Economic Development, Informal Land-Use Practices and Institutional Change in Dongguan, China

This paper is engaged with the critical perspective that highlights the role of the state in the production of urban informality by examining the dynamics of informal land-use practices in Dongguan, China since 1978. Based on in-depth interviews and archival analysis, the relationship between informal land development, the state, and land institution change has been revealed. Our findings show that informal land development is practiced by village collectives from below in Dongguan as a response to the absence and limitation of the national land law. The local government handles the informality in a pragmatic way that serves the goal of economic development in different historical conditions by actions of encouraging, tolerating, and authorizing, suggesting that the definition of informality is not a neutral classification. It is argued that while informality represents people’s creativity in dealing with practical problems, when and to what extent it can be tolerated, formalized, and absorbed depends on the intention of the state in a specific historical context.

DISORIENTASI PENGEMBANGAN INTELEKTUAL PTAIN? Pergeseran Wacana Studi Keislaman dalam Menghadapi Persaingan Pasar Kerja

The article analyzes the trends and impact of intellectual orientation shift occurring at PTAI recently. The development of Islamic knowledge at PTAI has been facing harder challenge. More intellectual scholars are not really keen on deepening their Islamic knowledge at tertiary education. This is contrary to the religious enthusiasm found in the society recently. There are two religious viewpoint shifts in our society. People are to be more religious by involving in Islamic teachings and halaqah, and, on the other hand, they do not want to be left behind in gaining earthly advantages. Deeping religious knowledge seriously does not attract them; therefore, Islamic study is not improving. Religion is seen as a practical need that can be studied instantly. As a result, people tend to focus on studies that are promising concrete earthly work. It seems that PTAI has been able to see this social trend shift so as to maintain its existence. As a consequence, orientation shift occurs and enlarged mandate takes place to accommodate them. In respond to it, institution change is a must—from Institute for Islamic Studies to Islamic University. In this instance, efforts have been done to legitimate the change. Eventually, the question to raise is how about the development mission of religious studies themselves then. Key words: Unintended consequences, scant department, joint decision of three ministries, affirmative action, main mandate.

Knowledge and power necessary to reconstruct nursing after management changes at a teaching hospital

This study was carried out at a teaching hospital in Southern Brazil, which adopted a management model that provoked the dismantling of the nursing service and the disbandment of nursing professionals. Its general goal was to promote changes that would be implemented in the re-organization of nursing work. It is a case study with a historical-dialectic approach, whose data were collected in March and April 2005 through the focal group technique. The study subjects were eight nurses, two technicians and two nursing auxiliaries. Data were analyzed through thematic content analysis. Results evidenced that the greatest challenges nursing faced at this hospital were: to construct a new identity, carry out teamwork while maintaining its professional identity, acquire visibility in the institution, change care and expand management.