Democracy,Subsidiarity, and Citizenship in the ‘European Commonwealth’

Is there a ‘constitutional moment’in contemporary Europe? What if anything is the constitution of theEuropean Union; what kind of polity is the Union? The suggestionoffered is that there is a legally constituted order, and that asuitable term to apply to it is a‘commonwealth’, comprising a commonwealthof ‘post-sovereign’ states. Is it a democraticcommonwealth, and can it be? Is there sufficiently ademos or ‘people’ for democracy to be possible?If not democratic, what is it? Monarchy, oligarchy, ordemocracy, or a ‘mixed constitution’? Argued: thereis a mixed constitution containing a reasonableelement of democratic rule. The value of democracy isthen explored in terms of individualistic versusholistic evaluation and instrumental versus intrinsicvalue. Subsidiarity can be considered in a similarlight, suggestively in terms of forms of democracyappropriate to different levels of self-government.The conclusion is that there is no absolute democraticdeficit in the European commonwealth.

     

Economics and Law of Works of Art in the Single European Market

This paper is concerned with the economic analysis of the European rules on the circulation of works of art. After reviewing the relevant literature, an economic framework of the international circulation of works of art is provided (social goals, efficiency and distributive aspects, an economic rationale for a general free trade rule integrated by selective protectionism). Using this framework the European system of circulation of works of art—resulting from the combination of the Maastricht Treaty with Regulation 3911/92 and Directive 93/7—is analysed. The main results of the analysis are: 1) the general free trade principle ruling the Single European Market is strongly limited by rules protecting national artistic heritages of member states; 2) this protectionism—working towards countries both outside and inside the European Union—is applied according to the national laws of each member state, while, contrary to what the Maastricht Treaty would call for, an artistic heritage of European significance is not defined and no autonomous role is recognized in this field to European Institutions; 3) this system shows some inconsistencies with economic theory, as strict limits to trade are not provided when they should be required by the preservation of the physical or artistic integrity of works of art, while in other cases an unduly restrained trade may derive from highly protectionist national laws and export-licencing policies of member states. Enforcement provisions are also analysed and some proposals to improve the system are advanced.     

Jurisprudential Dilemmas of European Law

Making a first sketch of philosophical issues arising fromEuropean Community law I want to present a series ofmore or less obvious, and more or less interrelated dilemmas,or even double binds.(i) Deepening the community becomes incompatible withwidening membership. (ii) National states seem bothnecessary for and obstructive in articulating transnationalproblems. (iii) The more democracy is needed as a warrantfor the public exercise of political power in Europe, themore the very concept of democracy on a European scaleevades understanding. (iv) European unity presupposes aunifying rule of law, while member states have radicallydifferent conceptions of this principle. (v) Even the verycore of European integration, the common market, is subjectto two conflicting and, indeed, incompatible doctrines ofcompetition. In explaining the nature of each dilemma I willtry to take my cue from the Maastricht Treaty wherever thisseems suitable. Then I will elaborate on the jurisprudentialproblems involved in it. Finally, each section will be closedby an attempt to state the nature of these problems inphilosophical terms.     

Gender Differences in Self-Perceptions and Academic Outcomes: A Study of African American High School Students

There is increasing divergence in the academic outcomes of African American males and females. By most accounts, males are falling behind their female peers educationally as African American females are graduating from high schools at higher rates and are going on to college and graduate school in greater numbers. Some have suggested that school completion and performance is associated with how students feel about themselves. The purpose of this study was to explore gender differences in the relationship between self-perceptions and 2 academic outcomes among a sample of 243 African American high school sophomores. The results suggest that, overall, females are more favorably oriented toward high school completion. Both male and female students with more positive self-perceptions have stronger intentions to complete the current year of high school. Higher grade point averages were more strongly associated with greater self-efficacy for females than for males. Given these findings, increased attention to educational programming, societal messages, and future research is warranted.     

共青团服务青年就业和再就业工作思考

十六大报告指出 :“就业是民生之本。”贯彻十六大精神 ,搞好青年就业和再就业工作 ,共青团组织责无旁贷。共青团应引导青年树立正确的就业观念 ,提升青年的“可就业指数” ,对青年进行创业辅导 ,开展青年就业中介服务 ,帮助青年进行职业生涯设计 ,开创青年就业和再就业工作新局面。     

论战略机遇期青年的历史使命

2 1世纪头 2 0年 ,对我国来说是一个重要的战略机遇期 ,对于成长中的青年一代来说 ,则是一个难得的历史机遇期 ,全面建设小康社会的历史使命 ,落在了当代青年的肩上。新的时代 ,新的使命 ,必将对当代青年提出新的要求。     

共青团与时俱进的理论方向——学习江泽民同志"在纪念中国共青团成立80周年大会"上的讲话

江泽民同志2002年5月15日在纪念中国共青团成立80周年大会上的讲话,为新世纪共青团与时俱进从理论上指明了方向。讲话进一步明确了新世纪共青团肩负的历史使命,丰富了马克思主义青年观,确定了新世纪团结教育引导青年的基本原则,增强了全团的光荣感和责任心,明确了继续前进的方向。     

中国社会主义青年团的创建及其历史贡献--记河北早期共青团工作的发展

20世纪20年代,河北以保定、唐山两地为中心建立了共青团组织,壮大了全国社会主义青年团的力量,促进了河北青年运动的蓬勃兴起,为河北党团组织的建立做了大量工作,在河北革命斗争史上有着特别重要的意义,在中国青年运动史上也具有突出的地位。     

抗联精神与青少年思想道德教育

中国共产党创建和领导的东北抗日联军,在长达14年的抗战中,创造出以强烈的爱国主义精神、顽强的艰苦奋斗精神、坚定的团结御侮精神为主要内容的东北抗联精神。这种精神不仅在民族危亡时期激励着中国人保卫家乡、保卫和平,在全面建设小康社会中,仍然有巨大的作用,也是新世纪加强青少年思想教育的重要教材。     

服务青年：高校共青团工作的着力点

社会主义市场经济体制的确立和改革开放的逐步深入,对高校共青团工作的职责提出新课题;高校学生的思想状况、成才需要要求高校团组织调整工作思路、完善工作范畴;了解青年学生的需要和所想,适时地做好服务工作,是新时期高校共青团工作的重点和着力点;积极开展“大学生素质拓展”、“青春创业行动”和“青年维权行动”是当前高校共青团组织服务青年的重要举措和重要内容。