Originally published in 1991, user charges and earmarked taxes are methods by which people pay directly for the services they recieve from government. As such they are frequently supported by those who oppose increased taxation, who argue that they are more like market transactions than traditional forms of taxation. This book explores the cogency of these arguments in the light of public choice analyses of political processes.

Originally published in 1991, user charges and earmarked taxes are methods by which people pay directly for the services they recieve from government. As such they are frequently supported by those who oppose increased taxation, who argue that they are more like market transactions than traditional forms of taxation. This book explores the cogency of these arguments in the light of public choice analyses of political processes.

Economics originated as a branch of the humane studies that was concerned with trying to understand how some societies flourish while others stagnate, and also how once-flourishing societies could come to stagnate. Over the major part of the 20th century, however, economists mostly turned away from these humane and societal concerns by importing mechanistic ideas from 19th century physics. This book seeks to show how that original humane and social focus can be renewed. The many particular topics the book examines can be traced to two central ideas. Firstly, that economic theory, like physics, requires two distinct theoretical frameworks. One treats qualities that are invariant across time and place; this is the domain of equilibrium theory. The other treats the internal generation of change in societies through entrepreneurial action that continually transforms the ecology of enterprises that constitutes a society. Secondly, economic theory is treated as a genuine social science and not a science of rationality writ large. The book also explores ways in which life in society is understood differently once economics is treated as a social science. The book will be useful to professional audiences who work with economic theory and who find that much of the hyper-formality that comprises economic theory these days fails to make reasonable contact with reality. It will also be of interest to sociologists, political scientists, and researchers in law, public policy, Austrian economics, evolutionary economics, institutional economics and political economy.

Economics originated as a branch of the humane studies that was concerned with trying to understand how some societies flourish while others stagnate, and also how once-flourishing societies could come to stagnate. Over the major part of the 20th century, however, economists mostly turned away from these humane and societal concerns by importing mechanistic ideas from 19th century physics. This book seeks to show how that original humane and social focus can be renewed.

The many particular topics the book examines can be traced to two central ideas. Firstly, that economic theory, like physics, requires two distinct theoretical frameworks. One treats qualities that are invariant across time and place; this is the domain of equilibrium theory. The other treats the internal generation of change in societies through entrepreneurial action that continually transforms the ecology of enterprises that constitutes a society. Secondly, economic theory is treated as a genuine social science and not a science of rationality writ large. The book also explores ways in which life in society is understood differently once economics is treated as a social science.

The book will be useful to professional audiences who work with economic theory and who find that much of the hyper-formality that comprises economic theory these days fails to make reasonable contact with reality. It will also be of interest to sociologists, political scientists, and researchers in law, public policy, Austrian economics, evolutionary economics, institutional economics and political economy.

Get to know the beliefs and practices inspired by Jesus Christ

Discover what it means to be a Christian and follow the gospel

Curious about Christianity? This friendly guide helps you understand the basic teachings of the Christian faith, exploring the common ground that all Christians share, the differences among the major branches, the key events in Christian history, the key theological issues, and the many ways Christians live out their faith in today's world.

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

Discover how to:

• Express the core essentials of Christianity
• Appreciate the life and teachings of Jesus
• Understand why the Bible is central to the faith
• Respect the unique roles of the Trinity
• Explore controversial issues among the branches

The editing is done with great skill . . . this is a masterly treatment of the subject. ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW Aspilogia' means materials of heraldry, and this first volume in the series on heraldry published by the Society of Antiquaries is a comprehensive listing of the known medieval rolls of arms of English origin. The rolls vary fromvery grand and luxurious painted manuscripts to simple records made by heralds using descriptive code, and this book is the best guide to them. It includes details of all known copies and variants, and includes rolls which are only known to us through later transcripts.

This beloved operatic work combines profound emotion and great comedy to tell the tale of a young knight and his struggle to become a Mastersinger. Wagner's only comedy, for which he wrote both the words and the music, offers an extraordinarily adept coupling of libretto and musical score.
This Dover edition is a reprint of an authoritative and accessible German score from the turn of the twentieth century. It contains the vocal parts as well as the full orchestral score for the three-act opera. English translations cover the introduction and cast lists; the rest of the text is in the original German. Durable but inexpensive, this edition features a sturdy binding that allows pages to remain open on music stands for years of use and enjoyment.

