The contents of Number 6 (Apr. 2014) include scholarly articles and student research, as well as as the extensive, annual survey of Developments in the Law. This year's subject is SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY. Topics include "Pro-Gay and Anti-Gay Speech in Schools," "Transgender Youth and Access to Gendered Spaces in Education," "Classification and Housing of Transgender Inmates in American Prisons," "Animus and Sexual Regulation," and "Progress Where You Might Least Expect It: The Military's Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'" Each year, the special Developments issue serves, in effect, as a new and detailed book on a cutting-edge legal subject. The issue also includes an article by Jill C. Anderson, "Misreading Like a Lawyer: Cognitive Bias in Statutory Interpretation," and an article by Ryan Bubb & Richard H. Pildes, "How Behavioral Economics Trims Its Sails and Why." In addition, student case notes explore Recent Cases on such diverse subjects as false advertising by disseminating scientific literature, free speech rights of professors in public universities, voter identification laws, sentencing by imposing the condition of penile plethysmography, aiding and abetting violations in international law, and whether intercepting unencrypted wi-fi violates the Wiretap Act. A further student work explores the recent administrative policy of the Social Security Administration's eliminating a surgical requirement for changing trans individuals' gender designation, and another explores a recent administration white paper on national security and whether bulk metadata collection violates the USA PATRIOT Act. Finally, the issue features several summaries of Recent Publications. The Harvard Law Review is offered in a quality digital edition, featuring active Contents, linked notes, active URLs in notes, and proper ebook and Bluebook formatting. The contents of Number 6 (Apr. 2014) include scholarly essays by leading academic figures, as well as substantial student research. The Review is a student-run organization whose primary purpose is to publish a journal of legal scholarship. The organization is formally independent of the Harvard Law School. Student editors make all editorial and organizational decisions.
When a consumer uses a credit card to make a purchase, the merchant does not receive the full purchase amount because a certain portion of the sale is deducted to compensate the merchant¿s bank, the bank that issued the card, and the card network that processes the transaction. The level and growth of these rates have become increasingly controversial. This report reviews: (1) how the fees merchants pay have changed over time and the factors affecting the competitiveness of the credit card market; (2) how credit card competition has affected consumers; (3) the benefits and costs to merchants of accepting cards and their ability to negotiate those costs; and (4) the potential impact of various options intended to lower merchant costs. Illustrations.
The U.S. and other countries are in the midst of the worst financial crisis in more than 75 years. While much of the attention of policymakers has been focused on taking short-term steps to address the immediate nature of the crisis, these events have served to strikingly demonstrate that the current U.S. financial regulatory system is in need of significant reform. This report: (1) describes the origins of the current financial regulatory system; (2) describes various market developments and changes that have created challenges for the current system; and (3) presents an evaluation framework that can be used to shape potential regulatory reform efforts. An important and thorough review of the issues related to regulatory reform. Charts and tables.