Trust in Economics and Politics

The lack of study of interpersonal trust and the virtues that lead to trust in the disciplines of economics, political economy and politics is surprising. The absence of trust in economic life can lead to huge increases in transactions costs which impoverish society. The lack of the virtues that lead to trust in political life can destroy society and make political institutions exploitative, with catastrophic consequences. There is a strong empirical link between the level of trust in society and levels of wellbeing. The paper argues that markets and competition will often promote virtues that lead to trust, but that this is not guaranteed. If trust in economic life is absent, governments may be able to regulate markets to overcome the problems created, but we should not assume that those in political life do not fall prey to the same temptations as economic operators. We need to rebuild trust by nurturing virtues, and this should start in the family. This is necessary because, ultimately, whilst political institutions can be better or worse when it comes to their efficacy in promoting trust, a change in culture is also necessary

High Return to Competition Rate After On-Field Rehabilitation in Competitive Male Soccer Players After ACL Reconstruction: GPS Tracking in 100 Consecutive Cases.

Despite published guidelines describing on-field rehabilitation (OFR) frameworks for soccer, available evidence for practitioners who work with players with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is limited. To document the activity and workloads completed by a large cohort of amateur and professional soccer players during OFR following ACLR after completing their indoor rehabilitation and to establish their return to competition (RTC) outcomes. Case series; Level of evidence, 4. OFR measurements/activities, global positioning system (GPS), and heart rate data were collected from 100 male 11-a-side soccer players with ACLR undergoing a criteria-based rehabilitation process, concluding with a 5-stage OFR program. Consent was obtained directly from the players involved in this study before completing a follow-up questionnaire to document RTC outcomes. Differences between the level of play (professional and amateur) and 5 OFR stages were investigated using separate linear mixed models. A minimum 9-month follow-up was possible for 97 players (97%), with a median time of 2.3 years after ACLR and 84% RTC, with higher rates in professionals (100%) than amateurs (80%). Ten (10%) players sustained an ACL reinjury. Professionals completed more OFR sessions (20.6 ± 7.7 vs 13.2 ± 7.7; < .001) over a shorter period (44.7 ± 30.3 vs 59.3 ± 28.5 days; = .044) and achieved higher workloads mostly in the high-intensity GPS metrics in each OFR stage. Typical external workload outputs in the final OFR stage aligned with team training demands for the total distance (TD) (106%), high-intensity distance (HID) (104%), peak speed (PS) (88%), acceleration distance (ACC) (110%), and deceleration distance (DEC) (48%), but they were lower compared with match play demands (TD: 44%; HID: 51%; PS: 82%; ACC: 63%; and DEC: 26%). High RTC rates were reported in those players who participated in OFR after indoor rehabilitation. Completion of all five OFR stages almost prepared them for team training demands; however, workloads remain low compared to match play. [Abstract copyright: © The Author(s) 2025.

The CJEU's Google Android Auto Judgment and the Evolution of Refusal to Supply Doctrine

This case note examines these developments, fo- cusing on the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM) initial findings and fine against Google, followed by the CJEU's landmark February 2025 judgment that provides critical guidance on re- fusals to supply in digital contexts. The analysis unpacks key elements of both rulings, examining their implications for dominant platforms, app develop- ers, and competition enforcement in the digital sector

Analysis of Throw-ins Strategy on Performance Metrics in Five Men’s European Football Leagues

Limited research has investigated the impact of throw-in strategy on match performance. Hence, this study examined throw-in strategy used by teams across five European competitions and how that strategy affected first contact success, possession retention, and attacking outcomes. Throw-ins from 1,826 matches across five European Leagues (Premier League; Bundesliga; Serie A; La Liga; Ligue) during the 2022/2023 season were analysed. StatsBomb data resulted in 71,220 phases of play originating from a throw-in. Variables such as competition, throw-in distance and direction were assessed on their impact on first contact success, possession metrics and shot creation. On average, 39 throw-ins were taken per match. 42,287 throws originated from the middle zones of the pitch, with throwing the ball backwards (99.5%) or laterally (96.9%) increasing first contact success compared to throwing the ball forwards (71.3%) (p15 seconds). Retaining possession from the throw-ins was highest when going backwards (92.13%) compared to laterally (71.20%) and forwards (49.75%). Results showed an increased chance of shot creation for throw-ins directed backwards or laterally compared to those directed forwards. Findings are discussed in relation to applied performance and coaching implications

A Comparison of Maximal Isometric Force in The First Pull, Transition and Second Pull of the Clean and Their Contribution to Predict Performance in National and International Level Weightlifters.