From its conception in 1857 to its first performances in 1882, Parsifal represented the culmination of the themes that preoccupied Wagner during the latter part of his life. This guide includes a series of articles on Wagner's profound and complex opera, which the composer preferred to call a Buhnen weihfestspiel - a 'Stage Consecration Festival Play'. Dieter Borchmeyer discusses the mythological foundations of Parsifal and its relation to Wagner's earlier works. Barry Emslie's thought-provoking piece explores the 'virtues of sin' in Wagner's last opera. Robin Holloway provides a study of Parsifal's musical motifs, followed by Carolyn Abbate's article, which examines the relation between music and drama in the opera. Gerd Rienacker contributes an essay on the dramaturgy, and analyses some of the major scenes. Finally, Mike Ashman writes about Parsifal on the stage. The present edition contains a literal translation of the libretto opposite the original German text, a number of photographs covering a wide chronology to the present day, a comprehensive thematic guide, a bibliography and discography, as well as DVD and website guides. It will prove an essential companion for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Wagner's final masterpiece. English National Opera, based at the London Coliseum, is a creative and vibrant home for compelling, high quality theatrical productions created by imaginative stage directors and designers from across the arts, performed by leading British and international artists.

These Opera Guides are ideal companions to the opera. They provide stimulating introductory articles together with the complete text of each opera in English and the original. More than any other work in the operatic repertory, Parsifal demands a personal commitment and response. As the culmination of half a lifetime's preoccupation with the issues of compassion and redemption, it has profound philosophical implications. As the ultimate example of Wagner's idiom it is an extraordinary musical structure. The unique quality of the subject inspired a wholly original musical conception. Here are four very different essays designed, in their variety, to set you thinking about it what it means to you. The translation was commissioned for the first production by English National Opera in 1986. Contains: A Very Human Epic Mike Ashman Recapitulation of a Lifetime Dieter Borchmeyer Experiencing Music and Imagery in 'Parsifal' Robin Holloway 'Parsifal': Words and Music Carolyn Abbate Discussions into the Dramaturgy of 'Parsifal' Gerd Rienacker Thematic Guide Lionel Friend 'Parsifal' poem by Richard Wagner 'Parsifal' English translation by Andrew Porter Discography Cathy Peterson Bibliography

Das Rheingold, the opening of Wagner's four-part The Ring of the Nibelung, stands out as more genteel and picturesque than the others. But it immediately establishes the huge scale of the overall work, and the extraordinary musical language that will be displayed throughout. It is a miracle of musical history that Wagner's 1850 conception could be brought to completion, in an organic whole, some twenty-five years later. Stewart Spencer discusses the way in which Wagner fuses genuine mythology with his own invention and John Deathridge places the opera in the context of The Ring and its century. Contents: The Beginning of 'The Ring', John Deathridge; 'The Rhinegold' - The Music, Roger North; Language and Sources of 'The Ring', Stewart Spencer; Das Rheingold: Poem by Richard Wagner; The Rhinegold: English translation by Andrew Porter

Tony Palmer directs this documentary which examines the link between the character Parsifal from Wagner's opera, Indian Jones, portrayed in films by Harrison Ford, and Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler - all three were searching for the Holy Grail. The film includes footage of 'Parsifal' starring Plácido Domingo in the title role and an interview with Wagner's grandson Wolfgang Wagner.

Live performance from the 2013 Odeonplatz Concert in Munich. Tenor Rolando Villazón and baritone Thomas Hampson sing works by Verdi and Wagner with Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting the Symphonieorchester and Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks. Music by Jules Massenet and Maurice Ravel is also featured.

A boxed collection featuring historical performances by three of the Boston Symphony Orchestra's eminent music directors, Charles Munch, Erich Leinsdorf and William Steinberg. Stretching from 1958 to 1970, the recordings feature works by amongst others Debussy, Ravel, Mozart, Schubert, Tchaikovsky and Haydn.

Even experienced programmers need a place to start with a new technology. XSLT For Dummies gives you the foundation they need to start transforming XML data right away. This friendly guide covers the essentials first-time XSLT users need to know about creating basic style sheets, working with various Web browsers, navigating XSLT tools, transforming XML, and putting the technology to work.

First complete German-English libretto illustrated by Polina Zinoviev