Quality Standards in the Public Sector: Differences Between Italy and the UK in the Citizen's Charter initiative

Service quality of public services is a major aim of the New Public Management reforms occurring throughout Europe. The Citizen's Charter initiative, launched by the UK Prime Minister John Major in 1991, has been an example followed in some European countries, including Italy (Carta dei servizi). This paper analyses and evaluates the cultural differences in the usage of the concept of service quality standards between the UK experience and the Italian one, referring particularly to two kinds of public services, very different one from the other: healthcare and electricity supply. The comparative policy analysis leads to a sketch of two different profiles in the usage of quality standards in the public sector: a common law profile, where quality standards are not legal rights but targets to be achieved and improved; and a public law profile, where quality standards tend to be overlapped and confused with legal rights of users. Under the latter framework, standards are likely to be sidestepped because they are perceived more as a problem than as an opportunity to change.     

A brain penetration after Taser injury: Controversies regarding Taser gun safety

We report the case of a 27 year old man who was injured by a Taser gun device which penetrated the frontal part of the skull and damaged the underlying frontal lobe. Cerebral penetration was revealed by a brain CT scan. A neurosurgical procedure was required to remove the dart from the skull and brain and the evolution was successful allowing discharge of the patient one week later. There were no additional lesions, particularly electrifying lesion, as only one probe had penetrated the skull. We also observed the length of a Taser dart is sufficient to allow brain penetration. Fortunately, no infection or neurological complication occurred following brain injury. This case study underlines the potential risk induced by the use of Taser stun gun. Although generally regarded as a safe alternative, serious injuries have however been reported and questions regarding the safety of the device still remains unresolved.     

The Surprising Logic of Transparency

The article examines the concept of transparency and its effect on international crises. It tests two possible "logics" of transparency, one positive and one negative. In the former, transparency is seen as defusing international crises by illuminating other states' peaceful intentions and ameliorating the security dilemma. In the latter, transparency is seen as exacerbating crises by overwhelming diplomatic signals with the "noise" of domestic politics and confusing opponents about which domestic voices are authoritative expressions of state policy. The authors conclude that, surprisingly, transparency makes conflicts worse more often than not—a conclusion that casts doubt on one possible explanation ofthe democratic peace.     

Secrets from the Edge

Brian Crozier, Free Agent. The Unseen War 1941–1991 (London: HarperCollins, 1993). Pp.xiv + 314. £16.99. ISBN 0–00–255192–6.

Gary Murray, Enemies of the State (London: Simon & Schuster, 1993). Pp.xx + 322. £16.99. ISBN 0–671–71194–6.

The Security Service (London: HMSO, 1993). Pp.36. £4.95. ISBN 0–11–3410875.     

Human rights dynamics of abortion law reform

The legal approach to abortion is evolving from criminal prohibition towards accommodation as a life-preserving and health-preserving option, particularly in light of data on maternal mortality and morbidity. Modern momentum for liberalization comes from international adoption of the concept of reproductive health, and wider recognition that the resort to safe and dignified healthcare is a major human right. Respect for women's reproductive self-determination legitimizes abortion as a choice when family planning services have failed, been inaccessible, or been denied by rape. Recognition of women's rights of equal citizenship with men requires that their choices for self-determination be legally respected, not criminalized.