沉默的华工和贯通北美大陆的中央太平洋铁路

大量珍贵的历史图片和翔实的文献资料表明,19世纪60年代横贯北美大陆的太平洋铁路的建成,在美国历史上竖起了一座走向现代化、巩固国家统一、促进民族和谐的不朽丰碑;而这条铁路的建设与一个半世纪前远涉重洋来到北美的华工先驱们的伟大功绩是密不可分的.正是这支不畏艰险、勤劳朴素、沉默奉献的生力军,为太平洋铁路的建成做出了不可磨灭的贡献.     

Forecast of Average Length of Haul on Soviet Railroads

On the basis of an analysis of expected railroad freight traffic of bulk commodities (coal, oil, ores, metals, lumber, grain) and miscellaneous goods over the next 20 years, the authors predict a continuing reduction of the average length of haul from the peak of 815 kilometers reached in 1957 to an estimate of 700 or 710 kilometers by 1980.     

Employment Change in Occupations in Urban India: Implications for Wage Inequality

This article analyses employment and wage change patterns in India for a period spanning almost three decades, from 1983–84 to 2011–12. Using data from the National Sample Survey Organization, the study finds evidence of job polarization (employment growth in low‐ and high‐skill jobs and decline in middle‐skill jobs) in urban India during the 1990s and 2000s, and employment upgrading in the 1980s. Consistent with the literature on job polarization, the article finds a reduction in employment share in routine task intensive occupations. The author argues that this reduction is a result of both mechanization and technological upgrading within Indian industry. On the other hand, an increase in employment share in both low‐skill and high‐skill occupations is argued to be a result of growing self‐employment and informal sector employment in urban India. The wage change patterns are largely consistent with the employment change patterns. The analysis suggests that structural change in occupation is an important factor for understanding earnings inequality in India.     

Public or Private Operation of Publicly Owned Railroads

Railroads are now owned by state or local governments in most of the American states. Public ownership does not necessarily bring public operations; indeed, most of the publicly owned lines are privately operated. Public operation is more likely to be found in states with noncompetitive political parties, relatively low population density, higher levels of political corruption, and a higher proportion of public lines that serve port or terminal facilities.     

All That Is Solid Melts into the Bay: Anticipatory Ruination and Climate Change Adaptation

This paper explores the shaping of Bangladesh's southern coastal region, often framed as the most climate vulnerable place in the world, as a zone of climate crisis. As rising waters threaten communities inhabiting the low‐lying coastal islands scattered across the deltaic plain, many within the government and donor community have identified shrimp aquaculture as a principal adaptation strategy. Shrimp aquaculture is integral to the dynamics of what I call anticipatory ruination, a discursive and material process of social and ecological destruction in anticipation of real or perceived threats. I elaborate anticipatory ruination as a process that both responds to and produces Bangladesh's climate crisis. I use this concept to explore not only the dynamics taking place in Bangladesh's delta region, but also the ways in which climate crisis is constituted more broadly.