Einleitung: Subsidiäres Staatshandeln in modernen Gesellschaften

En s'interrogeant sur la manière dont un Etat central, dans un système fédéraliste, parvient à redéfinir la réalité sociale, l'article analyse la dimension symbolique de l'action publique et ses modes de légitimation. L'auteur présente la transformation de la politique de protection de la nature et du paysage qui se manifeste tant au niveau de la répartition du pouvoir fédéral, qu'au niveau de la représentation symbolique du territoire. A l'aide d'une étude de cas, il analyse la démarche mise en place par l'administration fédérale et cantonale en vue de légitimer cette politique auprès des communes et des groupes d'intérêts locaux. Celle-ci était basée sur des procédures discursives. Si ces modes de légitimation secondaires conduisent à la reproduction des inégalités propres au champ de la politique, ils favorisent néanmoins une transformation de la perception de la nature et du paysage à l'aide d'échange de normes et de valeurs entre les différents acteurs. Un tel mode d'intervention de l'Etat central au niveau local peut être interprété comme un type de subsidiarité réflexive.     

Democratization in turmoil? Elections in Hong Kong

The first SAR Chief Executive, Tung Chee‐hwa, in his speech at the SAR Establishment Ceremony, said: ‘Democracy is the hallmark of a new era for Hong Kong. The SAR Government will resolutely move forward to a more democratic form of government in accordance with the provisions in the Basic Law’. Butler, Penniman and Ranney, however, cautioned that ‘the critical difference between democratic and nondemocratic regimes is to be found in whether or not they hold elections, and if they do, what kind’. Indeed, electoral changes made to the 1998 LegCo elections are found to be anti‐democratic and retrogressive, as well as unnecessary. The authors conclude that electoral systems matter because they are one of the central mechanisms in modern democracies to give substance and content to democratic governance. If electoral systems are designed in such a manner that they obstruct the exercise of popular sovereignty, ride rough‐shod over the principle of political equality, undermine the extent of representation, complicate relationships of accountability as well as delimit opportunities for participation, then such systems should have little place in genuine democratic reform. To bring Hong Kong's democratization forward, a hard look at the electoral system, which should be more informed by the principles and practices of democracy will be mandatory.     

Overcoming Challenges to Using Evidence-Based Interventions in Schools

The Center for School Mental Health Assistance at the University of Maryland recently completed a review of evidence-based prevention and treatment programs that can be used by school mental health clinicians. Based on the review, a school-based program operating in 22 Baltimore City schools has purchased and trained clinicians in a number of protocols for evidence-based interventions. We present findings from this review and make pragmatic recommendations for school mental health programs to overcome the challenges associated with the use of evidence-based interventions.She received her doctorate in childclinical psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her research interests are in the area of the development, prevention, and treatment of juvenile delinquency and youth externalizing disorders.who does research in the area of childrens mental health services and the implementation of wraparound services in real-world settings.University of Maryland School of Medicine. His research is in the area of testing the effectiveness of School Mental Health Programs and the effects of community violence on youth mental health.involved in research related to school mental health, school-based health centers, and prevention of risky behavior among adolescents.Postdoctoral fellow at the time of the study.Postdoctoral fellow at the time of the study.