This article develops a new sociological understanding of the difference between global and local relating to the phenomena of globalization. Globalization itself is redefined as one of society’s self-description insofar as, following Niklas Luhmann’s theory, society is conceived as a cognitive system that can only handle information (about the world, about itself) only through its own specific...

Some 50% of the people in the world live in rural areas, often under harsh conditions and in poverty. The need for knowledge of how to improve living conditions is well documented. In response to this need, new knowledge of how to improve living conditions in rural areas and elsewhere is continuously being developed by researchers and practitioners around the world. People in rural areas, in pa...

To my parents, Lin-huang and Ko-su.

INTRODUCTION Thoracoscopy under local anaesthetic and intravenous sedation, also known as local anaesthetic thoracoscopy, medical thoracoscopy or pleuroscopy, is increasingly being performed by chest physicians in the UK. In 1999, 11 centres across the UK offered a local anaesthetic thoracoscopy service, increasing to 17 centres in May 2004 and 37 centres in 2009 (Dr N Downer, personal communic...

The European Commission considers e-City initiatives a valuable tool in the establishment of inclusive Information Societies. Nevertheless, in many cases citizens seems not to participate. Many researchers suggest that the techno-economic perception of digital divide that possesses these initiatives impedes the formation of participative local Information Societies. This paper examines this sup...

Over the past year or so, I have expanded my work in both areas of my current research. I have explored deeper the interaction between information technology and society, some outcomes of which have recently been published on the internet (Castells 2001). I have also continued my analysis of spatial transformation through an interdisciplinary approach to the problems of cities and regions. This...

the present study investigates the culture of development in hawrami proverbs. analysis of development-related variables is the basis of sociology. as collective phenomena, proverbs are part of the oral culture of a society and their investigation can sociologically explain cultural and social foundations of the society. this research attempts to specify 6 development-related parameters in hawr...