Suchergebnisse

Heutzutage wurden die Wasserressourcen als ein wichtiges Element für die nachhaltige Entwicklung der Welt in verschiedenen akademischen Disziplinen diskutiert. Als Bestandteil der Wasserressourcen könnten die grenzüberschreitenden Wasserressourcen, die eng mit den internationalen Wasserläufen zusammenhängen, die internationalen Beziehungen, die Politik und auch die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung beeinflussen. Als wichtiges Instrument für die internationale Gemeinschaft bemerkt das Völkerrecht, insbesondere das internationale Wasserrecht, auch die Bedeutung dieses Phänomens. Die Autorin ist daran interessiert, das Grundwissen des internationalen Wasserrechts zu klären und eine neue Entwicklung in diesem Bereich zu entdecken. Und darum geht diese Dissertation von zwei wesentlichen Punkten aus: dem internationalen Recht, und den grenzüberschreitenden Wasserressourcen in einem internationalen Wasserlauf. Die Autorin versucht durch eine Studie, nämlich die Analyse des internationalen Rechtswasserregime des Mekong-Fluss-Becken, zu erläutern, wie das internationale Recht dem Schutz und der Bewahrung der grenzüberschreitenden Wasserressourcen in einem internationalen Wasserlauf dient. Diese Dissertation stellt einige neue Perspektiven für dieses Thema vor, die Lücken bestehender Forschungsprojekte abdecken und relevante Inspirationen für die zukünftige Entwicklung des Mekong Wasserregimes liefern könnten. Entsprechend der raschen Entwicklung des Mekong-Beckens sowie der Änderung des Rechtsstatus der UN Wasserläufe Konvention von 1997 ist der Zusammenhang zwischen internationalem Wasserrecht und dem Mekong-Becken in akademischen Kreisen wieder in den Fokus gerückt. Die Entwicklung des internationalen Wasserrechts spielt seit jeher eine wichtige Rolle im Völkerrecht. Die Fokussierung auf eine spezielle Region und die Erforschung eines spezifischen internationalen Wasserlaufs kann explizit und sinnvoll für die Entwicklung des internationalen Wasserrechts auf Makroebene sein. Aus diesen Überlegungen geht hervor, dass die Autorin das internationale Rechtswasserregime des Mekong-Beckens als Forschungsgegenstand dieser Dissertation gewählt hat, und für alle Leser eine umfassende Karte erstellen möchte, um ihre Reise zum Mekong-Wasserregime zu begleiten. Nach dem Oxford English Wörterbuch bezeichnet das Wort "Regime" eine Methode oder ein System von Regel, Regieren oder Kontrolle; ein System einer Organisation; eine Art, Dinge zu tun, vor allem eine mit weit verbreiteten Einfluss oder Prävalenz. Das "internationale Rechtswasserregime" in dieser Dissertation bezeichnet ein System, das basierend auf dem internationalen Recht zur Verwaltung der Wasserressourcen und Wasserressourcen bezogenen Angelegenheiten entlang eines internationalen Wasserlaufs ist. Um zu definieren, was das Mekong-Wasserregime ist und wie es funktioniert, ist eine entscheidende Grundlage, um Mekong-Wasserregime besser zu verstehen und weiter zu forschen. Die Autorin hat auch beschlossen, zwei Vergleiche zu machen, um Nachteile des Mekong-Wasserregimes herauszufinden. Einer von ihnen ist der funktionale Vergleich des Mekong-Wasserregimes mit dem Rhein-Wasserregime, der andere ist der Vergleich des 1995 Mekong-Übereinkommens mit der 1997 UN-Wasserlaufkonvention. Die Ergebnisse dieser Vergleiche wiederum bestimmen die Richtung für Verbesserungen dieses Regimes. Diese Verbesserungen können nicht nur für das Regime selbst, sondern auch für die regionale Nachhaltige Entwicklung von Mekong, die internationale Zusammenarbeit und eine bessere Kommunikation in der Zukunft von Bedeutung sein. Zusammenfassend kann die Forschungsfrage beschrieben werden, um: das Mekong-Wasserregime zu charakterisieren, die Punkte zu analysieren, die in diesem Regime verbessert werden müssen, und dann die besten Methoden zur Realisierung dieser Verbesserungen zu finden. Angesichts der Tatsache, dass sich diese Forschungsfrage auf die internationale Rechtsordnung und den Zusammenhang zwischen dem internationalen Wasserrecht und dem Mekong-Becken konzentriert, werden die relevanten rechtlichen Regelungen auf nationaler Ebene in dieser Dissertation nicht detailliert erörtert. Diese Dissertation bietet nicht nur den Lesern eine explizite und umfassende Karte des internationalen Rechtswasserregimes des Mekong-Beckens, sondern auch einen Vergleich zwischen den Funktionen des Mekong-Wasserregimes und dem Rhein-Wasserregime. Dieser Vergleich hervorhebt einige Besonderheiten des Mekong-Wasserregimes, und erklärt auch, wie ein internationales Wassermanagement durch seine Institution in Wirklichkeit funktioniert. Das letzte Kapitel dieser Dissertation liefert mehrere Vorschläge, die verwendet werden können, um zukünftige Maßnahmen zur Verbesserung des Mekong Wasserregimes zu führen. Diese Dissertation gibt nicht nur eine sinnvolle Berücksichtigung der Auswirkungen