Was the Marshall Plan Necessary?

Review in this Article
Michael J. Hogan. The Marshall Plan: America, Britain, and the Reconstruction of Western Europe, 1947–1952 . New York: Cambridge University Press, 1987. xiv + 482 pp. Notes, bibliography, index.     

RECIPES FOR A PUDDING: A COMMENT ON LOCALITY

As far as future research in geography is concerned, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. 'Locality' can be seen to be a fascinating, complex concept of considerable value to geographical theory and empirical research. Researchers should not make the mistake of confusing empirical research with 'empiricism' as Duncan, Savage and others do. My feeling is that their alternative recipe should definitely carry a health warning (Cooke, 1989: 274).     

NITRATE-NITROGEN FLUX AND UTILIZATION IN A STREAM ECOSYSTEM DURING LOW SUMMER FLOWS

Analysis of nitrate transport in the downstream reaches of Duffin Creek, Ontario, revealed an average daily loss of 45 kg nitrate-N during low summer flows. The nitrate loss represents 50 per cent of the average daily input of total nitrogen and 75 per cent of the nitrate input received by these channel reaches. Nitrate uptake by benthic algae appears to account for a small portion of the NO₃^- removal. Laboratory experiments suggest that most of the nitrate disappearance from the river reaches is caused by bacterial denitrification and nitrate reduction in stream sediments.
L'analyse du transport de nitrate dans l'étendue en aval de Duffin Creek, Ontario, a révélé une perte journalière moyenne de 45 kg de nitrate-N durant l'écoulement affaibli des flots du ruisseau en été. Cette perte de nitrate représente 50 pourcent de la moyenne journalière du total d'azote fourni et 75 pourcent du nitrate reçu par l'étendue de ce canal. Les algues agrostides ne semblent être responsable que d'une faible partie de ladisparition du NO₃^-. Des experiences en laboratoire suggèrent que presque toute la disparition du nitrate dans la riviere est causée par la dénitrification bactérienne et la réduction d'azote dans les sédiments du cours d'eau.     

PROVENANCE STUDIES OF KOREAN CELADONS OF THE KORYǑ PERIOD BY NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS*

Neutron activation analyses of the body fabric of celadons from the main production sites of the Koryǒ period have shown differences in composition between kilns. Comparison of over 50 celadon objects in the collections of the British Museum with this data base from the production sites has permitted the assignment of over 40 of the pieces to their kiln of origin The majority show the trace element pattern of the Sadangri kilns, a smaller proportion are assigned to Yuchǒnri, while others are assigned to the kilns at Chinsanri (underglaze iron) and Kyǒngsǒ-dong (unglazed). A representative group of Chinese Yue wares arc clearly different from Koryǒ celadons in trace element composition.     

Britain and the British Antarctic Territory in the wider geopolitics of the Antarctic and the Southern Ocean

Britain's contemporary and future relationship with the British Antarctic Territory and the wider region is the subject matter of this article. In the aftermath of the ill‐fated plans for a merger of British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and the National Oceanography Centre, it is timely to ask how the UK projects influence and secures its scientific, resource and strategic interests. The contemporary Antarctic is increasingly characterized by tension over resource management and conservation politics as Antarctic Treaty parties disagree, both in private and public, over the purpose of legal instruments and the regulation of activities such as fishing and marine conservation. While we do not predict the collapse of the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), our analysis suggests that the effectiveness and legitimacy of the ATS is increasingly under challenge. The United Kingdom's position as a claimant state and original signatory to the Antarctic Treaty is complicated by the presence of counter‐claimants (Argentina and Chile) and a wider preoccupation with other overseas territories, such as South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and the Falkland Islands. Polar science, carried out by BAS and other British agents, remains critical not only for maintaining the UK's ‘soft power’ but also increasingly for cementing a ‘strategic presence’ in the Antarctic. The article ends with a cautionary note: scientific excellence is no longer sufficient to guarantee geopolitical/strategic interests and there is growing evidence that claimant and non‐claimant states alike are no longer regarding Antarctica as an area that will remain free of intensifying and diversifying resource exploitation.     

NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS AT THE BRITISH MUSEUM,LONDON

Neutron activation analysis was used at the British Museum from 1978 until 2002 for provenance studies on ceramics and marble. Significant numbers of the items analysed were of high quality and value, and careful sampling was necessary to avoid damage to the object. An in‐house British Museum Standard Pottery was established and inter‐calibrated with a number of standards used by other archaeometry laboratories. The results of the projects have been published in many papers, and the databases established will be of use to future scholars interested in the ceramic groups represented. Projects on Greek and Near Eastern pottery have been undertaken. Relatively large numbers of north European medieval and post‐medieval pottery samples were analysed, as well as the tin‐glazed ceramics of Spain and Italy. Classical marble has also formed the subject of another project and a database of quarry material has been established.