Making Inferences from Index Numbers (1860–1914)

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 227-258
Author(s):  
Aashish Velkar
Keyword(s):  
Price Index ◽  
Standard Of Living ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Index Numbers ◽  
Indirect Measurements ◽  
Working Classes ◽  
History Of ◽  
Fit For Purpose ◽  
Measurement Strategies ◽  
Cost Of Living Index

Index numbers are indirect measurements as well as composite quantities that present particular inferential challenges to the measurer and their intended audiences. The early history of the use of index numbers in British economics (ca. 1860–1914) shows that making inferences using this measuring instrument was rife with problems. Economists grappled with multiple “inferential gaps” in order to make inferences from index numbers. The extent to which these gaps could be bridged depended on the theoretical frameworks and measurement strategies used. However, it is also evident that some inferential issues confronting economists were ideological or political in nature. Two case studies are examined, Stanley Jevons’s price index and the Board of Trade’s cost-of-living index, that sharpen the focus on the accuracy of index numbers. What did index numbers really capture about the deterioration of the monetary standard or standard of living of the working classes? By situating the index numbers within the broader ecology in which they were constructed, the article shows that making inferences was not just a heuristic process (one that eliminated gaps by getting the estimations right) but a cognitive one as well (one that people could accept as being “fit for purpose”).

scholarly journals Temporal cost-of-living index: from the generation of conception to the applied assessment

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 63-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Kozlova
Keyword(s):  
Price Index ◽  
Consumer Price Index ◽  
Cost Of Living ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Indicator Development ◽  
History Of ◽  
Two Stages ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Bureau Of Labor Statistics ◽  
Cost Of Living Index

The purpose of this paper consists in the identification of historical development pattern of the cost-of-living index, which is a significant price indicator of macroeconomic process.Materials and methods. The analysis of the cost-of-living index conception in dynamics is realized on the base of the foreign (American and West European) periodical data, also on the base of bulletins of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The methods of research is an analysis of generated conceptions of the cost-of-living index, mathematically well-founded selection of possible formulae of cost-of-living index, empirical justification of hypotheses about the ratio of the cost-of-living index and other indexes, the numerical estimation of bias calculated in relation of the cost-of-living index.Results. The history of cost-of-living index development was divided into two stages, the boundary between two stages is 1945, when the price index, which was calculated before this moment and named the cost-of-living index, was renamed the consumer price index. The first stage (from the middle of 1910th to 1945) was described by the first accumulation of data and researches. The most part of researches consists of the survey papers and articles estimating the modern methods of cost-of living index assessment. In addition, there are some articles about the conception of cost-of-living index ant its formulae that are the base of researches after 1945. On the second stage when the investigations of cost-of-living index and consumer price index were divided, the most part of articles consists of the mathematical selection and proofs concerning the detection of the sphere of determinant to cost-of-living index of indicators (income and expenditure, used technology, family structure), also concerning the inclusion and connection of cost-of-living index in the context of economics. Empirical works of the second stage confirm some theoretical ideas on the base of national statistics.Conclusion. The temporal cost-of-living index is the significant indicator not only of price process in the national economy, also dynamics marker of the standard of living. The effort to attract the attention to cost-of-living index will allow methodically enriching the economic researches and generating the ways of this indicator development. Among the ways it needs to mark out the calculating “alternative” consumer price indexes with due regard to approximation to cost-of-living index, realization of econometric investigation on the base of Russian statistics and intensification of the theoretical analysis on the base of conception of the true cost-of-living index by A. Konüs.

