Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with policy

Do you have advice for an MPP student ISO research position job?

blandcamp — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:51:44 -0800

I'm starting graduate school in the fall: yay! I need to learn an entirely new set of norms around interviews, resumes, etc: oh no! I have a meeting set up with the head of a research institute where I'd LOVE to work there while I'm studying. What do I say? What's OK to ask for? I will want to work at least a few hours a week to pay for food and things, and to get some relevant experience on my resume. There happens to be a research center near campus that works on precisely what I'm interested in! So I emailed the director of the center and asked to meet with her, and now we have something set up.

But ... I'm not sure what to do at the meeting! What's expected of me -- thoughtful questions about the center or about the issue are, an elevator pitch, something else? Is it reasonable to ask for some work there during or after just one meeting?

I'm coming to this world from years in nonprofits, HR departments, official job postings and the like. Any advice Metafilter has to offer would be fantastic.

Making the Most of a Full-time MPP Program

pinterecki — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 13:04:09 -0800

I recently accepted an offer for a spot in a full time MPP program from a very decent, non-Ivy school. My funding (per an assistantship or researcher position) reduces the total tuition to approximately $3000, and the program provides an allowance for an unpaid or poorly paid summer internship. I have enough money saved to avoid going into debt if I work part time. I want to offset the opportunity costs of two years outside of work by making myself as employable as possible. I do not have a stipend to cover costs of living, but I have sufficient savings to graduate without going into debt and a good chance of getting a relevant part time job as a project coordinator with a nearby nonprofit due to past professional experiences and networking. I'm currently looking for additional scholarships and finding very few geared towards MPPs (any advice would be appreciated).

I'm 27. My undergraduate major was English and my GPA was 3.2, which explains why I did not get a full ride and (I think) why it would not be a good idea to hold off in the hopes of a better offer. I spent a year teaching English in Korea and decided that it provided little in the way of stimulation or career prospects, so I left it with the knowledge that I could always come back to it.

I started working as an entry level payment analyst for a decent company. The pay (28K per year, not including overtime) urged me to apply for other jobs within the company and outside of it, but the results were negligible (a few interviews and a lot of no-responses). I started to take community college classes in statistics and economics using our company's tuition reimbursement plan, and also began volunteering with several community ESL groups as a process coordinator and program manager.

I did this to improve myself first, to further my career prospects second, and to help the community third. I wanted to emphasize that order because, although I'm very interested in programs and institutions slated to advance the standards of living for a wide demographic, I think it's also important to portray myself as a person interested in personal and professional advancement if I'm going to get useful answers.

I've researched the positions which interest me, but I'm not limiting myself to them because of what I assume will be intense competition for employment and the likelihood that I will encounter additional organizations fulfilling similar purposes. The MPP program is three hours outside of D.C., which is probably where I would like to end up, and makes trips to the city on Fridays for lectures, policy seminars and networking. With that said, the following employers appeal to me; with the exceptions of SIGTARP, specific NGOs and specific non-profits, my program has placed its graduates into jobs within these organizations:

U.S. Department of State: Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement or FSO (Economics Cone)
GAO
SIGTARP
The World Bank
Think Tanks focusing on anti-corruption measures (please suggest some)
Watchdog Groups focusing on anti-corruption measures (please suggest some)
The Open Society Institute or one of its associated programs (please suggest more)
Transparency International Secretariat or one of its associated programs (please suggest more)
The Mines Advisory Group or one of its associated programs (please suggest more)
Danish Church Aid, Amnesty International, and organizations like them (please suggest more)
D.C. Based Consulting Firms

As you can see, I'm shooting for the moon. Wait until you see my personal and academic goals below. At present, my primary goal is to narrow my focus and minimize my risk through advice from the community. With that said, please help me plan my academic and professional schedules so that

I will be able to:

1.Graduate near the top of my class with publications in hand
2.Network effectively to ensure interviews, internships, and job prospects
3.Select relevant courses emphasizing hard skills (statistics and statistics software, econometrics, modeling)
4.Continue to develop soft skills (leadership, program management, process coordination)

and I'd also like to:

1.Begin a mutual fund, money-market, or otherwise useful investment to complement my IRA
2.Learn to code in a useful language
3.Take a 3 sequence Calculus series, Linear Algebra, and Real Analysis classes (or something similar to improve the chances of a.) acceptance to MSc programs for Statistics or b.) passing actuarial exams.)
4.Earn a PMI or Six Sigma certification

and it would be nice to:

1.Improve my Flamenco
2.Advance from intermediate Spanish to working fluency and pick up another language
3.Continue to train for triathlons and MMA
4.Eat a lot of Indian and Thai food.

