In the right place,at the right time: Opportunity structures and candidates’ chances of getting elected for the first time

The foundational principle of representative democracy is that legislative elites can be replaced in elections. Yet, first-time parliamentary entries have received little attention. We present the first systematic attempt to examine the conditions of first-time parliamentary entry in multimember district PR systems. We introduce an overlooked explanatory factor, candidates' short-term opportunity structure. While controlling for personal vote-earning attributes (PVEAs), we examine how competitive context shapes newcomers' chances in a pure OLPR system where party elites cannot skew competition between candidates. Our register-based analysis of candidacies in seven Finnish parliamentary elections (1995–2019, n = 7548) shows that while personal qualities enhance candidates’ chances, first-time entry is restricted by the competitive context, especially the decisions of incumbent MPs. The strong impact of exceptional PVEAs suggests that other “big fish” candidates may also shape competitive contexts. Overall, the study indicates that electoral competition can be rather restricted even in the most competitive electoral systems.     

Encryption safe harbours and data breach notification laws

Data breach notification laws require organisations to notify affected persons or regulatory authorities when an unauthorised acquisition of personal data occurs. Most laws provide a safe harbour to this obligation if acquired data has been encrypted. There are three types of safe harbour: an exemption; a rebuttable presumption and factor-based analysis. We demonstrate, using three condition-based scenarios, that the broad formulation of most encryption safe harbours is based on the flawed assumption that encryption is the silver bullet for personal information protection. We then contend that reliance upon an encryption safe harbour should be dependent upon a rigorous and competent risk-based review that is required on a case-by-case basis. Finally, we recommend the use of both an encryption safe harbour and a notification trigger as our preferred choice for a data breach notification regulatory framework.     

Baker & McKenzie's annual review of developments in EU law relating to IP,IT & telecommunications

This is a summary of the Baker & McKenzie columns on developments in EU law relating to IP, IT and telecommunications. This summarises the principal developments in 2009 that are considered important for practitioners, students and academics in a wide range of information technology, e-commerce, telecommunications and intellectual property areas and which were reported on in this column in 2009. It seeks also to update any further development which may have taken place in relation to the specific topics since originally reported. It cannot be exhaustive but intends to address the important points. This is a hard copy reference guide, but links to outside websites are included where possible. No responsibility is assumed for the accuracy of information contained in these links.     

从公安资讯收集谈公民资讯隐私权和自决权的保护

当今,资讯快速流通和运用,一方面满足了公民知的权利,另一方面也有利于交易的安全,从而促进经济的发展。但缺乏有效法律规制,会造成资讯的误用和滥用,从而侵害公民的合法权益。我们在强调政府信息公开的同时,还要重视公民的资讯隐私权与自决权。法律赋予了公安机关广泛的个人资讯收集权,公安机关在行使该项权力时如何在公益与私利之间找到平衡点,值得我们反思。     

论我国有局限的推出型信息公开法

我国《政府信息公开条例》属于注重主动公开的推出型的信息公开立法。该型立法得益于我国二十多年来的政务公开实践以及改善后的信息流通环境。但不可否认的是,我国《条例》的主动公开程度受到有缺限的依申请公开机制、宽泛和模糊的例外规定以及最大化公开原则缺省等多种因素的制约。     

美国高校信息公开研究

美国在信息公开立法和实践均走在世界前列,高校信息公开也不例外。美国高校有关信息公开的法律涉及联邦法、州法、高校规章制度和法院判例。原则上公立高校及其内部机构都适用信息公开法律;区分一般信息、涉及个人隐私的信息以及与高校特殊性质有关的高校自治和同行评议等学术信息,公开的属性、对象和方式均不相同。我国高校信息公开应当借鉴美国经验。     

试论会计信息失真的危害、根源和对策

会计信息失真给市场经济的健康发展、现代企业制度的建立健全带来了危害。它主要根源于利益驱使、企业产权制度不明、会计准则运用存在问题和对信息提供者的监督不力。为消除会计信息失真现象,必须建立现代企业制度、完善会计制度和准则、加强企业的内外部监督,以及提高企业会计人员的综合素质。     

上海公安教育信息化建设的认识和思考

公安教育信息化建设作为公安教育训练工作的重要建设内容,越来越受到公安机关和公安院校的重视。公安教育信息化建设必须与公安工作、职业教育和信息化建设的发展趋势相适应。上海公安教育信息化建设必须遵循"统一领导、统一规划、统一建设、统一管理、统一标准"的原则,按照"整体规划、战训对口、虚实结合、突出重点"的思路,依托和利用公安信息化建设的支撑和动力,加大投入,科学建设、规范管理,切实提高公安教育训练的效能和水平。     

社区矫正专业工作队伍建设构想

从试点七年的情况来看,司法所承担社区矫正工作面临重重困难,建立一支统一的,高素质的专业工作队伍,即建立我国的社区矫正官制度成为形势所必须。该制度的具体构建,应重点把握人员配备、素质要求与培训、监督与保护等几个重要环节。     

Community security: human security at 21

The concept of human security has come a long way since its introduction in the UNDP Human Development Report in 1994. There are now a number of global and regional initiatives aimed at promoting human security issues. However, the achievements over the last two decades may be less impressive when one starts to explicate the progress of each of the key elements subsumed under the broad concept of human security. This paper will examine the extent to which community security, as one of the elements of human security, has been advanced through the security discourses and practices in the international arena. Using ASEAN as a case study, the paper argues that the massive gaps in human development, security and democracy hinder progress in promoting community security. The paper further argues that in developing states, community security is still very much the domain of the state.