Examining the increasingly relevant topic of public sector efficiency, this dynamic Handbook investigates the context of constrained fiscal space and public funding sources using cross-country datasets in areas including China, India, sub-Saharan Africa and OECD economies. Expert contributors evaluate public sector efficiency for both national and sub-national governments, analysing important sectors such as education, health, public-private enterprises and state-owned enterprises. Given voters' requirements to be more educated and for greater accountability on the use of public spending, chapters describe methodology and measurement issues alongside the allocation of resources to ensure better efficiency and effectiveness. Forward-thinking, the Handbook provides insights into how improving efficiency can greatly assist governments when dealing with unforeseen events such as the recent Covid-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine. This Handbook will be an important read for academics and students of public sector economics and public administration and management. It will also provide an excellent background for the policy makers of international institutions looking to help the general public have a better understanding of how public spending works in order for them to make informed decisions when voting.

First published in 1943, this volume collects together the principle Irish constitutional and political documents from the Introduction of English rule in the twelfth century to the treaty made between Great Britain and Ireland under Lloyd George's government in 1921. The material is grouped into five chronological sections, with each section divided into subject areas to give a representative view of the main political and social trends in this period of Ireland's history.

Exploring gender as a fundamental factor in the way that lives of individuals, families and societies across Asia are organized, this timely Handbook studies the importance of modernization and globalization for understanding gender in Asia. It brings together a wide range of scholarly perspectives on five critical areas in the field: ageing and health; labour; migrations and mobilities; gender at the margins, and the theory and practice of researching in Asia. Identifying gaps in current research, and using both qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the topic, this volume demonstrates the difference a gendered perspective makes in providing a better understanding of these issues in Asia. Using empirical case studies, contributors highlight the challenges and changes to cultured traditions and practices that surround gendered norms surrounding the societal roles of men and women in Asia. The volume offers fresh, nuanced insights to socio-political currents in Asian countries. This far-reaching collection will be an essential read for scholars in the social sciences interested in gender issues in Asia, human geography, sociology, anthropology, development studies, gender politics; and for NGOs and policy-makers. Contributors include: A.L. Abeyasekera, A. Adenwala, A. Arslan, C. Caron, L.-H.N. Chiang, A. Datta, M. De Silva, E.L.-E. Ho, E.S. Ho, S. Huang, H. Igarashi, R. Ito, J. Knodel, K. Kusakabe, H. Lee, M. Morikawa, P. Raghuram, S. Ramnarain, K.N. Ruwanpura, S. Shroff, B.C. Somaiah, G. Sondhi, P. Statham, W.-m. Tang, B. Teerawichitchainan, M. Thompson, S. Turner, L. Wilks, Y. Yang, S. Yea, C. Zuberec

First published in 2012. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

This volume deals with two major and apparently opposing forces within education and society: globalization and nationalism. Globalization is often considered in economic terms - of continued growth of international trade and a concentration of wealth in corporate hands - yet it also encompasses technological, political and cultural change. The World Yearbook of Education 2005 explores the role of the education sector in our globalized knowledge economy, and considers the political implications of this in terms of monopolarity and the cultural consequences of homogenization and Americanization. The other strand of this study - nationalism - remains a persistent force within education and society in all parts of the world, and this volume examines the extent to which it can fuel conflict at all levels through prejudice and intolerance. Concentrating on the epistemological consequences of nationalism, leading international thinkers examine the extent to which it is reflected in the curricula of schools and universities around the world. Finally, the complex relationship between globalization and nationalism is explored, and contributors explore the part that educational institutions and practices play in forming both agendas. A wide range of perspectives are employed, including post-colonial discourse, classical economics and sociological theory. Nationalism and globalization are both ongoing processes, and this volume makes a case for the central role of education in both - through its potential to influence change and to act as benevolent force in shaping a global community.

