The economic significance of “insignificant” rules

We know relatively little about the economic effects of “insignificant” rules because they are not typically analyzed. Yet, these rules could be cumulatively important. We provide an economic analysis of one proposed rule to control hazardous air pollutants, which is not considered to be economically significant. This rule is of particular interest because it is one of the first in a long series of rules that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will consider for limiting hazardous air pollutant emissions. Our analysis suggests that the proposed controls that EPA has considered are not likely to pass a benefit–cost test. We recommend that an agency base its decision to allocate additional resources to benefit–cost analysis on the expected value of the improved information. In addition, agencies should consider applying a rule of thumb that would specify a threshold level of risk reduction that needs to be achieved before some kinds of regulation are considered.     

The Development of Competitive Industries: The Role of State Government Actors

Despite widespread adoption of Porter's Industrial Cluster Theory as a policy development framework by federal and state governments over the past decade, Australia remains significantly below the OECD average in terms of its industries' economic contributions to real wealth creation ( Brown 2000 ; OECD 1998 ). The major cause cited for this relatively poor performance has been inability of key government officials to implement effective industry policy that simultaneously avoids de facto protectionism and distortion of competition. This article provides an insight into the key policy decisions undertaken by the Tasmanian state government that coincided with development of an internationally successful shipbuilding industry in that state. As such, this article provides a reflection on policy initiatives that may be valuable for government officials elsewhere.     

Sustainable governance of natural resources and institutional change–an analytical framework

This article presents a conceptual framework for analysing the governance of natural resource use, as governance is often the primary issue when natural resources are overexploited and degraded. It addresses both spontaneous and active governance, including institutional change induced by development co‐operation. Drawing on existing frameworks of institutional analysis, fundamental modifications are presented to adapt the concept to the context of international co‐operation, and to include dynamic aspects of institutional change as well as multiple actor interactions. Tested in several case studies, the framework was found suitable and relevant for use in project planning and evaluation, as well as for comparing governance issues across cases in a conceptually rigorous way. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

论矛盾转化中量变积累的形式与条件

矛盾转化是唯物辩证法的重要范畴。转化是质变,但有其量变积累,没有“渐进过程”,就不会有“中断”。探讨转化的量变积累的各种表现形式和条件,对于深化理解矛盾转化范畴的内涵具有重要意义。     

Age and Gender Differences in Peer Conflict

The purpose of this study was to examine age and gender differences in peer conflict, particularly in regards to conflict issues and resolution strategies reported by children and adolescents. Students from grades 4 and 8 (60 boys, 60 girls) were asked interview questions and given 3 hypothetical scenarios to respond to. Teacher and self-reports were also gathered for each student to assess their level of adaptive ability. The results showed that adolescents tended to report higher rates of conflict and endorsed more cooperative strategies than 4th graders, who endorsed more aggressive tactics. Female students reported having more relational issues and used more conflict-mitigating strategies, while boys reported having more conflicts related to status/dominance. Finally, links were also found between effective resolution strategies and social ability. The implications and limitations of this study are discussed.M. A. Noakes received her Master's degree from the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta, Canada. Her current research interests include assessment of at-risk youth, relapse prevention programs for young offenders, and social emotional functioning of children and adolescents.C. M. Rinaldi her doctorate from the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology at McGill University, Canada. Her current research interests include applied developmental psychology, social emotional functioning of children and adolescents, and parent-child relations.     

多元文化背景下的青少年教育

文化的多元化使各种文化冲突相继出现,从层面上看,主要是中西文化冲突、精英文化与大众文化冲突、主流文化与非主流文化冲突。这些冲突,对我国社会生活各个层面特别是青少年教育产生了不同程度的影响。文化冲突使青少年学生的价值观整合过程,往往不可避免地遇到矛盾和冲突,以致于部分学生出现了价值混乱、无所适从的感觉。要迎接多元文化的挑战,教育就必须拆除有形、无形的围墙,加强与社会的联系；必须改变自命清高、孤芳自赏的心态,承担起应有的文化职责。具体说来,当前至少应该做好以下工作：1．树立多文化教育观。2．坚持客观分析、兼容并蓄。3．直面文化冲突,采取切实措施进行积极应对。     

也论解决海峡两岸民商事法律冲突的模式

复合法域国家解决区际民商事法律冲突采用不同的模式。对于中国区际民商事法律冲突的解决,学者们也提出不同的主张。但是,这些模式是否适合于解决海峡两岸的民商事法律冲突问题,还需进一步分析与探讨。两岸的民商事法律冲突是特殊的区际法律冲突,由于这种冲突具有阶段性与渐进性并存的特点,因此,冲突的解决不可能一步到位,也必须采用阶段性、渐进性的措施。不论理论上存在什么缺陷或不足,从务实、需要的角度考虑,海峡两岸适用各自的区际冲突法或类推适用各自的国际私法解决相互间法律适用上的冲突,是现阶段最适宜的方法。     

冲突预防与非政府组织的作用

学界对冲突预防(CP)的理解充满争论。本文把CP分为结构型和直接型预防两类。前者着重讨论冲突原发地的潜在原因,并致力于一种长期的参与;后者主要关注短期策略以及冲突方和第三方的互动。在实践中,国家和政府间组织(IGOs)一直是CP的主导力量。联合国就是最明显的参与者,在冲突预防中扮演着重要的领导角色。鉴于当代冲突的动态和特点与传统的国家间冲突不同,NGO在预防国际冲突中的作用得到越来越多的关注。NGOs在CP中的各种角色和活动往往是和国家及政府间组织并行或同在的。在实践中,全世界各国、IGOs以及参与经济、政治和社会关系的NGOs之间存在着依存关系。提高解决当代冲突的能力和效率,我们就应该也必须通过一个跨国框架来增进国家、IGOs和NGOs之间的合作与协调。     

社会冲突理论及其对我国构建和谐社会的启示

社会冲突虽然导致了社会不和谐,但它也具有对社会的维持与整合的积极作用。一定程度的社会冲突有利于社会稳定,有利于推动社会发展。分析和研究社会冲突理论对于我们构建社会主义和谐社会具有重要的启示作用。     

浅议治安管理处罚的程序适用

在治安管理处罚程序上,《公安机关办理行政案件程序规定》与《治安管理处罚法》存在一些不一致甚至是相冲突的地方,如回避、送达、简易程序、调查和暂缓执行拘留等。在执法实践中,公安机关及其人民警察应当遵循后者的有关规定。同时公安部应尽快对前者加以修订。