The birth and development of the language of global development in light of trends in global population,international politics,economics and globalisation

The 1940s saw an intensification of worldwide interest in the problems of development and underdevelopment. One consequence of this was a rapid evolution of the language of global development. The reconstruction of its genesis is most commonly attempted through the analysis of literature on the subject and accounts by those who took part in or observed the debates of the time concerning the world’s development and structure. This article proposes a different approach which locates important events in the evolution of the modern language of global development on timelines tracing populational, political, socio-economic and civilisational processes.     

Nation-building projects through new capitals: from St. Petersburg to Yerevan and Astana

The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive explanation for the reasons behind governments’ decisions to relocate and build new capital cities. The process of capital-building is not a mere phenomenon of urbanization; rather it is a process of “text inventing” for nation-building projects. To emphasize implications for identity behind city constructions, the paper will discuss urbanization practices of Soviet Yerevan and post-Soviet Astana. However, to verify the validity and generalizability of the proposed argument, the article will also briefly provide historical analysis of relocation of capitals from Moscow to St. Petersburg, and from Istanbul to Ankara. The reconstruction of the capital of Soviet Armenia, Yerevan, in the 1920s is important in understanding the role of utopias in initiating identity transformations. The central conceptual premise of the article is Samuel Huntington’s theoretical concept of a “torn country” and the redefinition of civilizational identity. One reason capitals have been relocated and new capitals have been built throughout history is a need to initiate a long-term transformation of identity.     

Why developing countries are just spectators in the ‘Gold War’: the case of Lebanon at the Olympic Games

At the Olympic Games, there is an increasing gap between developed countries that are investing more and more government resources into sporting success, and developing countries that cannot afford the “Gold War”, and are just spectators in the medal race. Based on studying a representative case, Lebanon, I investigate issues and interests of developing countries in the Olympics. On the political level, the main motivation for participation is global recognition. On the sporting level, developing countries seek to use Olympic participation as preparation for regional Games where success is more likely, serving as a soft power tool for regional influence.     

The Awkward Class: a foundation for peasant studies

ABSTRACT

Teodor Shanin's The Awkward Class helped to launch two immensely important research directions. First, resistance by Russian peasants to modernizing agricultural policies by both Tsarist and Soviet governments opened new questions about collectivization of agriculture, and made Russian history relevant to the study of ‘developing societies.’ Second, the idea of cyclical mobility of peasant households challenged the then widely held assumption that peasants were destined to disappear. Instead of explaining ‘persistence’ of peasants, Shanin explored distinct logics of peasant households and communities. This helped to define a new inter-disciplinary field called peasant studies.     

Public service ethics,values and spirituality in developing and transitional countries: Challenges and opportunities

Concerns over the unethical conduct of leaders and public officials have led to the renaissance of interest in public service ethics and values. Although national and organizational systems and structures have been instituted to either eradicate or ameliorate unethical behaviours in the public service of countries, the practice still persists with devastating consequences. As one way forward, spirituality has been touted as having the potential of stimulating the moral thoughts of individuals who are dealing with ethical issues, thereby reducing unethical behaviour and generating positive organizational behaviour. Drawing from the perspectives of developing and transitional countries, this special issue empirically examines the extent to which ethics, values and spirituality can reduce unethical behaviours.     

我国政府雇员制的发展趋势展望——《公务员法》颁布后的政府雇员制度

政府雇员制在我国是新兴事物.但由于此项制度必须以公务员制度的充分发展为先决条件,而目前我国的公务员制度仍未完善,这就注定政府雇员制度不会有好的发展前景.缺乏法律依据,产生程序过于随意和忽视对政府雇员权益的保护,更使这项制度的前景十分黯淡.     

非典危机与政府治道变革

非典危机是对我国政府的施政理念、管理体制、管理手段和管理方式等方面的一次全面挑战,既暴露了以往存在的一系列问题,也促成了政府在治道方面的一系列变化。我国政府必须通过施政理念、利益关系、管理模式等的全面变革,实现政府再造,建设一个更适应现代化发展要求的服务型的政府,一个专业化的高效率的高度负责的现代政府。     

西安城市发展带动农村发展战略问题探析

近年来,西安农村经济社会虽有了较大改善,但城乡发展之间的差距仍是一个不可回避的突出问题。要实施城市带动农村发展战略,必须从统筹城乡发展和城乡互动式良性协调发展上去考虑,按照城乡联动的社会系统工程规划,积极探索城市对农村建设的多种带动方式,以产业为纽带,实现城乡经济共同发展。     

论刑事被害人国家补偿制度

刑事被害人国家补偿制度是指国家对遭受犯罪行为侵害而又没有得到充分赔偿的被害人或其近亲属．通过法律程序给予一定补偿的制度。我国应当在探讨被害人国家补偿制度的制度发展史、理论依据和功能价值等问题的基础上，借鉴国外立法经验构建中国特色刑事被害人国家补偿制度。     

陕西典当业面临的挑战与机遇

典当业在新时期越来越明显地具备了“第二银行”的功能。已不再是单纯地为解决生计问题提供消费性融资,而已成为广泛地发展经济、支持生产、活跃流通、方便群众的生产性、经营性融资的新渠道。透视变化,分析陕西典当业的现状,为促进陕西典当业的发展和进步,提出相应对策。