der UNWC, die im Jahr 2014 in Kraft getreten ist, sondern auch die Mittel, mit denen ein wirksamer internationaler Wasserrecht rechtlicher Rahmen einen spezifischen internationalen Wasserlauf beeinflusst. Schließlich kann die Diskussion über die chinesische Beteiligung am Mekong-Wasserregime das Verhältnis zwischen China und anderen nachgelagerten Ländern fördern, was für die regionale Entwicklung in Bezug auf ökonomische, ökologische und soziale Aspekte von großem Nutzen ist. Diese Dissertation verwendet ein dreistufiges Modell, um die ganze Geschichte zu beschreiben. Der erste Schritt besteht darin, das Mekong-Wasserregime detailliert zu beschreiben und die Grundlage für die gesamte Dissertation zu schaffen. Der anschließende zweite Schritt ist der funktionale Vergleich zwischen dem Mekong-Wasserregime und dem Rhein-Wasserregime. Dieser funktionelle Vergleich konzentriert sich nur auf die Funktionen, die von diesen beiden Regimen durchgeführt werden, und erlaubt uns, diese beiden Regime auf der Ebene der Implementierung zu vergleichen. Die mit diesem Vergleich gewonnene Erleuchtung bringt Inspiration für die Verbesserung des Mekong-Wasserregimes. Der dritte Schritt dieser Dissertation wurde der Suche nach Möglichkeiten zur Verbesserung des Mekong Wasserregimes gewidmet. Die Verbesserung der Rechtsgrundlage und der Institution, die Beteiligung Chinas, sind alle hier dargestellt. Zusammenfassend ist diese Dissertation eine juristische Untersuchung des Mekong-Wasserregimes und zielt darauf ab, die Wege zu seinen Verbesserungen zu finden. Die Autorin hofft, dass diese Dissertation Beiträge zu anderen verwandten Forschungsarbeiten, und zur Verbesserung der Effizienz und der ökologischen Nachhaltigkeit des gesamten Mekong-Wasserregimes leisten könnte. Grundlage für diese Forschung sind vor allem Vergleichsarbeiten in Aspekten der Rechtsgrundlage und Umsetzung. Diese Dissertation ist ein umfassender und detaillierter Wegweiser für die Erforschung des Mekong Wasserregimes. Die Leser können aus diesem Leitfaden viele Informationen gewinnen, was eine aussagekräftige Grundlage für die Erkundung der Leser in diesem Bereich darstellt. ; On 27 August 2014, the world famous 1997 Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses (the 1997 UNWC) entered into force. This event once again made international water law become a hot topic in the academic field, especially that of international public law. Moreover, according to the rapid development of the economy in Southeast Asia and also China, the Mekong River basin is gaining more and more attention in many respects. This dissertation focuses on international water law as it specifically applies to the Mekong River basin. The research presented herein analyzes the Mekong water regime firstly; secondly, it identifies the problems with this regime by means of assessment and comparison; lastly, it designated ways in which the regime could be improved upon. The author presents an in-depth analysis of the international legal water regime of the Mekong River basin and proposes an assessment thereof. She also uses another famous and mature international water regime, namely the Rhine water regime, to make a functional comparison focusing merely on the realistic functions of these two regimes. This comparison is an integral point of this dissertation, and draws a clear picture for people to understand what an international water regime can do in reality. At the same time, this comparison provides a series of inspirations for considerations on how to improve the Mekong water regime. In order to lay a more effective foundation for suggestions on how to achieve this objective, the author also uses the 1997 UNWC, which entered into force in 2014, as a model for the improvement of the only specific legally binding basis of this regime, namely the 1995 Mekong Agreement. Based on the analysis, assessment, and comparisons just described, the author distinguishes the optimal direction for efforts to improve the Mekong water regime. In the last chapter, the author expresses that not only the legal basis but also the regime's institution should be improved; furthermore, the relationships with the donors, the NGOs, the public and also the upstream countries, especially China, must also be taken into account for its future development. The objective of the dissertation is to give its readers an explicit understanding of the Mekong River basin's international legal water regime and know its characters and drawbacks. Two of the comparisons laid out in this dissertation are also two crucial new points for readers to draw inspiration from. The improvement suggested provides several meaningful ways of achieving the future development of the Mekong water regime, as well as a good basis for guiding the actions of the Mekong River Commission and also for regional cooperation and communication.

