Ist Deutschland ein sicheres Aufnahmeland? Überlegungen zur Norm der Integration, der (fehlenden) sozialen Infrastruktur dafür und populistischer Politik

In diesem Beitrag wird der Begriff "Integration" kritisiert und auch, dass es an sozialer Infrastruktur fehlt, um die offiziell als notwendig behauptete Förderung zur Integration angemessen umsetzen zu können. An konkreten Materialien aus politischen Statements sowie alltäglichen Praktiken wird gezeigt, dass die Norm der Integration auf identitätspolitischen Kategorisierungen beruht, die notwendig mit sozialer Ausschließung verbunden sind. Für die theoretische Analyse wird vorgeschlagen, über "Populismus" nachzudenken

Reading in the kindergarten

This study examines the effectiveness of implementing a formal reading program in the Kindergarten. Past and present reading instruction methods were reviewed. Benefits, as well as problems, associated with such implementation and instruction were discussed and conclusions were drawn from the literature. Guidelines and recommendations for implementing various approaches to the teaching of reading in the Kindergarten were outlined

Der Fortschritt der Kritischen Theorie

Critical Theory in the 1940s contributed a significant modification of the classic idea of ‚progress‘ by arguing that development of the means of production implies development of the means of domination at the same time. This does not (against Habermas) necessarily lead into hopeless historical pessimism, but to a minimalist idea of progress: avoid the self-destruction of humanity and stop hunger and fear. The potential of the other radical implication of Critical Theory, namely that progress = liberation cannot necessarily be expected from a new mode of production. That there can be new modes of production inside a capitalist structure, is not fully realized by Horkheimer/Adorno due to their limited model of the development of capitalism: from „liberalism“ to „monopoly capitalism“. Post-war developments had to be „explained away“ as new forms of domination of the same old capitalism. Assuming that capitalism moved through the phases of Industrialism to Fordism to Neo-liberalism provides a better framework for Critical Theory and its idea of ‚progress‘.Critical Theory in the 1940s contributed a significant modification of the classic idea of ‚progress‘ by arguing that development of the means of production implies development of the means of domination at the same time. This does not (against Habermas) necessarily lead into hopeless historical pessimism, but to a minimalist idea of progress: avoid the self-destruction of humanity and stop hunger and fear. The potential of the other radical implication of Critical Theory, namely that progress = liberation cannot necessarily be expected from a new mode of production. That there can be new modes of production inside a capitalist structure, is not fully realized by Horkheimer/Adorno due to their limited model of the development of capitalism: from „liberalism“ to „monopoly capitalism“. Post-war developments had to be „explained away“ as new forms of domination of the same old capitalism. Assuming that capitalism moved through the phases of Industrialism to Fordism to Neo-liberalism provides a better framework for Critical Theory and its idea of ‚progress‘

Statuskämpfe der Wissensgesellschaft: Die Nutznießer und die Ausgeschlossenen

"Die Behauptung, Wissen sei zur entscheidenden Produktivkraft geworden, impliziert: Körperliche Arbeit ist das nicht mehr. Mit der Diagnose 'Wissensgesellschaft' stellen die Besitzer von Wissen einen Anspruch auf besondere Beachtlichkeit auf - so wie das im 19. Jahrhundert mit der Aufwertung der körperlichen Arbeit geschehen ist, die bis dahin als Fluch und verächtlich gegolten hatte. Die Arbeiterbewegung hatte auch das Ziel, körperliche Arbeit vom Stigma von Dreck und Minderwertigkeit zu befreien. Erreicht wurde das erst im 20. Jahrhundert. An dessen Ende war es damit schon wieder vorbei: Wer heute, in der 'Wissensgesellschaft', nicht über Bildungszertifikate verfügt, wird als hoffnungslos abgewertet. Die einstigen Helden der Arbeit haben in ihr schlechte Karten. Der Begriff 'Wissensgesellschaft' ist selbst ein Instrument der Status-Konkurrenz. Die Autoren beschreiben die mit 'Wissensgesellschaft' verbundenen Statuskämpfe mit Hilfe von drei Materialien: aus dem, was in Theorien der 'Wissensgesellschaft' heute von den hoch gebildeten Exponenten dieser Gesellschaftsdiagnose über diejenigen ausgesagt wird, deren Ausbildungsqualifikation nicht so hoch ist; aus den Ergebnissen einer empirischen Erhebung zur Bedeutung von 'Wissensgesellschaft' bei Leuten mit Abitur und solchen, die über geringe Bildungsabschlüsse verfügen; schließlich aus einem theoriegeschichtlichen Vergleich der Bedeutungen von 'Wissensgesellschaft' in der Soziologie der sechziger und siebziger Jahre ('Wissensgesellschaft I') und heute ('Wissensgesellschaft II'). Abschließend wird es darum gehen, einige Widersprüche der Wissensgesellschaft aufzuzeigen." (Textauszug

