Transnational policy networks in the migration field: a challenge for the European Union

The migration policy field is a multilayered and fragmented area still lacking a strong global and European regime. Nonetheless, different initiatives and fora have been promoted in the last decade to increase the international dialogue on migration, with the active participation of non-state actors, and particularly civil society organisations (CSOs). The article reviews selected initiatives undertaken at the UN and European level, whereby institutional representatives engage with CSOs in furthering migration policies. These initiatives and platforms may constitute transnational policy networks (TPNs). It explores signals towards the consolidation of more structured and ‘hard’ forms of participatory policy-making on migration issues, as well as obstacles present in this engagement dynamic. The key question addressed in this study is whether and how European institutions have engaged with the TPNs in the field of migration. The article also explores how some of the TPNs influence institutional policy-making at the EU level.     

Analysis on the major obstacles of public participation in public policy-making

Participation in public policy-making is one of the important approaches for citizens to affect public policy, and also the guarantee of the scientific and democratic paths of the public policy. To enhance the cognitive level and ability of the citizen who participate in public policy-making, ensure the institutionalization and procedures of the public policy-making, make the information about the public policy-making open and transparent, this paper points out the main obstacles of citizens＇ participation in public policy-making mostly at present and enhance the quality of public policy.     

Kantei diplomacy? Japan's hybrid leadership in foreign and security policy

This article operationalizes Japanese leadership in foreign and security policy, specifically the Abe administrations’ consistent China balancing. It will do so to dispel instances of Premier-centered diplomacy and posit that Abe's diplomatic agenda has rested on a ‘hybrid’ policy-making authority, where the leverage enjoyed by the Prime Minister's office (the Kantei) rested on little-appreciated politicized personnel appointments and demotions within the bureaucratic apparatus, specifically the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Moreover, successful Japanese leadership has functioned especially when operating within the scope of the US strategic framework towards East Asia. While structural constraints, such as the ever-present influence of the USA and bureaucratic coordination, may constrain options, effective leadership in foreign policy-making can indeed make a difference within those boundaries.     

一致与冲突：政府决策的民主化与科学化

随着中国政治体制改革的不断深入推进，理论界关于政府决策民主化与科学化的研究日益升温。对于决策民主化和科学化二者之间的关系，理论界长期以来的主流观点是二者具有正相关性或一致性，但实际上二者还存在着负相关性或冲突性。全面把握二者的关系，尤其是在政府决策实践中正确处理好其负相关性或冲突性，有助于进一步提升政府决策的能力和水平，推进政府体制改革。     

政官关系与日本民主党政权的政策决定

基于“政治主导”的政治理念，民主党政权在政策决定过程领域推行政官关系变革。历经鸠山内阁、菅内阁与野田内阁，随着政官关系变革态势的减弱并遭受顿挫，民主党政权的政策决定过程反复变化。政官关系定位不准，不仅导致民主党政权的政策决定过程反复变化，也削弱了其决策效益与执政能力。     

论邓小平决策思想的价值选择

人民群众的利益高于一切,是邓小平决策思想的根本特点,也是邓小平决策思想的价值选择。为人民群众谋利益,是一切决策的出发点和落脚点。坚持从群众中来、到群众中去,是决策制定的基本途径。人民群众的利益和意愿,是决策评判的价值标准。人民群众的伟大实践,是决策完善的重要依据。     

Elections and landmark policies in Tanzania and Uganda

Much of the relevant literature on Africa downplays the salience of elections for policy-making and implementation. Instead, the importance of factors such as clientelism, ethnicity, organized interest groups, and donor influence, is emphasized. We argue that, in addition, elections now motivate political elites to focus on policies they perceive to be able to gain votes. This is based on analyses of six landmark decisions made during the last 15 years in the social, productive, and public finance sectors in Tanzania and Uganda. Such policies share a number of key characteristics: they are clearly identifiable with the party in power; citizens are targeted countrywide; and policy implementation aims at immediate, visible results.     

The role of epistemic communities: local think tanks,international practitioners and security sector reform in Kosovo

ABSTRACT

Security sector reform (SSR) in Kosovo remains complex and challenging. The existing approach is heavily driven by international agencies. This article addresses the question: What role is played by local research in Kosovo’s SSR? This study focuses on the challenges that local research poses to internationally led SSR in Kosovo, and the contribution that local researchers make to the decision-making of international practitioners. In Kosovo, local research organizations produce research analysing and critiquing international SSR and offering alternative approaches. The study builds on existing studies of epistemic communities and research use in policy-making and new evidence based on the author’s interview survey of researchers and policy-makers in Kosovo. The article argues that focusing on the interaction between local researchers and international policy practitioners provides valuable insight into the construction of Kosovo’s SSR. The study deconstructs the structures, processes and agencies at the heart of the local/international relationship. It explains how local research on topics of security, justice and rule of law, and its interaction with international practitioners, challenges international SSR and contributes to international SSR decision-making.     

治理理论视角下的逆境政策制定

治理理论认为，逆境状态下的政策制定，首先要认识到政策问题与以往相比的变化。然后组织各社会主体参与政策制定，合并组成大政府部门，政策制定时要进行相应的风险预测和管理。     

政府"失灵"及其克服的途径

政府失灵来自政府本身的缺陷和政府对经济的不恰当干预.克服政府失灵首先必须避免政府职能越位和政府缺位.原则应是政府补充,而不是代替市场.其次应引入竞争机制,建立市场导向型政府.同时在政府内部引入激励机制,使政府像企业那样思考.为了避免由于政府干预经济而带来的外部性问题,应尽量减少政府对经济的干预.对于政府收入再分配政策导致的低效率和不公平问题,解决的思路是设法降低公共福利制度的运行费用.对于利益集团操纵政策带来的不公平问题,解决的思路是修正公共政策的决策规则,约束立法行为和决策行为.其目标是实现政府与市场之间的均衡.