constitutional reform and effective government rev ed

Constitutional Reform and Effective Government, REV. Ed.

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Sundquist, James L., PUBLISHER: Brookings Institution Press, For years the public has become increasingly disillusioned and cynical about its governmental institutions. In the face of alarming problems-most notably the $400 billion budget deficit-the government seems deadlocked, reduced to partisan posturing and bickering, with the president and Congress blaming each other for failure. And neither party can be held accountable. The public tendency is to blame individual leaders- or politicians as a class-but an insistent and growing number of experienced statesmen and political scientists believe that much of the difficulty can be traced to the governmental structure itself, designed in the eighteenth century and essentially unchanged since then. Is that inherited constitutional system adequate to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century, or has the time come for fundamental change? Should we adopt an electoral system that encourages unified control of the presidency, the Senate and the House? Lengthen terms of office? Limit congressional terms? Abolish or modify the electoral college? Introduce a mechanism for calling special elections? Permit legislators to hold executive offices? Redistribute the balance of powers within the governmental system? In this revised edition of his highly acclaimed volume, James Sundquist reviews the origins and rationale of the constitutional structure and the current debate about whether reform is needed, then raises practical questions about what changes might work best if a consensus should emerge that the national government is too prone to stalemate to meet its responsibilities. Analyzing the main proposals advanced to adapt the Constitution to current conditions, he attempts to separate theworkable ideas from the unworkable, the effective from the ineffective, the possibly feasible from the wholly infeasible, and finally arrives at a set of recommendations of his own.

Welfare Reform and Abstinence Education: An Issue Brief

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Castro, Wendy / Mayden, Bronwyn, PUBLISHER: CWLA Press (Child Welfare League of America), Designed to assist state and local policymakers and service providers to develop effective policies and practices, Welfare Reform and Abstinence Education provides objective information on the background of the abstinence-only education issue and highlights some of the facts, research findings, and key issues in the national debate over this provision.

Government and Business: American Political Economy in

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Lehne, Richard, PUBLISHER: Chatham House Publishers, Richard Lehne offers a comprehensive overview of government-business relations, comparing institutions and practices in the United States with those in the European Union and other major industrial nations. He argues that present-day policies defining arrangements between government and business are not inevitable but result from the societal judgments of various eras. Recognizing diverse traditions and previous policy decisions helps guide the process of reform and renewal that nations throughout the world are now experiencing.

The Economic Foundations of Government

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Holcombe, Randall G. / Krondorfer, Bjorn, PUBLISHER: New York University Press, This welcome work argues that government is the result of a contract arrived at by individuals with varying bargaining power. Holcombe explores such issues as why the political system protects individual's rights, why individuals agree to political institutions that give their governments extensive power, and why even the most powerful government benefits from constitutional rules which constrain its power. He arrives at a theory of rights, constitutions, and government that does not rely, as economists have traditionally done, on value judgments. Very much at the cutting edge of economic thinking, this book will interest undergraduates and professionals in the fields of economics, political science, and government.

Keep True: A Life in Politics

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Pawley, Howard / Moist, Paul, PUBLISHER: University of Manitoba Press, Howard Pawley served as Premier of Manitoba during one of the most turbulent periods in the province's history. Not since the days of Louis Riel has the province faced such intense and divisive issues as constitutional reform and French-language rights as it did during the s, when Manitoba took centre stage in setting social policies that would affect Canada's national identity. Howard Pawley's political principles were first tested in the fight to bring public auto insurance to Manitoba. In Keep True, he describes this early political battle, and the many that would follow -- human rights and marriage law reform; the explosive French-language debate that left the province caught between the federal government and Quebec separatists; the CF-18 fighter jet controversy; and the doomed negotiations of the Meech Lake Accord. He tells us what went right and what went wrong, offering unique insight into current national debates. From his first winning campaign while confined to a hospital bed to the sudden fall of his government at the hands of a rogue political insider, Pawley's memoirs are an engaging and refreshingly honest look at a political career that had a profound effect on a province and its people.

