C/P/99. US welfare policy compared to Europe

The paper examines the welfare state of the USA showing how it developed and evolved into its present form. The important dates and reforms are highlighted discussing the consequences for welfare provisions. The US welfare system is compared to the European system arguing that it is more individually biased while the European system is more socially based, which leads to different outcomes for welfare recipients. The radical reforms in the US system in 1996 are analysed.

P/P/288. Analysis of enemy capabilities and intentions for intelligence purposes

The paper examines the role of analysis in national intelligence focusing on the estimation of enemy capabilities and intentions and reviewing the ‘capabilities doctrine’ used during WW2, the military background of modern intelligence services, etc. The primacy of the capabilities’ analysis over the intentions’ analysis is argued.

P/P/283. Impact of societal changes on political systems

The paper reviews the societal changes over the past decades examining their impact on political systems including the population growth in Western Europe, the improvement in the quality of life, etc. and arguing whether the contradictions between political party leaders and citizens has widened.

S/P/68. Are PR systems 'fairer' and 'better'?

This paper examines the relative strengths and weaknesses of majoritarian and proportional representation (PR) systems, with particular emphasis on policy making and representative fairness. It defines the nature of majoritarian and PR systems (as well discussing mixed systems) and gives key examples. There is discussion of whether there are genuine differences between the systems in practical terms, or whether those differences are primarily based on theoretical lines.

S/P/67. Are differences between party systems becoming increasingly superficial?

This essay examines the hypothesis that party systems are converging, and that any differences which do exist between party systems are merely superficial. It looks at as many credible attempts as possible at describing what form this convergence takes, why it is posited and whether it sounds reasonable in the light of data or theoretical rigour involved. This examination includes looking at the Downsian model, ‘catch all’ parties, membership figures and identity links.

S/P/60. Is the power of the legislature measured by it's effect on policy?

This paper examines the extent to which a country’s legislature, and the power it possesses, is defined by the executive. It suggests that the power of executive oversight is an important consideration, but also that other factors such as the extent of bureaucratic delegation, independence from external influences and public support are also crucial. There is also a question over the relative merits of a rational choice explanation as opposed to these institutional/sociological influences. The varying approaches (rational choice, institutionalist, etc) are compared and critiqued, with a discussion of the relative importance of each factor on a legislature’s power undertaken.

S/P/59. Does it matter whether a system is parliamentary or presidential?

This essay examines the debate over executive structures, and whether any actual practical differences exist. It argues that the apparent theoretical differences that do exist in the executive types (term lengths, election of figurehead) are not in fact genuinely reflective of actual variation in executive capacity and behaviour. There is discussion of executive definitions and what factors do affect the capacity of an executive to lead (i.e. party systems), as well as mention of semi-presidential systems and the specific problems associated with them.

S/P/58. Should most states be moving towards some form of federalist political arrangement?

This paper tackles the question of whether federalist political arrangements are a desirable aim for nation states, and the reasons for why federalism has experienced resurgence in popularity. It examines the performance of federations in terms of policy-making capacity and ability to deal with cultural tensions. Federal regimes possess significant advantages and disadvantages over nation states in both areas. There is also discussion of why a trend towards federalism may be occurring, with particular reference to the EU.

S/P/57. ‘The expansion of judicial power in contemporary liberal democracies produces more liberalism at the expense of less democracy’. Discuss.

This paper examines the assumption that there has been an increase in judicial power and that this alone is the reason for greater liberalism and less democracy in policy-making. It argues that empirical evidence attempting to show the impact of increased judicialisation is not convincing and the root causes of it do not entirely support the claim. Furthermore, structural factors beyond an increase in judicial power are necessary to bring about the greater levels of liberalism. A discussion of these structural factors, such as rights consciousness, the nature of the country’s legal system and public support is taken in the context of both typical liberal democracies and Latin American cases.

S/P/48. Compare and Contrast the Medical and Social models of disability, and consider the implications of the two approaches for disability policy

This paper compares and contrasts the Medical and Social models of disability. It highlights analogous themes, before discussing three main differences -Defining the nature of disability; Rights v Needs; Solutions. The paper also focuses on the implications of the two models, through employing past and contemporary disability policy e.g. Disabled Persons (Employment Act) 1944, National Assistance Act 1948, Chronically Sick and Disabled Person Act 1970), Disabled Persons Act 1981, Disability Working Act 1991, Disability Discrimination Act 1995, Special Education Needs and Disability Act 2001.

