Post-capitalist property

When writing about property and property rights in his imagined post-capitalist society of the future, Marx seemed to envisage ‘individual property’ co-existing with ‘socialized property’ in the means of production. As the social and political consequences of faltering growth and increasing inequality, debt and insecurity gradually manifest themselves, and with automation and artificial intelligence lurking in the wings, the future of capitalism, at least in its current form, looks increasingly uncertain. With this, the question of what property and property rights might look like in the future, in a potentially post-capitalist society, is becoming ever more pertinent. Is the choice simply between private property and markets, and public (state-owned) property and planning? Or can individual and social property in the (same) means of production co-exist, as Marx suggested? This paper explores ways in which they might, through an examination of the Chinese household responsibility system (HRS) and the ‘fuzzy’ and seemingly confusing regime of land ownership that it instituted. It examines the HRS against the backdrop of Marx’s ideas about property and subsequent (post-Marx) theorizing about the legal nature of property in which property has come widely to be conceptualized not as a single, unitary ‘ownership’ right to a thing (or, indeed, as the thing itself) but as a ‘bundle of rights’. The bundle-of-rights idea of property, it suggests, enables us to see not only that ‘individual’ and ‘socialized’ property’ in the (same) means of production might indeed co-exist, but that the range of institutional possibility is far greater than that between capitalism and socialism/communism as traditionally conceived

Risk of perinatal death associated with labor after previous cesarean delivery in uncomplicated term pregnancies

Context: Trial of labor after previous cesarean delivery is associated with increased risk of uterine rupture. However, no reliable data exist on the effect of a trial of labor on the risk of perinatal death in otherwise uncomplicated term pregnancies. Objective: To determine the risk of intrapartum stillbirth or neonatal death not related to congenital abnormality among women with uncomplicated term pregnancies who had a trial of labor after previous cesarean delivery, compared with women having a planned repeat cesarean delivery, and multiparous and nulliparous women at term not delivered by planned cesarean method. Design and Setting: Population-based, retrospective cohort study of data from the linked Scottish Morbidity Record and Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Enquiry encompassing births in Scotland between January 1, 1992, and December 31, 1997 Population A total of 313 238 singleton births between 37 and 43 weeks' gestational age in which the fetus was in a cephalic presentation. Main Outcome Measure: Delivery-related perinatal death, defined as intrapartum stillbirth or neonatal death unrelated to congenital anomaly, compared among the 4 groups. Results: Among women who had a trial of labor following previous cesarean delivery (n =15515), the overall rate of delivery-related perinatal death was 12.9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.9-19.9) per 10000 women. This was approximately 11 times greater (odds ratio [OR], 11.6; 95% CI, 1.6-86.7) than the risk associated with planned repeat cesarean delivery (n=9014), more than twice (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.5) the risk associated with other multiparous women in labor (n = 151549), and similar to the risk among nulliparous women in labor (n=137160; OR 1.3; 95% CI 0.8-2.1) The associations were not explained by differences in maternal height, smoking status so, cioeconomic status, age, fetal growth, or week of gestation at delivery. Among women having a trial of labor, the rate of death due to mechanical causes, including uterine rupture, was 4.5 (95% CI, 1.8-9.3) per 10000 women. This was more than 8 times greater than other multiparous women (OR, 8.5; 95% CI, 3.2-22.3) and nulliparous women (OR, 8.8; 95% CI, 3.2-24.2). Conclusions: The absolute risk of perinatal death associated with trial of labor following previous cesarean delivery is low. However, in our study, the risk was significantly higher than that associated with planned repeat cesarean delivery, and there was a marked excess of deaths due to uterine rupture compared with other women in labor

Maternal risk of ischemic heart disease following elective and spontaneous preterm delivery: retrospective cohort study of 750,350 singleton pregnancies

<p>A number of studies have demonstrated an association between preterm delivery and maternal risk of subsequent ischemic heart disease (IHD). The mechanism underlying this association is unknown, and it is also unknown whether the association is specific to either elective or spontaneous preterm delivery. Placental dysfunction (preeclampsia or intrauterine growth restriction) is an important risk factor for elective preterm delivery. Spontaneous preterm delivery has other causes and is frequently idiopathic.</p> <p>This retrospective study was designed to determine whether the risk for development of IHD after preterm delivery is specific for either elective or spontaneous delivery. Data for deliveries between 1969 and 2007 were obtained by linking 3 nationwide databases: Scottish Morbidity Record 2 (providing data on acute hospital admissions), Scottish Morbidity Record 1 (providing data on all pregnancies), and Scotland's Registrar General (providing data from all death certificates). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine associations between premature delivery and IHD deaths and events (fatal and nonfatal IHD). The study population comprised 750,350 women who delivered a live, singleton infant after their first pregnancy. All women in the cohort were between 35 and 65 years of age at either the time of their first IHD event or at the end of follow-up.</p> <p>Multivariate Cox analysis showed independent associations between preterm delivery and IHD death (hazards ratio, 2.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.88–2.71) and total IHD events (hazards ratio, 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.47–1.71). Greater associations were found for elective versus spontaneous preterm delivery (P = 0.005). There was evidence of an age-related interaction: a trend was observed for increasing association between preterm births and IHD events with decreasing age at first IHD event.</p> <p>These findings demonstrate a stronger relationship between elective preterm delivery and IHD than spontaneous preterm delivery and IHD. The age trend suggests an underlying genetic predisposition to IHD and placental dysfunction in premature delivery.</p&gt

Association between preterm delivery and subsequent C-reactive protein: a retrospective cohort study

