bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What the friends of the peasants’ are and how they pose the question of the peasantry
Authors: Nyong'o P. 
                      Anyang’ 
Published: July 2007

In the previous article Mukaru Ng'ang'a sets as his task the investigation into what is happening to the Kenyan peasantry, and what has happened to it in the past. This task, he argues, is necessary in order to understand the social dynamicsof rural life. After all, it is only by first understanding the social structureof rural life that we can know what are the possible social dynamics and how they effect, or are affected by, the history of the Kenyan social formation as a whole.
That way of stating the problem is important for political practice. Unless the kind of society being dealt with is known, all types of political programmes for the liberation of the peasantry may be proposed which may be Utopian, adventurist or simply demagogic. But, in order to understand the structureof that peasant society, a theoryof that structure is required. For theory provides the proper tools of analysis for dissecting social phenomena so as to understand them. If anything, theory gives us the ability to shape questions in such a way that answers to them can lead us to see reality more clearly and hence not be deceived by the illusions of appearances. This unmasking of appearances with proper theoretical tools for social inquiry is the quintessence of Marxism. It therefore becomes an indispensable weapon for the liberation of the politically oppressed and economically exploited classes in a world in which bourgeois outlooks continue to mystify social processes.
A tale of two slums: electoral politics in Mathare and Dagoretti
Authors: Chege Michael 
Published: July 2007

The papers on the peasantry concentrate on the modalities of capitalist penetgration in the countryside and its social consequencies there.Just as important is the historical manner in which capitalist agriculture raises the organic composition of capital thus facilitating the release of labour into industrial production. The fate of uprooted peasantries flocking into cities and their eventual transformation into a working class is one which merits some attention.
This paper deals with electoral politics in two of Nairobi's poorest and most populous constituencies — Mathare and Dagoretti. Each one of them has a population in the region of 100,000 people, meaning that 20–25% of the city population is to be found here. The core areas of these two constituencies are Mathare Valley and Eastern Dagoretti. Both areas have a long tradition of uncontrolled and unplanned housing which is a permament irritant to the planners in the Nairobi City Council and their external financiers. The populist view of these areas, and particularly of Mathare, is one of a festering sore of extreme poverty, dehumanisation, official neglect and exploitation of tenants by wealthy landlords living outside the area. The height of absurdity is attained when international capital is blamed for being directly responsible for slums. The situation, of course, is more complicated than that, and we shall try to show that this populist and often misinformed view mystifies the situation a good deal.
The Algerian bureaucracy
Authors: Roberts Hugh 
Published: July 2007

Algeria has a form of ‘state capitalism’ and thus the role of the bureaucracy is crucial. The approach here to this question rejects as simplistic the two polar views: on the one hand, the belief that Algeria is undergoing some kind of transition to socialism and though there may be a ‘problem of bureaucracy’, this is treated outside the class structure; on the other, the notion that if there is state capitalism then the bureaucracy is a ruling class, which ignores the fact of social as opposed to private accumulation.
Analysing it as a bureaucracy and in its context of the working of the Algerian state, reveals that the relationships between it and a bourgeois class with a seprate existence are mediated through and by other features that affect the ‘rationality’ of the Algerian bureaucracy. Religion plays an important role, but not one that dictates the pattern of politics as in some Islamic or Catholic countries, but as an ideological and legitimating link with the people. The pursuance of personal benefits and traditional obligations through the bureaucratic system limits its effectiveness in pursuing policy goals, however. Patronage in turn feeds into a pattern of factions that rend the bourgeoisie, thus limiting its emergence as a national class, and also the bureaucracy, thus further impairing its efficacy.
This situation may now undergo change as the state tries to respond to demands from below for a second stage of industrialisation going beyond the initial accumulation in heavy industry. But consumer goods production could be met by the expansion of either privatecapital or statecapital. The first would require a shift to economic liberalisation. The second strategy implies greater effectiveness of the bureaucracy and its greater political direction. A political struggle over these two lines is discernible but has not lead to a complete polarisation of the party.
French militarism in Africa
Authors: Luckham Robin 
Published: July 2007

In the annals of foreign military intervention in independent Africa, it has been French forces that have been involved far more often than any other outside power. At least eighteen times in the last twenty‐five years French troops have invaded African soil. But equally significant, and indeed providing the platform for the more dramatic interventions, are the extensive networks of regular military co‐operation.
Several single explanations of France's militarism in Africa are explored: that it preserves French capital's interests; that it protects multinational, especially US, interests; that it promotes the interests of a military‐industrial complex; that it cements alliances with African states, but particularly with certain ruling classes and regimes. An effort is made to situate these perspectives in a more nuanced view of French imperialism and the French state. Finally, the new departures and the continuities of policy under the Socialist government are reviewed.
Marketing without and with marketing boards: the origins of state marketing boards in Nigeria
Authors: Williams Gavin 
Published: July 2007

