<p> The purpose of this thesis is to challenge the scholarly consensus regarding the historical circumstances which led to the writing of 1 Chronicles by a close examination of the nature and function of the Chronicler's treatment of David. There has to be a reason for the stress which is placed on David by the Chronicler, especially at a time when there was no monarchy ruling in Judah. Much of the study which has been carried out on Chronicles has concentrated to a large extent on linguistic evidence. Linguistic evidence alone, however, is insufficient for drawing any solid conclusions. Thus, the attempt is being maae here to seel-: some answers on thematic evidence. This involves a close study of the Chronicler's treatment of David and the suggestion that David is to be equated with the post-exilic governor of Judah, Zerubbabel. The concentration on the Chronicler's interpretation of the figure of ravid is being used to demonstrate the possibility of reaaing 1 Chronicles as the historical expression of the :novement inspired by the prophecies of Haggai and Proto Zechariah.</p> <p> During the course of the thesis, attention is drawn to the difficulties surrounding the dating of 1 Chronicles as a result of the work of many red.actors, which is evident throughout the book. It becomes more difficult to assign the entire work, in its present form, to 8ny one period in the post-exilic era. However, despite this difficulty, a comparison of the major themes in 1 Chronicles and those in Haggai and Proto Zechariah shows that it is at least possible to date the original form of 1 Chronicles somewhere in the period of 520-515 BCE.</p> / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

The thesis deals with the pension system evolution in France. Its main objective is to provide the detailed description concerning the development of the French social security system especially focused on the social security for elderly people. The contemporary pension system is the result of the long evolution lasting for centuries. Despite the fact that it is also based on obligatory participation, a lot of differences can be found by comparison to the other European countries. The system in France consists of several independent systems that are governed by different rules. This plurality finds its principal origin in the Napoleonic era when the first pension schemes for some specific professions have been settled. The variability of pension benefits for different groups of insured persons was the main cause why the concept of one uniform scheme for social insurance has failed after WW2. The first decades after establishing the universal (but not uniform) social security system were characterized by the economic growth and by the exceptionally favourable demographic situation. The difficulties appeared in 70s when the slowdown of the economic growth had a negative impact on labour market. Governments seemed to be preparing the deep system reform to solve the social system revenue decline...