Democracy and Troubled Autonomy: Sectarian Politics and Civil Society in Japan

Civil society organizations (CSOs) exist in overlapping fields of influence, often within contentious relationships. Although the autonomy of a CSO is generally considered critical, currently available conceptualizations of civil society tend to focus on its relation to the state and minimize the role of political parties and social movement organizations. Drawing on the case study of the Women's Democratic Club (WDC), a women's organization in Japan established in the period immediately after World War II, this article examines the ways in which CSOs' embeddedness in their socio-political contexts problematizes organizational autonomy. As a non-partisan organization with democratic values, the WDC promoted egalitarianism and embraced heterogeneous membership within the organization. However, its embeddedness in the political left and its members’ divided and conflicting loyalties challenged its autonomy as an organization. This article seeks to contribute to the inclusion of non-governmental organizations in theoretical and empirical considerations of autonomy of civil society.     

A Case Study in ‘Institutionalisation before Liberalisation’: Lessons from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

International attempts to build a sustainable peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina have come close to the recommendations of Roland Paris’ conceptual framework of ‘Institutionalisation before Liberalisation’. The international peace mission in Bosnia has, through this approach, largely succeeded in dampening the dangers posed by the democratization process. This is clearly indicated by progress in stabilizing the civil peace and in democratization. However, this study of international policy highlights that, while the general policy approach of the ‘Institutionalisation before Liberalisation’ framework is a sound one, it is important to caution that care must be taken to avoid negative and unintended consequences.     

Potential Lessons from Public Health and Health Promotion for the Prevention of Child Abuse

SUMMARY

Two successful public health efforts of the last third of the twentieth century-tobacco control and automobile injury controlare reviewed for relevance to the problem of child abuse. Potential lessons for child abuse prevention are identified and the following approaches are suggested: Investigate varied logic models or conceptual frameworks to identify new opportunities for effective intervention. Use a multi-disciplinary, multi-sector approach. Normalize desired behaviors and denormalize undesirable behaviors. Balance efficacy, feasibility, and cultural appropriateness. Develop strategies for effective policy advocacy based upon who benefits and who shoulders most of the burden.     

中国特色政党制度伦理建设初探

加强中国特色政党制度伦理建设,对于提高党建科学化水平,构建社会主义和谐党际关系,推进政治民主化进程具有重要意义。当前,我国政党制度伦理建设存在着制度伦理法制化不强、平等协商理性相对缺乏、参政党职能效果发挥较弱、政党民主监督体系不完善以及制度伦理理论支撑的相对滞后等问题。加强中国特色政党制度伦理建设,必须加快政党制度伦理法制化建设、推进地方政治协商制度化、提高参政党职能地位、健全政党民主监督体系以及完善制度伦理学科建设。     

协商民主中的公共治理

在当代西方政治哲学复兴之后兴起的协商民主理论与现代公共治理的理论和实践之间存在着一定的内在逻辑性。协商民主的研究视角使我们看到公民社会的思想意识、精神状态以及公共利益、美德等价值观对现代公共治理的重大意义。引入协商民主理论,倡导公共治理中的对话与协商,公民参与意识与积极的公共精神,可以促进政府与公民、政治国家与公民社会在公共治理中的良性互动,由此也将促进协商民主与善治的实现。     

Vote as you Think: Determinants of Consistent Decision Making in Direct Democracy

This study investigates the conditions under which Swiss citizens take consistent decisions, that is, decisions that reflect their argument‐based opinions, during direct‐democratic ballots. In line with recent work on cognitive political behavior, we expect the drivers of consistent voting to be found at the individual and contextual level. At the individual level, we argue that political knowledge positively affects consistent decisions. At the contextual level, we anticipate a positive effect for campaign intensity, complexity and negativism. We estimate hierarchical logistic models based on VOX survey data (1999‐2005) and original data that captures the nature of political campaigns. Our results support our expectations for the situational level and (partially) for the individual factors.     

论中国农村综合改革的两大基本任务

中国农村综合改革的两大基本任务是再造市场经济的微观基础和基层民主权威。下一步应坚持“整体推进”和“重点突破”相结合的原则,重点推进农地产权制度、民间融资机制、农业科技推广体制和乡镇机构、农村义务教育体制、县乡财政管理体制等项综合改革,为新农村建设提供体制保障、财力支持和动力源泉。     

论我国地方“官场内生腐败”现象产生的体制性根源

当前我国正处在政治、经济、文化、社会和对外开放全方位的高速转型期,一些地方的权力腐败现象呈现出阶段性“多发、高发、群发”的态势。以阜阳市为代表的皖北地区之所以会发生“全方位的政治生态灾难”,实质是一种整体性和结构性的地方官场内生拓展型权力腐败。究其根源就在于,我国经济体制改革与政治体制改革互相脱节,地方行政体制改革与财政体制改革互相脱节,实行“党内民主”与扩大“基层民主”互相脱节。     

民主与特权矛盾视角下人的全面发展问题

民主与特权的矛盾是现阶段影响我国人的全面发展的较为突出的矛盾之一。本文通过分析民主与特权的矛盾及其对人的全面发展的影响，提出要建立有效的政治参与机制促进人的全面发展。     

民主：共产党的生命

能否正确认识和处理共产党与民主的关系不仅是意义重大的理论问题，还是决定共产党能否完成历史使命的重大实践问题。在共产党历史上，对于两者的关系，有的认识清晰却缺乏一贯性，有的认识模糊，有的认识片面、偏颇；而且，共产党的民主实践在发展民主具体形式方面也做得不够。民主是共产党历史使命的题中应有之义，民主是共产党的组织基础和活动原则，民主是共产党完成历史使命的形式。