Material Flow Accounting in Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru (1980-2000)

In this paper we compare the resource flows of Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru between 1980 and 2000. In this time span, the domestic extraction of materials increased in the four countries, mainly due to the mining sector in Chile and Peru, biomass and oil in Ecuador and construction minerals in Mexico. Imports and exports increased too, due to the increasing integration in the international markets, prompted by the liberalization policies undertaken by the four countries between the late 1970s and the late 1990s. The four countries had a negative physical trade balance for most of the period analyzed, meaning that their exports exceeded their imports in terms of weight. However, the increase of imports reduced the physical deficit in Chile, Mexico and Peru. Ecuador’s physical deficit was the highest and did not decrease in the period analyzed. Also, a diversification of exports away from bulk commodities could be observed in Chile and Mexico, and to a lesser extent in Peru, whereas in Ecuador the export sector remained mainly based on oil and biomass. More research is needed to explore the environmental effects of this phenomenon. Also, the indirect flows associated to the direct physical flows deserve to be subject to further analysis.

Is there really a backlash against multiculturalism policies? New evidence from the multiculturalism policy index

In much of the western world, and particularly in Europe, there is a widespread perception that multiculturalism has ‘failed’ and that governments who once embraced a multicultural approach to diversity are turning away, adopting a strong emphasis on civic integration. This reaction, we are told, “reflects a seismic shift not just in the Netherlands, but in other European countries as well” (JOPPKE 2007). This paper challenges this view. Drawing on an updated version of the Multiculturalism Policy Index introduced earlier (BANTING and KYMLICKA 2006), the paper presents an index of the strength of multicultural policies for European countries and several traditional countries of immigration at three points in time (1980, 2000 and 2010). The results paint a different picture of contemporary experience in Europe. While a small number of countries, including most notably the Netherlands, have weakened established multicultural policies during the 2000s, such a shift is the exception. Most countries that adopted multicultural approaches in the later part of the twentieth century have maintained their programs in the first decade of the new century; and a significant number of countries have added new ones. In much of Europe, multicultural policies are not in general retreat. As a result, the turn to civic integration is often being layered on top of existing multicultural programs, leading to a blended approach to diversity. The paper reflects on the compatibility of multiculturalism policies and civic integration, arguing that more liberal forms of civic integration can be combined with multiculturalism but that more illiberal or coercive forms are incompatible with a multicultural approach.

Hypothesis on immigration and welfare

The number of hypothesis trying to explain which are the reasons behind the decision to migrate to work into a developed country are diverse and at the same time, difficult to test due to the multiplicity of factors which affect it. This papers attempts to move forward trying to disentangle which are the socio-economic factors that explain the differences in the figures of immigrants in the OECD countries. We show empirical evidence about the determinants of the migratory flows to 17 OECD countries from 65 countries in the 1980-2000 period. Our results reveal the importance to differentiate the inflows composition by at least income in the origin countries. Thus, regarding inflows from non-high-income countries, the results suggest that there is a pull effect from monetary and not real income, and then, the welfare magnets hypothesis should be rejected. This group reacts more to the migratory policy than the inflows coming from high-income countries, although those policies designed to slow down the inflows have not been able, in the aggregate, to reduce them.

Does human capital stimulate investment in physical capital?: Evidence from a cost system framework

The direct effect of human capital on economic growth has been widely analysed in the economic literature. This paper, however, focuses on its indirect effect as a stimulus for private investment in physical capital. The methodological framework used is the duality theory, estimating a cost system aggregated with human capital. Empirical evidence is given for Spain for the period 1980-2000. We provide evidence on the indirect effect of human capital in making private capital investment more attractive. Among the main explanations forthis process, we observe that higher worker skill levels enable higher returns to be extracted from investment in physical capital.

Does human capital stimulate investment in physical capital? Evidence from a cost system framework

The direct effect of human capital on economic growth has been widely analysed in the economic literature. This paper, however, focuses on its indirect effect as a stimulus for private investment in physical capital. The methodological framework used is the duality theory, estimating a cost system aggregated with human capital. Empirical evidence is given for Spain for the period 1980-2000. We provide evidence on the indirect effect of human capital in making private capital investment more attractive. Among the main explanations for this process, we observe that higher worker skill levels enable higher returns to be extracted from investment in physical capital.

