Suchergebnisse

Once again we are approaching one of those moments in Canada in which constitutional law becomes central to our politics. The fundamental cost of the current political crisis is its impact on the national unity of our country. Whenever the next election comes it might result in the failure of any of the federal parties to secure national representation in all our regions, particularly in Quebec. Professor Ignatieff takes issue with those who believe that politics does not need ideas and those who would avoid constitutional discussion. He believes the challenge to federalism should be met head on saying that Canada is the most successful and enduring multinational, multi-lingual liberal democratic federation on Earth and that Quebec has benefited and has not been threatened by federalist arrangements in Canada. Constitutional dialogue amongst regions and languages of Canada is an ongoing process and Professor Ignatieff argues that it is the very condition of our collective survival. Federalism survives not merely by rebutting calls for its destruction, but by re-inventing itself in the face of challenge.

The threat of devastating terrorist attacks puts liberal democracies into a dilemma. How can they defend the foundation of their societies -- freedom -- without jeopardizing themselves? How can the monstrous power of determined nihilists been broken without destroying their own identity? Through political ethic that continuously balances & chooses lesser evil in order to avoid great evil. Adapted from the source document.

In this reprint from the Naval War College Review(Spring 2003), the structural vulnerabilities & lone military superpower status of the US are discussed. The author begins by comparing the U.S. to the Roman empire, describing parallels between 5th century barbarian invasions & modern day terrorism. He then addresses key national security concerns: the instability of nation-states in critical postcolonial zones; the complexities of balancing hubris & prudence in foreign policy; & the national security risks created by failed states. Finally, the author addresses ethical issues of regime change & nation building. J. Harwell

INDEX WAS CREATED IN THE DAYS OF THE COLD WAR TO EXPOSE THE TERRORS OF THE SOVIET SYSTEM. TODAY THE CHALLENGE IS DIFFERENT BUT THE SAME MORAL AND RATIONAL CLEAR-SIGHTEDNESS IS ESSENTIAL IN THE CONFRONTATION WITH TERROR

Analyzes the shift in focus in human rights issues from the Cold War era to those in today's weakened & failing nations. It is suggested that the Cold War era logic of humanitarian intervention as an act of conscience should be replaced with the need for intervention to rebuild failed states & reestablish national stability. Taking on greater significance since the decline of the Soviet empire, the "rediscovery" of the Holocaust in the 1970s, & the establishment of Amnesty International & other organizations, human rights violations today are more often linked to anarchy & state fragmentation than to despotic tyrannical regimes. Calls for humanitarian intervention must consider the consequences of politically neutral mobilization, optimal allocation of interventionist resources, & implementing preventive & follow-up peacekeeping measures. J. Sadler