On the causes of economic growth in Europe: why did agricultural labour productivity not converge between 1950 and 2005?

The objective of this study is to make a further contribution to the debate on the causes of economic growth in the European Continent. It explains why agricultural labour productivity differences did not converge between 1950 and 2005 in Europe. We propose an econometric model, one combining both proximate and fundamental causes of economic growth. The results show that the continuous exit of labour power from the sector, coupled with the increased use of productive factors originating in other sectors of the economy, caused the efficiency of agricultural workers to rise. However, we offer a complete explanation of the role played by institutions and geographical factors. Thus, we detect a direct and inverse relation between membership of the EU and the Communist bloc and the productivity of agricultural labour. In addition, strong support for agriculture affected productivity negatively

La política del sacrificio: símbolos y mitos en el movimiento por la paz con justicia y dignidad de Javier Sicilia

This article aims to analyze the effectiveness of the Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity (MPJD) led by Javier Sicilia in the first years of this decade. Much of its impact was due to its original meaning frame and the meaningful expressive actions that it displayed; especially ritual performances enhanced by the interpellation of victims and audiences’ sufferings, evoking ancient and powerful symbols and myths of the universal, Catholic and national traditions. Among these meanings the symbol of spilled blood and the sacrifice myth were highlighted, suggesting that a moral compensation for the pains suffered is deserved. The explanatory capacity of several concepts was tested, in order to confirm the crucial importance that meaning frames have in social movements and political strugglesEste artículo se propone analizar la efectividad que tuvo el Movimiento por la Paz con Justicia y Dignidad (MPJD) que lideró Javier Sicilia en los primeros años de esta década. Concluye que su gran impacto se debió al original marco de sentido que asumió el movimiento y a las acciones expresivas de sentido que desplegó; sobre todo performances rituales potenciados por la interpelación al sufrimiento de las víctimas y las audiencias, evocando antiguos y poderosos símbolos y mitos de la tradición universal, católica y nacional. Destacaron el símbolo de la sangre derramada y el mito del sacrificio, que sugieren el merecimiento de una compensación moral por los sufrimientos padecidos. Por otra parte, pudo confirmarse la capacidad explicativa de los símbolos y los mitos incorporados al marco de sentido, para la intelección de los movimientos sociales y la lucha política en general