Still reading? Here are the minimum elective courses I would like to take aside from the required core module (please offer advice to round out potential gaps in skills):

1.Cross Section Econometrics.
2.Time Series Econometrics.
3.International Trade: Theory and Policy.
4.Forecasting Methods and Applications
5.International Trade Law
6.Operations Research: Deterministic Models
7.Operations Research: Stochastic Models

Final word: I've been thinking about this program for a long time, and I'm trying to do my best to prepare myself for a quantitative focus by re-learning calculus before matriculating. If you have any advice as to which additional community college courses I should take in the summer interim between now and starting the program (and the summer interim during my internship), I'm all ears. Please keep in mind that I'll be working full time.

It's difficult not to see this program as a second chance for a shot at a stable, stimulating career that pays more than $50k per year. Because of this, I worry that I may be avoiding acknowledgement of the opportunity costs incurred by enrolling- I'd like to hear that side of the argument as well.

Thanks in advance,

pintereski

Marginal Revenue, Residual Demand Curves, Quotas and Monopolists

tokaidanshi — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:24:58 -0800

How do I calculate the differences in welfare for a state when an import quota is applied to an industry that is controlled by a monopolist at home, vs an industry that is perfectly competitive at home? Hi all,
I have a problem set for grad school that is asking me to calculate something that wasn't explained in class and doesn't appear to be in my textbooks as well. I am being asked to compare the differences in welfare losses to a home market when an import quota is applied to a perfectly competitive market, but I don't know how to calculate this for a market dominated by a monopolist. I'm given the home market's demand function and the marginal cost function for producers, which in the problem is the same for perfectly competitive firms and a monopolist, as well as the world price for the good. I think I need to calculate the marginal revenue function as well as a residual demand curve that would exist for the monopolist if a quota was applied, but I am not sure how to do this.

I'm not asking anyone to solve the problem for me, but could someone please point me to a book, internet resource, etc, where I can find an explanation for how to go about calculating this? I have searched around for a while now, but haven't found anything so I've turned to askmefi.

Thanks!

FinnAir baggage weight policy

kalapierson — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:03:23 -0800

Does FinnAir (in your recent experience) enforce its 8kg/18lb weight limit for carry-on bags in economy class? (By enforce, I mean actually weigh.)

My one bag is a modest, new-looking backpack (not pushing any of their size limits), if that matters in their perception. (It is a backpack but I don't look like a 'backpacker').

I'll be flying JFK-HEL-VIE and back.

Presidential Managment Fellowship for STEM graduates

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:20:01 -0800

What does the Presidential Management Fellowship entail? I’m a PhD student looking forward to finishing my degree in Biology (Organismal Bio, also called Ecology, Evolution and Behavior). I also have a Masters degree in the same field. I’m a US citizen and all my education has been in the USA. I’m increasingly disillusioned with the academic lifestyle. Also, while I’m good at my work, it’s largely quite abstract and several degrees from real application to real lives. I believe in basic science on an intellectual and moral level, but I find myself craving more direct service.

I’ve been looking into work for Biologists in the Federal government, and have noticed a number of positions which my education at least nominally qualifies me for (usually GS 09 or GS 11 – the first seems to be, roughly, “undergrad + experience, or Masters degree” and the second is roughly “masters degree + experience, or PhD”.)

And one option I’ve noticed is the Presidential Management Fellowship. Most people entering seem to be more Political Science/MBA types, but there’s a definite minority of STEM graduates, especially biologists. It looks like the BLM, FDA, DOI, DOA, and USGS, as well as the more obvious NIH, NSF, CDC, and others all employ biologists in one way or another, and not necessarily in a research capacity.

I understand that the Presidential Management Fellowship program involves rotations, and some additional training in government leadership, but I’ve been having a hard time figuring out exactly what else it’s about, or why I should be applying for it instead of applying directly for jobs in government service. The website is full of PR fluff , but there’s lots of the kind of “you’d know what this meant if you already knew what it meant” type stuff.

