Prisoners,Prisons and Punishment in Small Societies

This paper aims to analyse the subject of prisoners, prisons and punishment in small societies. An attempt is made to compare the prison system in a small society (Iceland) with those of other larger societies, in particular those of other Nordic countries. Small institutions function better in many respects than larger ones. The problems that emerge, and there are problems in all prisons, are more visible and can therefore more easily be discussed and solved.     

The Use of Beheadings by Fundamentalist Islam

Beheadings have made a dramatic resurgence in the past four years especially with the introduction of videotaped executions broadcast in the mass media. The use of beheadings has a longstanding history. Beheadings have been used in a state and non-state capacity, for punishment or intimidation, against leaders, civilians and warring combatants, during times of peace and that of upheaval. Beheadings today reproduce the characteristics of past beheadings as well as deviate from them. Contemporary beheadings have taken on a more criminal nature while beheadings of the past had more legitimacy and some even were considered honorable. Current beheading tactics include unexpected and illegal targets, unorthodox and barbaric techniques, and irregular display to an unprepared public. Although Islamic militants are the predominant beheaders, there is evidence that beheadings are being conducted by non-Islamic entities and in unexpected locations. If the current trend in the use of beheadings continues, it will be necessary to develop countermeasures, which will be facilitated with an understanding of the political, cultural, and criminal motives of the beheading offenders along with their tactics.     

External dimensions of European environmental policy: An analysis of environmental treaty ratification by third states

The European Union has become an important leader in international environmental affairs – particularly through the negotiation of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) with favourable terms. In this article, EU environmental leadership is studied from a new perspective, focusing on the ratification stage of environmental regime formation. Specifically, it investigates whether the EU is also capable of motivating third states to join its preferred MEAs. It is argued that third states join the EU's preferred MEAs to signal their compliance with EU environmental standards in an effort to become eligible for various rewards that the EU could potentially offer, including a credible membership perspective, access to its lucrative markets, and aid and assistance. The argument is tested by examining the ratification behaviour of 25 non‐EU Member States with regard to all 21 MEAs negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The results provide robust support for the theory that EU rewards motivate third states to ratify these treaties. The results withstand a number of statistical tests, even when alternative explanatory factors such as trade intensities, transnational communication and geographic proximity are controlled for. The study is the first large‐scale demonstration of the EU's external influence at the ratification stage of environmental regime formation. By identifying three different channels of EU influence, the research permits a more refined understanding of the EU's role as a promoter of environmental protection standards.     

Are higher-magnitude electoral districts always better for small parties?

High-magnitude electoral districts are widely believed to lead to greater representation for smaller parties. This article refines the conventional wisdom by taking electoral geography into account. When small political parties have geographically concentrated support bases, then no systematic relationship exists between district magnitude and legislative representation. High-magnitude districts do not advantage small parties whose supporters are geographically concentrated. Evidence in support of this claim comes from India and Israel. The article shows what counterfactual Indian and Israeli legislatures would look like if seats were allocated using electoral districts of varying magnitudes and highlights how parties with geographically concentrated support bases win similar seat totals, irrespective of district magnitude.     

Global norms in domestic politics: environmental norm contestation in Cambodia's hydropower sector

Policymakers in many developing Asian countries have commonly relied on investment incentives as a major policy instrument to attract foreign investment. Using comparative case studies of Asian transnational corporations (TNCs) in Southeast Asia, this paper argues that investment incentives per se are ineffective in attracting foreign investment. The paper first examines the role of government incentives in the inflow of foreign investment, with particular reference to the Southeast Asian region. It then provides a comparative study of Hong Kong and Taiwanese investments. Hong Kong TNCs are shown to have invested in Southeast Asia because of market or market‐related reasons, not investment incentives per se. To these firms from Hong Kong, investment incentives are more a kind of post hoc rationalization of their decision making. For the Taiwanese investors in Malaysia, government incentives are less important than the existence of market access and the friendly host country environment. The paper also suggests some implications and specific policy recommendations for policymakers in host country governments. Instead of over‐reliance on investment incentives, host country governments should be more concerned with: 1) a commitment to internationalization through the promotion and marketing of international images; 2) the upgrading of domestic resources through continuous training and development; 3) a more efficient allocation of resources; 4) supra‐national coordination and promotion.     

Statebuilding and Force: The Proper Role of Foreign Militaries

Abstract

Recent military interventions, both peace operations authorized by the United Nations and actions by individual countries, have aimed at helping build new or reconstituted states. The legitimacy and success of these state-building interventions are often contested by local actors. Yet state-like structures are needed to ensure the rule of law and economic growth. This paper argues for a new approach: to direct the use of foreign force toward roles that helped states emerge as the most successful governance structures in historical Europe, by defending populations from outside attack, protecting them from banditry and violence, and enforcing predictable rules for commerce and civil life (while training local forces to assume these duties). This approach focuses attention on the practical need to prepare military forces for both traditional defence and police-like roles.     

欧盟及其主要成员国反性骚扰立法的主要内容

欧盟关于反性骚扰的立法认为性骚扰违反男女平等原则,属于歧视的一种。欧盟2002年针对性骚扰的专门立法对性骚扰的定义、受害人的保护、对性骚扰的处罚和举证责任等方面进行了较为全面的规范,为成员国提供了立法范本。法国、比利时、卢森堡和意大利等成员国根据各自法律制度的实际情况,将欧盟2002年条例规定的反性骚扰的各项具体目标转化为国内法。了解这些立法对于探讨中国当前相关立法有启发意义。     

论法的缘起及其意义－以希腊为例

本文以希腊为例,对法的起源及其意义,从法哲学的视野,作了研究.从总体上看,希腊法起源于人文世界的开启,奠基于为人之理的确立.希腊法在学理上,归属于法的形而上学,尚未深入到法的制度化这一度,但是,希腊法在形而上的层面,表现了强烈的理性化特征,以及制度化的倾向.正义论是希腊法的核心,它是为人之理在法的层面上的现实化,希腊法正是以此守护着法的最本真的精神.这是希腊法对后世的最大启示.     

开辟中小企业融资新通道

中小企业吸纳就业人员多,是我国社会经济发展不可缺少的组成部分,在国民经济中具有大企业无法替代的作用,然而长期以来,中小企业的融资问题一直是困扰中小企业发展的重要制约因素。其原因众多,必须从发展地方性中小金融机构,完善相关法律和担保制度,规范民间融资活动,创新中小企业集群融资模式,充分发挥融资租赁和资本市场的作用,借鉴国外支持中小企业发展的一些做法等方面加以解决。     

对中小股东权益保护的思考

大股东经常利用其控制地位 ,侵害中小股东的权益 ,这一问题在世界各国公司治理结构中普遍存在 ,在转型中的我国尤其严重。本文对这一问题产生的原因进行了探讨 ,并提出了保护中小股东合法权益的对策 ,如强化大股东的忠实义务 ;建立和完善累积投标权制度 ;规范关联交易 ;完善公司内部诉权制度等。