The Warfare-Welfare Tradeoff: Consequences of Continuing the Nudear Arms Race and Some Policy Alternatives

This paper provides a survey of the positive functions of the nuclear arms race for segments of society and society as a whole. The analysis of the positive functions does not serve as a justification for the status quo, but is undertaken to point out the numerous constraints mitigating against change. Massive social forces operate in such a manner as to continue and expand the arms race, indicating large scale social changes are required to stop it. A series of policy alternatives are enumerated as functional alternatives which would have fewer negative consequences while preserving our national security

Institutionalizing Community-Based Learning and Research: The Case for External Networks

Conversations continue as to whether and how community-based learning and research (CBLR) can be most effectively integrated into the mission and practice of institutions of higher education (IHEs). In 2005, eight District of Columbia- (DC-) area universities affiliated with the Community Research and Learning (CoRAL) Network engaged in a planning and evaluation exercise, applying a “rapid assessment” method to gauge baseline levels of CBLR institutionalization on each campus, envisioning progress in key areas, and proposing ways in which the CoRAL Network could achieve institutionalization goals. Aggregate analysis of the assessment data suggests several areas of similarity across extremely diverse university settings. Principle among the areas of similarity is the clearly articulated need for a network structure, external to any given university, to play a strategic role in enabling CBLR institutionalization goals

An Extension of the Behavioral Classification Project Upward to Adults.

This study consists of the extension of the Behavioral Classification Project upward into the adult age range. The instrument developed for the Adult Behavioral Classification Project (AdBCP) is an extension of an existing series of instruments ranging, in coverage, from the pre-school to adolescent ages. This study initiated the construction of and initial standardization of an instrument which will be used to determine dimensions of problem behavior which are to eventually be used as the basis for a system of classification. The literature regarding issues of classification and difficulties with present classification schemes is reviewed. Alternate classification systems are considered. The AdBCP instrument designed for this study is a 536-item true-false questionnaire composed of items which are behavioral; that is describe behaviors that can be seen, heard, or smelled by an observer, and which require minimal interpretation on the part of an observer. The instrument was administered to 615 subjects comprised of clinical and non-clinical groups ranging in age from 18 to 65. The 249 clinical subjects, persons receiving psychotherapy, included in-patients and out-patients of public institutions as well as out-patients of private practitioners. The non-clinical group consisted of 366 subjects, 203 of whom are college students. The completed protocols were analyzed by a principal components factor analytic procedure (VAND 500). Thirty factors were retained, rotated orthogonally then obliquely. Twenty-four of the oblique factors were interpreted. Factor scores were obtained for eighteen of these factors across seven major diagnostic groups. The relationship among AdBCP factors and factors obtained by other researchers and prior BCP instruments is discussed. Criticisms and ramifications of this project are discussed as are plans for further development

Protest Cycles and Political Process: American Peace Movements in the Nuclear Age

Since the dawn of the nuclear age small groups of activists have consistently protested both the content of United States national security policy, and the process by which it is made. Only occasionally, however, has concern about nuclear weapons spread beyond these relatively marginal groups, generated substantial public support, and reached mainstream political institutions. In this paper, I use histories of peace protest and analyses of the inside of these social movements and theoretical work on protest cycles to explain cycles of movement engagement and quiescence in terms of their relation to external political context, or the "structure of political opportunity." I begin with a brief review of the relevant literature on the origins of movements, noting parallels in the study of interest groups. Building on recent literature on political opportunity structure, I suggest a theoretical framework for understanding the lifecycle of a social movement that emphasizes the interaction between activist choices and political context, proposing a six-stage process through which challenging movements develop. Using this theoretical framework I examine the four cases of relatively broad antinuclear weapons mobilization in postwar America. I conclude with a discussion of movement cycles and their relation to political alignment, public policy, and institutional politics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68552/2/10.1177_106591299304600302.pd

Global Norms, Local Activism, and Social Movement Outcomes: Global Human Rights and Resident Koreans in Japan

The authors integrate social movement outcomes research and the world society approach to build a theoretical model to examine the impact of global and local factors on movement outcomes. Challenging the current research on policy change, which rarely examines the effects of global norms and local activism in one analysis, they argue (1) that global regimes empower and embolden local social movements and increase pressure on target governments from below, and (2) that local activists appeal to international forums with help from international activists to pressure the governments from above. When the pressures from the top and the bottom converge, social movements are more likely to succeed. Furthermore, these pressures are stronger in countries integrated into global society and on issues with strong global norms. The empirical analysis of social movements by resident Koreans in Japan advocating for four types of human rights—civil, political, social/economic, and cultural—demonstrates that the movements produced more successes as Japan\u27s involvement in the international human rights regime expanded since the late 1970s, and that activism on issues with strong global norms achieved greater successes. The analysis also shows that lack of cohesive domestic activism can undercut the chances of social movements\u27 success even with strong global norms on the issue

Housing Opportunities and Vacancy Chains

Vacancy chain and vacancy transfer analyses are two methods used to assess housing market filtering as a policy tool. The vacancy transfer method is better suited for ascertaining the beneficial impact of housing turnover for particular subgroups of the population. Policy considerations dictate that we consider who benefits from improved housing opportunities. The vacancy transfer method proposed by White (1971) is carried out with data not available to him. His policy implications are not justified by the results when we explicitly consider the social utility of housing vacancies. By establishing a priori weights or a welfare function, it is possible to ascertain the maximum benefits for given levels of expenditures. </jats:p