Trends in the Incidence of Legal Problems and in the Use of Lawyers

Changes in the law, government regulations, socioeconomic changes, increased consumerism, the public's level of awareness—all these and other factors influence the population's demand over time for lawyers'services. This article analyzes the changes over time in the two elements that determine the demand for lawyers: the number of legal problems encountered by the population and the rate of use of lawyers in solving these problems. After showing that sequential occurrences of legal problems are not independent of each other and are age dependent, the author develops a mathematical model that explains the variability in the present number of problems encountered by different age groups. The number of problems is found to result from a relatively mild accumulation with age of legal problems, coupled with a strong increase in the number of problems from generation to generation. The analysis of individual legal problems reveals a variety of patterns from problem to problem in both the level of occurrence and the rate of use of lawyers for such problems. The author concludes that the combined effect of occurrence and utilization will operate toward a continuing increase in the demand for lawyers'services at least for the very near future.     

Collateral Attacks on Convictions (I): The Probability and Intensity of Filing

In the beginning of the 1970s the increased activity of filing collateral attacks on criminal convictions (postconviction petitions) made by prisoners in an effort to modify either the conviction or the sentence generated concern about the additional burdens imposed on the courts. This article is the first report of a study undertaken to quantify and analyze postconviction filings and their eventual disposition under various procedures, as reflected by the variety of procedures and degrees of accessibility to the courts in the states of Illinois, California, Texas, and Colorado. The present article describes and analyzes postconviction filing activity for these four states in terms of the probability of filing; the frequency of filing (the mean number of filings per filer and the number of filings per thousand prisoners); how long after incarceration filing took place; and patterns of filing over time. It is shown that contrary to widespread belief the notion that "every prisoner files" is not justified. The author concludes that the perceived high number of collateral attacks, not necessarily supported by the figures, stems from a large number of filings (except for Illinois) generated by a small proportion of prisoners. The author points out that modifications of the petitioning process can have a significant effect on the rate of filing and suggests changes in regulations that are likely to reduce the total number of petitions.     

Shifting paradigms: from fostering equality to building safety nets. Analyzing some consequences of “privatization” in the Israeli kibbutz

As a result of a financial and demographic crisis, the Israeli kibbutz is experiencing a period of transformation. Many kibbutzim (kibbutzim is the plural form of “kibbutz” Hebrew) have abandoned the classic egalitarian way of life and have adopted a new paradigm in which each member receives a different income. This transformation process makes the kibbutz a unique test case for the preferences of people who face the choice between equality, capitalism or an in-between combination. This study uses data on a small sample of kibbutzim that have recently adopted a safety net model to derive some implications of this fundamental transformation for the income distribution within- and between kibbutzim. The results show that there is no longer equality between kibbutz members. However, the new kibbutz manages to minimize poverty. The new structure also encourages kibbutz’ female members to study and work towards greater equality in income and jobs.     

Global nanotechnology regulatory governance from a network analysis perspective

Over the last decade, there has been a proliferation of nanotechnology regulatory initiatives, developed to ensure the responsible development of nanotechnology applications. This article examines the emergence and diffusion of environmental, health and safety (EHS) policies dealing with nanotechnology. Drawing on a citation network analysis of global nanotechnology regulatory governance, the article analyzes the role of key organizations at multiple levels and their interplay in initiating and diffusing occupational safety and health policies. It shows that private international standard‐setting organizations become “centers of information,” which play a strategic role as intermediaries that diffuse national policies globally. Through this process, these centers help to shape supranational policies. Such an understanding of the role of international private standard‐setting organizations sheds new light on the current debate over the privatization and internationalization of EHS governance.