Scientific consensus,the law,and same sex parenting outcomes

While the US Supreme Court was considering two related cases involving the constitutionality of same-sex marriage, one major question informing that decision was whether scientific research had achieved consensus regarding how children of same-sex couples fare. Determining the extent of consensus has become a key aspect of how social science evidence and testimony is accepted by the courts. Here, we show how a method of analyzing temporal patterns in citation networks can be used to assess the state of social scientific literature as a means to inform just such a question. Patterns of clustering within these citation networks reveal whether and when consensus arises within a scientific field. We find that the literature on outcomes for children of same-sex parents is marked by scientific consensus that they experience “no differences” compared to children from other parental configurations.     

How do countries choose their monetary policy frameworks?

This paper investigates the determinants of countries’ choices of monetary policy framework. A brief narrative focused on groupings of countries motivates an econometric analysis which draws on previous work on the determinants of exchange rate regimes, bringing in standard factors as well as the trade networks of potential anchor currency blocs and the financial market depth that are emphasised in the narrative. The model turns out to be able to predict three quarters of countries’ choices, and there is no obvious systematic pattern in the errors. The results have important implications for how countries should choose their monetary policy frameworks.     

Equality Bargaining: Where,Who, Why?

It is common to identify a role for trade unions in combating sex inequality at work through collective bargaining. This article uses a survey of paid union officers to identify the context in which equality bargaining by unions is likely to occur, using the specific issue of bargaining on equal pay. It concludes that equality bargaining is a function of women’s voice within unions, the characteristics and preferences of bargainers themselves and of a favourable public policy environment. Bargaining on equal pay is also more likely in centralized negotiations that cover multiple employers.     

美国对外贸易政策的历史考察

自北美独立战争结束以来,美国的对外贸易政策大致经历了五个阶段.其中保护主义始终贯穿于美国的对外贸易政策之中.虽然自由贸易有时偶占上风,但这种所谓的自由贸易是有条件的、相对的,是美国打着"互惠、公平、非歧视"的幌子,欲抢占别国市场.为了实现大资产阶级利益的最大化,美国总是将贸易保护政策奉为圭臬,这一政策才是无条件的、绝对的.     

Book Reviews

Book reviews: Rosemary Crompton (ed), Restructuring Gender Relations and Employment: The Decline of the Male Breadwinner Susan Eisenberg, We’ll Call You If We Need You: Experiences of Women Working in Construction Fiona M. Wilson, Organizational Behaviour: A Critical Introduction Rohan Collier, Equality in Managing Service Delivery Joyce K. Fletcher, Disappearing Acts: Gender, Power and Relational Practice at Work Miriam Glucksmann, Cottons and Casuals : The Gendered Organisation of Labour in Time and Space     

世界贸易组织争端解决机制评析

从世界贸易组织（WTO）成立后的实践来看，它的争端解决机制为各成员方解决贸易争端、为帮助世界贸易秩序的稳定和发展发挥了重要作用。但是从对WTO争端解决机制的几个方面的具体的分析、评价中可以得知它也并非尽善尽美，还有待进一步的发展和完善。     

浅谈高校工会维权职能

代表和维护职工的合法权益 ,是新颁《工会法》赋予工会的一项最基本的法律权利 ,是工会的基本职能。依据新《工会法》阐述了维护职工合法权益的内涵及其重大意义 ,并就高校工会如何维护教职工的合法权益提出建议     

区域贸易协定发展趋势对多边贸易体制的挑战

随着WTO的多边贸易体制受到重大挫折,经济全球化的步伐有所放慢,而区域贸易协议已成为当今国际经济关系的主流形式之一。现分析区域贸易协定的迅猛的发展趋势以及对WTO为代表的多边贸易体制提出挑战。面对挑战,当务之急,各区域贸易协定必须接受WTO的一定程序上的规制,最主要的要确保区域贸易协定对WTO多边贸易体制的健康发展。     

国际基督教工会联合会与早期欧洲一体化

第二次世界大战后 ,作为欧洲压力集团之一的基督教工会通过其国际组织———国际基督教工会联合会 ,以个人活动和参与欧洲机构正式协商机制的方式 ,试图在欧洲早期一体化进程中维护基督教工会和工人的权利及利益。该组织的活动虽然取得了一定成就 ,但从总体上讲 ,其对欧洲经济政治一体化的影响仍然十分有限     

美国对华贸易的政治经济学分析

美国对华贸易虽以保持稳定的经贸关系为基础，但迫于国际政治需要和国内的集团利益，还存在许多不确定性。因此，中国应当从宏观上对中美经贸关系拓展战略性思维，加强开展商务外交，构建和谐的国际经贸新秩序；从微观上，完善政府的商务职能，加强企业国际化能力，充分发挥行业协会的作用，多方面促使中美贸易朝正常化方向发展。