Search

Boosting economic, social and territorial cohesion is a high priority for the European Union. The regional Cohesion Policy is its instrument for achieving this objective, with GDP per capita being the principal criterion for funding allocation. However, social cohesion also embraces a comprehensive range of non-economic features. This paper proposes a composite indicator of GDP per capita adjusted for social progress that incorporates both economic and non-economic issues. Notably, the indicator can account for policymakers' preferences regarding the relative importance assigned to income and social progress. This novel indicator is used to simulate the eligibility status of European Union regions for funding in several policy scenarios. Regions' simulated eligibility is then compared with their current eligibility for the period 2021–2027. Based on that comparison, winner and loser regions are identified, thus providing policymakers in charge of the European Cohesion Policy with an insight into the effect of incorporating social progress into funding allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coopetition is an intrinsic behaviour of tourism destinations that, if well-planned, can be a source of competitive advantages and can lead to the production of social value. The aim of this study is to determine the drivers of social value creation through tourism coopetition. The methodology used exploratory Factor A nalysis and Multiple Regression Analysis with 539 respondents from the city of Areia, Brazil. The results show three groups of variables that contribute to creating social value from tourism: societal behaviour towards a collective mindset, the view of individuals towards the tourism industry, and the context of the local tourism industry. The coopetition framework validated for the corporate world is valid for society and tourism, but more is needed to generate social value. Society needs to develop social awareness and commitment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the dual role played by the publishing industry in inheriting Chinese history and culture and promoting social intervention. The article first reviews the historical evolution of the publishing industry, pointing out that it has been carrying the heavy responsibility of disseminating knowledge and inheriting culture since ancient times. With the changes of the times, while maintaining the traditional essence, the publishing industry actively adapts to the needs of social development and explores new development models. The publishing industry plays a crucial role in inheriting Chinese history and culture. By collecting, organizing, and publishing historical literature, the publishing industry has left rich cultural heritage for future generations and provided valuable materials for historical research. At the same time, the publishing industry also promotes the exchange and integration of Chinese and foreign cultures through translation and introduction. In addition, the publishing industry has also improved the cultural literacy of the public and promoted the popularization and dissemination of culture by popularizing reading materials through publishing culture. The publishing industry also plays an undeniable role in promoting social intervention. As an important component of society, the publishing industry has a strong sense of social responsibility. It attracts widespread attention from society by publishing books, magazines, etc. that reflect social issues. At the same time, the publishing industry also organizes cultural salons, lectures and other activities to invite experts and scholars to conduct in-depth discussions and exchanges on social issues, promoting the resolution of social problems. In addition, the publishing industry also cooperates with government departments, social organizations, and other organizations to jointly promote the development of social public welfare undertakings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The past eras of history were not, most of the times, permissive with the activity and manifestation of women within the society. For various reasons, women were neither helped nor encouraged to participate in large-scale social actions, they did not have access to ancient sports competitions, they were denied education to become painters, writers, philosophers or leaders. Despite all these impediments that intervened in history, women manifested themselves in society with a lot of power, either in literature (Sapho), philosophy (Hypathia) but also in state leadership (as pharaohs, in ancient Egypt). The present work brings to attention the names of great female personalities from ancient but also from recent history, women endowed with exceptional intelligence and character, who contributed to social progress and, above all, demonstrated that women can play an important role, which cannot be ignored in the history of humanity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper delves into the concept of Society 5.0, which envisions a future society integrating advanced technologies with human-centred values to address current social challenges. It emphasizes the importance of aligning advanced technologies with human-centred values and social preferences to ensure the success and sustainability of Society 5.0. We offer comprehensive insights into the complex interplay between social welfare preferences and societal progress, emphasizing the significance of understanding and addressing societal preferences to foster inclusive, sustainable, and efficient societies aligned with the objectives of Society 5.0. The findings provide valuable guidance for policymakers and stakeholders in developing targeted interventions and policies that address critical societal challenges and foster progress across various well-being dimensions. The study emphasizes the importance of considering social preferences in the development of Society 5.0 and highlights the need for a holistic approach that integrates social preferences into the development framework. The study unveils that economic success does not guarantee societal advancement, as the array of social preferences reflecting the diversity of SWP impacts a country’s trajectory towards Society 5.0. By combining theoretical and empirical methodologies, we offer robust qualitative and quantitative insights for crafting optimal policies across different scenarios of individual SWPs and their effects on achieving social progress

