Quality challenger emergence under the top-two primary: Comparing one-party and two-party general election contests

Prior research finds that the emergence of a quality challenger is one of the most important factors predicting whether incumbents will be vulnerable. Reformers in California and Washington envisioned that the top-two primary reform would increase electoral competition by allowing for general election contests that feature two same-party candidates in safe districts. In this research note, I investigate the degree to which these expectations have been fulfilled by looking at the prevalence of quality challengers in U.S. House contests. I compare one-party and two-party general election contests, finding that incumbents are significantly more likely to face a quality challenger from the same party than from the opposite party, all else equal. In contrast, when both states used traditional primaries prior to reform, incumbents were no more likely to face a quality challenger in the primary election than in the general election. Findings reveal a key way in which the top-two primary may fulfill reformers’ expectations and complement our understanding of how electoral institutions condition challenger entry decisions.     

Public administration reform for Aboriginal affairs: An institutionalist analysis

Persistent underperformance of public policy and program implementation in Aboriginal affairs is widely recognised. We analysed the results of two case studies of attempted reforms in public administration of Aboriginal primary health care in the Northern Territory, using a framework based on the institutionalist and systemic racism literatures, with the aim of better understanding the sources of implementation failure. Implementation of the agreed reforms was unsuccessful. Contributing factors were as follows: strong recognition of the need for change was not sustained; the seeds of change, present in the form of alternative practices, were not built on; there was a notable absence of sustained political/bureaucratic authorisation; and, interacting with all of these, systemic racism had important consequences and implications. Our framework was useful for making sense of the results. It is clear that reforms in Aboriginal affairs will require government authorities to engage with organisations and communities. We conclude that there are four requirements for improved implementation success: clear recognition of the need for change in ‘business as usual’; sustainable commitment and authorisation; the building of alternative structures and methods to enable effective power sharing (consistent with the requirements of parliamentary democracy); and addressing the impact of systemic racism on decision-making, relationships, and risk management.     

工会应急协同能力评价方法研究

工会是职工群体性事件应对的重要主体之一,而应急协同能力又是决定其应急事件处理效果的一个重要因素。因此,对应急能力的评估至关重要。研究分析了职工群体性事件的动态演化过程,找出其应急协同能力影响因素,并依据协同分析方法构建了工会应急协同能力评估指标体系。研究首次提出了工会应急协同能力及表征,即基础应急协同能力、应急处置协同能力和事后恢复协同能力,并通过实例验证了该模型的合理性。据此,在社会多主体治理框架下提出了提升工会应急协同能力的基本策略。     

Is Public Service Motivation Changeable? Integrative Modeling with Goal-Setting Theory

This study proposes that Public Service Motivation (PSM) can be changeable by unique characteristics of public organization. The proposition is applied for the integration between PSM theory and goal-setting theory that is inevitable to better understand the motivation phenomena for the organization. The integration model consists of two sub-mechanisms: 1) the moderating role of goal characteristics on the relationship between Public Service Motivation and work motivation, and 2) the mediating role of PSM on the relationship between goal characteristics and performance. The model suggests empirically testable five theoretical propositions with methodological strategies. Finally, theoretical implications and future study are discussed.     

论完善社会主义新农村的法治建设

法治建设同社会主义新农村建设是紧密相联、不可分割的.社会主义新农村建设的进程,本身就是一个农村法治不断完善、发展的过程.文章试从新农村法治建设的基本内涵出发,针对农村中突出和集中的法治问题进行分析,提出健全法律法规,提高农民法律意识,完善法律机制等对策,以推进社会主义新农村的法治建设.     

中国农民组织化的发展空间研究——以北部湾经济区农民组织化为例

伴随着中国社会的深度转型进程,当前中国农村组织结构与农民组织方式发生了深刻变革。该文基于社会学的理论维度,以北部湾经济区农民组织化为例,着力从组织功能视角深入探讨社会转型期中国农民组织化的发展空间问题,以期更好地推进中国现代化建设进程。     

农村信用社向合作银行的转制研究——绩效、原因、问题与政策建议

该文对农村信用社向农村合作银行的改制进行了分析,指出改革取得成功的主要原因,并对存在的问题进行了剖析。农村信用社向农村合作银行改制的改革,必须解决好合作银行性质与定位、省级联社的定位和功能、服务“三农”、县域范围市场竞争过度、以及人员素质难以适应金融发展需要和债务负担过重等问题,针对上述问题,该文提出相应的政策建议。     

对中国非正规就业发展的探讨

中国非正规就业面临缺乏法律保障和制度支撑、非正规就业劳动关系和劳动制度不规范、城乡劳动力市场的分割成为非正规部门劳动力市场发展的体制性障碍等问题。要从制定系统和长远的非正规就业规划和完善非正规就业方面的立法人手,打破城乡劳动力市场的分割、健全社会保障体系、强化社会服务和增强劳动力培训的针对性和实用性等,积极发展非正规就业,缓解中国城乡就业压力。     

城乡居民收入差异的区域性特点分析

通过分析城乡居民抽样调查资料,建立城乡居民收入差距的回归分析模型,对城乡居民收入差异的区域性特点进行了比较分析。从而为缩小城乡居民收入差距提供了理论参考。     

Resettling Refugees in Rural and Regional Australia: Learning from Recent Policy and Program Initiatives

Conscious policy and program support for the resettlement of refugees in regional and rural areas is a relatively recent trend in Australia. Resettlement is a complex process that hinges on the establishment of viable communities. This review suggests that its outcomes, especially for refugee communities, are potentially mixed. However, an appropriately resourced, well managed and well planned refugee resettlement program can potentially provide beneficial outcomes for refugees and host communities. This article draws on existing empirical data and contributions made at a VicHealth Roundtable in late 2007 to thematically explore the challenges facing rural and regional resettlement programs. Given that settlement is a dynamic process and the approaches to rural and regional settlement are evolving, this article provides 12 propositions for a more effective and integrated approach to policy and practice.