Reexamining the Distribution of Wealth in 1870

This paper uses data on real and personal property ownership collected in the 1870 Federal Census to explore factors influencing individual wealth accumulation and the aggregate distribution of wealth in the United States near the middle of the nineteenth century. Previous analyses of these data have relied on relatively small samples, or focused on population subgroups. By using the much larger sample available in the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS) we are able to disaggregate the data much more finely than has previously been possible allowing us to explore differences in inequality across space and between different population groups. The data provide strong support for the hypothesis that American industrialization during the nineteenth century resulted in increasing inequality in the distribution of wealth.

The International Law Exception to the Act of State Doctrine: Redressing Human Rights Abuses in Papua New Guinea

In Sarei v. Rio Tinto, the Ninth Circuit reversed the dismissal of Papua New Guinea residents’ alleged human rights violations and environmental tort claims under customary international law and the Alien Tort Claims Act. The Ninth Circuit decided that jus cogens norms precluded application of the Act of State Doctrine. The United States Supreme Court in Banco Nacional de Cuba v. Sabbatino decided that U.S. courts could apply the Act of State Doctrine, absent an unambiguous and controlling international rule of law, to avoid judging foreign sovereigns’ acts within their own territories. This comment argues that crystallized legal norms that meet Sosa v. Alvarez-Machain’s standard, but have not yet attained jus cogens status, also cannot be barred by the doctrine because they constitute an unambiguous rule of law. Furthermore, courts violate separation of powers principles when they choose not to resolve properly presented claims on the merits because judicial resolution potentially could interfere with the political branches’ conduct of foreign relations. The courts do not impermissibly interfere in foreign relations when they apply international law, whether treaty provisions or customary norms, created by the political branches. If judicial resolution is not preferred, the political branches may exercise their constitutional powers to conclude an international agreement that resolves the litigants’ claims. Courts further considering Papua New Guinea residents’ claims under the Alien Tort Claims Act should not apply the Act of State Doctrine where crystallized legal norms exist, because doing so would be contrary to the logic of Sabbatino

Factors influencing wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) home range size in Iowa: A comparison between suburban and rural populations

Home range size, movement patterns, and site fidelity of wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) were compared between a suburban population in Black Hawk County (BH) and a rural population in Butler County (BC), Iowa. Approximately 89% of individuals captured for studies conducted in Iowa during 2014 and 2015 were \u3e14 years old. 45 individuals (22 females, 18 males, and 5 juveniles) were used for radio telemetry surveys in 2014–2015, 24 of which were located in BC, and 21 at BH. Home range size of male and female wood turtles was significantly different at the 100% Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP), 95% MCP, and 50% MCP levels, with male home range significantly larger than females in both populations. Male linear home range (LHR) and stream home range (SHR) was also significantly larger than those of females and juveniles. There was no significant difference in home range sizes between the two populations. Out of the seven criteria analyzed (body mass, carapace length, sex, injury class, total locations, age, and study site), sex had the greatest influence on the size of home range of wood turtles. Wood turtles in Iowa had a high degree of site fidelity and displayed similar home range size between 2014 and 2015. Site fidelity was similar, and not significantly different between sexes, with females having a slightly higher degree of site fidelity. Site fidelity between the populations was nearly identical in 2014 and 2015. Overall, home range size remained fairly consistent at BH over the course of a 5-year period, and at BC over a 10-year time period. Year-to-year fidelity decreased over time in some instances (between 2011 and 2015), while remaining high in others (between 2004 and 2015)

The Marketing and Branding of the Church in America

The objective of my thesis is to examine the church and its efforts to market to the consumer-centric society that is America. In the United States, churches have evolved and changed in many ways since our ancestors came to America. In what we call the “Bible Belt,” the area from Texas to Florida, there is a church on nearly every comer. The question becomes “Is variation a necessity?” One might say that all religions offer the same transaction in that they exchange the meaning of life for some investment by the believer (Twitchell, 2004). My intention is to focus specifically on Christianity in the context of America. There is evidence that in order to solidify good brand equity, there must be a memorable story, but brands do more than tell stories, they create community. What is so interesting to me about Christianity is that there are so many different brands for what is ultimately the same story of Jesus Christ. Through a survey as well as in depth literature review, I address key issues in today’s current church market by analyzing consumer trends and opinions. Apart from my literature review, I conducted in-depth interviews with leaders in different churches and with non-religious people in and around the community of Oxford, Mississippi. This has given me insight into how the local church markets and brands itself to people. The research completed also consisted of a survey that was administered IV electronically that obtained information about how people are affected by the church in various ways.

Stakeholder Perspectives on a Code of Practice with Legislative Status Relating to Flying-Fox Camp Management

Flying-fox camps near human settlements represent a contentious issue that requires management to alleviate the impacts on communities. In New South Wales, land managers undertaking flying-fox camp management actions require a defence to a prosecution for an offence under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 for those activities. During 2018, the New South Wales Government released a draft code of practice for public exhibition, which was proposed to be made under the Biodiversity Conservation Regulation 2017 and thus have legislative status to provide public land managers with an alternative to licensing for undertaking flying-fox camp management actions. During public exhibition, there were 99 public submissions received. The purpose of this paper was to examine stakeholder views on the proposed document and, more broadly, perspectives on flying-fox camp management expressed in public submissions. There were highly polarised views on both flying-foxes and their management and whether a code of practice with legislative status was appropriate for authorising flying-fox camp management actions. The majority of public submissions were not supportive of the draft code of practice, with many referring to the existing licensing framework as a more appropriate regulatory option. There were also concerns that the draft code of practice could potentially result in a marked increase in camp dispersals; however, this did not happen, most likely due to safeguards built into the resulting code of practice. This outcome demonstrates the importance of the public consultation process undertaken