The Problematic Relation between Direct Democracy and Accountability in Latin America: Evidence from the Bolivian Case

During the wave of constitutional reforms, which started in the late 1980s, Institutions of Direct Democracy (IDD) have been incorporated into most Latin American constitutions, and over the past fifteen years, an increased use of these instruments by Latin American governments has been observed. This article deals with two questions related to this phenomenon: (1) what motivated the adoption and use of these institutions; and (2) what consequences can be expected with regard to democratic accountability in the region? To answer these questions, first, a classification of IDD is developed. In this, special attention is paid to the ability of the various types of IDD to introduce accountability into the representative structures of presidential systems. This classification is subsequently applied to analyse constitutional frameworks and direct democratic experience in the region. The findings suggest that the rise of IDD in Latin America was mainly induced by executive‐legislative conflict and has done little to foster accountability. Finally, therefore, a detailed account of the specific constellation that led to the adoption of IDD in Bolivia is analysed in order to illustrate under which circumstances political actors choose to adopt and employ these tools.     

Detection of Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid in Various Drink Matrices via AccuTOF-DART*

Abstract: A new screening method for detecting gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in drink matrices, using the IonSense, Inc. (Saugus, MA) direct analysis in real time (DART) ion source coupled to a JEOL exact mass time-of-flight mass spectrometer (AccuTOF), was validated and compared with the current screening methodology. The DART ion source allows for analysis of samples under ambient conditions with little to no sample preparation. Fifty drink specimens were spiked at levels of 1, 2, 3, and 4 mg/mL GHB, and analyzed on the AccuTOF-DART. Positive detection of GHB occurred for each of the samples at each concentration level, giving 100% accuracy for the samples tested. Twenty-five of the 50 drink specimens were spiked at 1 mg/mL GHB and tested using a color test known as the GHB Color Test #3. Only two of these 25 specimens tested positive for the presence of GHB, giving only 8% accuracy. Implementation of this new methodology as a screening tool for GHB analysis will quickly eliminate negative specimens allowing the examiner to focus analysis time on those that screened positive.     

证人出庭作证及相关问题研究

诉讼的直接言词原则要求证人应出庭作证,但现行立法的缺失及配套规范的缺乏,证人出庭成为一大难题.我国应当完善对证人出庭的有关立法,建立限定证人出庭作证的例外规则、证人宣誓制度、询问证人规则等.     

口头辩论审理样式分析——以程序效率为视角

口头辩论原本是一种审理程序构造，是对书面主义下书面审理制诉讼程序的反动。在程序构造上，口头辩论审理样式表现为一系列以当事人之间口头诉答和法官听取为内容的口头辩论期日。通过口头方式使口头辩论本身蕴含的诸原则得以贯彻落实，并成为其有序高效运营的机理。以口头辩论审理样式为鉴，我国民事诉讼审理程序应从形式到内容贯彻落实口头审理样式蕴含的诸原则，以便使我国的民事审理程序既具口头辩论审理样式的外衣，也具其有序、高效的程序内涵。     

保赔协会法律地位研究

综合运用民商法学、海上保险法学、国际法学等学科知识和基础理论,结合经典案例,通过考察英美法系国家海上保险立法和实践,对保赔协会的法律地位进行分析,并在此基础上,对中国船东互保协会法律地位的立法完善提出建议。     

The Development of EU-Russian Relations

The EU＇s strategy for Russia since the end of the cold war has to a large extent failed, and the direct consequences are the currently deadlocked EU-Russia relationship. There are three reasons for this： the EU and Russia＇s respective strength and status relative to each other have been changing since the beginning of this century; the EU＇s strategy towards Russia has been more fragmenting in recently years; and the American factor. The EU-Russia relations could continue to be in poor shape in the years to come, and it is very likely sometimes even further worsening. But the two sides would refrain from extreme measures and prevent their relations from sliding into real cold war.     

德国刑事司法实践中证人拒绝作证的新发展——从两个案例出发

中国学界近年一直激烈讨论外国法中的＂非法证据排除制度＂,其中包括德国刑事诉讼法中的证据禁止制度。对于德国刑事诉讼法第55条规定的＂不得自证其罪原则＂和第52条至第54条规定的＂拒绝作证权＂的讨论尤为激烈,纷纷主张在中国建立相应的刑事诉讼制度规范,以保障犯罪嫌疑人、被告人和证人的权益。德国法判例表明,违背＂不得自证其罪原则＂将导致德国法上的证据使用禁止。另外,德国法庭审判强调直接审理原则,其中调查程序中的笔录不可以作为证据在法庭审判中宣读,甚至对于传闻证据——调查程序中进行审讯的警察和检察官——也不可以作为证人出庭作证。     

金融支持战略性新兴产业发展的现状及途径探索

金融作为现代经济发展的核心,在战略性新兴产业的培育、发展与升级过程中起着基础性的核心支持作用。发达的金融体系和良好的金融环境是战略性新兴产业快速成长的重要保障。该文认为,大力发展战略性新兴产业,必须有效破解融资困境,实现战略性新兴产业与金融发展的良性互动,并建立和完善战略性新兴产业发展的金融支持体系,加快战略性新兴产业与金融融合的步伐,施行必要的金融支持政策。     

"相对合理"的卷宗中心主义改革

刑事案件卷宗 ,是刑事诉讼赖以运作的基石。但对卷宗过度信任、依赖的卷宗中心主义 ,则对案件事实发现与人权保障造成危害 ,须予以清除。有关改革举措 ,应以相对合理主义为指导 ,走渐进的改革之路。     

违反安全保障义务侵权行为的赔偿责任探析

公共场所、宾馆、学校等从事经营活动或其他社会活动的人,违反安全保障义务而给消费者或其他社会大众造成人身、财产损失的行为,是一种不作为侵权行为,经营者必须对此后果承担赔偿责任。经营者承担赔偿责任必须符合一般侵权行为民事责任的构成要件。承担责任的形式可能是直接责任,也可能是补充责任。