The epoch of world revolutions, the epoch of the formation of world ideas (the first half of the 19th century) gave rise to global projects of nationalism and the nation state, socialism and anarchism, emancipation, and public enlightenment, in the formation of which the Masonic 'rulers of thoughts' played an active role. The research paper uncovers the importance of the Masonic movement in the history of Ukraine and shows the contribution of the Masons to the formation of Ukrainian culture and the national idea, enlightenment, and self-organization of society. The purpose of the study is to find answers to the questions: why elite groups of Ukrainian gubernias gathered at the secret lodges in the 19th century, what global and intermediate tasks they set, and which of them they managed to achieve. And most importantly, how the Masonic 'building of the Temple' influenced the processes of formation of the Ukrainian nation. To address this purpose, the authors use a synthetic approach combining the research capabilities of social philosophy, history, and political science. The scientific novelty of the paper. A comprehensive study of the Masonic movement in the territory of Ukrainian gubernias of the Russian Empire has been conducted, extracting the Masonic movement from the historical context imposed by Russian-Soviet historiography. The authors mention Ukrainian Masons in Ukrainian history as 'builders' and 'awakeners' of a new society, where the democratic and national features of Ukraine were taken into account. Conclusions. In the first quarter of the 19th century in Central and Southern Ukraine, the Masons managed to form four centers (Kharkiv, Poltava, Kyiv, and Odesa) in which they not only organized the liberal-minded local elite as an independent 'horizontal structure', but also began 'Masonic creation' - upbringing a new person, a supporter of social progress. A special contribution of Masonic authors to the creation of Ukrainian literature and theater, the first historical studies of Ukrainian history, and Ukrainian autonomist projects took place. Of great interest are the activities of the Masons in Ukraine after their formal 'prohibition' in 1822, and the attempts of Masonic leaders to influence events in Ukrainian gubernias, being 'in the shadows', in the rigid system of barracks imperialism of the 'Nicholas era'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development of countries necessitates parallel enhancements of societal wellbeing and reductions of environmental impacts. To track how countries perform to achieve these twin objectives, we introduce and calculate a novel metric called the Just Transition Score (JTS) that aims to assess countries' relative sustainability of social progress. Based on the content of environmental impacts per unit of progress, we calculate the JTS for 161 countries from 2011 to 2019. Additionally, we break down the aggregate indicator into two main components, namely the Carbon Just Transition Score, and the Material Just Transition Score. The results show significant disparities across countries both in terms of the overall JTS and its components. Countries with the best JTS performance, such as Portugal, Spain, and Costa Rica achieve the most sustainable social progress, while countries with the lowest JTS scores either fall short on social progress (the poorest countries) or create high environmental damage (such as the Gulf countries). The relative sustainability of social progress of poorer countries can be improved by increasing societal wellbeing while limiting growth of their environmental impacts. In richer countries, improvements would require more aggressive measures aimed at reducing the extent of environmental damage.

As Indonesia enters the post-pandemic world, it faces high uncertainty, especially in terms of access to basic education. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), the education sector grew by 0.42%, the second-lowest of all sectors. However, its contribution to economic growth was the highest at 3.02%, surpassing six other sectors with higher growth. Despite this potential, access to education remains low. This research aimed to examine the role of access to basic education in alleviating poverty in Indonesia with the social progress perspective. The analytical framework for this research was based on the approach of Amartya Sen, who view poverty as capability deprivation. This research used educational data from BPS in 2022 from 34 provinces in Indonesia. The data were used to construct a social progress index, which measures access to basic education. The index was developed using nine indicators, namely primary school enrolment, secondary school attainment, population with no schooling, gender parity in secondary attainment, teacher-student ratio, teacher qualification, school proportion, classroom condition, and availability of water and sanitation. The index of access to basic education was then regressed along with other variables that are relevant to capability deprivation, as proposed by Hick. These variables include the Happiness Index, Democracy Index, Level of Health Inequality, and Crime Rate. The results indicated that all these variables had a significant impact on the poverty level. Among all the variables, access to basic education demonstrated the greatest influence compared to the other four variables. This suggests that access to basic education plays a critical role in poverty reduction. The research findings highlight the potential of using the Social Progress Index as a comprehensive metric for development, which offers a more inclusive understanding of progress. This index encompasses a broad framework comprising 60 indicators, and does not rely solely on GDP measurements.

