Socio-economic Institution Research Articles

Fate of Awqaf in India: A Critical Appraisal

Awqaf in India encompasses one of the largest corpuses of Waqf-properties in the world, and have a greater potential than to be roughly estimated. Historically, most of the Indian Waqfs were made during the regimes of Muslim Sultans and Mughal emperors. However, with the fragmentation of Muslims’ power and fall of their political dominance in the country, this socio-economic institution lost all prospects of augmentation except in rare cases. Arguably, one of the major factors dampening the overall interest and confidence of Indian Muslims in this socio-religious philanthropy has been unnecessary political intervention in the institution. Also, due to involvement of excessive bureaucracy in its management, uncertainty is looming large over the fate of the institution.

Agricultural Interests and the Origins of Capitalism: A Parallel Comparative History of Germany, Denmark, New Zealand, and the USA

Addressing the literature on the historical origins of capitalism, this study analyses the role agriculture played in the formation of non-market economic coordination in economic and social affairs around 1900. It argues that the dominant rural production profile dictated whether farmers did exert a significant impact on socio-economic institution and policy formation outside the rural sector. By applying the method of parallel demonstration of theory, we illustrate the plausibility of these theoretical considerations through juxtaposing the historical record of Germany, Denmark, New Zealand and the USA. The article highlights the limits of a dichotomous view on the origins of capitalism because the coordination effect of rural economies varies within the later coordinated and the later liberal cluster of market economies.

The Caribbean: a history of the region and its peoples

Stephan Palmie and Francisco A. Scarano (editors), Caribbean: A History of the Region and Its Peoples, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2011, xv + 660 pp.The Caribbean: A History of the Region and Its Peoples edited by anthropologist Stephan Palmie, and historian Francisco A. Scarano, offers an overview of Caribbean history in forty chapters written by an impressive array of experts including historians, sociologists, political scientists, archaeologists, anthropologists, and geographers. Attempting to compile comprehensive overview of region as diverse as the Caribbean risks becoming mired in the backwaters, eddies and obstacles along the way (p. 1). Yet the editors of this volume have successfully assembled survey of historical and contemporary issues which serves as an excellent introductory text for newcomers to the region, as well as resource for more experienced researchers searching for concise reference to any historical period.The volume's editors have divided the chapters into seven parts. Each of these parts is united thematically and chronologically. This thematic approach is admirable and the contributors have indeed delivered works that are very thorough in details, and adequately discussed without losing sight of the big picture. In addition the writing style is accessible, as the editors restrict the contributors to a minimum of scholarly clutter (p. 3). To further acquaint the reader with the region, there are five pages of maps preceding the chapters and an introductory chapter by the co-authors.Part 1 of the work, The Caribbean Stage, depicts the physical and cultural background in four chapters written by specialists in geography, ecology, prehistoric archaeology, and history. Much of this material is descriptive, as necessary preamble to the subsequent parts. Only Antonio Curet's chapter on the region's prehistory considers future archaeological findings and analyses. five chapters in part 2, The Making of Sphere, cover the Old World and Atlantic antecedents which shaped the encounter during the Columbus voyages and the Spanish colonial project that followed. authors in this part have attempted restoration of the agency of indigenous peoples, which can be obscured in the chronicles and secondary sources. Notable in this section is Jalil Sued Badillo's critique of the misuse of the chronicles and early histories which have characterized previous interpretations, as he reminds readers that the documents cannot always be taken at face value. six chapters that make up part 3, Colonial Designs in Flux, cover the entry of competing European nation-states (England, France and the Netherlands) to the region as colonial powers during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and the resultant decline of Spanish hegemony. myriad and multiscalar transitions with the development of the slave/sugar plantation system as the region's dominant socioeconomic institution are well explored in these chapters.Part 4, Capitalism, Slavery, and Revolution, which I think includes some of the book's strongest and best contributions, comprises six entries. This section focuses on the crumbling and final collapse of the slave system. …

How the West 'Invented' Fertility Restriction

Europeans restricted their fertility long before the Demographic Transition. By raising the marriage age of women and ensuring that a substantial proportion remained celibate, the European Marriage Pattern (EMP) reduced childbirths by up to one third between the 14th and 18th century. In a Malthusian environment, this translated into lower population pressure, raising average wages significantly, which in turn facilitated industrialization. We analyze the rise of this first socio-economic institution in history that limited fertility through delayed marriage. Our model emphasizes changes in agricultural production following the Black Death in 1348-50. The land-intensive production of pastoral products increased in relative importance. Using detailed data from England after 1290, we show that women had a comparative advantage in livestock farming. They often worked as servants in husbandry, where they remained unmarried until their mid-twenties. Where pastoral agriculture dominated, marriage occurred markedly later. Overall, we estimate that pastoral farming raised female age at first marriage by more than 4 years.

