Accuracy of Count Data Estimated by the Point‐in‐Polygon Method

This paper analyzes the accuracy of count data estimated by the point‐in‐polygon method. A point‐in‐polygon interpolation model is proposed, based on a stochastic distribution of points and the target zone, in order to represent a variety of situations. The accuracy of estimates is numerically investigated in relation to the size of the target zone and the distribution of points, and the optimal location of representative points is discussed. The major findings of this paper are as follows: (1) though the relative accuracy of estimates generally increases monotonously with the size of the target zone, the monotoneity is often disturbed by the periodicity in the spatial configuration of source zones and the point distribution; (2) the point‐in‐polygon and the areal weighting interpolation methods have the same accuracy of estimates when points are concentrated in less than 12–15 percent area around the representative point in source zones; (3) the point‐in‐polygon method is not so robust against the locational gap between points and the representative point; (4) the optimal location of representative points is given by the spatial median of points.     

Migration Under Uncertainty: “Try Your Luck” or “Wait and See”

Two types of uncertainty enter into the migration decision. First, current conditions in the destination region may not be observable. Second, the future evolution of conditions in both the origin and destination regions may be unknown. The first type of uncertainty can encourage speculative or “try your luck” migration, whereas uncertainty about the future acts in the opposite direction, deterring relocation. This paper presents a dynamic optimizing model of migration that incorporates both types of uncertainty. The model shows that in equilibrium uncertainty about the future is likely to be more important than uncertainty about present conditions in the decision to relocate.     

Nation‐building through discourse theory

Abstract. The article sets out to demonstrate the value of discourse theory for studying nationalism as an ideology. It looks at the debate surrounding the concept of discourse and its manifold meanings before examining Laclau and Mouffe's discourse theory, with particular reference to the concept of hegemony and the influence of Gramsci on their work. This leads to a discussion of the relevance of discourse theory to a study of nationalist ideology, especially the antagonistic dynamic between nation‐state and minority nationalisms. Not only does discourse theory serve to embed the omnipresence of ideology within a useful hierarchy of mega and micro discourse, but it also provides a conceptual toolbox for analysing nationalist ideology at the empirical level.     

“A World Class City of Your Own!”: Civic Governmentality in Chennai,India

Abstract: This paper utilizes a critical governmentality approach to theorize the processes through which urban elites become stakeholders in the “world‐class city”. Through a case study of public consultations for urban development plans in Chennai, India, the paper explores the technologies that produce urban actors who “participate” in urban governance. Key to these technologies is a discourse of participation that privileges and normalizes citizens as urban stakeholders. The paper contributes to current explorations into the technologies of inclusion that are central to an emerging civic governmentality in South Asia. In Chennai this civic governmentality engages various segments of civil society in processes of urban governance through the mechanism of public consultation. It is through these public consultations that elites come to exert influence over urban plans and consolidate a vision and desire for the world‐class city.