There has been a growing scholarly interest in the links between natural resources and socio-economic development. While numerous studies offer robust evidence on the detrimental effects of natural resource dependence on economic outcomes, no study has robustly investigated the link between natural resource dependence and quality of life across countries. The aim of this study is to address this gap in the literature by investigating the relationship between natural resource dependency and social progress. Using the cross-country data from 143 countries for the period of 2012 to 2019, we find that resource rents are significantly and negatively linked to the Social Progress Index. Moreover, this effect remains robust even after controlling the potential transmission channels such as governance, economic development and human capital accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the issue of income inequality has ascended to the forefront of national and international agendas, underscored by the urgency to navigate the complexities of market-driven economies without exacerbating social disparities. These challenges are particularly pronounced in the post-communist nations of Central and Eastern Europe, where the transition legacy and the marketization forces present unique dynamics in the evolution of income disparities. This research investigates the intricate mechanisms through which marketization impacts income inequality within the Central and Eastern European countries context, aiming to uncover how economic transformations influenced by global sustainability goals can contribute to narrowing the income gap. By employing panel data estimation techniques and Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) analysis, this study highlights the enduring nature of income disparities and the critical roles played by economic growth, education investment, labor market reforms, globalization, and governance quality in shaping equitable income distributions. Findings reveal that, despite the competitive nature of market economies potentially creating disparities, strategic policy interventions in education, economic policy, and labor market regulations can mitigate the adverse effects of marketization on income inequality. Additionally, this research emphasizes the importance of strong institutional frameworks and the nuanced role of the informal economy in influencing income distribution dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article outlines the basic lines of a phenomenology of driving. The starting point is the thesis that "driving" does not occur in nature and is therefore a form of movement reserved for humans, which is linked to the invention of the wheel. This invention expanded the possibilities of mobility in technical and social terms. We argue that, on the one hand, travelling on wheels strengthens individuality and the feeling of freedom, but on the other hand it has a strong socio-political component that is often ignored: Efficient driving requires a dense road network, and this only emerges as the achievement of a community. Referring back to Matthew B. Crawford's philosophy of driving and Günther Anders' philosophy of technology, the question of whether the "autonomous car" restricts or expands the freedom of drivers is discussed. Finally, it is shown that the concept of driving, as manifested above all in the automobile, has also had a significant influence on our concept of social progress. However, this concept has fallen into crisis due to the ecological collateral damage of combustion technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study challenges the traditional reliance on GDP as the sole indicator of the success of the EU's cohesion policy, aligning with the evolving academic discourse that calls for a broader spectrum of metrics incorporating social factors. The research aims to assess the impact of cohesion on economic performance and social progress at the regional level in Central and Eastern European countries, using regression analysis on panel data. Inspired by the call to move beyond GDP-focused assessments, this research re-evaluates cohesion policy within an expanded framework that prioritizes economic and social dimensions. Specifically, it addresses the escalating concerns of income disparity and poverty in Central and Eastern European nations. Utilizing panel data regression models, this study scrutinizes data from 2007 to 2018, covering two recent programming periods, to offer a comprehensive, multifaceted analysis of the impact of cohesion policy. It underscores the policy's dual role in spurring economic growth and fostering social progress, particularly in mitigating income inequality and reducing poverty. The findings reveal that cohesion policies positively affect both economic performance and social progress, with notable impacts on narrowing the income gap and alleviating poverty in these regions. However, the economic benefits for poverty reduction materialize over a prolonged period, reflecting the gradual nature of policy impact and the time needed for investments to materialize. The study emphasizes the need for a long-term strategic vision in implementing cohesion policies. This includes enhanced data collection, a deeper focus on the social ramifications of policies, streamlined policy processes, capacity building, institutional strengthening, and prioritizing equitable opportunities to bridge income gaps effectively. This comprehensive approach aims to maximize the dual benefits of cohesion policies, promoting balanced economic and social progress across Central and Eastern Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monogamy in Western countries has recently undergone criticisms, because it is perceived as an oppressive institution, adjacent to reactionary