INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Books Reviewed
Lawrence Freedman, DETERRENCE , (ALEX BELLAMY), 456
Luis Cabrera, POLITICAL THEORY OF GLOBAL JUSTICE: a cosmopolitan case for the world state , (AMY E. ECKERT), 457
Anne Mette Kjær, GOVERNANCE , (HASAN ENGIN SENER), 457
Sabine C. Carey and Steven C. Poe (eds), UNDERSTANDING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS , (AIDAN HEHIR), 458
African Development Bank, AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2004 , (ELLIOTT GREEN), 459
Yale H. Ferguson and Richard W. Mansbach, REMAPPING GLOBAL POLITICS: history's revenge and future shock , (EMILIAN KAVALSKI), 460
Transparency International, GLOBAL CORRUPTION REPORT 2004 , (HEATHER MARQUETTE). 461
Norman J. Vig and Michael G. Faure (eds), GREEN GIANTS? environmental policies of the United States and the European Union , (PHILIP CATNEY), 462
Rachel Kerr, THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA: an exercise in law, politics and diplomacy , (STEVEN ROACH), 463
Jamal R. Nassar, GLOBALISATION AND TERRORISM: the migration of dreams and terrorism , (LEE JARVIS), 463
Francis A. Beer and Christ'l De Landtsheer (eds), METAPHORICAL WORLD POLITICS , (EMILIAN KAVALSKI), 464
Sylvia Ellis, BRITAIN, AMERICA, AND THE VIETNAM WAR , (JONATHAN COLMAN), 465
Manfred B. Steger (ed.), RETHINKING GLOBALISM , (CHRIS ARMSTRONG), 466
Isao Miyaoka, LEGITIMACY IN INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY: Japan's reaction to global wildlife preservation , (FLAVIA MONCERI), 466
George Lawson, NEGOTIATED REVOLUTIONS: the Czech Republic, South Africa and Chile , (BRYAN MABEE), 467     

REFLECTIONS ON PUTTING THEORY IN PRACTICE INTO ACTION IN THE CLASSROOM

Effective learning necessitates a change of behavior on the part of the student. The author asserts that the introduction of abstract theories to students does little to advance the students' competence or efficiency. Rather, a case is made for allowing students to create their own theories of action based upon their individual circumstances and experiences. The concept of an "action theory" is forwarded as an effective tool for teaching public administration students. The action theory recognizes the student's need to have relevant frameworks and practical guidelines. Furthermore, the author predicts that the action theory will give public administrators greater control over their work environments inasmuch as it establishes more honest assessments of organizational conditions.

"If you want to get ahead, get a theory. B. Inholder and A. Karmiloff-Smith

     

FROM SOCIALISM TO FASCISM: THE RELATION BETWEEN THEORY AND PRACTICE IN THE WORK OF ROBERT MICHELS II.

Abstract This article concludes a study tracing the role of élite theory in Michels' development from revolutionary socialist to Fascist ideologue. It argues, first that the laws of oligarchy and elite circulation as expounded by Mosca and Pareto made the Fascist seizure of power appear historically necessary. It then examines the contribution which the experience of Fascist rule made to the further development of élite theory in Michels' work; his use of the theory to give scientific status to the self-image of the Fascist élite and the charismatic claims of its leader; his legitimation of authoritarian government and nationalist policies through the theories of mass psychology. The conclusion argues that what distinguished Michels from other Fascist ideologues was his use of scientific categories, and locates the origin of these categories in the historical experience of pre-world war Europe.     

FEDERAL-STATE RELATIONS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SURFACE MINING POLICY

The federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 not only established national performance standards and permitting procedures for the coal industry, but also provided for stateprimacy. The principle of state primary is both simple and intuitively appealing: Because states do not have adequate resources to develop effective regulatory programs, the federal government would set up comprehensive procedures and criteria to guide the states in preparing their own plans. The obvious advantage of state primacy is that i t provides for flexibility in implementation.
Ultimately, state primacy is an experiment in cooperative federalism, a sharing of authority and responsibility between the states and the federal government to insure both the general welfare and sensitivity to local conditions. The history of surface mining regulation is instructive because i t points out the pitfalls and promise of cooperative federalism as well as the critical role of the courts in making state primacy work.