Implementing a Strengths-Based Approach to Intimate Partner Violence Worldwide

Family violence is a core social issue in every country around the world. The extent and consequence of family violence as a major problem has received increased attention around the world. The focus of the present study is not only to inform about intimate partner violence (IPV) that occurs in individual countries, but to illustrate how individuals, families, communities, and cultures use their strengths to overcome the challenges that violence presents. An analysis of 16 countries, including 17 cultures is represented and includes all seven of the world’s major geocultural areas. Qualitative methodology was used to examine the stories of intimate partner violence in which similarities and differences across cultures were discovered resulting in a theoretical discussion of findings. The International Family Strengths Model was applied to examine the family strengths, community strengths, and cultural strengths used to mitigate family violence worldwide. Individual strengths emerged as a new and important component of the model. Suggestions for change include recognition of differing solutions across cultures, the need for mediation and policy changes, and the importance of empowerment.     

Illegal downloads: sharing out online liability: sharing files, sharing risks

Legal context: Until the Geneva Treaties provided the communication to thepublic right copyright law struggled to provide a coherent responseto filesharing of music and films. Liability for uploaders wasestablished but in practical terms this was not effective. Visitingliability on telecommunications networks and ISP's was not possiblein the light of the international consensus that such entitiesshould enjoy a measure of immunity. The music industry in particularhas launched successful actions against software providers andend users by resorting to either contributory infringement orauthorising infringement. Safeguards against invasion of privacyare put in place but these do not guarantee that the means ofcollecting evidence are necessarily lawful and the Dutch decisiondenying BREIN access to the identities of suspected filesharersbecause of data capture techniques is to be welcomed. Music,film and broadcast rightholders are now using Norwich Pharmacaland notice and take down proceedings to force ISP's cooperatein enforcing copyright law. Key points: Through use of copyright law the music industry in particularhas been successful in shutting down software providers andis still seeking to drag users and parents through the courts.Privacy considerations are not being clearly addressed in somecountries. The signs are that greater use of the criminal lawis intended in many jurisdictions. Practical significance: Decisions such as Sharman suggest that the most effective wayof dealing with filesharing is to go against software providersbut that even this will not stop this activity and that theexpansion of the legal download market and improved productsand services will be the best and most effective response tofilesharing. The writer thinks the increased use of the criminallaw is likely but that such a development is neither a proportionatereaction when civil law remedies are available nor is it a responsibleuse of public funds when law enforcement bodies face other moreserious challenges.     

The seductive discourse of development: The Cape Town 2004 Olympic bid

Research on how the decision to bid for the Olympics is made, the resources and processes involved in the bidding process and how a country responds to a failed bid is important. These aspects are embedded in a range of political and economic processes from the local to the global level. The Olympic Games is the ultimate mega-event. This article uses the case study of the Cape Town 2004 Olympic Bid (CTOB) to examine the above aspects, highlighting the global dimensions of bidding for major events. The CTOB illustrates that contemporary sport associations and structures are strongly influenced by emergent global forces such as global capital and dominance by certain regions. This often results in countries being disadvantaged from one of two sides. Either they cannot afford to participate in the bidding process or they cannot lobby sufficiently to influence the international sport associations.     

论文化政治经济学中的前学科性和后学科性

当代政治经济学研究中最激动人心的发展包括前学科探讨的复兴,而当后学科被用于政治经济学时,开拓了"文化政治经济学"的空间;在市场经济、以法律规则为基础的民族国家、市民社会和公共领域出现的制度化分离的被加强过程中,政治经济学研究变成了一种学科冒险;必须强调马克思主义传统和其他种类的重视经济和超经济之间相互依赖的制度和进化政治经济学的持续生命力。