Examines the Greek social system in terms of sociological interpretations, which tend to explain specific manifestations of social behavior based on national character or purely ideological interests and specific conflicts. She tries to unmask ideological rationalizations, focusing on aspects of the Greek school system as they relate to social…

Utilizing the findings of a far-reaching and detailed analysis of evangelical missionary education in the British West Indies (1800-1838), this article asserts planters and missionaries had antithetical assumptions about the provision of education for slaves, the missionaries not always operating in the interest of the dominant society. (JC)

Presents a theory of vocational rehabilitation based on social systems theory. Provides a history of social systems theory and a list of some basic systemic tenets. Relates systemic tenets to vocational rehabilitation systems, reconceptualizing the process and structure of those systems, thereby providing a comprehensive, theoretical framework for…

A brief statement of the history of the relation between culture concepts is given, then, proceeding on the assumption that all human societies are interpenetrated with culture, the author attempts a relatively systematic outline of the structure of cultural systems and of their modes of articulation in social systems. (JB)

The development of control under the Soviet system of democratic government is outlined. (JB)

Since the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the Chinese people have experienced control over decisions and implementation of policies while also being subject to centrally determined controls and mobilisation, reflecting a paradox of centralism and democracy not peculiar to China alone. (Author/JB)

Discusses the need for organizing concepts with which planners can formulate goals or policies to deal with social problems. The literature on social systems is reviewed and five models are identified. Illustrations of planning problems to which each model would apply are provided, together with a discussion of the model's relative advantages and…

Examines how gender, class, and power together constitute the fundamental social, economic, cultural, and political relations that determine any social system. (RM)

The author argues that democracy as a political entity received its fundamental change through Rousseau, who proclaimed egalitarianism as the key element of political freedom. It is argued that Maoism takes the egalitarian principle to its ultimate conclusion: not only are all men considered equal, but they must act equal. (MJB)

In interviews, 25 Internet users in a university setting described the nature of the Internet and its social uses (information source, communication tool, social system, object or site of consumption). Issues and concerns identified included access, inappropriate marketing activities, and the addictive potential of Internet use. (SK)

Three books examine works of Paulo Freire and the concepts of critical pedagogy and emancipatory education as they relate to current world political situations: dominance of neoliberal politics on one hand and Brazil's election of a working-class president on the other. Freire's thinking can be a foundation for a new leftist "common…

Reflects on the basic conditions of social and educational interaction in the world, drawing on writings in the field of sociological theory and social philosophy, most notably those of Talcott Parsons and Niklas Luhmann, using these insights to analyze the elementary problem of establishing a social relationship with educational purposes. Both…

Social defenses that have been used to keep anxiety at constructive levels (institutions, nations, families) are changing. Instead of career development, people need career transformation--the ability to deal with the continual process of change. (SK)