I bring: exceptionally deep and broad knowledge of biology. Good brains, facility with math, some corporate experience prior to my Masters, degrees from prestigious institutions. Some teaching experience. 4.0 GPA in my PhD. Stunning GREs if anyone still gives a fig. A certain stubbornness. Personal maturity (read: I’m not 25.)

I lack: a policy/government background, specific training in conservation biology (though I have formal population genetics and population biology), strong resources in researching alternative careers (where “alternative” means “not a professor at an R1 institution.”) Bright eyed, bushy tailed youth.

So what is it? Why should I give it a shot? Have you gone through it, or known someone who has? What was the experience like?

And, heck, what are your most discouraging observations? What kind of a person is most likely to fail?

Thanks! Anon because I haven’t told my advisor yet that I don’t want to continue in academic research.

Why is paid time off so hard to negotiate?

fries — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 09:04:36 -0800

What is the purpose of rigid paid-time off policies? I recently had this sort of discussion with many recruiters:

Recruiter: Because of [your good qualifications] I can get you 20 days paid time off but, at this company, even people with [even better qualifications] don't get 25 days off so 20 days is the limit.

I understand financial remuneration being based on what an employee is perceived as bringing in to the company. I understand that some personality types need a corner office in order to fulfill their vision of themselves. What I don't understand is

I'm not talking here about customer facing or support position where presence or absence on a shift really matters.

Why, if you are of greater importance to your company you should be required to be there less time, (surely the opposite would make more sense?)

I understand that companies employ people because they need them to be there, but I do not understand the link to status.

Why, when I ask for more vacation than they want to provide, do they not give a counter-offer of the vacation I want, but less pay? They are slightly aghast when I ask fro more vacation than is on their books.

This sounds like I am just complaining, and to a certain extent I am, but I am wondering what the thinking, or logistics are behind this. Is it really as small-minded as it appears or is there some solid reasoning behind it? e.g. does it have some link to statute or tax benefits?

I understand paying someone more if they bring in more money but I don't see the link between status and time off.

In this area, paid time off varies from about 10 days at some companies to about 30 at others.

Do initial public offerings affect government policy and vice versa?

espada0 — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:59:28 -0800

How do investment banks, specifically initial public offerings, affect government policy and vice versa?

Culture and groupthink.

espada0 — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:00:35 -0800

Is there a cultural dynamic to groupthink? Take any two cultures that have markedly different values and norms when it comes to social interaction, in a groupthink situation, given that both groups are dealing with the exact same problem/crisis, would both groups come to a decision that reflects their cultural background (in other words, having a "cultural signature")?

Of course I realise that regardless of differing cultural backgrounds any two groups would arrive at different decisions, I just want to know whether if those differing decisions are affected by the cultural upbringing of the individuals involved.

Cultural values affecting foreign policy?

espada0 — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:22:57 -0800

To what extent do cultural values affect foreign policy making between U.S. and China? Culture provides people with ways of thinking, seeing, and interpreting the world. People from different cultures will inevitably have different ways of looking at the world, so in situations where cross cultural communication is prevalent, such as foreign policy making, there will always be potential for clashes and conflict.

The conventional view is that foreign policy is dictated by economic and strategic interests, while that is certainly true on an overt level, there must be other factors that form the undercurrent of it all, or else a lot of foreign policy would be much simpler and frankly a lot less interesting than it is. Everything from our racial features, to the food we eat, the way we dress, what language we speak, where we live all form a part of culture.

I choose the examples of US and China because both countries are arguably the superpower in each of their respective hemispheres (West/East), and it helps for comparison as both nations play a significant role (I daresay they may even be the leaders) of the "Western world" and "the East".

Google privacy policy in computer-speak; please help!

sb3 — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:21:12 -0800

Is the new Google privacy policy reasonable or should I take further steps to protect my information? When logging into my gmail account, I received an announcement that Google is going to be changing its privacy policy for account users, starting March 2012. Google innocuously recommends that users read the new "shorter and easier to read" policy and displays three short blurbs; if I was in a rush, I could easily assume that these blurbs were the new policy. In fact you must travel to the policy page to then read the more detailed new privacy policy. I know I may sound overly suspicious, but I know very little about the technology that I admittedly depend on quite a bit for personal and professional use. For those who fully understand the implications of the new google policy, is there anything unusual about it? Any privacy setting recommendations for someone concerned with personal information being accessed by Google?