Since their inception, Nigerian marketing boards have been used to serve various interests and purposes, hardly any of which have benefited the producers. They originated in the Second World War and were perpetuated after the war by a Labour government so that they might play their part in ‘meeting British needs’, to cite the title of a forthcoming study by Mike Cowen and Bob Shenton. Nigerian politicians found them a ready‐made instrument for taxing farmers, enriching themselves and financing their political activities. Their pricing policies discouraged farmers from producing export crops, thus rendering the boards redundant though not, regrettably, ensuring their abolition. Nigeria is fortunate in that, until recently, marketing boards have not bought food for sale in domestic markets and have no monopoly, in form or in fact, over the purchase of crops, other than cotton, for sale within Nigeria.
Discussion of the Nigerian marketing boards has tended, rightly, to focus on their monopoly of the legal export of certain crops, on their pricing policies and on the use to which governments put the funds which they derived from the trading profits of the boards. Less remarked on, the boards also structured the internal marketing system for the commodites they export. Indeed, when the commodity marketing boards were established in 1947 the main justification given was the need to change the internal marketing system for export crops, ostensibly in the interests of protecting the producer from the ills of middlemen in an unregulated market. These arguments for state intervention in, and regulation of, produce marketing, in Nigeria as elsewhere in Africa, have found sympathy among socialists who have been all too willing to take statism as at least offering a foundation for socialism. This article examines the provenance of the marketing boards and of the arguments which justified their inception during the crisis of the colonial economy in the 1930s.
The national question and radical politics in Nigeria
Authors: Mustapha Abdul 
                      Raufu 
Published: July 2007

In his introduction to Billy Dudley's posthumous book (1982:8), A.D. Yahaya stated that:
The political future of the country as one indivisible nation is resolved with the end of the civil war ... It is therefore not conceivable for the present generation of Nigerians who were so much part of the struggle for the survival of the federation to resuscitate the unity of the country as a political issue. The major political issue today is, therefore, not the unity of the country.
It would seem, however, that events in Nigeria since 1983, such as the No Nation! No Destiny!broadcast of the FRCN Kaduna; the acrimonious and chauvinistic campaigns associated with the 1983 elections; the incessant disputes over the question of Federal Character; and the debacle over Nigeria's affiliation to the Organisation of Islamic Countries, tend to suggest that the unity of the country cannot be taken for granted. The Civil War did not resolve the National Question in Nigeria. What is true is that the Nigerian state was able to overcome a specific challenge to its integrity. This does not, however, mean that no future challenges are probable, or that the state would always have the capacity to overcome such challenges. The emergence of Anya Anya II in the Sudan is a case in point. The unity of the country cannot, therefore, be necessarily guaranteed by the state as currently constituted.
This paper is an attempt at examining some of the theoretical and political issues relating to the resolution of the National Question in contemporary Nigeria. The first section attempts a definition of the problematic, while the second looks at the specific manifestations of the National Question within the Nigerian political economy. The third section examines the solutions put forward for resolving the National Question within mainstream Nigerian politics; while the fourth considers the relationship between radical politics and the National Question. The final section attempts a summary of the entire discourse.
‘It's terminal either way’: an analysis of armed conflict in liberia, 1989–1996
Authors: Outram Quentin 
Published: July 2007

The wars which have wracked Liberia since the end of 1989 have reduced a country which was once regarded as one of the more fortunate in Africa to a state of long‐term aid dependency. Perhaps 150,000 or more have been killed and at many points over the last seven years a third of the country's pre‐war population has been living as refugees in neighbouring states and another third has been internally displaced by the conflict. The continuing warfare has made it difficult to address the large‐scale humanitarian problems inevitable in such circumstances: rates of undernutrition have sometimes reached very high levels and on at least one occasion have reached heights which rival the worst recorded in any part of the world (Outram, 1997).
This article seeks to advance our understanding of the causes of this suffering. It does so not primarily by examining the experiences of the victims, important though this is, but by investigating the political economy of the Liberian wars including the circumstances and the actions of the warring factions. In this I follow Keen's call to understand the actions of oppressor groups involved in humanitarian emergencies, as well as those of their victims (1994:232).
Desertification: the uneasy interface between science, people & environmental issues in Africa
Authors: Thomas David 
Published: July 2007