P/MD/71. Influences of mass media on election outcomes

The paper examines the effects of mass media on election outcomes providing a review of literature on the theories of mass propaganda, ways of measuring political knowledge, persuasion techniques, influences on voters’ preferences, etc.

P/P/246. Political influence of ethnic identity groups in USA

The paper examines the issue of national identity in the multicultural environment of the USA reviewing academic literature on American ethnic identity groups, their impact on the US foreign policy, the effect of the Second World War on US identity, etc.

P/P/244. Propaganda vehicles in Soviet Russia, Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy

The paper looks at the relationship between dictatorship and propaganda examining Russian, German and Italian propaganda vehicles used over the period of the world wars, and discussing the role of the media in promoting Communist ideas in Russia, the development of the film industry in the new socialist society, the ideological impact of Russian war poetry, the omnipresence of the propaganda system in Nazi Germany, Italian methods of propaganda, etc.

S/P/39. Divisions in the Labour Party 1951-64

This essay argues that divisions within the Labour opposition 1951-64 were at heart genuine conflicts over principals, albeit frequently dressed up as conflicts of personality between Bevanites and Gaitskell’s revisionists. It draws heavily on contemporary journal articles, and explores the roots and public faces of these divisions, and the changing seas over the thirteen years Labour was out of power, finally drawing together the various strands to illustrate the profound division over the Party’s ethos, and its fundamental tenets.

P/P/230. Nuclear proliferation issues in Iran

The paper reviews Iranian nuclear programme identifying the motivations for Iran to seek a nuclear capability. The policies of the USA toward their own nuclear weapons are discussed in the context of the current international situation, Irans reliance on outside foreign assistance and the use of military force to address Iranian nuclear proliferation issues.

P/P/228. Methods of improving intelligence process

The paper discusses the challenges of the intelligence profession examining the notion of intelligence failure and discussing the attempts to achieve improvements in intelligence, including multiple advocacy, streamlining the intelligence bureaucracy, the ‘devils advocate method, etc.

P/P/224. How did Karl Marx and Adam Smith understand alienation? (comparative analysis)

The paper analyses the works of Adam Smith and Karl Marx focusing on their understanding of alienation. The meaning of alienation is defined; Marx definitions of the four kinds or human alienation or estrangement are compared to the features of estrangement in Smiths theory; the reasons behind this divergence are discussed.

P/P/212. Non-governmental organisations and bureaucracy in social movements

The paper examines the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in new social movements discussing the ideologies behind their activities and the issues related to bureaucracy in working for the reforms of the globalisation process.

P/P/211. Human rights across cultures: theoretical review

The paper examines the issues of human rights in the international affairs since the end of World War II reviewing literature on liberal tradition in societies, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the debate around individual vs. cultural autonomy, the minimalist conception of human rights, the ‘law of peoples, reasonable pluralism, etc.

P/P/210. Reasons behind stability of monarchies in the Middle East

The paper examines the cultural, economic and political roots of monarchy in the Middle East seeking to explain the reason behind the survival of the Arabian monarchies to the present day. The types of monarchies are discussed focusing on the concept of ‘Rentier state.

P/P/204. Teenagers involvement in politics

The paper looks at teenagers involvement in politics in the UK defining the areas of their least concern and major concern. Results of research surveys are discussed; suggestions are made to increase young people's political participation, including strategies from political parties.

P/P/194. Applying cost and benefit analysis to Iraq conflict

The paper examines the process of decision making in the fight against terrorism by UK and US governments applying the method of Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA). The benefits of the method are outlined; inputs, outputs and outcomes of the Iraq Conflict are described in terms of CBA. The possibility of calculating the value of life and other ethical issues related to CBA are argued.

P/P/181. Implications of data surveillance

The paper examines the implications of personal data surveillance (‘dataveillance) for peoples privacy providing a review of literature on the techniques, benefits and dangers of dataveillance, methods of data gathering through the Internet and measures of data protection taken by legal authorities in the USA and Europe.