<p><b>Objective:</b> We sought to determine whether giving birth preterm is associated with raised maternal C-reactive protein (CRP) in later life and whether the association is specific to indicated or spontaneous delivery.</p> <p><b>Study Design:</b> This was a Scotland-wide retrospective cohort study of 1124 women who had a first pregnancy resulting in a singleton, liveborn infant delivered between 24-43 weeks' gestation. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the association between preterm delivery and subsequent CRP concentration.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> The difference in CRP between women who delivered term and preterm was nonsignificant on univariate analysis (beta coefficient 0.04, P = .18) but was statistically significant following adjustment for potential confounders (beta coefficient 0.05, P < .05). On subgroup analysis the association was specific to women who had had indicated preterm delivery (unadjusted beta coefficient 0.09, P < .01; adjusted beta coefficient 0.09, P < .01). </p> <p><b>Conclusion:</b> Women who undergo indicated preterm delivery are at increased risk of raised CRP in later life.</p&gt

Meta-analysis of the association between preterm delivery and intelligence

<p>Background An increasing proportion of infants are born preterm, and their survival has improved. Therefore, their long-term sequelae</p> <p>Methods We conducted a systematic review covering a 30 year period (1980–2009). A random effects meta-analysis provided a pooled estimate of the difference in IQ score between individuals born preterm and term. Small-study bias was examined using a funnel plot and Egger's test, and meta-regression was used to investigate possible causes of heterogeneity. Cumulative meta-analysis was used to determine if the magnitude of the association had changed over time.</p> <p>Results The 27 eligible studies covered 7044 individuals; 3504 (50%) delivered preterm and 3540 (50%) at term. They provided 37 estimates of difference in IQ. All demonstrated a reduced IQ among those delivered preterm and all but four reached statistical significance. Overall, IQ score was 11.94 (95% CI: 10.47–13.42, P < 0.001) points lower among children born preterm. There was moderate heterogeneity (overall I2 74.2%, P < 0.001), but no significant small-study bias (P = 0.524). The association between preterm delivery and IQ did not change significantly over time. There was a statistically significant, linear association across the gestational age range (adjusted coefficient: −0.91, 95% CI: −1.64, −0.17, P = 0.018).</p> <p>Conclusions There is a strong and consistent body of evidence suggesting an association between preterm delivery and reduced IQ, with evidence of a dose–response relationship with gestational age.</p&gt

Advanced maternal age and the risk of perinatal death due to intrapartum anoxia at term

<b>Background</b> Advanced maternal age is associated with higher risks of intrapartum complications. However, the effect of maternal age on the risk of perinatal death due to these complications is unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between maternal age and delivery-related perinatal death at term.<br></br> <b>Methods</b> In this retrospective cohort study, birth records of 1 043 002 singleton term infants with cephalic presentation were analysed excluding anomalous and antepartum losses in Scotland between 1985 and 2004. Linked Scottish national registries of pregnancy outcome data and perinatal death data were used. The event was delivery-related perinatal death (ie, intrauterine fetal death during labour or death of the infant in the first 4 weeks of life), plus a subgroup ascribed to intrapartum anoxia.<br></br> <b>Results</b> There were 803 delivery-related perinatal deaths, with 490 due to intrapartum anoxia (4.7 per 10 000 births) and 313 (3.0 per 10 000 births) due to non-anoxic causes. Compared to women aged 25–34, women aged 40 and above had a twofold risk of delivery-related perinatal death at term (adjusted OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.42 to 3.40). The excess was explained by increased risk of death due to intrapartum anoxia. Among women in labour at term, age greater than 40 was independently associated with risk of anoxic death among primiparous (adjusted OR 5.34, 95% CI 2.34 to 12.20) and multiparous women (adjusted OR 2.14, 95% CI 0.99 to 4.60).<br></br> <b>Conclusions</b> Advanced maternal age is associated with an increased risk of death due to intrapartum anoxi at term

Age at menarche and the risk of operative delivery

ACLInternational audienc

Obstetric factors and different causes of special educational need: retrospective cohort study of 407 503 schoolchildren

Objective To determine whether relationships with gestational age and birthweight centile vary between specific causes of special educational need (SEN). Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Scotland. Population A cohort of 407 503 schoolchildren. Methods Polytomous logistic regression was used to examine the risk of each cause of SEN across the spectrum of gestation at delivery and birthweight centile, adjusting for potential confounding factors. Main outcome measures Crude and adjusted odds ratios and confidence intervals. Results Of the 19 821 children with SEN, 557 (2.8%) had sensory impairments, 812 (4.1%) had physical or motor disabilities, 876 (4.4%) had language impairments, 2823 (14.2%) had social, emotional, or behavioural problems, 7018 (35.4%) had intellectual disabilities, 4404 (22.2%) had specific learning difficulties, and 1684 (8.5%) autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Extreme preterm delivery (at 24–27 weeks of gestation) was a strong predictor of sensory (adjusted OR 23.64, 95% CI 12.03–46.45), physical or motor (adjusted OR 29.69, 95% CI 17.49–50.40), and intellectual (adjusted OR 11.67, 95% CI 8.46–16.10) impairments, with dose relationships across the range of gestation. Similarly, birthweight below the third centile was associated with sensory (adjusted OR 2.85, 95% CI 2.04–3.99), physical or motor (adjusted OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.82–3.37), and intellectual (adjusted OR 2.67, 95% CI 2.41–2.96) impairments. Together, gestation and birthweight centile accounted for 24.0% of SEN arising from sensory impairment, 34.3% arising from physical or motor disabilities, and 26.6% arising from intellectual disabilities. Obstetric factors were less strongly associated with specific learning difficulties and social or emotional problems, and there were no significant associations with ASD. Conclusions The association between gestation and birthweight centile and overall risk of SEN is largely driven by very strong associations with sensory, physical or motor impairments, and intellectual impairments