Coordinating intermediaries: The prospects and limitations of professional associations in decentralized regulation

A key question in understanding regulation through independent intermediaries is the extent to which intermediary actions are either coordinated, thereby supporting consistency in regulatory application, or uncoordinated, leading to monitoring and enforcement disparities. This paper examines professional associations as one mechanism by which policy action may be coordinated in decentralized arrangements. Professional associations provide means and venues for members to interact, offer training and education that develops shared understanding of policy directives, are collective representation bodies for professional members, and may play an important role in establishing and enforcing collective standards for appropriate behavior. We examine these functions in the decentralized administration of United States organic food certification, focusing on two relevant professional associations – the Accredited Certifiers Association and the International Organic Inspectors Association. Drawing on multiple methods, including interviews and survey data, our findings indicate that professional organic certification associations provide valuable education and training, disseminate information, and facilitate knowledge sharing among administrative entities and with regulatory authorities. We conclude with a discussion of the prospects and limitations of professional associations for third‐party regulation, and how accounting for professional association functions can improve our understanding of regulatory intermediary coordination and conduct.     

How Values Shape Program Perceptions: The “Organic Ethos” and Producers’ Assessments of U.S. Organic Policy Impacts

Among the more recognizable programs related to natural and sustainable food is the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program. Although the robustness of the organic food market is difficult to contest, many debate the extent to which U.S. organic policy outcomes adequately serve consumers and the organic agriculture producers they rely on. This paper engages the debate from the perspective of certified organic producers. Drawing on the results of a nationwide survey of USDA‐certified producers, we first provide a snapshot of how producers assess the environmental, consumer, and market impacts of U.S. organic food policy. We then examine the extent to which organic producers’ policy impact perceptions are associated with their alignment with an “organic ethos”—understood as producers’ commitment to core organic principles and the organic movement. The paper highlights producers’ values as perceptual filters and cognitive mechanisms that help shape producers’ policy impacts perceptions, illustrating a contributing factor to the enduring nature of organic policy debates.     

我国内外资企业法的重构问题探究

《外国企业或者个人在中国境内设立合伙企业管理办法》从2010年3月起施行,对我国内外资企业法重构问题的热议再次兴起。现行内外资企业法存在内容重复、不够协调、不符合国民待遇原则等不足,有必要探究内外资企业法的重构方案。我国合伙企业的相关立法已经基本实现了内外并轨,公司的相关立法内外并轨条件也较成熟。可以将我国现行外商投资...     

美国三权分立制度与我国议行合一制度之比较

由于历史、文化和社会条件等的差异,不同的国家所实施的国家管理形式会不相同。美国实行三权分立政治制度,中国实行的是议行合一政治体制。抑恶功能是前者的价值理念,扬善功能是后者的价值理念。它们在实践中都有所长,有所短,需要相互借鉴,取长补短。     

云南高校女性学学科建设的本土化尝试

文章根据云南的实际,阐述了云南女性学学科建设的历程,指出女性学教学的理念及实行社会科学与医学结合、校际结合、师生和生生互动的尝试。     

浅谈在公安院校开展PPC射击教学的构想

公安院校作为培养预备警官的摇篮 ,准确、熟练的使用枪支是对学生最起码的要求。目前 ,在公安院校多采用静止状态下的 2 5米、 5 0米精度射击 ,这种教学模式作为基础射击是可行的。但是由于人民警察使用枪支的突发性、被动性等特点 ,它又暴露出在实战中的不适用性。在公安院校开展PPC教学 ,不仅是公安院校射击课改革的方向 ,而且对于学生毕业后能胜任公安工作、依法履行职责、与国际接轨 ,也都具有现实和深远的意义。     

论行政权力的重构与行政组织法的完善

行政权力的合理配置是我国行政组织法的一个重要环节,我国行政组织法在纵向配置与横向配置方面均存在诸多问题。从纵向角度彻底解决权力配置中所存在的问题,须对我国行政权力进行重构,引进法律分权;从横向角度须理顺各部门之间的关系,实现监督部门与咨询部门的独立地位,对重大事件实行跨部门合作。     

证券投资的理性分析——关于风险化解的思考

证券投资充满了不确定性,不确定性是导致证券投资风险的基本原因。本文诠释证券投资中的风险及其衡量指标,探讨证券投资组合的效果和最佳证券组合的选择问题,分析证券组合对投资风险的化解作用。     

陈旧骨骼DNA提取

目的寻找从陈旧骨骼中提取DNA的有效方法。方法运用传统的有机法结合Microcon100纯化柱提取骨骼DNA。结果用常规荧光标记复合STR基因分型法可对提取到的陈旧骨骼DNA进行成功分析。结论有机法结合Micrcon100纯化柱提取陈旧骨骼DNA法可有效应用于实际检案。     

浅谈多媒体技术与法学课程的整合

多媒体技术与法学课程的整合,意味着在法学课程的教学活动中结合使用计算机多媒体技术,以便好地完成法学课程目标,它是在法学课程教学过程中把信息技术、信息资源、信息方法、人力资源与课程内容进行有机结合,以共同完成法学课程教学任务的一种新型的教学方式.