South Africa and Namibia: Aspects of a relationship,historical and contemporary

South Africa occupied Namibia for 75 years. After that occupation ended in 1990, numerous ties between the two countries continued to exist and their economies are still intertwined more than 25 years later. In both countries the liberation movements that fought apartheid and then came to power are still in power. This might suggest that the relationship between the two countries would be a particularly close one. When the leaders of the two countries meet, as they regularly do, they speak of fraternal relations and point to ways in which the two countries are working together to enhance co-operation and regional integration. However, the relationship is a very unequal one, and the small state of Namibia retains suspicions of the regional hegemon, suspicions that have a long history. Areas of tension between the two states therefore remain. This paper considers aspects of their bilateral relations, within the multilateral contexts of the Southern African Customs Union and the Southern African Development Community.     

“Empowered patient” or “doctor knows best”? Political economy analysis and ownership

Efforts to incorporate “political thinking” into policy-making and practice in OECD-DAC development agencies have increasingly focused on the use of “political economy analysis” (PEA) frameworks and tools. While recognising the fundamental value of promoting politically informed programming, this article nevertheless highlights how contemporary efforts to this end have largely ignored another central development agenda: the ownership paradigm. Emphasising the highly donor-centric nature of PEA design and methodology, we explore critiques and justifications of this state of affairs, ultimately arguing that donors would benefit from embracing a more flexible and context-specific understanding of ownership.     

The role of the IFI and the EU Peace III Fund in creating sustainable peace in Northern Ireland and the border counties

NGOs aided by external economic aid can play a critical part in post-accord peacebuilding situations. This article explores the impact of the International Fund for Ireland and the European Union Peace III Fund in nurturing sustainable peace through development in Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland by examining the perceptions and experiences of 107 local NGO leaders and 13 funding agency development officers. During the summer of 2010, 120 people were interviewed using semi-structured interviews in Derry city and nine border counties. The article explores the role of external economic international assistance aids in building sustainable development, reconciliation, and peace in Northern Ireland and the border counties.     

Participatory numbers for integrating knowledge and actions in development

This article discusses the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of quantitative participatory methods and participatory numbers for integrating locals’ and outsiders’ knowledge, as well as actions from the bottom-up and top-down, in development. It places emphasis on the contribution of quantitative participatory methods and participatory numbers to foster dialogue between a wide range of stakeholders, for example, local people, NGOs, government agencies and scientists, who usually seldom directly engage with each other. The article draws on case studies that discuss remittances and disasters in Samoa, and disaster risk reduction in the Philippines.     

中国流动人口选举权保障问题探析

当代中国流动人口的规模已经非常庞大,短期内人口流动仍然呈现加速增长的趋势。但流动人口的选举权在现实政治生活过程中却难以实现。这一问题可能对中国政治发展和社会建设产生相当不利的影响,应当采取积极有效的措施加以解决,确立确保流动人口选举权实现的新思路。     

科学发展观对中国特色社会主义理论体系的新贡献

科学发展观是中国特色社会主义理论体系的创新成果。它主要围绕着三大基本问题和三大规律展开：对什么是社会主义、怎样建设社会主义的基本问题,揭示了社会主义建设的以人为本律、和谐发展律和共建共享律;对建设什么样的党、怎样建设党的基本问题,揭示了共产党执政的民心向背律、法定程序律和能力适应律;对实现什么样的发展和怎样发展的基本问题,揭示了人类社会的全面发展律、协调发展律和可持续发展律。     

试析后发国政府对信贷分配的干预及其变革

政府对信贷分配的干预是后发国家工业化初期重要的产业政策工具。金融市场的不完善和对战略性产业的扶持,是后发国政府干预信贷分配的理论依据。随着经济发展阶段的转换,这一产业政策工具的有效性逐步递减。后发国家在逐步减少对金融业的直接干预的同时,应积极发挥政府的作用以解决金融深化过程中的信息问题与道德风险。     

新一轮改革后的日本经济评析

日本经济在经历了20世纪90年代的衰退后,为实现经济复苏,开始了一轮新的改革.通过一系列改革措施,日本经济在2002年走出低谷,实现了复苏,改革成果显现.可以说,日本经济的复苏是在世界经济发展的背景下实现的,日本经济对世界经济尤其是美国经济具有很大的依赖性.随着全球经济形势的严峻,日本经济也难以独善其身,势必会随世界经济的起落而起落.但由于政府对经济的调控手段的不断成熟和完善,经济转型的延续,日本经济不会出现像20世纪90年代那样大的滑坡,应从发展的眼光把握日本经济今后走势.     

现代社会资本与社区发展——以内蒙古世界银行社区主导型发展项目为例

2006年世界银行在内蒙古试点了社区主导型发展项目,经过3年的发展,试点项目的自然村在村民参与、赋权和基础设施改善等方面取得了进展,但是13个自然村之间在社区主导型发展绩效方面存在显著差异。本文根据问卷调查资料,用因子分析方法,从不同社会资本类型角度对社会资本及其类型在社区发展绩效中的作用做实证检验。结果发现:总体社会资本只是社区发展绩效的必要条件,社区发展绩效好的自然村,其总体社会资本较高,但是总体社会资本高的自然村,其社区发展绩效未必高。社会资本的类型是影响社区发展绩效的主要原因,现代社会资本高的自然村,其社区主导型发展绩效就高,现代社会资本越低的自然村,其相应的社区主导型发展绩效就越低,现代社会资本是解释自然村社区主导型发展绩效差异的主要原因。     

统筹山东城乡发展的思路与对策

改革开放以来,山东省农业和农村经济取得了长足发展。但是由于长期形成的城乡二元结构格局的影响,城乡经济社会发展差距仍比较大。解决“三农”问题,必须树立和落实科学发展观,统筹城乡发展,充分发挥城市对农村的辐射和带动作用、工业对农业的支持和反哺作用,促进城乡经济良性互动、共同发展。