This work investigates the role that institutions play in the dissemination of the idea of the nation. Its main theoretical claim is that elite-formulated "official" ideas of the nation are always transformed by the mediating action of the institutions through which they are disseminated. Thus, it is argued here, an examination of the operation, reach and limits of these institutions can shed light on the discontinuities in the reproduction of the official versions of the nation, as well as on the extent to which alternative formulations are diffused through institutions that escape the control of the state. This premise provides the framework of the study of the institutionalisation of contending conservative and liberal ideas of the nation in Reforma Mexico (1855-1876). As in other states, in Mexico the system of public education was the principal channel for the diffusion of such ideas. Through an analysis of primary and secondary sources, the dissertation examines the reach and limits of the Mexican public education system in spreading the idea of the Mexican nation that the liberal state elite upheld. The thesis concludes that despite the unprecedented efforts that the Mexican liberal state made to disseminate the official idea of the nation through education, the results of its educational policy were very moderate. On the one hand, structural conditions accounted for an uneven diffusion of this idea within the system of public education itself On the other hand, the action of private schools, which were always allowed to operate by the liberal state, contributed to the spread of ideas of the nation that differed in varying degrees from the formulation that the Reforma wanted to promote.

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This research, via case study investigation of the Islington Educational Psychology Service (EPS) examines the applicability of Performance Indicators (PIs) in the management of a professional service in the public sector. The research explores the theoretical and political basis for the introduction of PIs and tests their use by examining their strengths,w eaknessesa nd applicability within a local context. PIs are examined in relation to their usefulness in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery within an inner city service. Key issues investigated include: performance requirements linked to Special Educational Needs (SEN) resourcing, PIs generally in the SEN area, and clients/stakeholdersd emandso n the service. PIs are examined in relation to their impact on the short and long term delivery of the service. The investigation covers the period 1992-1999, though draws on data from 1990 and extension work undertaken in 2000. Utilising concepts from economic theory the research examines the psychological service input to schools, SEN input from the schools themselves and school output measures. LEA PIs are analysed to gain an overview of the strengths and weakness of the organisation and to determine priorities for the development of the EPS. The research includes the active participation on the part of the researcher/manager to generate and learn from the use of PIs. This exploration includes the attempt to construct a managerial model for PIs. The research is pursued by the generation of a series of case study questions. The experience of the researcher/manager is included as source data within the analysis. The research finds that PI systems are needed to measure `output' and `value added' as well as `input' factors. Also demonstrated is the need for the EPS to be more clearly linked to the meeting of national targets for raising achievement. PI systems are shown to be needed to facilitate team working, commitment and professional ownership, ensure appropriateness of tasks and to support professional re-alignment within the organisation. The research identifies the need for a local political as well as a professional framework for the consideration and selection of PIs. The research proposes a model for generating and selecting key PIs. At a wider professional level the researchd emonstratesw eaknessesin managerial as well as traditional professional control systems. Also shown is the limited potential of relying on client/stakeholder feedback to determine successful functioning of systems. The research demonstrates the need to address managerial, professional as well as client requirements. Key areas of concern are identified in relation to national and local policy. To address this, recommendations are made regarding policy at a national and local level in the use of PIs to assist planning, priority setting and control functions in order to deliver quality professional services in the short and longer term.

George Rosen. / "February 10, 1960." "Submitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering, M.I.T., January 25, 1960, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Science." / Bibliography: p. 86-88. / Army Signal Corps Contract DA36-039-sc-78108 Dept. of the Army Task 3-99-20-001 and Project 3-99-00-000. Air Force Contract AF19(604)-6102.

