Concrete, inherent to modernist architecture, possesses agency. Its ambivalent properties have diverse material effects on the spectator. Drawing on Ingold’s ‘anthropology of materials’, the... Show moreConcrete, inherent to modernist architecture, possesses agency. Its ambivalent properties have diverse material effects on the spectator. Drawing on Ingold’s ‘anthropology of materials’, the framework of the social life of materials allows to interpret sociocultural implications of material manifestation. Within the underdeveloped domain of autocratic modernist architecture, this discussion of the case of the Shayad/ Azadi Tower in Tehran, Iran aims to illustrate how the material properties of concrete produce ambiguous experiences which are reflected in the design-strategies of the monument. The materiality of the Shahyad monument emits experiences of modernity and ancientness at the same time, which aligns with the design-strategy and ideology of the Pahlavi regime. Evoking imperial continuity, the Shah rooted his modern vision of Iran’s future national identity in the permanence of Persian civilization. Yet, the highly malleable properties and agency of concrete have made the monument an active locus of power which continues to shape Iranian society after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Show less
This introduction provides the context and theoretical background that informs the studies in this volume. It introduces the volume’s common theme: the question of how different actors give shape... Show moreThis introduction provides the context and theoretical background that informs the studies in this volume. It introduces the volume’s common theme: the question of how different actors give shape to BRI projects. It outlines how, rather than treating nation states as singular, monolithic actors, this volume teases apart the way different people and organizations insert themselves into BRI decision-making and implementation. The chapter discusses how we might conceptualize agency in such contexts, drawing together the volume’s findings to arrive at four conclusions: 1) that in understanding the BRI, geographical context matters; 2) that the BRI is a pluralist endeavour rather than a single, unified agenda; 3) that BRI efforts often extend rather than challenge existing politics; and 4) that outcomes depend on the activities of local actors. Show less
In public discourse, displaced people are often portrayed as burdens to their host communities that add additional pressure to already scarce resources. Recently, scholars and practitioners are... Show moreIn public discourse, displaced people are often portrayed as burdens to their host communities that add additional pressure to already scarce resources. Recently, scholars and practitioners are paying more attention to the resilience or self-reliance of refugees. Our article takes yet another step by arguing that rather than being dependent or merely self-reliant, displaced people may in fact enrich local economies by introducing products from their communities of origin into the host markets. Based on qualitative research with internally displaced persons in an urban setting in the east of Congo, we show that, through entrepreneurship and innovation, displaced people actually add value to the local economy and carve out their own niche, thanks to their access to resources in their community of origin. This contributes to a more positive attitude among host communities towards displaced and is beneficial to their local integration, but is not a blueprint strategy that can be transferred to other settings. Show less
Could early modern chartered companies effectively ensure that their agents overseas were working in the best interests of the firm rather than in their own personal interests? This prin-cipal... Show moreCould early modern chartered companies effectively ensure that their agents overseas were working in the best interests of the firm rather than in their own personal interests? This prin-cipal-agent problem has been the topic of a number of important studies in early modern economic history. This article contributes to the debate by elaborating on two case-studies from the two large Dutch chartered trading companies, the East- and the West India Compa-nies (VOC and WIC respectively). Exploration of the careers of two individuals within these companies shows that supervision – and indeed career-making – was frequently a matter of unwritten rules and codes of conduct. While formal written rules might be found lacking, control could still be exerted through patronage or family ties. But this presented the com-panies with other challenges as well. In studying principal-agent problems, researchers in economic history need to be aware of informal mechanisms of control as well as formal on Show less
Van Lankveld, T.; Schoonenboom, J.; Croiset, G.; Volman, M.; Beishuizen, J. 2017
Many teachers at university medical centres struggle with the poor reputation of teaching compared to research and patient care. Although professional development activities have been shown to... Show moreMany teachers at university medical centres struggle with the poor reputation of teaching compared to research and patient care. Although professional development activities have been shown to strengthen teachers' identification with teaching, the processes underlying this transformation remain unclear. This study uses a concurrent nested mixed-methods design with an emphasis on qualitative methods to investigate the ways in which teacher communities and teaching courses strengthen teachers' identities. The results show that both activities strengthen teachers' sense of competence. Additionally, while teaching courses strengthen teachers’ identification with the profession, teacher communities strengthen their sense of connectedness with other teachers. Show less
Previous research suggests that social relations, in particular the forming of family ties and employment (social factors), self-efficacy (personal factors), and therapeutic interventions ... Show morePrevious research suggests that social relations, in particular the forming of family ties and employment (social factors), self-efficacy (personal factors), and therapeutic interventions (institutional factors) constitute main contributors in post-release success. These studies, however, have largely been based on general delinquents serving relatively short prison terms. This study aims to shed light on the influence of social, personal, and institutional factors on post-release success versus failure among paroled lifers. We conducted in-depth life-history interviews with 64 individuals who had served a life sentence, who were either re-incarcerated for another crime or parole violation, or were currently out on parole. The role of social factors in desistance among long-term incarcerated offenders was minimal. Rather, self-efficacy appeared to be a key element in post-release success. These findings suggest that research based on short-term incarcerated offenders cannot be directly translated to long-term incarcerated offenders. This group does not experience the same traditional turning points, such as establishing family ties and employment. Accordingly, long-term prisoners may go through a different process post-release that determines their success versus failure compared to general delinquents who serve shorter sentences. Show less
