Volume 13, Number 4, 1982

EN:

International health law is a soft law which is now reaching full maturity. It has gradually taken root since the middle of the 19^th century, and it represents a synthesis of several disciplines (international work law, international social law, international humanitarian law, international medical law, international environment law, ...) International health law must be linked to international economic law and particularly to international development law. Moreover, it is mostly a Third-world law, especially since the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) caters first of all to the needs and demands of the developing nations. Thus it offers both an ideological and technical aspect which is very present in the concepts of New International Health Order and of Primarian Health Cares. W.H.O. must be considered as the main organization in the field of international public health, though, an international sanitary division has been established with both world organizations (mainly the United Nations System organizations), trans-regional, regional or sub-regional organizations, all with sanitary competence, as well as many non-governmental organizations with a sanitary purpose. The standardization process (general standards and ordinary standards) of international health law is nevertheless very advanced, and make international health law a half proclamatory and half executory law.

EN:

During the 1970's and at the dawn of the 80's, the intervention of the Federal Government of Canada in the country's economic sector became more pronounced, thus following a Worldwide trend in that aspect. It is specially marked in the sector of energy where it supports the Canadianization objectives which run counter to foreign interests and investments, first and foremost american. This article gives an idea of the world context in which lies the choice for energy policies. It goes on to de scribe the evolution of these policies which firmly hinge on the North-South continental context. The objectives outlined in the National Energy Program cannot allow to ignore this essential variable, specially in the determination of means and measures to be used to further economic nationalism. Such are the pressures brought about, at the highest level, by the american administration under the presidency of Ronald Reagan.

EN:

This paper analyzes the way in which internal forces are likely to affect Soviet foreign policy over the next few years. Four developments are examined: potential Soviet petroleum shortages, the growing Soviet Muslim population, the slowdown in the rate of economic growth in the Soviet Union, and the imminent post-Brezhnev succession struggle. The question is posed: Will these factors soon impel the Soviet Union toward foreign expansion and adventurism?

It is our conclusion that two of these factors, the leveling off of oil production and the rapid growth of Soviet Muslims, are not likely to have a strong influence on Soviet foreign policy. On the other hand, the decline in growth rates and the demise of Brezhnev are likely to have a major impact on future Soviet policies. The Soviet system is not experiencing a terminal crisis, but it is definitely laboring under growing burdens. It would be a mistake, however, to assume that this will necessarily result in foreign expansion. A new, rejuvenated leadership may well seek a relaxation of tensions, as it did upon Stalin’s death in 1953, so as to create favorable conditions for dealing with its pressing problems. The future remains highly uncertain. International developments will be at least as important as domestic factors, and much will depend upon the policies adopted by Western governments.