The purpose of this study is to contribute to the construction of a theoretical framework for empirical examination of social movements in Third World countries. Political process theory, currently a dominant perspective on social movements, is the most promising starting point for such a research program; however, it has inherent Western biases, which severely limit its explanatory power for examining Third World social movements. Specifically, I contend that political process theory's understanding of the relationship between the state and social movements, as well as its assumptions about the dynamics of political opportunity structures, inadequately capture the complexities of the Third World social movements. Therefore, as the basis of a larger project, I critique the western biases inherent in the theoretical framework of the political process theory, focusing exclusively on Doug McAdam's contributions to this approach. I employ a hermeneutic method, since it provides a useful means for engaging in discourse with texts. I conclude that McAdam's views on political opportunity and the state reflect a Eurocentric reading and understanding, in large part because his analyses have been based on democratic states.Accordingly, some of the political process theory's key shortcomings for Third World applications are that it overemphasizes the analytic and practical importance of the electoral system, and that its logic is rooted in unrealistic assumptions of inherently stable political structures and institutionalized democratic processes. / Master of Science

Recently, the development of electronic technology towards higher frequencies and larger band widths has led to interest in finding new piezoelectric materials, which could be used to make filters with larger pass band widths and oscillators with better frequency stability. Langasite (La3Ga5SiO14, LGS) and its isomorphs have enticed considerable attention of researchers as a potential substrate material for piezoelectric device applications because of its high frequency stability and fairly good electromechanical coupling factors for acoustic wave devices. Nonlinear effect including drive level dependence, mode coupling, force-frequency effect and electroelasic effect are critical for the design of these devices. Third-order elastic constants (TOEC) play an important role in a quantitative analysis of these nonlinear effects. In particular these elastic constants are of great importance when the BAW (Bulk Acoustic Wave) and SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) sensors of force, acceleration and so on are designed. Until now Langasite (LGS) and Langatate (LGT) crystal resonators have been qualified in terms of quality factor, temperature effect, isochronism defect and material quality. One of the most important advantages of those crystals is that they will not undergo phase transitions up to its melting temperature of 1450°. Presently there is no data on TOEC of LGT crystals. Our objective is to create an experimental procedure to measure and collect the complete set of third-order elastic constants of Langasite (La3Ga5SiO14) and Langatate (La3Ga5.5Ta0.5O14) crystals and compare the new values for langasite with values previously reported.

In this thesis, I examine Kant's conception of simultaneity in relation to the idea of the empirical determinacy of time. I begin by introducing the concepts of time and simultaneity in Newton and Leibniz, and demonstrate how these two modern conceptions of time contributed to Kant's understanding of simultaneity and cosmological unity. It will be argued that Kant's conception of simultaneity was intended to account for the possibility of the rational determination of time, and that for this purpose, Kant sought to reinterpret the Principle of Sufficient Reason in his early writings by linking it to the simultaneity-relation between substances in reciprocal interaction, thus arguing for the possibility of coexistence between substances. This provides a way to understand how the unity of the world is fundamental to Kant's understanding of the rational determination of time and space. In Kant's critical period the relation of simultaneity is analysed as empirically realized through mutual interaction, but the pure manifold of time is thought to be intuitional, which requires the implementation of relational categories in order to be reproduced in experience. In the Third Analogy of the First Critique, the concept of mutual interaction is analysed in terms of balanced forces, which provides a means of describing the evolution of a dynamical system over time. It provides the process by which the connection between different dynamical systems is possible, and also for the synchronization of different clocks.

The importance of the creative and cultural capital in the economic development of post-industrial inner cities has been widely demonstrated by urban development literature as it interacts with the physical environment and sustains regeneration processes. However, also in depressed and peripheral neighbourhoods, creative firms, museums, art-based nonprofit organizations, cultural associations, and independent artists can be identified as actors of substantial urban revitalization. The main purpose of this contribution is to understand the potential of third sector organizations related to the arts and culture in the emergence of virtuous patterns in urban regeneration strategies. Data and case study about not-for-profit entities engaged in revitalization projects through innovative artistic expressions in deprived areas of Naples, Italy, are analyzed. Within the general framework of urban redevelopment processes through specific not-for-profit models and tools, this research aims to understand if these actors can be identified as engines of urban regeneration and what lessons policy-makers may learn by these practices.

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