Desertification is a major environmental issue that is the focus of a recent UN convention (the CCD) that aims to improve the resolution of the problem.Desertification is however not a straight forward issue and has many controversial dimensions, in part due to confusion over its definition, extent, characteristics and causes. Many difficulties have arisen at the interface between science, politics and decision makers. From a scientific perspective, these problems have been a result of the speed of scientific research, the way in which scientifc ideas evolve, the manner in which data have been selectively used and, in parts of the developing world, becasue of perceived links between science and colonisation. It is argued that despite these problems that create an uneasy interface between science and politics, desertification can not be tackled from political and social directions alone.Science has a real role to play in combating desertification, particularly in the light of CCD goals. This role includes retaining the clarity of the issue, identifying environmental responses to human disturbances, monitoring the extent of desretifcation, and identifying appropriate scales of remedial action.
Three steps forward, two steps back: ideology & urban ecology in South Africa
Authors: McDonald David A. 
Published: July 2007

Environmental discourse in South Africa has undergone dramatic change in the 1990s. Since the unbanning of the ANC and other anti‐apartheid organizations there has been an important re‐conceptualization of environmental issues and a rapid politicization of environmental debates. Organizations like the Environmental Justice Networking Forum (EJNF) have made the links between poverty and ecology an environmental priority in the country and important gains have been made on a wide range of environmental fronts. Environmental debates in South Africa have shifted from an historically racist and exclusionary discourse to one in which the definition of ‘the environment’ has expanded to include the working and living environments of black South Africans. This has had a profound impact on the way that environmental policy is prioritized and developed in the country and has contributed to a strong, and growing, environmental justice movement in the country.
The first half of this article examines this shift in environmental discourse by looking briefly at the history of environmental debates in the country and at changes in environmental legislation and policy‐making procedures. The second half is a critical analysis of these environmental reforms ‐specifically as they relate to urban poverty. The delivery of basic services like sewerage and sanitation is arguably the single most important environmental concern in the country ‐ by virtue of the fact that it directly affects the largest number of people ‐ but it is unclear whether current urban upgrading initiatives are going to address this problem in an environmentally just and sustainable manner. It is argued that the interests of large scale capital and the propertied classes in South Africa continue to fundamentally shape ‐ and limit ‐ the environmental policy choices available to the ANC government. Environmental conditions in South African cities will gradually improve over the next five to ten years, but in a way that is intended to benefit urban capital and surreptitiously off‐loads the costs of urban upgrading onto the urban poor themselves.
Improving the General Health of Persons with Psychosis
Authors: Drew Leslie , Delacy Fiona 
Published: July 2007

Objective: A project designed to improve the quality of health care received by persons with psychosis is described. Methods: A nurse was appointed to provide liaison between the mental health service and general practitioners, and to facilitate general health care of patients. ACT Health offered service agreements to general practices, with quarterly per capita payments. Results: About half of the local general practices participated. The number of patients without a general practitioner was reduced and quality of health care improved compared with the previous year. Recurrent funding has been provided. Conclusions: Improving the general health of persons with psychosis is an important issue for psychiatry. Having a similar project in all mental health services could be valuable.
A Role for Morbidity and Mortality Conferences in Psychiatry
Authors: Holland Joanna 
Published: July 2007

Objective: The aim of this paper is to raise the possibility of morbidity and mortality conferences as a means of improving the quality of care in psychiatric services. Method: The literature regarding quality assurance, medical error, adverse outcomes in care delivery, psychiatric abuse, and morbidity and mortality conferences is examined. Results: Classification of error in medicine refers to the terms overuse, underuse and misuse. Adverse events in psychiatric care suggest an additional category of abuse. A framework for morbidity and mortality conferences exists within the medical literature that may be applied to psychiatry. Data utilized for morbidity and mortality conferences must consider the need for timeliness and completeness. Different forms of data currently exist, not all available electronically. Conclusion: Morbidity and mortality conferences can benefit care delivery and contribute to safe systems through the examination of adverse events in care. The increased availability of electronic data collection and reporting systems may provide useful data as a basis for discussion at such conferences. Further engagement of the psychiatric services community in the organization and content of morbidity and mortality conferences is desirable. Support at institutional and College level will be required for their effective introduction.
Hepatitis C in Psychiatry Inpatients: Testing Rates, Prevalence and Risk Behaviours
Authors: Lacey Cameron , Ellen Steve , Devlin Harriet , Wright Edwina , Mijch Anne 
Published: July 2007

