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In the early 20th century Berlin became a flourishing metropolis but in the wake of two lost wars its geopolitical role dramatically decreased. In the second half of the century Berlin found itself in the focal point of geopolitical confrontation both on European and on global level. From 1945 the development of the two zones of the city was determined by different economic and social doctrines. Although the reunification in 1990 opened the path to social integration in Berlin. despite the policy of urban development, the differences caused by the period of dividedness can clearly be observed even today. The paper provides an overview on the ethnic landscape of Berlin, which had strikingly been different in the two parts of the city and has been changing since 1992. Differences existing between the eastern and western part of the city predominantly influence where certain minorities are likely to settle down. The primary intention of the paper is to reveal the characteristics and the ongoing social processes taking place in the last two decades in Berlin. At the same time I would like to point out some possible ways of integration by exploring the relationship between groups of former guest workers and the majority of the society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the end of 2006 the Standing Conference of German Cultural Ministers tasked its Scientific Council (Wissenschaftsrat) with evaluating the German library networks. Work began in mid-2009. The cloing report "Recommendations on the future of library network systems in Germany" was published on January 28, 2011. The experts have explored the regional networks not only on their own, but also as a comprehensive system, at the national level. In the meantime also the Committee for Research Libraries and Information Systems of the German Research Alliance (DFG) dealt with the theme, and published on February 2, 2011 a Position paper to develop library networks as part of a national information infrastructure". These two papers differ only in nuances, but have the same key tone. The two bodies in question published a three page common statement as well, under the title "The future of the library network system". Their overall assessment was extremely critical. In her article professor Heidrun Wiesenmuller of the College for Media, Stuttgart delivers her detailed opinion on these papers and provides recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is devoted to the private and criminal law position of slaves, as part of that, examining some issues of terminology in relation to medieval servitus and then getting to slaves as the subject of legal transactions, transactions entered into by slaves and the nature of peculium, damage caused to alien slaves and the problems of sanctioning crimes committed by slaves. In terms of the view of society depicted in early medieval German laws it is a highly interesting issue, widely disputed in literature, how the position of slaves is reflected in the text of the codes. It is a generally asserted view in literature that in the strict sense of the word slavery (servitus) as an institution can be hardly found among the Germans tribes. This standpoint goes back primarily to the interpretation, or misinterpretation, as the case may be, of Tacitus's Germania. The phrases servus and mancipium are translated in literature consistently by the words Knecht, Höriger or Leibeigener and not by Sklave, that is, by terms that suggest some kind of-and compared to the content of the Antique meaning quite significant-improvement in the position, status of persons in this social standing, a tendency pointing towards acknowledge-ment of their personality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]