Arpad von Lazar

Electoral procedures and political parties in Chile

The role that formal electoral procedures do or should play in the operation of a political system is yet a matter for conjecture and investigation. The merits of proportional representation, single-member plurality or various hybrid systems, have been hotly debated. 1 Some have maintained that adopting a proportional representation system is doing little more than dignifying anarchy and restricting the possibility of effective government. Others maintain that there is a sort of inherent justice in the principle of proportional representation in that it is more likely to represent in a democratic fashion the variation in attitude of the electorate.

Oil and development planning: Implications for Nigeria

Abstract The development of the oil industry in Nigeria has occurred very rapidly since 1960 — to the point where petroleum revenues now account for over 40% of GDP and 85% of government revenues. Oil revenues obviously provide a strong stimulus to development but a bureaucratic structure largely inherited from colonial days has had difficulties in coping with changed circumstances. This has led to radical steps to reform the structure of the Nigerian civil service.

Energy policy and social development : notes on Trinidad-Tobago and Venezuela

Abstract Trinidad-Tobago and Venezuela both show lop-sided development with high wages existing alongside high unemployment. The authors propose the promotion of these countries as ‘energy havens’ as a modest solution to this problem. The aim would be to attract industries more labour intensive than the petroleum industry — which dominates their economies at present — by offering cheap energy supplies.

Science, Technology and Political Development1

Modernization has a special appeal for youth in its projection of rapid socio-economic changes and the image of a modern societal structure as an obtainable goal. Education is identified as an intrinsic part of the modernization process, through which social mobility and the achievement of political power are envisaged. The young educated elites of the developing countries are generally characterized by a growing sense of “performance-orientation” and an increasing degree of involvement in politics. Preoccupation with ideological concerns is still common among university students. Young people educated in technological fields tend to be more task oriented but often insecure due to the lack of clearly defined social status. General attitudinal patterns suggest a preoccupation with authority and its role in development, a general lack of patience for political mediation, and the subordination of political means to economic goals.

Aspectos políticos e sociais da criação de emprêsas multinacionais na América Latina

o principal objetivo deste artigo e apresentar e discutir o papel e a importância potencial das empresas muitinacionais no processo de integracao latino-americano. Tratase essencialmente de uma analise que resultou das reflexoes do autor, bem como as impressoes e opinioes recolhidas em conversas com homens de negocio, politicos, tecnicos e pessoas de destaque no setor publico e privado de varios paises latino-americanos. E, portanto, uma compilacao de pontos de vista e seu proposito fundamental e tracar caminhos para discussoes e pesquisas posteriores, e para servir como guia em futuros programas de acao.