Briefly explains the residual and institutional concepts of social welfare and then focuses on a functional conception for social welfare. Considers the influences of neoconservative and neoliberal views. Explains the effects of functional welfare on practice areas. (NB)

In this article, the author observes how a combination of interrelated elements are currently changing the face of the civilizing traditions of the U.S. education and forming a new culture of childhood. These include: (1) the standardization of education; (2) the dissolution of traditional spontaneous play; and (3) the growing specter of poverty…

This paper identifies a number of significant contemporary trends in the Latino population, including the striking growth of the community, new points of entry and settlement for recent immigrants, the mixed-status nature of families, and the increase in the proportion of U.S. households that speak Spanish. The implications of these trends for…

Four categories of interaction between pressure groups and bureaucracy are developed, and the extent and types of effects of each on policy are examined. The four types of interaction are legitimate, clientela, parantela, and illegitimate. (Author/IRT)

Discusses civil rights policy and legislation in the United States during the 1940s. Describes President Harry S. Truman's civil rights program, the development of the Fair Employment Practices Commission, and the Congressional deliberations they underwent. (MJL)

This article argues that social welfare policies may reduce international and domestic terrorism. Social policies likely affect terrorism in offsetting ways but, on balance, should diminish preferences for terrorism by reducing economic insecurity, inequality, poverty, and religious-political extremism. Thus, countries with more generous welfare…

The worldwide phenomenon of rising national and ethnic interest has manifested itself in the demand for bilingual education in North America and in the struggles over language usage, bilingualism, and the sense of nationhood in developing countries. In this context, some attempts at national solutions of the problem are discussed and the…

Focuses on the growth of the European Union and the subsequent pressure on nation states as it relates to higher education policy. Outlines some consequences of the European construction of higher education for Europe and higher education research. (SLD)

European Union (EU) enlargement has seen 10 new member states (NMS) adopt the full range of EU policies. Within this, the rural development arm of the Common Agricultural Policy offers particular points of interest. Member states chose from an extensive list of policy measures developed within the EU15 and intended, in particular, to…

"Policy and Performance in American Higher Education" presents a new approach to understanding how public policy influences institutional performance, with practical insight for those charged with crafting and implementing higher education policy. Public institutions of higher learning are called upon by state governments to provide…

Devolution to Scotland, Wales and (intermittently) Northern Ireland was one of the major constitutional reforms initiated by the new Labour Government when it took office in 1997. This was largely a political project, and one of devolution's key successes was largely to halt, at least for a while, political debates about the position of Scotland…

Canada is facing a constitutional crisis. The political options cannot be disentangled from educational considerations and all have crucial implications for the educational future of the nation. The most recent Canadian assessment and appraisal work does not go to the heart of the matter and is subject to both logical and methodological…

The two parts of this article are a survey of educational interest groups in Washington and a description of the operation of the liaison office that was created in 1980 by the Joint National Committee for Languages (JNCL). The general part of the discussion focuses on: (1) characteristics of interest group behavior; (2) perversities of education…

Examines the differences in attitude toward education in the two political parties' platforms and candidates for president, but observes that overall federal policy trends have reduced the ability of the federal government to intervene in a major way in education. (Author/IRT)

Examines the political and economic reasons for government support of small businesses in the United Kingdom. The impact of current government measures to encourage existing and aspiring entrepreneurs is examined. (AM)