Social Policy by Other Means: Theorizing Unconventional Forms of Welfare Production

Abstract

The goal of this special issue is to highlight the importance of unconventional social policies, theorize their development in comparison with traditional welfare state accounts and outline a new research agenda. In this introduction to the special issue, the editors present the concept of social policy by other means as encompassing two kinds of unconventional social policy (from the point of view of mainstream comparative research): First, functional equivalents to formal systems of social protection and, second, non-state provision of benefits. The concept builds upon a sizeable, but fragmented literature in comparative welfare state research. While numerous examples demonstrate that social policy by other means is more pervasive in both OECD and non-OECD countries than often acknowledged, a brief survey of the top 20 articles in the field reveals that this fact is not sufficiently reflected in the academic literature. With reference to both existing studies and the contributions to this special issue, the editors go on to explore (1) the different forms of social policy by other means, (2) explanatory theories and (3) their effectiveness in terms of social outcomes. They close by outlining a research agenda.     

Feminism in the Humanitarian Machine. Introduction to the Special Section on ‘The Politics of Intervention Against (Conflict-Related) Sexual and Gender-based Violence’

ABSTRACT

The prevention and mitigation of sexual and gender-based violence in (post-) conflict societies has become an important humanitarian activity. This introductory article examines the analytical discourses on these interventions, the institutionalization of SGBV expertise in international politics, and the emancipatory potential of anti-SGBV practices. It argues that the confluence of feminist professional activism and militarized humanitarian interventionism produced specific international activities against SGBV. As part of the institutionalization of gender themes in international politics, feminist emancipatory claims have been taken up by humanitarian organizations. The normal operating state of the humanitarian machine, however, undercuts its potential contribution to social transformation towards larger gender equality in (post-) conflict societies.     

The most plausible pro-coercion view: requiring informed agreement while penalizing non-participation in research

In ‘(Why) should we require consent to research?’ Alan Wertheimer probes whether it is legitimate for the government to ‘coerce’ people into participating in biomedical research, including interventional biomedical research. In debating the rules that ought to govern participation in interventional biomedical research, we should distinguish two separate moral claims. First, interventional research should proceed only when the subject has given her informed agreement. Second, it is legitimate for the state to set a requirement that people participate in interventional biomedical research, and to penalize or punish those who refuse to participate. The most plausible ‘pro-coercion’ view accepts both of these claims. Though I stop short of endorsing this view, it captures important ‘pro-coercion’ and ‘anti-coercion’ intuitions.     

资源依赖分析:党建科学化研究的新视角

资源依赖理论在党建领域中的应用,为党建科学化研究提供了新视角。在党组织与外界环境的复杂互动中,中国共产党找到了一条提高党建科学化水平的新的研究路径。在社会转型期,中国共产党的执政环境发生了深刻变化,党的权力架构、组织结构、思想文化、意识形态以及其它执政资源都发生了一定的转换。中国共产党应顺应国际潮流、国内转型和党内转变的总体环境,进一步提高非权力性权威、巩固组织网络、强化社会整合功能。     

Renminbi Capital Account Openness:Research Review

RMB capital account openness has attracted increasing attention in recent 10 years, a great many papers focused on the topic, they are mainly relevant to effectiveness and effects of capital control, effects of capital account policies, possible effects of capital account full openness, relationship between capital account openness and RMB internationalization, and the practical problems of RMB capital account openness. The paper sorts out all the relevant literatures and proposes research outlook.     

检察环节证据合法性审查实证研究

修订后的《刑事诉讼法》规定了检察机关的非法证据排除义务,并对检察环节开展证据合法性审查的具体程序和相应职责予以了明确规定。从司法实践来看,侦查活动的密闭性、审查模式的单一性、立法的不完善以及在审查过程中自由裁量缺乏必要的规制等问题制约了证据合法性审查的实效。为此,有必要从审查程序、配套制度以及认证规则等方面予以完善。     

More with Less? Fiscal Decentralisation,Public Health Spending and Health Sector Performance

Decentralisation is considered a panacea for deficient public sector performance by many. However, recent trends of health sector recentralisation in several OECD countries suggest the opposite. Taking on a cross‐country perspective, I examine two hypotheses, namely that decentralisation leads to an increase in public health spending (H1) and to poor health sector outcomes (H2). The evidence I present suggests that decentralising spending tends to lead to larger public health sectors and to poorer health sector outcomes. However, decentralising tax authority has no effect on the size of the health sector and may actually have a positive effect on health sector performance. The broader lesson is that while general fiscal decentralisation research tends to imply that its conclusions are valid for all policy areas in a similar way, sector‐specific insights can reveal a more nuanced view on the consequences of fiscal decentralisation.     

发展新时代的和谐劳动关系

劳动关系不仅是新型工业化和产业升级中需要探索的重大理论课题,更是新发展理念指导下共享发展成果中需要解决的重大现实问题。本研究探讨了和谐劳动关系的意义、劳动关系调整中的政府干预、我国劳动关系治理的历史、和谐劳动关系构建中政府的作用等问题,可为新时代和谐劳动关系的构建等提供参考。研究认为,从推进我国经济转型的实际出发,借鉴市场经济国家的经验,吸取国外劳资冲突的教训,深刻认识和把握新时代劳动关系发展的规律,对于我国探索发展和谐劳动关系的有效途径具有重要的借鉴作用。对于中国劳动关系的研究,应立足国情,从实践走向理论,并将理论回归实践,理性、客观地分析劳动实践需要解决的深层根本性问题,从而为中国和谐劳动关系的构建作出重大贡献。     

我国艾滋病行为干预的现实状况与基本评价

艾滋病行为干预是预防、控制艾滋病的重要技术手段,其内容框架主要包括对象、形式、目标、原则、措施等。近年来,我国政府通过采取各种各样的措施,广泛开展行为干预,积极应对艾滋病,取得了明显的成效,但同时也存在不少问题。要充分认识加强艾滋病行为干预工作的重要性和紧迫性,切实认真地执行艾滋病行为干预的政策规定,更加广泛、深入和持久地开展艾滋病的行为干预活动,加大监管力度,分类实施相应的行为干预措施。