CIA plot,socialist conspiracy,or new world order? the origins of the Bilderberg group, 1952–55

Ever since its first meeting in 1954, the Bilderberg Group, a secretive annual conclave of Atlantic elites, has attracted conspiracy theories. Some observers have perceived it as a CIA plot to take the teeth out of the European left, others as a socialist conspiracy to undermine American capitalism. Recently it has been accused of being the seat of a hidden global government, the ‘New World Order’. The article draws on newly available archival sources to reconstruct the early history of the Group and test these conspiracy theories, concluding that Bilderberg was neither an entirely American nor European invention, but rather the product of a complex process of Atlanticist interaction.     

EU Criminal Law in National Courts: Breaking the Monopoly?

Growth in EU Competence in the field of criminal law has gradually led to more and more secondary legislation with an impact in the criminal law sphere. Member State Courts are gradually being expected to give effect to these measures in ever more complex ways. This leads to difficult questions about the appropriate extent of such effects given the sovereignty implications of obligations relating to criminal law, and the additional rights concerns triggered by criminal tribunals. This piece argues that while the ECJ has got the balance right in the majority of its case law, in certain circumstances, it has shown too great a willingness to push those concerns aside in the interest of pushing forward with its broader constitutionalizing agenda.     

The hollowing-out of local democracy and the 'fatal conceit' of governing without government

Books reviewed in this article:
Stewart, J., The Nature of British Local Government
Stoker, G. (ed.), The New Management of British Local Governance
Stoker, G. (ed.), The New Politics of British Local Governance     

Examining the relationship between male rape myth acceptance, female rape myth acceptance, victim blame, homophobia, gender roles, and ambivalent sexism

The relationship between male rape myth acceptance, female rape myth acceptance, attitudes toward gay men, a series of gender role and sexism measures, victim blame and assault severity were investigated. It was predicted that men would display more negative, stereotypical attitudes than women and that male rape myth endorsement would be related to, and predicted by, the other attitude and attribution scales. Respondents comprised 323 undergraduates (146 males and 177 females) from a large University in the Northwest of England. Results broadly conformed to predictions, with men generally more negative than women, and male rape myth acceptance significantly related to female rape myth acceptance, negative attitudes about gay men, gender role attitudes, and victim blame. Furthermore, male rape myth acceptance was predicted by female rape myth acceptance, gender attitudes, and victim blame. Methodological issues and implications for future work and those working with victims are discussed.