Why Sex (Offending) Is Different

The central premise is that a significant amount of sex offending stems from unusual or inappropriate sexual preferences that appear in early adolescence, are relatively stable, and immutable. In those ways, they are like more ordinary sexual preferences, generating sexual impulses that are insistent. Individuals are strongly tempted to act on them, alternatives to satisfying them are unfulfilling, and complete long-term control of such impulses is unlikely. Yet, since individuals with sexual preferences for inappropriate objects or activities are neither morally nor legally permitted to act on them, they find themselves in a terrific bind. The public is, to some extent, correct to not trust the individuals with such preferences and to attempt to monitor or control them. However, most such efforts appear ineffective and counterproductive. Recidivist sex offenders are particularly worrisome. The possibility of voluntary castration for such offenders, in lieu of preventive detention or other more restrictive measures, is explored.     

Arts and Culture Indicators in Community Building: Project Update

The author questions the arts support system in post-Communist Romania, examining whether the cultural policies during 1990-2006 have contributed to the development of the arts sector, the enhancement of artistic creativity, and the independence of artists. His analysis focuses on the institutional framework and the financing mechanisms that support artists. The author argues that the institutional configurations and the collective mentalities that dominate the cultural sector and public policy have strongly influenced cultural policy in Romania. Along with the economic difficulties, the weighty legacy of the centralized authoritarian state and the paternalistic attitude that dominated for so long in Romanian history have acted as constraints on the public support for the arts and artists. The post-Communist cultural policy remains dependent on historical patterns and, despite some attempts of reform in the late 1990s, it is only recently that a noninterventionist policy and a more effective arts support system emerged.     

德国地方政府公共服务体制改革与机制创新探微

在新公共管理改革浪潮中,德国属于温和型国家,其地方改革的原则策略选择与中国的渐进改革模式具有某些相似特征,即以法治为核心、以政府能力提升为目标、多价值平衡及公民间接参与为主直接参与为辅。在改革内容上,表现为公共服务的体制改革和机制创新。体制改革包括机构精简(含组织流程再造)和地方政府区划改革,机制创新包括公共服务提供系统的重新设计和公共物品生产方式的重大变化。体制改革的直接价值取向是提升公共服务的供给绩效和强化公共部门的服务能力;而机制创新的直接价值取向则是创设一种新的治理文化,最大限度地动员市场和第三部门参与地方性公共服务的生产,让地方政府"瘦身",实现公共服务生产与供给的可持续性。     

地方招商引资财政扶持政策的几点思考

财政扶持政策是当前地方在招商引资过程中比较常见的形式。地方政府对招商引资的企业进行财政支持虽然为企业提供了资金便利,也为其创造了良好的投资环境,但其带来的财政收支虚增等问题和危害也不容忽视。应对之策,是树立正确的政绩观,改进干部考核机制;完善监督机制,加强督查力度;转变政府职能,明确政府定位;明确招商责任,加强跟踪落实;改善投资环境,提高人员素质等。     

新刑事诉讼法视野下刑讯逼供的成因及防范路径思考

近年来,因刑讯逼供而导致的刑事冤假错案屡屡发生。刑事冤假错案的频发,不仅违背了刑事诉讼打击犯罪和保障人权、实现实体正义和程序正义的基本价值理念,而且也给刑事案件的当事人带来了无法弥补的伤害,同时也引发了社会各界对司法公正的强烈质疑和严重担忧,极大地动摇了社会公众对法律的信仰和法治的信念,严重地损害了司法公信和权威。应在新刑事诉讼法的视野角度下深刻探讨刑讯逼供案件频发的原因,并在此基础上提出相应的防范对策,切实做到预防、控制和减少刑讯逼供案件的发生,促进司法公正,提高司法公信力。     

论家庭教育对青少年犯罪的影响

当前青少年犯罪已成为一个突出的社会问题,犯罪率居高不下。家庭是青少年生活的基本环境,它在青少年身心健康、品德形成等方面起着重要作用。大量事实表明,不良的家庭环境和不当的家庭教育方法是青少年犯罪的重要原因。因此,有效预防和控制青少年犯罪,必须提高家长素质,关注青少年心理健康,营造和谐家庭环境,注重家庭教育方法,抓住家庭教育这一关键环节。     

预防性犯罪化立法:路径、功能、弊端与完善

预防性犯罪化立法作为我国近年来刑法立法的重要实践,在预防犯罪方面发挥了极其重要的作用。我国预防性犯罪化立法主要有预备行为犯罪化、持有行为犯罪化、煽动行为犯罪化、抽象危险犯这四种实践方式,具有抵御日益积聚的刑事风险、实现刑罚双面预防目的、贯彻宽严相济刑事政策的重要刑法功能。然而,预防性犯罪化立法又存在着引发刑法工具主义滥觞、冲击谦抑主义刑法精神的弊端。随着风险社会的到来,预防性犯罪化立法还将呈现扩张趋势,探索预防性犯罪化立法的科学有效路径势在必行。就未来的预防性犯罪化立法而言,必须以宪法为引领,以刑法的基本原则为遵循,并采取多轨制的刑法立法模式。