Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that the question of including thermodynamics in the study of economics and in particular in the study of neo-classical economics and free-market society is highly important because it alone seems capable of introducing consumption pattern analysis into the study of economics. The writer maintains that thermodynamics is important within ecological economics and within economics in general because the environment within which all economies function is anchored in a finite system that is constrained by its very nature and character.

Tags:thermodynamic, economics, consumption

Abstract
This paper discusses unsustainable consumption patterns and the laws of thermodynamics. It discusses the relationship between thermodynamics and the study of neo-classical economics and free-market society and its importance in the current economic model. Finally, the paper examines why ecological economics is antithetical to neo-classical economists and free market advocates and then discusses the need for further research on the topic.

Table of Contents:
Overview
Thermodynamics in Economics
Current Importance
Objections
Further Research

From the Paper
"The first law of thermodynamics is the law of conservation and this law is critical in the establishment of sustainable consumption patterns within a free-market economy that rejects all forms of constraints (Lawn pars.2-5). Although this law states that energy cannot be destroyed or created it illustrates that materials that result in energy can be depleted through transformation processes that result in forms of energy that cannot be harvested in an economic sense. Entropy is essentially the second law of thermodynamics and as such is central to thermodynamics as it is applied to ecological economics. Entropy is the concept in ecological economics that describes the state of potential energy as being less than the initial energy contained within an item or unit (Finch & McMaster 135). It describes the necessity of continually introducing new energy into economic activity to produce ever greater results or outcomes at the risk of economic shutdown."

Tags:sustainability, free, market, ecology, bioeconomics

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that the cases of Miller et al. v. Schoene (1928) and Boomer v. Atlantic Cement Co. (1970) both touch upon similar issues in law and economics related to property and liability. The writer argues, in comparing and contrasting the rulings in the two cases, that in evaluating real world circumstances and cases the law does not reflect pure economic analysis of these questions but, rather, has tended to treat negative externalities by a liability rule as opposed to a property rule.

From the Paper
"The case of Miller et al. v. Schoene represents a particularly interesting case given that the court was ruling on a case in which it had to balance ..."

Tags:law, economics, policy

Abstract
This paper analyzes the cases of "Miller et al. v. Schoene" (1928) and "Boomer v. Atlantic Cement Co" (1970), which both touch upon similar issues in law and economics related to property and liability. The paper argues, in comparing and contrasting the rulings in the two cases, that in evaluating real world circumstances and cases the law does not reflect pure economic analysis of these questions. It suggests that the law has tended to treat negative externalities by a liability rule as opposed to a property rule.

From the Paper
"In this analysis, we can see that the court in the case of Boomer v. Atlantic Cement Co. generally followed the trend of courts and has "been reluctant to go beyond the requirement that damages be paid". In this regard, the court was restricting itself to issues of liability and not delving into the more complex economic issues in judging the costs of air pollution against damages to the community. Indeed, as Ronald Coase observes, purely economic considerations and analyses of cases before courts often does not impact court rulings: "it has to be remembered that the immediate question faced by the courts is not what shall be done by whom but who has the legal right to do what". As another critic notes, the issues of cost interdependence in ruling between property owners in such cases is often "a technical-economic interdependence not a legal one"."

Tags:pollution, entrepreneurship, damages, rulings

Abstract
This paper examines the economic perception of zoning as somehow infringing on the rights of property owners and indirectly interfering with the free market. It explains that some researchers disagree with this perception and say that the primary criticisms directed towards zoning are that zoning is unfair to some property owners to a greater degree than others and therefore inherently biased, and that zoning adds unnecessary and often excessive transaction costs that in effect are economic externals. The writer notes that not having any controls on the economic development of a region would result in commercial activity being developed in or near residential neighborhoods that would negatively impact housing values of all the surrounding neighborhoods. The writer believes that zoning is in itself useful and necessary but there should be a bargaining element introduced that removes sole decisive power from the municipality to one degree or another. The writer concludes that currently there is no alternative to any zoning decision made by municipalities and this is not necessarily good either.

From the Paper
"Many economists consider zoning a response to population growth and specifically urban sprawl in that zoning can be considered a solution to these problems relative to land use issues. Zoning is essentially an extension of political control over the development process within communities. Political controls over land use manifested through zoning laws are in place in every province of Canada and, in many cases, rationalized through environmental reasons or, conversely, are used to indicate that public utilities or services do not have the ability to service additional development in a given area."

Tags:urban, sprawl, political, control, development, process, public, policy

Abstract
This research paper outlines some key effects of terrorism on the application of the rule of law. By outlining key historical events in conjunction with the practical analysis of the law and its connotations, one is able to see how terrorism may effect the validity of the law in a social, economic and political context.

