In Italy, the tensions of the past decade have attenuated the divisions between the rival labor movements, the political system remains highly fragmented, but the trade unions are increasingly engaged in joint industrial and political activities. Their cooperation may even result eventually in the unification of the major labor federations.…

The balance of power inside the dominant socialist and Catholic blocs in Belgium, which were once incontestably led by the political elites, has been shifting toward the trade unions. Regionalism has fragmented the political system far more than the industrial relations system; the unions' political influence will continue in importance. (Author)

The postwar realignment of union-party relations in Switzerland severed old formal ties but left some important links undisturbed; practical and effective cooperation on legislative items supports current informal union-party alliances. Major current problems include the unions' demand for codetermination in industry and the huge numbers of…

This paper briefly outlines Italian pedagogical research on youth since World War II and presents the sociological interaction of youth to family, friends, work, and current issues. A 1987 survey is reviewed with youth responses given in percentages and ranked according to the importance of family, work, friends, leisure activities, studies and…

This bibliography focuses on the people of Appalachia and their social issues and concerns. It includes scholarly research on social issues about Appalachian people published since the 1980 edition of the "Appalachian Bibliography." Material is arranged according to subject matter. Bibliographies, general references, and periodicals provide an…

Editorials in four prestigious American papers and two Filipino dailies addressing the 1986 election and revolution in the Philippines were compared for differences. Four hypotheses were tested: (1) that in treatment of the Philippines, editorials in the U.S. national prestige press would place more emphasis than do those in the Filipino…

Nuclear winter, a term used to describe potential long-term climate and environmental effects of nuclear war, has been a subject of debate and controversy. This report examines and presents scientific and policy implications of nuclear winter. Contents include: (1) an executive summary (highlighting previous and current studies on the topic); (2)…

H. A. Chadwick bought one-half interest in the Seattle "Argus" in 1894 and through this newspaper expressed the sentiments of the progressive movement of his time, a combination of reform-oriented and conservative forces. The newspaper was only six weeks old and deep in debt when Chadwick took over the editorial duties and he quickly…

A mythic interpretive framework can explain how the use of an uncontested term--a word which "seems to invite a contest, but which apparently is not so regarded in its own context"--is legitimated and perpetuated. By examining John C. Calhoun's nullification rhetoric as a case study of political myth (specifically his "Disquisition…

The Know-Nothing party of the 1850s was the first nativist party in American politics to gain importance and serves as an exemplar of how cultural nativism may be captured and turned toward political goals. The resurgence of nativist sentiment in the Know-Nothing era provides an excellent example of a rhetorical situation which seriously…

Like most colonial American leaders, John Dickinson considered himself an Englishman with all the ancient rights and privileges such citizenship conferred, and when those rights were abridged by the British Parliament and George III, he was among the first to don a uniform to defend the new nation. This booklet on Dickinson is one in a series on…

This paper describes an undergraduate political science course at Indiana State University (Terre Haute) entitled "Contemporary Political Problems." Current politics, economics, and social problems are emphasized. The underlying objective is to encourage students to participate in a knowledgeable and meaningful manner in the political…

A study investigated the effects of viewing the made-for-television film "The Day After" on the perceived prominence of issues surrounding nuclear war and disarmament on the public agenda. Telephone interviews were conducted with 92 adults in Knoxville, Tennessee, prior to the broadcast of the program and 232 after the broadcast…

In 1972, M. McCombs and D. Shaw introduced the idea that the mass media have the ability to tell the public which issues are of major importance in a political campaign by virtue of the amount of coverage they give each. This they termed the "agenda setting" function of the media. A study was conducted to investigate various aspects of…

This report concentrates on the specific educational phenomenon of popular education in Brazil. It highlights the social context and the frequent political controversies that surround it. The first section depicts the popular education movement with respect to its self-image. Part II describes the societal groups involved. Part III discusses in an…