There are many research papers on local self-government from 1990s till present in Lithuania. However, according to the author, there is a lack of research papers where the Lithuanian local self-government system would be analysed ystematically. The author has published several articles in the academic journal Public Policy and Administration. In this article, the author, by way of creative analogy, presents his approach as to who is granted the right to (local) self- government and who enjoys this right (i.e., what is the subject of the right to (local) self-government) as well as explains who, in his opinion, enforces the right to (local) self-government and how. Summarizing the results, the author presents the following conclusions: 1. Interpreting the first paragraph of Article 119 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania "The right to self-government shall be guaranteed to administrative units of the territory of the State, which are provided for by law. It shall be implemented through corresponding municipal councils", the following questions remain unanswered: what subject is guaranteed (granted) the right to (local) self-government? Is a municipal council really the only local authority through which the right to (local) self-government is implemented? 2. The systematic analysis of provisions on guaranteeing (granting) and implementing the right to (local) self-government, established in the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, rulings and decisions of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Lithuania Law on Local Self-Government, and the European Charter of Local Self-Government, suggests that: (a) three subjects may be considered as the subjects of the right to (local) self-government in Lithuania; (b) the developers of the constitutional doctrine of (local) self-government chose the territorial (local) community as the subject of the right to (local) self-government by applying analogy (the Constitution stipulates that sovereignty belongs to the Nation); (c) by making the subject of the right to (local) self-government equal to the Nation State (sovereign that has the supreme power in the state), the developers of the doctrine applied the analogy in respect of the implementation of the right to (local) selfgovernment: they essentially saw the implementation of the right to (local) self-government and exercise of the supreme power in the municipality as the same, the latter being exercised through the representative municipal (self-government) institution. 3. It is stated that in Lithuania, which belongs to the countries with the continental legal system and where the theory of dual local self-government is followed for interpreting the origin of local municipalities and the nature and content of local self-government, the right to independently deal with local matters (or otherwise, right to (local) self-government in a wider sense) is guaranteed (granted) to the local municipality, an organised territorial social body that is composed of permanent residents in a territorial administrative unit established by law, that has the status of a public legal person and that has the competence established (defined) by the state. 4. Guaranteeing (granting) the right to self-government to the residents of the territorial administrative unit is a process lasting for a defined time rather than a single action of the state. During the process, major qualitative changes take place in the life of residents (to be accurate, in their communication and their governing) of the territorial administrative unit, and some decisions adopted and actions taken on the national level give shape to a territorial, organised social body (local municipality) that has a legal status and the competence defined by the state. 5. Creatively applying the analogy, it may be asserted that: a) the right to self-government (right to (local) self-government in a broader sense) elonging to a local municipality is the right of a territorial organised community (local municipality) and the real power to exist (act) as a legally independent, self-governing and autonomous social body; in this case, the subject of the right to (local) self-government (in a broader sense) is a local municipality, and (b) the right to self-government (right to (local) self-government in a narrower sense) belonging to a municipal community is the right of a municipal community as of a special local municipal structural element to directly or through a municipal council (representative body of a local municipality) exercise, in the ways prescribed, the supreme power in the local municipality when dealing with local (public) matters within the competence of the local municipality; in this case, the subject of the right to (local) self-government (in a narrower sense ) is a municipal community. ; Lietuvoje apie vietos savivaldą paskelbta nemažai mokslo darbų. Vis dėlto mokslo darbų, kuriuose vietos savivalda būtų tyrinėjama sistemiškai, dar labai trūksta. Šio straipsnio autorius yra nagrinėjęs daugumą vietos savivaldos sistemos elementų ir vertinęs skirtingu laiku Lietuvoje pasireiškusią šios sistemos elementų specifiką ir problematiką. Pastaruosius keletą metų autorius rengia apibendrinamojo pobūdžio apžvalgas apie Lietuvos vietos savivaldos sistemą ir jos kaitos dėsningumus per tam tikrą istorinį laikotarpį. Moksliniame leidinyje "Viešoji politika ir administravimas" autorius jau yra paskelbęs keletą straipsnių [2, 3], kuriuose per daugiau kaip dvidešimt metų sukauptų žinių ir įgytos asmeninės praktinės patirties teisėkūros ir teisės aktų įgyvendinimo procesuose pagrindu, pasinaudodamas kitų mokslininkų vertingomis išvadomis ir pastebėjimais, pateikė savo požiūrį į įvairius vietos savivaldos sistemos elementus ir jų vertinimus. Šiame straipsnyje autorius toliau tęsia vietos savivaldos sisteminį nagrinėjimą ir, kūrybiškai pasinaudodamas analogija, pateikia savo požiūrį į tai, kam Lietuvoje laiduojama (vietos) savivaldos teisė (t. y. kas yra (vietos) savivaldos teisės subjektas) ir kaip, autoriaus nuomone, ji įgyvendinama.

