China in Pacific Regional Politics

Abstract

Foreign aid from China to the island countries of the Pacific has grown rapidly over the last few decades and an expanding body of literature has examined various aspects of what this means for politics in the region generally. This article focuses on China’s impact on Pacific regional politics partly from the perspective of identity politics. It suggests that China has substantially increased its engagement with the Pacific island states by making use of its own identity as a South–South development partner in contrast to traditional (mainly Western) donors in the region. Unlike most traditional donors, however, China’s diplomacy and engagement are based largely on bilateralism, and this is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. This approach could continue to limit its impact on Pacific regionalism, regardless of how it projects its image.     

Elite interests and political participation in Botswana, 1966–2014

ABSTRACT

Botswana’s tiny economy is overwhelmingly government-driven and political participation, particularly on the side of the ruling party, is critical for one’s economic survival and prosperity. This has led to enduring intrigue and conflict among the country’s political power elite. Opposition party activists traditionally have embraced leftist policies and claimed to be representing the country’s poor and downtrodden while castigating the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (in power since 1966) of being pro-rich and politically connected business. Ironically, some members of the opposition elite also engage in business ventures with their ruling party counterparts. The scramble for economic opportunities has fuelled debilitating factionalism within both the ruling and opposition parties over the years. In some instances tribalism was mobilised in intra- and inter-party elections for positions of influence even though voters are more interested in service delivery than traditional ethnic issues. Our paper considers the question: ‘Whose interests do Botswana’s politicians represent?’     

新加坡集选区制度初探

集选区制度是新加坡国会大选的独创。1988年新加坡国会大选实行集选区制度与单选区制度并行,这对新加坡整个政治生态产生了重大影响。国内新加坡研究涉及集选区制度的著述甚少,基本未对集选区制度予以系统阐述与分析。本文比较全面地介绍新加坡集选区制度的产生与实践的过程,并围绕新加坡集选区制度的核心争议,即代表性问题和程序公正性问题进行分析。本文认为反对党虽有突破,但选举程序设计对反对党仍然是极大的障碍,由于目前反对党积极性迅速提高,使人民行动党面临极大挑战,因此自主革新的可能性是存在的。     

论幸福与教育目的

教育作为人类的一项伟大事业,其目的与幸福紧密相连。但两者并不等同,幸福不是也不应是教育目的。幸福需要教育,教育目的的实现是实现幸福的重要条件;教育关注幸福,以幸福为指标衡量其目的的实现,但教育并不刻意追求幸福。     

政府危机管理中的公民有序参与研究

公民有序参与政府危机管理,有利于提高公民危机应对能力、降低危机管理成本。目前我国政府危机管理中的公民有序参与处于较低水平,面临着观念、法制、能力、组织等诸多方面的障碍。因此,要通过转变观念、完善法律法规、建立健全信息公开制度等途径,扩大和规范公民有序参与的行为。     

论网络教学中教师角色的体现

网络教学的发展并不意味着教师角色将淡出历史的舞台。教师作为公共知识的传播者、学习兴趣的激发者、学习态度的培养者、知识价值的赋予者,在教育中具有不可替代的作用。研究如何利用网络技术充分地发挥教师传统的传道授业解惑的角色作用,应该是未来网络教育发展的方向。     

民事撤诉制度之比较研究

撤诉是民事诉讼中极为重要的一项诉讼活动 ,是人民法院审结案件的一种方式 ,也是当事人处分自己权利的有效手段 ,在民事诉讼中占有重要地位。本文拟就我国民事诉讼撤诉制度与大陆法系主要国家民事诉讼撤诉制度作一简单比较 ,以取长补短 ,不断完善我国的撤诉制度。     

城市社区管理中的居民参与

居民参与在我国城市社区管理中发挥着重要作用,它有助于推动我国的民主化进程,有助于解决政府管理危机,有助于确保公共政策的有效运行。当前,我国城市社区管理中居民参与已经取得了一定的成效,但还存在参与广度与深度有限、参与发展不平衡、参与渠道不畅等问题。完善城市社区管理中的居民参与可以从三方面进行：一是大力培养和增强社区居民的参与意识;二是进一步健全与完善社区居民参与的组织体系;三是在法律中明确社区居民的参与权利与参与程序。     

保障当事人诉讼权利的基本课题

在司法文明指数报告中,考察当事人诉讼权利的基本思路,包括设计二级指标和测试题目两方面内容。通过分析指数报告,可以发现当事人诉讼权利的保障情况总体不佳。保障当事人诉讼权利,应当强调发挥法院的作用;而未来改革的基本课题,包括如何防止权力主体滥用自由裁量权,以及如何为权力主体依法行使职权提供必要的外部保障。     

Are Public-Led Arts Incubating Programs a Double-Edged Sword? A Case Study of the Arts Council Korea’s Performing Arts Grant Program

A nation’s cultural policy is derived from its political and governance history, and its past practices. Taking the genealogical traits of South Korean cultural policies into account, the authors examine the contributions and risks of a public-led arts incubator program. One of the Arts Council Korea’s grant programs in the arts-incubating structure was involved with a public funding scandal of political intervention during the grant review process. Consequently, questions were raised about the current bureaucratic system for cultural policy. This article discusses the legitimacy of state intervention in the arts, and analyzes the case with relevant collected documents and interviews.