Estimate solar contribution to the global surface warming using the ACRIM TSI satellite composite

We study, by using a wavelet decomposition methodology, the solar signature on global surface temperature data using the ACRIM total solar irradiance satellite composite by Willson and Mordvinov. These data present a +0.047%/decade trend between minima during solar cycles 21-23 (1980-2002). We estimate that the ACRIM upward trend might have minimally contributed $\sim$10-30% of the global surface temperature warming over the period 1980-2002

Privatization in Denmark, 1980-2002

Denmark is one of the most developed welfare states, but also a rather capitalistic state with little public ownership outside the traditional fields of the public sector and the natural monopolies of the network industries. The low level of public ownership corresponds to peoples’ attitude in polls. Nevertheless, 12 privatizations of state companies have been made along with everybody else. No statistics on privatization have been previously published in Denmark. Most of the 12 privatizations are small, and the telephone company provides 76 percent of the total revenue. In the municipal sector, however, most privatization activity appears to be outsourcing.Privatization, outsourcing, capitalist values

Agenda Control in the Bundestag, 1980-2002

We find strong evidence of monopoly legislative agenda control by government parties in the Bundestag. First, the government parties have near-zero roll rates, while the opposition parties are often rolled over half the time. Second, only opposition parties’ (and not government parties’) roll rates increase with the distances of each party from the floor median. Third, almost all policy moves are towards the government coalition (the only exceptions occur during periods of divided government). Fourth, roll rates for government parties sky- rocket when they fall into the opposition and roll rates for opposition parties plummet when they enter government, while policy movements go from being nearly 100 per cent rightward when there is a rightist government to 100 per cent leftward under a leftist government

Chinese Manufacturing Performance in Comparative Perspective, 1980-2002

This paper uses the detailed information in the 1995 Census of Industrial Production as a benchmark for analysing the coverage, concepts and consistency of published statistical series. On the basis of the analysis, the paper proposes a series of adjustments which result in more consistent long-run series of labour productivity for 21 manufacturing sectors from 1980-2002. For purposes of international comparisons with the USA, the paper subsequently presents industry of origin unit value ratios for the benchmark year 1995. These are used to convert Chinese value added into US dollars. In 2002, value added for the statistically well-covered sectors of Chinese manufacturing was 43 per cent of US value added, against 12 per cent in 1980. The comparative analysis of labour productivity points to a long period of Chinese growth without catch up from 1980-1992. After 1992, there was a rapid and accelerating process of catch up. In comparative terms labour productivity increased from 5.3 per cent of the US level in 1995 to 13.7 per cent in 2002.China, manufacturing, productivity growth, catch up, unit value ratios, international comparisons

Die Bedeutung des ökologischen Landbaues für die Gesellschaft

Anlässlich der gemeinsamen Sitzung von Kuratorium und Vorstand der Agrarsozialen Gesellschaft e.V. am 21. März 2002 referierte Dr. Rainer Oppermann zur Bedeutung des Ökologischen Landbaus für die Gesellschaft. Seiner Ansicht nach ist es keine Frage, dass der ökologische Landbau eine feste Größe in der Landwirtschaft ist und dass die Entwicklung eines Wirtschaftsbereichs, der im Jahr 1980 449 Betriebe zählte und heute bei rund 15000 Betrieben angekommen sein dürfte, insgesamt als Erfolgsgeschichte zu bezeichnen ist. (zitiert aus: Oppermann, R (2002) Die Bedeutung des ökologischen Landbaus für die Gesellschaft. Ländlicher Raum 53(2), Agrarsoziale Gesellschaft e.V., 12-16

Inflation, Output Growth, and Stabilization in Turkey, 1980-2002

Using a dynamic aggregate supply and aggregate demand model with imperfect capital mobility and structural VARs, we decompose inflation and output movements into those attributable to terms of trade, supply, balance-of-payments, fiscal, and monetary shocks. Empirical results show that terms of trade shocks have a significant negative effect on inflation in the short run. In the long run, monetary, and balance of payments shocks dominate while budget deficits play a limited role in the inflationary process. Demand shocks have limited effects on output movements; output is mostly driven by terms of trade and supply shocks. The results highlight the importance of a credible disinflation program and structural reform that restrain discretionary aggregate demand policies.Causes and effects of inflation, inflation theories, stabilization policy, theory of aggregate supply and aggregate demand, time series models, Turkish economy

Privatization in Denmark, 1980-2002

Denmark is one of the most developed welfare states, but also a rather capitalistic state with little public ownership outside the traditional fields of the public sector and the natural monopolies of the network industries. The low level of public ownership corresponds to peoples' attitude in polls. Nevertheless, 12 privatizations of state companies have been made along with everybody else. No statistics on privatization have been previously published in Denmark. Most of the 12 privatizations are small, and the telephone company provides 76 percent of the total revenue. In the municipal sector, however, most privatization activity appears to be outsourcing

The concept of social pharmacy

The 13th International Social Pharmacy Workshop will be held in Malta in July 2004. The Social Pharmacy Workshops are international conferences for research in social and behavioural pharmacy. Meetings are held every second year and participation has grown steadily since the first Workshop was held in Helsinki, Finland, in 1980. Following the successful 2002 conference in Sydney, Australia, the 2004 meeting in Malta will be the first one held in the Mediterranean area!peer-reviewe

Sioux City History, 1980-2002

Review of: Sioux City History, 1980-2002. Poole, Marcia

Sioux City History, 1980-2002

Review of: Sioux City History, 1980-2002. Poole, Marcia