Constitutional Self-Government

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Eisgruber, Christopher L., PUBLISHER: Harvard University Press, Most of us regard the Constitution as the foundation of American democracy. How, then, are we to understand the restrictions that it imposes on legislatures and voters? Why, for example, does the Constitution allow unelected judges to exercise so much power? And why is this centuries-old document so difficult to amend? In short, how can we call ourselves a democracy when we are bound by an entrenched, and sometimes counter-majoritarian, constitution? In "Constitutional Self-Government," Christopher Eisgruber focuses directly on the Constitution's seemingly undemocratic features. Whereas other scholars have tried to reconcile these features with majority rule, or simply acknowledged them as necessary limits on democracy, Eisgruber argues that constitutionalism is best regarded not as a constraint upon self-government, but as a crucial ingredient in a complex, non-majoritarian form of democracy. In an original and provocative argument, he contends that legislatures and elections provide only an incomplete representation of the people, and he claims that the Supreme Court should be regarded as another of the institutions able to speak for Americans about justice. At a pivotal moment of worldwide interest in judicial review and renewed national controversy over the Supreme Court's role in politics, "Constitutional Self-Government" ingeniously locates the Constitution's value in its capacity to sustain an array of institutions that render self-government meaningful for a large and diverse people.

The Comparison In Which Mock Reform, Half Reform, and

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: John Cartwright, PUBLISHER: General Books LLC, NA

The Western Heritage: -Present

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Kagan, Donald / Turner, Frank M. / Ozment, Steven E., PUBLISHER: Prentice Hall, Present a strong, clear narrative account of the central developments in Western history.. The book calls attention to certain critical themes--the development of political freedom and constitutional government; the shifting relations among religion, society, and the state; the development of science and technology and their impact on thought and social institutions; and the major religious and intellectual currents that have shaped Western culture. Acquista Ora

Subverting America: Vol. 2

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Stich, Rodney, PUBLISHER: Silverpeak Publishing, Subverting America, in two volums, is a detailed and documented book on corruption within the United States, in and out of government. It covers a 50 year period as discovered and documented by a former government agent and his dozens of sources in and out of government.

The Roundtable Talks and the Breakdown of Communism

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Elster, Jon, PUBLISHER: University of Chicago Press, In and , Eastern European Communist regimes and opposition groups conducted a series of roundtable talks to peacefully negotiate the abolition of authoritarian rule and the transition to democratic governance. This volume documents that unprecedented process of national reinvention and constitution making. These essays capture the historical circumstances of these countries--their traditions, customs, and the balance of influence between competing factions--that often took precedence over constitutional ideals. In five country-specific reports, senior scholars provide detailed accounts of the talks in Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and the German Democratic Republic. Also included is an essay on the political factors underlying the failure of negotiations between reform groups and the Chinese regime, providing an illuminating counterpoint to the path taken in Eastern Europe. This book is an invaluable resource for scholars of constitutional design and democratization and for specialists in Eastern Europe.

Learning from the Eu Constitutional Treaty: Democratic

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Crum, Ben, PUBLISHER: Routledge, Assessing the EU Constitutional Treaty proposes a theory of democratic constitutionalisation beyond the nation-state, through a reconstruction of the fate of the EU Constitutional Treaty. Even if much of the substance of the Constitutional Treaty survives in the EU Treaty of Lisbon that has come into force in , the process of democratic constitutionalisation to which it aspired has to be deemed a failure. Still, the Constitutional Treaty process can be considered as a first attempt to provide international institutions with a democratic foundation that has been the object of the peoples consent. The book analyses the EU Constitutional Treaty process from a normative perspective that is grounded in broader political theoretical debates about democratic constitutionalism and globalisation. It will be of interest to students and scholars of European Union politics, history and policy.

History of the Democratic Party

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Fish, Bruce, PUBLISHER: Chelsea House Publications, These timely volumes feature the history and purposes of some of the United States' most important government agencies through enlightening prose and carefully chosen photographs, engravings, and paintings. -- Informative guides to various government agencies, processes, and histories -- Perfect introductions to these important topics -- Ideal for research -- Complements school curriculum The party established on the principle of popular government is placed in historical and practical context.

U.S. Government on the Web: Getting the Information You Need

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Hernon, Peter / Shuler, John A. / Dugan, Robert E., PUBLISHER: Libraries Unlimited, This essential guide places government information resources within the context of key issues and government structure to give users a clear understanding of federal publications available online. The authors discuss all three branches of the government and how to best access the types of information they disseminate.

Mexico: The Dilemmas of Transition

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Harvey / Harvey, Neil, PUBLISHER: I. B. Tauris & Company, This book examines Mexico's attempts to initiate political reform and economic restructuring. It addresses the problems of implementing reforms that attack vested interests and lead to greater inequalities at a time of economic crisis, and asks how the government can create a "South-East Asian" economy and limit the worst effects of the entry into global capitalism while maintaining stability. The contributions cover the last ten years.

The Reform of Workplace Industrial Relations: Theory, Myth

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Batstone, Eric, PUBLISHER: Oxford University Press, USA, Drawing upon a vast array of empirical data, this updated and revised edition charts changes in workplace industrial relations, assesses various attempts at reform, and evaluates the analytical approaches which have prevailed since the s.

