Competition and cooperative practices in Sino-Japanese energy and environmental relations: towards an energy security ‘risk community’?

Abstract

This article reexamines the conventional wisdom that characterizes Sino-Japanese energy relations as predominantly competitive, but views Sino-Japanese environmental relations as essentially cooperative. Using sociological theories of risk, it is argued that Sino-Japanese cooperation is more likely in both the energy and environmental areas when common risks are perceived and relative gains are minimized. Despite their many conflicting strategic, political, and economic interests, as energy importers who are vulnerable to supply interruptions in the Middle East and competitors for global energy supplies, China and Japan share common risks to their energy security. Consequently, there actually may be increasing opportunities for China and Japan to address their common concerns through bilateral and multilateral cooperative practices, such as common positions on pricing or energy conservation initiatives. Although one would expect China and Japan to highlight their mutual interests in tackling environmental problems such as air pollution, in fact relative gains often impede cooperation. Japan increasingly views China as an economic competitor and is reducing environmental aid, while China continues to set a priority on economic growth, which sets limits on the use of costlier Japanese green technologies. By examining a selection of scholarly articles, reports and newspaper articles by Chinese and Japanese analysts, as well as material from interviews in Beijing and Tokyo in May–June 2007, the paper shows how environmental and energy issues in Sino-Japanese relations may be framed as threats, requiring counter-measures, or common risks, which can be addressed through cooperative practices. Lastly, the paper discusses the possibility of the development of an energy security ‘risk community’ as cooperative practices develop between China and Japan. Nonetheless, conflicting political interests, strategies, and self-images, accentuating relative gains, may provide obstacles to their cooperation in both energy security and environmental protection.     

Comment on Dowell Myers and Elizabeth Gearin's “current preferences and future demand for denser residential environments”

Abstract

New construction reflects demand for housing that cannot be met by existing stock. Although a change in the overall preference for denser residential environments could have a disproportionate impact on the characteristics of new homes, it is not clear that changing demographics or changing tastes will call for such a change.     

The myth of social capital in community development

Abstract

This article argues that contemporary interest in social capital by community development theorists, funders, and practitioners is misguided and needs to be thoroughly rethought. It argues that social capital, as understood by Robert Putnam and people influenced by his work, is a fundamentally flawed concept because it fails to understand issues of power in the production of communities and because it is divorced from economic capital. Therefore, community development practice based on this understanding of social capital is, and will continue to be, similarly flawed.

The article further argues that instead of Putnam's understanding of social capital, community development practice would be better served by returning to the way the concept was used by Glenn Loury and Pierre Bourdieu and concludes with a discussion of how these alternative theories of social capital can be realized in community development practice.     

危害环境行为的刑法规制问题研究

世界上各国均进行了关于危害环境行为的刑事立法。我国虽在1997年刑法中规定了破坏环境资源保护罪一节,但由于环境犯罪刑事立法理念陈旧、罪名体系设置不合理、刑法规制的范围较窄及惩罚力度较轻等问题,导致刑法在惩治危害环境行为时没有发挥出足够的作用,部分危害环境的行为难以得到有效的刑罚处罚。文章通过分析国内外环境犯罪刑事立法的现状,研究我国环境犯罪立法的不足,鉴于环境的重要性及其他国家环境立法的可借鉴性,提出应确立环境犯罪在刑法典中的重要地位,并应从立法模式、罪名体系、刑罚适用原则及种类等方面加以完善。     

比较视野下适老化改造的国际经验与中国路径

适老化改造是当代实现居家养老的前提条件,已成为各国应对人口快速老龄化的基本政策。国内自2013年新《老年人权益保障法》强调建设老年宜居环境以来,各地开始推动老年人生活环境的改善,但由于责任主体不明、操作程序不清等诸多问题,改造成效相对有限。较早步入老龄化的西方发达国家已普遍实施居家适老化改造,建构了一套切实可行的制度体系和服务路径。本文通过比较分析美国、日本、瑞典在不同福利政策下形成的适老化改造实践,总结这些国家的典型做法和先进经验,进而提出我国适老化改造的规范化建议及可行性路径,以解决环境设施和老龄社会要求之间日益凸显的矛盾。     

恐怖主义问题研究

恐怖主义对国际社会的安全与稳定构成了严重的威胁,已经成为影响地区与世界安全局势的顽疾。恐怖主义的核心特性是追求政治目的与利益并实施或威胁使用暴力。恐怖主义常假借宗教名义,或以极端民族主义、极端意识形态为其思想基础。现代社会对恐怖主义的萌生与发展极具影响,为恐怖主义提供存在的客观环境。反恐怖主义必须着眼于事前预防恐怖主义行为的萌生和事后侦查打击恐怖组织和恐怖分子两大方面,确立反恐怖主义的原则与机制,构建反恐怖情报网络,强化反恐怖侦破工作,加强反恐怖队伍建设。     

论动态环境下治安防控体系的建立

在现阶段新旧体制交替之际,人财物的大流动尚不够有序和规范,客观上为犯罪分子提供了更多的侵害客体,也为犯罪分子作案提供了更多的机会和条件,使城市治安防控局面出现了较大的变化。建立动态环境下的治安防控体系,使治安防控工作适应社会由相对"静态封闭"向"动态开放"的转型,已经成为治安工作改革的重要课题。     

驳中国生态环境威胁论

中国的生态环境问题是否对区域和国际安全问题产生重要影响,甚至构成一种威胁?近段时期以来,西方流行一种新的"中国威胁论"--"中国生态环境威胁论"。诚然,目前中国生态环境形势严峻,但是中国在保护生态环境方面已取得了巨大成就,生态环境建设能力得到了很大提升。中国正在树立和落实科学发展现,走人与自然和谐发展之路。     

试论目前社会诚信危机的原因与对策

由于历史的和现实的种种原因使得我国社会目前正经历着一定程度的诚信危机。"国无诚不兴,人无信不立",诚信 是社会主义市场经济的灵魂,应净化社会诚信环境,建立科学规范的诚信制度,改革传统的道德教育模式。     

依法治会与基础工作

工会依法治会的基本目标是为了能够真正按照新《工会法》的要求 ,坚决履行代表和维护职工合法权益的基本职责。当前工会依法治会的主客观条件都存在重大缺陷 ,因此工会在内部要极大地增强干部素质 ,在外部要优化活动条件和社会环境。