The Mutual Obligation Policy in Australia: The rhetoric and reasoning of recent social security policy

Since 1997, the Australian Federal Liberal Government has introduced policies which have sought to reduce rates of unemployment, particularly long-term unemployment. The policy, known as Mutual Obligation, increased the expectations on unemployed people in return for their social security payment. At the same time, previous labour market programmes and government assistance schemes were scrapped or privatised. This article explores the justification of the term 'Mutual Obligation' by examining both the language and the underlying principles of the policy. By defining the problem of unemployment in terms of flaws in the previous social security system, the stage is set for the government to introduce policies which remedy those flaws by emphasising self- reliance in favour of government assistance. Further, by invoking notions of fairness and mutuality, the article argues that the term 'Mutual Obligation' masks both the extent and the strength of the obligations imposed on unemployed people.     

Understanding Urban Governmental Structures: An Analysis Controlling for the Influence of State Law

The question of what leads to the adoption of particular urbangovernmental structures has not been fully answered. Researchon this question has neglected the importance of state influences.This article examines the impact of several independent variableson urban structure, but unlike previous research, state influenceis controlled. The age of a city emerges as a major explanatoryvariable. This is important because age may encompass "sharedexperiences" with governmental structures resulting from statemandates pertaining to non-home-rule cities. State requirementspertaining to non-home-rule cities seem to predispose citiestoward certain structural arrangements even after they gainhome rule status.     

Broadening the approach to youth violence prevention through public health

Violence is a critical cause of death and nonfatal injuries among youth, and even those who witness violence can suffer serious health and mental health consequences. This highlights the need for prevention programs and policies aimed at reducing risks, promoting prosocial behavior, strengthening families, and creating communities in which youth are safe from violence. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Injury Center is developing a National Public Health Strategy to Prevent Youth Violence. The strategy will establish a full application of the public health approach, ranging from research to practice. It also spotlights what is working, as a way to mobilize community leaders in supporting evidence-based initiatives. With the empirical guidance of articles such as those in this special issue, a shared strategy to prevent youth violence will help focus efforts and resources on solutions that show the most promise, and ensure that American communities undertake more comprehensive and coordinated prevention efforts to protect our nation's youth.     

Patient termination of a life-sustaining medical device: Suicide or natural death?

Medical technology has made tremendous strides in extending the lives of patients who have suffered organ failure. Machines can now replace the function of the kidneys, the heart, and other vital organs. Much has been written about a patient's right to refuse or direct the withdrawal of medical treatment, especially at the end of life, under the guise of “death with dignity.” However, little attention has been paid to the situation where a patient elects to deactivate their life-sustaining medical device without a physician's involvement. This raises the challenging question of whether the patient's manner of death should be classified as suicide or natural. Surprisingly, common law, statutes, medical ethics, and public health practice are not in alignment on the answer. This article will explore the ramifications and far-reaching impact that such divergence has on the survivors and the medical community, as well as recommend corrective actions and practical approaches for the medical and legal practitioner.     

A large-scale study of the relationship between blood and breath alcohol concentrations in New Zealand drinking drivers

Blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) and corresponding breath alcohol concentrations (BrAC) were determined for 21,582 drivers apprehended by New Zealand police. BAC was measured using headspace gas chromatography, and BrAC was determined with Intoxilyzer 5000 or Seres Ethylometre infrared analysers. The delay (DEL) between breath testing and blood sampling ranged from 0.03 to 5.4 h. BAC/BrAC ratios were calculated before and after BAC values were corrected for DEL using 19 mg/dL/h as an estimate of the blood alcohol clearance rate. Calculations were performed for single and duplicate breath samples obtained using the Intoxilyzer (groups I-1 and I-2) and Seres devices (groups S-1 and S-2). Before correction for DEL, BAC/BrAC ratios for groups I-1, I-2, S-1, and S-2 were (mean+/-SD) 2320+/-260, 2180+/-242, 2330+/-276, and 2250+/-259, respectively. After BAC values were adjusted for DEL, BAC/BrAC ratios for these groups were (mean+/-SD) 2510+/-256, 2370+/-240, 2520+/-280, and 2440+/-260, respectively. Our results indicate that in New Zealand the mean BAC/BrAC ratio is 19-26% higher than the ratio of the respective legal limits (2000).     

