Population: malady or symptom?

The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) opened the dawn of a new era in discourse over population. A newfound consensus was reached between North and South which was not there during the two previous world population conferences in Bucharest and Mexico. While consensus was reached at the 1994 ICPD on the need for action, however, debate over population is far from settled. Causes of population growth, the links between population growth and economic development, and environmental degradation remain controversial topics. The authors analyze the basis of the ICPD consensus at the local, national, and global levels. They also compare the development discourse to the political discourse over population. Both discourses emphasize different aspects of a far more complex reality. The question is which discourse to choose as a basis for drawing policy recommendations. The emerging view on the way to Cairo was that consensus would be achieved on the basis of development discourse. Success on the action plan rests upon the belief that more contraceptives, more health services, and more schools will be enough to reduce fertility rates. The political discourse, however, is better than the development discourse as a basis for policy making because it stresses the need for integration rather than running the risk of exclusion. The political discourse is also more demanding.     

Urban aspects of labor migration: the situation in the countries of origin

"A bibliographical review serves to analyze the role of urban growth in patterns of international labor-force migration, as well as the effect of this migration on the development of the countries of origin, especially on their cities. While the review confirms the general idea that international migrants are either peasants or highly qualified personnel, it also shows that qualified workers are increasingly involved in international labor movements and that a great part of them come from large cities. It is to be expected that in these circumstances large cities of the countries of origin will become more integrated to international migratory systems." (SUMMARY IN ENG)     

Population,economy, and society: conflict or convergence in the future of Mexico?

"Probable demographic trends and characteristics from the 1990s to the year 2020 [in Mexico] are presented. Then, some of the main economic and social implications of these trends are explored at the aggregate level. Also, some general considerations are given to the possibilities of convergence or conflict between the future demographic evolution, the needs of an open and free-market-oriented economic development strategy, and some social demands associated, probably, to a less controlled and less predictable political system." (EXCERPT)     

Shanghai housing reform. Program a burden on foreign investors

This document contains a summary of the Housing Reform Program created in Shanghai, China, in 1991, which requires monthly contributions of all employers and employees in Shanghai to a "Collective Reserve Fund." The program also applies to foreign investment enterprises and must be followed by all enterprises, regardless of any previous housing benefits that an enterprise may be providing its employees. Employers must deduct 5% from each employee's salary (with a minimum) monthly and must match that amount. The total is paid into an account in the employer's name with the People's Construction Bank of China. The total amount collected and matched for an employee is considered the property of the employee, but the account is administered by the employer as a collective trust account. Each employee's balance may be withdrawn upon retirement, leaving the area, or purchasing a home and leaving state-owned housing. Foreign investment enterprises contribute a reduced amount in recognition of the fact that they pay salaries that are higher than those of state enterprises. The Housing Reform Program also requires employers to contribute to doubled rent subsidies for public housing, requires workers to purchase housing construction bonds in order to be eligible for newly allocated public housing, calles for housing to be sold at favorable prices, and creates a system whereby mortgages can be obtained from the Collective Reserve Fund.     

转型中国背景下的社区犯罪预防:调解、帮教以及群防群治

研究目标:在社区委员会的组织以及当地警察的协助下,本研究评估了调解、帮教和群防群治这三个特殊犯罪预防措施对于当代中国城镇的影响。调解主要针对民事纠纷和轻微刑事案件。帮教对违反轻罪或者刑满释放的人员提供看护以帮助他们重返社会。群防群治,是在社区委员会的指导下,鼓励当地居民参与预防犯罪工作。研究方法:利用在天津收集的最新调查数据,通过多水平的逻辑斯蒂回归分析,研究了基于社区犯罪预防策略的实施情况,及社区犯罪对被调查社区居民家庭财产侵害的影响。研究结果:控制个体层面和社区层面变量范围的净值显示,调解、帮教、群防群治活动水平指标对被调查家庭财产受害情况呈现负面影响。结论:研究结果提供了一些启发性的证据,即传统的社区犯罪防控策略在当下中国仍是有意义的,但整体效能似乎与西方城市的实践有所不同。     

中东研究缘何错失阿拉伯之春

美国佛蒙特大学政治学教授、中东问题专家格里高利·高斯三世(F.Gregory GauseⅢ)在美刊《外交事务》2011年第4期以《中东研究缘何错失阿拉伯之春:威权主义稳定性的神话》为题撰文指出,美国学者夸大了阿拉伯威权主义政权的稳定性。作者认为,在一些阿拉伯国家,政权与军队不只是同盟的关系,后者在一定情况下会成为前者的异己力量;经济自由化改革所产生的贫困、分化、腐败,以及中产阶级的民主要求,共同削弱了阿拉伯威权主义的社会基础;     

贵州省十一届人大常委会第二十九次会议召开

7月25日-27日，省十一届人大常委会第二十九次会议在贵阳举行。省人大常委会副主任龙超云主持会议。省人大常委会副主任张群山、唐世礼、傅传耀、顾久、陈华祥、袁周、周忠良，秘书长刘一民出席会议。副省长黄康生，省高级人民法院常务副院长邹伟，省人民检察院副检察长叶亚玲列席会议。