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Nearly two decades of debate have not resulted in widespread agreement regarding Jurgen Habermas's discourse ethics theory. Perhaps the reason that agreement remains so elusive is that the universalizability (U) aspect of Habermas's formulation of the moral principle continues to be considered. When (U) is considered, it becomes evident that a weaker & a stronger version of the moral principle exist. Though the weaker version is more easily defended, Habermas continues to support the stronger version. If Habermas were to make simple revisions, requiring only minor adjustments to his theory, he would gain a (U) that is less restrictive & more readily accepted by a wider audience. If a simple nuanced account of the (U) of interests were incorporated, the original intent of Habermas's theory -- that of providing a deontological, post-Kantian, universalist moral theory -- would remain intact. K. A. Larsen

This study assesses the extent to which state governments have adopted environmental dispute resolution (EDR) techniques, processes, & programs. Funded by the Hewlett Foundation, the study draws on insights gleaned from original interviews with state environmental & dispute resolution officials, analyses of archival materials, & analyses of state laws. It builds on the work emanating from the government performance project at Syracuse U, environmental rankings of states generated by Lester, & the diffusion of innovation literature. After developing a standardized rating of states' EDR programs, this study explains why some states successfully adopt EDR techniques while others choose not to adopt them or adopt them with limited success. Results suggest that states' management ability, overall capacity, & environmental commitment all have some influence, but cannot solely explain the decision. Instead, the innovation variable change agents (& to a more limited extent geographic clustering & elite ideology), combined with management, institutional capacity, & environmental commitment, provide important explanations as to why states decide to adopt EDR programs. 5 Exhibits, 30 References. Adapted from the source document.

This article describes Australian foreign policy issues that arose between Jan & June 2000. Among them was seeking smooth bilateral relations with Indonesia after the East Timor incident. While Australia worried about West Papua, crisis erupted in the Solomon Islands & Fiji, but Australia was not prepared to offer shelter to a Fijian government in exile, nor to open the doors to thousands of Indo-Fijians. Also occurring were differences with the UN; trade disputes with the US, Canada, & the Philippines; & trading with the People's Republic of China & Taiwan. 18 References. E. Sanchez

Labor unions have played an active role in 1980s-1990s congressional elections, providing candidates with cash contributions & campaign services in management & strategic decision making, mass media advertising, fund-raising, voter registration, & the recruitment of volunteer workers. Examined here is how unions targeted these resources over time & the impact that each form of assistance had on support for labor legislation in the 99th & 103rd congresses. Analysis of data from the 1984 & 1992 Congressional Campaign Studies, Federal Election Commission campaign finance figures, district-level information, & congressional roll-call votes reveals that labor distributed its cash contributions to help Democrats in close races & to reward Democrats & Republicans who had previously voted for pro-labor legislation. Unions also provided pro-labor House of Representatives members with assistance in campaign fund-raising, communications, management, & grassroots activities, regardless of their electoral circumstances. Members who received labor contributions or campaign services were, in turn, the most likely to support labor legislation. Finally, it is shown that labor changed its campaign strategy between 1984 & 1992 in response to the growing competitiveness of congressional elections & increasing partisanship in the House. It is concluded that, labor unions distribute campaign services & contributions differently, respond to changing political circumstances, & receive somewhat different benefits over time from the various forms of campaign assistance they provide to House candidates. 5 Tables, 30 References. Adapted from the source document.

There is much merit in the proposals of Johnson & Johnson (2000), especially in their explicit depiction of ways to raise the level of discourse in the nation & thereby improve democratic processes. However, unless fundamental flaws in the social-economic-political system are corrected, those most in need will not participate in the discourse. 25 References. Adapted from the source document.

This article describes areas where New South Wales's Carr government encountered serious political problems, Jan-June 2000: the dispute of the Teachers' Federation regarding the teachers' award, which expired in 1999, regarding its demand for a 30% wage rise over four years, countered by the government's offer of 9.6%; problems of the rail network's performance; the weakness of the Liberal Party & the leadership of Kerry Chicarovski; budget & finance changes; & the resignation of Attorney General & Minister for Industrial Relations, Jeff Shaw. E. Sanchez