The concept of flexible engagement and the practice of enhanced interaction: Intramural challenges to the ‘ASEAN way’

Abstract

This article examines the challenges to the diplomatic and security culture of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as posed by Thailand's spurned proposal for ‘flexible engagement’ and the pursuit of ‘enhanced interaction’ by some ASEAN members in intramural relations. It asks whether these challenges should be understood as turning points in the way in which regional leaderships in Southeast Asia interact. The article argues that while the ‘ASEAN way’ is indeed changing, this change, at least for the moment, focuses mainly on extending the range of issues and contexts traditionally defined as internal affairs in which other ASEAN governments may now legitimately become involved. Considerations about ASEAN cohesion, regime security and regional influence do not suggest an imminent or complete abandonment of ASEAN's diplomatic and security culture. The likelihood that enhanced interaction will continue to be pursued by ASEAN leaderships should therefore not be seen to imply that principles such as quiet diplomacy or restraint have already become obsolete.     

Reconciling China with international order

Abstract

The debate about Western policies towards China ('containment’ versus ‘engagement') is intellectually and politically misleading. At issue is not so much the policy blueprint but the ability of Western countries to design and implement coherent and consistent policies towards China, and to coordinate those policies between themselves. This ability has been affected by a trend towards the ‘domestication’ of foreign policies — a trend which is particularly marked in the case of the United States, but clearly visible in France, the UK and Germany as well. If the capacity to design, implement and coordinate effective China policies is to be regained, the problems will have to be recognized and addressed.     

Formal and Informal Volunteering in a Nordic Context: The Case of Denmark

This article compares three different forms of volunteering: formal volunteering which is typically carried out in formalized organizations; informal practical help which is most often provided in a face-to-face context and requires the giving of time; and economic assistance which requires neither the co-presence of actors nor the giving of time. The different nature and structuring of these formal and informal ways of contributing to society suggest that they require different resources. Grounded in sociological theory we argue that three sets of factors are particularly relevant for explaining volunteering: personal or ‘human capital’ factors, social network resources, and civic values. We test in a multivariate analysis how various indicators of these personal and social resources relate to the different forms of volunteering. The study relies on a comprehensive survey of the Danish adult population. The findings, therefore, are interpreted in the light of this particular institutional environment which forms the backdrop for individual choices about volunteering. We find that the different forms of formal and informal volunteering seem to form a continuum of civic engagement going from the most public to the most private. Furthermore, compared to informal ways of volunteering, formal volunteering seems to be more contingent upon access to and supply of different forms of personal and social resources.     

Trusting,Happy, Religious,and Giving: Explaining Volunteering in the Context of Nordic Exceptionalism

Abstract

Using data from the European Values Study, this article examines the mechanisms through which social capital facilitates volunteering in Nordic countries. Three specific mechanisms are examined as drivers of volunteering: Generalized trust, subjective well-being, and religious activity. We find that trust bridges social capital and that people volunteer more as their level of generalized and institutional trust increases. Our results also indicate that individuals with higher levels of well-being and those who attend religious services regularly are more likely to volunteer.     

试论医疗领域中的商业贿赂犯罪

医疗领域的商业贿赂犯罪是发生在药品、设备、耗材的商业交易中的行贿受贿行为,其产生的根源在于公众对医疗事业的情感诉求与医疗事业市场化之间存在冲突。是否属于医疗领域的商业贿赂犯罪应从行贿主体、行贿目的以及贿赂行为发生的领域来判断。刑法必须找到医患双方价值目标和利益诉求的平衡点,才能对其做出合理的反应。     

岭南文学追求中的文化内涵

岭南文学所具有的平民姿态,对现实生活所作的观照与反映,对人本意识的市俗化审视,对人格理想的务实追求,显现出岭南文学的价值观、审美观及其创新意识的文化追求。     

基诺族和布朗族在教育场域中性别平等观的实证研究

教育场域是社会福利场域中的一个亚域 ,教育场域中的性别平等观念是影响教育发展的重要惯习之一。基诺族和布朗族是经济发展程度基本相近的两个民族 ,但基诺族和布朗族在教育场域中的性别平等观念上存在着明显的民族差异 ,其原因是基诺族的性别平等观念强于布朗族。可见 ,教育场域中的性别平等观念具有“地方性知识”的特点 ,因此 ,教育政策的执行也应考虑“性别平等观”的民族性和地方性。     

犯罪概念：刑法之内与刑法之外

犯罪属价值事实,是具体主体评价的对象,因此不存在犯罪的一般概念。由犯罪概念的主体性决定,研究犯罪概念问题,首先要明确犯罪概念的论域,不能把法律论域的犯罪概念与社会论域的犯罪概念相混淆。社会危害性是社会论域犯罪概念的本质,法律论域犯罪概念的本质则是法益危害性;观察和讨论法律论域的犯罪概念,应当在法律论域里,以本论域的理论原则和逻辑进行;如果不分法律论域还是社会论域,混在一起进行讨论,必然出现混乱。     

视神经损伤的电视野检查及其与LED-VEP相关性

目的研究视神经损伤的电视野检查特点及其与LED-VEP相关性分析,探讨法医学鉴定相关问题。方法 以健眼为正常对照,行双眼电视野检查及LED-VEP检查。结果 64例视神经损伤眼均表现为不同程度的视野改变,其中31例为视神经完全损伤,其视野表现为完全缺损(即黑朦),LED-VEP均无波型诱出;余33例为不完全视神经损伤,视野表现为不规则型缺损,LED-VEP表现为切迹波或P1波潜伏期延长、波幅减低;64例健眼,视野正常,LED-VEP均正常。分析视野与LED-VEP结果两者的相关性,r=0.933(P<0.01,n=64)。结论视神经损伤时应重视视野检查,电视野检查本身有一定的客观性提示,视野缺损程度与LED-VEP异常程度有较为良好的相关性。