cultural values. In this article, I argue that monogamy is in fact a force of social progress and women's empowerment. I point out that, given our natural tendencies, the most likely alternative to monogamy is polygyny. By its very nature, polygyny faces a numerical difficulty, to the extent that (given the equitable male to female ratio) when one man engages in romantic or sexual relationships with multiple female partners, inequality and social conflict ensues. I present historical and sociological data that sustains the argument that polygyny is associated with greater inequality, violence, poverty and women's vulnerability. Nevertheless, while monogamy can be considered a force of social progress, I argue that the State is not morally entitled to prosecute non-monogamous lifestyles, but there may still be non-coercive ways to promote monogamy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The debate between the proponents of popular and political constitutionalism, on the one hand, and legal constitutionalism, on the other, is a testament to the debate between conservative and liberal approaches. Such an interpretation of law is conceivable through values in law, but for a proper interpretation, the interpreter must be endowed with certain virtues in order to preserve the integrity of legal matter and faith in social progress and free development of a person as a self-sufficient individual. The purpose of the study is to determine the extent to which virtues and values influence the effectiveness of the constitution. By revealing the essence of the main doctrines of constitutionalism (popular, political and legal), the author analyses the dilemma of freedom and security in law. Understanding the correlation between chaos and order reveals the importance of an institutionally capable state as a space of security for its citizens. Virtues in law play a crucial role in the organisation of society, in the context of which the role of the virtues of militant democracy, the debate between the proponents of originalism and the concept of a "living" constitution will be emphasised. Virtues in law define the modus operandi for the implementation of certain values, which are based on social consensus and determine the organisation of society and government. The debate between representatives of popular and political constitutionalism and legal constitutionalism shows that law provides more just outcomes as a result of social and political debate. Popular constitutionalism, on the other hand, appeals to a kind of mobilisation that favours the means of direct democracy. Political constitutionalism appeals to the political expression of the will of the people and gives priority to the supremacy of parliament. Legal constitutionalism counteracts both approaches, as the former is a dangerous emanation of the use of direct democracy to curtail the foundations of the constitutional order, and the idea of parliamentary supremacy is fraught with the majority ignoring the interests of the minority, both of which have the potential to lead to human rights violations. Legal constitutionalism emphasises the protection of human rights, which determines the standards of functioning of government institutions. However, the values that are consensual in society are not enough to protect the constitutional order. The constitutional order is the result of the interaction of people who are endowed with certain virtues. In particular, such a legal principle-value as proportionality is always subject to criticism due to its ambivalence - it can be used to restrict human rights and to determine the permissible limits of state activity. The question is who will determine these limits and to what parameters. Decision-makers should be endowed with certain virtues, such as fairness, courage, integrity, etc. In practical terms, this is achieved through socio-political debate when we talk about legislation or regulations, and legal argumentation when we talk about good governance or an independent and impartial court. The ability to weigh arguments and take into account the social context, including the systematic nature of the facts about certain phenomena, leads to a responsible and virtuous decision-making process that is grounded in the fundamental values and principles of law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work reviews some of the contributions of Ion Clopoţel (1892-1986), an illustrious personality of the inter-bellum period, to the understanding of social and economic life in Romania. The work contains a biographical sketch of Ion Clopoțel, then representative elements of his methodological perspective are highlighted: sociography with a significant economic component. We will show how the sociographic perspective of Ion Clopotel is actually a monographic one, but applied at the regional level. Historical, economical and related to household life aspects as well as psychosociological and linguistic aspects are targeted. Moreover, the data collected and analyzed with scientific methods were directly intended to underpin policies for the modernization and development of Romania. The scientific foundation was necessary, as Ion Clopotel suggested, because of the wrong policies of the governors of the time. They neglected the rural world, its modernization and industrialization, even though they were aware of the importance of this world for the future of the country. The conclusions bring to reader's attention, among other things, some of Ion Clopoţel's socioeconomic considerations and themes of surprising actuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines, using the example of Ukraine from 2003 to 2020, how and to what extent the development of various segments of the insurance market (risk insurance, life insurance, and reinsurance) influences the