International Organizations, Constitutional Law, and Human

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Gibson, John Schuyler / Gibson, John S., PUBLISHER: Praeger Publishers, Since World War II, remarkable progress has been made toward establishing more effective international laws and organizations to reduce opportunities for confrontation and conflict, and to enhance the pursuit of security and well-being. This book offers a detailed record of that progress, as well as its meaning for our times and those ahead. Taking a historical, theoretical, and case-study approach, John Gibson provides the reader with a broad understanding of how international organizations evolved to serve the interests of their member states, how the constitutional charters of organizations provide a coherent statement of goals and means to goals, and how these organizations are assuming increasing authority in the international system. The work traces the progression of international constitutional and human rights law, with an emphasis on the past 45 years. In the first part, Gibson discusses the historic processes of political relations and mutual reliance; the evolution of these patterns through World War II; the subsequent history of the United Nations; the prime goals of international constitutional law; and the organizations' range of authority--from the high state to the supra-organization level. Part two offers a case study of the progression of international human rights law. Separate chapters trace the history of human rights in religion and philosophy and the role of the state in international law, while the concluding chapter on the United Nations Commission on Human Rights demonstrates how organizations actually function. This book will be a valuable resource for courses in international relations and international law, as well as an important addition to academic andprofessional libraries.

The Changing Role of Social Care

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Hudson, Bob, PUBLISHER: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Focusing on the enormous organizational and cultural changes that local authority social services have undergone since the NHS and Community Care Act, this volume provides an overview of the structure and function of social care at practice, management and policy levels. It contains contributions from leading academics, researchers and practitioners in the UK, and also includes chapters on the experiences of the rest of Europe and the US. The contributors examine the impact and effectiveness of key shifts in the weighting of responsibility of central and local government; who the purchasers and providers of social care are; the interaction between social services and other agencies; the relationship between voluntary and statutory sectors; and the involvement of users and carers in service design and provision. They assess the significance of the breakdown of the traditional distinctions and roles underlying social care, and lay the foundations for effective and coordinated future policy, practice and research. With the publication of the Labor Government's White Paper Modernizing Social Services, the future of social care is set for yet more upheaval. This volume will provide an indispensable overview of the evolution and destiny of local authority social services for students, practitioners and managers.

Education in France: Continuity and Change in the Mitterrand

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Moon, Bob / Corbett, Anne, PUBLISHER: Routledge, In common with most of the industrialized countries, France has undertaken an ambitious program of education reform over the last fifteen years. This book uses key extracts from contemporary writing to examine exactly how and why that process has happened, focusing on all states of the education system. The book covers the main characteristics of school reform in France, its aims and objectives, the desirability of and politics surrounding the reform process, and explorations of classroom practice, the changing role of parents, standards in schools, and the curriculum. Because of its high quality, wide and up-to-date coverage of the area, this book will be a vital reference for all those working in this field.

The Language of Canadian Politics: A Guide to Important

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: McMenemy, John, PUBLISHER: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, The third edition of this indispensable guide to Canadian government and politics builds on the strengths of earlier editions and reflects profound changes over the last few years. Comprising over 500 cross-referenced entries, "The Language of Canadian Politics" offers brief essays on the many facets of the Canadian political system, including institutions, events, laws, concepts and public policies. Written concisely and explicitly, it is an important resource for people interested in contemporary politics, as well as those interested in the historic context of contemporary political behaviour. For example, the Social Union Framework Agreement, the Canadian Alliance party, the Secession Reference, and the federal Clarity bill, are covered both specifically and in their larger contexts. The book also includes distant events and objects that continue to frame political discourse. This new edition retains the format of earlier editions -- entries are listed alphabetically with numerous cross-references which readers can explore for their own particular interests and purposes. Some may be interested in essays that touch on traditional matters such as the country's federal, parliamentary or party systems; others might focus on policy- making in the legislative and executive branches of government, and the role of the judiciary in constitutional disputes; still others might follow the cross-references through various constitutional accommodations involving the French-speaking minority from the Royal Proclamation of to the contemporary sovereignty movement in Quebec. Readers not familiar with Canadian government and politics will find the book an invaluable introduction to Canadian government and politics; those who feel they are already familiar with the subject might be surprised as they work their way through the essays to discover how much more they can learn and the many ways they can take advantage of "The Language of Canadian Politics."

Social Research and Social Reform: Essays in Honour of A. H.

