Public Financial Management Reform in South African Provincial Basic Education Departments

Since the transition to democracy in 1994, the South African government has engaged in a sustained programme of public financial management (PFM) reform across the national, provincial and local spheres of government. This study evaluates the progress of the nine provincial education departments (PEDs) in implementing the Public Finance Management Act of 1999 and explores the factors that facilitated or impeded reform. A PFM progress (PFMP) index is constructed to track each PED's performance from 1997/1998 to 2013/2014 and then used to benchmark its progress over time and relative to the education sector as a whole. The indicators comprising the PFMP index assess key PFM functions (budgeting, accounting, financial auditing and audits of performance information), financial leadership and the effectiveness of governance institutions such as audit committees. While there has been considerable progress in PFM, distinct differences in the quality and effectiveness of PFM practices across the nine PEDs remain. Stable top administrative leadership, availability of PFM skills, varying degrees of accountability and departmental capacity to establish PFM systems that conform to new accounting standards drive variances in reform outcomes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

新苏南模式：若干认识与思考

新苏南模式由原苏南模式演变而来。苏南模式创造了苏南历史上的辉煌,新苏南模式创造了苏南历史上的更大辉煌。如果说苏南总体小康目标比全国提前数年实现得益于苏南模式的诞生和演进,苏南全面小康目标比全国提前十数年实现得益于新苏南模式的创立和形成,那么,苏南更高水平全面小康和基本现代化建设目标的率先实现,则将得益于新苏南模式的进一步发展与完善。新苏南模式之"魂"对于省内和国内其他地区的发展有着普遍的指导意义,并有着不以人们的主观意志为转移的潜移默化的积极影响。     

Having yes,using no? About the new legal regime for biometric data

The rise of biometric data use in personal consumer objects and governmental (surveillance) applications is irreversible. This article analyses the latest attempt by the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and the Directive (EU) 2016/680 to regulate biometric data use in the European Union. We argue that the new Regulation fails to provide clear rules and protection which is much needed out of respect of fundamental rights and freedoms by making an artificial distinction between various categories of biometric data. This distinction neglects the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and serves the interests of large (governmental) databases. While we support regulating the use and the general prohibition in the GDPR of using biometric data for identification, we regret this limited subjective and use based approach. We argue that the collection, storage and retention of biometric images in databases should be tackled (objective approach). We further argue that based on the distinctions made in the GDPR, several categories of personal data relating to physical, physiological or behavioural characteristics are made to which different regimes apply. Member States are left to adopt or modify their more specific national rules which are eagerly awaited. We contend that the complex legal framework risks posing headaches to bona fide companies deploying biometric data for multifactor authentication and that the new legal regime is not reaching its goal of finding a balance between the free movement of such data and protecting citizens. Law enforcement authorities also need clear guidance. It is questioned whether Directive (EU) 2016/680 provides this.     

“Harden Up and Face Reality:” Exploring Underlying Bullying Beliefs in New Zealand

A growing body of research illustrating the detrimental consequences of bullying has led to many antibullying interventions being developed. Despite good intentions, evidence suggests that such programs vary considerably in their efficacy. The current study examines the social discourse around bullying in the New Zealand environment in order to see whether underlying beliefs may undermine or influence approaches to mitigate bullying. The study employed an exploratory, qualitative approach of social discourses in the media. Using 31 online media articles, and 501 related online comments, methods of applied thematic analysis revealed three main themes which captured the beliefs that (a) victims of bullying are weak, (b) perpetrators of bullying are evil, and (c) bullying is a normal and, in some ways, acceptable behavior. Such findings illustrate the role that societal beliefs play in shaping the environment in which bullying occurs, and have important implications for future bullying research and interventions.     

以价值体系的重构支撑民族复兴

社会转型的推进和改革、发展的深入,从多方面凸现了价值体系重构的重要性和紧迫性,并从历史“纵座标”、世界“横座标”、核心层次、结构和功能层次等四个方面昭示其方向和实质。在价值体系重构中只有坚持解放思想、实事求是、与时俱进等四项原则,以系统辩证的方法建构起新集体主义价值体系,才能支撑起发展兴盛的民族大厦,为人类共同的“价值世界”增添辉煌而丰厚的财富。     

新公共管理模式的内涵和启示

新公共管理是在西方国家伴随着政府改革运动出现的一种管理模式。新公共管理理论认为,良好的管理可以通过引进私营部门的良好商业实践在公共部门中实现。该理论对于我国的行政改革具有重要的借鉴价值,然而我国面临的问题与西方国家不同,必须立足中国现实借鉴其有益经验。     

BOT方式在中国的实践之法律论证分析──上海市大场自来水处理厂BOT项目之案例分析

BOT方式在中国渐趋兴起,上海市大场自来水处理厂BOT项目作为一个BOT方式在中国成功运作的典范,具有不同于传统建设或投融资方式的法律关系及法律特征。     

论我国新型城市形态建设中的政府职能要素

根据社会系统学理论,城市政府职能是新型城市形态的主要构成要素之一,对于新型城市形态的建设有着重要意义。其中,中央集权制的国家权力分配方式决定了城市政府职能必须关注中央与地方的关系,城市化的趋势要求城市政府职能持续关注城乡关系,区域一体化的发展趋势又要求城市政府职能必须关注本城市与周边地区的关系。城市政府职能通过对这三个层面上的问题分析并最终建立起相应的协调机制来支撑新型城市形态的建设。     

习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想在大众文化中的话语转化与现实意义

作为一种话语,习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想在话语生成、话语维度、话语范式、话语性质上独具一格,它在大众文化中的转化有着充分的逻辑理据.这种转化可以从三个层面加以分析.一是话语主体的转化,即由单一性的话语主体转向多样性的话语主体,其实质是话语实践和社会实践的形成过程.二是话语内容的转化,把话语意义转化为形象化的话语符...     

从历史到影视艺术——多维视角下的新《三国》解读

针对不少观众提出的新《三国》严重偏离史实的说法,其实从史学观点出发,电视剧新《三国》还是比较尊重历史的,表现在：它忠实地＂填补＂了历史空白;不能被完全还原的三国历史是不断人为地修饰的,新《三国》的改编无可厚非;新兴学科影视史学也不能为《三国》作历史学立论。从影视艺术上讲,新《三国》的创作思路、角色塑造和故事情节安排上是比较成功的。所以说《三国》是艺术的三国,而不是历史的三国。