Influence of Voter Demographics and Newspaper in Shaping Political Party Choice in India: An Empirical Investigation

Choice of political party is an important decision a citizen faces in a democracy. In recent times, as democracies in many countries have matured, a number of studies are focusing on party and candidate choice and their various determinants. India, being the largest democracy, provides a fertile ground for such research. Accordingly, in this paper we concentrate on demographic characteristics, newspaper-reading habits of voters, and their political choice. To study this we have considered a very unique data set collected just before the watershed elections in the state of West Bengal in India, where the ruling Communist coalition was defeated after thirty-four years of power in the state. The survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire to collect information on demographic characteristics of voters and their political choice. The respondents were asked to indicate their party choice from among the three major political parties. As the literature shows that gender, age, education, income levels, marital status, occupational status, and choice of newspaper have significant impact on political choice, we have considered these as predictor variables for our study. From our study it is seen that among the demographic determinants, gender, marital status, and income of the respondents do not influence the choice of political party in our sample. However, occupation and newspaper choice of voters have significant impact on political party choice in our sample. In addition, we have observed that certain categories of age of voters significantly influence decision making of voters along with occupation and newspaper choice categories.     

Using self-prophecy to combat vote overreporting on public opinion surveys

Survey researchers have long struggled with respondents who, due to the pressure to adhere to socially desirable norms, erroneously claim to have voted in a previous election. In this paper, we develop a new approach to reducing the overreporting of voting in surveys by leveraging psychological theories that show people have a tendency to follow through on an action once they have predicted their behavior (e.g. Sherman, 1980). Using a survey experiment through the 2014 Cooperative Congressional Election Study, we find that an overwhelming majority of respondents will agree to take an honesty pledge regarding their future vote report. Having pledged their honesty, they then overreport their vote at far lower rates than other survey participants. The observed effects are additive, since previously developed methods of reducing overreporting were present across all conditions. These findings have important implications for studies endeavoring to understand voting behavior and social desirability pressures.     

非社会性行为：儿童社会化研究的新视角

儿童社会化中的行为与发展研究范畴,大多局限于儿童的亲社会行为和反社会行为,而忽略了对非社会性行为的研究。非社会性行为,是儿童社会化发展中的重要范畴。典型的非社会性行为主要表现为内向性行为和逃避性行为。虽然它们会随年龄增长而消失,但它们潜隐着问题障碍乃至反社会危机。为此,要充分认识儿童期行为发展的重要性,及时识别与诊断儿童早期行为发展,激活儿童内在的成长机制,尊重与信任儿童的自我建构性发展。要善于挖掘儿童潜能,帮助儿童增添成功体验,让他们发现并创造自己的有价值的生活。     

实然与应然——法律伦理之可能

法律伦理及法律伦理学是否可能取决于从法律伦理行为事实能否推导出法律伦理行为应该。然而,单纯从行为事实是推不出行为应该的,只有通过法律目的判断以及法律伦理行为事实和法律目的之关系判断才能从法律伦理行为事实如何推导出法律伦理行为应该如何。法律伦理行为之应该经由人们的实践活动可以变为现实,其具体保障在于法律伦理良心、法律伦理名誉及底线法律伦理的法律化。     

论对偷逃过路费行为的预防及法律规制

偷逃过路费行为给高速公路带来巨大损失。通过严格恪守有关公路方面的法律法规、强化公务人员和工作人员依法办事的法律意识、总结惩治偷逃过路通行费经验、建立部门长效联动治逃机制、完善相应的科技手段等措施能够预防偷逃过路费行为的发生。通过行政处罚可以制约伪造标志、证件或者冒用绿通车骗逃行为、强行闯岗(跳车)逃费行为;通过行政处分规制公路收费站工作人员私放车辆行为。行政处罚与行政强制只能由特定的行政机关执行。     

浅论违警罪的概念及其处罚

违警罪既有法律之义又有其犯罪学之义。我国法律研究和法律实践中与违警罪联系最紧密的概念是治安违法行为。虽然违法行为相同,但许多国家对其定性和处罚程序都有所差别。这些差别无不与本国的政治体制、司法体制、行政体制密不可分。随着司法国际化的发展,这种区别也将会在各国间相互影响。     

中国传统官德对当代反腐倡廉的启示

中国传统官德养成于几千年的封建传统文化,受历史、阶级的局限,其中有精华,也有糟粕。从精华方面来看,主要有担当精神、敬业态度、公仆观念、自律意识等;从糟粕方面来看,主要有愚忠、愚民、牧民、制民等思想。当代有中国特色的反腐倡廉道路建设,应该对传统的官德有所甄别和扬弃,继承和发扬其精华,树立"以人为本,执政为民"的当代新官德,从而从源头上遏制腐败,营造风清气正的吏治环境。     

论国家级考试舞弊行为的刑法规制

根据我国现行刑法的规定,对在国家级考试中实施舞弊行为情节严重的,可处以非法获取国家秘密罪或招收学生徇私舞弊罪等罪名。但对于为舞弊者提供协助行为情节严重的,现行刑法却无力惩处,并且对教师帮助学生实施舞弊行为适用招收学生徇私舞弊罪处罚也有违罪刑法定原则。为弥补刑事法律在规制国家级考试舞弊行为上的不足,必须在刑法中增设＂协助国家级考试舞弊罪＂,以有效地遏制考试舞弊盛行之风。     

北京高校科技道德素养教育的现状及对策研究

以12所北京高校作为样本,调查发现学生在对科技道德素养教育的的必要性、教育者角色、教育内容、途径、方式等方面有着不同的看法,并存在一定问题。要针对性地加强高校科技道德素养教育,需要确立兼具稳定性和开放性的教育内容体系,挖掘新颖的教育方式,重视榜样示范作用,并对不同专业和年级的教育对象有所区别。