaining rite.
There were two main contestants in the first generation of globalization debates: homogenizers (Marxists & functionalists), realists who suscribe to a notion of world-system, look primarily at the ...presence of the universal in the particular, & invoke a scenario of convergent development; & heterogenizers (culturalists), hermeneuticians who would dispute that a system existed, disclaim the distinction of universal & particular, & not only dispute convergence but the notion of development altogether. The impasse between the two may be overcome by the very privileging of space over temporality. If globality is the condition of divergent modernization, then universalism is the condition of growing particularizations. Homogenizers would tend to understand the universal & particular to involve a contradiction -- between system & antisystemic movements. There is no necessary tension between the universal & the particular in "glocalization," the global creation of locality. Glocalization may take several forms in which there is the global institutionalization of the expectation & construction of local particularism. 64 References. V. Rios
CONVERGENCE THEORY WILENSKY, HAROLD L
Rich Democracies,
06/2002
Book Chapter
As we search for the shape of modern society, it helps to focus on these questions: As rich countries get richer do they become more alike in social structure, culture, and politics? Do the changes ...labeled industrialism overcome the differences among societies labeled authoritarian, totalitarian, and democratic? If there is convergence, what specific attributes of structure, culture, and politics are becoming more alike? If they arenotconverging, if rich countries are following different paths of development, what are the differences and do the differences remain stable or become larger? This chapter concentrates on evidence for convergence theory. Chapters 2,
This comprehensive & systematic comparison of 19 rich democracies focuses on ways in which they are becoming alike as well as how differences in types of political economy shape system performance. ...Special attention is paid to economic achievement, political legitimacy, equality, job security, safety, health, & the reduction of poverty & environmental dangers. Data are drawn from quantitative material & case studies that included 400+ interviews with top decisionmakers & advisors over the past 30 years. Common social, economic, & labor problems faced by modern governments, & the varied strategies they use to resolve them, are examined. The first section on paths of development looks at convergence theory, types of political economy, mass-society theory, & theories of postindustrial society, while the middle section focuses on developments, problems, & social policies related to the welfare state. The last section is devoted to system performance. The emphasis throughout the book is on identifying differences & similarities between rich democracies, as well as their diverse national responses to common social & economic problems. The concluding chapter offers a fresh look at theories of "American exceptionalism" & their implications. This monumental volume sheds new light on likely paths of development of rich democracies & is destined to become a classic political science text. The book contains 18 Chpts organized in III PARTS. 89 Tables, 18 Figures, 10 Appendixes, 1989 References. J. Lindroth
