Democracy and Interest Groups

This article analyses the differences in institutional design in national parliamentary control over European Union affairs among EU member states. It proceeds from a preference-based perspective, drawing on the principal–agent framework, and a time-based perspective, inspired by the historical institutionalist approach. The article involves a qualitative comparative analysis of strong control and a quantitative, correlation analysis of variation in the degree of control. It argues that time-based factors provide a more persuasive overall explanation for the differences in control than preference-based factors.     

保护弱势群体利益的政策调整

社会转型期弱势群体的成因是多方面的,其中政策因素是一个重要的原因。经济体制改革政策目标取向与政策制定模式,在推动我国社会经济发展、居民生活改善、社会稳定的同时,对弱势群体的范围、程度产生一定影响,随着经济体制改革的深化,应以社会政策调整为有力措施,保护弱势群体利益。     

Government, Interest Groups and Policy Change

Much of the British and European literature on the role of interest groups in the policy process focuses on their participation in policy networks of various types. Possibly reflecting the original development of the policy community and policy network 'models' in the late 1970s, these approaches tend to emphasize stability and continuity – of both networks and policies. However, the 1980s and 1990s have witnessed much policy change and instability in most Western European states. In particular, some governments have adopted a more impositional policy style, and interest groups have learned to exploit the opportunities presented by a policy process which is increasingly characterized by multiple opportunity structures. This is especially the case following Europeanization of many policy sectors within the fifteen EU member states. The article focuses on the possible causes of policy change, including the importance of state power; changes in the behaviour of interest groups as they adjust to and exploit the opportunities presented by multi-arena policy-making; the impact of new policy fashions, reflecting knowledge and ideas which can act as a virus-like threat to existing policy communities.     

既得利益集团的形成条件探析

既得利益集团的形成是一个复杂的过程,至少离不开5个要素,同时还要取决于这5个要素的发育和关联程度。主体来源和利益目标是两个必备前提,官员政治道德逆转是形成的重要环节,制度缺陷和体制漏洞为其形成打开了通道,涉及官员的利益调整是主要契机,而官员的职业化则是孵化器。     

On the Measurement of Rent Seeking and its Social Opportunity Cost

Utilizing 4-digit industry data by county,we compare the allocation of resourcesacross industries in state capital areaswith noncapital areas. We are able toidentify which industries are expanded andcontracted relative to noncapital areas. Our results provide the first directevidence and measurement of the forgoneproductive activity resulting fromresources being reallocated toward rentseeking and interest group activity. Ourdata also allow us to measure total rentseeking, and also to isolate the extent ofindirect and in-kind rent seeking, whichcan account for part of the Tullockparadox.     

中国特殊利益集团问题探析

中国特殊利益集团的存在严重危害了社会公平正义,阻碍了改革的深入进行。对于公共管理者而言,需要重振公共行政的精神,抵制和治理特殊利益集团。     

Social Science and the Public Interest

Social Science and the Public Interest

Social Science and the Public Interest November/December 2009     

Social Science and the Public Interest

Social Science and the Public Interest

Social Science and the Public Interest     

Social Science and the Public Interest

Social Science and the Public Interest

Social Science and the Public Interest November/December 2010