Institutions and Development in Latin America: A Comparative Analysis

We review the theoretical literature on the concept of institutions and its relationship to national development, propose a definition of the concept, and advance six hypotheses about institutional adequacy and contributions to national development. We then present results of a comparative empirical study of existing institutions in three Latin American countries and examine their organizational similarities and differences. Employing the qualitative comparative method (QCA) proposed by Ragin, we then test the six hypotheses. Results converge in showing the importance of meritocracy, immunity to corruption, absence of “islands of power,” and proactivity in producing effective institutions. Findings strongly support Peter Evans’ theory of developmental apparatuses.

Wealth Taxes: Stories, Metaphors and Public Attitudes

Wealth taxes are currently high on the policy agenda in Britain. These taxes will not be political sustainable without public support. However, evidence exists that indicates substantial public opposition to wealth taxes. For example, inheritance tax appears to provoke hostility among the public. Some observers have suggested that the way that wealth taxes are presented - particularly using stories and narratives - could enhance public support. This paper summarises focus group evidence on this suggestion. I report that using narratives and stories can have an impact, although this should not be overstated and much depends on how the narratives are shaped.     

Why Is the Estate Tax so Controversial?

There are some social issues whose significance for society nobody would seriously question but which nevertheless receive only scarce attention in sociological research. One of these is the bequest of private wealth from one generation to the next. It is currently estimated that about 550 billion dollars are transferred annually in the United States, amounting to more than 4% of the American gross national product (Havens and Schervish 1999). Not only is this a huge amount of wealth that changes ownership, but the bequest of wealth speaks to some of the core questions of sociological scholarship.

社会主义市场经济保卫战是新时期公安工作的重要主题

社会主义市场经济保卫战是新时期公安工作的重要主题,是公安机关的龙头工作,是掌握新形势下治安主动权的必由之路。社会主义市场经济保卫战既是重大的理论创新,也是具有革命性意义的重大治安举措。要有效地实施社会主义市场经济保卫战,必须处理好理论与实践、整体与重点、战略与战术、目的与手段的关系,强化创新意识、效益意识、公安产业意识和本领意识。     

云南建设我国通向东南亚、南亚国际大通道的主要制约因素分析

云南建设国际大通道的思路一经提出,许多专家、学者从不同角度论述了通道建设的必要性和可行性,从各方面说明了通道建设的意义和作用.实际上,云南建设我国通向东南亚、南亚国际大通道还存在许多制约因素,诸如经济增长对交通运输的需求、产业结构的变化、城市化水平、区域间的经济社会联系以及对外开放程度等.只有在分析清楚这些制约因素,并在具体实施中逐步解决相关的问题,才可能把国际大通道的建设扎扎实实地推向前进.     

大小凉山彝族杀年猪的祭祖仪式及象征意义

杀年猪是我国许多民族的传统风俗,有的民族杀年猪只是为了过年期间的餐桌上更为丰盛而已,而大小凉山的彝族杀年猪却不仅仅是为了大快朵颐,还有着更特殊的祭祖仪式和宗教价值.从杀年猪的仪式可以窥视到彝族原始崇拜的一角.     

高效能：中国政府的行为选择

政府与社会处在一个互动的过程中 ,并且政府以推动社会发展为己任。社会的发展即为社会的现代化。现代化的实现有赖于高效政府对它的促进和推动 ,这已为现实所证明。中国现在正处于现代化的进程之中 ,所以中国现代化实现的前提是拥有一个高效能的政府。鉴于目前中国政府效能不高这一事实 ,高效能理应成为中国政府的行为选择。中国政府达到高效能有五条途径 :加强行政立法 ,依法行政 ;广开言路 ,政务公开 ;积累社会资本 ,转变政府职能 ;建立科学的决策系统 ,制定良好的公共政策 ;建立高效、忠诚和廉洁的公务员队伍     

关于普通高校招生制度改革的思考

长期以来我国普通高校不招收成人入学的作法,使成人丧失了完成普通高校学历教育的机会,不利于成人高等教育的发展.普通高校招收成人入学,既可开辟成人高教的新途径,又可促进自身的发展.     

论行政复议的基本原则

全国人大常委会第九次会议通过的《中华人民共和国行政复议法》是我国民主与法制建设的又一重要成果,标志着我国行政复议制度的进一步完善.行政复议的基本原则是行政复议法的一个重要问题,对行政复议的基本原则问题加以研究,有助于我们加深对这部法律的理解,更好地贯彻执行这部法律.     

坚持对上对下的统一 始终代表人民的根本利益——学习“三个代表”思想的体会

实现最广大人民的根本利益 ,要求我们把对上级负责和对群众负责统一起来。但是在实践中两者的统一却存在着一些问题 ,其根源在于监督机制、干部管理体制等存在缺陷。要实现对上对下的统一 ,必须建立有效的权力制约与监督机制 ,加快干部选拔任用制度的改革 ,大力加强法制建设 ,加强世界观、人生观和价值观的教育