Trustworthiness

This chapter explains the account of trustworthiness and untrustworthiness which fits the commitment account of trust and distrust. Trustworthiness is a matter of avoiding unfulfilled commitments, which requires both caution in incurring new commitments and diligence in fulfilling existing commitments. On this view, one can be trustworthy regardless of one’s motives for fulfilling one’s commitments. This is a negative account of trustworthiness, which means that one can be trustworthy whilst avoiding commitments as far as possible. In practice, through friendship, work and other social engagements we take on meta-commitments—commitments to incur future commitments. These can make it a matter of trustworthiness to take on certain new commitments. Untrustworthiness can arise from insincerity or bad intentions, but it can also arise from enthusiasm and becoming over-committed. A trustworthy person must not allow her commitments to outstrip her competence.

Latin America climate change progress requires aid

Subject Latin America's climate change action. Significance The agreement reached during the 20th session of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 20) held in Lima in December 2014 committed all countries, developed and developing, to make public their commitments to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These will form the basis for the crucial next session (COP 21) in Paris this December. However, political and economic factors reduce the chances of a legally binding agreement emerging from the process, providing wriggle room for those governments not wanting to meet their future commitments. Impacts Countries in the region will face growing international pressure to publicise new or revised commitments to cutting emissions post-2020. If targets are to be met, countries with significant rainforests will have to improve on their logging records. The increasing budget deficits of many countries in the region will make the adaptation to climate impacts even harder.

Unconventional Fiscal Policy at the Zero Bound

When the zero lower bound on nominal interest rates binds, monetary policy cannot provide appropriate stimulus. We show that, in the standard New Keynesian model, tax policy can deliver such stimulus at no cost and in a time-consistent manner. There is no need to use inefficient policies such as wasteful public spending or future commitments to low interest rates. (JEL E12, E43, E52, E62, H20)

The Challenge of Investigating the Value of E-Simulations in Blended Learning Environments

This chapter focuses on digital role-play simulations, which are increasingly being used in higher education via the Web to provide engaging, more authentic learning experiences for students. With careful attention to design, development, and implementation processes they can be particularly valuable for increasing the professional capabilities that graduates require in the workplace. Evaluation of an e-simulation can be difficult, particularly when it is just one component of a blended learning environment. Using Deakin University’s e-simulations program as a case study, this chapter outlines the phases and elements of the program, its evaluation approach, evaluation challenges experienced, and lessons learnt. The chapter argues that, in spite of the challenges of investigating e-simulations in blended learning environments, design-based research offers the most value to stakeholders. The chapter concludes by outlining future commitments in the DeakinSims program to maintain a focus on design-based research.