Viatge al Marroc de la Secció de Geografia de la Universitat de Girona, 24-30 d'abril de 2000

A group of teachers and students of the Geography Unit of the University of Girona conducted a field trip in a part of Northern Morocco, which once belonged to the Spanish Protectorate. The visit took place between 24th and 30th April 2000. Some teachers of the University of Tetouan accompanied the group and offered comprehensive geographical explanations of the area, including physical, social and economic aspects

La Xina del segle XXI (2000-2007): El projecte de Hu Jintao d’una “societat harmònica” amb un “sistema de valors essencials socialista

L’objectiu de la recerca és, mitjançant l’anàlisi dels documents de treball elaborats en el període 2000-2007 pel Govern xinès, aïllar elements ideòlogics per poder respondre a la qüestió de si el pensament tradicional xinès és prou rellevant en les propostes polítiques i en l’activitat de la quarta generació de dirigents comunistes com perquè els principis confucians es puguin considerar peça essencial del pla integral del PCX de “construir el socialisme amb característiques xineses”, dins del qual, el compromís del president Hu Jintao de “construir una societat harmònica socialista” ha adquirit el rang més alt en la jerarquia de principis estratègics.

L'Evolució recent del paisatge a l'Alt Empordà a partir de l'anàlisi en els canvis d'usos i cobertes del sòl (1950-2000)

L'objectiu d’aquesta comunicació és fer una síntesi del treball de recerca “Processos de canvi ambiental recent a les àrees rurals mediterrànies” realitzat per un equip d’investigadors de la Universitat de Girona i de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona entre els anys 1997 i 2000. El treball fou publicat l’any 2002 per la Càtedra de Geografia i Pensament Territorial i l’Institut de Medi Ambient de la Universitat de Girona sota el títol de "Canvis socioambientals a l’Alt Empordà (1950-2000). Natura i història en l’evolució recent del paisatge altempordanès". La seva fita fonamental fou la de proporcionar una explicació detallada del recent canvi socioambiental (1950-2000) a les àrees rurals mediterrànies, prenent com a exemple el gradient muntanya, transició, plana i litoral de la comarca de l’Alt Empordà. En aquesta comunicació es presenta especialment una part d’aquest treball, la dedicada a l’anàlisi dels canvis en els usos i les cobertes del sòl en cada un dels sectors diferenciats a la nostra àrea d’estudi (muntanya, transició, plana i litoral)

Evolució, justificacions i propostes de la gran obra hidràulica a les conques de la Muga i del Fluvià (1850-1980). La irrigació com a protagonista

Als darrers 150 anys, les grans infraestructures hidràuliques, per acció o per omissió, han jugat un paper destacat però força desconegut a les conques hidrogràfiques gironines de la Muga i del Fluvià. Així, s’efectua, a continuació, una reconstrucció retrospectiva i comparada de les propostes de gran obra hidràulica (embassaments, canals complementaris...) que, en aquest període, han estat ideades i en el seu cas executades, a ambdues conques. S’atorgarà una atenció especial a les justificacions, finalitats, discursos i agents socials que han inspirat la seva concepció i les causes que han conduït al seu èxit o al seu fracàs. Tot plegat es contextualitza dins dels plans, les polítiques i la legislació hidràulica estatals. Aquí s’afegirà la influència del proper riu Ter, a partir de la dècada de 1950-59, des del moment en què es decideix l’abastament parcial amb els seus cabals a Barcelona i a la seva zona d’influència

Ressenya de ACADEMIA DE LA LLINGUA ASTURIANA. 'Diccionariu de la llingua asturiana'. Oviedo: Academia 2000.

Poc més d"un any després de publicar la seva Gramática (de 1998, amb una reedició de 1999; vegeu-ne la ressenya a ER XXII [2000], p. 242-244), l"Academia de la Llingua Asturiana publica ara el seu Diccionariu de la llingua asturiana (en endavant DALLA). Amb aquesta publicació, que coincideix amb el vintè aniversari de la creació de l"Academia, fundada el 1980, es fa realitat l"objectiu que s"havia proposat aquesta institució en publicar les Normes ortográfiques i l"esmentada Gramática : el diccionari, junt amb les normes ortogràfiques i la gramàtica normativa, ha de constituir la base de l"asturià modern.