title: 'Rock ova and lap up': A critique of Caribbean theories of national identity through the Jamaican public transport system

authors: Bennett, Sharayne

subjects: national identity

abstract: Public transport is a major aspect of the social and economic life of Jamaican people. With a population of 2.7 million and only 188 per thousand vehicles, many people have come to rely on public transport. Public travel within the Kingston Metropolitan Region (KMR) in Jamaica is possible via six modes which range from very informal to rigidly regulated. There is the Government owned and operated bus system (JUTC), then four modes (coasters, hackneys, minibuses, and route taxis) which are regulated by the government but operate across formal and informal lines and also the infamous Jamaican “robot” which exists outside of the regulatory framework and protection of the government. One journey may involve use of a single or multiple modes depending on various factors.
   
This thesis an auto-ethnography of the Jamaican public transport system in the KMR as a landscape in which to critique the major theories of Jamaican/ Caribbean identity and determine whether or not they individually or collectively supply a true picture of our identity. By exploring issues of formality and informality, and morality in mobility this work resonates with traditional anthropology by integrating specific group experiences with larger political, historical and economic structures.

text: 'Rock ova and lap up': A critique of Caribbean theories of national identity through the Jamaican public transport system Public transport is a major aspect of the social and economic life of Jamaican people. With a population of 2.7 million and only 188 per thousand vehicles, many people have come to rely on public transport. Public travel within the Kingston Metropolitan Region (KMR) in Jamaica is possible via six modes which range from very informal to rigidly regulated. There is the Government owned and operated bus system (JUTC), then four modes (coasters, hackneys, minibuses, and route taxis) which are regulated by the government but operate across formal and informal lines and also the infamous Jamaican “robot” which exists outside of the regulatory framework and protection of the government. One journey may involve use of a single or multiple modes depending on various factors.
   
This thesis an auto-ethnography of the Jamaican public transport system in the KMR as a landscape in which to critique the major theories of Jamaican/ Caribbean identity and determine whether or not they individually or collectively supply a true picture of our identity. By exploring issues of formality and informality, and morality in mobility this work resonates with traditional anthropology by integrating specific group experiences with larger political, historical and economic structures.

year: 2016

title: Momentum returns, market states, and market dynamics: Are Islamic stocks different?

authors: Cheema, Muhammad A.

subjects: Islamic stocks

abstract: Recent studies suggest that momentum returns are conditioned by market states and market dynamics. We ask if Islamic stocks behave differently from Non-Islamic stocks. Using data from the Malaysian stock market from 1991 to 2015, we find no significant difference in Islamic versus Non-Islamic stocks either in their level of momentum returns or in the behaviour of momentum returns in response to market states and market dynamics, irrespective of whether we use time-series or cross-sectional momentum returns. Interestingly, we find that the behaviour of momentum returns in Malaysia is broadly consistent with that in the US market in that momentum returns are higher following UP markets compared with momentum returns following DOWN markets. We also find that momentum returns are larger when the market continues in same state than when it transitions to a different state, consistent with results in the US market and that the absence of momentum returns following DOWN market states is due to market dynamics. Our results suggest that investors in Islamic stocks can execute momentum strategies without loss of efficacy compared with Non-Islamic stocks.

text: Momentum returns, market states, and market dynamics: Are Islamic stocks different? Recent studies suggest that momentum returns are conditioned by market states and market dynamics. We ask if Islamic stocks behave differently from Non-Islamic stocks. Using data from the Malaysian stock market from 1991 to 2015, we find no significant difference in Islamic versus Non-Islamic stocks either in their level of momentum returns or in the behaviour of momentum returns in response to market states and market dynamics, irrespective of whether we use time-series or cross-sectional momentum returns. Interestingly, we find that the behaviour of momentum returns in Malaysia is broadly consistent with that in the US market in that momentum returns are higher following UP markets compared with momentum returns following DOWN markets. We also find that momentum returns are larger when the market continues in same state than when it transitions to a different state, consistent with results in the US market and that the absence of momentum returns following DOWN market states is due to market dynamics. Our results suggest that investors in Islamic stocks can execute momentum strategies without loss of efficacy compared with Non-Islamic stocks.

year: 2016

title: Strategic framing: indigenous culture, identity, and politics

authors: Schoenberger-Orgad, Michèle Anne

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: This article analyses the role played by culture and the strategic communication of culture in the formation and establishment of the Māori Party. As an indigenous grassroots party, which achieved electoral success in the 2005, general election in New Zealand, the Māori Party offers an unusual case of cultural primacy as a political party for indigenous people. The Māori Party campaigned to be the first successful party to give a distinctive voice to Māori in a parliament dominated by Pakeha (New Zealand Europeans).

In examining the Māori Party's formation and campaign as a case study, the article focuses on socio-political conditions, issues of national identity, media changes, and the cultural relations between Māori and Pakeha. It pays particular attention to those that influenced public opinion during the 14 months of election campaigning. It argues that the strategic framing of the Māori Party as a movement giving a distinctive voice for Māori established the foundations for the campaign's success. In conclusion, the significance of the achievements of the Māori Party in the 2008 general election are discussed as evidence of the now distinct and recognized representation of Māori within the New Zealand democratic process.

text: Strategic framing: indigenous culture, identity, and politics This article analyses the role played by culture and the strategic communication of culture in the formation and establishment of the Māori Party. As an indigenous grassroots party, which achieved electoral success in the 2005, general election in New Zealand, the Māori Party offers an unusual case of cultural primacy as a political party for indigenous people. The Māori Party campaigned to be the first successful party to give a distinctive voice to Māori in a parliament dominated by Pakeha (New Zealand Europeans).

In examining the Māori Party's formation and campaign as a case study, the article focuses on socio-political conditions, issues of national identity, media changes, and the cultural relations between Māori and Pakeha. It pays particular attention to those that influenced public opinion during the 14 months of election campaigning. It argues that the strategic framing of the Māori Party as a movement giving a distinctive voice for Māori established the foundations for the campaign's success. In conclusion, the significance of the achievements of the Māori Party in the 2008 general election are discussed as evidence of the now distinct and recognized representation of Māori within the New Zealand democratic process.

year: 2011