Objective: Estimates for the prevalence of hepatitis C among people with a serious mental illness are high compared with the general population. High-risk behaviours commonly associated with mental illness may contribute to the estimated increased prevalence. This study aims to assess the contribution of risk behaviours to blood-borne virus infection in psychiatric populations in Australia, and to determine whether a pre- and post-test education and counselling program increases the number of patients willing to be tested for hepatitis C. Method: The proportion of psychiatric inpatients being screened for hepatitis C at the Alfred Hospital over a 6-month period was obtained by retrospective review of the number of admissions and hepatitis C serology tests. The change in screening rate was prospectively recorded following the introduction of an education and voluntary screening program. In the study period, 346 people were approached and 84 (24%) agreed to participate. Pre- and post-test counselling, including a thorough risk assessment, were offered to all participants. Venous blood was tested for hepatitis C. A modified version of the Risk Behaviour Questionnaire was used to measure sexual and drug-related risk behaviour. Results: The proportion of inpatients being tested for hepatitis C increased from 9% in the 6 months prior to the study, to 18% during the study (p <0.01). The rate of hepatitis C in those consenting to testing was 19.4%. Participants reported high rates of risk-taking behaviours, including intravenous drug use and unprotected sex. Conclusions: An education and counselling program can increase rates of screening among psychiatric inpatients. There are high rates of risk-taking behaviour among this group of psychiatric inpatients, which may contribute to the higher prevalence of hepatitis C compared to the general population.
Addressing Aboriginal Mental Health Issues on the Tiwi Islands
Authors: Norris Glenn , Parker Robert , Beaver Carol , Konkelenberg Jude van 
Published: July 2007

Objective: This paper provides an overview of the services developed in response to the unique mental health needs of a remote Aboriginal community. We describe an evolving service on the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory and the challenges that need to be addressed if the community is to continue to take a leading role in dealing with mental health issues. Conclusions: The Tiwi Mental Health Service demonstrates that community members are able to identify needs and respond accordingly if they are provided with the relevant information and supported in their decision-making process. The establishment of social governance mechanisms and the long-term commitment by a change agent to facilitate the empowerment process are important keys to success. The main challenge in establishing services in rural Aboriginal communities is to identify and support community strengths, including leaders and cultural practices.
Paraoxonase 1 gene polymorphisms in angiographically assessed coronary artery disease: evidence for gender interaction among Brazilians
Authors: Rios Domingos L.S. , D'Onofrio Lorenza O. , Cerqueira Caio C.S. , Bonfim-Silva Ricardo , Carvalho Heitor G. , Santos-Filho Ademar , Galvão-Castro Bernardo 
Published: July 2007

AbstractClin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:874–8.
Global DNA methylation measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: analytical technique, reference values and determinants in healthy subjects
Authors: Kok Robert M. , Smith Desirée E.C. , Barto Rob , Spijkerman Annemieke M.W. , Teerlink Tom , Gellekink Henk J. , Jakobs Cornelis , Smulders Yvo M. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractClin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:903–11.
Proposal of a candidate international conventional reference measurement procedure for free thyroxine in serum
Authors: Thienpont International Federation of Clinica , Beastall Graham , Christofides Nicholas D. , Faix James D. , Ieiri Tamio , Jarrige Véronique , Miller W. Greg , Miller Richard , Nelson Jerald C. , Ronin Cathérine , Ross H. Alec , Rottmann Michael , Thijssen Jos H. , Toussaint Brigitte 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn the present paper the IFCC WG-STFT recommends and provides the rationale to establish metrological traceability of serum free thyroxine (FT4) measurements to a candidate international conventional reference measurement procedure. It is proposed that this procedure be based on equilibrium dialysis combined with determination of thyroxine in the dialysate with a trueness-based reference measurement procedure. The measurand is thus operationally defined as “thyroxine in the dialysate from equilibrium dialysis of serum prepared under defined conditions”. With regard to the trueness-based reference measurement procedure, the WG-STFT recommends use of an isotope dilution-liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC/tandem MS) procedure for total thyroxine that has been optimized towards measurement at picomolar concentration levels and that is listed in the database of the Joint Committee for Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (JCTLM). For calibration, the purified thyroxine material IRMM-468 (resulting from a project funded by the European Commission and recently submitted to the JCTLM) is proposed. The WG-STFT stresses that according to this recommendation it is a prerequisite to strictly adhere to the defined equilibrium dialysis procedure, whereas it is permissible to introduce variants in the ID-LC/tandem MS procedure.Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:934–6.