Dancing Women

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Usha Iyer
Keyword(s):  
South Asian ◽  
Cultural Production ◽  
The Body ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
History Of ◽  
Material History ◽  
Cultural Forms ◽  
Hindi Cinema

Dancing Women: Choreographing Corporeal Histories of Hindi Cinema, an ambitious study of two of South Asia’s most popular cultural forms—cinema and dance—historicizes and theorizes the material and cultural production of film dance, a staple attraction of popular Hindi cinema. It explores how the dynamic figurations of the body wrought by cinematic dance forms from the 1930s to the 1990s produce unique constructions of gender, stardom, and spectacle. By charting discursive shifts through figurations of dancer-actresses, their publicly performed movements, private training, and the cinematic and extra-diegetic narratives woven around their dancing bodies, the book considers the “women’s question” via new mobilities corpo-realized by dancing women. Some of the central figures animating this corporeal history are Azurie, Sadhona Bose, Vyjayanthimala, Helen, Waheeda Rehman, Madhuri Dixit, and Saroj Khan, whose performance histories fold and intersect with those of other dancing women, including devadasis and tawaifs, Eurasian actresses, oriental dancers, vamps, choreographers, and backup dancers. Through a material history of the labor of producing on-screen dance, theoretical frameworks that emphasize collaboration, such as the “choreomusicking body” and “dance musicalization,” aesthetic approaches to embodiment drawing on treatises like the Natya Sastra and the Abhinaya Darpana, and formal analyses of cine-choreographic “techno-spectacles,” Dancing Women offers a variegated, textured history of cinema, dance, and music. Tracing the gestural genealogies of film dance produces a very different narrative of Bombay cinema, and indeed of South Asian cultural modernities, by way of a corporeal history co-choreographed by a network of remarkable dancing women.

Studies in the Social and Economic History of Ostia

1938 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 152-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick H. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Economic History ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Standard Of Living ◽  
Three Generations ◽  
The Social ◽  
History Of ◽  
The City ◽  
Made In

The first of these Studies was concerned chiefly with the history of Ostia during the period when the city was still growing and its prosperity increasing. Even so, during the period already considered, the prosperity of Ostia, though real, was to this extent artificial, in that it depended upon factors over which the citizens themselves had no control. Ostia was the port of Rome, and nothing else, and in consequence any lowering of the standard of living in, or reduction of imports into the capital city must have had immediate and marked repercussions upon her prosperity. She even lacked to a great extent those reserves of wealth which in other cities might be drawn upon to tide over bad times. The typical citizen of Ostia came to the city in the hope of making his fortune there; but when he had made it, he usually preferred to retire to some more pleasant town, such as Tibur, Tusculum, Velitrae, or Rome itself, where he could enjoy his leisure. Few families seem to have remained in the city for more than two, or, at the most, three generations. Whilst therefore fortunes were made in Ostia, wealth was not accumulated there.

Kissing the Old Class Politics Goodbye

2005 ◽  
Vol 67 ◽  
pp. 54-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothy Sue Cobble
Keyword(s):  
Social Movements ◽  
Identity Politics ◽  
Economic Justice ◽  
Class Politics ◽  
Working Classes ◽  
Working People ◽  
History Of ◽  
Multiple Class ◽  
Alternative Reading

Verity Burgmann's call for a reinvigorated class politics and language is timely. This essay shares her goal of strengthening social movements in which class is taken seriously. It argues, however, that her efforts to resuscitate an antiquated class politics dressed up in identity clothes will not further that goal. This response offers an alternative reading of the nature and history of the “new” and the “old” social movements, of what can be learned about class and class-conscious movements from “identity politics” and from cultural theorists, and of what is needed to encourage future movements for social and economic justice. It calls for a class politics that recognizes the diversity of the working classes, embraces multiple class identities, reflects the fluid and multitiered class structures in which we live, and honors the aspirations of working people for inclusion, equity, and justice.

