ELEMENTS OF SKILL: TRAITS,INTELLIGENCES, EDUCATION,AND AGGLOMERATION*

ABSTRACT There are many fundamental issues in regional and urban economics that hinge on worker skills. This paper builds on psychological approaches to learning to characterize the role of education and agglomeration in the skill development process. While the standard approach of equating skill to worker education can be useful, there are important aspects of skill that are missed. Using a measure of skill derived from hedonic attribution, the paper explores the geographic distribution of worker traits, intelligences, and skills and considers the roles of urbanization and education in the skill development process.     

Geography and tradition in the patriarchal narratives

Abstract

In connection with a survey of the geographical names found in the patriarchal naratives, it is the aim here to describe the tradition‐history of these narratives. The oldest stratum includes two local heroes belonging to the northern part of the country, Jacob and Joseph, and another two whose home should be sought in the south, Isaac and Abraham. At a later date, most of the traditions about Isaac were usurped by Abraham, and Isaac was reduced to a connecting link between Abraham and Jacob. Joseph is almost unknown, and the story of his sojourn in Egypt must be late. Jacob should originally be considered at home in Bethel and from here he develops (after 722 to become the heros eponymos of a far bigger territory. Jacob's journey to Haran should be understood as a legitimation of the relations between people living in exile in this place and the remaining population of Samaria, whereas he in the post‐exilic period becomes a “Judaean” hero as the son of Isaac The conflict between Jacob and Esau reflects the post‐exilic competition between Judah and Edom. The original home of Abraham is Hebron and the oldest traditions deal with his relationship to Lot. At a later date he usurps the traditions about Isaac, among them the story of the sojourn in Gerar and the sojourn of Israel in Egypt. He is presented as the forerunner of David, the hero of the Jerusalemite cult, and the first monotheistic believer in Yahweh, who initiated the cult on the Temple Mountain in Jerusalem. In the last stage of the development of this tradition, he becomes the link which connect the Primeval History and the patriarchal narratives when he is summoned from Ur of the Chaldees.     

Solomon and His Empire: Fact or Fiction?

Abstract

The essay examines the plausibility of a “Double Monachy,” a large state, under a king Solomon in the 10th century with Jerusalem as its capital. First, all texts in the Old Testament are mentioned, and it is pointed out that no extrabiblical texts from the period mention such a state. In the next paragraph the archaeological finds from the period are examined whether they may allow the existence of such a state, and it is concluded that it is improbable. Also from historical knowledge of the period in the Levant as well as Solomon’s name it is concluded that there was not a large kingdom in Jerusalem under a king of that name.

In the rest of the essay I try, from the story in the Bible, to date the various elements of the story, and comparing them with other legendary kings (e.g. Sargon of Akkad) to find a suitable period when such a legend could be construed, I point to the second half of the 7th cent. BCE as the best possibility for the story’s date.     

The book of joshua - origin and dating

ABSTACT

Responding to an article by Marvin Lloyd Miller, we welcome the recent change in the approach of Nehemiah 5, the corner-stone of social-scientific exegesis. We reassert that the chapter does not reflect the complaints of marginal farmers. We doubt the value of the notion of whimsical taxation by the Achaemenid administration. We warn against adducing the vituperations of eighth century BCE prophets as clues of socio-economic crises. They should rather be read in light of appeals by contempo-rary aid agencies.     

Where Angels Fear to Tread: Academics,Public Engagement and Popular History

Academic researchers are under growing pressure to disseminate their scholarship and demonstrate its impact beyond the academy. In Australia, Europe and the UK, higher education and research councils are taking increasing account of knowledge exchange and public engagement in their allocation of funding. In this issue of Victorians Beyond the Academy, Julie-Marie Strange reviews The Gangs of Manchester by Andrew Davies and the play it inspired, Angels with Manky Faces by MaD Theatre Company. Strange and Davies then discuss the opportunities and challenges involved in working with artists and performers, and reaching readers and audiences, outside the university sector.