Criminal law theory and criminal code reform

M.A., University of Tartu 1979; Ph.D., All-Union Institute of Criminology (Moscow) 1986; LL.M., Columbia University 1993.     

Justice and intergenerational relations: An introduction

Gerontologists have rarely considered the concept of social justice in their research. Instead, related but more specific questions about the social situation of the aged have been posed. This paper provides an overview of existing social psychological literature on justice and intergenerational relations as a context for the five other papers contained in this issue. The importance of intergenerational justice within the family, particularly when there is a caretaking relationship, is stressed. As well, the policy implications of a concern with intergenerational justice are considered. The Paper concludes with a recommendation that gerontology and social justice research be integrated more frequently in order to enrich both fields of study.     

Women,ordination and the church

Margaret Ann Franklin (ed), The Force of the Feminine (Allen & Unwin) Sydney, 1986; Margaret Ann Franklin and Ruth Sturmey Jones (eds), Opening the Cage (Allen & Unwin) Sydney, 1987; Kate Nelson and Dominica Nelson (eds), Sweet Mothers, Sweet Maids (Penguin) Ringwood, 1986; Karen Armstrong, The Gospel According to Woman (Elm Tree) London, 1986; Kerreen Reiger, The Daughters of Eve and Mary: Women in the Modern World, Occasional Paper No. 6, IPOFAC, Mission of St James & St John, Melbourne, 1987.     

Healthcare fraud and quality of care: a patient-centered approach

This Article explores the intersection between quality of care and healthcare fraud by examining the extent to which quality-related fraud settlements benefit patients. The author argues that, although the protection of beneficiary health and welfare often is invoked by the federal government as one of the reasons for undertaking anti-fraud efforts, such considerations do not appear to play a large role in many of the settlements that are negotiated. While returning funds to the federal Treasury helps to ensure that the federal healthcare programs remain solvent and continue to serve beneficiaries in the aggregate, it may not adequately address harm to individual patients. Thus, the author concludes it may be time to explore new models of fraud settlements that can provide adequate compensation to the patients who may have suffered harm.     

Power rather than path dependency? The dynamics of institutional change under health care federalism

Proposals for government decentralization rank high on the political reform agenda of health systems worldwide. Their impact on welfare state performance and change, however, is still under theoretical scrutiny. This article examines the impact of devolution on the construction of the Spanish National Health Service (NHS) in an attempt to shed some light on this debate. Against widespread claims of path dependency, we argue that the specific nature of the devolution model developed in Spain, given the more egalitarian sociopolitical structure that resulted from democratization, fostered policy innovation and institutional change. Consolidation of an NHS system was compatible with some regional diversity and apparently prevented the rise of significant territorial inequalities. The Spanish case also suggests that policy change depends more on the distribution of social power than on institutions. It underlines the key role of financial and knowledge transfers vis-à-vis institutional reforms in effecting social change as well as the potential for state intervention in supporting the development of collective action resources by social groups.     

Regulation and the paramedical professions: an interest group study

Abstract. This article exmines the relationship between government regulation and interest group activity of two paramedical groups in Ontario: chiropractors and physiotherapists. These disciplines occupy positions vis-à-vis the provincial medical insurance plan opposite to those which their relationships with the medical profession would suggest. It will be argued that the employment of sophisticated pressure group tactics can be highly effective as a surrogate for medical recognition. This, in conjunction with the difficulties inherent in the exercise of lay judgment in the development of public policy toward the professions, can lead to controversial policy outputs. It will also become apparent that a close and legitimate association with the medical profession is not necessarily of benefit in the pursuit of professional recognition. Sommaire: Cet article examine les rapports entre les règlements gouvernementaux et les activités poursuivies par deux groupes pararnédicaux en Ontario pour défendre leurs intétrêts: les chiropraticiens et les physiothérapeutes. Du point de vue du traitement qui leur est accordé dans le cadre du Régime provincial d'assurance maladic, ces disciplines occupent des position? qui sont diamétralement opposées à ce que l'on s'attendrait à trouver compte tenu des rapports qu'ils entretiennent avec les médecins. On peut faire valoir que l'utilisation de tactiques perfectionnées propres à promouvoir les objectifs des groupes de pression peut être hautement efficace comme moyen de remplacer les avantages que confère la reconnaissance par le corps médical. Le recours a de telles tactiques, dans un contexte caractérisé par les difficultés inhérentes à la tâche que doivent accomplir des profanes chargés d'émettre un jugement lors de l'élaboration d'une politique publique à. l'égard de ces professions, peut aboutir à des résultasts qui, considérés du point de vue de cette politique, peuvent donner lieu à controverse. On pourra également constater qu'une association étroite et légitime avec le corps médical ne constitue pas nécessairement un avantage pour un groupe qui s'efforce d'obtenir la reconnaissance de son statut professionnel.     

FAMILY MEDIATION AND NEVER-MARRIED PARENTS

Parents who were never married to each other are increasingly court-ordered to mediate disputes over their children. The author reviewed 441 cases of divorcing and never-married parents to compare their experiences with family mediation. Client situations, adjustments in mediator behavior, and outcomes of mediation such as mediation did occur and agreements reached were compared. Factors external to mediation had a different impact on never-married parents than on divorcing parents. The review indicated never-married parents had a higher no-show rate than that of divorcing parents, yet when never-married parents did appear for court-ordered mediation, they reached agreements at the same rate as divorcing parents. Surprisingly, the never-married parents with a history of violence were more likely to appear for appointments and reach agreements. Overall, with modifications in mediator assumptions and behavior, divorce/family mediation appears to be useful to never-married parents.