This study will examine the conditions impinging on lifelong learning systems to foster participation in the political, social economic and cultural life of society. The research will monitor the manner in which policy and systems of lifelong learning become more cognisant of and responsive to the needs and entitlements of the human person. The aim of the study is to investigate the distinctive role played by the arts in effecting a cultural shift in the provision of lifelong learning. It will seek to bring a distinctive contribution to our understanding of the part played by the arts in giving people an authentic share in society. 'The arts', reflected in events, processes and manifestations occurring in non-formal settings, are espoused as a significant place where some individuals and communities discover a place to participate meaningfully in society. It is not possible to adequately present this study in isolation from the policy and systems of lifelong learning. These policies and systems have come under increasing pressure to create the conditions for greater linkages between the aims and objectives of education, training and employment measures. The rationale for a convergence of education, training and employment aims will be explored, and the adequacy of an approach centred on integration and collaboration will be assessed. The analysis employed in the study was undertaken between 1994-2000. It was based on a process of theory testing utilising four methods of investigation and examination: (1) a review of national and international literature, (2) a survey, (3) a questionnaire and (4)specific focus group exercises. At the outset, new base line data was collated on nonformal learning provisions, i.e. Irish Post Leaving Certificate courses and community arts learning programmes. Post Leaving Certificate courses are state-led and take place within the education system. The community arts learning programmes under investigation are arts sector-led and broadly located within the state training system. A standardised classification system was developed that enabled the documentation of four learning programmes. The study will contend that changes and adaptations to the structures and systems of accreditation and certification are necessary to accommodate non-formal learning opportunities. Finally, an analysis will be undertaken of existing structures and systems, with particular focus on education and training practices within the community and youth arts sector. The distinctive role that the arts can play in effecting change in the culture of lifelong learning will be affirmed.

Social security systems have come under attack with claims that they negatively impact savings, capital formation and the labour supply. This, together with the near-bankruptcies of some social security systems have led to a series of reforms, including the privatisation of the system with the assignment of individual accounts to contributors. There have, however, been little efforts in isolating the cause of the failure of the social security systems and in the identification of the factors which may enhance performance. It is this gap, which this study attempts to fill by investigating the relationship between governance, performance and administration of the social security systems by addressing the key question "How do governance factors impact on the performance and administration of social security systems in the Member States of the Organisation Of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)?" The main findings of the study are that autonomy and independence of the social security organisations, accountability, transparency, diversification of the investment portfolio, professional expertise, partnership-building among the stakeholders and involvement or the plan participants at the board level are important in enhancing the performance and administration of the social security organisations. The results of the analysis also suggest that it is important to ensure that the persons chosen to represent the plan participants at the board level are persons of integrity with the requisite qualifications and qualities. This study, it is hoped will inform and lead to a re-examination of the reform debate to include the role of governance in the reform and sustainability of social security organisations worldwide.

Waste management has become one of the major global environmental concerns of our times associated, as it is, with the consumerist tendencies which fuel the engine of economic growth and environmental impacts. Existing policies in the UK have not yet managed to curb the problem of steadily increasing waste generation despite efforts by Central government and the European Union to set inflexible national targets for waste management. A major problem is that while central government sets the overall goals to be achieved, actual waste collection and disposal are functions of 'local government. In many cases local governments lack the resources and capacity to make economically efficient and environmentally effective decisions. Waste management infrastructure must be developed for the long-term, yet economic efficiency considerations often conflict with local political objectives and with a wide range of resource constraints. Local government is not always the most suitable level to deal with problems that often have regional impacts or can be more efficiently organised within larger geographic units. The European Commission is starting to re-consider the application of its rigid waste management hierarchy in light of suggestions that sustainable solutions may vary across regions. Changes in the regulatory environment for solid waste and the regionalisation of disposal infrastructure present economic opportunities which pose the need for institutional change in waste practices. The study examines the institutional arrangements for municipal solid waste management within the South West of England region. Using in-depth key actor interviews, questionnaires, and Force Field Analysis, key actor and stakeholders perceptions on the concept of sustainable waste management are examined, and opportunities and obstacles arising from evolving institutional arrangements are identified. The study finds that there are significant barriers to the development of more sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) in the South West Region, iii especially in the areas of 'culture' (both public culture and organisational), regional institutional capacity, and related markets. Amongst the issues that need to be addressed are the interrelated issues of public awareness, participation and empowerment, parochialism and the lack of power of regional institutions to deal with Local Authority waste management contracts within an implementable strategy for the region, the (often negative) influence of the markets related to MSWM, the lack of responsibility for funding of programmes aimed at changing public behaviour, and potential conflict of interest amongst stakeholder groups. Central government, Local Authorities and the waste management industry all need to instigate significant changes in institutions and institutional arrangements in order to achieve a move towards more sustainable MSWM.