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Crouch, Colin / Heath, Anthony, PUBLISHER: Oxford University Press, USA, In light of recent skepticism about the effectiveness of social research, this work provides an opportune reassessment of its influence. It also proposes new ways to consider the relationship of research to reform. The range of topics covered includes secondary educational reform, changing concepts of social work, women's studies, as well as the role of evaluation research in social policy in the United States and Sweden.

Idea of Democracy

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Copp, David / Roemer, John E. / Hampton, Jean E., PUBLISHER: Cambridge University Press, In the wake of the recent expansion of democratic forms of government around the world, political theorists have begun to rethink the nature and justification of this form of government. The essays in this book address a variety of foundational questions about democracy: How effective is it? How stable can it be in a pluralist society? Does it deserve its current popularity? Can it successfully guide a socialist society?

Mexico: Assessing Neo-Liberal Reform

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Serrano, Monica, PUBLISHER: Institute of Latin American Studies, Although the early s witnessed great optimism with regard to the economic and political reforms introduced by the Salinas administration, the economic crisis raised doubts about the viability of market-oriented growth and political stability in Mexico. This book looks at the impact of economic reform and political liberalization on political institutions, state-society relations, and economic policymaking. The contributors are Alberto Arnaut, Fernando Escalante, Soledad Loaeza, Gabriel Martnez, Victoria Murillo, Mnica Serrano, Fernando Sols, Carlos Urza, Alejandro Villagmez, and Jos Woldenberg.

The Ends and Means of Welfare: Coping with Economic and

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Saunders, Peter, PUBLISHER: Cambridge University Press, This book explores the relationship between economic liberalism and social policy in Australia. How do social policies operate in a fiercely individualist market economy, and what role should the government play to ensure effective market-based solutions? Why has quality of life diminished as the economy has undergone sustained growth? The book covers key trends in economic and social policy over the past twenty-five years. It reveals how economic liberalism, despite all positive economic indicators, has contributed to an increase in unemployment, inequality, social dysfunction and alienation.

Campaign Reform: Insights and Evidence

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Vavreck, Lynn / Lewis, Lynn Vavreck / Bartels, Larry M., PUBLISHER: University of Michigan Press, What is wrong with American political campaigns? How could the campaign process be improved? This volume brings the expertise of leading political scientists to the public debate about campaign reform. These scholars probe the reality behind the conventional wisdom that nasty, vacuous campaigns dominated by big money and cynical media coverage are perverting our political process and alienating our citizenry. Some of their conclusions will be startling to campaigners and critics alike. For example, "attack" advertisements prove to be no more effective than self-promotional advertisements, but "are" more substantive. Indeed, candidates in their advertisements and speeches focus more on policy and less on strategy and process than any major news outlet, including the "New York Times," The volume suggests that, as a result, prospective voters in knew more about the candidates' issue positions than in any presidential election in decades, yet turnout and public faith in the electoral process continued to decline. For aspiring reformers, Bartels and his colleagues provide a bracing reality check. For students and scholars of electoral politics, political communication, and voting behavior, they provide an authoritative summary and interpretation of what we know about the nature and impact of political campaigns. The insights and evidence contained in this volume should be of interest to anyone concerned about the present state and future prospects of American electoral process. Larry M. Bartels is Professor of Politics and Public Affairs and Stuart Professor of Communications and Public Affairs in the Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University. Lynn Vavreck is AssistantProfessor of Government, Dartmouth College. Other contributors are Bruce Buchanan, Tami Buhr, Ann Crigler, John G. Geer, Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Marion Just, Daron R. Shaw, and John Zaller.

Nber Macroeconomics Annual

ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Fischer, Stanley / Blanchard, Oliver Jean / Blanchard, Olivier J., PUBLISHER: MIT Press (MA), This is the eighth in a series of annuals from the National Bureau of Economic Research that are designed to stimulate research on problems in applied economics, to bring frontier theoretical developments to a wider audience, and to accelerate the interaction between analytical and empirical research in macroeconomics. Olivier Blanchard and Stanley Fischer are both Professors of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Contents: U.S. "Commercial Banking. Trends, Cycles, and Policy, "John Boyd and Mark Gertler. "The Effects of Government Purchases: Theory and Evidence, "Anton Braun and Ellen McGrattan. "Macroeconomic Growth with Microeconomic Empirics, "Ricardo Caballero and Adam Jaffe. "The Chinese and East European Routes to Reform, "Alan Gelb, Gary Jefferson, and Inderjit Singh. "Waiting and the Option to Invest. Theory and Evidence, "Robert Pindyck and Andres Solimano. "Unemployment in Europe, "Gilles Saint Paul.

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