Five things we need to know about the on-demand economy. CEPS Essay No. 21/8 January 2016

The last few years have witnessed the exponential growth of platforms like Uber and Airbnb and the creation of countless other less well-known examples. The expansion of the on-demand economy puts huge pressure on regulators to adapt it to the existing frameworks for labour and taxation. The rapid growth of the sector also divides experts: it is seen by many as threat for working conditions, and by others as an incredible opportunity. The purpose of this essay is to take a balanced perspective on what we know about the on-demand economy and what needs further investigation. More research is needed on the individual cases before one can draw conclusions on how this new sector works. The political economy of the sector is made even more interesting by the fact that the technology is developing faster than the regulation. Yet, our plea to policy-makers is to refrain from legislating too early and to take the time to understand how the supply and the demand of these services behave and their equilibrium.

Constructing, Creating and Contesting Cityscapes. A Socio-Anthropological Approach to Urban Transformation in Southern Xinjiang, People’s Republic of China

This manuscript is based on a PhD thesis submitted at the Institute of Social Anthropology at the University of Bern in 2014. The dissertation was part of the research project „Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Chinese Territoriality. The Development of Infrastructure and Han Migration into the Region“ under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Heinzpeter Znoj and financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation SNSF. Madlen Kobi analyzes the architectural and socio-political transformation of public places and spaces in rapidly urbanizing southern Xinjiang, P.R. China, and in doing so pays particular attention to the cities of Aksu and Kaxgar. As the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region lies in between China and Central Asia, it is especially characterized by differing political, cultural, and religious influences, and, furthermore, due to its being a multiethnic region, by multiple identities. One might expect cultural and social identities in this area to be negotiated by referring to history, religion, or food. However, they also become visible by the construction and reconstruction, if not demolition, of public places, architectural landmarks, and private residences. Based on ethnographic fieldwork performed in 2011 and 2012, the study explores everyday life in a continuously transforming urban environment shaped by the interaction of the interests of government institutions, investment companies, the middle class, and migrant workers, among many other actors. Here, urban planning, modernization, and renewal form a highly sensitive lens through which the author inspects the tense dynamics of ethnic, religious, and class-based affiliations. She respects varieties and complexities while thoroughly grounding unfolding transformation processes in everyday lived experiences. The study provides vivid insights into how urban places and spaces in this western border region of China are constructed, created, and eventually contested.

Sermons on practical subjects: to which is added, a farewell discourse, delivered at Paisley in April and May 1768.

Mode of access: Internet.

Suh-ki-li-lih-kiu : the suhṛillekha or 'friendly letter' addressed to King Sadvaha /

Text in English and Chinese, notes in English.

The itinerary of John Leland in or about the years 1535-1543, parts I to [XI]

"Comparative table of the MSS. and editions": v. 1, p. [xxxvi]

The life of Benjamin West (1816-1820) A facsimile reproduction

Reproduction of copies in Ohio State University and Yale University Library, with title pages reading: [pt.] 1, The life, studies, and works of Benjamin West, Esq., composed from materials furnished by himself. London, Printed for T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1820; pt. 2, The life and works of Benjamin West, Esq., subsequent to his arrival in this country. London, Printed for T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1820.

Handy guide to premium rates, applications and policies of American life insurance companies.

Description based on: 17th (1908).

Regola data da Sant'Agostino alle monache.

Acquisition made accessible thanks to a 2015-2017 grant from the Council on Libraries and Information Resources.

Cato's letters, or, Essays on liberty, civil and religious, and other important subjects /

Mode of access: Internet.

A serious call to a devout and holy life : adapted to all orders of Christians /

Includes index.

A serious call to a devout and holy life: adapted to the state and condition of all orders of Christians /

Printed for the trustees of Phillips Academy.

A serious call to a devout and holy life : adapted to the state and condition of all orders of Christians, to which is added some account of the author and three letters to a friend /

Mode of access: Internet.

A calm inquiry into the Scripture doctrine concerning the person of Christ : to which are annexed a brief review of the controversy between Bishop Horsley and Dr. Priestley and a summary of the various opinions entertained by Christians upon this subject /

Mode of access: Internet.

Observations on several parts of Great Britain, particularly the High-lands of Scotland, relative chiefly to picturesque beauty, made in the year 1776 /

Mode of access: Internet.

The prose works of Jonathan Swift /

Includes index.