Examining Space–Time Interaction in City-Level Homicide Data: Crack Markets and the Diffusion of Guns Among Youth

This paper examines the linkage between crack market activity and gunhomicide suggested by Blumstein (1995), who argues that the arrival ofcrack stimulated an increased availability of guns among juveniles. Thisgreater availability of guns, the argument continues, is responsible for thesharp upswing in juvenile homicide experienced in the United States in themid-1980s. Using city-level data on crack arrests and gun-related juvenilehomicide, we fit a change-point version of the Bass (1969) model ofinnovation diffusion. We find that, in most large American cities, thediffusion process for crack cocaine experienced an onset of dramatic growththat was followed by a similar, slightly slower growth in gun homicidescommitted by juveniles. We further use cluster analysis to find that thespatial patterning of the two processes is similar, starting on the East andWest Coasts and working their way toward other regions of the nation. Gunuse in homicide among slightly older offenders (ages 18–24) alsoexperienced a change at roughly the same time as the juveniles, but the rateof diffusion was considerably milder than for the younger group; offendersages 25 or older generally show no growth in gun-related homicide whatsoever. In addition, there is no detectable surge in juvenile nongun homicide activity. Based on these findings, we conclude that the crack cocaine markets–gun availability linkage is highly plausible, and we suggest directions for future research in clarifying the dynamics of the late-1980s surge in juvenile homicide.     

Opinion formation in foreign policy: the Swiss experience

Applying John Zaller's model of opinion formation to survey data covering 15 years (1981–95) of direct democracy in Switzerland, this paper provides a contribution to the debate about opinion formation in foreign policy. On the one hand, the Swiss experience contradicts the widespread view that citizens are poorly informed about and little interested in foreign affairs. On the other hand, direct democracy often translates into governmental defeats in this field. We address these mixed results and show that opinion formation in foreign policy is not a special case, and differs from that in domestic policy only with respect to the circumstances under which it occurs. In particular, we highlight the unusual type and level of conflict within the elite on foreign policy issues, which translates into distinct patterns of attitudes among the public.     

Regulation in Comparative Perspective

Structural changes in the world economy pose challenging new problems for comparative policy analysis. One such problem is the harmonization of domestic policies and institutions, which the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations has identified as a key principle of international economic relations. Harmonization may mean the creation of a single policy space out of a number of distinct jurisdictions. It can also mean the adoption of common policy goals or general principles that national governments can pursue by different strategies. Comparative analysis can help in choosing the type of harmonization most appropriate in a given context. This article analyzes the development of harmonization strategies in the European Community/European Union. The European experience shows that far-reaching economic integration can be achieved without suppressing cultural diversity and legitimate differences in national preferences.     

论网络电子数据收集程序的完善

电子数据收集程序的规范对于保障网络犯罪案件处理的质量有着重要意义。有别于传统的刑事证据,电子数据具有收集主体多元化、收集范围广泛化、收集方法科技化的特点。从我国当前司法实践情况来看,电子数据在收集过程中存在一系列问题。当前可参照他国立法经验,通过明确第三方的技术协助义务和保密义务、规定全面收集原则、确立快速保护机制、建立提交技术鉴定的标准这四个方面对我国电子数据收集程序予以规范。     

网络系统集成专业课程体系建设的探索与实践

增强高职院校学生的岗位职业能力，必然要求加快专业课程体系的改革与建设力度，建立起能够服务于区域经济和社会发展，突出职业能力培养的专业课程体系标准。对于高职网络专业系统集成方向的课程体系而言，这种课程体系主要有校企合作、核心课程置换、行业资质课程培训、校外顶岗实习以及面向企业订单培养等模式。     

贫困地区推进城乡经济一体化的思考

我国80％的人口在农村，绝大部分贫困人口也在农村，贫困地区经济发展滞后是影响小康社会建设进程的重要因素。缩小城乡差别，加快推进城乡经济一体化是实现贫困地区又好又快发展的必然路径。贫困地区推进城乡经济一体化必须用现代化理念作支撑，必须用特色化目标作引领，必须用市场化的机制作保障，必须用法制化的进程作规范。     

对我党理论联系实际基本历史经验的思考--纪念中国共产党成立80周年

理论联系实际 ,是我党基本的历史经验 ,坚持并发扬这一历史经验 ,有着重要的现实意义。坚持理论联系实际 ,必须坚持实事求是 ,坚持在实践中创新 ,代表最广大人民群众的利益 ,坚持加强和改善党的领导 ,坚持提高领导干部理论与实际相结合的自觉性。     

英国二元化律师制度的近期发展与融合之争

英国实行独特的二元化律师制度,事务律师与出庭律师共同为社会提供法律服务,但二者在执业资格取得、出庭权、行业组织、晋升法官的机会等方面有着传统区分。自二十世纪六十年代末期以来,政府开始介入一直自律发展的律师业,制定和推行了一系列打破传统分界的立法与改革举措,由此引发了人们关于律师业是否应当融合以及最终能否融合的争议。或许是否融合只是表面现象,律师分立的传统行业规则带来的弊端才是促使政府推行改革的真正动力。     

整合与创新——国有企业改革30年理论发展的走势分析

三种不同理论流派在空间上的并存与相互之间不时发生的理论交锋,构成了当前国有企业改革的理论格局与态势.三种理论流派各执一端的激烈争执与交锋,在一定程度上牵制和制约了国有企业改革的前进步伐.超越派别之争,把三大理论流派的合理性和互补性加以有效的整合,可以使国有企业改革获得一种新的理论能源和动力,这对于国有企业改革摆脱目前发展的困境,推进社会主义和谐社会的建设无疑具有重大的现实意义.     

广西沿海生产力布局若干问题研究

广西沿海(北海、钦州、防城港)开发建设中的生产力布局,直接影响该区域区位势能的发挥,事关广西北部湾经济区将来的发展格局。该区域合理的生产力布局要以区域经济理论为指导,立足于现有经济基础,正确处理布局与自然地理、产业选择、港口主体功能区、市场与资源的关系。