EU Enlargement: Economic-Cultural Perspective and Cross-Country Comparison

Globalization is constantly changing the appearance of the modern world. The most intense processes of integration are taking place in Europe in the framework of the European Union (EU) enlargement. Though the formal process is more or less concluded, the subtle and informal ones still have a long way to go. Social structures (institutions, organizations, norms, etc.) and actions depend on the cultural environment in the narrowest sense of the word: human perceptions and values. This poses the basic question whether the economic-cultural orientations of the new EU member states are compatible with imported social structures. We have done an empirical research using Hofstede's cultural dimensions and European Values Study database for 26 European countries (23 EU member states, 2 candidate countries, and Northern Ireland as a separate entity). We have also compared the differences and similarities by applying the Ward method (cluster analysis) on our 10 constructed variables.     

美国与欧洲一体化(1942-1957)

二战后期和战后初期 ,欧洲联合运动蓬勃发展。出于对外总体战略的需要 ,美国对早期欧洲一体化的进程极为关注 ,其态度和政策经历了由反对到谨慎支持再到积极介入的转变。作为一种重要的外部动力 ,美国的政策对早期欧洲一体化的顺利进行起到了不可忽视的推动作用 ,具有非常积极的意义     

上海合作组织存在的问题及我国的对策

上海合作组织是当今欧亚大陆最大的一个地区性国际组织,也是第一个由我国倡导创立的区域性国际组织。自创立以来,该组织合作的领域不断扩展、合作的机制日益健全、工作推进日趋务实、国际影响逐渐扩大,但也存在一些问题。对此,我国必须采取相应的对策:加强上海合作组织的合作,以增强组织内部的凝聚力和保持该组织稳步发展的可持续性;应当特别重视中俄两国之间的双边友好合作关系;倡导加强组织内部合作,尽早实现美国从吉尔吉斯斯坦撤出军事基地,等。     

WTO与中国的电视传播业

中国加入WTO后信息技术产业、电信业和电影业的进一步开放,对中国电视传播业发展的影响和冲击将会越来越大,同时WTO将给中国电视传播业在广告市场的份额、媒体经营成本和媒体结构的调整等方面带来较大的发展机遇。WTO将开辟一条中国电视传播业走向世界最便捷的通道。面对WTO的挑战,中国电视传播业要在观念更新、体制创新、调整改革战略、培养人才建设方面做好进一步的深化改革,加速中国电视业体制的变迁与整合,促进中国电视传播业的有序竞争和发展。     

Scenario Tree Modeling to Analyze the Probability of Classical Swine Fever Virus Introduction into Member States of the European Union

The introduction of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) into a country free of disease without vaccination may have huge consequences in terms of both disease spread and economic losses. More quantitative insight into the main factors determining the probability of CSFV introduction (PCSFV) is needed to optimally use resources for the prevention of CSFV introduction. For this purpose a spreadsheet model was constructed that calculates the annual PCSFV into member states of the European Union (EU). The scenario pathway approach was used as most probabilities in the model are very small. Probability distributions were used to take into account inherent variability of input parameters. The model contained pathways of CSFV introduction including the import of pigs and pork products, returning livestock trucks, and contacts with wild boar. All EU member states were included as possible sources of CSFV. Default results for the Netherlands showed a mean overall annual PCSFV of approximately 0.06, indicating that the Netherlands can expect CSFV introduction on average once every 18 years from the pathways and countries included in the model. Almost 65% of this probability could be attributed to the pathway of returning livestock trucks. The most likely sources of CSFV introduction were Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. Although the calculated probabilities were rather low when compared with expert estimates and recent history, the most likely causes of CSFV introduction indicated by the model were considered to be realistic. It was therefore concluded that the model is a useful tool to structure and analyze information for decision making concerning the prevention of CSFV introduction.     

Remaining childless in affluent economies: a comparison of France, West Germany, Italy and Spain, 1994–2001 Rester sans enfant dans des sociétés d'abondances: une comparaison de la France, l'Allemagne de l'Ouest et l'Espagne, 19994–2001

This article explores why women delay childbearing and increase their likelihood to remain childless in Spain, Italy, West Germany and France. We take a macro–micro perspective and show that national institutions influence women’s life transitions, in particular partnership and motherhood. For coupled women, we find two alternative modes out of childlessness. In countries with high direct and indirect child costs, like Spain and Italy, entering a male-breadwinner couple or occupying a stable and high-income position facilitates motherhood, while in the French context motherhood is most likely in a dual-earner partnership.      

Kinship care for children in the UK: messages from research,lessons for policy and practice1

This article presents a comprehensive overview of kinship care, or as it is also known, family and friends care, paying particular attention to the UK child welfare, legal, policy/practice contexts. The aim of the article is to raise awareness, and provide information, about a hitherto largely invisible, yet expanding placement option being widely used in child welfare systems in the UK, in Europe and elsewhere. The article places kinship care within a UK and European child welfare legal context, including the European Convention on Human Rights 1998 [Articles 8 and 14] and European kinship care developments are also highlighted. It contains the main findings of a kinship care research study conducted by the author, based on interviews with children and young people living with kinship carers, as well as with the kinship carers. Following an examination of theoretical and policy issues, the article examines ways forward for developing and supporting kinship care. In the final section, and based on the research findings and literature review, a new paradigm for child welfare is introduced. It is argued that this new paradigm is necessary in order for kinship care practice and policy to develop within a supported and sustainable family support framework.     

Marital disruption and economic well-being: a comparative analysis

Summary.  Though there is a considerable literature concerned with the economic consequences of marital breakdown, there is still substantial disagreement in terms of its magnitude. One of the major problems underlying this debate is how economic well-being is defined. We implement several measures of well-being of monetary and multidimensional nature by using data from the European Community Household Panel. Another issue in this literature concerns selection bias of divorcing couples. We tackle this issue by using a propensity score matching technique combined with a difference-in-differences estimator. Results confirm the importance of the definition of well-being. We find a strong gender bias when using monetary measures but a considerably lower bias, and for some countries non-existent, when using non-monetary indices.     

浅析俄罗斯与中东欧国家的关系

论述了冷战时期,苏联与中东欧建立的既是一种战略联盟关系,也是一种极不对等的国家关系;苏东剧变后,俄罗斯与中东欧国家都处于政治经济的转型期,双方关系受历史阴影的影响较明显;提出如今面对北约和欧盟东扩的新的历史条件,如何摆脱不利因素的影响,建立正常的新型国家关系是摆在他们面前的共同问题。     

中国共产党必须在宪法和法律的范围内活动的思考

作为执政党的中国共产党必须在宪法和法律的范围内活动,是我国政治体制改革中的重要问题。正确认识和把握中国共产党执政地位同宪法和法律权威的关系,是党在宪法和法律的范围内活动的前提条件。中国共产党确保国家机关、民主党派、人民团体、企业事业单位等依法独立行使职权和管理内部事务,是党在宪法和法律的范围内活动的核心问题。中国共产党以党章为基础,坚持“党要管党”和“从严治党”,是党在宪法和法律的范围内活动的内在要求。