The state of the discipline in American political science: be careful what you wish for?

This article is an attempt to survey and analyse current developments in American political science with particular reference to the current wave of institutionalist theory. The main thrust of this article is to argue that the current concerns of the field are hardly new issues, but rather perennial. We argue that the current 'state of the discipline' is in many ways more a function of recurrent intellectual dilemmas of a general social scientific nature than they are about the particulars of the current debates in the field. Most relevant to a British journal, we shall attempt to 'step outside the hermeneutic circle', and suggest which aspects of contemporary American political science are most relevant to British political scientists.     

Treating offenders with mental illness: a research synthesis

The purpose of this research synthesis was to examine treatment effects across studies of the service providers to offenders with mental illness. Meta-analytic techniques were applied to 26 empirical studies obtained from a review of 12,154 research documents. Outcomes of interest in this review included measures of both psychiatric and criminal functioning. Although meta-analytic results are based on a small sample of available studies, results suggest interventions with offenders with mental illness effectively reduced symptoms of distress, improving offender's ability to cope with their problems, and resulted in improved behavioral markers including institutional adjustment and behavioral functioning. Furthermore, interventions specifically designed to meet the psychiatric and criminal justice needs of offenders with mental illness have shown to produce significant reductions in psychiatric and criminal recidivism. Finally, this review highlighted admission policies and treatment strategies (e.g., use of homework), which produced the most positive benefits. Results of this research synthesis are directly relevant for service providers in both criminal justice and mental health systems (e.g., psychiatric hospitals) as well as community settings by informing treatment strategies for the first time, which are based on empirical evidence. In addition, the implications of these results to policy makers tasked with the responsibility of designating services for this special needs population are highlighted.     

Greening of business: A step towards sustainability

The rising awareness of consumers regarding the adverse effects of the ever increasing ecological footprint has given rise to green consumerism. The idea is often encouraged but it can be enhanced only by a collective effort of consumers, firms, and governments. The article builds on the existing literature on green consumerism where it is, by and large, misconceived to be unidirectional—such that the burden of reducing human impressions on ecosystem falls only on the shoulders of consumers. The study reasons about the need for consumer initiatives to be supported with relevant policies and regulations from the government and through socially responsible corporate actions. The authors explore multiple dimensions of green consumerism and analyze in detail the scope and reach of green business practices in our ongoing strive to sustainability. The article highlights the actions required from the firms to make use of the opportunities provided by green consumerist ideas and the evolving consumer base. It explores the ways in which a business can adopt to become socially responsible by reaching green consumers. The article further identifies the need and impact of green marketing for eco-friendly products, to penetrate to the expanding consumer base.     

Women,resistance, and development: a case study from Dangs,India

Studies of resistance often overlook the significance of gender. This article, based on the author's experience as a Project Officer with an NGO that supported the development work of a grassroots organisation, the Gram Vikas Mandali Association Trust, describes the historical context of everyday resistance by village women against the Forest Department in western India. The article concludes with an attempt to understand why women were marginalised in more recent incidents of organised popular resistance, and what this tells us both about the nature of resistance to the state, and the nature of women's involvement in it.     

Normative perspectives on financial inclusion: Facts beyond statistics

The paper is an attempt to understand and differentiate the significance of financial inclusion in the context of India wherein a large population is deprived of financial services, which are very much essential for an overall economic and inclusive growth. The paper discusses the problem of financial exclusion and the socioeconomic impact of financial inclusion on the underprivileged. We go a step further through a normative discussion of India's journey so far in this respect and highlight the impediments to financial inclusion. The paper also suggests a few critical dimensions that are to be taken care of so as to accelerate deep-rooted penetration of financial services.     

Inflationary effects of oil price shocks in Indian economy

Stabilising inflation around certain preconceived level remains the predominant objective of monetary authorities all over the world as its variability has crucial ramifications on the real economy. However, the effective operation of monetary policy to this end largely hinges on the nature and dynamics of inflation both in the short‐run and long‐run. In this context, the present study focuses on theoretical investigation of how crude oil price fluctuations affect inflation in a real economy. Moreover, the study examines the nature of relationship between crude oil price fluctuations and inflation and its impact with reference to Indian economy. The study suggest that, in India, although the price of petroleum products are insulated against international crude oil price fluctuations by way of subsidies in order to curb inflation, in the long run, inflation manifest itself in the form of worsening fiscal deficit and undermine the sustainability of public debt. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Human rights,race & sexuality in the Pacific – regarding others as ourselves

In this article, first delivered as a memorial lecture in Fiji, the author traces the life of Sir Moti Tikaram, a distinguished judge and public officeholder. Drawing on Sir Moti’s lifetime struggle against discrimination on the grounds of race, the author examines analogous issues raised by discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. He traces the growing concern over these issues in a number of international bodies. He then examines moves for law reform in the Pacific and South Asia. The obstacles and impediments are explained, as are the fitful moves forward. Terminating discrimination on the basis of indelible features of nature is still a significant challenge in many Commonwealth countries. Sir Moti Tikaram’s dream is as yet unfulfilled.