Education and the Postmodern Subject in Neoliberal Society and the Possibilities of Emancipation by Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 52-76
Author(s):  
Ronnie Peter Pereira Zanatta ◽  
Maria Sara Lima Dias ◽  
Nestor Cortez Saavedra Filho
Keyword(s):  
History Of Education ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Educational Legislation ◽  
Capitalist System ◽  
Humanist Education ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Company Culture ◽  
History Of ◽  
Fredric Jameson

Background: In a society increasingly marked by the logic of contemporary capitalism, education becomes an instrument for the reproduction of alienated labour forces. Objectives: To provide an overview of the characteristics of subjectivity and attitudes of the postmodern subject based on the studies of Fredric Jameson and David Harvey; unveiling the development of techniques for producing more effective ways of subjecting the company culture to neoliberal rationality described by Pierre Dardot and Christian Laval and their influences on the formation of contemporary identities; reflect on the role of education, in particular of scientific education, in overcoming the state of alienation brought about by the capitalist system of neoliberal societies. Design: Articulation between exploratory and bibliographic research, articulated with the theoretical frameworks of Paulo Freire’s critical theory and pedagogy.  Settings and Participants: Given the typology of the research carried out, articles, books and documents about the capitalist system in neoliberal societies, the educational legislation and Paulo Freire’s pedagogy. Data Collection and analysis: Critical reflection on the texts consulted and included in the research. Results: There is a relationship between the subjects constituted from the marketing logic and the role of the school as a reproducer of mechanisms of subjugation to the hegemonic capitalist system; there is also the business and industrial influence in the development of educational policies throughout the history of education. Conclusions: As a possibility of transforming this scenario of alienation from the educational system to hegemonic power, the Freirean conception of emancipatory critical humanist education is presented, in addition to the reproduction of capitalist logic, based on the awareness of subjects based on dialogical pedagogy and the appropriation of the scientific knowledge as a transformer of reality.

scholarly journals A RESEARCH PAPER ON A STUDY ON PRICE INDICES METHODS IN INDIA

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 15-25
Keyword(s):  
Price Index ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Price Indices ◽  
Index Numbers ◽  
Price Changes ◽  
Price Fluctuations ◽  
The Real ◽  
The World ◽  
True Position ◽  
Scientific Tool

It is expected that the price index numbers which are universally used as the scientific tool of measures of price changes all over the world must reflect the real and true position of prices in economy every time since they are the only arithmetic source of measuring the price fluctuations and economic fluctuations thereby. But unfortunately, they do not seem to fulfill these expectations fully especially in India. Many times it has happened that price index numbers have failed in reflecting real economic conditions through price changes. So, this research is attempt to study all the different price indices model and try to find out the effective way out.

scholarly journals The Cross Roads of Heritage

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Philippa Dalgety
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Adaptive Reuse ◽  
Built Form ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
History Of ◽  
Fit For Purpose ◽  
The Town

<p>This research explores an approach for adaptive reuse to enhance livability and greater connection to place within provincial towns of New Zealand. There are existing buildings which are often left in disrepair or considered too expensive to refurbish or strengthen. They are often demolished with little consideration to the building’s significance, therefore adaptive reuse has become a missed opportunity in New Zealand.  Many of our provincial cities have uninhabited large-scale buildings, which need upgrading due to being outdated and no longer fit for purpose. Seismic upgrading is a key factor in why these buildings are left uninhabited. One of the urban areas which this is prevalent is Whanganui. Whanganui has the opportunity to blend the old and the new built form to create a revitalized and timeless street appearance.   The regeneration of Whanganui can be achieved through adaptive reuse to enhance the crafted beauty of the town through its architecture. The revitalization of Whanganui can give guidance to other provincial cities in New Zealand while enhancing the quality of life within the town.  An in-depth analysis of the history of Whanganui, will allow for heritage significance to play a major role in the redesign. This design will be developed at three different scales to demonstrate how the built form can enhance connection to place and livability. These scales are at an urban, a built and a detailed scale.   The main cross roads linking the city of Whanganui to its river is surrounded by character and historical buildings. It will be used as a key area illustrating Whanganui’s past to better inform the future.</p>

scholarly journals The 1998 University of Wyoming/Grand Teton National Park Cooperative Archaeology Program

2000 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 72-92
Author(s):  
Charles Reher
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
University Of Wyoming ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Field Methods ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
Science Camp ◽  
History Of ◽  
Field Season ◽  
Types Of Information ◽  
Research Compliance

