Volume 1 (2004)

Economic Migrants and Political Asylum Seekers in the United Kingdom: Crafting the Difference

Wendi Adelson

One of Britain’s central tensions regarding migration involves a tendency to view itself as a haven for refugees while at the same time retaining its Britishness, a cultural identity often associated with race. This paper focuses on North-South migration issues in relation to Britain’s differential approach to political and economic migration.

The Impact of Privatization on the Social Welfare State

Stephanie Kissam

The delivery of “cradle to grave” services is a hallmark of Swedish social welfare policy, but changes in the political and economic climate of Sweden since the early 1990’s have created a demand for reform to improve efficiency and responsiveness of public services. This paper analyzes the context in which privatization has been introduced in Swedish elder care.

Michigan’s Brand of Zero Tolerance: Is There Another Way?

Peri Stone-Palmquist

This paper explores the evolution of zero tolerance policies in Michigan public schools and assesses their current effectiveness. Drawing on research that compares state approaches to school discipline, the author contextualizes Michigan’s policy choices and explores viable options to better protect all Michigan students.

Term Limits and Their Effect on Women’s Leadership Opportunities in State Legislatures: A Case Study

Viola Wild

Many advocates suggest that term limits will increase the opportunities available for women in gaining seats and leadership positions within legislatures. This paper uses a case-study methodology for six pairs of similar term-limited and non-term-limited states to explore the effect of term limits on women’s progress in state leadership.

Drug Free Zones in Portland, Oregon: Legitimate Social Policy or Legal Moving Target?

Jessica Wyse

This paper explores the impacts of Portland, Oregon’s 1992 Drug Free Zone Ordinance and its role in the city’s social policy.

Environmental Risk Sharing

Alexander Wagner

This paper applies standard insurance theory to examine the feasibility of a new type of security that allows efficient sharing of environmental risks.