The relationship between the federal German state ("Bund" or Federation) to the 16 constituent states known as Laender is explored in this document. The first part explains the federal structure; it contains the following sections: (1) Unity in Diversity; (2) Distribution of Responsibility; (3) Legislative Powers; (4)…

Considers whether the British Department of Education and Science has too much power and if it has destroyed the British Colleges of Education, by examining the background, concealed strategies, and public strategies of the department. (PG)

Comparing the dynamics of centralisation/decentralisation in Belgium and South Africa has the advantage of revealing discrepancies between the public or official rationale for the (re) distribution of power and the probable or eventual effect of this (re)distribution on educational processes and learning outcomes. It can be seen that local…

This paper describes the government agencies and interest groups active in the highly centralized and politicized French educational system, and the reactions of these groups to the reforms of Education Minister Rene Haby, which impact on all segments of elementary, secondary, and teacher education. (SJL)

Describes the political development of post-colonial Africa. Continuing tension has existed between single party and multi-party solutions to political organization and between mass movements and elitism. While Africans have been responive to socialist rhetoric, the primacy of ethnicity and the weak class structure have militated against genuine…

Profiles the process of South Africa's transformation into a democracy. Outlines the many characteristics of the transition from white to majority rule, such as the attempt to achieve catharsis and bury the apartheid past through a process of amnesty and reconciliation. Describes the remaining obstacles to that transition. (MJP)