From New Labour to New Conservatism: the changing dynamics of citizenship as self-government

This article examines the shift in discourses of citizenship from Britain from notions of entitlement and obligation to those of self-government, and the reciprocity between the responsibilisation of individual and collective citizen-subjectivities. Against the backdrop of debates about society as the telos of government, this article will interrogate the claim that New Conservatism's ‘Big Society’ represents a unique rationality of government and an alternative formula of advanced liberal rule. By doing so, the article will extend our understanding of ‘post-welfare regimes of the social’ and illustrate precisely how they operate in contemporary Britain.     

Involvement in voluntary associations in North America and Western Europe: Trends and correlates 1981–2000

Abstract

There is no lack of studies that point at discomforting trends in community life and citizens' social and political involvement in contemporary society. According to various indicators, Americans have become increasingly disconnected from their families, friends, neighbours and associations, leading to a decline of civic community and social trust and to more individual unhappiness. Similar developments are supposed to take place elsewhere. In this article we use data from the European and World Values Studies to address, for North America and Western Europe, (1) trends regarding voluntary associations, social trust, political involvement and happiness in the 1981–2000 period; (2) changing patterns and types of involvement in associations; and (3) macro and micro relationships between this involvement and political involvement, social trust and happiness. We find no general decline in these traits, no trend towards more passive membership, and only mixed evidence for positive connections between involvement, trust and happiness.     

Taking Part at Sea China's first involvement in RIMPAC presents a positive message of Sino-U.S. military cooperation

正China sent a fleet to the Rim Pacific Exercise(RIMPAC)in June,marking the country’s first involvement in the world’s biggest marine military drill,headed by the United States.The drill has provided an opportunity for Beijing and Washington to enhance their military communication and mutual trust.     

加强“官德“建设的思考

加强"官德"建设是实践公民基本道德规范和以德治国方略的核心,是人民群众关注的焦点和热点问题.面对新形势、新任务,我们应认真分析当前我国"官德"建设中存在的主要问题及其表现,找出其原因,进而针对性地寻求加强"官德"建设的良好途径.     

以科学的发展观构建转型期公民社会价值观

中国公民社会价值观念现代化的正确方向是,通过有效的整合,将科学的发展观的内涵注入未来公民社会价值观念之中,确立一种以主导价值观为核心的相对稳定的价值体系。这个价值观体系强调以个体自主为前提的群体价值观,以经济价值为本位价值,发挥社会政策的调控作用,优化价值调控主体,使社会的各个部分都能均衡发展。     

遏制腐败的新思维——我国市民社会的发展与反腐败

腐败现象是全世界公认的难以根除的人类文明的弊病之一。它虽不能说是“古已有之,于今为烈”,但其产生历史之悠久,社会危害之严重,抑制禁绝之艰难,却是不容置疑的事实。目前各个国家都在积极地运用各种手段、各种力量来遏制腐败,其中市民社会的发展在反腐败中起着非常重要的作用。中国的市民社会虽然还没有完全建立并且不够成熟、完善,但在党和政府领导下的反腐败斗争中已经发挥出相当大作用。     

和谐模式：社会转型期公民政治参与的目标选择

从目前我国公民政治参与所依存的社会环境及公民政治参与的状况分析，我国还没有形成一种理性的、成熟的公民政治参与模式，而良性的公民政治参与模式是社会主义民主政治发展的推动器。因此，我们要努力构建和谐的公民政治参与模式。     

现代性场景与当代中国公民成长

当代人的发展外源性力量来自于现代性场景的特殊效应,即共时性挤压。在共时性挤压背景下,当前中国公民成长主要集中在公民意识的觉醒和公民教育的提供两个方面。对公民意识的觉醒来说,一则公民主体意识增强而又有所不足,一则公民诉求意识凸显而又不乏缺憾,这意味着公民意识的养成还需要外在力量的推助,这就是公民教育问题。在当前,国家既要树立公民教育的新理念,同时又要立足公民资格、公民认同以及公民能力三个基本主题,展开公民教育的实践。     

公民参与下的民主行政

公民参与下的民主行政是公共行政和民主政治发展的必然趋势。公民直接参与公共政策的制定及公共管理 ,是公共行政的公共精神与公民民主权利的具体体现。代议制民主向直接民主、威权行政向民主行政发展 ,为公民参与奠定了理论基础 ,并提供了实现的路径。     

论公民及其素质

公民在我国的形成较晚。在长期的封建统治下,由于家国同构,“民”并没有产生明确的国家意识,改革开放带来了经济、政治的革新,真正意义的公民的出现才有了可能。这样的公民是建立在正确理解的国家关系和恰当参与的公民互动基础上的。公民是培养出来的,对公民素质的要求就成为新时期精神文明建设的主要目标。只有塑造出合格、理性的公民,才能有民主、文明的社会主义法制和道德风尚。