Dear All
Welcome to the latest edition of the newsletter which brings you a selection of new sites added to SOSIG the Social Science Information Gateway in the last week. Remember that you can consult a full list at http://www.sosig.ac.uk/
in this week's edition

In the news this week: Libya

Blair Hails New Libya Relations  
Description: This site was created by the BBC news service to provide coverage of the historic meeting of British Prime Minister Tony Blair with Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi on 25th March 2004. It includes a video clip of his speech in Lisbon. The site also includes a small time line of key events in UK Libya relations, plus links to a background profile of Gadaffi, country information about Libya and some brief discussion of Libya's decision to abandon weapons of mass destruction. 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3566545.stm 

also available:

Libya Weapons: Federation of American Scientists ; Muammar Gadafi Official Web Site 

Baltic Voices 
Description: The Baltic Voices site is a joint project of: Professor Richard Rose, Centre for the Study of Public Policy, University of Strathclyde and Professor Sten Berglund, University of Örebro. It provides access to data and analysis of the results of a number of New Baltic Barometer Surveys of public opinion conducted in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania since 1993 by the Centre for the Study of Public Policy, University of Strathclyde. The surveys ask questions relating to social, economic and political issues. They separate answers from titular nationals and Russians, allowing for ethnic group comparison. Topics covered include: attitudes towards the government, attitudes towards Russia, opinions on whether the nation should return to communist rule and questions relating to nationalism and identity. The site also includes background information on recent election results and the nature of the political system in these nations. 

URL: http://www.balticvoices.org/ 

Global Corruption 2004 
Description: An annual report by Transparency International, a worldwide anti-corruption NGO. The report gives an overview of global corruption and discusses the challenges corruption poses for government, business, and civil society. It provides regional reports, examines global issues related to corruption, and has information on ongoing or recently finished research projects on corruption. It is in .PDF format and needs Adobe Acrobat Reader to access it. The report is available in various languages. Key topics include: political corruption and bribery, state corruption, political finance and donations and analysis of the UN Convention Against Corruption. 

URL: http://www.globalcorruptionreport.org/download.htm 

Graduate Journal of Social Science 
Description: Graduate Journal of Social Science (GJSS) is an electronic peer reviewed journal which was established in 2004 by a managing board based at the London School of Economics (LSE) and Free University Amsterdam. It aims to publish papers and reviews from graduate students and academics on interdisciplinary methodology and research methods in the social sciences. This includes articles that discuss qualitative and quantitative methodology, theoretical articles and case studies. All back issues are archived on the site where details on submitting papers can also be found. Other features are a calendar of forthcoming conferences and events. 

URL: http://www.gjss.org/index.htm 

Downing Street Says 
Description: The Downing Street Says is an unofficial site which provides access to the full text of all official 10 Downing Street lobby and press briefings from British Prime Minister Tony Blair. It is maintained by an independent group of enthusiasts using transcripts under license from 10 Downing Street. These briefings are updated daily during parliamentary sessions and cover all aspects of British government social, economic and political policy. The briefings themselves can also be accessed from the official 10 Downing Street web site, however this source also enables them to be searched and allows users to debate and react to them. 

URL: http://www.downingstreetsays.com/ 

Audit of Political Engagement
Description: This site provides access to an audit of levels of political engagement and participation in the Uk which was published by the Electoral commission in March 2003. It presents the results of a public opnion poll of 1,976 adults conducted by MORI and a Hansard Society survey of MPs, both conducted in December 2003. Topics covered include: extent of political knowledge, engagement and participation and levels of satisfaction with the existing political system. Information on the survey methodology is provided. Users should note that the study is in pdf format and therefore requires access to an Adobe Acrobat Reader for use. 

URL: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/templates/search/document.cfm/9273 

if you have any comments on this newsletter please contact
Heather Dawson
SOSIG Government and Politics editor
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