overall level of social progress. It also identifies the time gaps through which this influence manifests. The study creates a single measure that looks at various aspects such as social class differences, spending patterns, income changes, and government social spending (their standardized values, weighed by the principal component method, integrated through additive convolution). Using VAR modeling, the impact of the development indicators of different segments of the insurance market (risk insurance, life insurance, and reinsurance) at the current moment and with lags of one, two, and three years is investigated, as well as the level of social progress in Ukraine in previous years. The modeling confirms that social reforms yield significant results for social progress only after three years, similarly to the increase in the number of insurance companies. Given insurers’ assets and payout levels, their growth in life insurance has a faster impact on social progress than in risk, while the opposite is true for premiums. Insurance premiums transferred to Ukrainian reinsurers negatively and slowly (over three years) affect social progress, and to non-resident reinsurers – positively and faster (within a year). Across most indicators, life insurance not only influences Ukraine’s social progress more quickly than others but also provides a more substantial social effect.

The study is devoted to construct a typology of discourses about a miracle. Discourses are interpreted in this case not in a linguistic, but in a philosophical sense, as a certain “way of talking” about a chosen phenomenon. This includes the ontological and ideological position of the speaker (writer), emotional and value pathos, a communicative attitude or lack thereof, a message to the listener (reader) of specific views and beliefs. The author distinguishes three groups of discourses on the ideological basis: 1) a miracle, understood as supernatural, but accessible for communication; 2) a miracle understood as a man-made, purely human phenomenon; 3) a miracle as the result of a “dual determination” coming from both the transcendent and the person himself. The miracle is initially interpreted in the article as a positive phenomenon that can be described and expressed in speech without directly naming the word itself. Within the first group of discourses, the following are considered: religious (Christian), mythological and fairy-tale discourse, and the fate-providentialist discourse is also highlighted. The second approach, connected with the denial of the supernatural, speaks of a miracle in the context of its scientific and technical creation, as well as hopes for a miracle within the framework of progressive and utopian concepts. The third type of discourses, combining the view of a miracle as coming from above and from the person himself, includes mystical-magical, existential and creativistic discourses - interpreting the theme of creativity. The mystical-magical discourse describes a miracle as the result of illumination and as a consequence of persistent spiritual searches. In the existential discourse, represented by fiction, there is also a place for describing a miracle as a magical nature and a magical fate. In creative discourse, the miracle is the very act of the birth of a new one. Summing up what has been said, the author emphasizes that he presents readers with nothing more than a sketch that requires further work and thematic disclosure.

Copyright of Dilemas Contemporáneos: Educación, Política y Valores is the property of Dilemas Contemporaneos: Educacion, Politica y Valores and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The European Social Progress Index (EU-SPI) is a composite index launched by the European Commission in 2016 to assess social progress. It is constructed using non-economic indicators, and is intended to serve as a tool for European regional policies. This paper shows that the 2020 release of the index is robust to multiple alternative designs, and thus suitable for policymaking. The EU-SPI and gross domestic product per capita (GDPpc) are positively correlated, although they are in no way substitutes. These findings suggest that the EU-SPI could complement the GDPpc as an instrument to determine eligibility and achieve a more citizen-oriented allocation of European Cohesion Policy funds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 21st century, the educational system plays a crucial role in promoting social progress and development. As the world becomes more interconnected with the help of education, the concept of a single global community, or "one world, one homeland," becomes more relevant as world citizenship. This article provides a comprehensive literature review of the current state of education and its potential to impact social progress. The study highlights the challenges faced by teachers in cultivating knowledge, values, and innovative teaching methods in students. The article explores the impact of the internet and instant communication networks on education and how they have changed the nature of ethnic and national identities in societies during globalization. It also discusses the importance of developing 21st-century skills, including critical and creative thinking, information, communication and civic literacy, global awareness, and cross-cultural skills in students. The findings of the research suggest that the education system needs to focus on promoting and preparing world citizens who are equipped with the necessary skills and values to contribute to the betterment of society. The article concludes that it is crucial to develop a citizenship concept from societies to the world perspective and to support students in developing their skills and abilities to help them meet the challenges they will face in society.

