Urban women's informal savings and credit systems in Zambia

This article is based on findings from semi-structured interviews and discussions among "chilimba" groups in Zambia. Chilimba groups are primarily women's groups that engage in credit and savings programs. Group membership ranges from 4 to 20 members. The women agree on a fixed, regular cash contribution that is given in turn to each member in a specified order. Market groups tend to be larger and contributions of about a dollar are made daily. Smaller groups tend to make larger, but less frequent contributions. Default is rare, as the commitment is taken very seriously. New members are added at the end of the rotation. Loans can be used for domestic or business use. Chilimba groups are evidence that very poor people desire savings. Chilimba brings together people with similar financial needs and resources. Chilimba does not require formal, written procedures or formal institutional frameworks. Chilimba is not a remedy for reducing overall poverty. It is appropriate only for people with some regular source of income. It does not serve as a safety net in emergencies. Long-term loans are not possible. A limitation is its openness and lack of structure that permit potential abuse. It is a livelihood strategy for women, but benefits could be gained from including men. It is urged that groups consider whether the position of the poor is being enhanced or undermined. Different models need to be tested. Members themselves must decide on the type and phasing of activities.     

The hospice movement and its implications

Hospices, unheard of in this country a few years ago, have become a fast-growing American phenomenon. They promise effective pain relief for terminal cancer patients as well as a warm, homey atmosphere where fear and loneliness are minimized. Hospices are basically a creation of the British and it is still unclear how--or even whether--the principles they embody can be successfully incorporated into American medicine. However, hospices can make an important philosophical contribution by showing the way toward removing the stigma attached to death. Hospice principles also have implications for all of health care, in emphasizing the importance of treating the whole person rather than just the disease.     

发明获得法律保护的条件

<正> (一)能够取得专利的发明概念发明是专利法的客体。"发明"(Invention,Erfindung)概念的定义对任何一个法律体系来说都具有重要的实践意义,因为专利法效力的范围是由这个定义的内容决定的。同时,发明的定义引起颇大的复杂性,因为它表现了智力活动的一个侧面。由于这些原因,发明的概念曾是法律著作中反复探讨的对象。И.Я.赫伊费茨给发明下的定义是:技术课题的创造性解决方案。许多其他苏联作者也持这个观点。外国作者在给发     

刑法和环境保护

<正> 最近几年,人们对利用刑法保护环境问题的兴趣大大增强。包括苏联在内的许多国家,对这个问题都通过了新的刑法。"刑法和环境保护"的问题,列入了1979年9月在汉堡召开的国际刑法协会第十二次会议的议事日程。不久前,在波兰对这个问题还进行了预备性的口试。刑法在保护环境中的作用。苏联宪法第十八条所规定的环境,是指经常影响人们、同时     

再论完善经济立法

<正> 经济立法以及它和其他法律部门的区别。在1936年的苏联宪法里溲有经济法的术语。由此或许可以得出结论说,苏联溲有经济法,而只有民法、劳动法、土地法,家庭法等等。但是根据党和政府的决议,经济立法是存在的,而且在发展着,它非常复杂,非常广泛,并且应当完善。我们认为,在实践中广泛使用的"经济的"这一概念是十分确定的。在党和国家最重要的文件里,谈及社会主义经济中各经济组织、企业之间发生的合同和争议时就是说的经济立法、经济关系、经济合同和经济争议。