Distinguishes the cognitive, affective, and emotive effects produced by the 1992 presidential campaign, especially its presidential debates. Describes the kinds of cognitive effects engendered by the campaign activities and performances of the three major candidates. (HB)

Reviews the impact of German unification on German society, politics, and culture. Contends that four decades of separation created political and cultural differences that are difficult to overcome. Expresses concern about the growth of intolerant attitudes and nationalism among citizens of the former East Germany. (CFR)

Describes the German health insurance system which is mandatory for nearly all German citizens. Explains that, along with pension, accident, and unemployment insurance, health insurance is one of four pillars of the German national social security system. Asserts that controlling costs while maintaining high health care standards is a national…

Investigates the reasons why teachers in Scotland engage in voluntary activities outside their professional world and the consequences that activism has on their professionalism. Finds that teachers were active in diverse organizations and reports that activism contributed to improving their professionalism. Discusses the influences on the…

A study used longitudinal data and data from a survey of faculty at the same institution to explore the relative influence of student peer groups and faculty reference groups on students' sociopolitical attitudes. Results are consistent with earlier work indicating that peer norms are more instrumental than faculty norms in influencing student…

Characterizes the telling and learning of political jokes as a powerful socializing tool for children to learn about the world. Maintains that this activity serves as a means of storing and transmitting social knowledge as well as information about the world of public affairs. Includes some representative examples. (MJP)

The 1983 Catalonian Linguistic Normalization Law made Spanish and Catalan co-official languages in that region. The law's constitutionality was challenged and after more than a decade of litigation was upheld by Spain's Supreme Court, producing a polemic in Catalonia and, tangentially, an impact in the Basque region and Galicia. (21 references)…

The New Christian Right is hardly a new force in American education, but its recent activism leaves unresolved the question of whether it seeks to transform America in its own image or merely to protect its own position and respect for its special values. Implications for educational policy are considered. (SLD)

Diane Ravitch makes an articulate case for higher national standards and more emphasis on performance assessments of various kinds, but she does this by simplifying the issues and failing to understand some of the most powerful economic, ideological, and political currents in the United States and elsewhere. (SLD)

Explores why political education was considered a taboo in Hong Kong. Explains that after China took control of Hong Kong, political education became the means to ensure a smooth change in government. Finds that the General Studies course is a good vehicle to implement political education in Hong Kong. (CMK)

Annual Higher Education Research Institute college freshman survey (n=275,811) at 469 institutions found more eschew political extremes, preferring to call themselves "middle of the road." About half believe abortion should be legal, a decline of 14% since 1990. Freshman did not seem as interested in coursework as they did in previous…

Reports on a comparative study of civic education in Great Britain, the United States, Germany, Denmark, The Netherlands, and Australia, discussing educational policies, practices, and classroom climate. Explores adolescents' political attitudes and behaviors cross-nationally, specifically focusing on political interest, political efficacy, and…

Perhaps one of the most taken-for-granted features of contemporary social theory is the ritual and increasingly generic critique of Marxism in terms of its alleged failure to address forms of oppression other than that of "class." Marxism is considered to be theoretically bankrupt and intellectually passe, and class analysis is often savagely…

There have been persistent criticisms of Rorty's "liberal ironist" as the postmodern picture of the educated in the liberal utopia. While the modernist (Enlightenment) liberal Thomas McCarthy, who believes in universal rationality as the basis of public morality, criticizes Rorty's view of the liberal ironist for fostering the poverty of public…

After 12 years, the long overdue translation of Derrida's "Du droit a la philosophie" has just been made available in English. It is a collection of essays, interviews, and conferences produced by Derrida between 1974 and 1990. They focus on questions of education and research, in schools and universities, with a critical reflection on academic…