Economies of scale and Brazilian local government expenditure: evidence from the State of Paraná

ABSTRACT

Controversy surrounds local government reform, particularly efforts directed at reducing the number of local authorities to secure economies of scale. We examine whether economies of scale exist in local government outlays by analysing the expenditure of 398 municipalities for the Brazilian state of Paraná using a 16-year panel dataset covering the period 2002–2017. We find evidence that municipal expenditure is characterised by substantial scale economies. However, given the strong correlation between population size and population density, it is important to ascertain whether the influence of population size on municipal expenditure is due to variations in population density or not. When local government areas are divided into sub-groups based on population density, evidence of scale economies remains with the majority of councils operating below optimal size. Municipal consolidations may thus lead to lower per capita expenditure.     

Avoiding blame when violating traffic rules: the development and validation of the justifications of traffic violations scale

Traffic norms violations are the most common form of law breaking. Our aim was to investigate a factor that might contribute to the massive disobedience to traffic laws, namely drivers’ use of self-legitimization strategies that allow them to transgress them without paying the psychological costs that would follow, such as regret or shame. Using the framework of the self-exoneration mechanisms described by the Social Cognitive Theory, we developed a measure assessing drivers’ strategies of justification of their traffic violations. Across two studies, we tested the psychometric proprieties of the Justifications of Traffic Violations scale (JTVs), its factorial structure, and its construct, external and incremental validity. Results showed that drivers self-exonerate when transgressing traffic laws predominantly through four strategies (Minimizing risks, Displacement of responsibility, Personal needs and Outcome – based justification) that are addressed by the JTVs and that construe one’s refraining from committing deviant driving behaviours as unnecessary, impossible or undesirable. The JTVs and each of its four specific cognitive mechanisms were found to be positively related to the most maladaptive driving styles, as well as to self-reported traffic offences and accidents, suggesting that these self-exonerating strategies favour the instilment and maintenance of habitual deviant behaviours on the road.     

自然垄断行业的政府管制创新

长期以来 ,我国对自然垄断行业实行政府直接投资、垄断经营。由于缺少外部竞争压力 ,企业缺乏追求成本最小化的刺激 ,导致经营成本和产品价格居高不下。借鉴发达市场经济国家的成功经验 ,自然垄断行业应当进行政府管制创新 ,适当地引进有效竞争机制。自然垄断行业的有效竞争机制主要有 :特许投标竞争、区域间比较竞争和剥离直接竞争等。     

Game Theoretical Study on the Population Regulation in Megacity Under the New Household Registration System——Based on the Case of Shanghai

The population regulation policy of Shanghai, intervened by policy, guided by the government with the characteristics of market optimization, has made certain progress in aspects including urban development and migrant population management. However, it shows deficiency in limit and efficiency under the old household registration system. Therefore, the new household registration system urgently requires a clear analysis framework for population regulation and the government should be clear about game in the social, political and economic aspects as well as the population problem demanding solution. It is argued that in this paper the government should focus on the population regulation ways in different periods, space and social strata to rebuild the population regulation strategy of Shanghai with the guiding principle of respecting the connotation of new household registration system.     

政府边界问题及行政体制改革的基本原则研究--基于政府权力边界、职责边界、效率边界与能力边界分析

政府边界问题对于理解什么是政府，以及政府的合适规模。应该承担的职能以及政府与社会、市场的关系等一系列问题极为重要。政府边界问题实际上有两个层面，在显性层面体现为政府的实际规模和所支配的资源；在隐性层面体现为政府的权力边界、职责边界、效率边界和能力边界，其中权力边界界定了政府所拥有的权力运行范围，职责边界界定了政府应该要做什么和发挥什么作用，效率边界反映的是在哪个范围内政府的行为有效率的，能力边界体现的是政府所能够发挥作用的最大范围。这四种隐性边界共同界定并外化为政府显性边界，从而规范和塑造了政府与社会、市场之间的关系。进一步分析，可以将政府职能按照权力-职责维度以及效率-能力维度的高中低程度划分为九个区域，认为政府职能优化的基本原则是集中于高权力-职责维度和高效率-能力维度的区域，而退出低权力-职责维度和低效率-能力区域，对于中权力维度-职责的效率则应根据市场、社会的能力给予酌情考虑，适度涉足。     

刑事物证照相中应用比例尺问题探讨

刑事物证照相对比例尺的使用有着明确具体的规定和要求,但在实践工作中,由于刑事技术人员缺乏对使用常识的全面掌握和使用方法的总结研究,比例尺应用的规范化进程滞后,极大程度上影响了案件侦破和诉讼举证。重视和发挥比例尺的辅助价值,应切实保证应用的正确性、有效性,提高规范化水平。     

Getting it (approximately) right (and center and left!): Reliability and uncertainty estimates for the comparative manifesto data

The extensive estimates of party policy preferences produced by the CMP (Comparative Manifesto Project, now MARPOR) have proved robust and valid over a wide variety of research applications. But all estimates carry some error. We demonstrate that one of the two existing assessments of non-systematic error in the CMP data strongly overstates their reliability while the other understates it, leaving much potential for mis-estimation. We develop a new method which extends classical test theory and directly estimates overall data reliability; reliabilities and standard errors of measurement for each party system; and standard errors of measurement for each data-point. These should facilitate use of the CMP policy scores which are usually the only ones available for extended party and policy research.     

缉毒警察心理测评量表的编制

编制缉毒警察心理测评量表是基于经典案例内容分析、访谈和问卷调查。研究结果表明西南地区缉毒警察的心理素质主要有九个因素构成,量表的重测信度、Alpha系数、分半系数较高;内容效度、结构效度也表现较好。经比较缉毒部门任科队长级别与普通警察的心理素质,发现效标系数良好。     

猪血凝性脑脊髓炎病毒抗体的调查

应用血凝和血凝抑制试验检测了从吉林省部分地区采集的猪血清中血凝性脑脊髓炎病毒(HEV)抗体。结果,212份样品中有94份呈现HEV抗体阳性反应,阳性率高达44.3%。被采集血清的猪未表现临床症状,说明该地区的猪群中存在HEV隐性感染。