Think Tank Library

Ian Milne investigates Britain`s legal ability to opt out of continued political and economic integration in Europe. The flexibility already built in to the existing EU Treaties can allow the UK to negotiate a new, looser relationship with Europe in future Treaty renegotiations. If the UK were unable to come to an agreement with the other Member States, there are no legal obstacles that would prevent complete withdrawal, a fact recently confirmed by the European Parliament and even stated in the draft EU Constitution, although Global Vision advocates this as a last resort. Indeed current EU Treaties require the EU to nurture relationships with its neighbours, as it currently does with Switzerland and Norway.

The policy study discusses the social implications of massive multi-player online games (MMOG). It is argued that the opportunities they offer switch the concept of gaming towards an environment with deeper implications than just entertainment. Modern society is ready to extend the concept of virtuality, already commonplace, to whole virtual worlds.

MMOGs offer a model for a new society, a virtual environment attractive enough to become the testbed for a new breed of online communities.

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“The potential relationship between Belarus and the West is not only affected by the problems with Russia now, but also by the wider political situation. I will endeavour to conclude how, why and when Belarus can move closer to Europe in terms of values and institutions.”

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Far from being typical of a sole part of the western world (the Anglo-American), the Liberal tradition has ever been present also in continental Europe. The authors of this book –edited by Filippo Sabetti, with a foreword by Angelo M. Petroni– demonstrate the richness of the Liberal thought in different parts of Europe and the United States, as well as the challenges it faced over time in an ever changing world. Published under the aegis of the Centro Einaudi, this undertaking was supported by Liberty Fund, Inc., Indianapolis, and the Compagnia di San Paolo, Turin. Contributors include: Denis Baranger, Luigi Marco Bassani, Piero Craveri, Steve Davies, Pawel Kloczowski, Loren E. Lomasky, Knut Wolfgang Nörr, Angelo Panebianco, Ronald J, Pestritto, Philippe Raynaud, and Pedro Schwartz.

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Competition is not distorted by exclusive distribution contracts. Vertical agreements are an attempt to maximize the benefits to those who engage in them. Like all other strategic choices of a company, however, they are always subject to the judgement of the market. Their success or failure depends ultimately on their ability to satisfy the preferences of consumers who are free to deal with a competing brand as long as no legal obstacles get in the way.

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What makes the mandatory system of Social Security attractive in the eyes of the general public in France is that it allegedly allows the insured to be equal in health and provides unlimited financing of all their health needs. Unfortunately, both arguments turn out to be genuine myths, and, faced with the inherently limited character of medical resources, public authorities and Social Security have engaged in overall planning of the healthcare system.

To view the Economic Note, click here (English)

To view the Economic Note, click here (French)

According to a survey of European consumers, "the provision of better information to patients about their ailments" is the decisive point to be taken into account in improving the quality of health systems. Pharmaceutical laboratories have suggested that publicity geared to the public would contribute to such a task. But according to the EU directive 92/28 such publicity for prescriptive drugs is forbidden.

To view the Economic Note, click here (English)

To view the Economic Note, click here (French)

We live in a rapidly greying society where the average lifespan, health and vigour. In lab animals today life is routinely extended and ageing slowed. As researchers increasingly see ageing as something mutable – and hence potentially treatable - we have to start considering how to deal with the changes it will cause in society and our lives.

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The local government system in shire counties is under pressure. Although the recent Local Government White Paper struck a cautious note, it is clear that councils are expected to change, while tight budgets increase the needs to find more efficient solutions.

The current system is confusing to voters and promotes conflict between different tiers of government. Yet conventional "unitary" solutions are unattractive, reducing democratic representation and making local government more remote. Tim Palmer and Glyn Gaskarth argue that there is a better way: an innovative model of "federal" county government, which streamlines bureaucracy and presents a unified public face, while power originates at a very local level and is delegated up where necessary.

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Based on a talk by Sebestyen v. Gorka

“1956 is important for two reasons, one domestic and one international. For domestic reasons 1956 is important to Hungarians because who you are in Hungary, where you find identity, is connected for many people to the answer to a simple question: where was your father or grandfather in October 1956? Was he fighting for Hungarian independence against tyranny? Or was he on the other side, like our “Socialist” Prime Minister between 1994 and 1998? 1956 is very much alive today.”

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