ABSTRACT Since the 1990s, three different phases marked the Brazilian economy: a 13 year long “quasi-stagnation” (1991-2003); a decade of prosperity (2004-2013); and an 8 year period of economic decline (2014-2021). Leading new developmentalist authors identify policies introduced in the 1990s as causes of slower economic growth. This article argues that, even if that hypothesis is correct, it is still inadequate to treat the last 30 years as a single economic phase. We then compare policies implemented in 2004-2013 with developmentalist recommendations, concluding that most of them are compatible. Finally, the article highlights changes in the international and Brazilian contexts between the 1970s and the present, which reinforce the importance of analyzing the most recent growth experience.

ABSTRACTRecently political theorists have voiced a desire for political theory to be more involved in and relevant to political science and practice. Turning to a concrete instance, the case of social progress indices, we observe that political theory is already to some extent involved in both. Political theories in some instances inspire well-reasoned and systematic construction of measurements, although the conception of social progress in an index is not always overt. At the same time, social progress indicators and conceptions provide a substantial context to aid the self-reflections of political theorists. This note articulates the bidirectional actual and potential processes at play, with an emphasis on the cases when the conceptions represented by measurement are value-laden and contested. It further differentiates manners by which indicators may contribute to the internal and external assessments of concepts and theories. The study highlights the significance of recognizing and enhancing these multi-level and bidirectional processes. Such improvements would be achieved when political theory, political science and practical consideration come together.

Prior research has examined the relationship of religiosity to aspects of business risks, notably, the ethical environment in which business firms operate. Religiosity is connected to economic factors and societal factors. This study examines the relationship of religion-based ethics, specifically Judeo-Christian ethicality, in a country (measured by Judeo-Christian presence as a proportion of the population) to economic freedom, economic activity, gender equality, social progress, and corruption. Modern business firms, in efforts to embrace diversity, accommodate cultural factors such as religiosity, particularly so in multinational operations where diverse religions will be encountered. Findings show that Judeo-Christian ethicality has a positive relationship to factors connected to a society's sustainable business culture—that is, more economic freedom, higher economic activity, improved gender equality, better social progress, and lower corruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human activities have compelled massive environmental degradation, which causes climate vulnerability and that has emerged as a significant health issue. The present study assesses the role of social progress with greenhouse gases to determine the health vulnerability in 77 developing countries from 2011 to 2020. The empirical results are estimated by using the panel ARDL econometric approach. The study found that greenhouse gas emission proposes a U-shaped relationship to determine health vulnerability. In this study, social progress is used as the moderator variable, which shifts the turning point of the U-shaped curve. For this purpose, the interaction term of social progress with greenhouse gases shifts the turning point to the left side of the U-shaped curve and further flattens it. Furthermore, this study explores that urbanization, export openness, and government education expenditure negatively impact health vulnerability while industrialization increases health vulnerability. The study recommends that government should pay special attention to declining greenhouse gases and rising social progress to improve health vulnerability. Graphical abstact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explains the connection between the vision that inspired India's freedom and what is recognized today as essential values and principles for making freedom, justice, self-determination, and peace possible. The article focuses on the discourse of Assam's movement as a methodology for determining the principles that shaped the movement and developing a theoretical framework on the movement. This is compared with what is celebrated today as essential principles of human rights, justice, sustainability, and self-determination. Assam contributed an integrative approach to freedom and self-determination that, although met with resistance, is now regarded as a state-of-the-art model for realizing the goals that human social action aims to achieve. The article not only stresses the principles, values, and ideals of the freedom movement but indicates their relevance for shaping the future and as a unifying force. It also explains a state of-the-art means for fully realizing the future envisioned by the movement. The article adds to the historical analysis of the freedom movement by indicating its contribution to a new discourse on