Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended										9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011	May 31, 2012 Class A Common Stock Stated Value [Member]	Aug. 31, 2011 Class A Common Stock Stated Value [Member]	May 31, 2011 Class A Common Stock Stated Value [Member]	Aug. 31, 2010 Class A Common Stock Stated Value [Member]	May 31, 2012 Class B Common Stock Stated Value [Member]	Aug. 31, 2011 Class B Common Stock Stated Value [Member]	May 31, 2011 Class B Common Stock Stated Value [Member]	Aug. 31, 2010 Class B Common Stock Stated Value [Member]	May 31, 2012 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	May 31, 2011 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	May 31, 2012 Treasury Stock [Member]	May 31, 2011 Treasury Stock [Member]	May 31, 2012 Retained Earnings [Member]	May 31, 2011 Retained Earnings [Member]	May 31, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	May 31, 2011 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	May 31, 2012 Parent [Member]	May 31, 2011 Parent [Member]	May 31, 2012 Noncontrolling (Deficit) Interests [Member]	May 31, 2011 Noncontrolling (Deficit) Interests [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			(742,016)	(420,022)											(742,016)	(420,022)					(742,016)	(420,022)
Treasury stock issued under stock purchase plans			3,889	4,424									(1,037)	(1,748)	4,926	6,172					3,889	4,424
Treasury stock issued under stock incentive plans			6,632	5,817									(19,660)	(10,110)	26,292	15,927					6,632	5,817
Net tax effect for stock incentive plans			(3,937)	(2,888)									(3,937)	(2,888)							(3,937)	(2,888)
Share-based compensation			59,438	50,453									59,438	50,453							59,438	50,453
Currency translation adjustment, net of tax	(4,774)	2,875	(9,402)	7,636															(7,912)	6,773	(7,912)	6,773	(1,490)	863
Change in fair value of auction-rate securities, net of tax	0	0	0	463																463		463
Noncontrolling interest contributions				6,875																				6,875
Net income (loss)	134,382	213,265	342,837	351,860													347,230	383,815			347,230	383,815	(4,393)	(31,955)
Shareholders' equity ending balance	$ 901,430	$ 1,393,358	$ 901,430	$ 1,393,358	$ 103	$ 103	$ 103	$ 103	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1	$ 103,528	$ 82,572	$ (3,835,973)	$ (2,805,711)	$ 4,667,702	$ 4,131,860	$ (31,673)	$ (23,940)	$ 903,688	$ 1,384,885	$ (2,258)	$ 8,473