Transnational Reproduction and its Discontents: The Politics of Intercountry Adoption in a Global Society

Robert A. Saunders

International adoption is increasingly seen as a desirable option for childless couples and prospective single parents in industrialized Western countries. Other countries—especially those which have seen their economic, social, and health care systems wracked by the transition from communism to free-market capitalism—have attempted to lessen the burden on their orphanage systems by allowing foreigners to adopt abandoned children under specific conditions. International adoption has thus emerged as a divisive issue affecting domestic politics and foreign policy from India to Guatemala. This article explores the highly politicized nature of transnational reproduction and those “discontents” who argue against the institution (generally) and its impact on their
societies (specifically).

From Hierarchy to Networks: Transatlantic Governance of Homeland Security

Patryk Pawlak

This paper investigates how the emergence of homeland security issues on the international policy agenda has challenged the bilateral EU-US relationship. The paper argues that challenges in governance of transatlantic homeland security were overcome due to the shift from hierarchical to networked forms of governance. The creation of such transgovernmental networks stipulates several structural and cultural shifts that in effect led to more in-depth changes and redefined the rules of the relationship. At the empirical level, the paper focuses on creation and development of the Political Dialogue on Border and Transportation Security established between high-level officials in 2004.

Maritime Piracy in the 21st Century:
A Short Course for U.S. Policy Makers

Richard M. O’Meara

This paper discusses the growth of piracy activities throughout the world, identify the legal issues regarding the ‘policing’ of these activities, identify the various ‘players’ who participate in the governance of the maritime commons and, finally, outline the various ramifications of this phenomenon for U.S. foreign policy. It is the conclusion of this writer that contemporary methodologies and systems of enforcement are inadequate to the task of constraining and/or eliminating piratical activity as it is
presently practiced.

Warriors for the Working Day:
Private Military Firms in Modern Conflicts

Schweitzer P. Beuns

The debate regarding whether private military firms (PMFs) encroach on the states’ monopoly of the use of force is one of the main topics discussed in this paper. Discussions on the moral, philosophical, social and economic discussions are also covered. It is argued that the most important issue in the debate is the question regarding the effectiveness of these firms in the contemporary military environment. Thus, this article will investigate the ability of the ability of major PMFs’ to accomplish their missions in a time and cost effective manner. The argument is supported using various episodes, case studies and compiled statistics.