From the Paper
"Analytical Comparison of China's Newest Economic Regions:
Special Economic Zones, Open Cities, and Open Coastal Areas

Introduction
In 1978, the People's Republic of China took the first steps on a long path that would switch the world's largest nation operating under a Communist system of government to the world's largest nation attempting to operate as a new economic concept -- a socialist marketing economy. Since then, China's economy has truly modernized and embraced many of the concepts of economic geography, including creating a societal infrastructure that accepts capitalism. The reform process has affected all sectors of the economy (Roberts & Clifford, 1997, 54).

Looking back at the changes occurring over the last 17 years ..."

From the Paper
"The Government of Thailand

Introduction
The course of modernization, and democracy, in Thailand has not run smoothly. At this point, Thailand is operating under its 15th constitution, the latest of which was promulgated in 1991 by the National Peacekeeping Council of the coup regime. That constitution provided for a bicameral legislature and a constitutional monarchy, modeled on the system used in Great Britain. There are, however, many differences, both in structure and operation. The intention in this paper is to explore the development of the Thai governmental structure through looking at historical background and modern developments, followed by a brief discussion of contemporary politics."

From the Paper
"Introduction: Situation Overview

On June 27, 1997, the finance ministry of Thailand, along with the Bank of Thailand, that nation's central bank, announced that activities of sixteen financial and securities firms were to be suspended for thirty days, and directed the troubled firms to find merger partners. Five days later a further and dramatic step was taken: Finance Minister Tanong Bhidaya declared that the Thai central bank would no longer support the baht, the Thai currency, at its fixed exchange rate of 24.45 bahts to the dollar.

The initial reaction of international financial observers was positive. On July 10, the respected Far Eastern Economic Review reported these developments under the headline "Free at Last," with a subtitle reporting that "Thailand floats the baht, begins financial-sector clean-up" (Vatikiotis, 1997a, 70). According to ..."

From the Paper
"Introduction
When considering the type of investment appropriate for entering a foreign country (joint venture, direct investment, licensing, for example), it is critical to consider the political stability of the target nation, the demographics of the country, and the economic and legal environment. Some nations have significant restrictions on foreign direct investment while others invite the inflow of economic activity such investment brings. This research considers the environment associated with India and how best to invest in that nation.

Balance of Payments
India had a deficit of $3.6 billion in balance of payments for 1991-1992. The United States is the principal source of imports to India, while Russia was the principal destination for exports during 1990-1991..."

From the Paper
"JAPAN AND THE JAPANESE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Introduction
This research examines the practice of criminal justice in Japan. The findings of this examination are presented in three major discussions?Japanese society and culture, crime in Japan, and the Japanese criminal justice system.

Japanese Society and Culture
Background information on Japanese society and culture is provided as a basis for understanding the functions of criminal justice in the country. Information is presented within the contexts of (1) population and religion, (2) the political system, and (3) culture and social controls.

Population and Religion
Japan is an Asian island nation whose 122 .."

From the Paper
"THE TRANSFORMATION OF HONG KONG: RETURN TO THE POLITICAL CONTROL OF THE PEOPLE"S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Introduction
This research examines the transformation of Hong Kong from a British Crown Colony to a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) when political control of Hong Kong passes to the PRC from the United Kingdom on 1 July 1997. This examination begins with a brief review of history"old and new?that led to the British colonization of Hong Kong and to the agreement between the British and the PRC to return Hong Kong to China.

British Control of Hong Kong: The Opium War
Hong Kong Island, the core of the colony, was acquired by Britain in 1841, as a part of the spoils of its 1839-1842 Opium War.."

From the Paper
" HEALTH-CULTURE BELIEFS
Introduction
An understanding of health-culture beliefs begins with that of the United States. Within a technological society, health-culture beliefs regarding childbirth are explored. Obstetrical revolutions occur in a cultural environment and are charged with changing values and practices. Practices include prenatal, parturition, and postpartum values, beliefs, and customs and how these customs act as possible barriers to delivery care offered by health professionals such as nurses (Hahn, 1987).
United States Health-Culture Beliefs
To a society like that of the United States, which is technological in nature, the process of childbirth continually questions boundaries between the American culture and nature."

From the Paper
"The Han Dynasty extended from 221 B.C. to 221 A.D. This marked the beginning of the Confucian state, which would extend to about 1600 A.D. The Han period saw the beginnings and evolution of a governmental system, an economic structure, and a variety of intellectual developments. This was also the era when the civil service system was developed, along with the civil service examination by which the imperial Confucian state to recruit candidates to serve in government. Once the Han Dynasty collapsed, unity would be reestablished by the Sui and Tang dynasties. In addition, this period would be marked by the development of relations between the Chinese and various non-Chinese people in East Asia.

