Macroeconomic asymmetry in the Eurozone before and after the Global Financial Crisis: An appraisal of the role of the ECB

The launch of the euro in 1999 was assumed to enhance macroeconomic convergence among EMU economies. We test this hypothesis from a comparative perspective, by calculating different indices to measure the degree of macroeconomic dispersion within the Eurozone, the UK and the USA (1999–2019). We use common factor models to produce a single index for each monetary area out of different measures of dispersion. These indices can be used to inform on the degree of optimality of a monetary area. Our results show that macroeconomic dispersion in the Eurozone increased notably even before 2007 and it took significantly longer to return to pre-crisis levels, as compared to the UK and the USA. The paper shows the critical role played by the ECB’s asset purchases programmes in reducing macroeconomic divergences among EMU member states since 2015.     

略论《吕氏春秋》的柔性管理思想

《吕氏春秋》在博采各家管理思想之长的基础上,熔铸了独特的柔性管理思想,主要表现为：在管理者的道德修养上,其要求管理者能够加强自知不矜、诚信、至公无私等方面的道德素质,实现行德爱人;在管理者的行为要求上,其强调管理者能够因而不为、善于用众,做到执一无为;在管理的过程控制中,其要求管理者能够正名审分,以确立和维护相应的制度规范,考察被管理者能否各司其职;在管理必须遵循的原则上,其要求管理者能够在重视被管理者的基础上,因民之欲、爱民利民。     

试论1930年代商业银行对农村的投资活动--围绕农村合作社的探讨

1930年代商业银行对农村的投资是在都市银行剩余资金膨胀、农村金融需求加剧的情形下展开的。这一时期农村合作社的迅猛发展为商业银行在农村投资开辟了一个极好的渠道。商业银行通过农村合作社投资农村,对于调剂农村金融、挽救濒于崩溃的农村经济起了一定的积极作用,但由于商业银行的这一投资活动并非出于“救济农村”的本意,又使其不可避免地具有一定的历史局限性。     

中国传统文化中的和谐社会观及其当代意义

和谐思想是中国传统文化中的一个重要哲学命题,而和谐社会观是中国传统和谐思想的重要组成部分。中国传统的和谐社会观主要体现在儒家、道家、墨家等代表人物的思想体系中。他们的和谐社会思想为我们今天构建社会主义和谐社会提供了重要的理论依据。     

河南省农村基层党组织建设的改革创新

近年来,河南省紧紧围绕党的先进性建设和执政能力建设,不断推进农村基层党组织建设改革创新,取得了如“三级联创”、“四议两公开”、“金桥工程”、“红色家园”、“双联双增”和“党员关爱”等成果。农村基层党组织建设面临的环境考验和新挑战,要求我们必须牢固树立以人为本理念、进行工作机制和制度创新、构建大党建格局,不断探索新方法、新途径,开创农村党的基层组织建设新局面。     

从马郎妇故事的改写看观世音菩萨的中国化

与马郎妇相关的佛教故事的流传与改写,具有广泛深远的影响,它其实还与观世音菩萨的中国化关系密切。马郎妇故事的不断被改写,无论在宗教、文学还是文化上都有重要意义。中国古代社会各阶层在接受观音信仰过程中对其形象解读的分歧是马郎妇故事不断被改写和形象演变的深层原因。中国僧人的主动适应对文化融合起到了重要作用,这使得佛教文化更加广泛传播且具有民间信仰特征。     

政府公共决策的规则限制

政府公共决策是一次利益再分配过程,由于＂经济人＂假设和政府的有限理性,政府公共决策权力时常被滥用,造成政府公共决策失误。制定完善的规则,规范政府公共决策权力,可以有效防止政府公共决策失误,使之解决民生之苦、反映民生之需、实现民生之乐。     

Socioeconomic inequality and adjustments in children’s perceptions of their agency as they age in South Korea

This paper explores how children's perceptions of their agency, as something that is closely associated with its exercise, appear in relation to social structural factors, especially their socioeconomic positions, as they age. Using data from 862 10–18 years old in South Korea, we examine how children's expressed optimism about their ability to achieve their occupational choices can conceal the impact of structural factors on their ‘choices’ and dispositions for (non‐)action over time. Based on the findings, we argue for a more careful interpretation of children's sense of agency that recognises its propensity to continuously adjust in contexts of structural inequality.     

ADHD and Brain Anatomy: What Do Academic Textbooks Used in the Netherlands Tell Students?

Studies of brain size of children classified with ADHD appear to reveal smaller brains when compared to ‘normal’ children. Yet, what does this mean? Even with the use of rigorously screened case and control groups, these studies show only small, average group differences between children with and without an ADHD classification. However, academic textbooks used in the Netherlands often portray individual children with an ADHD classification as having a different, malfunctioning brain that necessitates medical intervention. This conceptualisation of ADHD might serve professional interests, but not necessarily the interests of children.     

Uncovered and disrespected. A qualitative study of Jordanian women’s experience of privacy in birth

BackgroundPrivacy is related to a person’s sense of self and the need to be respected and it is a key factor that contributes to women’s satisfaction with their birth experiences.AimTo examine the meaning of privacy for Jordanian women during labour and birth.MethodA qualitative interpretive design was used. Data were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 27 Jordanian women. Of these women, 20 were living in Jordan while seven were living in Australia (with birthing experience in both Jordan and Australia). Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.ResultsThe phrase ‘there is no privacy’ captured women’s experience of birth in Jordanian public hospitals and in some private hospital settings. Women in public hospitals in Jordan had to share a room during their labour with no screening. This experience meant that they were, “lying there for everyone to see”, “not even covered by a sheet” and with doctors and others coming in and out of their room. This experience contrasted with birth experienced in Australia.ConclusionsThis study explicates the meaning of privacy to Jordanian women and demonstrates the impact of the lack of privacy during labour and birth. Seeking a birth in a private hospital in Jordan was one of the strategies that women used to gain privacy, although this was not always achieved. Some strategies were identified to facilitate privacy, such as being covered by a sheet; however, even simple practices are difficult to change in a patriarchal, medically dominated maternity system.