This dissertation examines the development of litigation and legal mobilization as constructive, participatory, strategic processes that have the potential to promote democratization and institution building in fragile democracies. Using Argentina and Bolivia as case studies, I show that the innovative use of strategic litigation and legal mobilization taking place in Latin America today holds significant promise for promoting social and institutional development in countries struggling with competing democratic and authoritarian impulses. A close examination of how local and regional permutations of strategic litigation play out at the intersection of law and politics in fragile democracies generates a more accurate, richer account of the relationship between law and democracy writ large, a relationship that has yet to be fully or properly theorized. / text

This thesis seeks to develop background knowledge about actors in the Province of British Columbia. The British Columbia Labour Relations Act defines actors as employees. The federal Status of the Artist Act recognizes them as self-employed. How did this conflict arise, and how does it affect the role of actors in Canadian cultural life? The status of actors individually and severally under the Vagrancy Acts of England from 1572 is analyzed. The censure of. artists by a U.S. Congressional Committee in the twentieth century is reviewed. The international model of cultural self- determination and freedom of individual conscience as promulgated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and UNESCO Charter is outlined. The arms-length model suggested in the 1951 Massey Report; and the 1957 Canada Council. Act is examined. The erosion of the arms-length principle in Canadian cultural affairs is linked to the politicizing of the arts in Canada: art production coupled with social policy and political initiatives in the 1970's; the cultural industries identified as a source of economic benefits in the 1980's; and regional industrial strategy initiatives presented as cultural policy in the 1990's. In conclusion, an assessment of current trends in cultural policy affecting actors' status, rights, professional development, and artistic freedom in British Columbia is followed by a draft Status of the Artist Act, policy recommendations in culture, and a proposal for an Actors' Development Company.

This thesis explores the potential of the theory of legal pluralism. It examines the extent to which such a theory can contribute to an understanding of the regulatory crisis of the nation-state and serve as a point of departure for new regulatory approaches. A historical overview which looks at the disciplinary origins of legal pluralism is followed by an analysis of several legal pluralist concepts. This analysis serves as the basis for an elaboration of the descriptive and normative aspects of legal pluralism. The concept is compared with other social theories which are concerned with similar questions as legal pluralism. To illustrate the legal pluralist approach, same specific examples from the media sector are introduced. The thesis concludes by showing where a legal pluralist analysis might be appropriate and, moreover, how the theory can contribute to regulatory ways alternative to direct state intervention and market conceptions.

What characteristics make a legal mother? The thesis explores some of the gendered differences in establishing legal parentage. It defends that there is no adequate conception or definition of legal motherhood in Canada. Indeed, the conception of legal motherhood is elusive or reiterates the problematic association between biological motherhood and legal motherhood. The logical leap between a biological situation and a legal status creates two main problems. First, the elusiveness of motherhood as a legal category tends to strengthen gendered assumptions in legal parentage, and it is especially burdensome on women. Second, given the fact that no guidance is provided to decision makers, the vesting of motherhood is often subjected to an evaluation of a woman’s sexuality, sexual choices, or sexual preferences. There is a need a to put forward a comprehensive analysis of legal parentage; a gender and sexuality neutral concept of stratified legal parenthood.

What characteristics make a legal mother? The thesis explores some of the gendered differences in establishing legal parentage. It defends that there is no adequate conception or definition of legal motherhood in Canada. Indeed, the conception of legal motherhood is elusive or reiterates the problematic association between biological motherhood and legal motherhood. The logical leap between a biological situation and a legal status creates two main problems. First, the elusiveness of motherhood as a legal category tends to strengthen gendered assumptions in legal parentage, and it is especially burdensome on women. Second, given the fact that no guidance is provided to decision makers, the vesting of motherhood is often subjected to an evaluation of a woman’s sexuality, sexual choices, or sexual preferences. There is a need a to put forward a comprehensive analysis of legal parentage; a gender and sexuality neutral concept of stratified legal parenthood.

No abstract available. / Thesis (LL.M.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2001.

Companies in industries around the world are in a race that gets more difficult every year, with bigger, stronger, and more innovative competitors. In addition, the rules of the race are constantly changing with the emergence of electronic business, globalization, disruptive technologies, innovation and convergence of industries. Competitors who have been in other races suddenly join your race with strength, technology, and new approaches to the market - often becoming instant leaders . Leaders are successfully developing new core competencies that enable them to be highly competitive and valuable today and that bodes well for their longer-term future. Strategy managers , constantly try to improve the productivity of their systems .A firm that can improve the input - output relationship normally increase profitability. Competitive position, one measure of corporate success is a relative dominance in the market place . Firms commonly establish objectives in terms of their competitive positions . / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

No description available.

No description available.

Based on ethnographic research in Bhutan and among Bhutanese living in Nepal, this thesis examines the reach of law in everyday life in contemporary Bhutan. Drawing on inter-linked themes of social values drawn from Buddhist teachings and the importance of morality, power and legitimacy, I examine popular discourse of and about law. It contributes to current arguments in socio-legal studies and anthropology concerning the reach of law in contemporary societies and its significance in everyday life. Furthermore, my thesis represents the first ethnographic account of law and society in Bhutan. It makes a valuable contribution not only to our understanding of Bhutan, but also provides an ideal opportunity to examine everyday conceptions of law as the Bhutanese State promotes legal change that draw on non-indigenous models. The thesis considers the impact of the creation of a modem, independent judiciary and recent changes in legal education and the increasing amount of legislation and secondary regulations. However, the everyday construction of law, as well as the meanings and uses to which law are put, raises problems. Therefore, I turn to examine how ordinary people create and develop a sense of the law by focussing on the development of legal consciousness. To do this, I look less at the formal legal processes of the law than at the narratives about law from a number of Bhutanese. These narratives focus on the importance of community values and notions of morality and legitimacy, which simultaneously draw on a prevalent authoritative public discourse concerning social behaviour and individual re-interpretations and resistance within the broad framework of the discourse. I examine the interrelationship between these various features, which evoke, on an individual level, a sense of "legal consciousness" and I develop how this informs daily life. This interrelationship highlights the dynamism of the process and the fluidity of ideas and adaptability to changing needs and relationships of power. This approach allows for an examination of law situated within, rather than separate from, everyday life in order to analyse the fragmentary and often inconsistent use made by individuals of the legal orders and forums available to them.