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  Trends in Contemporary Economic Forecasting

  This text attempts to outline some changes in the realm of economic forecasting within the context of a broader process of transformation in contemporary forecasting during the last few decades. The paper focuses on the following issues: the rise of technological forecasting; the advantages of long-term planning; the emergence of ‘alternative ... This text attempts to outline some changes in the realm of economic forecasting within the context of a broader process of transformation in contemporary forecasting during the last few decades. The paper focuses on the following issues: the rise of technological forecasting; the advantages of long-term planning; the emergence of ‘alternative futures’ and global modeling; the normative considerations in economic forecasting; and some specific problems which need to be taken into consideration when making economic forecasts.

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  Preserving Species

  With the 40th anniversary of the passage of the Endangered Species Act it becomes necessary to review the history of this act and its impact on achieving its goals of preventing the extinction of endangered species. Many environmentalists have argued that the only way to prevent the extinction of animals, most notable Elephant populations in ... With the 40th anniversary of the passage of the Endangered Species Act it becomes necessary to review the history of this act and its impact on achieving its goals of preventing the extinction of endangered species. Many environmentalists have argued that the only way to prevent the extinction of animals, most notable Elephant populations in Africa, is through government management and ownership. However, we argue in this paper that the best solution to preserving endangered species is creating a more free market- oriented system of private property rights over animals and land use. Our argument is two-fold, first - that without a true market with effective property rights we encounter a tragedy of the commons where there is no effective incentive among individual actors to protect endangered animals. Second is the unintended consequences of regulation by government actors that distort the incentives of individuals to protect endangered animals. By instituting a more market oriented way of governing all animals would significantly benefit by reducing the tragedy of the commons problem and the unintended consequences of government management. Using examples from the American buffalo, African elephants, fish farms, and farm animals we try to build the case for more free market-oriented policies in achieving the goal of species preservation.

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  Bulgarian Land and its Natural Resources – Late 12th Century – 14th Century

  The author of this article has made an attempt to reveal how the Bulgarian state and its natural resources have been described in West European sources of information during the period from the late 12th century to the 14th century. In order to achieve the aim of the article the West European sources of information published in Bulgaria have been ... The author of this article has made an attempt to reveal how the Bulgarian state and its natural resources have been described in West European sources of information during the period from the late 12th century to the 14th century. In order to achieve the aim of the article the West European sources of information published in Bulgaria have been analyzed and systematized, incl. chronicles, stories, travelogues, cosmographic maps, reports, maps, portolans, etc. They reveal the impressions and knowledge of western annalists and chroniclers on the borders of the Bulgarian state and its natural resources. They also show that Bulgarians and their land occupy a worthy place in the works of western authors.