Statute of limitations, monoculture, indigenous rights, and moral hazard

Statute of limitations: These are laws which set limitations in terms of time for filing of lawsuits within a certain period of time when the event has happened and that event is the reason for the lawsuit. These limitations vary from state to state, the cause for the suit and the reasons for the case. When a case is started after the limitation is over, it will be summarily rejected by the courts. (the Lectric Law Library's Lexicon on Statutes of Limitations)

Monoculture: This is an idea taken from biology. The term "monocultures" are species which do not have much of genetic variations and thus can get wiped out with epidemics easily. These are species which generally have a single vital flaw and are very susceptible to viruses that can exploit that flaw. When the product has diversity in its genetics, then all the specie cannot be wiped out in this manner, and it is likely that some will survive the attack. This example was given for Microsoft having software that is now a threat to security of global software. When the expert used this analogy in his decisions, then he was fired from Microsoft, but started a serious discussion in information technology. (Warning: Microsoft 'Monoculture')

3. Rights of Indigenous Peoples: It is now accepted that there are links between changes of environment and the rights of people indigenous to that region. This happens due to their cultural and economic settings as also their treatment of environment. This was a sensitive subject and was accepted by United Nations in chapter 26 of Agenda 21. This identifies different methods through which agencies can improve the role of these communities for development of the region. The specification in the agenda states that "in view of the interrelationship between the natural environment and its sustainable development and the cultural, social, economic, and physical well-being of indigenous people, national and international efforts to implement environmentally sound and sustainable development should recognize, accommodate, promote and strengthen the role of indigenous people and their communities." (Rights of Indigenous People)

4. Indicator Species: In any part of the world not much disturbed by man, there are some plants and animals to be seen that are most abundant. These can be seen very easily and also indicate the type of the ecosystem. Indicator species can also be viewed as a standard in looking at similar communities. Plants depend on certain types of soil, topography and climate as they have adapted to that climate through biological changes. Similarly, certain types of animals are also seen maximum in certain areas. (Indicator Species)

5. Moral Hazard: This is a risk that every party who enters a contract faces. The risk is that the other party has not got into the contract in good faith, or has deliberately given incorrect information about its assets, liabilities or credit capacity; or is even likely to take desperate risks so that the organization can earn high profits even before the contract between the two parties end. This is a risk that can exist when any contract is entered into, by any party. (Moral Hazard)

6. Free Trade vs. Fair Trade: The two systems are today unequally positioned in the world. The theory of corporations and governments is that free trade will benefit workers through increase in wages and benefits due to the sale in foreign markets through cheap imports from foreign countries. This has led new agreements to come up like North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade or GATT. These are free trade agreements which provide global protection for property and intellectual rights, but do not have any clauses for the protection of workers and the environment. Opposing this are the fair traders, and in their system, there is respect for worker's rights and the environment. This can help to remove a lot of inequities that are taking place in the world as also environmental degradation. Their impact on the economic scene is low, and total business generated by them in all their organizations of Europe and United States just amount to $400 million - just 0.01% of the trade that happens in that area. (Why Fair Trade? A Brief Look at Free Trade in the Global Economy)

7. Iron Law of Social Responsibility: This is a theory in sociology which says that if a user does not use the power that he or she has in a responsible manner, then the society itself will take some actions so that the person loses the power that is with them. (the Business/Society Relationship) the only problem is that in the present day world, there are many other ways of loosing power, and the new power holder may not be blamed for the acts of the predecessor.