Τo πρώτο κεφάλαιο, το οποίο είναι και το εισαγωγικό, παρουσιάζει με συντομία στον ενδιαφερόμενο αναγνώστη τα χαρακτηριστικά, τις ιδιότητες και τις δυνατότητες των βασικών «συστατικών» αυτής της έρευνας, που δεν είναι άλλα παρά τα υπερκράματα και οι επικαλύψεις αυτών. Στη συνέχεια, στο επόμενο κεφάλαιο, παρουσιάζεται το βασικό πειραματικό εργαλείο αυτής της μελέτης, δηλαδή τα πειράματα θερμομηχανικής κόπωσης καθώς και η συγκεκριμένη πειραματική διάταξη που πρόκειται να χρησιμοποιηθεί. Το κεφάλαιο αυτό θεωρείται ιδιαίτερα σημαντικό καθώς ασχολείται με τις βασικές παραμέτρους που ελέγχουν τα πειράματα αυτά, καθώς και με τους μηχανισμούς αστοχίας που αναμένεται να ενεργοποιούνται κατά τη διάρκειά τους. Το τρίτο κεφάλαιο μπορεί να θεωρηθεί και αυτό καθαρά εισαγωγικό, όπως και το πρώτο, καθώς ασχολείται με τις βασικές αρχές και ιδιότητες της μεθόδου της Ακουστικής Εκπομπής. Το κεφάλαιο αυτό κλείνει με μια περιγραφή του συστήματος της Ακουστικής Εκπομπής που χρησιμοποιήθηκε στη μελέτη αυτή. Τα τρία αυτά κεφάλαια, είναι ανεξάρτητα μεταξύ τους και κρίθηκε ότι ήταν απαραίτητο να είναι όσο πιο δυνατό πλήρη καθώς αναφέρονται σε υλικά, ιδιότητες και μεθόδους αρκετά «νέες» και μη ευρέως γνωστές. Η εργασία συνεχίζει στο τέταρτο κεφάλαιο με την παρουσίαση της πρώτης πειραματικής σειράς που ασχολείται με ισόθερμα εφελκυστικά πειράματα υλικών στροβιλοκινητήρων, στη θερμοκρασιακή περιοχή λειτουργίας τους. Με την παράλληλη εφαρμογή της μεθόδου της Ακουστικής Εκπομπής γίνεται προσπάθεια ανίχνευσης και τελικά ανάλυσης των ενεργοποιημένων μηχανισμών αστοχίας καθώς και εντοπισμού των βασικών παραμέτρων απόδοσης των υλικών. Το αναλυτικό μέρος της εργασίας ολοκληρώνεται στο πέμπτο κεφάλαιο, όπου και παρουσιάζονται δύο ανεξάρτητες σειρές πειραμάτων θερμομηχανικής κόπωσης. Στα πειράματα αυτά, προηγείται μια προσπάθεια κατανόησης και ανίχνευσης των μηχανισμών αστοχίας. Στη συνέχεια με την αξιοποίηση των καταγεγραμμένων σημάτων Ακουστικής Εκπομπής επιχειρείται συσχέτιση αυτών των μηχανισμών βλάβης – αστοχίας με ομάδες σημάτων ΑΕ καθώς και η ποσοτικοποίηση της εξέλιξης της βλάβης και του βαθμού της υποβάθμισης του υλικού με την εξέταση της υπογραφής των σημάτων αυτών. Η επεξεργασία και παρουσίαση των αποτελεσμάτων αυτών επιχειρήθηκε να γίνει με τέτοιο τρόπο, που να διασφαλίζει την ανεξαρτησία των παρατηρήσεων και συμπερασμάτων για κάθε πειραματική σειρά αλλά συγχρόνως να εξασφαλίζει και μια συνέχεια των παρατηρήσεων και των εφαρμογών. Η εργασία ολοκληρώνεται στο έκτο κεφάλαιο, με μια συζήτηση πάνω στην ανάλυση αυτών των αποτελεσμάτων, όπου διατυπώνονται οι καινοτομίες της έρευνας καθώς και οι προοπτικές εφαρμογής της σε πιο γενικευμένη και επίσημη βάση και το τί η επιστημονική κοινότητα καθώς και τα στελέχη των σχετικών βιομηχανιών θα μπορούσαν να αναμένουν από αυτή. / -

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Eine eigenständig institutionalisierte Schlösserverwaltung hat es in Sachsen bis nach 1990 nicht gegeben. Statt einer Schlössergeschichte gibt es deshalb mehrere. Der Beitrag zeigt, wie staatliche oder später staatlich gewordene Schlösser und Burgen in Sachsen seit 1831 genutzt, verwaltet und musealisiert wurden - und welche Folgen die Großzäsuren 1918 und 1945 auf die Schlösser und ihre Verwaltungen bis hin ans Ende der DDR zeitigten.