Links between informal caregiving and volunteering in Sweden: a 17-year perspective

This article analyses informal caregiving and volunteering in organizations over 17 years in Sweden, with a focus on links between these two forms of unpaid activities. The discussion is based on results from a national survey that was repeated four times in the period 1992–2009. Links were found between the different types of activities. In all four studies a substantial group of the population was involved both in informal caregiving and volunteering. This group of ‘active citizens’ are commonly also engaged in informal social networks. This ‘double active’ group had increased over time and they provide a substantial amount of hours of involvement. Patterns outlined in this article demonstrate that unpaid activities represent a multifaceted phenomenon, and that the boundaries between informal caregiving and volunteering as forms of engagement may be more fluid than has previously been acknowledged. The results challenge the literature in which informal caregiving is viewed as a major obstacle to volunteering. At the same time, however, informal caregiving in general was found to be increasing. There might be reasons to be cautious about the possible risk that too much pressure on citizens for informal caregiving might jeopardize the type of double involvement that is outlined in this article.     

Policy Diffusion and Policy Transfer in Comparative Welfare State Research

For many years, comparative welfare state research has followed a ‘methodological nationalism’ in the sense that countries were treated as independent units. Yet the recent ‘spatial turn’ in comparative politics has also influenced welfare state research. For some years now, the field has been witnessing a growing interest in questions about interdependencies and policy diffusion between countries. In this article, we provide a structured overview of the state of the art in the policy diffusion and transfer literature that deals specifically with social policy. We present and critically evaluate existing theoretical concepts and quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches that enable the analysis of interdependencies between countries. Moreover, we summarize the empirical findings of quantitative and qualitative studies on the diffusion and transfer of social policy, from some pioneering studies to the latest findings. Against this background we point out what we believe to be promising avenues for future research. We focus on five areas: theoretical work on the mechanisms underlying diffusion and transfer; methodological approaches; the impact of domestic institutions and policy characteristics on social policy diffusion and transfer; programme‐specific dynamics; and the systematic combination of horizontal and vertical interdependencies.     

Impacts of government high-tech policy: a case study of CAD technology in China

Rapid growth of technology innovations promotes governments world-wide to actively explore the best way to realize its economic benefits. Likewise, Chinese government has positioned advances of high technology a driving-force to continued economic achievements, and launched various high-tech policies. This case study focuses on computer-aided design (CAD), a key field under policy support, discloses policy’s critical role. Interview/survey data from corporate and academic leaders were also collected and synthesized. The emergence of university–industry collaboration, capitalizing university intellectual property, and new modes in CAD innovation and technology diffusion are among those major findings. A Model is also proposed. The study provides new observations for debates to high-tech policy-makers and can benefit scholars and business managers seeking to understand the environment in China, and serve as a foundation for further policy and management research.     

从发展哲学角度看列宁新经济政策的价值

新经济政策是一个涉及经济、政治、文化发展的全面性政策。列宁正是在思考和实践新经济政策的过程中,科学地阐释了经济文化落后国家的发展基点、发展道路、发展主体、发展规律、发展动力等问题,从而使列宁社会发展理论得到了新的升华。新经济政策对于我们研究列宁社会发展理论、发掘列宁社会发展理论的当代价值,具有十分重要的意义。     

论两汉王朝西南边疆开发中的“各以地比”之治理方略

“各以地比”之治理方略,形成于西汉武帝开发“西南夷”之地,丰富、完善于两汉时期开发西南边疆的进程之中。此套方略的基本内容是,北方中原王用在稳固掌控西南北部蜀地的基础上,与蜀人一同治理巴地,并依托北部的巴蜀人对西南中、南部进行治理和开发。该方略切合酉南实际,卓有成效,对后世影响甚大。     

列宁“新经济政策”与邓小平“建设有中国特色社会主义理论”之比较思考

俄罗斯的"新经济政策"与"建设有中国特色社会主义理论"有相似点,坚定走建设有中国特色社会主义道路具有重大的历史意义.     

论澳大利亚“面向亚洲”政策的经济根源

在 70年代 ,澳大利亚政府开始推行面向亚洲政策 ,就其原因而言 ,主要是出于经济利益考虑。“面向亚洲”与澳大利亚自身经济特点、国际经济重心向亚太地区转移以及国际经济格局变化密切相关 ,同时也是澳大利亚与东亚、东南亚国家经济贸易往来发展的结果     

呼吁·反思·监督—论社会工作者之于山西煤炭政策

山西煤炭工业在拉动经济快速增长的同时，带来了严重的环境污染，包括大气污染、土壤污染和水污染。防治煤炭污染，必须依靠煤炭政策。社会工作在影响山西煤炭政策方面应扮演呼吁者、反思者和监督者的角色。而要有效扮演这三种角色。必须具备一定的主观要件与客观要件。     

A Canadian experience with an intervention programme for vulnerable families: lessons for German social work and policy

Schools are an important community resource that can foster social connections and enhance the health and wellbeing of children and families in Germany through information, health promotion and interventions. While developing social connections between the school and vulnerable families—those who are most limited in their access to other sources of information, education and intervention—is complex and challenging, it is nonetheless critical. This paper reports on the role of Families and Schools Together (F&ST), a school-based intervention aimed at vulnerable families, in building and promoting the social connections, or social capital, that strengthen families and communities. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews revealed that programme participants perceived an increase in their social capital in all three of its dimensions (bonding, bridging and linking). The paper highlights the importance of social capital in building stronger, more resilient families and of strengthening relations between parents and schools, and contributes to the sharing of experience and views on matters concerning families in Germany.