Young people,family relationships and civic participation

This article examines young people’s civic participation and the extent to which this is influenced by the family. Although literature on young people’s civic participation is abundant, the role of the family in influencing this participation is largely absent. Drawing on survey data collected from 976 young people aged 13–14 in South Wales, we outline the extent and nature of civic participation and how this varies according to relationships with parents and grandparents. Our data show that relationships with mothers and grandparents are particularly important in young people’s accounts of their participation, suggesting that family is far more important in developing a propensity for engagement in civil society than is commonly understood.     

THE AICPA IN CRISIS AND HOW IT IMPACTS THE BUSINESS LAW DISPUTE

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) continues to strengthen the profession's reputation for integrity, objectivity and independence; reinforce core services such as tax, accounting, audit and attestation; and carve out new market space for virtually unlimited business opportunities for CPAs.     

Legislative-policy initiatives as a problem-solving process: The case of technology transfer

Legislative and policy initiatives can be viewed as a problem-solving process that includes the following steps: [1] problem identification, [2] identification of objectives, [3] strategies, [4] evaluation of strategies, [5] decision(s), and [6] implementation. This paper uses policies related to technology transfer as a “test case” issue area. It identifies four historical phases for technology transfer—extension service, space-defense spin-off, intergovermental, international, and technology commercialization—and their related objectives. Seven technology-transfer models are presented for accomplishing these objectives: intermediary mechanisms, decentralized invention management, cooperative research, patent waivers, personal incentives, personnel-exchange programs, and foreign patent rights. Actual examples, evaluation criteria, and resulting decisions are subsequently presented. Finally, implementation issues (regulations, technical assistance and training, and financial considerations) are discussed. Sally A. Rood, a public-sector consultant, recently co-authored a handbook on technology transfer for the US Conference of Mayors. She produces a series of bi-monthly bulletins on economic development for the Academy for State and Local Government and the National Council for Urban Economic Development. She is working on her Ph.D. in Public Administration.     

Annual Index 2002

China's rural land rights regime is being reformed. Most explanations for the reforms focus on the efficiency effects anticipated from the strengthening of villagers' land rights. In contrast, this article argues that rural land rights reforms are intended to resolve the intra-state and state-society contention generated by China's market transition and globalization, and to mediate villagers' dispossession of their land and their transformation into a proletariat.