The long-term unemployed,informal economic activity and the ‘underclass’ in Belfast: rejecting or reinstating the work ethic

The notion of an ‘underclass’ existing outside the realm of mainstream society continues to hold sway among journalists and policy-makers. While there are many new contenders for inclusion among the underclass, one of the most enduring group of participants is the long-term unemployed. Work-shy individuals, seemingly content to live on welfare benefits, are regarded as placing themselves outside the boundaries of mainstream economic and social life and passing a host of negative characteristics on to their children. The possibility that some of this group might defraud the welfare benefit system through working while claiming benefits adds further weight to negative images about the characteristics of ‘underclass’ members. The aim of this paper is to challenge some of these common assumptions by examining the ways in which unemployed people in an economically depressed locality in West Belfast relied on informal economic activity to help meet their material needs. Such activity has implications for the underclass debate because, rather than demonstrating commitment to some alternative set of values, informal economic activity drew participants into the wider economy and demonstrated adherence to mainstream values. Moreover, often the debate on social security abuse focuses on the supply side of the issue and is remarkably silent about the demand side of the equation. ‘Doing-the-double’ (working while claiming benefits) was not simply an individual response to unemployment and inadequate welfare benefits but was linked to changes in the labour needs of employers in the wider economy.     

A Comparison of Conjoint Methods When There Are Many Attributes

This paper compares several methods of performing conjoint analysis when there is a large number of attributes. National parks were described in terms of 17 attributes and 56 levels. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of four groups and each person responded to a calibration questionnaire that allowed the estimation of one of the following conjoint analysis models: full profile, ACA, individual-level hybrid, or full profile on the person's eight stated most important attributes. Validations were performed in terms of individual choices and aggregate choice shares. Reliabilities were assessed on both ratings and choices.Surprisingly even with a large number of attributes, the full profile method consistently validated best. Second was a full profile model estimated on the respondent's stated eight most important attributes. ACA and individual hybrid conjoint analysis performed similarly, but worse than these two methods on most measures. Validation differences were more strongly related to differences in attribute importances than desirabilities for levels within an attribute. It appears that these respondents were not able to accurately report self-explicated importances with a large number of attributes.     

Who Counts in Crises? The New Geopolitics of International Migration and Refugee Governance

Recent migration ‘crises’ raise important geopolitical questions. Who is ‘the migrant’ that contemporary politics are fixated on? How are answers to ‘who counts as a migrant’ changing? Who gets to do that counting, and under what circumstances? This forum responds to, as well as questions, the current saliency of migration by examining how categories of migration hold geopolitical significance—not only in how they are constructed and by whom, but also in how they are challenged and subverted. Furthermore, by examining how the very concepts of ‘migrant’ and ‘refugee’ are used in different contexts, and for a variety of purposes, it opens up critical questions about mobility, citizenship and the nation state. Collectively, these contributions aim to demonstrate how problematising migration and its categorisation can be a tool of enquiry into other phenomena and processes.     

Why is change so slow? Assessing prospects for United Nations Security Council reform

The article explores how changed patterns of UN membership affected the prospects for UN Security Council institutional reform. First, we outline a theoretical framework based on path dependency, veto player analysis and social choice theory. Second, we offer calculations of decision probability and show that a higher voting threshold lowers chances of winning coalitions in a non-linear fashion. Third, we explore the specific decision-making procedures for UNSC reform and which actors can block reform. We conclude that not only diverging preferences, but that hurdles established early on combined with membership growth have ‘locked in’ the current institutional arrangement.     

The firm in early Modern China

The Chinese shareholding entity had a long history supported by cultural and legal practices pre-dating the introduction of European business forms in China. In the absence of codified or systematic precedent-based private law, a culture in which contract was deeply embedded in daily practice and the state enforced private agreements sustained a growing commercial sector. Kinship practices were adapted to the needs of a merchant community seeking ways to pool capital and sustain firm longevity. These institutional developments help to explain Chinese adaptability to Western practices and the paradoxical persistence of Chinese practices after the promulgation of a Western-style company law.     

Fixierungen möglichst vermeiden

Sicherheit und Mobilit?t - Aus Furcht, an Demenz erkrankte Menschen k?nnten sich verletzten, sich verlaufen oder sich sozial unangemessen in der ?ffentlichkeit verhalten, werden sie in ihrer k?rperlichen Bewegungsfreiheit eingeschr?nkt. Und dies obwohl wir wissen, dass k?rperliche Aktivit?t für Menschen mit Demenz von gro?er Bedeutung ist für das Befinden und die subjektiv erlebte Lebensqualit?t.     

Reviews

Regions. ERA 1998: 21st CENTURY REGIONS. London: Economic & regional analysis, 23. Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB, £30 + £1 p&p paper.

Environmental management standards. Krut, R. and Gleckman, H. 1998: ISO 14001: A MISSED OPPORTUNITY FOR SUSTAINABLE GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. London: Earthscan Publications Ltd, £14.95 paper.

Environmental jobs. Hale, M. and Lachowicz, M. 1998: THE ENVIRONMENT, EMPLOYMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. London: Routledge, £17.99 paper.

Sustainability and regeneration. Carley, M. and Kirk, K. 1998: SUSTAINABLE BY 2020? A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO URBAN REGENERATION FOR BRITAIN'S CITIES. Bristol: The Policy Press, £11.95 paper.

Gambling. Frey, J.H. (ed) 1998: GAMBLING: SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS AND PUBLIC POLICY. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. London: Sage Publications, £14.99 paper.

Informal employment. Williams, C. C. and Windebank, J. 1998: INFORMAL EMPLOYMENT IN THE ADVANCED ECONOMIES: IMPLICATIONS FOR WORK AND WELFARE. London: Routledge, £15.99 paper.

TECS. Jones, M. 1999: NEW INSTITUTIONAL SPACES: TECS AND THE REMAKING OF ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE. London: Regional Studies Association, £27.50 paper.

The New Regional Agenda. Dungey, J. and Newman, I. 1999: THE NEW REGIONAL AGENDA. London: Local Government Information Unit, £15.00 paper.

Mutual aid and self-help. Burne, Danny and Taylor, Marilyn, 1998: MUTUAL AID AND SELF-HELP: COPING STRATEGIES FOR EXCLUDED COMMUNITIES. Bristol: The Policy Press, £10.95.