The 1937 International Sugar Agreement: Neo-Colonial Cuba and Economic Aspects of the League of Nations

AbstractTo many in the West, the League of Nations was to establish political peace between nations. To the Cuban sugar-producing elite of the 1920s and 1930s, however, the League was an important socioeconomic institution used to augment many of Cuba's first modern state institutions. This article explores how and why Cuban delegates were the principals behind the 1937 International Sugar Agreement – one of the League's few operational economic treaties. This treaty sheds light onto how actors from the so-called industrial core and agricultural periphery used international law, institutions, and practice to negotiate and renegotiate their relationship with each other.

Family Values, the Family Institution, and the Challenges of the Twenty-First Century: An Islamic Perspective

The main aim of this article is to discuss the concept of family and its values and its place and role as a multi-dimensional institution from the Islamic perspective. The author seeks to show that the Islamic family institution as envisaged by the Quran and as practised by Muslims throughout the history of Islam is at once a religious, an educational, and a socio-economic institution. The family is first of all a religious institution since it is based on the principle of sacred marriage and it exists to serve as an instrument to help man realise the twin goals of his existence in accordance with God’s cosmic plan. The twin goals in question are of servitude (ubudiyyah) and vicegerency (khilafah) and equivalently of man’s perfect relationship with God (hablun min Allah) and man’s perfect relationship with fellow men (hablun min al-nas). The author then discusses the role of the family as an educational institution in the sense of it being the first school for its children dependants where basic religious and ‘secular’ knowledge are both provided. Next to be discussed is the family’s role as a socio-economic institution with particular emphasis on household governance and economic health. This article emphasises the view that societal health, particularly its economic dimension, presupposes family health. A crisis in the family institution can have grave consequences on the well-being of society as a whole. Finally, the author discusses the challenges faced by the family institution in the twenty-first century and presents several recommendations on what needs to be done in response to these challenges.

How the West “Invented” Fertility Restriction

We analyze the emergence of the first socioeconomic institution in history limiting fertility: west of a line from St. Petersburg to Trieste, the European Marriage Pattern (EMP) reduced childbirths by approximately one-third between the fourteenth and eighteenth century. To explain the rise of EMP we build a two-sector model of agricultural production—grain and livestock. Women have a comparative advantage in animal husbandry. After the Black Death in 1348–1350, land abundance triggered a shift toward the pastoral sector. This improved female employment prospects, leading to later marriages. Using detailed data from England, we provide strong evidence for our mechanism. (JEL J12, J13, J16, N33, N53, Q11)

Cursos de graduação em medicina: uma análise a partir do sinaes

Estudo descritivo analítico dos indicadores do Sistema Nacional de Avaliação da Educação Superior-Sinaes/Inep/MEC. Existem evidências de problemas metodológicos nos instrumentos do Exame Nacional de Desempenho dos Estudantes (Enade). Houve variação das matrizes de referência em 2004 e 2007, mudanças nas fórmulas e multicolinearidade no cálculo do Conceito Preliminar e do nível de dificuldade das provas, respectivamente 65% em 2004 e 35% em 2007. Nos dois períodos, quase metade das questões avaliou a capacidade de memorização (47% e 42%). A análise Cart apontou condição sociocultural, rede pública de ensino e percepção de alta oferta de formação complementar pela instituição como fatores associados ao melhor desempenho do concluinte. Tanto a nota no componente específico do concluinte como a diferença entre a nota de formação geral do concluinte e do ingressante são indicadores de forte discriminação de desempenho. Propõe-se um indicador multicritério dessas duas quantidades, que foi capaz de discriminar as instituições bem conceituadas da área médica. Matrizes de referência compatíveis e robustas são necessárias para o monitoramento de cursos que formem profissionais de excelência e que estejam conscientes de suas responsabilidades sociais.

STRATEGI PENGEMBANGAN KELEMBAGAAN KOPERASI PERTANIAN BERBASIS JAGUNG DI PROVINSI GORONTALO

success of an integrate agribusiness system of a commodity must be followed by the increase of farmers’ bargain position, especially the small scale agribusiness runs by farmers. Otherwise, farmer will continue to be marginalized, and sustainable production is hard to be achieved. Farmer organization in Indonesia is relatively has weak position and cannot improve farmers’ bargain position since it is still in social institution form (i.e. farmer group), and yet become a socio-economic institution (cooperative). In many countries, farmers’ cooperative not only improves the production, productivity and product quality, but also lead to increase in welfare and life quality of its members. This study specifically aimed to develop corn farmer co-operative in Gorontalo Province. SWOT analysis was being used to formulate the strategy, followed by strategy mapping in road-map as guidance for local government to develop corn farmer co-operative that suitable with its character.Keyword: agribusiness, corn, farmer group, farmer co-operative, Gorontalo.

A Transaction Structure Approach to Assessing the Dynamics and Impacts of ‘Business-to-Business’ Electronic Commerce

This paper proposes some ways forward in stimulating and structuring interdisciplinary research on business-to-business electronic commerce. A ‘commerce-centered’ perspective is proposed that is grounded in concepts of commerce as a complex socio-economic institution. On this basis, a conceptual framework is developed for assessing the dynamics and impacts of electronic commerce in the value chains of products and services. The approach focuses on examining technical change in transaction structures, and how this relates to the evolution of electronically-mediated business relationships in the rapidly developing Internet environment. The approach is oriented towards critical research questions concerning the effects of electronic commerce on the ways various market participants exercise and/or respond to control over the organization and operation of value chains, and the implications for business, the public interest and policy. The practical research possibilities of the transaction structure approach are then discussed as oriented toward a comparative analytical framework.

