What can deliberative mini-publics contribute to democratic systems?

Can deliberative mini-publics contribute to deepening the democratic dimensions of electoral democracies? The question is framed in this article using a problem-based approach to democratic theory–to count as democratic, political systems must accomplish three basic functions related to inclusion, communication and deliberation, and decision making. This approach is elaborated with an analysis of a real-world case: a deliberative mini-public with a citizens’ assembly design, focused on urban planning convened in Vancouver, Canada. This example was chosen because the context was one in which the city's legacy institutions of representative democracy had significant democratic deficits in all three areas, and the mini-public was a direct response to these deficits. It was found that Vancouver's deliberative mini-public helped policy makers, activists and affected residents move a stalemated planning process forward, and did do so in ways that improved the democratic performance of the political system. Depending on when and how they are sequenced into democratic processes, deliberative mini-publics can supplement existing legacy institutions and practices to deepen their democratic performance.     

民法诚信原则与劳动法适用之博弈论纲——以“奋斗者协议”和“自愿弃保”为例

"奋斗者协议"与"自愿弃保"案件背后隐含的法理可简概为民法诚信原则与劳动法适用问题。实践中的误读和误判、《民法典》缺失劳动权(益)之基本民事权利设置、共享经济下新型劳动用工和疫情与后疫情时代之多重叠加效应,导致了劳动法之"衰"与"殇"。民法诚信原则同样适用劳动法含社会保障法,所谓劳动法不能适用该原则或者民法思维模式都是不严谨之"伪"命题。劳动法适用诚信原则应当考量其特殊性,惩戒权适用时,应当遵循比例原则和有利原则,并不得涉及劳动者非职业行为即私人行为和排除社会保障权。任何排除或剥夺劳动者社会保障权的约定或规章都是无效的。后劳动合同义务适用诚信原则不能"选择性""遗漏"抗辩权,如果当事人依法行使抗辩权,则不能裁定其违反了诚信原则,否则就是"伪"民法思维模式。实习关系属于特殊的劳动关系,在实习法律规范严重缺失下,用具有弥补法律不足之价值与功能的诚信原则治理"虚假实习"完全必要而且可行。     

论轻刑化在我国的实现

轻刑化,指对于已经确定为犯罪的行为,如果以较轻的刑事责任方式足以抑止和预防某种犯罪行为,就不要使用较重的刑事责任方式。轻刑化是刑法谦抑性的应有内涵、是保护人权的需要、是罪责刑相适应原则的要求、是实现刑罚目的的需要。轻刑化是一个相对的概念,轻刑化的适用要以犯罪行为的存在为前提。同时,轻刑化需要从立法、司法等多个方面来实现。     

论中国法理学的实践转向——三十余年法理学学术史考察

随着中国法理学界对改革开放30年抑或建国60年学术总结的逐渐降温,针对现有材料做一番综述的综述就显得殊为必要。在进行分析之后,可以发现已有综述尽管涵盖宽广、视角多元,但是总的来看忽略了对整个学科思维的总结与评判,尤其是缺少了对实践转向的揭示。由此,本文力图在学术史的视角下,归纳出三十余年中国法理学转向的两个层次:学科整体与法学实践剥离到契合的转向和学科内部从单一宏观到多元微观的转向,并提炼出支配学科转向的实践主导意蕴。     

REEVALUATING WHERE WE STAND: A COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY OF AMERICA'S FAMILY JUSTICE SYSTEMS

The call for court reform remains critical in the face of the growing complexity of burgeoning family law cases nationwide. Many states have restructured their court systems using the unified family court model, resolving legal, personal, emotional, and social disputes with the aim of improving the well‐being of families and children. Other states utilize the traditional approach, resulting in cases being handled in a fragmented, time‐consuming and expensive manner. In this article, Professor Barbara A. Babb presents the results of her nationwide survey regarding how each state handles family law matters. The survey is a follow‐up to her comprehensive 1998 survey and her 2002 survey update. The results of the recent analysis reveal that a total of thirty‐eight states now have either statewide family courts, family courts in selected areas of the state, or pilot or planned family courts, representing seventy‐five percent of states. The number of states without a specialized or separate system to handle family law matters has decreased from seventeen states in 1998 to thirteen in 2006. These changes are significant when one considers the complexities involved in court reform. The need for court reform remains an urgent one, as family law cases occupy a significant percentage of court dockets across the country. Families and children deserve a court system where justice is effective and efficient and where their legal, personal, emotional, and social needs are resolved in a therapeutic and holistic manner.     

思想政治教育学科建设科学化论析

科学发展既是思想政治教育学科建设的根本使命,也是思想政治教育学科建设的永恒命题.目的与规律的统一是思想政治教育学科建设科学化的前提,继承与创新的统一是思想政治教育学科建设科学化的基础,交叉与独立的统一是思想政治教育学科建设科学化的关键,理论与实践的统一是思想政治教育学科建设科学化的保证.     

Scenario study of biometric systems at borders

This paper examines and compares the existing privacy instruments of VIS and US-VISIT systems in addressing the specific legal issues and challenging the privacy-invasive behaviour in the world of biometrics. A biometric scenario is presented to give a vision of a future society in 5 years from now when biometric technology is more widely used. The objective here is to open up the scope of considering the potential legal risks of the use of biometrics, based upon the present passport and visa application plans in the EU and USA.     

Not much happened: The impact of gender quotas in Poland

Poland maintained its open-list PR system but introduced gender quotas in the 2011 parliamentary elections in order to increase the number of women deputies. Yet this change had only a limited impact on women's representation. The 2011 election confirms that ‘favorable’ electoral laws provide opportunities for women, but they cannot guarantee that women will be elected. In particular, the use of quotas alone is not sufficient to ensure high levels of women's representation. The most important factors in explaining the Polish result were 1) the absence of a ‘zipper’, a list ordering that alternates men and women candidates, thus ensuring high list-places for women 2) the parties' favoring of men in their list placement 3) the relative size of the political parties and 4) voters' support for list leaders and incumbent deputies. Despite a disappointing outcome, quotas may be seen as beneficial in increasing women's presence and the potential for further evolution of the electoral system.     

论职工董事、监事制度与职工代表大会制度的关系

国有企业改革把职工代表大会制度与职工董事、监事制度内在地联系在一起。这两种制度相互关系的实质是职工董事、监事与职工劳动者的相互关系。在运用这两种制度时 ,可以通过政策中介和制度创新等 ,使其更好地实现职工劳动者和企业出资者的产权权益。     

治安学术研究的现实与前瞻范畴——在全国第五届治安学学术研讨会开幕式上的发言

学术研究的Identity（自性）来源于真正独有的研究对象和范畴、足够量的原创性研究及真正深厚、独特的学术积淀，治安学术课题应当源自最现实的和最真实的时代发展，源自既蓬勃发展、充满希望又夹着各样社会倾斜、矛盾、风险、变异的中国社会。