Suchergebnisse

PUBLIC RESISTANCE TO THE GROWTH OF TAXATION AND STATE EXPENDITURE HAS INCREASED IN MANY WESTERN INDUSTRIAL SOCIETIES DURING THE LAST DECADE. THIS RESISTANCE HAS BEEN EXPRESSED IN SEVERAL WAYS. THE AUTHOR EXAMINES SCATTERED SURVEY DATA ON POPULAR ATTITUDES TOWARD TAXATION, GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE, AND SOCIAL SERVICES IN DENMARK, WEST GERMANY, THE NETHERLANDS, SWEDEN AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.

Human water contact patterns were studied in two resettlement communities at the Oyan Reservoir in south-west Nigeria in all four seasons in 1991 and 1992. Water contact was most intensive in the afternoon and in the hot dry season, but different types of activities exhibited different daily and seasonal patterns. Both communities were highly endemic for urinary schistosomiasis. However, knowledge regarding schistosomiasis transmission was very limited and the infection was, in spite of a very high frequency of blood in the urine, not considered a major public health problem. Most water contacts were of either a recreational (swimming, bathing) or economic (fishing) nature, and age- and sex-related patterns were evident. The overall level of exposure peaked in the 10–14 years age group but water contact of an economic nature peaked in the 20–39 years age group. Females had generally more water contact than males.

Structural inequalities and identity processes are pivotal to understanding public response to COVID-19. We discuss how identity processes can be used to promote community-level support, safe normative behaviour, and increase compliance with guidance. However, we caution how government failure to account for structural inequalities can alienate vulnerable groups, inhibit groups from being able to follow guidance, and lead to the creation of new groups in response to illegitimate treatment. Moreover, we look ahead to the longitudinal impacts of inequalities during pandemics and advise government bodies should address identity-based inequalities to mitigate negative relations with the public and subsequent collective protest.