In 1993, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) held the first APEC Economic Leaders Meeting (AELM). Raising APEC interaction to the top track, the level of leaders, proved to be an effective and powerful dynamic; the AELM continues to meet annually and to shape APEC policy. The focus on the AELM as the source of vision and direction reinforces the pivotal importance of this political assemblage, reassures the populace that leaders do prevail and all is well: essential ingredients, according to Clifford Geertz, of political theater. The role of journalists, the contemporary scribes or critics, is to inform the audience of this political drama. The objective of this research is to demonstrate that real political value exists in the 'Staging of APEC' in terms of effective economic and political integration of benefit to broad regional interests. The findings draw on the results of a content analysis of news reports covering the first six years of the AELM (1993-1998). Formally, the AELM is an opportunity for regional political leaders to engage in regional policy formation outlined by the pillars of APEC (trade liberalization, facilitation and cooperation) guided by the principals of open regionalism and concerted unilateralism. Activity on the formal, or main stage, also flows to the small stage where leaders merge in a neutral venue. On this stage, leaders are free to examine distinctly non-economic, yet intersecting interests including domestic agendas, human rights and pluri-lateral security concerns. Together, these dual stages, neither one complete without the other, form the political theatre of APEC and provide the value added for the leaders and ultimately for the Asia – Pacific region. / Arts, Faculty of / Asian Research, Institute of / Graduate

No description available.

No description available.

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

Decentralisation for local community development has become the new paradigm of development discourse in Ghana in the present times. There is currently an elaborate legal framework in Ghana on decentralisation as a means for addressing local community development. The role of law in development is therefore implicated in the discourse. This study raises provocative, startling and challenging questions not only on the decentralisation programme, but the appropriate theoretical framework for reading the role of law in development. The study argues that decentralisation in Ghana is a spatial strategy of the state for addressing the crisis of its political economy and not one necessarily for local community development. Taking its starting point in land administration in the Upper West Region of Ghana (predominantly agrarian communities), the study explores how the objectives of decentralisation in Ghana address the subjectivity of development needs of local communities in Ghana. The study's contention is that the legal regime of the decentralisation programme and its praxis fail to address a pertinent development concern (land) of the Upper West communities. The study argues that if local community development were the object of the programme, it would perforce address the problematic of land administration that is an important concern for predominantly subsistence farming communities. The study also demonstrates how a spatial reading of social phenomenon provides critical insights to an understanding of the role of law in development. The study is based on a field study conducted in Ghana and among the communities of the Upper West Region, through interviews with officials of institutions, traditional authorities and civil society organisations. The interviews were complemented by written primary and secondary sources. Primary sources include documents from the National Archives in Ghana and from decentralised institutions in the Upper West Region. Secondary sources include unpublished essays and theses, books, articles, reported cases in the Ghana Law Reports, unreported and/or pending cases in the Ghanaian courts.

Bibliography: leaves 510-533. / xx, 533 leaves : ill., map ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / "This study provides a comprehensive analysis of migrant trafficking in its different aspects and dimensions. It examines the nature, characteristics and magnitude, the causes, conditions and consequences of migrant trafficking, and the inadequacies of existing policies and legislation. It compiles, reviews and analyses existing and proposed legislation at national, regional and international levels. It forwards a set of specific proposals that can be woven into a coherent and comprehensive strategy to prevent and combat illegal migration and organised crime in Australia and the Asia Pacific region more effectively in the 21st century." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Law, 2002

This thesis is an examination of human rights and constitutional development in Tanzania Mainland. The colonial and post-colonial history is used to analyse the development of human rights struggles, as well as institutions such as the Bill of Rights in the recent development of multi-party democracy. The thesis intends to establish that in spite of global factors such as pressure for democratisation from international institutions, the achievement of the Bill of Rights in Tanzania Mainland is part of a wider rights struggle of the people of Tanzania. The effective legal and political implementation of specific rights such as the right to vote, freedom of association and assembly reflect the state of that struggle. The thesis further seeks to establish that while the government sponsored the enactment of the Bill of Rights in 1984 and the re-introduction of multi-partism in 1992, it has always preferred to exercise extreme control over the enjoyment of political rights. This has often involved curtailing the establishment and free operation of institutions of popular democracy. The thesis goes on to suggest that unless a democratic culture and civil society are restored in the country, the success of the rights struggles of the people will be far-fetched. Together with the above it is argued that the struggle for rights could be enhanced by working from what is provided as legal rights, all interested parties pushing for the expansion of the human rights field. This can only be attained if the majority of Tanzanians are made aware of the existence of such rights through legal literacy programs.

This study Is concerned with the Federal National Council (FNC) in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) under the 1971 Constitution. In selecting the U.A.E. as a case study, a historical and socioeconomic perspective is adopted. The thesis analyses the U.A.E. traditional society and the effect of external factor namely its relation with Britain, and internal factor, viz, the advent of oil wealth, on the power structure in the emirates. Both factors increased the concentration of central power and decreased popular participation. The study provides a theoretical appraisal of the role and functions of the legislature in developing countries. It examines the constitutional functions namely legislative, political and financial. The study suggests new roles that the legislatures performs in Third World countries. The thesis examines the historical development of the U.A.E. constitutional system. Such development ended In 1971 when the emirates adopted a "Provisional Constitution" to the requirements of the rulers. The study explores the 1971 constitution with particular emphasis on the role of the National Council. It analyses the composition, functions, role and constitutional arrangements of the National Council In the U.A.E. The study provides an analysis of the major political and constitutional cases, In which the FNC was a part, in order to examine the practical working of the constitutional provisions in reality. Finally, the thesis attempts to explain the limitations, Imposed on the National Council, present in the existing constitutional framework and suggests some improvements to the status quo. The coimnon ground throughout the thesis is that a constitution with a democratic tendency does not necessarily establish democratic institutions and that it would be more acceptable in a developing country to introduce evolutionary rather than radical changes to its constitutional system. However, the study clarifies the difficulties of concentration of central power in developing countries.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 417-443).

Franchising has become a proven and acceptable method of distributing products and services for both domestic and foreign markets. The pressures on franchisors to search for foreign markets have led to heightened interest in international franchising. According to Franchising in the Economy (1990), restaurants of all types rank number one, followed by business aids and services. Therefore, the restaurant industry leads the domain of business in international franchising. The primary objective of this study was to develop a model based on experts' opinion for the selection of different franchising methods to be used as a guideline for restaurant companies that plan to franchise internationally. Environmental factors that affect international franchising in the Pan Pacific region are identified. The major methods used in franchising are: 1. direct franchising, 2. master franchise agreements, and 3. joint venture agreements. The recommendation of the most popular franchising methods for Singapore, Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia are studied. / Ph. D.