The Routledge Encyclopedia of Language Teaching and Learning is an authoritative reference dealing with all aspects of this increasingly important field of study. Offering a comprehensive range of articles on contemporary language teaching and its history, it has been produced specifically for language teaching professionals and as a reference work for academic studies at postgraduate level. In this new edition, every single entry has been reviewed and updated with reference to new developments and publications. Coverage has been expanded to reflect new technological, global and academic developments, with particular attention to areas such as online and distance learning, teacher and learner cognition, testing, assessment and evaluation, global English and teacher education. Themes and disciplines covered include: Methods and materials, including new technologies and materials development Contexts and concepts, such as mediation, risk-taking in language learning and intercomprehension Influential figures from the early days of language teaching to the contemporary Related disciplines, such as psychology, anthropology and corpus linguistics It covers the teaching of specific languages, including Japanese, Chinese, Arabic and African languages, as well as English, French, German and Spanish. There are thirty five overview articles dealing with issues such as communicative language teaching, early language learning, teacher education and syllabus and curriculum design. A further 160 entries focus on topics such as bilingualism, language laboratories and study abroad. Numerous shorter items examine language and cultural institutions, professional associations and acronyms. Multiple cross-references enable the user to browse from one entry to another, and there are suggestions for further reading. Written by an international team of specialists, the Routledge Encyclopedia of Language Teaching and Learning is an invaluable resource and reference manual for anyone with a professional or academic interest in the subject.

First published in 1976, this was the first comprehensive annotated bibliography of Mary Wollstonecraft's works and most of the critical and biographical comments on her in English written between 1788 and 1975. It is designed both as a research tool for scholars and students and as a revelation of the quantity and variety of comment. The book is divided into three main chronological time periods of publication date and suggests the vagaries of Wollstonecraft's posthumous reputation and indicates the peaks and troughs of interest. Known as an eighteenth-century British writer, philosopher, and advocate of women's rights, Mary Wollstonecraft has received much critical attention with particular interest in her unorthodox lifestyle of the time and is now regarded as one of the founding feminist philosophers.

This volume is a critical study of one of today 's most controversial topics in educational theory, setting the many arguments in perspective and clarifying the issues that arise when attention is focused on the learner. The author examines the problems of individual education, the distinctive demands childhood makes on the school and the claims of social education. The related questions of freedom, authority and discipline are then discussed, together with the ways in which curriculum development must take account of the learner 's interests, needs and dispositions in preparing him/her for life. The concept of educating the whole person is critically examined, together with the claim that education for life and the development of personal integrity require an integrated curriculum. Since child-centred educational theory is often dismissed as irrelevant to practice, the book concludes with an assessment of the various limitations which concern with practical activity imposes on educational theorists.

First published in 2011. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

This is a well established major bibliographic reference for students, researchers and librarians, the first edition of which was published in 1952.

The Routledge Dictionary of Economics, now in its third edition, provides the clearest, most authoritative definition of economic and financial terms available. The book is perfect for students and professionals interested in a broad range of disciplines including Business, Economics, Finance, and Accountancy and all additional subjects where a knowledge of these fields of essential. The dictionary has been updated to reflect the economic changes of the new Millennium including the emergence of experimental and behavioural economics, new political economy, the importance of institutions, globalization, environmental economics, financial crises and the economic emergence of China and India. It's an international dictionary that includes succinctly explained A to Z entries and definitive explanations of the key terms, accompanied by a short bibliography and comprising supplementary online definitions. In a world where the reader is met with a barrage of conflicting and competing information, this book continues to provide a definitive guide to economics.

Communication Yearbook 24, originally published in 2001 comprises essays that address the current status of theory and research in each division and interest group of the International Communication Association (ICA). It focusses on the following questions: What are the parameters of the division/interest group, and what is the relationship of the division within other groups? What are the major theories used, and what research is there to support these theories?What are the major lines of research, and what are the main issues with which scholars must cope in the twenty-first century?

Communication Yearbook 20, originally published in 1997 contains ten major reviews that collectively span the discipline. Two of the reviews examine how consumption of television programs affects viewers. Other media-related chapters examine sex-role stereotyping in advertising, the role of the public relations professional in the production of the news, and the nature and effects of public opinion. This collection also includes review articles addressing attitude change and persuasion, participation in decision-making groups, social anxiety, the development of social competence in childhood and cross-sex friendships across the lifespan. The chapters in this volume present summaries of relevant findings as well as penetrating discussions of theories, methods, problems and directions for future research.

Communication Yearbook 19, originally published in 1996 provides rich overviews of key developments in theory, method, and application. The volume contains ten integrative research revoews on diverse topics, including communication and the elderly, compliance gaining in organizations, interpersonal violence, communication technologies, media access and consumption ans well as three reviews addressing sex and gender issues.Each review synthesizes findings of past research, discusses current controversies and identifies challenges for future scholarship.