As of this writing we have completed the third year of a cooperative UW/GTNP archaeological project, with 1998 being the first season. The primary purpose here is to provide a brief overview of some of the accomplishments of that first field season. This basic "UW/NPS Research Center Annual Report" format then will have two more installments for 1999 and 2000. More attention is given in this first report to background such as the history of archaeological research in Grand Teton National Park, while subsequent reports will emphasize other types of information. No attempt is made here to provide detailed discussions of field methods, project environmental settings, or individual sites, features, and artifacts. Such description would be standard in some archaeological reporting formats, but much more detailed discussions, and more synthesis of regional prehistory, is being assembled in a series of project­ specific compliance reports, conference papers, seminar papers, a graduate student thesis, and journal articles. The possibility of a cooperative University of Wyoming/Grand Teton National Park venture was first proposed by Robert Schiller, Director of the Science and Resource Management Division at Grand Teton. It was apparent that a series of mutual benefits could result, where University archaeologists would aid the Park with its increasing number of federally-mandated compliance projects while at the same time providing student training and employment opportunities. In addition, nearly 400 sites had been located in Grand Teton National Park and the adjacent Rockefeller Parkway at that time, but very little current information was available for many of them and modem re­evaluations were needed. At the same time, these various "applied research" compliance surveys and site revisit projects could contribute to broader theoretical frameworks relevant to our research throughout the region. The investigation of prehistoric settlement patterns and other aspects of landscape utilization is enhanced even by basic surface evidence, for example. The 1998 UW/GTNP CAP crew included the writer, UW Anthropology graduate students Alan Bartholomew and Mike Peterson, and volunteer archaeologist Jill Anderson. All work in Grand Teton has been coordinated with Park Historian Mike Johnson and USFS/GTNP Archaeologist Merry Haydon. Dave Hammond with the GTNP GPS unit and several other individuals aided with our projects. Yellowstone National Park Archaeologist Ann Johnson provided needed advice and materials on several occasions. All of our work was only possible because of the availability of the AMK Science Camp facilities, and the hospitality provided there by Hank and Mary Ann Harlow and their staff.

scholarly journals From Islamization of Knowledge to Islamization of Education

1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. v-ix
Author(s):  
AbdulHamid A. AbuSulayman
Keyword(s):  
Ottoman Empire ◽  
Muslim World ◽  
Standard Of Living ◽  
Reform Movements ◽  
World War ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Political Independence ◽  
Muslim People ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Masses

Any Muslim intellectual who has a serious concern for the relativelydeteriorating condition of the Muslim Ummah with respect to the WesternWorld would be depressed and confused. However, the recent history of theMuslim World shows how many determined reformist movements playeda positive role in changing the Muslim condition. But these movements metwith partial or limited success.It was in the late seventeenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth centuries,an ascendant Europe undermined and overran much of the UthmaniDuwlah (Ottoman Empire) and finally put an end to it, much to the shockand dismay of the Muslim World. The powerful European challenge andthis drastic event elicited two contrasting responses from the Muslim eliteand the masses. While many of them resorted to superficial imitation andinitiated capricious copycat reform movements, some harnessed the risingawareness and the attendant spirit of resistance to launch more genuineefforts and reform movements. Understandably, these efforts were conflicting,emotional, and limited in their scope but they eventually helpedMuslim societies to gain political independence in the post-World War IIera. At the heart of these reforms and political liberation was the Muslimpeoples’ desire to realize their Islamic, national, and cultural aspirationsalong with the hope of enjoying a standard of living comparable to that ofthe West.Unfortunately, these hopes were not achieved and the cultural reformscontinued to be emotional, arbitrary, and patchwork (talfiq). The conditionof the Muslim people continued to deteriorate and the gap between theWestern world and the Muslim world continued to widen. The former continuedto dominate and exploit that latter. All this proved that arbitrary,emotional, superficial, and limited patchwork reforms would not have aserious impact on the conditions of the Muslim people and will fail to realizetheir national or Islamic aspirations ...

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