Technological Distribution in Uganda: Information and Communications Technology and the State in an Eastern African Nation

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) include old technologies—such as the radio and the television—as well as newer technologies—such as the Internet and wireless telephony. This study considers the process that the government of Uganda has used to adopt and implement ICT policy. This study also considers the techniques which the government of Uganda has used to distribute ICTS in public locations such as government offices, schools, and hospitals. In particular, this study attempts to consider the political motivations for distribution. The Ugandan government's attempt to distribute this technology reflects strengths in the area of distribution of artefacts, particularly to rural areas. Information and communications technologies are an important part of the Ugandan economy. In addition, ICTs strengthen the ability of citizens to communicate with each other across regional and language borders through shared access points. Methodologically, this paper uses the case study method. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with politicians, policy makers, civil society activists, citizens, academics, medical personnel, regional government officials, and business people. This paper argues that politicians use ICTs as a component of a basket of goods and services that they can distribute to witnessing publics. This paper argues that ICT should be viewed as a type of infrastructure, and that as a public good, it can be used as a “club” good or “pork.” Although several authors discuss the potential of ICTs as democratizing, this paper documents that the Ugandan government has employed ICTs in oppressive ways, including for the surveillance of opposition leaders, and for social control.     

The European Court of Justice – The Need for Change in a Changing World

The article, from a speech delivered at the 11th Liverpool Law ReviewAnnual Lecture at The Law School, Liverpool John Moore's University, November 2001, before invited guests and students, considers the role and position of the European Courts in achieving the objectives of the treaties and institutions of the European Union. It examines the current position of the Court of Justice of the European Communities and the Court of First Instance of the European Communities and the implications of the structural changes introduced by the Amsterdam Treaty. The article reflects upon how the future accession to the Union of new Member States may affect that situation. It also considers how changes proposed in the Treaty of Nice, when ratified, will enable the European Courts to meet future demands placed upon them. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Does the @realDonaldTrump Really Matter to Financial Markets?

Does the @realDonaldTrump really matter to financial markets? Research shows that new information about the likely future policy direction of government affects financial markets. In contrast, we argue that new information can also arise about the likely future government's resolve in following through with its policy goals, affecting financial markets as well. We test our argument using data on U.S. President Donald J. Trump's Mexico-related policy tweets and the U.S. dollar/Mexican peso exchange rate. We find that Trump's Mexico-related tweets raised Mexican peso volatility while his policy views were unknown as well as thereafter, as they signaled his resolve in carrying out his Mexico-related agenda. By helping politicians disseminate policy information to voters, and since voters hold governments accountable for their policy performance, social media allows investors to gather information about the likely policy direction and policy resolve of government, especially those of newcomers whose direction and resolve are unknown.     

Claude Bernard's epistemology

The object of this article is to outline the epistemology of Bernard, a leading nineteenth century physiologist, to show that his epistemological positions have been misconceived by previous interpreters and to argue the importance of his philosophical work, which has been underestimated. Bernard, it is argued, is significant because he was one of the first philosophers to break with classical philosophical theories of knowledge and to represent in philosophical concepts the process of production of knowledge in the sciences. This article concentrates on his concepts of scientific determinism and experiment which, it argues, are still relevant today and of particular importance to the social sciences. Finally, the limitations of Bernard's epistemology and the effects of conventional philosophy on the structure of his problematic are considered.     

The ‘Demand-Side’: Avoiding a Nuclear-Armed Iran

This article examines the historical record of “nuclear rollback” and the motivations for Iran's apparent pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability in order to identify the broad principles that should guide U.S. and international efforts to resolve the nuclear crisis with Iran.¹ The author argues that Iran, like all states, seeks security and respect. For many Iranians, the past three decades provide proof that such security and respect can only be attained with a strategic nuclear deterrent. In 2009, if the United States can show Tehran a genuine path to security and prestige that does not require nuclear weapons, Tehran might give it serious consideration. However, if the United States and the international community fail to address Iran's legitimate need for security or its desire for international respect, Bowman believes it may only be a matter of time until Iran obtains a nuclear weapons capability.     

Abnormal heart rate response during newborn sucking behavior study: Subsequent sudden infant death syndrome with cardiac conduction abnormality

This report concerns a four-month-old white female infant who exhibited abnormal feeding behavior and EKG irregularities during a newborn sucking behavior study. The immediate post-birth history showed an irregular heart rate on two occasions, but a cardiac consultation elicited no unusual findings. During sucrose sucking conditions, the heart rate increased with a beat-to-beat variation of 50 beats per minute, noted to be due to premature atrial beats. At 39 days, an EKG showed a marked sinus tachycardia of 156, a PR interval of 0.08, QRS of 0.05 and a QT of 0.26. The infant was diagnosed as a sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) following an unexpected death at home. Subsequent cardiac pathology revealed an anomalous tract between the right atrium and the atrioventricular (AV) bundle which formed an extensive bypass of the AV node (atrio-His tract), and two accessory AV connections between the left atrium and posterior left ventricle. These findings are consistent with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome type A. Only further studies can determine whether such abnormal feeding behavior with EKG irregularities can be used to identify infants who are at high risk for sudden death.     

Population changes in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (1949-1984)

Population developments in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region of China from 1948 to 1984 are analyzed. Comparisons are made with China as a whole to illustrate the region's unique demographic characteristics. Large-scale migration from elsewhere in China has affected the region's spatial distribution, ethnic composition, and urbanization levels. The author also notes differences in demographic trends among the region's minority nationalities.