Trade liberalization and decentralization of state-owned enterprises: Evidence from China

This paper examines the relationship between trade liberalization and the probability of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) being decentralized. We find that tariff cuts for inputs significantly lower the probability of a SOE being decentralized, whereas tariff cuts for outputs raise this probability. We also find that as the distance from a SOE to its overseeing government increases, the effects of input and output tariff cuts on the probability of SOEs decentralization become stronger. Our empirical results are consistent with a simple model in which local governments try to balance the costs of supervising SOEs against the profits extracted from SOEs.     

Engaging decentralization in an uncertain political context: Lessons from Liberia

This study uses a Diagnostic Framework for Local Governance to evaluate the current capacity for administrative decentralization at the county level in Liberia, as well as to identify political economy challenges and opportunities surrounding decentralization. Applying the Problem‐Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) framework to our findings, we offer recommendations for moving decentralization reform forward. We find strong demand for administrative decentralization among local officials, and propose that decentralization reform can be enhanced through incremental implementation that focuses on strengthening the existing structures and capacity of local administration, and through the creation of stronger accountability and participatory mechanisms. The triangulated research design includes focus group and interview data in eight Liberian counties, analyzed using NVivo Qualitative Data Analysis Software.     

分权政府是建立有效政府的基础

有效政府是我国政府体制改革的一个重要目标。系统论、管理学和有效政府的基本价值表明,建设分权政府是建立有效政府的基础。建立分权政府主要涉及政府与社会的分权、政府与市场分权、中央与地方的分权、党政分开等层面。在建设分权政府的过程中,应注意制度建设、职权责一致、监督体系和分权底线等方面问题。     

从城市化规律角度雏析中外城市复兴特征差异

通过借助城市化基本规律的理论基础，从城市化规律角度研究西方城市化中逆城市化和城市空心化现象的影响因素，以及探讨中国城市化阶段与城市空心化问题，分析逆城市化和城市空心化现象与城市复兴之间的相互关系。在分析比较的基础上，初步认识现时中国城市复兴的实质特征，指出复兴项目基本上仅是城市开发中局部的城市更新，与西方城市复兴有所区别。     

The conundrum between political and sectoral decentralizations: The case of Cameroon

In recent years, alongside implementation of “traditional” decentralization policies, sectoral decentralization experiments in natural resources management have taken place worldwide, mainly under the justification of improving resource conservation and rural development. In the Congo basin, for instance, the epicentre of Africa's tropical rainforests, Cameroon has been engaged in these dual processes of devolution of power to municipalities and municipal involvement in the forestry sector. Drawing on the case of the first municipal forest governance experiment in Cameroon, the article argues that the lack of co‐ordination between the political and sectoral decentralizations is undermining the foundation for effective, democratic and accountable municipal and environmental governance. The case provides useful policy recommendations for donors supporting the global emergence of municipal government capacity.     

财政分权、环境规制与战略性新兴产业发展——基于安徽省16个地级市实证研究

战略性新兴产业发展离不开政府的支持和引导.本文在相关理论分析的基础上,基于安徽省2010-2019年16个地级市面板数据,采用逐步回归法,实证分析了财政分权对战略性新兴产业发展的影响,结果显示:财政分权会促进战略性新兴产业的发展,但也会抑制环境规制的提升,导致政府在战略性新兴产业发展过程中作用发挥不够,引起战略性新兴产业发展受阻.但就综合影响效果而言,财政分权仍能促进战略性新兴产业发展.基于此,本文提出深化财政分权制度改革、提高环境规制强度及完善激励和考核机制等政策建议.     

西方权力制衡理论的历史溯源

西方权力制衡理论萌芽于古希腊古罗马时代。亚里士多德在继承柏拉图思想的基础上提出了不同阶级通过参与城邦政治，并在不同政治机构中参与管理的混合政体思想。后古罗马的波里比阿提出了君主、寡头和民主三位一体的混合政体思想。此后，中世纪以王权和教权为主的二元权力化体系更是界定了政教各自独立、互相平衡、相互制约的控制领域。上述思想观点和实践为近代分权与制衡理论的形成奠定了思想基础。     

论政府间横向财政失衡的法律规制

政府间横向财政失衡是实行政府分级与财政分权国家必然出现的现实问题。德国纵横交错的财政均衡模式是规制横向财政失衡的典型，其成败功过均对财政分权效果未臻理想的我国财政体制建设具有借鉴意义。国内已经出现的诸如对口扶贫、区域经济协调等旨在消弭横向财政失衡的零散做法，亟待法律化与规范化，使财政转移支付与财政合作等模式成为规制横向财政失衡的系统性法律，以缓解经济落后地区财政资源匮乏的窘境。     

Community Self-Help as Strategy and Outcome: The Examination of an Israeli Experience

Community self-help associations (CSAs) are locally-based organizations in which professional service providers and planners share responsibilites with citizens and members for decision making and action. These responsibilities tend to be delegated, at least initially, from more central authorities to local organiziations and shared between professionals and citizens. The Israeli experience with CSAs provides insights into how mediating structures work and compare social problem-solving approaches to social development strategies.