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This paper draws a correlation between observed decines in social and political capital and changing socialization patterns. This paper focueses upon how teen cinema may have contributed to an overall "social situation" by portaraying authority figures with a specific and discernable bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Bowling Alone, Putnam (2000) relies on economic terminology such as "goods," "investment," and "productivity" to define social capital (Smith and Kulynych 2002). This emphasis on capitalism when discussing social networks obfuscates the importance of cultivating community, trust, and reciprocity among the citizenry. In this paper, I utilize Aristotle's conceptualization of the city and citizenship, as put forth in The Politics and The Nichomachean Ethics, as a theoretical framework to evaluate the implications of Putnam's definitions of social capital theory. Aristotle's arguments with regard to the city and citizenship indicate that fundamental changes would have to be made within the institutions and the priorities of the United States in order for a more cohesive, civically-engaged community to be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wake of increased capital mobility, many domestic currencies are increasingly in competition with foreign currencies. In many developing and transitional economies, the foreign currencies, usually the U.S. dollar, are used by citizens for some or all of the functions of money. Thus far, the literature on dollarization has focused mostly on the economic determinants and normative implications, rather than the political aspects. In this paper I develop a simple model of currency choice. I then discuss several comparative statics, which I use to develop testable hypotheses on the political determinants of credibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social capital theory, particularly the work of Robert Putnam, has received a great deal of scholarly and popular attention. We argue that Putnam's formulation ignores the ways in which race is fundamental and constitutive to the structure and function of social capital in the United States. We suggest an alternative framework, one that: (1) treats race as more than an independent variable; (2) addresses the structural factors underlying social capital development; and (3) includes the role of gatekeepers in the process. Such a framework would allow us to have a more accurate, and more nuanced, understanding of how social capital operates in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How do levels of trust--an important determinant of social capital--of the Migrant Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW) population in Idaho compare with levels of trust among Latinos nationally? Do MSFWs in Idaho have higher levels of trust towards other Latinos than they do of whites in the state? These questions are central to an ongoing discussion about the assimilation/incorporation of racial and ethnic groups in the United States. To address these questions, we compare findings from a survey of MSFWs in the state of Idaho in 2002-2003 and four focus groups conducted in May and June 2003. Using the Social Capital Community Benchmark survey as a contextual background, we found that MSFWs in Idaho have even lower levels of trust than Latinos nationally. We also found that MSFWs' levels of trust are low towards whites. Most surprisingly, levels of trust of MSFWs towards other Latinos are equally low. Increasing levels of trust and social capital is critical in this community for achieving greater incorporation, economic development, and improving quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NHP remains marginalized, especially in Southern Nevada, because of relatively lower pay compared to other Southern Nevada LE agencies, and the legal ban on collective bargaining that applies to state employees. Women are still a marginal group within the NHP, as is evidenced by lack of women in leadership positions in NHP's Northern and Central Commands and by sexual harassment complaints that resulted in the resignation of the NHP Chief and the Chief for Northern Command and a federal sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the top female trooper. NHP is also experiencing image problems that resulted partly from issues within the agency (such as high turnover and sexual harassment allegations) and partly from the spillover from LVMPD officer-involved shootings. NHP is a state agency, and many issues surrounding it seem like purely state and local issues, but upon closer examination of issues in context, global factors, especially the power of capital, become apparent. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]