Conclusion:the political economy of social policy - a brief state of the art

Reflecting on the set of contributions that compose this Handbook, this chapter reflects on recent developments in the literature on the political economy of social policy, but also identifies future directions challenges for research within this field. The chapter starts by looking at how scholarship in this field has evolved in recent decades, identifying both the areas that have shown greater dynamism over the years, but also those that, after a period of relative neglect, seem to be resurfacing within this field of enquiry. Special attention is also given to the areas/topics that attracting more attention in recent years and are likely to shape the future directions of research in the field. Finally, the chapter charts important innovations in the collection and analysis of social policies - from a political economy perspective

Transportation Noise Pollution and Cardiovascular Health

Epidemiological studies have found that transportation noise increases the risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, with solid evidence for ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and stroke. According to the World Health Organization, at least 1.6 million healthy life years are lost annually from traffic-related noise in Western Europe. Traffic noise at night causes fragmentation and shortening of sleep, elevation of stress hormone levels, and increased oxidative stress in the vasculature and the brain. These factors can promote vascular (endothelial) dysfunction, inflammation, and arterial hypertension, thus elevating cardiovascular risk. The present review focusses on the indirect, nonauditory cardiovascular health effects of noise. We provide an updated overview of epidemiological research on the effects of transportation noise on cardiovascular risk factors and disease, and mechanistic insights based on the latest clinical and experimental studies and propose new risk markers to address noise-induced cardiovascular effects in the general population. We will discuss the potential effects of noise on vascular dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation in humans and animals. We will elaborately explain the underlying pathomechanisms by alterations of gene networks, epigenetic pathways, circadian rhythm, signal transduction along the neuronal-cardiovascular axis, and metabolism. We will describe current and future noise mitigation strategies. Finally, we will conduct an overall evaluation of the status of the current evidence of noise as a significant cardiovascular risk factor.</p

Transition to a circular economy in the construction industry - A single case study of Snedkermester Arne Pedersen A/S

This study examines the case of Snedkermester Arne Pedersen A/S (AP) in the context of a circular transition within the construction industry. This is done through a series of focus group interviews from their workforce, consisting of representatives from different levels in the firm, with construction managers, workers and the firm’s sustainability group. These are then transcribed and coded to identify examples, which can assess if and how the firm’s competencies enable a transition toward a circular business model. The first part of the analysis begins with an examination of state of the art theories within circular economy literature. Here we conclude that the literature is mostly lacking micro level analysis, which leads us to choosing a theoretical framework that can fit this type of examination. Thus, the study utilizes David J. Teece theory of Dynamic Capabilities to examine the fitness between a firm’s internal resources and competencies in regards to their environment. Determining this requires an understanding of how AP sense, seize and transform business practices and opportunities. This study applies a second theory in Sustainable by Design Tool, which further develops these phases by conceptualizing them in regard to the three dimensions: culture, strategy and operations. By using the theories in conjunction, they give a better understanding of the firm’s current organizational structure and determine whether specific practices and internal circumstances allow them to act dynamically. The second and third parts of the analysis focus on highlighting such practices within AP and conclude that some set practices enable their ability to develop Dynamic Capabilities, but also some that hinder this ability. Through a discussion of our methods and findings we determine that the study and theories are able to give a full view of the firm’s internal competencies. While this is true, we are also able to find that the external environment has some level of influence on this, which our dataset is not made to examine fully. In conclusion, the case firm AP has to develop products, services and processes that can initiate change in their environment, in order to scale the transition toward a circular business, rather than simply accommodating their practices to coming changes in the industry

Youth drinking culture

Denmark is known for its high alcohol consumption, although statistics show a decline in youth alcohol consumption and a later onset of drinking in recent decades. Research indicates that many young people drink alcohol to feel included in social groups, which can make it challenging for those who choose not to drink to feel accepted. Alkohol &amp; Samfund describes how alcohol traditionally is a part of celebrations, influencing young people who use alcohol to strengthen social bonds. The media often focuses on the negative aspects of the drinking culture of young people, potentially creating moral panic and serving a specific agenda. This project explores whether alcohol is problematic for youth by excluding non-drinkers or if it strengthens communal bonds, and whether the media exaggerates the issue. It aims to present various viewpoints, youth alcohol consumption, and young people's own experiences of the Danish alcohol culture

The Failure to Build a Collective NATO Defense: European Ideological Naivety and Political Ambitions

In the past 10 years, military security threats and with them defense policy moved to the top of the policy agenda of most European NATO states. Nevertheless, the majority were reluctant to increase their defense spendings to 2% of their GDP as it was agreed in the alliance. The reluctance is puzzling considering the increasingly assertive and aggressive Russian foreign policy which reached a new climax with the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the continuing Russian subversive behavior in Ukraine. The puzzle becomes no less striking when the American President Donald Trump on several occasion threatened the European NATO partners for not ‘paying their bills’ and claimed that he would pull the US out of NATO.The project aims at answering why, despite these threats, the European NATO countries did not increase their defense expenditures to meet the 2% target in the years 2014 to 2022.By making a foreign policy analysis inspired by neoclassical realist thinking, the project gives an answer to the question. It uses a case study approach to the analysis built on the assumption that the three case countries, Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic are representative of the population of European states that did not reach the 2% target. The reason why the European countries did not meet the target was because the leading policy makers believed in the ideology that trading with Russia would lead to a peaceful foreign policy behavior by Russia. It is not to be neglected that the policy makers were also driven by the desire to be re-elected and therefore, they were attentive to the resistance in their populations towards spending more money on military defense.<br/