P/P/176. Roots of nationalism in Serbia

The paper analyses historical, political, cultural, religious and social aspects of Serbian nationalism on the basis of a comprehensive review of literature. The following topics are touched upon: the conflict in Kosovo; the concepts of Serbian mentality based on myths, literature, music, sports, etc.

P/P/170. What problems does India face as a federal state?

The paper examines federal systems of government focusing on Indian plural society. The aspects dominating modern Indian culture are reviewed including the conflict between different religions, linguistic differences, cast differences, regionalism, living standards, etc. The problem of weak central government in federal states is discussed.

P/P/150. Unemployment in Britain over inter-war period

The paper investigates the problem of unemployment in Great Britain between the First and the Second World Wars. External and internal reasons for the unemployment are outlined; social and demographical factors behind the unemployment are analysed on the basis of a literature review.

P/S/62. Power relations between sexes in politics

The paper examines the role of gender in international politics. The author defines social implications of gender touching upon several approaches to power relations between the two sexes; the approaches include traditional attitudes, feminist attitudes, the theory of 'hegemonic masculinity,' etc. Examples of various political leaders are given.

C/P/32. Morals dilemmas of humanitarian aid

The essay considers whether humanitarian aid may exacerbate conflict and thereby worsen condition of suffering it intended to alleviate. The author concludes that aid does tend to contribute to conflict in several ways: when aid falls into hands of warring factions, through theft or looting, when aid workers inadvertently feed or house militants under the guise of 'refugees', when aid allows combatants to focus their efforts on military operations and ignore the needs of the civilian population, and when relief agencies bestow legitimacy to perpetrators of conflict. The essay outlines a number of ways, by which these deficiencies of humanitarian aid may be addressed, but concludes that whether or not aid does more harm than good ultimately depends on the professionalism of aid workers, and on the particular circumstances of a conflict situation.

P/P/141. Does strengthening security imply militarization?

The paper defines international politics as a system open to conflicts and looks at its key characteristics, including power and security. The elements of security as a concept are outlined; the paradox of strengthening peace through strengthening military force is discussed. The causes and implications of fear on the international scale are argued.

P/P/136. Social and economic aspects of democracy

The paper seeks to define the concept of "democratisation" discussing theories that propagate democracy. The issues related to the composition of the society, the structure of the economy, legislation concerning voting rights, etc. are addressed. The paper offers a brief historical overview of establishing democratic rule in European countries.

P/P/132. Security services in Great Britain

The paper examines the British security services discussing their structural make-up, history, functions and objectives. The control of security services over information, i.e. public records, cabinet documents, etc. is outlined. Acts of Parliament related to the issues of secrecy are reviewed and discussed in the context of the UK geo-political role.

C/P/29. NGOs-State Relationship in Humanitarian Relief Operations

Realist theory of International Relations tends to downplay the capacity of NGOs for independent actions and portrays their activities by reference to agendas of states and governments. The essay considers the NGO performance in the context of humanitarian relief operations to find that NGOs are often apprehensive of coordinating relief efforts with Western governments or UN agencies for fear of losing ´independenceŽ and ´impartialityŽ and compromising the security of their own personnel. While government donors often finance NGO operations in the field through ´subcontractingŽ humanitarian tasks, NGOs are not easily manipulated into following donor agendas and, in fact, they often impose their own agendas on the donors.

C/P/28. Humanitarian Relief in Conflict Areas

Humanitarian relief projects have been criticized for exacerbating conflict situations by indiscriminate supply of food and medications to militant groups or their family members and supporters. The essay considers this debate in the context of several humanitarian relief operations, including Rwanda (1994) and Afghanistan (1980s), concluding that lack of thorough understanding by aid workers of the situation on the ground does inadvertently lead to the prolongation of conflict. In addition, the essay considers the developmentalist argument to the effect that relief efforts, when uncoordinated with long-term aid programmes, tend to worsen rather than improve the economic situation in the affected areas by distorting market prices and creating aid dependency. The essay argues for an integrated approach to relief and development, manifested, firstly, in provision of appropriate security and demilitarization of refugees and, secondly, in coordinated work by relief and development agencies to assure long-term recovery and development of areas affected by conflict or disasters.

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