International cooperation against drugs. We will see at first what are the international organizations involved in anti-drug fight, then we will look at ways and policies used to pursue their actions and especially study the case of the FTAA. Finally, we

International Organizations Against Drug Traffic A cross-border cooperation fighting a transnational scourge. Universitat - Pompeu Fabras RELACIONES INTERGUBERNAMENTALES Problematic Consumed for millennia for medicinal or recreational purpose, it was during the twentieth century that drugs took the path of illegality. Until then, the phenomenon was not seen as a "problem" because it did not affect economy and politics as today and its consumption is now no longer only concerning a small number of marginalized groups. From the beginning of the century, the international community, under pressure of the United States, signed several treaties and protocols to address the drug problem then represented as a stream pervasive, complex and transnational. It is from the 1960s that the United Nations turned his efforts on establishing a legislative and administrative system to fight against the phenomenon: Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs in 1961, Convention on Psychotropic Substances in 1971, United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988. The drug is considered as a real public problem that constitutes a serious threat to the health or life of users. Moreover, drug trafficking has become an international issue closely linked to other forms of criminal activity, affecting the economic underpinnings, cultural and

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Write a report tracing social policy development in any 'post colonial' country - South Africa.

Students are required to write a report tracing social policy development in any 'post colonial' country. Students should focus on one of the following areas: . Health 2. Education 3. Social security/ Anti-poverty strategy The report should address the following issues: . Background- History of colonialisn/ Independence in the chosen country 2. Students should analyse; (i) The impact of the 'colonising' country on chosen area of social policy. (ii) The impact of post-colonial political ideology and social conditions on chosen area of social policy in: A. The immediate period following 'independence'; B. The 1980's onwards (iii) The continuing impact of post-colonial influences such as 'globalisation' and the World Bank on chosen area of social policy. South Africa Introduction (i) Aims and Objectives The main aims and objectives of this report are to trace the development of social security/anti-poverty policy in South Africa. In order to do this, it is first necessary to explore the history of colonialism in this country, as this will help to put this study into context. Chapter one will hope to accomplish this feat, as well as briefly investigating the reasons why and how South Africa acceded to independence, as this will hopefully make the policy decisions since (in the given area to be investigated) more transparent. Chapter two will address South

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  • Subject: Social studies
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September 11 has redefined the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia. Discuss

Art Teniente The former Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger once said, "No foreign policy - no matter how ingenious, has any chance of success if it is born in the minds of a few and carried in the hearts of none." Kissinger's remarks regarding the construction of foreign policy bodes great significance to countries at any time, however, its application to one particular set of foreign relations bears interesting outcomes. The relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States have persisted in formal diplomatic terms for slightly more than sixty years. In that time period, several issues have come to characterize this partnership. Oil, military bases, terrorism, and Osama bin-Laden - are all words that have swirled around in discussions regarding this relationship. Over the course of those sixty years though, many developments have impacted the relationship. In recent history, no event has had as particular or significant an impact as the events of 9/11. Since September 11, 2001, US-Saudi relations have come under greater scrutiny among factions on both sides. The following paper will attempt to analyze such scrutiny and its beacon for US-Saudi relations post September 11th. In doing so, it will initially assess the historical surroundings of the partnership, context surrounding 9/11, and then the implications for the future of the relationship. The

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  • Subject: Social studies
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Critically evaluate the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in promoting global financial stability

Critically evaluate the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in promoting global financial stability This paper will explore the impact of the IMF on the global financial situation. A short history of the IMF will be followed by a summary of its principal activities and problem-solving techniques. The paper will then consider the outcomes of IMF involvement for various states, the implications of the conditions it imposes, and whether there are any differences in how the IMF deals with developed, emerging and Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs). Using qualitative data, an attempt will be made to discern whether or not the IMF's policies actually achieve its stated goal of creating a financially more stable world. The IMF was created at the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference, with the objective of creating exchange rate stability and providing crisis management funds (Dieter 2004). Indeed its official raison d'être "to provide the global public good of financial stability - is the same today as it was when the organization was established" (IMF 2010a). The IMF is a "specialized agency" of the UN (UN 1998:136), although coordination between the Fund and the UN is weak (Woods 2006:3) The founders perceived that most of Europe's problems were caused by economic turmoil and so they tried to create a series of institutions that would support stability in both the international

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  • Subject: Social studies
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United Nations : An Adovcate of Peace and International Development?

United Nations : An Adovcate of Peace and International Development? Introduction 316 "The purposes of the United Nations are...to maintain international peace and security...[and] To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic...character" (UN Charter, 1945) The United Nations has, since it's inception in 1945, been working tirelessly to promote international peace, socio-economic progress and international development (Allen, Thomas, 2000). This is a rather hefty mandate for even a organisation as large as the United Nations with its 184 nation state members, and its copious organs. Inevitably the organization has come under a great deal of criticism within these areas. This has lead to many contemporary authors calling for, "structural change and reform", for they find that the United Nations has failed to provide this world "with lasting peace" [and] "international development" (Hajnal, 1997). It has also led many to brandish the organisation as 'imperialistic', 'dogmatic' and 'autocratic', but it is also widely agreed that there is a vested need and a purpose for the United Nations in our world today. As the authors of The United Nations: A concise Guide state, this world does need such a body; "If the UN did not exist, it would be necessary to invent it" and the debate "..is not whether the UN has a future, but rather

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When, if ever, should states interfere in each other's internal affairs?

