The European Union’s Democratic Deficit and Options for EU Democracy in the 21st Century. EU Centre Singapore Working Paper No. 22, August 2014

The European Union (EU) is widely acknowledged as a successful example of economic and political integration of nation states today – a slate of democratic institutions such as the European Parliament have also been developed and European citizens now possess extensive political and civil rights by virtue of the introduction of European citizenship. Nevertheless, the EU is said to suffer from a so called “democratic deficit” even as it seeks deeper and closer integration. Decades of institutional design and elite closed-door decisions has taken its toll on the inclusion and integration of European citizens in social and political life, with widening socio-economic inequalities and the resurgence of extreme-right parties during in the wake of the debt crisis in the Eurozone. This paper attempts to evaluate the democratic development of the EU through the use of a process-oriented approach, and concludes at the end with discussions on the various options that the EU and its citizens can take to reform democratic processes and institutions in Europe.

The WTO beyond Doha: Thinking Ahead

This presentation by Pierre Sauvé was presented to the ICC Commission on Trade and Investment Policy in Paris.

Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and nicotine withdrawal: a qualitative study of patient perceptions

Background: Nicotine use has been reported to ameliorate symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Furthermore, adults with ADHD have a relatively high prevalence of cigarette smoking and greater difficulty abstaining from smoking. Overall, though, there is scant literature investigating the beliefs, perceptions and experiences of smokers with ADHD regarding smoking cessation and withdrawal. Methods: Our participants (n = 20) fulfilling criteria for ADHD and a past or current dependence from nicotine were recruited from the in- and outpatient clinic of the Zurich University Psychiatric Hospital and the Psychiatric Services Aargau (Switzerland). We conducted in-depth interviews to explore their motivations to quit, past experiences with and expectations about quitting using a purposeful sampling plan. The sample was selected to provide diversity in relation to level of nicotine dependence, participation in a smoking-cessation program, gender, age, martial status and social class. Mayring’s qualitative content analysis approach was used to evaluate findings. Results: Adult smokers with ADHD had made several attempts to quit, experienced intense withdrawal symptoms, and relapsed early and often. They also often perceived a worsening of ADHD symptoms with nicotine abstinence. We identified three motives to quit smoking: 1) health concerns, 2) the feeling of being addicted, and 3) social factors. Most participants favored a smoking cessation program specifically designed for individuals with ADHD because they thought ADHD complicated their nicotine withdrawal and that an ADHD-specific smoking cessation program should address specific symptoms of this disorder. Conclusions: Since treatment initiation and adherence associate closely with perception, we hope these findings will result in better cessation interventions for the vulnerable subgroup of smokers with ADHD. Keywords: ADHD, Nicotine, Withdrawal, Subjective, Qualitative, Narrative

Factors affecting freight rates on agricultural commodities: the railroad passenger deficit.

Mode of access: Internet.

A century of social thinking in Hawaii.

A review and digest of papers by members of the Social Science Association of Honolulu.

Heavy vehicle cost responsibility study. Report of the Secretary of Transportation to the United States Congress pursuant to section 931 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984.

Mode of access: Internet.

Saving lives and dollars: highway safety contribution to health care reform and deficit reduction.

Mode of access: Internet.

The thinking bayonet /

Menendez. Civil War novels,

The second book of observation, thought and expression, or, seeing, thinking, knowledge, talking and writing /

Includes index.

Lessons in vocal expression: Course I. Principles of thinking in the modulation of the voice,

Mode of access: Internet.

Senate/Administration deficit reduction plan.

Item 854

Thinking about thinking.

Mode of access: Internet.

Straight thinking on narcotics: alcohol, tobacco, opium, morphine, cocaine, and marihuana.

Bibliography: 165-171.

James Montjoy, or, I've been thinking /

Mode of access: Internet.