Drawing upon philosophy and social theory, Social Theory of International Politics develops a theory of the international system as a social construction. Alexander Wendt clarifies the central claims of the constructivist approach, presenting a structural and idealist worldview which contrasts with the individualism and materialism which underpins much mainstream international relations theory. He builds a cultural theory of international politics, which takes whether states view each other as enemies, rivals or friends as a fundamental determinant. Wendt characterises these roles as 'cultures of anarchy', described as Hobbesian, Lockean and Kantian respectively. These cultures are shared ideas which help shape state interests and capabilities, and generate tendencies in the international system. The book describes four factors which can drive structural change from one culture to another - interdependence, common fate, homogenization, and self-restraint - and examines the effects of capitalism and democracy in the emergence of a Kantian culture in the West.

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Social Theory of International Politics

https://courses.edx.org/c4x/University_of_TorontoX/D101x/asset/Marmot_2005_-Social_determinants_of_health_inequalities.pdf

Social determinants of health inequalities

Increasing social inequalities in health in the United States and elsewhere, coupled with growing inequalities in income and wealth, have refocused attention on social class as a key determinant of population health. Routine analysis using conceptually coherent and consistent measures of socioeconomic position in US public health research and surveillance, however, remains rare. This review discusses concepts and methodologies concerning, and guidelines for measuring, social class and other aspects of socioeconomic position (e.g. income, poverty, deprivation, wealth, education). These data should be collected at the individual, household, and neighborhood level, to characterize both childhood and adult socioeconomic position; fluctuations in economic resources during these time periods also merit consideration. Guidelines for linking census-based socioeconomic measures and health data are presented, as are recommendations for analyses involving social class, race/ethnicity, and gender. Suggestions for research on socioeconomic measures are provided, to aid monitoring steps toward social equity in health.

Measuring Social Class in US Public Health Research: Concepts, Methodologies, and Guidelines

Foreword 1. Prosperity Lost 2. The Age of Irresponsibility 3. Redefining Prosperity 4. The Dilemma of Growth 5. The Myth of Decoupling 6. The 'Iron Cage' of Consumerism 7. Keynesianism and the 'Green New Deal' 8. Ecological Macro-Economics 9. Flourishing - within Limits 10. Governance for Prosperity 11. The Transition to a Sustainable Economy 12. A Lasting Prosperity Appendices References Endnotes

Prosperity without growth : economics for a finite planet

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Social exclusion : concept, application, and scrutiny

Rejecting fashionable subjectivist and cultural relativist approaches, this important book argues that human beings have universal and objective needs for health and autonomy and a right to their optimal satisfaction The authors develop a system of social indicators to show what such optimization would mean in practice and assess the records of a wide range of developed and underdeveloped economies in meeting their citizens' needs

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A Theory of Human Need

A theory of human needs

# Informed consent in medical research {#article-title-2}

In the issue of 12 April 1997 the BMJ invited comment on the acceptable limits of informed consent in medical studies. In view of the large correspondence this generated, we invited the two original commentators, Len Doyal and Jeffrey Tobias, to revisit the subject. We also invited comments from three people who are not doctors, researchers, or medical ethicists: two of them represent the views of patients and potential patients

# Informed consent—a response to recent correspondence {#article-title-3}

Editorial by Smith and Personal views pp 1026-7 

The publication of the debate between myself and Jeffrey Tobias about the acceptable limits of informed consent in medical research has generated an immense and varied number of letters to the BMJ .1–4 This in itself is gratifying, whether or not correspondents agree with my arguments. It provides ample evidence of widespread and serious deliberation about the moral boundaries of the rights of participants in research.



Previous articles and comment on informed consent are available on our website (see Collections)



Many correspondents either explicitly or implicitly endorse the hard line that I take in my paper on the right of competent people to an acceptable level of information before agreeing to participate in medical research. Other contributions confirm my emphasis on the moral importance of the principle of informed consent but, in light of the highly specific circumstances where I argue that the principle must be qualified, question the degree or clarity of my own commitment to it. What is important here is our shared belief in the moral imperative of respecting human autonomy in almost all circumstances.

I still disagree with those authors who argue that it is not necessary to obtain informed consent if this will lead to the methodological compromise, or possible cancellation, of potentially beneficial studies involving clinical interventions that carry minimal risks. What these …

/pdf/informed-consent-in-medical-research-3t8d3vnnos.pdf

Informed consent in medical research

Teoría de las necesidades humanas

Personal view p 1466 

The elective can be one of the most exciting components of a medical student's training. When done abroad, it sometimes offers the opportunity to experience health care in a different cultural and organisational setting and to see diseases that are rarely, if ever, encountered in Great Britain. Other benefits include the maturity that comes from medico-social understanding, self-reliance, and resourcefulness that the elective experience can provide.1 Several reports describing activities on electives provide further insight into their opportunities, challenges, and benefits.2-6

The increasingly focused medical curriculum in the UK is a key reason to promote the elective. Yet despite its advantages, some concerns remain. The author of a report of his elective alludes to the discomfort felt about suddenly being expected to “see patients” (p 1466).6 Such concerns are often no different from anxieties experienced by medical students in Great Britain. …

Len Doyal

Papers

A Theory of Human Need

A theory of human needs

Informed consent in medical research

Teoría de las necesidades humanas

Knowing when to say "no" on the student elective. Students going on electives abroad need clinical guidelines.