A FIELD METHOD FOR INVESTIGATING the DISTRIBUTION of ROCK ART

Summary: Recent studies of prehistoric rock art have analysed its position in the landscape and have suggested that it played an important role in a mobile pattern of settlement. But the distribution of petroglyphs is usually taken as given, with the result that it is difficult to assess the significance of this kind of patterning. We argue that such evidence should be compared with the distribution of uncarved rocks across the surrounding area, and illustrate this procedure by two case studies from northern England. In these examples rock carvings were carefully sited at viewpoints and may have overlooked important routes across the landscape.     

THE CHANGING RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE OF MONTREAL 1971–81

This paper attempts to analyse the changing residential composition of the Montreal metropolitan region over time. More specifically, it examines the principal dimensions of Montreal's residential structure in 1971 and 1981, by conducting two separate factorial analyses based on census data; this part of the study is completed by a direct analysis of change, through factor analysing indices established by combining 1971 and 1981 variables The cross-sectional comparisons underline the regularities between the two residential configurations. The analysis of relative changes uncovers the principal modifications in Montreal's residential space through the period, showing in particular that some neighbourhoods registered major shifts in the composition of their population, due to ethno-linguistic movements or to social mobility. Cet article analyse le portrait changeant dans le temps de la structure résidentielle de la région métropolitaine de Montréal. Basée sur deux analyses factorielles con-duites séparément à partir des données de recensement, la première partie s'attache à décrire les dimensions maîtresses qui structurent l'espace résidentiel de Montréal en 1971 et 7981; cette analyse est ensuite complétée par une étude plus directe du changement qui repose sur une analyse factorielle d'indicateurs établis en combinant les variables de 1971 et 1981. La compa-raison des analyses factorielles transversales souligne la régularité de la structure résidentielle de Montréal dans le tpmps, alors que l'analyse des variables de changement relatiffait ressortir les modifications majeures qui ont transformé l'espace métropolitain au cours des années soixante-dix. Elle montre, par exemple, que plu-sieurs quartiers ont enregistré des changements impor-tants dans la composition de leur population, suite à un processus de gentrification ou de mobilité ethno-Iinguistique.     

The Fiscal-Electoral Nexus in Australia, 1976-94

This article re-evaluates existing political business cycle theory in the specific context of the political economy of Australian fiscal policy since the mid-1970s. Whereas 'traditional' political business cycle models, formulated within a Keynesian framework, assume a high level of state autonomy over fiscal policy, this article argues that an environment of fiscal restraint has been imposed on Australian federal governments over the study period. Given the historical dynamics of Australian economic policy which inform this study, a hypothesis is developed which reflects the policy optimisation dilemma which has confronted Australian federal governments when formulating fiscal priorities in a pre-election context. On one hand, there are pre-poll demands for expansionary fiscal settings from the electorate; on the other, there are demands from financial markets and domestic neoliberal interests for fiscal restraint. Reflecting the fact that identifiable costs are associated with implementing expansionary fiscal policy settings, it is hypothesised that such an approach will be adopted only in times of greatest political need, when an incumbent government is facing a popularity deficit in a pre-election context. While the study confirms that the fiscal-electoral effect is relatively weak, electoral demands do still influence the fiscal priorities of Australian federal governments. This is particularly so with the case of personal taxation relief, a policy approach that appears to be more acceptable to financial markets, key neoliberal interests and some segments of the electorate.     

Human population groups and the distribution of lithic arrowheads in the Arabian Gulf

The distribution of lithic implements in the Arabian Gulf suggests two regions, each using a specific set of tools. It is argued here that this distinct pattern is the result of relations on various levels between several human population groups and not solely of ecological adaptions. Consequently, these contacts between indigenous groups might be held responsible, among others, for distributing goods, like'Ubaid pottery, initially brought along by Mesopotamian visitors from the Central Gulf down to the Lower Gulf.