Sectarianism, Socioeconomic Competition and the Political Economy of Ulster Loyalism

Within this paper we chart the link between class and the politics of Loyalism in Northern Ireland. In so doing we argue that sectarianism is a socio-cultural construct which undermines the potential for political stability. The paper analyzes the evolution of Loyalism and in so doing contends that the extreme political violence which emanated from certain paramilitary groups was conditioned by socio-economic and political alterations in Northern Ireland. The paper indicates how class relationships clearly cross-cut politics, economics, ideology and culture.     

Immigration as a Political Dilemma in Britain

Informed by evidence drawn from the British case, this article assesses three competing explanations for how and why political elites in Western Europe lost control of postwar immigration and immigrant policy: the liberal thesis, the political-historical perspective, and the political institutional breakdown explanation. The British case casts doubt on the assumption that West European elites did lose control of policy, although, to the extent that perfect control was not exercised, the political-historical argument best explains this phenomenon.     

The Interregnum: The South's Insecurity Dilemma

Abstract. This article investigates the ‘insecurity dilemma’ facing many Third World states arising from the fact that multiple ethnic communities reside within their borders. In terms of analysing the types of states that exist in the ‘South’, much of the literature on this phenomenon serves to confuse the various elements of state power and, therefore, the reasons for the existence and persistence of internal threats to Third World states. It is posited that the ‘insecurity dilemma’ has three possible sources: a lack of coercive means by the state for imposing its rule; a deficient infrastructure; and a lack of legitimacy. In examining the persistence of the ‘insecurity dilemma’ the article focuses on the third dimension of state power and the possible diminution of challenges from ethnic communities within a state's borders via the process of nation-building. The possibility that it will only be a matter of time before the embryonic states of the South will emulate the success of European states in achieving some degree of domestic consensus is highly questionable when the processes of nation-building are examined, for two reasons. Firstly, the emphasis placed on ‘modernisation’– infrastructural development and state imposition of a national ‘high’ culture – may be misplaced. Secondly, because of their peripheral status in the world economy the assimilative tendencies associated with ‘modernisation’ may take an extremely long time in arriving.     

The Fusion Dilemma

Abstract

Within the next five years the fusion research programme should remove any doubts as to the feasibility of burning fusion fuels controllably on a terrestrial scale. How it can be done in a manner suitable for the economic generation of power is another question, the answer to which requires the participation of a wide range of disciplines. The present position in fusion research is here reviewed and discussed with respect to important requirements which can already be identified for an economic reactor. Meeting these requirements calls for a mission-oriented project, whose timely evolution from one with a research orientation, is a challenging management problem. The cost-effectiveness of future expenditure is very dependent upon acknowledging this challenge and honestly facing the difficult tasks which it presents.     

十字路口的顾维钧--对两难境遇中的自由主义者的考察

1940年代末是20世纪中国自由主义政治思潮活跃的重要时段,其发生发展有着极为宽泛和复杂的生态背景,此乃国民党政治势力式微、共产党政治影响急剧发展的时代,各种政治力最以此为契机,竞相登台表演。留美自由主义知识分子顾维顾及其群体力图超越国共两党的对立,建立起多元的政治体制,在两难中陷于失败。     

The Energy Dilemma of Belarus: The Nuclear Power Option

A specialist on Belarusian politics and society as well as on the impacts of the Chernobyl' nuclear power station accident on that country examines the factors shaping the current debate regarding construction of a nuclear power station in the eastern oblast of Mahileu (Mogilev). In particular, he analyzes the role played by a significant rise in the price of imported oil and gas from Russia, as well as increasingly strained political relations between the two countries. The paper outlines the discussions within the country on energy and economic issues, the new relationship with Russia, and the new power station, and offers a preliminary assessment of the feasibility of the nuclear power option. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: H54, O18, Q40. 1 figure, 25 references.     

上海博物馆藏《战国楚竹书（一）·孙子诗论》解诂（一）

本是以传统训诂学的方式对上海占籍出版社新近出版的《上海博物馆藏(战国楚竹书(一)．孔子诗沦)》第1—5简简的逐句训解。训解中,在求其通的同时,对《诗论》的作以及一些重要字、句的含义提出了新的看法,力求尽可能发覆《诗论》真意。     

The Suakin Dilemma: Conservation and Heritage Management in Eastern Sudan

Abstract

A four-step process for the stabilization of fragile, exposed historic adobe structures has been developed. The structures are first stabilized by consolidation with an alkoxysilane. Protection for the tops of walls is provided by capping with mud made with an acrylic polymer emulsion instead of water. A similar modified mud is then sprayed over the entire structure to provide a veneer that does not significantly change the appearance of the wall surface. Finally, when dry, this is covered with a polysiloxane water repellent. Small test sections of walls of the adobe ruins at Fort Selden, New Mexico, USA, were subjected to various treatment combinations. After two winters, it was found that the four-step procedure gave the best results.     

上海博物馆藏《战国楚竹书(一)·孔子诗论》解诂(一)

本文是以传统训诂学的方式对上海古籍出版社新近出版的<上海博物馆藏<战国楚竹书(一)·孔子诗论>>第1-5简简文的逐句训解.训解中,在求其通的同时,对<诗论>的作者以及一些重要字、句的含义提出了新的看法,力求尽可能发覆<诗论>真意.     

上海博物馆藏《战国楚竹书（一）·孔子诗论》解诂（二）

本文是2002年发表于《古籍整理研究学刊》第二期上面的《上海博物馆藏(战国楚竹书(一)·孔子诗论)解诂(一)》的续篇。体例一仍其前。解诂主要针对疑难字词。     

《论语·八佾》“哀公问社于宰我”辩析

对于《论语·八佾》“哀公问社于宰我”的记载,古来存有“问主”、“问社”之辩。本文主要在疏理传世文献的基础上,指出“问社”应作“问主”,这里的“主”是社主而非庙主;鲁哀公问宰我三代社主时,宰我答以“夏后氏以松,殷人以柏,周人以栗。曰:使民战栗。”细究这段文句的历史背景,可知并不是鲁哀公不知礼、不知社主为何物而发问,鲁哀公通过“问主”,寓含着借用“社主阴,阴主杀”而欲去三桓的深刻政治用意。     

The Clean Energy Dilemma in Asia: Observations on Russia and China

Two American economic geographers and prominent specialists, respectively, in the energy industries and resources of Russia and related economic developments in China, evaluate and supplement the material presented in the preceding paper on the clean energy dilemma in Asia (Wilbanks, 2008). The paper covers changes in the relationship between energy consumption and economic growth globally as well as in Russia and China, Russian oil and gas exports to Asia (more specifically to China), the development of energy resources and production in China, and energy intensities in both countries.