This review sets out four main explanatory paradigms of penal policy— focusing on, in turn, crime, cultural dynamics, economic structures and interests, and institutional differences in the organization of different political economies as the key determinants of penal policy. We argue that these paradigms are best seen as complementary rather than competitive and present a case for integrating them analytically in a comparative political economy framework situated within the longue durée of technology regime change.

The ‘Asian Century’ is even bigger than you think. Far greater than just China, the new Asian system taking shape is a multi-civilizational order spanning Saudi Arabia to Japan, Russia to Australia, Turkey to Indonesia – linking five billion people through trade, finance, infrastructure, and diplomatic networks that together represent 40 percent of global GDP. China has taken a lead in building the new Silk Roads across Asia, but it will not lead it alone.

2.00 p.m., Opening address by Prof Faisal Devji (Oxford University) and Dr Young-Chan Choi (Associate member Oriental Institute)

2.10 p.m., View from Pyongyang
HE Alastair Morgan (British Ambassador to Pyongyang, DPPK, 2015-2019)

2.30 p.m., View from Seoul
HE Charles Hay (British Ambassador to Seoul, ROK, 2015-2018)

2.50 p.m., State Re-unification in Comparative Perspective
Professor Richard Caplan (Oxford University)

3.05 p.m., ICC and Transnational Justice
Professor Miles Jackson (Oxford University)

An increasing number of states have published information regarding cyber operations discovered on networks within their jurisdiction. Little research has been published analysing what might motivate and explain such behaviour. Understanding why states chose to publish sensitive details is important, as practices of strategic interaction in cybersecurity are only just emerging into public view.

Abstract:

Israel scores very high internationally in the reported happiness of its Jewish inhabitants, and government politicians make much of that survey result. On the face of it there is a paradox: the country does not score high on other quality-of-life indicators and is not an easy place to live in. I will report on the construction and record of quality-of-life indicators more generally, on what they tell us about Israel, on currently ongoing research about well-being in the country, and on how the paradox might be understood and resolved.

About the speaker: