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This paper is a philosophy of science critique of behavioralist studies on international conflict. We find that the vast majority of studies on conflict fall into one of two categories: hypothesis testing and model building. A number of hypothesis-testing studies involve hypotheses which are believed to be the conse quences of some theory. We argue that these studies will not generate scientific progress because they fail to appraise more than one theory at a time. There are also many studies where the hypotheses tested are not purported to be the consequences of some theory. We argue that these studies too are unable to generate real progress because they are incapable of yielding novel information and are therefore in capable of being severely tested. The model-building activities of others do not offer much hope for sci entific progress either. This is primarily due to the fact that model builders focus on what is essentially a problem for the mathematician, not the scientist. In addition, we find that model builders, even when subjecting their models to empirical analyses, actually fail to test any theories or universal generaliza tions. In the hope of furthering our understanding about the causes of international conflict, we suggest that hypothesis testers reformulate their hypotheses so that they can be subjected to severe tests. We also suggest a change in focus for model builders which hopefully will enable them to progress to better, more comprehensive theories of international conflict.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants that affect international capital flows (ICF) toward the Spanish real estate market over the period 1995 first quarter to 2017 fourth quarter.Design/methodology/approachVECM methodology is used to analyze time series and panel methods using pooled EGLS regression.FindingsVECM parameter results for construction and real estate activities sectors, quickly suggesting a stable performance of capital flows toward Spanish real estate sector that the short-term fluctuation of foreign investment results contributes to the long-term equilibrium relatively soon. By applying the Monetary theory of Johnson, the model identifies a relevant role of M3 explaining capital flows to real estate, together with the lagged variables of construction and real estate activities capital flows, Spanish real interest rate and Spain's economic growth rate; they are the significant determinants on capital movement to Spanish real estate sector. Interestingly, Spanish housing prices as an exogenous variable, directly, significantly and negatively affect real estate capital flows in all cases as a way to capture the assets price bubble.Practical implicationsFindings highlight reasons affecting capital flows to real estate and construction activities to Spanish sectors which allow capital Funds to take into account those drivers in their investment decisions.Originality/valueThis paper is the first attempt to analyze the determinants of ICF to Spanish real estate market; it has a significant meaning for both Spanish economy and international investors.

Trotz schrittweiser Erfolge bei der Liberalisierung der europäischen Elektrizitätsmärkte lässt die Wettbewerbsintensität auf den Großhandelsmärkten in vielen Ländern noch zu wünschen übrig. Dementsprechend sind die Preise im Verhältnis zum wettbewerblichen Referenzmaßstab zu hoch. Eine aktive Wettbewerbspolitik sollte integraler Bestandteil einer odnungspolitisch ausgerichteten Wirtschafts- und Energiepolitik sein - mit dem Ziel, wettbewerbliche Elektrizitätsmärkte und geringere Preise zu erreichen. Instrumente einer aktiven Wettbewerbspolitik im engeren Sinne sind u.a. die Abspaltung bestehender Kraftwerkskapazitäten von marktbeherrschenden Unternehmen (Divestiture), der Verkauf von virtuellen Kraftwerkskapazitäten, die Öffnung von Langfristverträgen alteingesessener Unternehmen (Release), die Steigerung der nutzbaren Kuppelkapazitäten, u.U. auch die vertikale Entflechtung sowie die aktive Förderung von Markeintritt. Internationale Erfahrungen belegen, dass aktive Wettbewerbspolitik eine wichtige Rolle bei der Schaffung wettbewerblicher Elektrizitätsmärkte spielt. Dies ist insbesondere in England und den USA beobachtbar, jedoch sind in jüngerer Zeit auch in Kontinentaleuropa Ansätze aktiver Wettbewerbspolitik zu beobachten. Der Aufsatz schließt mit energie- und wettbewerbspolitischen Empfehlungen. ; The liberalization of European wholesale electricity markets has made some progress, but much is left to be desired. Wholesale prices are still relatively high, when compared with the competitive benchmark. In this paper, we argue that an active competition policy is required to establish competitive wholesale markets and to achieve lower prices. The instruments of an active competition policy are: horizontal divestiture of generation capacities; the auctioning of virtual power generation capacities; the release of long-term contracts of the incumbents; extending the capacities on crossborder electricity lines; vertical unbundling; and an active support of market entry. International experience suggests the important role of active competition policy in electricity markets: prominent examples come from England and the United States. Continental Europe has also started to experiment with the different instruments to strengthen competition. The paper draws conclusions for energy and competition policy.

Public international law has been 'global' in its application since at least the 1960s, when most Western colonial empires had disappeared. Still, it is far from being left untouched by the fundamental changes which law is undergoing worldwide and which scholars often catch under the term 'globalization'. The gradual decline of the monopoly of States in the field of international relations and the on-going globalization of the economy and the challenges mankind is facing threaten the autonomy of public international law and even stretch it to its vanishing point. The authors argue that while international lawyers should not react defensively, we should be even more careful not to sacrifice the central position of the State in international law too readily as it is the prime locus of democracy and the rule of law. They also plead for a shift in international legal academia from the traditional focus on the formal role of international law within the system of law and global governance to studying its societal impact and potential in facing global challenges.

The purpose of this ebook is to bring attention to many of the ethical issues that individuals, organizations, and even society must face as they engage in international business and explore new ways of understanding the cultural implications of the constructs of fraud and corruption

May is Haiti Heritage Month in the United States, a time to celebrate Haitian culture and history. While Haiti is currently facing significant challenges, including corruption and economic mismanagement, there are grassroots movements and organizations that are working towards combating corruption and promoting transparency and democracy.  Rachel St-Vil Saint-Julien, a former local Senior Program Associate […]
The post A Haitian Perspective from the 2022 International Anti-Corruption Conference appeared first on International Republican Institute.

Despite the increased number of International Environmental Regimes (IERs), gradually worsening environmental indicators have made the effectiveness of regimes a current and controversial issue. Doubtlessly, regimes are one of the most significant tools of global environmental governance. Enabling interstate cooperation, increasing knowledge about ecological problems, keeping these problems on the agenda, and providing relative improvement in some issue areas are the positive outcomes of regimes. However, IERs are institutions that are currently based on the stable and predictable earth system conditions of the Holocene Epoch. Therefore, IERs are unlikely to operate effectively under the unpredictable and unstable conditions of the new, Anthropocene era. Based on this argument, this article attempts to reveal that the effectiveness of regimes depends on their capacity to cope with the challenges of the Anthropocene. Regimes can confront these challenges by adopting a holistic earth system perspective based on the integrity of socio-ecological systems and planetary boundaries.