Suchergebnisse

Between 1940 and 1955, Britain explored controversial radiological weapons. Keen to discover further military uses for atomic energy, defence officials and scientists initially approached the field with much hope and optimism. However, technical difficulties, economic costs, public and political aversion, competition from other controversial weapons, and even the resistance of scientists themselves, soon came to dominate the direction of policy. This article explores the unique British experience with radiological weapons, determines how far Britain ventured down this questionable path, and accounts for why, after over a decade of research, they were judged a step too far.

ONE OF THE DETERMINING FEATURES OF OUR AGE IS THE RECOGNITION BY BOTH POLITICAL LEADERS AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE OF THE REALITY AND DEPTH OF THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF THE NATIONS. THIS IS MANIFEST, NOT ONLY THROUGH THE EXTENSION OF ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE, BUT ALSO IN MANY OTHER AREAS SUCH AS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. THIS ARTICLE EXPLORES THE MOST COGENT INSTANCE OF GROWING INTERDEPENDENCE WHICH IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY. IT SUGGESTS THAT EUROPE SEEMS DESTINED TO ADVANCE TOWARDS INTEGRATION ON A BROAD FRONT.

Suggests that the New Europe cannot evolve in isolation; European development has to articulate with world development. Reviews a number of the major world trends and their interactions, to give some indication of the global changes which will influence Europe in common with the rest of the world. (RSM)

Seeks to identify some of the prime ministership's salient features and indicates some of the changes that have taken place over the past quarter-century. Considers recruitment to the office, how PMs 'learn the job', the requirements of the job, the opportunities it affords, and the limitations on it. (SJK)

ISSUES OF "BIG GOVERNMENT" HAVE LAIN AT THE HEART OF BRITISH POLITICS FOR AT LEAST A DECADE. IN PARTICULAR, SINCE 1979 BRITAIN HAS BEEN GOVERNED BY MARGARET THATCHER AND THE CONSERVATIVES, DETERMINED TO CUT TAXES, TO CUT PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND TO LIMIT SEVERELY THE EXTENT TO WHICH GOVERNMENT INTERVENES IN THE WORKINGS OF THE FREE MARKET. THIS PAPER DESCRIBES HOW THESE ISSUES OF BIG GOVERNMENT CAME TO BE ON THE BRITISH POLITICAL AGENDA, THE POLITICAL MACHINERY THROUGH WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN PROCESSED AND THE RESULTS THAT HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED (IF "ACHIEVED" IS THE RIGHT WORD) SO FAR.

ONE OF THE REASONS SCANDALS ARE SUCH FUN IS THAT THEY OCCUPY A SORT OF MIDDLE GROUND OF IMPROPRIETY. ON THE ONE HAND, THEY SHADE INTO SUCH PETTY MISDEMEANORS AS SPEEDING OR DRINKING TOO MUCH AT PARTIES; ON THE OTHER, THEY SHADE INTO SERIOUS CRIME. A BRITISH CABINET MINISTER IN THE 1960S REGULARLY GOT DRUNK (SOME SAID HE WAS ALWAYS DRUNK), BUT HIS BEHAVIOR BECAME SCANDALOUS ONLY WHEN HE SHOWED UP HALF SEAS OVER AT CABINET MEETINGS AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES. AT THE OTHER END OF THE RANGE, IT IS A SCANDAL IF A BRITISH PRIME MINISTER IS DISCOVERED TO FREQUENT BROTHELS; BUT SCANDAL WOULD OBVIOUSLY BE TOO WEAK A WORD IF MARGARET THATCHER MURDERED DENIS OR RONALD REAGAN TURNED OUT TO BE A MAFIA GODFATHER.