Income Taxes (Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details 6) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carry forward	$ 268,853	$ 319,685
Receivables	7,497	8,643
Inventories	11,618	6,970
Compensated absences	10,981	9,080
Accrued expenses	93,413	75,749
Property, plant and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation and amortization	81,954	52,088
U.S. federal and state tax credits	57,122	58,725
Foreign jurisdiction tax credits	24,641	14,464
Cash flow hedges		2,055
Other	14,573	18,767
Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowances	589,812	587,740
Less valuation allowances	(285,559)	(344,828)
Net deferred tax assets	304,253	242,912
Deferred tax liabilities:
Unremitted earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries	86,202	88,445
Intangible assets	48,229	54,130
Cash flow hedges	8,564
Other	4,863	5,768
Total deferred tax liabilities	147,858	148,343
Net deferred tax assets	156,395	94,569
U.S.
Deferred tax assets:
Equity compensation	16,460	17,641
Non U.S.
Deferred tax assets:
Equity compensation	$ 2,700	$ 3,873