The role of decentralization in fomenting ethnic exclusiveness, ending citizen estrangement from government, and providing a model of society and government for both liberals and conservatives is examined. (DE)

The article discusses the: (1) history of the Qualla Cherokees--their villages, the seven clans, the Cherokee Nation, and the Trail of Tears; and (2) Qualla Cherokees today--their tribal government, education, and annual fall festival. (NQ)

An information-rich environment is a sharing environment with standards, rules, conventions, and ethical codes different from those created to manage the zero-sum bargains of market trading and traditional international relations. Societies must give all their people a chance at relevant education or be left behind by those that do. (MBR)

Europe and America share a host of similar rural problems but not a common approach to solving them. Social and political differences make it unlikely that we can easily adopt European programs, but observing the similarities can help us understand the global nature of rural development issues. (JHZ)

Most on-going research on the U.S.-Mexican Border region is in the major content areas of political structure and urbanization, disaster relief, law enforcement, and self-identity studies. Political interaction contrasts the centrally controlled power structures of Mexico with the more complex economic and social structures of the United States.…

The volume on Laos is one of a series of handbooks prepared by the Foreign Area Studies (FAS) of the American University. It is designed to be useful to military and other personnel who need a convenient compilation of basic facts about the social, economic, political, military institutions and practices of Laos. An objective description of the…

This volume on Ecuador is one of a series of handbooks prepared by the Foreign Area Studies (FAS) of the American University, designed to be useful to military and other personnel who need a convenient compilation of basic facts about the social, economic, political, and military institutions and practices of various countries. The emphasis is on…

This volume on Mexico is one of a series of handbooks prepared by the Foreign Area Studies (FAS) of the American University. It is designed to be useful to military and other personnel who need a convenient compilation of basic facts about the social, economic, political, and military institutions and practices of Mexico. The emphasis is on…

This volume on the People's Republic of China is one of a series of handbooks prepared by the Foreign Area Studies (FAS) of the American University, designed to be useful to military and other personnel who need a convenient compilation of basic facts about the social, economic, political, and military institutions and practices of various…

Demonstrates that the literature on the Scandinavian welfare state incorporates gender as a central concept for both measurement and evaluation. Argues that the Scandinavian case lends itself to a variety of European and non-European comparative courses. Provides several specific suggestions for integrating this material into broader courses. (MJP)

The two essays in this guide are intended to provide Americans with an introduction to the history and culture of the Hmong refugees from Laos. In the first essay, "The Hmongs of Laos: 1896-1978," the following topics are discussed: (1) the Hmongs' history until 1940; (2) the emergence of Hmong leaders during and after World War II and…