OAR@UM Community:https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/200342024-03-28T09:57:02Z2024-03-28T09:57:02ZChapter 14 : DevelopmentAgius, Noelhttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/464622019-09-15T05:08:51Z2016-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Chapter 14 : Development
Authors: Agius, Noel
Abstract: Different societies may define development diversely at various points in their history. In conventional economics it usually means the size of a country's or region's economy. It is usually measured by calculating the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The GDP is the market value of all goods and services produced in a country over a specific period of time (usually a calendar year). Another calculation is the Gross National Product (GNP). The GNP would include the GOP plus the value of a country's investments abroad, but minus the income of those nationals living abroad (Macionis & Plummer, 2005, p. 218). However taking development simply as something that is economic and numerical cannot give a complete picture of what development means. At best GDP or GNP can tell us how big an economy of a country is. However, these measurements do not show how evenly wealth is distributed. It is possible for a "rich" country to have large pockets of poverty, while a "poor" country has relatively low poverty levels. For example, in national income and median household income the United States scores very highly even compared to rich countries. However the USA has relatively high levels of poverty and income inequality (Woolf & Aron, 2013). A high personal income could however enable individuals to purchase goods and services and spend a smaller percentage of their income on food, shelter and other items essential to living. In poor countries there is less spending by individuals on non-essential items. Therefore it is more difficult for countries to achieve economic growth as consumer spending is restricted to the most basic goods and services. Thus, although Malta is listed amongst the most developed nations (United Nations, 2014), one must also look at various factors in assessing development and a country's well-being.2016-01-01T00:00:00ZChapter 17 : ElectionsVella, Mary Gracehttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/464352019-09-15T05:08:26Z2016-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Chapter 17 : Elections
Authors: Vella, Mary Grace
Abstract: Voting is generally considered as the most basic and widespread political act; "the first and smallest step" (Gaines, 2005, p. 1 0) of citizen involvement in the democratic process. It is also considered a fundamental human right and a basic means for expressing oneself about one's ideological beliefs and mode of governance (Swift, 2002) and thus vital for political legitimacy and representation (Ell is, Gratschew, Pammett & Thiessen, 2006; Wattenberg, 2002). This chapter presents an overview of Malta's electoral process and main aspects of political culture, within the context of its traditional and emergent voting patterns of behaviour.2016-01-01T00:00:00ZChapter 16 : Political parties and social movementsBriguglio, Michaelhttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/464292019-09-15T05:08:35Z2016-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Chapter 16 : Political parties and social movements
Authors: Briguglio, Michael
Abstract: Politics in Malta are influenced by various factors. These include Malta’s colonial past; a bi-polar electoral system; economic, ecological, ideological and cultural factors; and the role of agents, institutions, organisations such as historical personalities, political parties and organised religion (Briguglio, 2009, p. 141).2016-01-01T00:00:00ZChapter 15 : EnvironmentBriguglio, Michaelhttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/464282019-09-15T05:08:51Z2016-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Chapter 15 : Environment
Authors: Briguglio, Michael
Abstract: As a Small Island State, it has its particular vulnerabilities and constraints (Briguglio, 1995), which include small territory size; high degree of economic openness; dependence on a very narrow range of exports; dependence on imports, most prominently energy and industrial supplies; and insularity (Government of Malta, 2002). Main environmental challenges in this regard relate to landscape; land development; water status; climate; biodiversity loss; degradation of natural resources; population; waste management; tourism pressures; energy consumption; bird shooting and hunting; air quality; use of vehicles (Moncada, Camilleri, Formosa & Galea, 201 0; Zammit, 2009; Government of Malta, 2002).2016-01-01T00:00:00Z