This study aimed to examine differences in isometric peak force (PF) at the start of the first pull, transition, and second pull phases of the clean, and determine their contribution in explaining the variance in snatch and clean & jerk (C&J) performance. Thirty-one national and international level male and female weightlifters participated. Isometric start position pull (ISPP), isometric transition position pull (ITPP), and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) PF, along with competition performance, were analysed both in absolute and allometrically scaled terms. Partial Least Squares Regression identified a single latent variable explaining 81.4% of the variance in Snatch and 79.6% in C&J. ISPP PF alone significantly contributed to explaining the variance the snatch and C&J. For allometrically scaled values, a single latent variable accounted for and 62.8% variance in Snatch and 60.7% of the variance in C&J, with ISPP PF significantly contributing to the Snatch and approached significance for C&J (p = 0.056). These results underscore the importance of evaluating maximal force in the initial lift phase and suggest that training to enhance strength in this phase may be crucial for improving weightlifting performance

‘No migration, no gender, no war’ : Contradictions and paradox in Hungarian migration discourse

The Hungarian Government’s long-standing politicisation of migration has recently become more complex. Two factors are particularly important here. First, following Russia’s war on Ukraine, over 60,000 refugees have arrived in Hungary seeking temporary protection. Second, Hungary’s FDI-based growth model and the country’s integration into global value-chains has exposed serious labour shortages. Hungary’s prime minister recently indicated the need for 500,000 new workers in the next two years. New government legislation now allows ‘third country’ nationals residence in Hungary as ‘guestworkers’ under strict conditions. More than 100,000 foreign workers are now in employment. The article explores contradictions between politicised anti-migrant discourse, the arrival of Ukrainian refugees and the introduction of guestworkers into the Hungarian labour market. It draws on qualitative data analysis including political speeches, social media postings and visual images. The article concludes by suggesting that Hungary can be understood as currently caught in a paradox between national economic imperatives on one hand and domestic political and public demands for the preservatio

The Indian draft digital competition bill and report: a critical perspective

This legislative note critically examines India’s proposed Digital Competition Bill 2024 (“DCB”), a significant shift towards ex-ante regulation of digital markets. The note analyses the DCB’s key provisions, including the designation of Systemically Significant Digital Enterprises, their obligations, and enforcement mechanisms. It draws comparisons with similar legislation in the European Union, United Kingdom, and Germany, highlighting the DCB’s alignment with global trends while noting its unique aspects. The note identifies potential challenges in implementation, including regulatory overlap, extraterritorial application, and impact on innovation. It offers recommendations for refining the DCB, emphasizing the need for clearer obligations, enhanced institutional capacity, and a balanced approach that fosters competition without stifling innovation. This analysis provides valuable insights into India’s evolving approach to digital market regulation and its implications for the global digital economy

A Job Task Analysis of the Physical Demands of Manually Preparing a 4-Person Battle Trench as a Military Defensive Position

Aim: Conduct a Job Task Analysis (JTA) to quantify the physical demands of preparing a defensive position by British Army Ground Close Combat (GCC) roles. Method: Subjective data to describe the demands of preparing a defensive position were gathered from focus groups (n=90) and questionnaires (n=1495). Eight GCC personnel were observed preparing a defensive position which involved digging, lifting, and carrying materials. The oxygen cost of digging was measured using staged reconstructions at slow (12 shovels∙min-1, n=16) and fast (22 shovels∙min-1, n=13) rates. Results: The JTA identified digging trenches, filling sandbags, and shovelling debris as principal tasks of preparing a defensive position. Oxygen cost during the fast-digging rate (27.45 ± 4.93 ml∙kg-1∙min-1) was 26% greater than the slower rate (21.75 ± 2.83 ml∙kg-1∙min-1; p<0.001, d=-1.461). Conclusion: Digging a defensive position was identified by military experts as a critical job-task, with variability in metabolic cost dependent on work rate. Data may inform selection, training, and technology interventions to improve task performance

Motivation to lead in primary school headship – a multi-career-stage study

It is increasingly difficult to retain and recruit primary school headteachers in England, as well as internationally. There is an urgent need to understand how to attract primary teachers to headship, and develop a pipeline of qualified headteacher candidates. This study explored motivation to ascend to school headship amongst primary teachers, and current and former heads, drawing upon motivation to lead (MTL) constructs. Qualitative interviews were conducted with early career teachers (n = 7), experienced teachers (n = 8), current headteachers (n = 10), and retired headteachers (n = 8). The study found that having autonomy and the ability to make an impact across a whole school community were motivating factors for headship at all career stages, whereas stereotypes of headteachers and the fear of exposure and failure in the role were demotivating. A sense of duty was a motivator for the current and retired heads. Re-balancing the personal rewards and challenges of headship is necessary to motivate more teachers to become headteachers