Action plan for deriving dynamic RES-E policies

The core objective of this project is to facilitate a continuous and significant increase in the share of RESE with minimal costs to European citizen. To identify the most important strategies (e.g. Tradable Green Certificates, Feed-In Tariffs, Investment Subsidies, Emissions Trading, CO2-taxes) in a dynamic way the computer-based toolbox Green-X has been developed. Although within the scope of this project it has not been feasible to investigate all possible issues within this field, the cases analysed cover not only the needs and opportunities at the level of the national Member States, but also those at the level ofthe EU. However, the most important ones have been treated thoroughly. This report, which is the final outcome from the Green-X project (Contract No: ENG2-CT-2002- 00607), with funding from the European Commission, DG Research, provides recommendations on the way forward for the promotion of renewable energy for electricity generation in the EU. It is addressed primarily to energy policy maker, as well as to other people interested in renewable energy and energy policy

Patient- and population-level health consequences of discontinuing antiretroviral therapy in settings with inadequate HIV treatment availability

Background In resource-limited settings, HIV budgets are flattening or decreasing. A policy of discontinuing antiretroviral therapy (ART) after HIV treatment failure was modeled to highlight trade-offs among competing policy goals of optimizing individual and population health outcomes. Methods In settings with two available ART regimens, we assessed two strategies: (1) continue ART after second-line failure (Status Quo) and (2) discontinue ART after second-line failure (Alternative). A computer model simulated outcomes for a single cohort of newly detected, HIV-infected individuals. Projections were fed into a population-level model allowing multiple cohorts to compete for ART with constraints on treatment capacity. In the Alternative strategy, discontinuation of second-line ART occurred upon detection of antiretroviral failure, specified by WHO guidelines. Those discontinuing failed ART experienced an increased risk of AIDS-related mortality compared to those continuing ART. Results At the population level, the Alternative strategy increased the mean number initiating ART annually by 1,100 individuals (+18.7%) to 6,980 compared to the Status Quo. More individuals initiating ART under the Alternative strategy increased total life-years by 15,000 (+2.8%) to 555,000, compared to the Status Quo. Although more individuals received treatment under the Alternative strategy, life expectancy for those treated decreased by 0.7 years (−8.0%) to 8.1 years compared to the Status Quo. In a cohort of treated patients only, 600 more individuals (+27.1%) died by 5 years under the Alternative strategy compared to the Status Quo. Results were sensitive to the timing of detection of ART failure, number of ART regimens, and treatment capacity. Although we believe the results robust in the short-term, this analysis reflects settings where HIV case detection occurs late in the disease course and treatment capacity and the incidence of newly detected patients are stable. Conclusions In settings with inadequate HIV treatment availability, trade-offs emerge between maximizing outcomes for individual patients already on treatment and ensuring access to treatment for all people who may benefit. While individuals may derive some benefit from ART even after virologic failure, the aggregate public health benefit is maximized by providing effective therapy to the greatest number of people. These trade-offs should be explicit and transparent in antiretroviral policy decisions