Advising Defendants about Guilty Pleas before International Courts

The aim of the article is to convey to the reader the varietyof considerations that Defence Counsel before the InternationalTribunals must take into account when advising accused personsabout their pleas. Although there are no formally adopted sentencingguidelines for guilty pleas, certain practices and patternshave emerged in the jurisprudence. The article thus examinesthe host of mitigating and aggravating factors which the judgeshave identified in the sentencing judgments following guiltypleas. The plea-bargaining process is also discussed, in particularthe deviations between the sentences recommended in the agreementsbetween the Prosecution and Defence, and those handed down bythe Trial Chambers—another factor about which accusedpersons must be advised in deciding upon their pleas. The articleconcludes by highlighting the challenges faced by Defence Counselin applying the multiplicity of sentencing features to the factsof each case.     

C. Reviews and notes: bibliographies and works of reference

THE CONCISE ENCYCLOPÆDIA OF ISLAM. By CYRIL GLASSÉ. London, Stacey International, 1989. 472pp. Ills., maps, plans. £30.00

THE NEAR EAST NATIONAL UNION LIST. Volume 1. Compiled by DOROTHY STEHLE, under the direction of GEORGE N. ATIYEH. Washington, Library of Congress, 1988. ix, 867pp. USS 47.00.

MUDEJARES: REPERTORIO BIBLIOGRAFICO. Compiled by PAZ FERNANDEZ. (Cuadernos de la Biblioteca Islámica ‘Félix María Pareja’, 18.) Madrid, Instituto Hispano‐Árabe de Cultura, 1988. iii, 42pp.

INFORMATIONS BIBLIOGRAPHIQUES. I'LAMAT BIBLIYUGHRAFIYYA. 3 et 4–1986; 1 et 2–1987. Tunis, Bibliothèque Nationale, Service des Dépots et des Publications/Dar al‐Kutub al‐Wataniyya, Maslahat al‐Ida’ wa‐1‐Nashr, 1987. 45 + 23; 49 + 46pp.

L'ÉCONOMIE DES PAYS ARABES: PRÉSENTATION THÉMATIQUE DES TRAVAUX DE LA PÉRIODE 1979–1984. By CHANTAL BERNARD. (Cahiers du C.R.E.S.M., 20.) Paris, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 1988. 156pp. FF 90.‐.

SYRIA. Compiled by IAN J. SECCOMBE. (World Bibliographical Series, 73.) Oxford, Clio Press, 1987. xxxii + 341pp. £45.00.

MALTA. Compiled by J.R. THACKRAH. (World Bibliographical Series, 64.) Oxford, Clio Press, 1985. xviii, 153pp. Map. £23.50.

BIBLJOGRAFIJA NAZZJONALI TA’ MALTA. MALTA NATIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY, 1983–1987. Valletta, National Library of Malta, 1984–1988. 5 volumes. 41; 60; 59; 64; 76pp. Each LM 1.50 or US $9.00 (incl. air mail postage).

MELITENSIA: BOOKS IN PRINT 1985. Valletta, Sapienzas, 1985. 55pp.

ARABIC LANGUAGE TEACHING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM: 1988 DIRECTORY. Compiled by DIONISIUS A. AGIUS. [Leeds,] Folia Scholastica, 1988. 36pp. £2.50.

QUR'ANS OF THE MAMLUKS. By DAVID JAMES. London, Alexandria Press in association with Thames and Hudson, 1988. 270pp. 170 illustrations (80 in colour). 1 map. £35.00.

CALLIGRAPHIE ISLAMIQUE, TEXTES SACRES ET PROFANES. ISLAMIC CALLIGRAPHY, SACRED AND SECULAR WRITINGS. By DAVID JAMES & others. Geneva, Musée d'Art et d'Histoire and Treasures of Islam, 1988. 200pp. Colour illus.

KAYF NU'ALLIM AL‐KHATT AL‐'ARABI. By MA'RUF ZURAYQ. Damascus, Dar al‐Fikr, 1407/1987 (2nd edition, reprinted from the 1985 edition). 150pp. 51 illustrations. US$ 2.50.

IMAGES OF WOMEN: THE PORTRAYAL OF WOMEN IN PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE MIDDLE EAST 1860–1950. By SARAH GRAHAM‐BROWN. London, Quartet, 1988. 288pp., 216 b/w ills. £22.50.