Exploiting the common pool or looking to the future? A study of free-riding leading up to the 2007 municipal amalgamations in Denmark

ABSTRACT

Municipal amalgamations can create incentives for opportunistic behaviour. Several fairly recent studies have examined this on amalgamations in Denmark and Sweden using the so-called law of 1 over n. However, they have yielded inconclusive results and I argue that one plausible explanation is a theoretical deficiency in the law, as it does not account for how future political representation can mitigate the incentive to free-ride. I examine this using large-scale amalgamations in Denmark in 2007. This case is quite unique as the amalgamations were implemented in such a manner that they constitute a quasi-experiment, and because an extra fiscal year was added to the election period where the composition of the new councils was known with certainty, while the municipalities retained some decision-making power. The study’s findings are consistent with the argument that the incentive to free-ride depends on the decision makers’ future political stake in the new, amalgamated municipality.     

Money,candidates, and mayoral elections

In this paper, we extend a well-trod line of research from congressional and state-level elections—the electoral impact of campaign expenditures and candidate characteristics—to a relatively understudied context, urban mayoral elections. Using a sample of large U.S. cities, we provide evidence that mayoral elections are very similar to elections at other levels of office: there is a tremendous incumbency advantage, one that is overcome only with great effort; campaign spending is closely tied to incumbent vote share but it is challenger rather than incumbent spending that seems to drive outcomes; and challengers are hopelessly outspent. In addition, we find that the effect of local economic conditions on incumbent success is mediated by challenger spending and that incumbent candidates fare better in racially diverse settings.     

Rhetoric in municipal amalgamations: a comparative analysis

ABSTRACT

There is a large literature that seeks to evaluate municipal amalgamations ex post, but a relative dearth of scholarly inquiry into the practical political task of persuading the public to accept amalgamations ex ante. We address this important gap in the literature by conducting a rhetorical analysis to ascertain what types of arguments are believed to be efficacious for persuasion on amalgamation. We find evidence to suggest belief in the efficacy of persuading the public through recourse to various projected dreadful consequences, particularly amongst opponents of amalgamation. We conclude by considering some of the reasons behind the observed rhetorics and briefly outline one possible solution.     

区域立法与中央和地方立法关系的完善

我国区域立法应定位为介于中央与地方立法之间的又主要依托于地方立法的、涵盖社会生活各个方面的特殊立法形式。区域立法主要由主体、权限、程序和协调机制四个基本要素构成。以区域立法为视角观察，当前我国中央与地方立法关系存在许多问题，如中央立法过于集权却未形成足够的权威、地方立法权配置失衡以及中央与地方立法权运作缺乏完善的协调机制。区域立法对于调谐我国中央与地方立法关系有着特殊而重要的意义。     

黄杨宁注射液对实验性心肌缺血模型的保护作用

目的:观察黄杨宁注射液对大鼠注射脑垂体后叶素所致的急性心肌缺血模型、冠脉结扎引起犬急性心肌梗死模型的影响,证实其对心肌缺血的保护作用。方法:注射脑垂体后叶素诱导大鼠急性心肌缺血模型,冠状动脉结扎诱导犬心肌梗死模型,描记黄杨宁注射液用药后的心电图及测定心肌梗死范围。结果:黄杨宁注射液抑制垂体后叶素引起的大鼠心电图ST和T波抬高,各剂量组间呈现量效关系;可使冠脉结扎犬的急性心肌缺血的梗死区范围明显缩小。结论:黄杨宁注射液对心肌缺血模型动物具有保护作用。     

新时期公安派出所管理初探

公安派出所(警察署)要在新的历史时期更好地发挥基层基础优势和区域作战效能,必须改变那些静态型、表面型、低效型的管理方式,牢固确立服务保障、科技强警的意识,以素质提高促进效率提高,以机制改革推动管理规范,以优质工作确保满意效果,努力实现基础资料电脑化、治安防控动态化、执法活动规范化、队伍管理正规化。     

市郊结合部公安派出所警务运作机制改革浅析

当前市郊结合部地区公安派出所警务运作机制中存在一些问题,故此,必须改革警务运作机制,调整警力配备,完善作息制度;采用责任捆绑连带原则重新划分警务区;进一步完善考核机制;理顺外部环境,完善联动网络;提高民警综合素质.     

关于派出所规范化建设的实践与思考

派出所规范化建设具有基础性、合法性、责任性、适应性四个特点.其要素规范分静态型、动态型、程序型、器物型四类.派出所规范化建设的实施要做到全面理解、全面建设、全面深化、全警重视.     

东莞对东盟国家的经济外交

本文讨论了东莞与东盟国家的经贸关系以及东莞地方政府对东盟国家的经济外交。文章认为中国在改革开放的过程中,一些地方政府与外资逐渐形成一种新的跨境合作模式,而这种合作模式是否成功的关键则在于地方政府经济外交的能力。     

整体治理背景下的法国地方财政制度改革

法国政府在整体治理的大背景下,进行了地方财政制度改革。通过开源节流、强化对地方公共开支的控制,动态评估地方直接税(主要是地产税)的税基、使之更为客观真实反映土地价值,完整补偿取消职业税的代价、保障地方政府事权与财权相一致,限制在同一税基之上的税收重叠、明确各级地方政府的主体税种。法国地方财政制度改革从较为微观的地方税制调整入手,以宪法和法律为根本保障推动地方财政自治,同时进行地方政府组织结构和政府职能等综合配套改革。对法国地方财政制度改革的得失进行检讨和总结,对于完善我国地方财政制度,推进地方财政自主法制保障建设具有一定的借鉴和参考意义。