Berufungsbehörde,Befugnis zur Sachentscheidung

Die Berufungsbeh?rde ist nicht befugt, auf Grund der Berufung von Parteien mit eingeschr?nktem Mitspracherecht den erstinstanzlichen Genehmigungsbescheid aus Gründen aufzuheben und die Genehmigung zu versagen, hinsichtlich derer kein Mitspracherecht der berufenden Parteien besteht (hier: Der Umweltsenat durfte auf Grund der Berufung von Parteien, die kein Mitspracherecht in Bezug auf die mit dem erstinstanzlichen Genehmigungsbescheid [auch] erteilte Rodungsbewilligung hatten, den erstinstanzlichen Genehmigungsbescheid nicht wegen Rechtswidrigkeit der Rodungsbewilligung aufheben und die Genehmigung nach dem UVP-G 2000 versagen).     

South African manufacturing industries catching up or falling behind?

This article argues that intra‐industry trade with developed countries is an important source of technology transfer. South Africa has an industrial structure that is suited to such trade, but high costs and weak social capacity to assimilate new technology. Therefore, reintegration into the world economy is likely to reinforce dependence on resource‐intensive industries. In the short run this need not adversely affect economic growth, but unless the quality and quantity of education and training are improved, the prospects for rebuilding the technological capacity and catch up with OECD countries are bleak.     

Sidelining corporate human rights violations: The failure of the OECD’s regulatory consensus

This article critically assesses the effectiveness of the OECD mechanism for regulating human rights violations by private corporations. It presents a recategorization of the outcomes of OECD cases as a basis for analyzing—both quantitatively and qualitatively—precisely how such cases are resolved in practice. In doing so, the article critically evaluates two key claims made by proponents of the process: first, that the OECD mechanism is capable of encouraging mutually agreed upon, consensual outcomes; and, second, that the process has been enhanced following its 2011 revision. The article concludes by reflecting on the significance of the findings set out herein to the development of a new treaty on business and human rights that is currently under way in the UN Human Rights Council.     

Health service utilization among widows living with HIV/AIDS: an interview survey in Manipur, India

Widows living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA) are a vulnerable and often overlooked group. The North Eastern Indian state of Manipur, which has one of the highest concentrations of HIV/AIDS cases in India, is not an exception. This paper aims to describe the pattern of and factors contributing to the use of health services by WLHA in Manipur. Structured face-to-face interviews were conducted among 510 respondents. Only 49% of the respondents were aware of available health facilities. The place of residence (67.8%) and appointment at a convenient time (70.8%) were the main factors affecting the use of health services. To improve access to health services, it is imperative that the services of trained health providers are made easily available. Policy makers and organizations working on HIV/AIDs should work together to remove the barriers to the use of health services, making them user friendly for vulnerable groups such as WLHA.     

From Armed Neutrality to External Dependence: Swiss Security in the 21st Century

Abstract: Historically, Swiss identity was founded on beliefs in federalism, direct democracy and armed neutrality. Given continued popular support for autonomous self‐defense in an era of transnational threats, it is worth examining whether a small economically interdependent state, such as Switzerland, is single‐handedly capable of providing for its own security. To preview our conclusions, every facet of Switzerland’s security, whether against military threats, terrorism or natural disasters, today benefits from substantial international inputs. At base, Switzerland’s increasing security dependence has been driven by the following dynamics: 1) the general development of institutionalized international cooperation; 2) the evolving nature of the threats Switzerland faces; and 3) political efforts to “securitize” issues not hitherto considered as security problems. Because Swiss security dependence owes more to broad structural factors than deliberate choices, policymakers would be better off embracing this reality by proactively using international organizations to address transnational challenges.     

Organised Interests,Authority Structures and Political Influence: Danish and Norwegian Patient Groups Compared

The article presents a comparative analysis of the strategies applied by Danish and Norwegian patient organisations and organisations for disabled persons in order to promote the interests of their members. Three research questions are addressed: Are Danish and Norwegian patient organisations service organisations operating according to a ‘logic of membership’ or political pressure groups acting according to a ‘logic of influence’? Do patient organisations apply ‘insider’ or ‘outsider’ strategies in their efforts to influence healthcare policies? What impact do different authority structures have on the patient organisations' influencing strategies? The latter question is related to recent reforms in the public healthcare systems of the two countries. The major responsibility for public hospitals now rests with regional authorities in Denmark and central government in Norway. The study is based on a survey among nationwide patient organisations in the two countries and shows that most patient groups are ‘polyvalent’‘venue shoppers’ combining a variety of influencing strategies.