5 research outputs found

    Eine kritische Analyse an deutschen Hochschulen vorherrschender Einführungen in die Mikro- und Makroökonomie und plural-heterodoxe Alternativlehrbücher

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    In dieser Studie werden vorherrschende mikro- und makroökonomische Lehrbücher an deutschen Hochschulen anhand der exemplarischen Beispiele der Einführungen Varians und Blanchard/Illings texthermeneutisch und nach vorheriger Entwicklung eines Kriterienkatalogs zum Mainstream und zur Heterodoxie untersucht. Mikroökonomische Lehrbücher folgen strikt dem neoklassischen Bausteinkasten, ergänzt durch ein ständiges Lob der unklar definierten 'Konkurrenzwirtschaft'. Im Bereich der Makroökonomie wird einzig der New Economic Consensus (IS-LM-Modell, Phillipskurve, 'natürliche' Arbeitslosigkeit, die ‚lange Frist͚) in einer recht marktliberalen Variante als neue makroökonomische Synthese vorgestellt, ökologische, post-keynesianische, sozioökonomische u.a. Ansätze werden ausgeklammert. Nach wie vor gilt auch für den Finanzsektor mit leichten Einschränkungen die Effizienzmarkthypothese und den 'unabhängigen' Zentralbanken wird in Kombination mit einer (fiskalpolitischen) Politikineffektivitätsthese eine neue Königsrolle zugewiesen. Es gibt eine ganze Reihe plural-heterodoxer Lehrbücher, die den vorherrschenden Kanon und andere Denkschulen vorstellen und den Studierenden die Bildung eigenständiger Urteile ermöglichen.In this study, prevailing micro- and macroeconomic textbooks at German universities and colleges are examined hermeneutically, using the examples of the introductions of Varian and Blanchard/Illing and applying a list of criteria for mainstream and heterodox economics. Micro-economic textbooks strictly follow the neoclassical building blocks, complemented by a frequent praise of the vaguely defined 'competitive economy'. With regard to macroeconomics, only the New Economic Consensus (IS-LM model, Phillips curve, 'natural' unemployment, the 'long-run period' etc.) is presented in a quite liberal market version and as the new macroeconomic synthesis. Aspects of ecological, postkeynesian, socio-economic and other schools of thought are excluded. The efficient market hypothesis continues to apply also to the financial sector with some minor relativization and, in combination with a (fiscal) policy ineffectiveness thesis, a new royal role for ͚independent͛ central banks. There are a number of plural-heterodox textbooks that introduce the prevailing canon and other schools of thought, and enable students to form independent judgments

    PolInSAR Signatures of Alpine Snow

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    Snow cover appears as a key indicator in climate change, and the ability to remotely measure the physical properties of snow is of vital importance. Current model-based approaches used to interpret satellite and airborne data need much stronger experimental confirmation. PolInSAR is a promising emerging technique for the measurement of snow depth. It exploits the polarisation dependence of scattering mechanisms to estimate scattering phase centre heights, which can be extrapolated to retrieve snow depth. Both modelling work and previous experimental campaigns indicate that the X and Ku-bands are particularly suited for retrieving the physical properties of a snow pack as they are sensitive to both the surface and volume characteristics. However, no comprehensive assessment of the operational potential and limitations of PolInSAR are yet available for snow. This work investigates the conditions under which PolInSAR produces accurate results with respect to snow parameters such as structural features and metamorphic state, as well as technical sensor specifications. A field study of the PolInSAR X- and Ku-band response of alpine snow was carried out with the UK’s Ground-Based SAR (GBSAR) system in a measurement campaign in the Austrian Alps during early 2007. Complementary detailed snow state and structural parameters were also recorded, as well as environmental meteorological data. A brief outline of the experimental technique is presented, and an example of an interferometric product

    The European gravity field and steady-state ocean circulation explorer satellite mission: its impact on geophysics

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    Current knowledge of the Earth’s gravity field and its geoid, as derived from various observing techniques and sources, is incomplete. Within a reasonable time, substantial improvement will come by exploiting new approaches based on spaceborne gravity observation. Among these, the European Space Agency (ESA) Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) satellite mission concept has been conceived and designed taking into account multi-disciplinary research objectives in solid Earth physics, oceanography and geodesy. Based on the unique capability of a gravity gradiometer combined with satellite-to-satellite high-low tracking techniques, an accurate and detailed global model of the Earth’s gravity field and its corresponding geoid will be recovered. The importance of this is demonstrated by a series of realistic simulation experiments. In particular, the quantitative impact of the new and accurate gravity field and geoid is examined in studies of tectonic composition and motion, Glaciological Isostatic Adjustment, ocean mesoscale variability, water mass transport, and unification of height systems. Improved knowledge in each of these fields will also ensure the accumulation of new understanding of past and present sea-level changes

    The roadmap for a GMES operational oceanography mission

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    Oceans cover approximately 70% of the Earth's surface and, with about 60% of the World's population living within 200 km of the coast, they have an untold impact on all of us. Not surprisingly, for people living close to the coast or those who depend on the ocean for their livelihood, regular forecasts of ocean conditions are just as important as traditional weather forecasts. Therefore, development of the infrastructure needed to support and sustain independent, European operational ocean forecasting, and the associated coastal and marine information services, are key priorities of the joint Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) initiative by the European Commission and ESA
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