Cataloguing Obama's presidency so far?

stagewhisper — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 12:06:59 -0800

What are the best sources for compiling a timeline-based list of what Obama has accomplished (and not accomplished) so far while in office? I'm looking for non-partisan information (or if it's partisan, at least a list of accomplishments/rulings/positions that cover a broad range of policies, political stances, and ideologies). Sites like this are all fine and good, but not really all that helpful. An objective cataloguing of events and milestones both past and projected for the very near future would be ideal. Does such a clearinghouse exist?

And then there were none.

whatzit — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 06:10:46 -0800

Knowing full well I will be pilloried for this: We have a library at work (13,000 mostly-technical books and about 100 active periodical subscriptions, 200 users), but the 1 full-time librarian will retire in 2012 and a new hire is not going to happen ... What's next? (please read the questions inside)

Have you seen any good case studies on how to run an unstaffed library with well-intentioned but not necessarily organized users?

What problems can be solved by technology? architecture? organization? good policy? social engineering?

What problems will never be solved, or unforeseen until it's too late?

What do we need a portion of someone's time to do still?

Google offers me a lot of information about unmanned military drones and automated check-out systems, but I am interested in a more holistic view from your experience or bookmarks.

Trust me, if the hiring decision is reversed, y'all are the first group I will think of but we are probably not in your area.

I don't understand monies.

the foreground — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:49:50 -0800

Forex filter: Why is the Euro still worth more than the US dollar? Can someone explain to me in (somewhat) layman's terms why despite all the ongoing bailout drama affecting Greece and possibly spilling into Italy, along with the previous problems in Ireland, Portugal and Spain...along with some countries in the Euro-zone having unemployment as high as the mid-teens, overall GDP growth predicted to be 0 at best next year, but more likely in recessionary territory, a dysfunctional political union incapable of acting with one policy voice etc etc....Why is it that the Euro is still valued well above the US dollar and even when I see forecasts for as much as a year out in the future, no analyst seems to dare predict that the Euro would bottom out at less than $1.20?

I understand the US isn't doing "great" either, but comparatively, when you stack up things like GDP growth rates, unemployment, fiscal and monetary policy capabilities, the US seems to be clearly doing better overall, or at least to be "ahead" of the Euro Zone in these areas. I mean, my basic question is that how can a currency whose very viability is in serious doubt (according to some influential economists) still be so highly valued? You can throw in the British pound too.

I realize I must be misunderstanding some aspect of the relationship between currency and the underlying economy, but I'm not sure what. Is it that the currency is not meant to be an exact proxy for economic or industrial strength? Are speculative forces distorting the markets? Something else?

Bonus question: Can you recommend a good, readable primer on understanding the currency markets, Central Banks and previous currency crises and their underlying causes? Thanks!

I want to wring the science out of the dismal science.

invitapriore — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:13:25 -0800

I want to understand economic policy better, but I'm looking for a source that takes a specific type of approach. Help me find it, assuming it exists. Every so often I end up in a discussion about economic policy and quickly realize that I'm pretty ignorant on the subject. I've got a bunch of front-line arguments, but once any objections come (not spittle-flecked idiocy in this case -- it's usually with people who have reasonable-sounding and seemingly well-founded counterarguments) I realize that I don't know what I'm talking about. Those counterarguments usually take the form of "that policy would be nice if we lived in an ideal world, but we can't do that because of the damage it would do to [insert segment of the population/economic sector/large entity or group here]." In light of that, I'd really like to find a source that does a few things:

1. Offers an introduction to the various questions and structures of macroeconomics, especially with an eye towards contemporary economic issues, and addresses as fairly as possible the ways that opposing economic schools across the whole spectrum attempt to deal with those questions.
2. As far as is possible, offers comparative, empirical (and, again, even-handed) evaluations of how real-world implementations of those various theories have faired, something along the lines of a case study of (these are all made up) things like how the NHS in the UK has reduced healthcare costs by $X but is projected to not be sustainable because of budgetary concerns A, B, and C, or how environmental deregulation in the Ukraine benefitted industry Z, but externalities incurred by other industries and the harm done to citizens near the affected area resulted in that legislation being a net detriment to the economy/the country, etc.

