Measuring Economic Integration in Developing Countries: The Case of Central America

This article builds a composite index, the Central American Integration Index (IIC-AMPI), to measure economic integration. This index utilises a robust methodology and conceptual framework. The study shows that IIC-AMPI is responsive to variable changes and resistant to outliers. The findings indicate that the Deep Integration Process initiative dominates the current integration trend, as seen in the regional average score from 2015 to 2017, aligning with Guatemala and Honduras. Nicaragua demonstrates the most consistent progress, while Panama lags behind. The evidence supports the Customs Union as Central America's future integration path, highlighting the index's ability to capture the dynamic reality of economic integration.     

Economics and Law of Works of Art in the Single European Market

This paper is concerned with the economic analysis of the European rules on the circulation of works of art. After reviewing the relevant literature, an economic framework of the international circulation of works of art is provided (social goals, efficiency and distributive aspects, an economic rationale for a general free trade rule integrated by selective protectionism). Using this framework the European system of circulation of works of art—resulting from the combination of the Maastricht Treaty with Regulation 3911/92 and Directive 93/7—is analysed. The main results of the analysis are: 1) the general free trade principle ruling the Single European Market is strongly limited by rules protecting national artistic heritages of member states; 2) this protectionism—working towards countries both outside and inside the European Union—is applied according to the national laws of each member state, while, contrary to what the Maastricht Treaty would call for, an artistic heritage of European significance is not defined and no autonomous role is recognized in this field to European Institutions; 3) this system shows some inconsistencies with economic theory, as strict limits to trade are not provided when they should be required by the preservation of the physical or artistic integrity of works of art, while in other cases an unduly restrained trade may derive from highly protectionist national laws and export-licencing policies of member states. Enforcement provisions are also analysed and some proposals to improve the system are advanced.     

Jurisprudential Dilemmas of European Law

Making a first sketch of philosophical issues arising fromEuropean Community law I want to present a series ofmore or less obvious, and more or less interrelated dilemmas,or even double binds.(i) Deepening the community becomes incompatible withwidening membership. (ii) National states seem bothnecessary for and obstructive in articulating transnationalproblems. (iii) The more democracy is needed as a warrantfor the public exercise of political power in Europe, themore the very concept of democracy on a European scaleevades understanding. (iv) European unity presupposes aunifying rule of law, while member states have radicallydifferent conceptions of this principle. (v) Even the verycore of European integration, the common market, is subjectto two conflicting and, indeed, incompatible doctrines ofcompetition. In explaining the nature of each dilemma I willtry to take my cue from the Maastricht Treaty wherever thisseems suitable. Then I will elaborate on the jurisprudentialproblems involved in it. Finally, each section will be closedby an attempt to state the nature of these problems inphilosophical terms.     

Herzl on discrimination in Der Judenstaat

Theodor Herzl published his programmatic book The Jewish State in February 1896. Central to it was the discrimination (and hatred) commonly known as anti-Semitism. Herzl viewed anti-Semitism as the heart of the Jewish Question but also as the potential motivator for Jews to achieve a Jewish state. Herzl's analysis of anti-Semitic discrimination is in many aspects similar to present sociological theories of middle-class minorities. His discussion of the economic aspects is compared with Gary Becker's theory of discrimination, and similarities as well as differences are pointed out.     

经济学的千年论战--论国家主义和自由主义

从古到今世界各国都有两种经济观和两种经济方略:一是主张国家干预经济,是为国家主义;二是主张国家不干预经济,是为自由主义。两种经济方略各有千秋,适用于不同条件。千百年来一直存在国家主义与自由主义的争论。18至19世纪的200年间,自由主义占上风。19世纪末,德国开国家主义之先河。20世纪20至60年代,国家主义盛行了50年;从70年代开始,自由主义东山再起,号称新自由主义。进入21世纪,新自由主义连遭挫折,国家主义有所抬头。两种经济观趋同,百年争论暂告一段落。     

经济人的新解释与经济学的新发展

经济人假设是传统经济学理论大厦的基石。现代经济学前沿分支学科对经典经济人有三个不同方向的新解释 :一是对经典经济人的修修补补 ,使经济人更加贴近现实 ;二是坚持经典经济人 ,并进一步发展经济人的理性 ;三是抛弃经典经济人 ,研究理性和非理性行为结合的现实人。在对经济人新的不同解释的基础上 ,经济学与相关学科进一步融合 ,在学科交叉的边缘产生一系列新的经济学分支学科。     

毛泽东农业合作化思想探析

“农民、农村、农业”问题一直是我党在社会主义革命和建设中致力于解决的重大问题之一。在探索中国农业发展进程的过程中,毛泽东形成了他的农业合作化思想。分析研究毛泽东的农业合作化思想,不仅有助于我们更准确地理解毛泽东思想的历史发展过程,而且对于当代全面建设小康社会,建设有中国特色社会主义新农村具有重要的理论和实践意义。     

技术进步与日本近代经济发展——兼与中国比较

技术是经济发展的动力源泉.文章通过对日本近代技术革新、引进的过程和对经济发展贡献的概述,从引进技术的适用性、政府的扶持政策及强大的社会能力三方面对日本成功引进技术推动经济发展的经验进行了分析,并与中国实际情况进行了比较,以期能从中有所收获.     

论科学发展观的理论基础和现实依据

马克思主义的社会发展观是科学发展观的前提和基础 ,科学发展观是马克思主义发展观在社会主义新阶段的具体体现。邓小平关于共同富裕的思想 ,江泽民关于保持区域经济协调、健康发展 ,促进社会全面进步的思想 ,是科学发展观的实质内涵 ,传承着马克思主义发展观的内在灵魂和精髓。深刻理解科学发展观的理论渊源和现实依据 ,有助于我们在实践中进一步树立和落实全面、协调、可持续的科学发展观