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Reflects on the continuing evolution of the international system toward a third phase of capitalism that might achieve greater world unity & equality than in the 19th century. The historical growth of capitalism separated nation-states into a center & periphery. In the post-WWII period, capitalism entered a new phase in which production became disconnected from local contexts & capital became immune from national policies. It is unclear how the international system will evolve, but three types of relationships will structure the near future: center-periphery states, East-West, & between Western nations. Progressive forces should work toward a polycentric internationalism that seeks to link the nation-states of the international system on the basis of their level of development. D. M. Smith

The extent to which agents acting on behalf of the state are constrained by internal & external factors is examined. Literature on the influence of various factors on state decision making is reviewed, & constraints that affect state decision making on foreign policy are identified: agent views & inclinations; agent positions in the state structure; state political & legal foundations; & state economic, historical, & geographical position in relation to other states. International diplomatic standards, global law, international morality, different regimes, & global institutions also influence state decision making. Although none of the aforementioned constraints are absolutes, it is concluded that successful foreign policy requires the balancing of freedom & necessity. 34 References. J. W. Parker

The effects of political & economic corruption on international policy are studied. An overview of corruption's domestic economic effects emphasizes differences between the consequences of grand & petty corruption. The issue of whether corruption constitutes a legitimate obstacle to international trade is discussed. The question of whether the 1977 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) constitutes a disincentive for US businesses to export their products is addressed. Whereas some US companies have utilized the FCPA to prevent solicitations from corrupt foreign officials, other enterprises have simply evaded or disregarded FCPA restrictions. It is concluded that the FCPA has not significantly decreased US exports & that such restrictions may assist US businesses to acquire contracts with democratic systems seeking legitimacy. 2 Tables, 32 References. J. W. Parker

Der Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit der Harmonisierung des International Social Survey Programme (ISSP). Er stellt das ISSP mit seinem Harmonisierungskonzept vor, fragt nach der Harmonisierung der Hintergrundvariablen und greift dann exemplarisch eine zentrale Hintergrundvariable und deren Konstruktion heraus. Der Beitrag schließt mit Anmerkungen zur künftigen Entwicklung der Hintergrundvariablen des ISSP. (ICEÜbers)

Considers issues regarding the media's intermediary role in cases of international intervention, asserting that in democratic societies, when a government wants to involve itself in another country, it ought to obtain & uphold public support for its actions. Thus, the government must offer & the media must present reliable, comprehensive, & comprehendible information. In this light, four problems inhibiting the media's capacity to steer public opinion are discussed: (1) state regulation, influence, or manipulation of the media; (2) news flow imbalance; (3) stereotypical framing of certain foreign events as social conflicts; & (4) inherent cognitive difficulties in TV news production that impairs viewer comprehension. As these problems are exacerbated in relation to foreign news, the solution for producers is to domesticate the news, providing a familiar context for domestic viewers. Because TV seems to be the main source of news, & in light of the problems addressed, how the situation can be improved to make the public discourse on intervention more responsible is explored, arriving at three potential directions: (A) Demand reliable information from the government & other agencies. (B) Insist that journalists & broadcast organizations improve methods of informing the public. (C) Promote media literacy for better information processing & to generate public concern with international affairs. J. Zendejas

The United Nations intervention in Kosovo & subsequent provision of democracy assistance via the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo are examined to ascertain the sustainability of the nation's democratic transition. An overview of the various circumstances that prompted the United Nation's intervention in Kosovo, eg, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's bombing of key Serbian military installations, is presented. After addressing the outcome of the Kosovo War & the international community's initial attempts to promote democracy in Kosovo, the stipulations of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 are reviewed. Attention is then dedicated to analyzing the interim administration's handling of the remaining Serbian population, the demilitarization of the Kosovar guerrilla forces, the recovery of the national economy, & the contestation of local & national elections; difficulties faced by the transitional government in achieving these objectives are highlighted. It is concluded that the Kosovar public will have to overcome the United Nations administrative & operational shortcomings in order to achieve a sustainable democratic political system. J. W. Parker