The Influence of Lobbying Activityin State Legislatures: Evidence from Wisconsin

This study attempts to assess the degree of influence interest groups can exert on the state policy process, specifically via their lobbying activities. The analysis uses data from the 2005–06 Wisconsin Legislative Session to assess the association between lobbying activity and legislative outcomes in one state legislature. The study finds a direct association between lobbying activities and bill outcomes, while also exploring the potential influences of both key political actors and public attention. Public attention is found to reduce the effects of lobbying efforts, suggesting that lobbying is most effective when focused on less salient issues.     

高度重视青少年法制养成教育

结合青少年身心特征和认知特点开展法制教育,着力提高青少年普法教育的实效性,不仅要靠法律意识的培养和法律知识的传授,同时也离不开青少年主体的实践。通过青少年法制养成教育,则可以进一步坚定青少年依法参与社会生活的观念、切实提高青少年的维权能力、牢固树立遵纪守法的自觉性和消除尚在萌芽状态的违法行为,从而使法制教育取得实效。     

纪念《预防未成年人犯罪法》颁布十周年

1999年6月28日，第九届全国人大常委会第十次会议通过了《预防未成年人犯罪法》。《预防未成年人犯罪法》与1991年颁布的《未成年人保护法》共同构成了我国未成年人法律体系的两大支柱，也是我国法律体系中独具特色的组成部分。     

Barack and Slumdog Millionaire

President Barack Obama pledged in his first TV interview—with the Arab satellite channel Al Arabiya—that America under his watch would "listen with respect and not dictate" to the world. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has further announced that this country will no longer just throw around its military might but will pursue a "smart power" approach by tempering the use of hard weaponry with the "soft power" of persuasion and cultural attraction. Or, as Madame Secretary's husband Bill has put it, America will now lead through the power of example instead of the example of power.
The first exceedingly complex test of Obama's smart power strategy will be how to end George W. Bush's misguided "war on terror" in Afghanistan and Pakistan, keeping al-Qaida at bay without being swallowed by the quagmire of tribal politics. An array of experts from New Delhi to Paris offers their views in this section.