From the Paper
"Terrorism is the largest threat to democracy the world has seen. The recent September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon are often perceived as the beginning of a "never ending" war against terror. However, the perceptions of the qualities of a terrorist differ from person to person, which presents a conflict as to who really is a threat, and who is not. For example, the United States Department of Defense believes that a terrorist is a person or group who carries out an attack for a political, religious or ideological purpose whereas, in a time of war, a terrorist would be someone with only a "remote chance of achieving their aims"."

Tags:international, law, political, rule, science, september

Abstract
This paper reviews trademark law in general, the development of trademark dilution and its codification within the US Federal code via the FTDA. The focus of this paper lies on the ramifications of the FTDA on trademark law itself, as well as on the economic ramifications such protection may have on potential dilutors in the future.

Contents:
The Situation
Trademarks: A Brief Explanation
Trademark Dilution: A Theory, Potentially Wrongfully, Codified in State and Federal Statute
The FTDA: Application Leads to Trouble Waters
Victoria's Secret offers Little Resolution
The Aftermath of the Federal Trademark Dilution Act and Victoria's Secret
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Developed in the 1920's by Frank I. Schechter, the theory of trademark dilution posits that certain trademarks have such a high value that their use in areas of commerce unrelated to those in which the protected mark is currently being used or might reasonably be used in the future, could serve to "blur" or "tarnish" the identifying capability of the protected mark. Dilution Laws, in turn, first began to appear in various states shortly after Schechter's theory was published.

Yet, the codification of trademark dilution, as specified by Schechter, into statute form may well be the foundation for the deluge of inconsistencies which have come to be associated with the doctrine, and, more specifically, the Federal Trademark Dilution Act."

Tags:dilution, intellectual, law, property, trademark

Abstract
The field of economic analysis of law is said to have begun with Jeremy Bentham who systematically examined how actors would behave in the face of legal incentives and who evaluated outcomes with respect to a clearly stated measure of social welfare (utilitarianism). This paper examines economic analysis of law seeks to answer two basic questions about legal rules. Namely, what are the effects of legal rules on the behavior of relevant actors? And are these effects of legal rules socially desirable? In answering these positive and normative questions, the approach employed in economic analysis of law is that used in economic analysis generally. The behavior of individuals and firms is described assuming that they are forward looking and rational and the framework of welfare economics is adopted to assess social desirability.

From the Paper
"But no matter how careful we might be considering the economic analysis of the situation there can be no presupposition of a truth vis--vis utilitarian ethics. If we consider that utilitarianism takes well being as the only goal for human activity, then we must identify it with happiness or desire-fulfillment. Instead, a theory of justice and rights ought to be considered important in its own right within economic ethics. Market-wise, whatever is in vogue is what will be implemented."

Tags:Calabresi, Adam, Smith, Wealth, of, Nations, Vilfredo, Pareto

Abstract
This paper gives a thorough overview of immigration law history in the US, starting with just after the Civil War and continuing into the present era, discussing the ideological underpinnings of immigration law as well as practical and economic considerations.

Abstract
This paper outlines the history of mental health law in the U.K., identifying a number of key principles of health care economics and ethics, with a focus on the particular incentives and trade-offs that are raised by these principles at three levels of the mental health system: government and society; purchasers and providers; and users and caretakers. The author points out that self-determination theory (SDT) is based on the belief that innate psychological needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness are important bases for human motivation. The paper suggests that there is a need to move towards a more open, accountable, and evidence-based mental health care system, which would be fully supported by U.K. law.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Literature Review
History of UK Case Law
Draft Mental Incapacity Bill
The Fundamental Principle Behind Medical Law in the UK
Capacity Law
Problems in Mental Health Systems in the UK
A Right to Health Care: The Libertarian Objection
Whom to Sacrifice
The Struggle Between Ethics and Economics in Mental Health Care
Four Principles of Health Care Economics
Four Principles of Health Care Ethics
Tensions in Health Care Decision-Making
Government and Society
Purchasers and Providers
Economic Incentives
Ethical Trade-offs
Users and Caretakers
Linking the Past to the Present
Purpose of the Study
Research Questions and Hypothesis
Methodology
Results
Discussion, Recommendations and Conclusion
Explicitness
Evaluation
Accountability
Recommendations
Bibliography

From the Paper
"In a perfectly competitive market, the supply and demand for a particular good achieves equilibrium, and no more and no less of the good is produced or consumed than is necessary. In reality, markets are not perfectly competitive, resulting in failures due to unfair competition, uncertainty and externality effects. The market for mental health care is no exception. These failures are so common that some form of government intervention is necessary. The extent of government involvement is influenced by both economic and political considerations and by the existing model of social choice. In the United Kingdom, a careful balance of both individualistic (autonomy and consumer sovereignty) and collective (justice and welfare maximization) principles must be considered."

Tags:market, economics, ethics, self-determination, accountable