social, cultural, and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents two models of public policy evaluation: one named idealistic and the other named pragmatic. In the former, social progress occurs when changes in the form of how society is organised bring us closer to social institutions and public authority conduct considered ideal. In the latter, social progress occurs if the prevailing social state (postchanges) is taken to be better than the previous social state (prechanges), according to certain pre-established judgement criteria. It is argued that the adoption of different models is one of the main obstacles to clarity in the public debate on the implementation of public policies, namely, that of making the points of disagreement explicit. The article presents a defence of the pragmatic model, which is considered more compatible with the use of scientific criteria in order to assess the effectiveness of policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 1990s, three different phases marked the Brazilian economy: a 13 year long "quasi-stagnation" (1991-2003); a decade of prosperity (2004-2013); and an 8 year period of economic decline (2014-2021). Leading new developmentalist authors identify policies introduced in the 1990s as causes of slower economic growth. This article argues that, even if that hypothesis is correct, it is still inadequate to treat the last 30 years as a single economic phase. We then compare policies implemented in 2004-2013 with developmentalist recommendations, concluding that most of them are compatible. Finally, the article highlights changes in the international and Brazilian contexts between the 1970s and the present, which reinforce the importance of analyzing the most recent growth experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the issue of income inequality has ascended to the forefront of national and international agendas, underscored by the urgency to navigate the complexities of market-driven economies without exacerbating social disparities. These challenges are particularly pronounced in the post-communist nations of Central and Eastern Europe, where the transition legacy and the marketization forces present unique dynamics in the evolution of income disparities. This research investigates the intricate mechanisms through which marketization impacts income inequality within the Central and Eastern European countries context, aiming to uncover how economic transformations influenced by global sustainability goals can contribute to narrowing the income gap. By employing panel data estimation techniques and Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) analysis, this study highlights the enduring nature of income disparities and the critical roles played by economic growth, education investment, labor market reforms, globalization, and governance quality in shaping equitable income distributions. Findings reveal that, despite the competitive nature of market economies potentially creating disparities, strategic policy interventions in education, economic policy, and labor market regulations can mitigate the adverse effects of marketization on income inequality. Additionally, this research emphasizes the importance of strong institutional frameworks and the nuanced role of the informal economy in influencing income distribution dynamics.

This study challenges the traditional reliance on GDP as the sole indicator of the success of the EU’s cohesion policy, aligning with the evolving academic discourse that calls for a broader spectrum of metrics incorporating social factors. The research aims to assess the impact of cohesion on economic performance and social progress at the regional level in Central and Eastern European countries, using regression analysis on panel data. Inspired by the call to move beyond GDP-focused assessments, this research re-evaluates cohesion policy within an expanded framework that prioritizes economic and social dimensions. Specifically, it addresses the escalating concerns of income disparity and poverty in Central and Eastern European nations. Utilizing panel data regression models, this study scrutinizes data from 2007 to 2018, covering two recent programming periods, to offer a comprehensive, multifaceted analysis of the impact of cohesion policy. It underscores the policy’s dual role in spurring economic growth and fostering social progress, particularly in mitigating income inequality and reducing poverty. The findings reveal that cohesion policies positively affect both economic performance and social progress, with notable impacts on narrowing the income gap and alleviating poverty in these regions. However, the economic benefits for poverty reduction materialize over a prolonged period, reflecting the gradual nature of policy impact and the time needed for investments to materialize. The study emphasizes the need for a long-term strategic vision in implementing cohesion policies. This includes enhanced data collection, a deeper focus on the social ramifications of policies, streamlined policy processes, capacity building, institutional strengthening, and prioritizing equitable opportunities to bridge income gaps effectively. This comprehensive approach aims to maximize the dual benefits of cohesion policies, promoting balanced economic and social progress across Central and Eastern Europe.

