Do Democracies Attract Portfolio Investment? Transnational Portfolio Investments Modeled as Dynamic Network

For many, transnational capital is an important driving force of economic globalization. However, we know little about the political determinants for cross-border portfolio investments. Recent economic literature focuses upon information asymmetries. We move beyond this and introduce an explicitly political element into the study of international asset flows. Democratic institutions attract portfolio investments because they reduce the chances of government predatory practices. Applying a dynamic latent space model on the bilateral portfolio investment data from 2001 to 2005, we empirically examine the effects of important country-level characteristics of both exporters and importers of portfolio investments. The empirical findings suggest that democracies are often associated with higher levels of inward portfolio investments. Interestingly, we also find that portfolio investments are associated with business communities’ subjective estimate of property rights protection, but not with more comprehensive, index-based aggregate measures from international think tanks.     

Mr. Qi Xuchun,Vice-Chairman of CPPCC National Committee and CAFIU Vice-President,Visited Germany,Hungary and Austria(June 15-24, 2014)

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An Assessment of Collaborative Governance in a Network for Sustainable Tourism: The Case of RedeTuris

This article presents a case study of a cross-sectoral organizational network created to promote sustainable tourism in Rio de Janeiro. We briefly introduce the topics of collaborative governance and sustainable tourism, and then describe the focal network and the methods used for the research. Findings are discussed in terms of three themes: 1) key elements of collaborative governance; 2) aspects of the network formation and development process; and 3) features of the Brazilian context that may influence the network's likelihood of success. We conclude with a comment on the role of public managers in a network such as this.     

Democratic anchorage and performance: Comparing two network approaches to land-use and transport-system development

Abstract

This paper describes two Norwegian governance networks. While both address questions about land-use and transport, the ways in which they are democratically anchored differ. Starting out from goals set for climate-friendly transport, linkages between democratic anchorage and network effectiveness are discussed. In some ways the network with the lowest stakeholder involvement, and therefore the smallest network structure, has come furthest – measures are implemented quickly and extensive resources are used to improve public transport. The other network does not have the same implementation rate or resource-use, but has shown strong efforts to mobilise and coordinate a wide set of actors. Both approaches involve important elements for reducing emissions from transport, specifically the effectiveness and toughness of one and the broader mobilisation of the other. Applying a wide set of criteria to evaluate network performance, the paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the two network structures.     

The language of the ADVERTISING SLOGAN Part 2

Abstract

This article presents findings from research into the impact of affordability on cell phone usage in the impoverished community of Grahamstown East. The findings indicate that the usage of cell phones is significantly constrained by a lack of affordability, which calls into question whether this community is experiencing a shift from an earlier, industrial form of society, to what Castells et al. have called the ‘mobile network society’. The research points to the fact that the positive benefits of cell phones, identified by Castells et al., cannot be realised in a circumstance where cell phone usage is survivalist in nature, and in fact cell phones are highly extractive in this resource-poor context, diverting income away from more productive uses. The research is used to raise a series of questions about the explanatory power of technology-led accounts of social transformation for an impoverished community such as that of Grahamstown East, and whether it is appropriate for theorists to base their accounts of social change largely on middle-class experiences with cell phone usage.     

Islamic versus other identities in the Greater Middle East: Comments on the Ex‐Soviet Muslim republics

The six newly independent, ex‐Soviet Muslim republics share many characteristics. Common to all are identity conflicts based on ethnic ties, cultural traditions and attitudes to Islam. Most ethno‐nationalist groups have been mythologizing their past history and culture. Islam remains, however, the most important factor determining identity throughout the area, although in diverse ways. Realizing this, most political elites take an unfavorable view of the flow of extreme religious propaganda from Iran and Saudi Arabia and of the incursions from Afghanistan. Aware of the revival of Islam, some political leaders of the new states strive to encourage various patterns of moderate religion as a bulwark against militant Islam.     

Epistemic policy networks in the European Union’s CBRN risk mitigation policy

This paper offers insights into an innovative and currently flagship approach of the European Union (EU) to the mitigation of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) risks. Building on its long-time experience in the CBRN field, the EU has incorporated methods familiar to the students of international security governance: it is establishing regional networks of experts and expertise. CBRN Centers of Excellence, as they are officially called, aim to contribute to the security and safety culture in different parts of Africa, the Middle East, South East Asia, and South East Europe, in the broadly construed CBRN area. These regional networks represent a modern form of security cooperation, which can be conceptualized as an epistemic policy networks approach. It offers flexibility to the participating states, which have different incentives to get involved. At the same, however, the paper identifies potential limitations and challenges of epistemic policy networks in this form.     

加快推进共同体进程,平衡扩大区域合作——东盟2012年内外合作分析

2012年,东盟各国政局总体稳定,经济平稳增长,缅甸进一步融入东盟大家庭,成员国在各领域加强合作,加快推进东盟共同体进程。在区域合作中,东盟坚持大国平衡外交政策和东盟的主导地位,但在南海问题上东盟的协商一致原则受到挑战。展望2013年,东盟将继续有效执行各项一体化计划,缩小成员国发展差距,扩大区域合作,以便于2015年建成东盟共同体。     

论法学期刊适用同行审稿制度的“是”与“非”

我国法学期刊的数量相对稳定,其发表论文的容量也无多大变化,但研究人员的数量却在不断增加.因此,如何构建科学合理的审稿制度不仅是法学期刊服务学术的根本要求,还是法学期刊健康发展的关键.同行审稿制度在法学期刊的适用,既有其不可替代的优势,也存在一些广为诟病的缺陷.对这些优势与缺陷的全面梳理,目的在于实现同行审稿制度与三审制的有机衔接,更好地服务于我国法学期刊的良性发展,更好地服务于整个法学学术共同体.     

创建平安广东与“三打”行动长效机制建设思考

尽管平安广东创建和“三打两建”工作已取得实效,当前的“三打”、“两建”和平安广东创建工作中仍然存在着许多的困难和问题。因此,将“三打”行动长效机制建设和创建平安广东行动相结合,既具有必要性,亦具有可行性。二者的结合,是广东维护社会稳定、促进经济协调发展的重要手段,是创建平安广东的有效途径,是维稳理念具体到平安广东社会建设中的创新发展。