The climate and energy security implications of coal demand and supply in Asia and Europe

The importance of the coal sector is often overlooked by the media when reviewing global energy. This is despite both its importance in many emerging economies and its impact on climate change. The current status and projections for coal use in Asia and Europe vary considerably. In Asia, growth in demand and availability of coal is resulting in its accelerated use. However, despite investment, production cannot keep up with demand, and coal trade in Asia is increasingly affecting international markets. In Europe, the environmental impacts of coal use, particularly CO₂ but also particulates, are accelerating the closure of many power stations and delaying new build. Consequently, in most countries its contribution is set to decrease. However, some countries are planning new, large coal stations and are increasing operation prior to closure of some existing stations. The continued use of fossil fuels, especially coal, is resulting in emission levels that in the short term will exceed the internationally agreed climate protection objectives. Therefore, Europe and Asia need to accelerate their co-operation in developing carbon capture and storage and other new technologies and policies in order to minimise the emissions to the greatest extent possible.     

Political impediments to the resumption of labour migration to Western Europe

This article argues that traditional, labour migration flows to Western Europe are unlikely to resume in the near future and the commitment of the European Community to the free movement of labour is likely to erode as a consequence of anti‐immigrant illiberalism in Western Europe. Anti‐immigrant illiberalism in several, major labour‐importing states is evident in: the semipermanent politicisation of state immigration policy; increasing popular support for xenophobic political forces; the appropriation of anti‐immigrant votes by established political parties of the right; and the abandonment by left‐wing parties of liberal immigration and immigrant‐welfare policies.     

Relational representation: an agency-based approach to global justice

This paper argues that Amartya Sen’s comparative approach to justice requires a politics that is attentive to the agency of the other. Rethinking representation as a relational, rather than a sovereign, concept captures the relationship between agency and justice that is emerging in global politics today. It is increasingly common that non-governmental actors engage with communities through practices of trust and responsibility without appeal to political authority. Relational representation helps clarify the dynamics of these relationships and provides a way to think about their purpose. That purpose is to effect changes that ameliorate suffering and injustice, working to re-present the represented persons as more capable persons, more free to use their agency.     

Contracts for Legal Aid: A Critical Discussion of Government Policy Proposals

In this paper, we examine the UK government's proposals for the reform of legal aid, which are based on block franchising. We identify several potential incentive-compatibility problems mainly concerned with the possibility of chiseling on quality after contracts are awarded or with supplier control of access to legal aid. Our suggestions for improving the scheme are based around awarding vouchers for legal aid.     

Highway Security and Terrorism

This article presents an overview of highway transportation security before and after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, in the context of hazardous materials (hazmat) transportation. It is primarily focused on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulation of motor carrier transportation of hazmat and post-9/11 efforts to prevent acquisition by terrorists of certain classes of hazmat. In the context of homeland security, motor carrier transportation of hazmat is receiving heightened attention. It should be cautioned, the article highlights a limited number of activities at the federal level only to provide the reader with a sense of ongoing government and industry activities to improve transportation security.