The Han empire was contemporary with the Roman Empire, but it was much larger and was indeed the superior civilization in.."

From the Paper
"This paper surveys the Bronze Age in ancient China, which covers a period from approximately 1600 to 600 B.C. That is, it begins more or less coincidentally with the so-called Shang Dynasty, and continues through the first half or so of the so-called Chou Dynasty, covering the Western Chou period (1122-771 B.C.) and most of the Spring and Autumn period (722-481 B.C.), named after one of the Chinese literary classics, The Spring and Autumn Annals.

The earliest bronze in China was found to date from about the beginnings of the Shang dynasty, and probably represents a shift in economic and political power catalyzed by technological innovation, as is known to have happened during the Neolithic/Bronze transition in the Mediterranean region. The major Shang cities, the capital of An-Yang and two other major cities.."

From the Paper
"COMPARING SOCIALISM IN THE PRC DURING THE MAO ERA WITH SOCIALISM IN THE SOVIET UNION
Introduction
This research compares the implementation of socialism in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) with the implementation of socialism in the People's Republic of China (PRC) during the era of Mao Ze Dung. Mao led the government of the PRC from its inception in 1949 until his death in 1966. The socialist policies in both the USSR and the PRC were based on the theories of Karl Marx. These theories were applied in the USSR beginning in the early-1920s. Although this time pre-dates the Mao era in the PRC, it is necessary to consider them in this research, as they determined the character is socialism in the USSR during the time Mao was in power in the PRC."

From the Paper
"INCOME DISTRIBUTION IN INDIA: AN ANALYSIS
Introduction
This research examines income distribution in India. To the extent possible, income distribution is considered within the context of class differentials, wherein class is defined as low-, middle-, and high-income groups. For the greater part, however, income distribution is considered within the context of population quintiles, as it is in this form that the reliable data on income distribution of collected and published by organizations such as the World Bank. Factors that explain income distribution patterns in India also are addressed.

Income Distribution in India
India is a massive country with a huge population. Almost one-billion people (929.4 million in mid-1995) reside in a country.."

From the Paper
"INTRODUCTION
The United States is a nation of immigrants. Only the Native Americans are indigenous to this continent, and at some point in their history they may also have come to this region from Asia across the Bering Strait or by some other means. In this century, consecutive waves of immigration from different parts of the world created tensions with Americans already living in this country, for they believed that the immigrants were taking their jobs, gorging the welfare roles, and somehow reducing their overall standard of living. One of the consequences of these tensions is the creation of certain stereotypes identified with the new immigrant group, stereotypes that may continue in some degree even after the ethnic group achieves a more accepted role in society. Asian-Americans are.."

From the Paper
"A basic policy question facing the leaders and economic ministers of emerging countries is the degree to which they should open their economies to the international financial system. By opening themselves to global capital markets, these countries can borrow development capital that would otherwise have to be squeezed as savings out of their domestic economies--economies in which average income is already low and severe poverty often widespread. On the other hand, by opening their economies to foreign capital, developing countries inevitably cede some control of their economic fate to the lenders of that capital.

The risks of doing so are both economic and political. While financial liberalization can bring in more development capital, that capital may surge away again, or become more..."

From the Paper
"This research paper discusses the following topics: (1) the process through which South Korea modernized itself economically and politically in the post-World War II period and became the 11th largest economy, especially the expanded role of the state in directing and otherwise fostering economic development; (2) the interrelationship between national economic policy and economic progress in providing a framework within which political power could be shared more broadly --i.e. Asian democracy, Korean style; and (3) the prospects and challenges facing South Korea as it seeks to consolidate its economic gains, maintain political stability and achieve other social goals. As appropriate, comparisons are drawn between the experience of South Korea and those of other industrializing countries, including Taiwan and..."

Tags: KOREA

From the Paper
"Every 20 years, for 1200 years, the fences and main buildings of the Ise Shrine have been completely rebuilt. The shrine, which is the center of Shinto worship in Japan, is of major importance in Japanese history. It represents the continuity and renewal of Shinto, of the authority of the imperial house, and of the traditions underlying Japanese architecture. In a tradition where wood, rather than stone, was always the principal building material, such a form of renewal is the only way that the shrine compound could have survived into the twentieth century. But the renewal means many things and the Ise shrine can only be understood when it is seen as the center of a complex interaction among power, religion, and aesthetics. It can only be fully appreciated, however, as an instance of a perfect blend of materials, forms, and site created as a tribute ..."