On the Psychology of the Advantaged: How People React to Being Overpaid

Based on the idea that overpaid people are in conflict between hedonic principles (i.e., what makes them pleased) and what they believe to be right, two studies tested the hypothesis that it should be relatively difficult for people to make satisfaction judgments regarding outcomes in which they are being advantaged. In line with this hypothesis, Study 1 demonstrated that response latencies of satisfaction judgments were longer when participants were being overpaid, compared to when they were underpaid or equally paid. Study 2 extended these findings by demonstrating that people required more time to make satisfaction judgments when they were overpaid in the context of a close relationship (i.e., in which the conflict between hedonic and concerns for the other’s need should be stronger) than when overpaid in the context of a non-close relationship. Theoretical implications regarding the social-cognitive processes underlying reactions to overpayment are discussed.     

Peacebuilding does not build peace

The concept of peacebuilding is a buzzword of the development policy and practice mainstream. The recent introduction of managerial tools and the focus on measuring the ‘effectiveness’ of peacebuilding have marginalised and depoliticised critical questions about the causes of violent conflict, and have replaced them with comforting notions for donors that peace can be built and measured without challenging Western understanding of economy, governance, and social aspirations of people.     

冲突与控制——关于国家控制冲突问题的研究

冲突是直接影响国家稳定和发展的一种关系状态。冲突的根源和根本动因构成冲突产生的客观可能性,而只有冲突主体的主观因素成熟到一定程度时,客观因素才发挥作用。国家作为社会矛盾不可调和的产物,必须采取措施,把冲突控制在秩序范围内,确保国家的存在和发展。     

试论现代国际法中的武装冲突法

近代国际法承认国家战争权.以战争法作为规范战争行为的法律制度。现代国际法禁止以战争作为推行国家政策的工具,从理论上不再保留战争法;但是实际存在的战争或武装冲突不能完全避免,在实践过程中,现代国际法缺少规范武装冲突的完整法律体系就日益显现其局限性。因此,我们必须正视现代国际法体系的这一缺陷,适应国际形势的要求,融合传统战争法的合理成分和现代国际法的集体安全制度,建构起规范武装冲突的新的法律体系。     

信托法与物权法定原则的冲突及其解决

信托法起源于英美法,而英美法在法律概念、体系构造和思维方式上与大陆法存在很大差别,所以在大陆法国家移植信托法的过程中,必然要遇到如何协调和解决外来的信托制度与本土法律制度冲突的问题,其中,物权法定原则与信托制度之间的冲突尤值关注。结合信托诸种制度的特性进行具体分析,可以看出我国新近通过的《物权法》所确立的物权法定原则与信托法之间存在着尖锐的理念冲突。在新《物权法》背景下,如果在理论和实务上因应得宜,则我国的信托制度不仅不会被物权法定原则所窒息,甚至可以此为契机改变信托法在我国法律体系中的边缘地位。     

*美国与伊朗在阿富汗的共同利益与利益矛盾

阿富汗战争前,伊朗就一直视塔利班为敌人。“9·11”事件是由被塔利班所庇护的基地组织所为,因而塔利班也成了美国的敌人。反对塔利班是美伊两国在阿富汗的共同利益。阿富汗的毒品交易在塔利班政权倒台后愈益猖獗,它继续支撑着塔利班的生存并严重威胁到伊朗的边境安全,也对美国重建阿富汗的努力构成重大挑战。反对毒品交易是美伊两国在阿富汗的又一共同利益。美伊两国在阿富汗的第三个共同利益是阿富汗的安全与发展。但是,美伊两国的对阿富汗政策是基于它们相互关系及各自的地区乃至全球战略。因此,两国在阿富汗存有巨大的利益矛盾,这使两国在阿富汗的共同利益难以导致两国的切实合作。     

Critical aspects of social networks in a resettlement setting

Each year, more than 30 million people worldwide are displaced by disaster, development, and conflict. The sheer magnitude of displacement points to a need for wider application of social science theories and methodologies to the special problems posed by these crises. We are convinced that social network analysis of the structure and development of social relations can help to identify variables and patterns essential to maintaining or fostering social (re)articulation in resettlement. The research model we propose applies advances in network methodology to emerging theory on structural gaps in networks in the context of forced displacement and resettlement.     

Community participation and inner-city slum renewal: relocated people's perspectives on slum clearance and resettlement in Addis Ababa

The article explores the process of residential relocation in inner-city slum renewal in Addis Ababa. Drawing on qualitative research methods involving interviews and focus group discussions with members of relocated households, it examines the nature of people's involvement in inner-city renewal and how it affects their lives. The article argues that the process of planning and implementation of relocation is not only top-down, but also does not involve the perspectives, needs, and livelihood strategies of those affected. The article concludes that the city administration needs to work closely with NGOs, the private sector, and community-based organisations in order to meet the housing needs of relocated households.     

Development-induced displacement in Asia: conflicts,risks, and resilience

This introduction to the themed special feature on development-induced displacement in Asia discusses the scope and major drivers of development-induced displacement and resettlement (DIDR) in Asia, and recent policy developments at the national and international level. It describes some of the existing conceptual frameworks in the field of DIDR and presents a new set of questions and concerns that are addressed by the five articles that make up this special feature.     

NGOs as intermediaries in post-disaster rural reconstruction: findings from research in India

Drawing upon research conducted in Gujarat, India, this article identifies the potential and limitations for NGOs to serve as intermediaries (between beneficiaries, governments, and international relief/development organisations) on post-disaster rural reconstruction projects. Findings reveal that NGOs can play important roles in facilitating the design and construction of high-quality, culturally appropriate housing; revitalising and diversifying livelihoods; and reducing physical and social vulnerability to future disasters. NGOs should have clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and accountability measures in post-disaster reconstruction projects, but they also need a certain amount of autonomy to protect their organisational philosophies and flexibility to make day-to-day decisions.