Analysing Parliamentary Debate with Computer Assistance

The analysis of parliamentary debates is at the confluence of a number of developments in political science. What light can automated and semi‐automated techniques throw on such analysis? In this paper we compare two such approaches, one semi‐automated (Hamlet) and the other fully automated (Alceste). We use both approaches to identify the prominent themes in debate and to assess how far speakers who favour different positions adopt a distinct pattern of discourse. We seek to assess how far the two approaches yield convergent or divergent analyses. Selecting a second reading debate from the UK House of Commons on a private member's bill on abortion in July 1966, we are able to show similarities of analysis despite the detailed differences between the two approaches. In particular, the analysis in Hamlet al.lows identification of the extent to which individual speakers employ one type of vocabulary rather than another. Alceste is able to provide a statistical basis for the different classes of vocabulary that occur in the debate. However, the two programs rest upon quite different assumptions about the relationship between syntax and meaning, with implications for the practice of political science.     

Taming the tigers? Reforming the security sector in Southeast Asia

Abstract

Despite global trends towards military reform characterized by processes of professionalization and democratization, militaries in Southeast Asia have continued to play prominent roles in domestic politics since 11 September. This suggests that wider patterns of global military reform have not had as great an impact on the control, capacity and cooperative functions of armed forces in Southeast Asia as they may have elsewhere. In order to explore why the security sector reform agenda has had so little impact in the region, we investigate recent patterns of civil–military relations in Southeast Asia by focusing on the experiences of four of the region's militaries: Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. We argue that the security sector reform agenda is informed by a predominantly North American approach to civil–military relations based on a number of core assumptions that do not reflect Southeast Asian experiences. Hence, we ask whether the reform agenda itself could be modified to better suit the Southeast Asian context. We suggest that although the regional military sector has not reformed along a ‘Western’ path it is nonetheless possible to see other types of, and potential for, reform.     

本质的还是建构的?——论性倾向平等保护中的“不可改变”进路

性倾向和性别、种族一样,属于因出生而获得的"不可改变"特征,所以应该得到严格审查,得到宪法的平等保护。这一进路遭到了批评,因为关键问题在于政府立法和性倾向之间是否具有关联性。自然科学关于同性恋生物基础的研究对"不可改变"提供了强有力的支持,而这种本质主义的研究遭到了社会建构主义者强有力的批判,身份政治中的这一争论提醒我们,从"我也无能为力"的诉求中,同性恋权利不能获得真正的力量。     

Participation of Victims in Pre-Trial Proceedings of the ICC

Victims’ participation is usually celebrated as one ofthe major innovations of the International Criminal Court (ICC)system. It has been regulated in great detail by the draftersof the Rome Statute and the Rules of Procedure and Evidenceof the ICC in relation to trial proceedings. However, few thoughtshave been devoted to the question of how victims’ issuesare dealt with before the commencement of the trial. This contributionseeks to close this gap. It argues that victims have a roleto play in the ICC process from the very beginning of proceedings.Moreover, it seeks to clarify how some of the participatoryrights of victims may be addressed in practice.     

基于AHP与过程结果模型的电子政务公共服务绩效实证研究

在总结研究国内外电子政务绩效评估现状的基础上,本文从国内城市政府电子政务公共服务功能构成与公共服务需求视角,构建城市电子政务公共服务绩效评价指标体系;采用AHP方法,以国内部分省会城市政府门户网站为样本数据,进行公共服务绩效评估,并与用户网络调查的研究结论进行比较验证;最后从服务过程和结果两个维度对公共服务绩效进行分析,指出服务型电子政务现阶段发展的现状与问题。     

中国预算改革:未来的挑战

1999年以来,中国启动了一场意义深远的预算改革,目标是建立现代公共预算制度。十余年的预算改革,取得了显著的成绩,中国基本上建立起现代公共预算制度的基本框架。但同时,也在预算权力结构、综合预算、总额控制、绩效预算、现金和债务管理、会计改革等方面面临着挑战。未来,中国应更加深入地推进预算改革,建立现代公共预算制度。     

割裂下的融合:中国宪法与刑事诉讼法关系解读

当下中国的宪法超脱于刑事诉讼法之上,刑事诉讼法游离于宪法之外,两者之间呈现一种割裂的态势。然而,在割裂的大背景下,"宪政—富强"成为统摄宪法与刑事诉讼法的价值理念,为中心工作服务成为宪法与刑事诉讼法融合的连接点,以为中心工作服务为取向的中国式司法能动主义成为宪法与刑事诉讼法融合的关键因素,二者在这样一个背景下实现了"割裂下的融合"。     

论基本权利作为法律行为无效的判断标准——最高法院1988年“工伤概不负责”案《批复》之检讨

宪法基本权利确立了一套客观价值秩序,既适用于国家与人民,也拘束私法关系,是法律行为效力的判断标准之一。由于宪法时下还不能作为判断法律行为无效的直接依据,应当将侵害基本权利的法律行为无效事由认定为违背公序良俗。违反法律与违背公序良俗都是法律行为无效的判断事由,基本权利透过公序良俗即可单独否定法律行为效力。最高法院1988年工伤概不负责案的《批复》将基本权利既视为法律又视为公序良俗,以此否定法律行为效力,在方法上欠为妥当,应予检讨。