Income inequality,electoral systems and party polarisation

This study analyses why income inequality and party polarisation proceed together in some countries but not in others. By focusing on the relationship between income inequality, the permissiveness of electoral systems and party polarisation, the study offers a theoretical explanation for how the combination of income inequality and permissive electoral systems generates higher party polarisation. After analysing a cross‐national dataset of party polarisation, income inequality and electoral institutions covering 24 advanced democracies between 1960 and 2011, it is found that a simple correlation between income inequality and party polarisation is not strong. However, the empirical results indicate that greater income inequality under permissive electoral systems contributes to growing party polarisation, which suggests that parties only have diverging ideological platforms due to greater income inequality when electoral systems encourage their moves towards the extreme; parties do not diverge when electoral systems discourage their moves towards the extreme.     

The Troubled Quest for National Political Leadership in Fiji

Abstract

The tendency for ethnic conflict to dominate political life has impeded attempts to achieve leadership and equitable government for the multi-ethnic nation and caused crises of political instability. A review of the past attempts to achieve national leadership through electoral competition illuminates the historical context of the turbulent political process of the last decade. Overcoming the impasse of ethnic conflict is the central objective of the military-based regime which continues to rule following the first parliament elections since the 2006 coup against an ethno-nationalist government and the first based on a full common franchise and the prohibition of invidious ethnic appeals in campaigning. Inter-ethnic cooperation and cross-ethnic voting were stronger features than in past elections and perhaps augur well for achievement of the elusive broad-based national leadership.     

毛泽东建党思想的中国文化特质

毛泽东建党思想从根本上说是马克思主义建党学说与中国革命实践相结合的产物;同时,毛泽东批判地继承和吸收了中国传统文化中的精华,加以改造创新,形成了具有中国作风和中国气派的无产阶级建党思想.毛泽东在扬弃和超越中延续了中国传统文化的生命力.     

论会党与中国早期革命党

会党对早期革命党的产生和发展具有重要意义。在思想上,早期革命党对会党反满思想的借用使其从会党的观念汲取有效的意识形态资源为其所用。在组织上,早期革命党借用会党既有的形式,使其能够建立起相对完备的组织结构体系,弥补其先天组织结构的不成熟性。     

影响发展中国家政治稳定的主要因素

政治稳定是一个国家政治生活和社会生活有序性的一种状态。发展中国家面临着剧烈的社会变革,它既带来了勃勃生机,也带来了政治上的不稳定因素。而影响发展中国家政治稳定的主要因素有社会利益分配、政治腐败、政党建设和政治参与等。     

以增进党内和谐促进社会和谐

以增进党内和谐促进社会和谐是胡锦涛在党的十七大报告中提出的科学命题。这一命题的提出,不仅表明了党对建设和谐社会理念的进一步提升,而且要求我们进一步深刻认识党内和谐的内涵及其与社会和谐的内在联系,从而进一步以改革创新精神全面推进党的建设新的伟大工程,不断增进党内和谐,并以党内和谐促进社会和谐。     

依法治国与党的领导

依法治国与党的领导密不可分.坚持党的领导是依法治国、建设社会主义法治国家的根本保证;实行依法治国,又有助于坚持、加强和改善党的领导,依法治国是加强和改善党的领导的有效途径;依法治国对党的领导和执政方式的完善和发展,对中国社会主义建设有着深远的影响.     

论加强中国共产党的心理建设

党的建设有没有一个心理建设问题,党的心理建设受到哪些因素影响,如何进行党的心理建设,这些问题目前还没有得到人们的充分关注。如同人的行为受心理支配一样,应该说,党的群体和党员个体心理对党的领导、党的决策的影响是显而易见的。因此,加强党的建设,也要重视党的心理建设问题。     

我国社会阶层结构变化对执政党的挑战

改革开放以来,随着所有制结构和生产关系的不断调整,我国社会阶层分化日益明显,阶层结构发生了重大的变化。阶层结构的变化带来了新旧思想的激烈碰撞、原有阶层结构的日益分化、贫富差距的扩大、社会矛盾和利益关系的日趋复杂化,这将给执政的中国共产党带来前所未有的挑战。     

朝鲜核试爆与重开六方会谈

朝鲜核试爆是美朝新一轮较量的产物。朝鲜核危机的发展仍取决于美朝关系能否发生变化。重开六方会谈是相关各方的共同愿望,但取得实质性进展的可能很小。朝鲜将实际成为“拥核”国家,朝核危机长期化的可能性越来越大。六方会谈并不因为朝鲜核试爆而减弱其历史作用,它依然是解决朝核问题的最佳形式,也是各方为应对和消除朝鲜“拥核”而进行对话、沟通、协商的理想平台,并有可能进而成为实现朝鲜半岛和平机制和东北亚安全合作的合理载体。