When, if ever, should states interfere in each other's internal affairs? The issue of state interference is a hugely contentious one in International Relations. Interference occurs on a daily basis; economic decisions by one state have impacts on others, is this interference? A decision not to honour an agreement to play cricket matches in a particular state has implications, but is this interference? This essay shall limit its discussion to cases of interference, particularly of a military nature, that are purposely pursued by states to modify the internal structure or policy of another state. It is the premise of this essay that there are two clear situations in which the interference by one or more states into the internal affairs of another is justified; self defence, and the protection of human rights. This essay shall begin with some necessary definition; of intervention, sovereignty, and human rights. These definitions are by no means accepted by all, but a general conception of such ideas, acceptable (if too brief) for most, shall be reached. It shall be seen that sovereignty in particular can be interpreted in different ways, which has an enormous impact on the contention of this essay. Subsequently, this essay shall examine the first situation in which intervention is acceptable; self-defence. It is relatively uncontroversial and therefore forms a minimal part of

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How is War changing?

5/6/2007Fayyaz Ali Abbasi How is War changing? Introduction: Since the end of Cold War, the bipolar structure of the world has changed. The ideological super power rivalry that would maintain the balance of power in different regions is non existent. This has posed a new challenge to the international peace and security system as low-intensity conflicts - the 'new wars', as they are frequently labelled, have proliferated and established themselves as the most common form of organised violence. Though no region is an exception to it but Europe and Africa remain to be extreme examples of these in the decades of 1980s &1990s. In the new wars, the 'Clausewitzean' notion of war - that prevailed upon the war history and conduct since the emergence of 'modern state system' after the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) - as an affair of state is no longer valid, and the lines between 'formal' and 'informal' leaders, 'combatants' and 'non-combatants', 'civilian' and 'military personnel, are blurred1. Civilians are frequently targeted through massive human rights abuses, ethnic cleansing and even genocide. As such, the nature of the wars as opposed to the old 'Westphalian' or 'Clausewitzean' has changed. The new wars, often termed in literature as 'fault line wars,'2 owing to their distinct features, are not fought within specific boundaries and are 'open-ended' in terms of 'culmination'

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  • Subject: Social studies
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Intelligence does not win wars. It does not shape foreign policy. Intelligence does not operate in a vacuum. But nonetheless, intelligence activities are an inseparable part of the process of the making and application of policies. Discuss.

Intelligence does not win wars. It does not shape foreign policy. Intelligence does not operate in a vacuum. But nonetheless, intelligence activities are an inseparable part of the process of the making and application of policies. Discuss. Intelligence could be simply described as the covert collection and analysis of information. Since knowledge is power, the gathering of information about another's capabilities and intentions is a vital aspect of state behaviour, both internally and externally. It can be open or covert, strategic or non strategic. In all cases, its purpose is to acquire, analyse and appreciate data in order to facilitate policy-making. While the acquisition of confidential information is the prime function of the intelligence community, other roles associated with are, counter-intelligence, which is to prevent others acquiring information on your state, deception, which is to spread disinformation, and covert action which means implicating political warfare or subversion. Intelligence is gathered in two ways, technical and human. Human intelligence primarily refers to espionage and spies, like that are seen in fictional works such as in James Bond. Intelligence is often referred to as the 'missing dimension' of the diplomatic history and international relations. Apart from the very nature of the enterprise, one of the reasons for this is that

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  • Subject: Social studies
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History and Development of the Korea Nuclear Issue

Contents Chapter 1 Introduction.......................................................1 Chapter 2 History and Development of the Korea Nuclear Issue..........2 2.1 1950s-1980s........................................................................................................2 2.2 First-round crisis.......................................................................2 2.3 Second-round crisis.......................................................................3 2.4 Three-party talk..........................................................................5 2.5 First-round six-party talk ...............................................................5 2.6 Second-round six-party talk...........................................................6 Chapter 3 Reasons for China's Involvement in the Six-party Talks...8 3.1 Security of Northeast Asia.............................................................8 3.2 Stable surrounding environment for economic construction...................9 3.3 China's qualification as a mediator................................................10 3.3.1 Close relation with U.S and Korean Peninsular...............................10 3.3.2 Obligation as a permanent member in Security Council................10 .. Chapter 4 China's National Interests and Position in the Six-party Talks1...2 4.1 China's

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  • Subject: Social studies
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Building Cooperation with Russia- An Emerging Voice Outside of the European Union.

The European Union - Political Science 451 Building Cooperation with Russia - An Emerging Voice Outside of the European Union For: Professor Haskel By: Aaron Tepperman 110132229 Establishing peace on the European continent is an ultimate goal of the European Union (EU). It sees a secure and flourishing Russia "...free of new dividing lines...." (Common Strategy, pg. 2) as an absolutely necessary prerequisite in order to achieve this objective. Issues that affect the continent of Europe as a whole are best resolved through greater cooperation between Russia and the European Union. The EU and its member states anticipate an opportunity to share with Russia the expertise to build modern economic, political, social and administrative structures. The experience brought to the table by the EU will greatly contribute to a successful transformation. All the while, the EU understands that Russia's future is ultimately the responsibility of Russia itself. In examining the nature of this relationship, I will provide background information, use it to shape the present context of the partnership, and then focus on theoretical reasons behind EU-Russia relations. Finally, I will consider the latest EU-Russia Summit as a mini case in determining their progress. Background to cooperation During the time of the Cold War, the international scene was bipolar, and the world was

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  • Subject: Social studies
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