Modelling the relationship between counter‐knowledge and open‐mindedness for policy development

Counter‐knowledge refers to flaws in citizens' mental models arising from utilization of rumours, inappropriate knowledge structures, outdated routines or procedures. When counter‐knowledge is applied to civil servants, it may result in problems of efficiency, equity and motivation. This paper examines the relationship between counter‐knowledge and open‐mindedness to model a framework for improving city marketing and policy development. This study tested two measurement models. While the theoretical model represents the effect of counter‐knowledge on city marketing and that the latter has a negative effect on open‐mindedness, the alternative model involves that counter‐knowledge has a positive indirect impact on open‐mindedness. These relationships are examined through an empirical investigation of 203 Spanish city halls. The results show a potential positive indirect effect of counter‐knowledge on open‐mindedness through city marketing programmes. This paper clarifies the existing literature, which tries to contribute to the discussion of city marketing, and helps us to obtain meaning out of the relationship between counter‐knowledge, city marketing and open‐mindedness. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Civic Integration,Migrant Women and the Veil: at the Limits of Rights?

Controversies surrounding the wearing of the veil by Muslim women in Europe have coincided with a resurgence of interest in ‘pathways to citizenship’ and integration testing. This article argues that the historical vestiges of discrimination in immigration and citizenship laws persist today in the scrutiny of the cultural affiliations and practices of aspiring immigrants and citizens. Muslim women have been placed at the center of such scrutiny, increasingly defined by the arbiters of belonging as les anormeaux. This article explores recent legislative developments on the wearing of the veil in France and examines these developments in the light of the expansion of integration testing and human rights law's normative commitments to more just multicultural arrangements.