Family strategy of economic inequality among brothers in Korean rural society, 1690–1795

This article examines how inequality among brothers was practised as a family strategy in Korean south-eastern rural society from the end of the seventeenth to the late eighteenth century as a response to local economic changes. The Wolchon area experienced a process of downward levelling in this period. Using the household registers and land registers, the authors reconstituted 58 families with brothers who held land and 406 families who possessed nobi (‘serfs’ or ‘slaves’) for further examination. As a family strategy, most of these families attempted a strategy of unequal inheritance that resulted in maintaining high economic status for only one of the children among all the brothers. This child, in most cases, would be the eldest son, but also could be another son. The degree of inequality among brothers with regard to nobi-holding declined over time. Most families successfully maintained inequality, and through this family status, by efficiently practising the unequal inheritance strategy, while some families failed to keep the same level of inequality by the end of the eighteenth century. The degree of inequality among brothers is intimately connected to family property size. Each family sought its own strategy to suit the actual economic condition of the family. While very wealthy families attempted to give a similar inheritance to all brothers to provide an equal chance to each of them, less wealthy families reduced the survival chances of some children by the concentration of property given to only one child.     

The foreign policy and diplomatic attributes of a developmental state: South Africa as case study

With South Africa having declared itself a developmental state, this paper posits that if a developmental state is one that drives development, then the foreign policy of such a state should pursue development as one of its most important goals. Similarly the diplomatic corps of such a state should prioritise economic, commercial, para- and public diplomacy as drivers of diplomacy. In answering the question, ‘What should be the foreign policy and diplomatic attributes of a developmental state?’, the authors, through an exploratory approach, seek to analyse how well the state has fared in achieving this objective. To be a successful developmental state, a strategic capacity should exist and a clear strategic conception of the state's national interest should be formulated. Old paradigms about the role and functions of the diplomatic corps are challenged and a meritocratic diplomatic corps is strongly advocated to support the state's declared developmental goals.     

Measuring the Ambivalence of Religion: Introducing the Religion and Conflict in Developing Countries (RCDC) Dataset

Despite ample anecdotal evidence, previous research on violent conflict has found little evidence that religion is an important factor in organized violence. Quantitative work in this area has been largely confined to the interreligious character of conflict and measures of religious diversity, and has strongly neglected the peace aspect of religion. The Religion and Conflict in Developing Countries (RCDC) dataset helps to fill this gap with innovative and fine-grained data for 130 developing countries between 1990 and 2010. RCDC includes four types of religious violence (assaults on religious targets, attacks by religious actors, clashes between religious communities, and clashes with the state). In addition, RCDC contains data on interreligious networks and peace initiatives. This article demonstrates the usefulness of RCDC by applying our data to a preliminary analysis. The results indicate that interreligious networks are a reaction to identity overlaps and previous interreligious conflict.     

Dealing with the Ambivalent Dragon: Can Engagement Moderate China’s Strategic Competition with America?

Can US engagement moderate China’s strategic competition with America? This study indicates that the answer is a qualified yes. Under unipolarity, a rising state may face both incentives to reach an accommodation with the hegemon and to expand its own stature and influence against the hegemonic dominance. The ambivalence of its intentions is structurally induced and reflects its uncertain stake in the hegemonic order. Consequently, a strategy of engagement may help the hegemon to promote cooperation over competition in dealing with an ascending power, but it does not necessarily eliminate the structural incentives for the competition. Against this theoretical backdrop, this study utilizes both qualitative and quantitative research to demonstrate that China’s reaction to American preeminence has long been marked by a profound ambivalence. Specifically, the findings suggest that while US engagement has some restraining impact on China’s competitive propensity, Beijing will continue to hedge against American hegemony, as its capabilities grow, by solidifying its diplomatic and strategic association with the developing world.     

行政诉讼司法建议制度的功能衍化

行政诉讼司法建议原本是一项裁判执行措施,但随着最高人民法院司法政策的变化,其发挥的事实功能被大大扩展。实践中,行政诉讼司法建议在规范性文件修改中发挥着功能性审查的作用。从社会变迁的视角观察不难发现,维稳压力、协调和解政策与地方发展型政府的模式变迁,诱发了对于行政诉讼司法建议的制度性需求,从而迫使司法建议成为行政诉讼工具箱中的重要工具。行政诉讼司法建议制度的功能衍化,为法社会学研究提供了一个极具价值的制度样本,亦为行政诉讼法的未来发展提供了背景材料。     

弘扬以爱国主义为核心的中华民族精神

在五千多年的发展中,中华民族形成了以爱国主义为核心的精神系统.爱国主义是中华民族精神的核心内容,它渗透在中华民族精神的各个方面:团结统一是爱国主义精神在国内的表现;爱好和平是爱国主义精神在国际上的表现;勤劳勇敢是爱国主义精神的实际行动;自强不息是爱国主义精神的不竭动力.中华民族精神的这几个层面相辅相成,共同服务于爱国兴...     

后苏联时期俄罗斯的国民心态

俄罗斯的复兴不仅体现在政治、经济、文化上的成就,还在于国民心态的进步.开放的、国际化的、健康的国民心态,有利于俄罗斯更好地成为一个真正的世界大国.俄罗斯现代化战略的基本原则之一就是国民心态的现代化.俄罗斯的国民心态必须要拥有广泛而深厚的历史和现实基础,具有鲜明的科学性、民族性、时代性、开放性.这样的国民心态才能更好地应对现代化的基本要求.     

浅析俄罗斯的东北亚战略

随着冷战的结束和苏联的解体,国际经济和政治格局发生了巨大的变化,进入了一个新的调整时期。尤其是20世纪90年代以来,经济区域化和全球化的发展趋势加快,东北亚区域的合作也随之发展。东北亚地区曾是冷战的前沿地区,目前又因其聚集了大国经济发展的潜力,而成为当前世界经济发展的一个热点地区。在这一国际经济、政治势力角逐的舞台上,俄罗斯无疑扮演着十分重要的角色。近年来,俄罗斯非常重视与亚太地区特别是东北亚地区的联系,并为此制定了一系列较完整的地区性战略,正是以这一战略为基础,俄罗斯从政治、经济、军事等方面在东北亚地区展开了积极的攻势。     

实施品牌战略提升竞争实力--以保险企业为例

在产品、服务日益同质化的时代,未来市场竞争就是品牌的较量。建立知名品牌,可以增加保险企业核心竞争力,占领更多的市场份额,使保险企业摆脱低价竞争,获取较大的经营利润,并有助于招揽优秀员工,提高雇员的忠诚度。面对国内外保险企业激烈的竞争,国内保险公司要想做大做强,提高自身的竞争实力,就必须加强诚信建设,进行产品和服务的创新,完善公司的管理体系,注重企业文化建设并能准确地进行市场定位,努力打造自己的优势品牌,提高企业的知名度和关誉度。     

中国社会诚信体系建设的问题与对策

当前中国诚信体系建设存在诸多问题,主要表现为失信频率高发化、失信主体多元化、失信手段多样化、失信后果严重化,对我国当前诚信体系建设构成了严重的挑战。这些问题主要是因为经济发展水平总体不高、改革开放的冲击和传统文化的式微、城市化进程的迅速推进和法制建设进程的明显滞后等造成的。要解决这些问题推进我国社会诚信体系建设,就要着力推进社会主义核心价值体系建设,弘扬国内外经典,丰富诚信理论;进一步提高惩戒力度,完善法制建设;不断加强组织建设,提高领导水平。