INCOME TAXES - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Deferred tax assets
Pensions	$ 294,850	$ 306,776
Revenue recognition	163,393	113,890
Compensation and benefits	734,373	797,707
Share-based compensation	293,546	262,508
Tax credit carryforwards	1,419,506	1,161,084
Net operating loss carryforwards	204,803	131,018
Depreciation and amortization	97,076	97,015
Deferred amortization deductions	705,495	687,351
Indirect effects of unrecognized tax benefits	343,832	354,544
Other	122,590	139,105
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross, Total	4,379,464	4,050,998
Valuation allowance	(1,564,554)	(1,243,207)
Total deferred tax assets	2,814,910	2,807,791
Deferred tax liabilities
Revenue recognition	(80,683)	(109,749)
Depreciation and amortization	(228,166)	(205,431)
Investments in subsidiaries	(202,359)	(330,673)
Other	(225,899)	(195,646)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(737,107)	(841,499)
Net deferred tax assets	$ 2,077,803	$ 1,966,292