From Sub-state Nationalism to Subnational Competition States: The Development and Institutionalization of Commercial Paradiplomacy in Scotland and Quebec

Many of the most active regions in terms of commercial paradiplomacy are home to influential nationalist movements: Scotland and Quebec are cases in point. Conversely, many rich and export-oriented regions, such as South East England in the United Kingdom or Ontario in Canada, remain less active, if at all, in this domain. Nevertheless, the influence of nationalism as a driving force behind the practice of commercial paradiplomacy by subnational entities has often been subordinated to other variables such as ‘trade openness’ (exports as part of GDP) or ‘asymmetry’ with national economic interests (export and FDI partners). This article describes the development of autonomous commercial paradiplomacy apparatuses in Quebec and Scotland by focusing on nationalism as a crucial motive, which is also partly responsible for the way such apparatuses developed, through the establishment of organizations and strategies institutionally distinct from those of the ‘rest’ of Canada and the UK.     

Presumptions,Burdens, and Best Interests in Relocation Law

The pure “best interests” approach to relocation law is a failure. It is unpredictable and expensive, increasing conflict and discouraging settlement. The “fundamental questions” proposed by Parkinson and Cashmore in their article will not reform the law. Real reform will require the use of presumptions or burdens to guide best interests. “Presumptions” are not “rules,” but only starting points. No simple presumption “for” or “against” all relocations can be justified, but there are large categories of cases that do warrant presumptions: interim moves, unilateral relocations, shared care, and predominant primary caregivers. The first three involve presumptions against relocation, while the last—the largest category—warrants a presumption that relocation is in the best interests of the child, unless the contrary is proved. There will remain a small minority of in‐between cases where none of these presumptions will operate, recognizing the limits of our general knowledge. It is time to move the relocation reform debate beyond pure “best interests,” to the next stage, to a serious discussion of which cases warrant presumptions, and of what strength.

Key Points for the Family Court Community
• Pure best interests approach to relocation law is a failure
• Presumptions or burdens needed to reform the law, but not just “for” or “against”
• Presumptions are identified for four categories of relocation cases: interim moves, unilateral relocations, shared care, and predominant primary caregivers

     

论政府执法方式及其变革

政府执法方式是政府执法权力的表现形态 ,体现了参与执法过程的各类主体的相互关系。政府执法方式变革就是修正政府执法过程中参与者的相互关系 ,涉及执法观念、执法体制、执法制度以及与司法的关系等诸多问题。政府执法方式变革应当坚持行政民主化、加强公开性和参与性、法制统一和人权保障的基本方向 ,特别强调行政程序和公民权利的重要性、行政相关人概念的重要意义、行政与司法的关系 ,以及政府执法的人性化。     

解读科学维权

科学维权是科学发展观在工会工作中的具体体现,在“三维权”中具有更为重要的意义。科学维权要坚持以职工为本,以科学的理论指导,用科学的理念、体制、方式、手段等推进,大力推动以人为本的企业文化建设和企业管理,使工会维权工作符合客观规律的要求和更有实效性。     

我国商事登记立法的不足与完善

商事登记制度在我国设立多年。我国商事登记立法中存在诸多缺陷,如商事登记立法之间存在冲突,立法形式分散,法出多门等等,为此,应实行公私法分离立法模式,统一完善商事登记制度等措施,以完善我国商事登记法律制度。     

国际民事诉讼管辖权与国际商事仲裁管辖权之比较

国际民事诉讼管辖权与国际商事仲裁管辖权是并行的两种解决国际民商事争议的制度,两者既有共同之处,亦存在着很多差异。为了厘清国际民事诉讼管辖权与国际商事仲裁管辖权之间的关系,本文从多个角度对两者的联系、区别及其冲突与协调三个方面进行了探讨。     

利益表达：社会团体对公共政策的影响力

中国社会团体在公共政策的制定过程中扮演着非常重要的角色,发挥着特殊的作用。全国妇联作为维护妇女权益的组织,根据不同时期面临的公共政策制定环境,在博弈过程中,采取了非程序化策略、社会动员、资源集聚和舆论宣传等手段,使妇女阶段性就业这一政策倡议无法从制度上得以产生,确保了妇女解放运动以来所获得的劳动权利,使全国妇联施展的政治影响力最大化。     

工会报道要唱响维护职工合法利益的主旋律

随着社会经济结构、职工队伍和劳动关系都变得越来越多样化和复杂化,工会的作用愈加凸显。作为工会组织的机关报——工人报必须跟上形势,唱响工会报道的主旋律,维护职工的合法利益。     

现代商事信托的组织法基础

从民事信托到商事信托,信托关系的本质完成了从财产无偿移转的手段到企业组织架构的变革。商事信托作为组织法,其具有商事组织的典型共性,而且在制度设计和受托人信义义务的标准上,商事信托也与商事公司制度近年来出现了明显的趋同。我国现行信托立法无论是在受托人承担有限责任的规定上,还是在信托投资的规模上以及在受托人的资格取得上,都离成熟的组织法的要求还都相距甚远。     

利益关系的调整是构建和谐社会的重要基础

“构建和谐社会”是当前和今后一个相当长时期中国社会发展的主题。要实现这一目标,必须从政治、经济、文化等诸方面调整好各种利益关系,它已成为构建和谐社会的重要基础。