Plant Products in Some Tribal Markets of Central India1

Weekly markets in tribal areas are an important socioeconomic institution. Surveys were conducted during 1997-1999 in over one dozen rural markets in Surguja in the State of Madhya Pradesh in the central region of India. Tribals bring products of at least 30 species to these markets for sale. Traders from towns come to these markets to purchase forest produce; others set up small shops for selling consumer goods such as ready-made clothes, toiletries, utensils, stationery, some plastic goods, match boxes, and some cereals and tobacco.

Penanggulangan Kemiskinan dalam Era Otonomi Daerah

This article states the urgency of Poverty Alleviation or Poverty Eradication Law (UU-PPK). The law should contain Indonesian past experiences in poverty eradication programs. The programs are expected to combine the past sectoral, regional, and special programs. The poverty eradication program is intended to reinforce the poors socio-economic institution so there is a need for brotherhood spirit, community self-help, self-reliance, participation, and decentralization. Active participation is obliged for defining, forming, and assisting the poor. UU-PPK has to state the national commitment to poverty eradication, which will have to be implemented in concrete actions. The programs have to be implemented by the people in every region to develop a prosperous community based on Indonesian socio-culture-religion values, that is Pancasila. In the last part of the article, there is a report on Karangawen, a poor village in Gunungkidul, which is a prototype of a successful IDT program. The conclusion is that poverty eradication program in regional autonomy not only depend on central governments initiatives but more on the regional government and the people themselves.

Making new mortgage markets: Case studies of institutions, home buyers, and communities

America's housing and mortgage markets are undergoing a dramatic transformation, as urban reinvestment and attempts to tap underserved markets of new homeowners alter historical processes of redlining and discrimination. This article synthesizes findings from case studies of private lenders, lender consortia, and nonprofit community organizations that are active in underserved markets and analyzes the strategies these organizations use to attract and qualify mortgage applicants and retain new homeowners. The case studies reveal a diverse array of strategies designed to address market imperfections related to information, discrimination, and household financial characteristics. Although these strategies expand homeownership opportunities, challenges remain. They reflect inherent tensions between the industry trend toward standardized, efficient business practices and the customized, often expensive programs needed to address the multiple obstacles to homeownership and community development faced by underserved households and communities. They also reflect the historically unequal distribution of risks and rewards in America's central socioeconomic institution—homeownership.

The Urbanization of Poverty Worldwide

The poverty of these people is not the socioeconomic institution known to the industrialized countries. This poverty traps the unlucky minority in countries that have solved the first economic problem (the production of material goods) but have yet to address the second (the sufficient, if not equitable, distribution of the goods their industries produce). The poverty now undergoing urbanization was considered

Industrial R&D's Past And Future

Industry's Future: Changing Patterns in Industrial Research actually is a history, a recognition, and a celebration of industrial research as the most successful socioeconomic institution ever invented for generating technical change and converting it to practical use. Herbert I. Fusfeld covers the industrial research institution from its origins 100 years ago to the $100 billion enterprise it is in the U.S. today. The book is so packed with good, solid information that it actually was difficult to review, because it was difficult to pick and choose which segments to highlight. An institution this large and intrinsically important to the health of the U.S. and world economies is, not surprisingly, constantly buffeted and affected by social, political, and economic changes and upheavals. Fusfeld, who is chairman of the advisory board of the Center for Science & Technology Policy at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, discusses clearly and lucidly such aspects as the internationalization of R&D, changing co...

Overseas Expansion of Japanese Business Enterprises: Danger and Corrective

Japanese overseas enterprises, like multinational corporations of the West, dominated as they are by private investment interests, pose a variety of dangers no less to Japan herself than to the countries in which they operate. Deeply concerned at this situation, the Gendai Sogo Kenkyu Shudan (Study Group for New Socio-economic Institution), a think tank composed of trade unionists, journalists, researchers and university teachers, published in January 1974 a ‘Proposal Concerning the Overseas Expansion of Japanese Business Enterprises’, designed to so regulate their functioning as to make them instruments of promoting the welfare of peoples and safeguarding peace. This paper summarises the proposal and throws light on the thinking underlying it.

West Germany's Turn to "Bildungspolitik" in Educational Planning

school system was established under Wilhelm von Humboldt's aegis in the early 1800's. Never before has public education been accorded such attention in the political arenas of the Federal and Linder governments. Never before have all parties so widely agreed on the need for drastic expansion and changes in educational policies. Indicative of the change is the fact that the term, Bildungsideal, as the focus of argumentation, has been replaced by Bildungspolitik in all speeches, plans, and headlines. The new term is a symbol of what one leading politician called the de-ideologization (Entideologisierung) of educational politics.1 Plainly stated: public education has, at long last, been officially recognized as a socio-economic institution of national