If it's possible, I'd rather not have a source that offers this information in the context of "here's why conservative economic policy empirically sucks!" or vice versa. I understand that this is a deeply politicized topic, but I'm really trying to avoid just finding information that confirms my intuitions. On the other hand, I don't want to be lied to. Any ideas for some sources that might fit that bill?

How do I think about how to build things?

Apropos of Something — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 21:06:34 -0800

What are the canonical authors / works on design thinking and what books / other resources would you recommend as an intro to design thinking for a social science and policy wonk? Hey, education policy grad student and general public policy wonk too. Thanks to some dalliances into general design and urban design, I've got a hunch that design thinking could inform some pretty neat and innovative approaches to creating new policy solutions - if only I knew something about it. From those of you who make cool stuff for a living, or went to information school, please let me know:

What are the big schools / authors / works on design thinking? As always, timelines or summaries of major controversies are helpful.

In addition to or replacing those, what resources are useful to someone trying to learn about design thinking from outside the field?

Thanks!

IT Policy Help

never used baby shoes — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:18:26 -0800

What questions should I ask applicants for a position involving the development of IT policies? I work for a mid-sized non-profit. One of my large projects for both this year and next revolves around technology - upgrading systems, replacing old, mission critical equipment, and so forth. Part of the work is to review and update our existing IT policies, and to create the pieces that are missing (security, disposal of hardware, etc). I have the funds to hire a consultant to work on these with me, and I have two potential candidates to interview.

However, I am feeling uncertain about what would make good interview questions for the candidates beyond questions about time and project management, working within a team, etc. What questions would help me determine the candidate with the best skills to address IT policy development and creation?

Where are the policies for language ed in the EU?

titanium_geek — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 03:25:45 -0800

How do I find policies that are actually in use, not future or the past? Specifically: How can I find EU actually-in-use policies (and if possible, if it's actually happening on the ground) in regards to second language education. I want to find what the actual policy is, NOW, and how the Union as a whole is going with meeting that, (or specific countries)

I've found an interesting future looking article that suggests that every EU citizen should be
a) fluent in their own language and culture (mother tongue)
b) a second language (and culture): a second mother tongue
(of own choice)
c) a trade language (such as English or French) that they are competent in (if not fluent in culture, literature etc. A business language.)
and that it should be grass-roots community initiated- the article was a bit utopian, which makes me wonder:

Is this what is happening now?

This is for a paper on SLA (second language acquisition) in Australia, and my supervisor has asked me to include some info on Europe, to compare. As I said I found the future looking article, but I'm having trouble finding: "right now, this is the policy" for the EU.

Google has failed me, my library's website has failed me, please help!

Can you point me to existing data on Native American health?

powerbumpkin — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 12:18:58 -0800

For work I am making a complete database of all existing (reasonably current) data on Native American health/risk factors. But I know next to nothing about the area. What are some surveys I should look at? It would be especially helpful if the data were at the tribal level of analysis. I'm at a bit of a loss and I'd appreciate any help you could offer! Thanks in advance.

Education Policy 101

Mr C — Sun, 01 May 2011 11:38:04 -0800

I'd like to educate myself on the (intentionally) broad field of issues surrounding education policy. Where should I begin? I'd most appreciate suggestions for books to read, podcasts to listen to, blogs to follow, or anything else of that ilk.

Is public policy right for me?

c'mon sea legs — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 11:31:33 -0800

How does an English major start working/going to school in public policy? Bonus: is public policy really what I’m looking for? (Kind of a snowstorm inside.) I’m 24, finished my bachelor’s in English at a (known in academic circles, not name-brand) liberal arts college two years ago, and have been working for a year at a women’s health clinic. Before my healthcare job, I was a union organizer; before that, I was in school, working various irrelevant on-campus jobs and doing on-campus political advocacy. I’ve done a lot of organizing through political fellowships, running on-campus groups, and working long hours at the union, and I now know that I’m not cut out for organizing full-time: I’m functionally an introvert, and--though I’ve been told have a knack for connecting with people--it exhausts me to try to move people to action, even for a cause I believe in.

