AN APPRAISAL OF AUSTRALIA'S DISASTER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOLLOWING THE ‘ASH WEDNESDAY’ BUSHFIRES IN VICTORIA, 1983*

Abstract: Australia's current disaster management system does not provide an appropriate interorganisational counter-disaster structure, nor does it ensure an efficient operational structure. Even when allowance is made for the inadequate funding provisions that characterise this area of public operations, the present disaster management system falls short of the degree of protection which society has come to expect. A recent appraisal, requested by the Victorian State Government, which considers the reorganisation of Victoria's “emergency services” fails to address many of the significant aspects that are at the heart of Victoria's and Australia's disaster management problems.     

THE IMAGE OF THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR: AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

The more that I have thought about the question of the image of the public administrator, the more complex and ambiguous the whole concept has seemed to be. Our knowledge of the facts is patchy enough. Our understanding of causes and effects is thinner still. The best approach is perhaps to pool what we know from different sources. So today I propose to add to the available material, including the recent ANOP survey findings, such fragments of information and such conclusions as are available in the British context. I shall certainly look forward to learning more about Australian experiences while I am here. Between us, we may be able to make a little progress.     

AN APPROACH TO THE POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY OF THE WELSH NATIONALIST MOVEMENT

Abstract The character and ideology of the Welsh nationalist movement have changed drastically since the founding of an independent party in 1925. This paper seeks to utilize a developmental typology in analyzing data obtained from interviews with nationalist activists in examining such changes. In this way, it is possible to understand how Welsh language militants, 'respectable' cultural nationalists, middle-of-the road party workers from rural Wales, and south Wales radicals coexist and cooperate within the fabric of organized nationalism. The investigation of the social dynamics of the movement renders comprehensible both the causes of internal organizational strength and the electoral difficulties facing Plaid Cymru.     

THE ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION OF AMERICA: AN OVERVIEW OF THE ISSUES

This paper presents an overview of the economic issues facing the American economy. Crisis and transformation scenarios are presented and supply-side versus demand-side economic policies are considered as approaches to revitalizing the economy. Issues such as the extent to which centralization is needed, the kinds of trade-offs that will be required, and the various constraints that exist for policy making are discussed.