A Spatial Latent Gaussian Model for Intimate Partner Violence Against Men in Africa

This study used data from the Demographic and Health Surveys to examine the prevalence and correlates of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against men in Africa. Nationally representative data from 12 countries was analysed using a Spatial Latent Gaussian Model to capture the linear and non-linear nature of covariates while accounting for spatial heterogeneity. The results showed that female perpetrated abuse was significantly associated with education, alcohol consumption, intergenerational cycle of violence, polygamy, wealth, and type of union. As far as age of perpetrator (female) or victim (male) and spousal age difference were concerned, they had a non-linear effect on IPV. Furthermore, the spatial effects highlighted lack of spatial autocorrelation between the prevalence of IPV as one moves from country to country.     

Small Islands versus Big Cities: Lessons in the Political Economy of Regional Development from the World’s Small Islands

Population, employment and economic capacity continue to concentrate in and around large urban centres. If geography (measured as proximity to large centres of population) increasingly matters in the knowledge economy, then there may be no future for periphery locations. This paper critically reviews and refutes this hypothesis by looking at the world’s small islands. Handicapped by size and distance, they are unable to generate scale dynamics nor to regularly access any neighbouring, large metropolitan centres. Nevertheless, jurisdictional resourcefulness resulting from sovereignty or sub-national autonomy fosters compensatory policy capacity. Demand for niche-technology manufactures and craft-based, labour-intensive or place-specific services is likely to persist. Cyclical migration strategies allow islanders seeking work or education off island to tap the metropole and re-inject resources to reinvigorate the periphery. Remittances, aid, bureaucracy and other “rents” can provide significant fiscal resources necessary for survival.     

Mind Opening Games

"Their commitment to inspiring people throughout the world to open their minds and accept people with in- tellectual disabilities serves as a shin- ing example of how to change not only attitudes, but also the world." - Timothy Shrivers Chairman, Special Olympics International X IAO Kun is a new Chi- nese hero. A student at Chongwen Special Education School since 1992, the 25-year-old won several awards for trying hard at school. But Xiao came into his own on the sports field, winning me…     

The Political Economy of Self-Help: Kenya's “Harambee” Institutes of Technology

This article explores the neo-Gramscian concept of hegemony by investigating what the author refers to as multiple layers of hegemony existing and interacting with one another. Moreover, an empirical analysis of the South African Communist Party's (SACP's) role in the post-apartheid political landscape will be conducted in order to elucidate the key theoretical points under consideration. The article suggests that there are at least three relatively distinct layers, or forms, of hegemony that influence the post-apartheid political struggles of the SACP: global, national, and organizational. Engaging with the notion of hegemony in this manner, the author seeks to more clearly understand and explain the case study at hand, and also begins a conversation regarding the theoretical implications of engaging with the concept of hegemony in this manner.     

The brain drain from low‐income countries

In the absence of adequate data on the brain drain from low‐income countries economists have had to be content with erecting an analytical framework and taking up preliminary positions on the issue. This paper attempts a critical review of thes positions against the background of such knowledge as is available. The value‐judgment underlying the ‘internationalists’ dismissal of the problem is identified, and the assumptions behind the argument that, even in ‘nationalist’ terms, poor countries usually benefit from brain drain are challenged. Part of the argument about its effects reduces to an argument about the size of the externalities generated by the educated; our ignorance about these should not be taken as proof of their non‐existence. It may be, in any case, that to try to measure the effects of the brain drain merely by counting the number of educated nationals abroad is to miss the whole point. The international mobility of a few categories, it is argued, is at the heart of the problem—which implies rather different policy measures from those that are usually suggested.