The Politics of Policy Design and Implementation: A Comparative Study of Two Belgian Service Voucher Programs

Abstract

When two policy programs, identical in many important respects, are implemented in the same national context, similar program results would be expected. If this is not the case, an explanation is needed. In this article two Belgian voucher programs are compared: one for household services and one for childcare services. The first program was termed a success while the latter was abandoned after disappointing results. Ideological differences between policy makers at cabinet level are identified as the most crucial factor explaining the contrasting results of the two programs. The failure of the childcare voucher scheme was due to its deeply flawed policy program design, particularly with respect to the implementing structure as well as the needs and demands of the designated target group. This comparative study confirms the usefulness and validity of two well-known theoretical constructs: an integrated implementation model and related statutory coherence thesis. The necessity of more attention to the potential influence of higher-level political-institutional factors and the dynamic interaction between policy formulation/design and policy implementation is one important lesson for contemporary implementation research. Another is that policy instruments per se do not determine policy results. Their role can only be fruitfully analyzed and explained in the context where they are selected and applied.     

知识产权许可限制反竞争审查的一般分析框架

在知识产权领域反垄断问题备受关注而法律规制制度尚处在探索之中的背景下,知识产权许可限制的反竞争审查,是目前世界各国知识产权垄断认定中面临的共同难题。我国2008年生效的《反垄断法》虽然规定知识产权许可中的排除、限制竞争行为"应受"该法规制,但同样未能提供"如何"规制的具体制度规则。以已有反垄断法的制度规则为基础,结合知识产权许可中的特殊问题,构建知识产权许可限制反竞争审查的一般分析框架,是有效解决实践中知识产权许可限制的案件纠纷,并及时推动知识产权许可限制反竞争审查走向合理与科学的重要途径。该框架由相互联系的三个方面组成:一是确立知识产权许可限制反竞争审查的"竞争损害"标准;二是界定知识产权许可限制涉及的产品市场、技术市场和创新市场;三是选择基于"区别对待"的分析工具和基于"利弊权衡"的四步检验法。     

论信赖保护理论对知识产权默示许可制度的支撑

信赖保护理论强调对交易相对人合理信赖的保护,能够为知识产权默示许可制度提供理论支撑。在知识产权默示许可制度中贯彻信赖保护原则符合保护交易公平、交易安全和交易效率的要求。信赖保护是知识产权默示许可制度的必备要素。信赖保护与意思表示在知识产权默示许可的认定中既相互融合又存在着分工。     

Paying to Be Punished: A Statutory Analysis of Sex Offender Registration Fees

Over the last 20 years, sex offender policies, specifically in terms of community corrections, have increased in scope. One of the most controversial and pervasive sex offender policies is that of registration. In response to the consumption of already limited resources, jurisdictions have imposed increasingly higher community supervision fees onto the offenders, requiring them to pay for their own re-entry. However, to date no research study has examined the statutory language associated with registration fees collected post release from formal community sanctions. Using a statutory analysis within the United States, this research finds and quantifies the imposition of a registration fee on offenders who are legally compelled to pay these registration costs, regardless of whether they are still currently under community supervision. Results show that more than half of U.S. states (n?=?28) incorporate statutory language authorizing registration fees, ranging anywhere from $5 per registration to up to $250 per year. These findings, as well as suggestions for future research and policy recommendations, are discussed.     

Predicting public support for the use of license plate recognition technology by police

The use of license plate recognition technology (LPR) by police is becoming increasingly common. LPR may be used for many purposes, ranging from stolen vehicle enforcement to more complex surveillance and predictive functions. Existing research does not examine community support for this technology, despite its potential to impact police legitimacy. Results from the first community LPR survey are presented and multinomial logistic regression models of citizen support for the technology are developed. Regression results suggest that a number of factors significantly predict citizen support for LPR use, including increased trust in police and the belief that LPR information is public information.     

Up,Up and Away!

正The opening up of low-altitude airspace and better general aviation infrastructure mean the private jet industry looks set to take off For international aircraft makers suchas Cessna,Gulfstream,Dassault andBombardier that have been trying todevelop the general aviation business in Chinaover the past decade,there is now cause tocelebrate.An opportunity for them to fully display their prowess is fast approaching and their     

刑法适用中扩张解释的方法及其界限——兼论扩张解释与类推适用之区分

刑法适用过程系具体化法律和抽象化案件事实的过程,法官应对存有疑义之条款进行解释。扩张解释系刑法解释之结果,在对刑法条款进行扩张解释过程中,应明确所运用的各种解释方法及其所遵循的步骤。德、日的典型判例及我国实践都存在正确和误用扩张解释现象,应正确运用刑法解释方法,明确扩张解释的界限,准确区分扩张解释与类推适用。法官在个案中无法运用扩张解释时,立法机关应当通过及时修订法律的方式填补法律漏洞。     

“非行政许可“内涵的界定及其规范

《中华人民共和国行政许可法》未予提及"非行政许可",在理论界也鲜有论述。由于设定、实施没有统一的规范,非行政许可审批项目在各部门、各地方存在设定主体混乱、认定标准不一、数目相差悬殊、名称使用不规范、缺乏必要监管等问题,破坏了行政法制的统一,影响了行政审批的正确实施,削弱了行政许可法律制度的实施效果。为了进一步推进行政审批制度改革,切实转变政府职能,调整、规范部门权力,从源头上预防和治理腐败,创新社会管理方式,对"非行政许可"内涵的界定及其规范是十分必要的。