8. Triple Bottom Line: Generally the fiscal policy of a government depends on the social and natural deficiencies that exist in that economy. Yet when the government is a democracy, the chances are that the policy adopted will be more due to ideology than economic considerations. On the other side is the reality that the earth has limited carrying capacity for individuals, and today that is about to be reached. Thus there is a requirement to take action that will ensure that the earth's systems do not breakdown themselves. This has been tried with studies of nature's services and assessments of the value of the earth. This led to the Kyoto Protocol and tried to evaluate the price differences between costs of life in the developed and undeveloped nations. The finally generally accepted figure was that developed nations have to pay 15 times more for the loss of life as compared to underdeveloped nations when this happens due to climatic changes. This is now viewed as the first of essential steps that must be taken by governments to reduce the damage they are jointly causing the earth. The triple bottom line takes place from the benefits to earth, global eco-systems, etc. This point-of-view is seriously taken by greens. (Triple bottom line)

9. SRI: One of the institutions that this is the short form for is the Southern Research Institute. This is a network of many centers which collaborate with each other for developments in science and technology. In the field of achieving creative and innovative solutions for public and private sectors, it has existed for 60 years. It has played an important role in pharmaceutical sciences, homeland security, automotive, engineering, and environment and energy industries. (About Southern Research)

10. ATCA: This was established in Washington DC in 1956 by a group of air traffic controllers. Air Traffic Control Association has been totally focused on a progress in the science of air traffic control and preserving a safe environment for flights. (About Us: A lasting partnership... born of dedication and cooperation)

Question 2a Why might it be hard for prosecutors to achieve criminal convictions in such cases?

All federal criminal procedures are applicable to white collar crimes. The cases have to be under the Fifth Amendment's Self-Incrimination Clause or under the Fourth Amendment's prohibition against unreasonable government searches and seizures. In the Fourth Amendment, the Constitution of United States stops the government from carrying out "unreasonable searches and seizures." Thus the requirement comes that in cases of white collar crime, the evidence comes through grand jury subpoenas. It is rare when searches and seizures may be carried out in such a case. When the people accused are not cooperative, it is rather difficult for the government to gain any conviction. (Understanding White Collar Crime)

2b. What purposes are served in prosecuting such cases?

The term 'white collar crime' was first used by the criminologist and sociologist Edwin Sutherland in 1939. His definition was that the crime was "committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation." He also included crimes committed by corporations and legal organizations in this category of crimes. The situation has changed and a new definition was given by United States Department of Justice. This defined white collar crime as being non-violent crimes carried out for financial benefits through the efforts of individuals who are professionals, semi-professionals or entrepreneurs. They use their special knowledge in a manner after finding out opportunities for financial gain. It is also committed by others who have special technical knowledge regarding business and government. The prosecutors would definitely like to bring these people to justice as they have caused huge financial losses to the federal, state or local governments; or to private organizations and the public. United States Supreme Court has accepted the seriousness of white collar crime as being a very serious problem for law enforcement authorities. (Understanding White Collar Crime)

3c Does the tobacco industry's political ties subvert the public interest?

There is no proof that there is a direct link of the tobacco industry to the politicians, more than any other industry. All industrialists use their own connections for their own benefits, and if the tobacco industry is also doing it, there should be no surprises. Regarding the public, ultimately who cares? It is just the question of votes and well you have to vote for one - Republican or Democrat. Both want money much more than votes and that comes only from the business interests.

3d How might this case relate to recent reports of a high government official editing a global climate change report?

There is no direct proof of a link, but according to New York Times, there are internal documents of the White House which show that Mr. Cooney has edited government climate reports in a manner that reduces the connections between emissions from emissions and global warming. This person has been now promoted to be the chief of staff for White House Council on Environmental Quality. Apparently he has changed many words to make it seem that findings which experts feel are sure to make them sound doubtful. He has never had any scientific training but was a lobbyist for the American Petroleum Institute till 2001. (Bush Aide edited climate reports) Well the truth about Cooney is probably being exposed by New York Times, but there are no such reports yet about a link in this regard.

3e Are anti-smoking education programs effective?

One does not know much about anti-smoking education, but in practice, one can see that smoking is coming down over the last thirty years or so. This is happening more due to information from research findings about the harms of smoking than any other reason. Anti-smoking campaigns can help, but it is very difficult to measure the relative effects of the different reasons when the trend of the habit itself is down. In short, the contribution through this method is practically unknown.