Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended									3 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010	Nov. 30, 2011 Nonvoting Common Stock [Member]	Aug. 31, 2011 Nonvoting Common Stock [Member]	Nov. 30, 2010 Nonvoting Common Stock [Member]	Aug. 31, 2010 Nonvoting Common Stock [Member]	Nov. 30, 2011 Common Class B [Member]	Aug. 31, 2011 Common Class B [Member]	Nov. 30, 2010 Common Class B [Member]	Aug. 31, 2010 Common Class B [Member]	Nov. 30, 2011 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Nov. 30, 2010 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Nov. 30, 2011 Treasury Stock [Member]	Nov. 30, 2010 Treasury Stock [Member]	Nov. 30, 2011 Retained Earnings [Member]	Nov. 30, 2010 Retained Earnings [Member]	Nov. 30, 2011 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Nov. 30, 2010 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Nov. 30, 2011 Parent [Member]	Nov. 30, 2010 Parent [Member]	Nov. 30, 2011 Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Nov. 30, 2010 Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Shareholders' equity beginning balance	$ 1,243,989	$ 1,388,740	$ 103	$ 103	$ 103	$ 103	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1	$ 68,724	$ 46,865	$ (3,125,175)	$ (2,407,788)	$ 4,320,472	$ 3,748,045	$ (23,761)	$ (31,176)	$ 1,240,364	$ 1,356,050	$ 3,625	$ 32,690
Treasury stock purchases	(80,682)	(176,931)											(80,682)	(176,931)					(80,682)	(176,931)
Treasury stock issued under stock purchase plans	1,346	1,631									(441)	(406)	1,787	2,037					1,346	1,631
Treasury stock issued under stock incentive plans	1,229	216									(8,435)	(2,335)	9,664	2,551					1,229	216
Tax effect for stock incentive plans	(1,384)	(1,052)									(1,384)	(1,052)							(1,384)	(1,052)
Share-based compensation	20,892	15,032									20,892	15,032							20,892	15,032
Currency translation adjustment, net of tax	(8,357)	2,890															(7,363)	2,479	(7,363)	2,479	(994)	411
Net income (loss)	147,284	235,668													149,314	235,413			149,314	235,413	(2,030)	255
Shareholders' equity ending balance	$ 1,324,317	$ 1,466,194	$ 103	$ 103	$ 103	$ 103	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1	$ 79,356	$ 58,104	$ (3,194,406)	$ (2,580,131)	$ 4,469,786	$ 3,983,458	$ (31,124)	$ (28,697)	$ 1,323,716	$ 1,432,838	$ 601	$ 33,356

This element represents the amount of recognized equity-based compensation during the period, that is, the amount recognized as expense in the income statement (or as asset if compensation is capitalized). Alternate captions include the words "stock-based compensation".

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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+ Details

- Definition

Tax benefit associated with any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). The tax benefit results from the deduction by the entity on its tax return for an award of stock that exceeds the cumulative compensation cost for common stock or preferred stock recognized for financial reporting. Includes any resulting tax benefit that exceeds the previously recognized deferred tax asset (excess tax benefits).

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency of the reporting entity, net of tax.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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+ Details

- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

+ References

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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+ Details

- Definition

Total of Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity including portions attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interest), if any. The entity including portions attributable to the parent and noncontrolling interests is sometimes referred to as the economic entity. This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Aggregate change in value for stock issued during the period as a result of employee stock purchase plan.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Value of stock (or other type of equity) issued during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), net of stock value of such awards forfeited. Stock issued could result from the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options, stock issued under employee stock purchase plans, and/or other employee benefit plans.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Equity impact of the cost of common and preferred stock that were repurchased during the period. Recorded using the cost method.

+ References+ Details