Tradable Permits for Common‐Pool Resources: An Assessment

Scholars often attribute deterioration in common‐pool resources (CPRs) to ill‐defined property rights and suggest privatization and tradable permit markets as a solution to the commons problem. CPRs are heterogeneous, differing in physical characteristics and use patterns. Regulating their use requires tailored policy solutions that cohere with these characteristics. This paper examines factors that contribute to a well‐performing tradable permit market. While the literature offers rich empirical analyses of individual tradable permit markets, it has not provided an analytical framework enabling comparative analysis of these markets. This paper develops and employs an analytical framework for comparing across markets. The comparative analysis of market performance suggests that markets are not successful in all environmental problems and all demand situations. Further, it shows that even some markets frequently cited as exemplary successes have been that for nonmarket‐related reasons. On the other hand, this comparative analysis identifies sources of success for markets that partial analytical frameworks would have predicted to fail.     

The economic significance of “insignificant” rules

We know relatively little about the economic effects of “insignificant” rules because they are not typically analyzed. Yet, these rules could be cumulatively important. We provide an economic analysis of one proposed rule to control hazardous air pollutants, which is not considered to be economically significant. This rule is of particular interest because it is one of the first in a long series of rules that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will consider for limiting hazardous air pollutant emissions. Our analysis suggests that the proposed controls that EPA has considered are not likely to pass a benefit–cost test. We recommend that an agency base its decision to allocate additional resources to benefit–cost analysis on the expected value of the improved information. In addition, agencies should consider applying a rule of thumb that would specify a threshold level of risk reduction that needs to be achieved before some kinds of regulation are considered.     

The Development of Competitive Industries: The Role of State Government Actors

Despite widespread adoption of Porter's Industrial Cluster Theory as a policy development framework by federal and state governments over the past decade, Australia remains significantly below the OECD average in terms of its industries' economic contributions to real wealth creation ( Brown 2000 ; OECD 1998 ). The major cause cited for this relatively poor performance has been inability of key government officials to implement effective industry policy that simultaneously avoids de facto protectionism and distortion of competition. This article provides an insight into the key policy decisions undertaken by the Tasmanian state government that coincided with development of an internationally successful shipbuilding industry in that state. As such, this article provides a reflection on policy initiatives that may be valuable for government officials elsewhere.     

Sustainable governance of natural resources and institutional change–an analytical framework

This article presents a conceptual framework for analysing the governance of natural resource use, as governance is often the primary issue when natural resources are overexploited and degraded. It addresses both spontaneous and active governance, including institutional change induced by development co‐operation. Drawing on existing frameworks of institutional analysis, fundamental modifications are presented to adapt the concept to the context of international co‐operation, and to include dynamic aspects of institutional change as well as multiple actor interactions. Tested in several case studies, the framework was found suitable and relevant for use in project planning and evaluation, as well as for comparing governance issues across cases in a conceptually rigorous way. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

谈谈国家行政机关公文新增文种--"意见"

随着我国政治、经济、文化等领域的发展,意见这种公文使用的频率越来越高,为适应这种新形势的发展需要,2000年8月24日国务院颁布了<国家行政机关公文处理办法>,把意见确定为正式公文.意见是对重要问题提出见解和处理办法的公文,具有指导性、针对性、建议性、原则性等特点.按行文方向,意见分为上行意见、下行意见、平行意见;按性质划分,则分为规划性意见、实施性意见、工作性意见.意见的正文包括首部、正文等部分.     

建立"中国-东盟文化产业合作区"的战略构想

在中国—东盟自由贸易区的基础上,构建“中国-东盟文化产业合作区”,可以实现这一区域内文化产品的交流、贸易与服务,促进文化产业的发展,保护文化多样性,共同维护这一区域的文化安全,抵御西方文化深层介入。这一合作区域的建立不仅是实施中国文化产业发展“走出去”战略的重要实践,更有助于中国文化产品和服务在东南亚市场的拓展。     

养老机构发展主要问题及对策研究——长沙市养老机构及入住老人的调查与思考

长沙市人口老龄化已进入增长期,正呈现老年人口向高龄化发展的趋势,城市养老机构是必不可少的社会养老设施。文中通过调查,对入住老人需求、养老机构的现状和存在问题进行了分析,提出了养老机构发展的对策和建议。     

试论邓小平对马克思、恩格斯“卡夫丁峡谷”思想的继承和发展

本文在简要阐述马克思、思格斯关于资本主义卡夫丁峡谷思想的基本内容的基础上,论述了邓小平关于社会主义初级阶段理论、发展生产力理论、一、何吸收和利用资本主义的先进成果及对外开放理论等,是对马克思、恩格斯的关于资本主义制度卡夫丁峡谷思想的继承和发展。     

Intersectoral differences in public affairs: the duty of public reporting in public administration

Public reporting is a requirement for public affairs practitioners in public administration because of the democratic context in which government operates. By reporting to the public‐at‐large on agency activities, government agencies contributed to an informed citizenry, the essential foundation of a democracy. For public affairs in business administration and non‐profit administration, public reporting is desirable rather than mandatory. Public reporting was traditionally accomplished indirectly, through news media coverage of government. However, recent research suggests a diminution of interest by the media in fulfilling its role as an instrument of democracy. This means that the public reporting obligation of public affairs professionals in public administration needs to shift to direct reporting, through such products as annual reports, newsletters, TV programmes, Internet websites etc. Copyright © 2002 Henry Stewart Publications.