Attitudes of Canadians toward affirmative action: Opposition,value pluralism,and nonattitudes

Set against a backdrop of current public policy and case law, this study investigates Canadian attitudes toward affirmative action among both citizens and decision makers. We find low levels of support for such programs across a variety of contexts and intended beneficiaries, but we also discover that opinion on both sides of the issue is rather soft, for large portions of those taking positions on the matter are willing to reconsider their views when prompted. We interpret this finding as an indication of what Philip Converse has called nonattitudes. Thus, a substantial portion of Canadians appear to hold no genuine attitudes on the question of affirmative action and are relatively open to persuasion. In contrast, the preferences of those with stable attitudes are rooted in the tradeoff between values of equality and merit. Implications for policy activists in this issue area are discussed.The research reported here is part of a large project supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (Grant No. 411-85-001). The Centre of Criminology at the University of Toronto has provided a home, and indispensable support, for the Charter Project. This research was also facilitated by a contribution from the Solicitor General of Canada to the Centre of Criminology, University of Toronto. Our thanks also go to Robert Vipond for his help in clarifying our concepts.     

论以可持续发展为目标的产业结构调整

当前,我国正处在一个重要的经济结构调整期,产业结构的不合理已经严重地阻碍了可持续发展的进程.因此,我国的产业结构调整问题不仅仅是一个结构调整问题,而且必须与可持续发展紧密联系起来.     

对十六大报告中两个突出特点的再认识

十六大报告最突出的两个特点:一个是“举旗”,一个是“创新”,“举旗”是十六大报告的主题,报告的全部内容都是围绕这一主题展开的,文章第一部分阐述了中国共产党人通过马克思主义中国化的三个理论形态,推动了马克思主义在当代中国的发展,论述十六大提出的全面建设小康社会,建设中国特色社会主义新局面的发展战略。创新是“三个代表”重要思想的灵魂,也是十六大报告的灵魂。文章第二部分论述了十六大报告从“开辟马克思主义发展的新境界;开拓中国特色社会主义事业的新局面;用政治经济学的创新思想科学分析社会变革中出现的新社会阶层,并引导其成为实现中华民族复兴的新力量;用新时期的建党理论为中国共产党注入新活力”等四个方面,阐发了“三个代表”重要思想在理论上的创新。     

Book reviews

Journal of Chinese Political Science -