The legacies of transition governments: post-transition dynamics in Benin and Togo

This article analyses the transition governments of Benin and Togo and shows how they had a profound impact on post-transition governance, regardless of the success or failure of the transition. It argues that the essential elements of polyarchy – competition and inclusion – were present in the transition government in Benin, and patterns along these two dimensions have been mirrored in post-transition events. In Togo, by contrast, only the principle of competition, not inclusion, was established in the transition period and present-day Togolese politics continues this pattern. This analysis sheds new light on politics in both countries and offers greater scope for understanding post-transition politics by viewing transition outcomes in terms of political development.     

Enforcing consensus? The hidden bias in EU democracy promotion in Central and Eastern Europe

Democracy is a primary export norm of the European Union (EU). It has also played a key role in the conditionalities that have governed the accession processes of new member states in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The EU has often been accused of offering little guidance regarding the specifics of desirable democracy models and the means of their consolidation. But are these accusations justified? In the first part of this article a detailed examination of European Commission opinions and reports reveals that it has consistently promoted a specific model of democracy in future member states. It shows a strong bias in favour of Lijphart's model of consensus democracy, which is indiscriminately advocated for prospective member states. The second part of the article draws attention to the serious obstacles which exist in the region to the realization of this model. We question the wisdom of the Commission's one-size-fits-all democratic model given these obstacles and the real-life diversity of political contexts in the region.     

从公司信用转变看中国政府职能转变

政府职能本就因不同的时代形势与战略任务而变动调整。改革开放的新时期下,社会主义市场经济体制的各项机能日臻完善,市场也将在资源配置中发挥决定性作用,因此,全能型的抑或主导型的、审批型的抑或直接管理型的政府职能模式显然与之背道而驰。上海自贸区公司注册资本登记制度的深刻变革,将促使公司从资本信用向资产信用的转变,而曾受制于"政府之手"的公司信用之转变又恰恰烙印了新时期下中国政府职能转变的时代内涵与市场取向趋势,即把该放的权力放到位,把该管的事务管好,简政放权,有所为有所不为,充分尊重市场的决定性作用,并发挥政府的积极效用。     

Rebel-to-political and back? Hamas as a security provider in Gaza between rebellion,politics and governance

ABSTRACT

After winning the 2006 Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) elections and subsequently taking control of the Gaza Strip in the summer of 2007, the Palestinian Hamas – a hybrid political, social and military actor – undertook a complex process to ascertain authority and control over Gaza. The article focuses on understanding Hamas’s performance as a political party and a “rebel government” as well as the impact of this newly acquired role on the group’s strategy. Relying on primary sources, field-work and interviews with members of the Hamas government and its security sector, the study looks at Hamas’s role as a security provider and analyses the complex relationship between the institutionalized security sector and the group’s insurgent armed wing. Examining Hamas’s logic as a security provider and exploring the inherent tensions between political and insurgent logics allows for a better understanding of both the rebel group’s role as a political actor and the broader challenges behind the successful rebel-to-political transformations of non-state armed organizations. In doing so it contributes to the emerging literature on non-state actors’ shifts between ballots and bullets and on their potential role as alternative governance providers.     

技术创新生态化——一种思想的转向

文章从剖析目前正盛行的技术创新理论入手,大胆地提出一种思想的全新转向--技术创新的生态化转向,从技术创新生态化的必然性、技术创新生态化的内涵特征以及技术创新的哲学意义三个方面来阐述和论证这种思想的可行性.     

政府系统副职职能转型、规模控制与组织法治

改革政府系统副职现状,是政府机构改革的有机部分,是政府组织、法治化、科学化的基本要求。加快政府组织法治化进程,完善政府组织法的框架和内容,在政府职能转变的基础上继续推进"大部制"改革,提升部门地位和权能,实现政府系统副职职能转型和规模控制,对于推进法治政府建设和实现政府组织体系科学化,具有重大的现实意义。     

中国转轨经济的特点与成功探索--兼论中国学人向诺贝尔经济学奖冲刺的突破口

中国共产党人把社会主义公有制与市场经济结合起来的成功探索,是旷世未有的伟大的制度创举,是中国转轨经济成功的关键,也是中国转轨经济的本质特征,是中国特色转轨经济学和社会主义经济学对当代世界的巨大贡献,因而必将是中国学人向诺贝尔经济学奖冲刺的突破口。     

文化碰撞中的选择:中国传统礼仪法文化在近现代的变革

礼仪是中国古代文明的一种符号,礼仪法是中华法文化的一个标志性内容,是华夏礼仪之邦有别于其他民族的显著特征。法律近代化过程中,中国古老文化与西方外来文化的冲突,首先是围绕着礼仪而展开的;文化冲撞后的维新与变法,也将旧礼仪的改造作为要务。传统的礼仪法文化承载着中华民族生生不息的民族精神、民族品格,也凝结着浓重的尊卑等级观念、封建迷信色彩,充斥着铺张、奢华的繁文缛节。取其精华,弃其糟粕,将有助于当今的礼仪文化的建设。     

EMPLOYMENT AID FOR YOUTH AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE: EXTENDING ONE-STOP CAREER CENTERS TO INCLUDE A DIVISION FOR FOSTER CARE YOUTH

Every year thousands of children are discharged from the foster care system and find themselves ill prepared for the responsibility of adulthood. Providing enhanced employment opportunities to both current and former foster care youth will allow them to become economically self-sufficient and therefore have an improved transition from foster care. This Note proposes that states incorporate a foster youth employment program in the one-stop career centers mandated by the Workforce Investment Act. Through this program, foster youth will be provided with the tools they need for success while maintaining control over their own future.     

The Politics of Discontinuity and Its Medium Term Policy Outcomes: Evidence from Ghana

ABSTRACT

It is common knowledge in Ghana that during political transitions, programs set in previous Medium Term Development Plans (MTDP) by prior governments are abandoned without regard for their wider national implications. While the economic impacts of these political transitions have been researched, till date no known studies have taken a holistic look at the relation between political transition and the level of MTDP target achievement. This article attempts to fill this research gap using Ghana as a case and the policy learning and political business cycle literatures as organizing frames. Using annual MTDP data and semi-structured interviews with 25 officials who were involved in the implementation of MDTPs at the national and local government levels, this article finds that aberrations in target achievements across the entire period between 2001 and 2016 were the result of financial constraints and the pressures to adjust to political change.