The Chimera of Proportionality: Institutionalising Limits on Punishment in Contemporary Social and Political Systems

The concept of proportionality has been central to the retributive revival in penal theory, and underlies desert theory's normative and practical commitment to limiting punishment. Theories of punishment combining desert‐based and consequentialist considerations also appeal to proportionality as a limiting condition. In this paper we argue that these claims are founded on an exaggerated idea of what proportionality can offer, and in particular fail properly to consider the institutional conditions needed to foster robust limits on the state's power to punish. The idea that appeals to proportionality as an abstract ideal can help to limit punishment is, we argue, a chimera: what has been thought of as proportionality is not a naturally existing relationship, but a product of political and social construction, cultural meaning‐making, and institution‐building. Drawing on evolutionary psychology and comparative political economy, we argue that philosophers and social scientists need to work together to understand how the appeal of the idea of proportionality can best be realised through substantive institutional frameworks under particular conditions.     

Federal Dynamics of Changing Governance Arrangements in Education: A Comparative Perspective on Australia,Canada and Germany

Abstract

Education policy is a highly interesting field from the point of view of governance, given the substantial changes that have been made throughout the world to the governance of such policy over the last 30 years or so. Western governments in particular have made significant changes in the governance arrangements of their education policy in order to achieve two fundamental goals: increased efficiency and greater accountability. In this process, the role of governments has changed but not diminished. This paper explores such developments by comparing the trajectories of governance reforms in three federal countries (Australia, Canada and Germany). What emerges is that the role of governments is key to all governance mixes modelled by the reform processes in the three analysed countries, and that there is greater “national” coordination than before, but also significant differences in the strategies adopted and in the content of reform, due to the differing nature of such countries’ federal dynamics.     

Pension Programs Around the World: New Comparative Global Policy Data

Abstract

Income protection during old age is a universally recognized human right. Are nations fulfilling their responsibility for income support for older adults? Using a new global dataset on social protection conceptualized and built by two of the authors, this paper examines whether countries have legislated for national pension systems, and the characteristics and adequacy of those systems.     

贵州、云南旅游业发展条件的比较研究--兼谈对贵州旅游业发展的一些建议

贵州和云南同为旅游资源大省,但旅游业发展水平很不平衡.本文对贵州和云南旅游业的发展进行了比较,阐明了贵州旅游业发展的优势及困难,并就此提出了发展贵州旅游的建议及对策.     

电子文件与纸质档案价值鉴定之比较分析

本文主要从电子文件的价值鉴定和纸质档案的价值鉴定入手,从不同的方面比较了两者的异同,重点阐述电子文件的价值鉴定。笔者根据比较分析电子文件的价值鉴定和纸质档案的价值鉴定,对两者的鉴定工作提出了几点建设性的意见。希望本文的论述既能对档案工作者有所帮助,又能对档案研究人员有所启发。     

中国与东盟贸易互补和贸易竞争分析

改革开放以来，中国和东盟的贸易发展迅速，尤其是近年来，中国加入WTO，双方自由贸易协议的签定，使中国与东盟贸易发展更是突飞猛进，发展前景非常乐观，但是也应看到在中国和东盟贸易中，既存在互补的一面，也存在竞争的一面，对此必须要有清醒的认识。同时中国与东盟存在各自的比较优势，中国与东盟应该采取措施发挥各自的比较优势，使双方贸易互补的一面得到扩大，同时使双方贸易竞争的一面在一定程度上得以消除，从而使双边贸易得到健康的发展。     

论我国“人本”法律观的更新与重构——比较法的角度

以"以人为本"为核心的法律观体现了法律发展的内在要求和必然趋势.文章通过对中西方"以人为本"法律观的思想渊源、发展历程及其法律建构过程等异同点的比较,试析中国古代法律思想和西方法治观念对中国法律观及法治的影响,并以此探求中国法治的重构之路.     

无罪推定、沉默权、口供之比较

对无罪推定、沉默权、口供的历史渊源、法律含义以及各自体现的法律思想进行了分析对比和论证,从比较分析中理清了三者之间的关系。通过三者关系的比较得出,沉默权问题实际上是证据规则的告知问题,应当将沉默权置于整个证据体系中来研究。     

中美法庭科学实验室比较研究

本文以中美权威部门发布的统计报告以及有关文献报道的数据为基础,通过比较研究,从实验室分布、规模、人力资源、工作量、专业设置、技术标准化、资金、管理体系和信息化9个方面进行深入分析,找出双方的差异和距离,为我国法庭科学实验室的发展建设提供参考依据。     

“说谎权”抑或真实供述义务：沉默权之后的两难选择——规制被告人说谎行为的比较法研究

在法官主持的讯问中,针对被告人的说谎行为刑事诉讼中有两种立法规制,英国规定被告人具有真实供述义务而德国赋予其说谎权。说谎权体现了对被告人人格尊严的尊重,但不利于事实真相的查明、诉讼效率的实现。这与我国对英国和德国的法律特点的总体认识出现背离。通过对英、德两国司法制度的比较,揭示了法律是一个有机的整体,立法要注意与该国其他法律制度相契合,要与本土资源相吻合。进而思考我国在立法规制被告人的说谎行为时应当予以关注的问题。