The part of organizing I’ve always loved, and the part that kept me coming back long after I started getting burned out, was the planning and research. I love sitting or pacing with other committed people and figuring out a plan of action, integrating information and research into our planning, and developing strategies to make smart, effective social change. At the end of a really successful planning session, I feel energized and excited, in a way that I experience in very few other spheres. The way I explain it to friends is that I love figuring out what resources are and how best to use them: when I was a resume consultant, I enjoyed helping people understand how their disparate, seemingly unrelated experiences could make them great candidates for X job; when I was a sexual assault advocate, I was best at finding people community resources and making plans for “next steps.” My commitment to progressive/radical social change is one of the few constants in my life, and I’ve been considering public policy as a good fusion of my passion and my skills.

I have never, however, done research outside of the academic (and literary) sphere. I have not studied economics or statistics, and my experience utilizing research in organizing is relatively limited, though obviously influential on me. I’ve also taken this past year off from significant political involvement to recover from burnout and try to see past the smoke from said burnout, figuring out what I want to do, so my resume is a little less impressive right now than it used to be. I’m signed up for the GREs in a few weeks, but beyond that I’m not sure what I should do, where I should go, or who I should talk to to figure out a) if public policy is right for me and b) what I should do if I want to get an MPP in the next few years. My alma mater doesn’t have a public policy department.

So, after all that, my questions: 1) Based on my self-description here, is pursuing a degree in public policy something you think would fit my needs? What would I expect from studying public policy with my limited background, and (extra points!) is there anything special I should know if I’m particularly interested in labor and gender issues?
2) Is there a name for the type of work I outlined in the second paragraph? As I look for a job doing this work, what should I look for?
3) Are public policy programs looking for someone with my background, or should I be doing a lot more to be awesome and savvy before I even consider applying?

Thank you so much.

Looking for examples of a corporate travel policy that is friendly and not punitive to frequent travelers.

donovan — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 08:55:22 -0800

Looking for examples of a corporate travel policy that is friendly and not punitive to frequent travelers. Company is a 50 person start-up with about a dozen frequent travelers (mostly sales and business development professionals). The most frequent travelers are on the road 2-3 weeks a month, mostly in US, and sometimes are required to travel on weekends. Over half of the frequent travelers work remotely from HQ.

It has been decreed that there be a written travel policy, though there are not clear problems that said policy is trying to address. The draft policy, created by someone who does no business travel, is penny-wise and pound foolish.

The draft policy includes rules such as "you must take public transportation from airports" (even if it will add two hours to your trip) . . . "stay at hotel X and Y" (even if not at all proximate to event, incurring added time loss and transportation costs) . . . "no reimbursement for gym fees" (though named list of hotels don't include workout rooms) . . . and so on.

There's an opportunity to revise/replace this draft policy and I'm looking for example policies or guidelines that presume employee trust, take into account the toll of the road, but also acknowledge that there is a general need to not have crazy expenses (nobody is or should be buying business class seats or renting hotel suites, for example).

Upgrading to Damned Lies

l33tpolicywonk — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 09:11:59 -0800

Please point me to quality books, articles, etc which argue both for and against the use of quantitative research techniques in the social sciences, particularly in political science and public policy. I'm looking for the canonical arguments on this issue, as well as any effective summarize of the debate. Discussion of the treatment of the social sciences as sciences are also much appreciated. Thanks!

What are examples of cities/societies picking themselves up?

Echobelly — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:27:28 -0800

What are specific examples of societies/cities/etc. going through a rough period and then emerging due to certain policies/practices being put into place? No specific time or place, I'm just interested in how places generally emerge from difficult times.

(U.S.) Immigration for Dummies

slide — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:59:47 -0800

I'd like to have a better understanding of the history of immigration in the United States, the U.S.'s current immigration policies, and proposals for reform. I'd prefer recommendations for books on the subject, but am open to other forms of information. In particular, I'd love 2 or 3 books that present competing views on the subject - from liberal and conservative viewpoints, insofar as there is a clear ideological divide on the subject. Bonus for books that provide some narrative regarding the experience of illegal immigrants across socioeconomic classes, geographic area in the U.S., and age ranges (kids and adults). Thanks!

Leaders in Affordable Housing Strategies plz!

crawfo — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:13:11 -0800

Looking for amazing municipal Affordable Housing Strategies? I'm familiar with the Toronto ones, but am seeking others worldwide, whether Canada, US or overseas.

They could be as varied as zoning regulations, architectural design and particular buildings, subsidies towards rent/downpayments....

But in short, seeking the most innovative, strategic and proven-successful policies worldwide. Thank you!