Anti-Drugs Policies of the European Union:
Transnational Decision-Making and the Politics of Expertise
Palgrave MacMillan - Martin Elvins, ISBN:0333982134
Martin Elvins' book is the first to trace the evolution of anti-drugs policies at European Union level from the late 1960s to the present. Phases of drug policy development, key policy actors and institutions are described with particular reference to the influence of transnational networks of expertise. Policy development is placed in the context of both European integration and a broad harmonization of international policies against drug trafficking. Concerns are also raised about secretive and anti-democratic features on intergovernmental EU decision-making.
'This fascinating study casts a sharp light on the intricate and multi-layered interactions of bureaucracy and politics in European Union decision-making.' - Sol Picciotto, Lancaster University Law School, UK
Martin Elvins is a Lecturer in European Politics at the University.
Modern Landscape
Phaidon Press, London - Michael Spens, ISBN 0 7148 4155 2
Modern Landscape features over 30 international projects, is thoroughly illustrated and has a lengthy historical introductory text. The 30 projects shown have all been completed in the last decade around the world. The projects are designed by a range of architects and landscape architects/designers who have chosen to focus their work on an area of design and research critically affected by new building development and the maintenance of healthy ecosystems.
This work develops the theoretical basis for these interventions, in the light of relevant historical precedent, which is explored in the Introduction and in the separate Introductions to the four sections. Examples are drawn from Britain, Ireland, Japan, the USA, Australia, the Czech Republic, Germany, France and also Finland where Michael Spens received a major award in 2001, and two projects from there are included in depth. The author has visited the majority of projects himself over a five year period, and the book is essentially a definitive study of the state of contemporary landscape today, redefined as such. The entire work is being developed as a teaching tool within the School of Architecture.
Michael Spens is Reader in Architecture at DJCAD.
Being English in Scotland
Murray Watson, ISBN 07486 18597
Boldly venturing into new territory, Being English in Scotland reveals how a massive increase of English settlers has unobtrusively formed Scotland’s most significant migrant community in modern times. The history of relations between England and Scotland is always passionate and often controversial. What is extraordinary is that the pervasive spread and influence of English migration north of the Border has been largely ignored until now.
Using a range of different sources including oral history contributions from English people living all over Scotland, Murray Watson explores how the English merged into and contributed to Scottish society in the second half of the twentieth century. Many of the myths surrounding the English in Scotland are dispelled and what emerges instead is that the migratory experience has been extremely complex and multi-faceted in nature. The near-invisible absorption of so many English-born migrants has far-reaching implications for the host communities at a local, regional and national level, as well as influencing Scotland’s economy, its demography, culture and society.
Murray Watson conducted research about the English in Scotland at the University where he is an honorary research fellow.
