Indicators for economic vulnerability to drought in South Africa

This article identifies and estimates economic drought vulnerability indicators among communal farmers in South Africa, using an economic vulnerability index based on a household survey of 121 communal farmers. The results show that lack of resources, unemployment, price sensitivity, market access, the level of farm debt, output, on- and off-farm diversification, management, and financial safety nets were the main economic vulnerability variables. Farm debt and financial safety provide the bulk of the vulnerability index. The study’s findings suggest that government should reconsider priorities in the implementation of appropriate policy measures in response to drought.     

Developing urban space: the changing role of NGOs in Bangladesh

Rapid urbanisation has been an emerging issue in recent decades, particularly for developing countries such as Bangladesh. As one of world’s largest international NGOs, BRAC, based in Bangladesh, is transiting towards a more integrated approach for alleviating urban poverty. This article presents BRAC’s current journey for eradicating urban poverty and outlines the characteristics of urban poverty, key issues faced by the urban poor, and learning that BRAC has accumulated through its urban interventions. Introducing the concept of “coproduction”, the article identifies BRAC’s priorities to eradicate urban poverty within the context of an overall urban strategy.     

Changing arenas for agricultural climate change adaptation in Vietnam

Great changes are underway in how climate and agricultural risks are managed in Vietnam. Uncertainties are emerging regarding the role of the state in managing these risks and what this implies for assumptions regarding hoped-for climate change transformations. Local government control is waning in relation to the expanding roles of the private sector and the growing autonomy of farmers themselves. This article presents cases that illustrate the ways that farmers, private investors, and local authorities are responding to climate risk within roles relating to the other risks involving markets, food security, and pressures on common property resources.     

资源贫乏的少数民族山区建立扶贫新机制的思路

资源贫乏的少数民族山区,经济基础设施简陋,经济实力单薄,扶贫的任务非常艰巨.为实现2000年农村人口基本解决温饱的目标,必须采用非常措施,因为传统的扶贫措施,已被证明对最低层的贫困人口的脱贫效果甚微.因此,要充分利用西部大开发的有利时机,启动新的扶贫机制.     

我国自然遗产保护立法的困境与出路

随着时代的发展,自然遗产保护的国内立法呈现出许多问题,集中地表现在自然遗产界定标准的扩大化、管理体制的选择、中央与地方立法权的冲突、立法模式困境,以及法律责任的弱化。《中华人民共和国自然遗产保护法（征求意见稿）》的审议正在进行中,借鉴他国立法经验,克服现有国内立法的不足,具有重要的意义和价值。     

On the Human- Orientated Factors in Grotius＇ Legal Right Thoughts

格老秀斯法权思想是人类思想的精华代表。作为国际法的奠基人,格老秀斯法权思想包含自然法、国际法和万民法内容,为17世纪之后世界秩序的构建制定了法律框架。格老秀斯代表作《战争与和平法》和《海洋自由论》即已凸显了法律的人本化因素。本文通过探讨格老秀斯法权思想中的自然法和国际法理论,分析格老秀斯法权思想中所表现的人道主义、正义、自由、道德和普世主义等人本化因素的内容,为当前中国社会的转型提供参考。     

Negotiating the Marcellus: The Role of Information in Building Trust in Extractive Deals

New technology has expanded the opportunities for energy companies within the United States, often bringing them into populated communities and requiring them to negotiate deals with landowners. This case study focuses on how one group of landowners in northeastern Pennsylvania creatively reimagined the process of negotiating in a natural gas deal. They used collective bargaining for leverage, and the Internet and social media to level the informational playing field. These techniques allowed them to develop trust within the group and ultimately with one company, as they sought to protect their environment and enhance their financial gain.     

论《庄子》寓言中的技匠形象

与先秦诸子文章相比较,《庄子》寓言中出现了较多的技匠类人物形象。《庄子》作者深受上古文化观念的影响。其特定的社会地位、生活经历,也决定了《庄子》寓言的价值趋向。＂道＂是庄子哲学的本体,运用技匠类人物形象的目的在于以＂技＂释＂道＂,技匠技术之精妙正好说明＂道＂的自然无为。     

自然资源国家所有权之国家所有制说

财产权的宪法史可分为人权财产权和国家财产制两个阶段。自然资源归国家所有是国家财产制的组成部分，是现代宪法创设的用以实现国家目的的手段，其基本特征是国家垄断，其基本工具价值是垄断。以权利观审视自然资源国家所有权，它具有主体的唯一性和权利的专有性、不可变更性和价值优先性等特点。宪法上的自然资源国家所有权的实质是国家权力，是管理权，而非自由财产权。     

西方自然法思想的两种传统

自然法是西方历史上一个极为关键的概念,但是讽刺的是,并不存在一个统一连贯并得到广泛认同的自然法定义。在自然法思想发展过程中呈现出两条根本不同的进路,即古代自然法与近代自然法。自然法思想两条不同进路的差异表现在:从自然法的特性方面看是神圣性与世俗性的不同;在自然法的基点上自然理性与自然状态的区隔;自然法的内容区别则体现在自然义务与自然权利。