The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society (WFMS) (1897–1909) and the Woman's Missionary Council (WMC) (1910–1940) of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (MECS) worked in Korea from 1897 to 1940. Their work used a distinctive mission philosophy, hermeneutics, and implementation of strategies in their encounters with Korean women. Over the course of their years in Korea, Southern Methodist missionary women initiated the Great Korea Revival, established the first social evangelistic centers, educated the first indigenous female church historian, and ordained women for the first time in Korea. This article argues that, even though the missionary activities of the single female missionaries occurred in the context of "Christian civilization" as a mission theory, their holistic Wesleyan missiology departed from the colonial theory of mission as civilization. The first section of the article offers background information regarding the single female missionaries to help understand them. What motivated these females to venture in foreign lands with the Gospel? What was their preparation? The second section presents the religious, cultural, social, and political background of Korea during the time the missionaries arrived. The third section describes and analyzes the evangelistic and social ministries of the female missionaries in the nascent Korean mission. The final section describes and analyzes the appropriation and reinterpretation of the Bible and Christianity by Korean women, especially the work of Korean Bible women and Methodist female Christians in the quest for independence from Japanese control in the Independence Movement of 1919. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author analyzes the problem of social progress in the context of the historical stages of development: savagery – barbarism – civilization. I show how, under the influence of the Great Geographical Discoveries, the variety of continental empires was replenished with maritime (colonial) empires. Globalization has given them a powerful impetus for their development. Then, from the XX century, empires ceased to meet the requirements of the changed times. The empire, as a form of organization of social life, turned out to be ineffective in the modern global world and entered into an acute phase of antagonistic contradictions with it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zeszyty Studenckie Wydzialu Ekonomicznego Uniwersytetu Gdanskiego "Nasze Studia" is the property of Fundacja Rozwoju Uniwersytetu Gdanskiego and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Búsqueda is the property of Corporacion Universitaria del Caribe (CECAR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Româna de Dreptul Muncii is the property of Wolters Kluwer Romania and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Facing the increasing gap in economic development between the North and South in China, the urgent problem is whether social and environmental development disparity will increase and thus give rise to unsustainable development in the underdeveloped north. To answer this question, this study dealt with the concept of sustainable development, considering its three dimensions: economy, society and environment and focused on the Yellow River Economic Belt (YREB) in North China and the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YZREB) in South China. The spatial–temporal differences in sustainable development between the two economic belts from 2003 to 2016 were analyzed by using the entropy weight TOPSIS method and spatial autocorrelation. We found that economic recession did not lead to the degradation of sustainable development in the North, where high social progress level made up for the lack of economic development. The economic development level of YZREB was always higher than that of YREB, and the gap between the two increased exponentially. Although the social progress level in YREB was higher than that in YZREB, the gap between the two increased first and then decreased. The ecological civilization level of the two economic belts was relatively low and contributed little to sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 21st century, the educational system plays a crucial role in promoting social progress and development. As the world becomes more interconnected with the help of education, the concept of a single global community, or "one world, one homeland," becomes more relevant as world citizenship. This article provides a comprehensive literature review of the current state of education and its potential to impact social progress. The study highlights the challenges faced by teachers in cultivating knowledge, values, and innovative teaching methods in students. The article explores the impact of the internet and instant communication networks on education and how they have changed the nature of ethnic and national identities in societies during globalization. It also discusses the importance of developing 21st-century skills, including critical and creative thinking, information, communication and civic literacy, global awareness, and cross-cultural skills in students. The findings of the research suggest that the education system needs to focus on promoting and preparing world citizens who are equipped with the necessary skills and values to contribute to the betterment of society. The article concludes that it is crucial to develop a citizenship concept from societies to the world perspective and to support students in developing their skills and abilities to help them meet the challenges they will face in society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Equidad y Desarrollo is the property of Equidad y Desarrollo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)