Communication Yearbook 14, originally published in 1991 delves into research concerned with: audiences - their effect on the mass media and how the mass media effect them; the quality of mass media performance and public opinion; the study of contemporary media from an organization studies approach; the implications of propoganda; the pressure of public opinion; and media agenda setting, among other issues. Commentaries provide refreshing viewpoints to each chapter, enhancing each chapter with complementary, or sometimes competing perspectives. Once again Anderson has brough together an internationally distinguished team of contributors who have created a forum for discussing cutting-edge topics in the field.

Divided into four sections, Communication Yearbook 17 focuses on interpersonal interaction, especially the constitutive processes within everyday communication, and is intended to complement the mass media focus of Communication Yearbooks 15 and 16. The second section focuses on message characteristics and what messages do in interaction. Section III considers value and policy issues in light of the ubiquitous nature of communication media and cultural pluralism. The final section discusses the future of communication studies and its potential social contribution. Commentaries on each chapter provide alternative perspectives ont he state of current research, extend issues of significance and help engage the reader in the contemporary debates of each area.

The Communication Yearbook annuals publish diverse, state-of-the-discipline literature reviews that advance knowledge and understanding of communication systems, processes, and impacts across the discipline. Sponsored by the International Communication Association, each volume provides a forum for the exchange of interdisciplinary and internationally diverse scholarship relating to communication in its many forms. This volume re-issues the yearbook from 1983.

The Communication Yearbook annuals publish diverse, state-of-the-discipline literature reviews that advance knowledge and understanding of communication systems, processes, and impacts across the discipline. Sponsored by the International Communication Association, each volume provides a forum for the exchange of interdisciplinary and internationally diverse scholarship relating to communication in its many forms. This volume re-issues the yearbook from 1984.

The Communication Yearbook annuals publish diverse, state-of-the-discipline literature reviews that advance knowledge and understanding of communication systems, processes, and impacts across the discipline. Sponsored by the International Communication Association, each volume provides a forum for the exchange of interdisciplinary and internationally diverse scholarship relating to communication in its many forms. This volume re-issues the yearbook from 1986.

The Communication Yearbook annuals publish diverse, state-of-the-discipline literature reviews that advance knowledge and understanding of communication systems, processes, and impacts across the discipline. Sponsored by the International Communication Association, each volume provides a forum for the exchange of interdisciplinary and internationally diverse scholarship relating to communication in its many forms. This volume re-issues the yearbook from 1987.

In Communication Yearbook 11 major contributions from leading scholars in a variety of communication fields are presented and then critiqued by other authorities (often representing complementary or competing schools of thought). Topics addressed and commented on include the mass media audience, the theory of mediation, effective policy for health care communication and feminist criticism of television.

The Communication Yearbook 15 focuses on cultural studies and the social production of maning in relation to mass media messages. Included are significant issues in persuasion, language and dominance and interpersonal communication.

The Communication Yearbook 16 focuses on the study of communication within corporate organizations. Part II explores the role of communication studies in such timely issues as communication technology, globalization and multiculturalism. The final section focuses on three theoretical debates in which contributors discuss communication during initial interaction, the motivation to communicate, and communication in decision-making and problem-solving groups. Commentaries on each chapter provide alternative perspectives, extend issues of significance and help engage the reader in the contemporary debates in each area.

The Routledge International Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology integrates the topics of motor control, physical education, exercise, adventure, performance in sports, and the performing arts, in several important ways and contexts, drawing upon diverse cultural perspectives. More than 90 overarching topics have been systematically developed by internationally renowned experts in theory, research, and practice. Each contribution delves into a thematic area with more nuanced vocabulary. The terminology drawn upon integrates traditional discourse and emerging topic matter into a state-of-the-art two-volume set. Volume 1: Theoretical and Methodological Concepts is comprised of theoretical topic matter, spanning theories and terminology from psychology contextualized to sport and physical activity, sport psychology-focused theories, and expansive discussions related to philosophy of science and methodology. Volume 2: Applied and Practical Measures draws upon practical concepts that bridge theory and research and practice. Broader issues that extend beyond sport and physical activity participants are embedded within the entries, intended to augment physical, mental, and social well-being. This expansive encyclopedia is a must-have resource for all professionals, scholars, and students in the fields of sport psychology and sport science.