In the article the author considers the main innovation of the new law «On Higher Education» and autonomy of universities. The author analyzes the main positives and benefits of this innovation and the experience of Western universities and justifies position on the need for radical change in management, developing new standards, plans and etc. Thus, at the first place of the list there are innovations related to changes in management. They, in turn, also form a hierarchy, where on the top there are educational policy proposals, and on the lowest stage are personnel changes in the management of an institution. The successful implementation of decentralization reforms or significant implications requires strong and durable and contemporary models of rational planning and implementation. In this sense, the author assesses the likely hazards and Ukrainian autonomy of Higher Education, the trends, which are the prospects for the unsuccessful implementation and have negative social consequences. Proving the idea that the first means of preventing negative tendencies is a gradual balance and account crisis of socio­economic situation in Ukraine, the author also emphasizes that efforts in this direction requires, above all, political support, because of such conversion should be wide access to the constant monitoring of the situation, statistical data on the state and trends of changes in higher education of the country. 1.07. In 2014, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law "On Higher Education" (No. 1187-2) in its second reading and in general. Presenting the bill, People's Deputy from the "Batkivshchyna", chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Science and Education Lilia Grinevich reminded that attempts to adopt this document lasted 5 years. His text received about a thousand suggestions from the public. One of the main innovations of the law is the autonomy of higher education, according to the Minister of Education S. Kvit, "the law is based on the idea of university autonomy in a broad sense. We understand university autonomy as an autonomous academic, financial and organizational, that is, the university itself will solve most issues without seeking permissions to the Ministry of Education. By this law, we give the universities some tools in their hands so that they can understand themselves. Together with autonomy and broad rights, we pass on the responsibility of universities for their quality ". Thus, according to the new Law, "autonomy of a higher educational establishment is independence, independence and responsibility of a higher educational institution in making decisions regarding the development of academic freedoms, organization of scientific research, educational process, internal management and finance, etc. The rights of a higher educational institution, which determine the content of its autonomy, are established by law and can not be restricted by other laws and regulations "[1]. At first glance, this version of the law is clear, balanced, comprehensible, and moreover - the long-awaited community of educators. But is everything so simple and easy to be implemented? How many "pitfalls" awaits especially at state universities, which trends can provoke this, since the transition to autonomy implies a radical change in the management system in education, the formation of new quality standards and independent accreditation centers. We will try to understand the main innovations that Ukrainian universities should be prepared for. ; У статті розглядається основна інновація нового закону «Про вищу освіту» – автономізація вищих навчальних закладів . Автор аналізує основні позитиви і переваги цього нововведення і на досвіді західноєвропейських вишів обґрунтовує позицію щодо потреби докорінної зміни менеджменту, формування нових стандартів, планів тощо. Таким чином, на першому місці у переліку інновацій, пов'язаних з автономізацією, завжди виявляються зміни в управлінні. Вони, у свою чергу, теж формують певну ієрархію – на вищому рівні знаходяться освітньо­політичні пропозиції, на найнижчому – персональні зміни у керівництві того чи іншого закладу. Тому успішне втілення реформ децентралізаційного чи іншого, значного за наслідками, плану вимагає потужних і довготривалих раціональних і сучасних моделей планування і втілення. В цьому сенсі автор оцінює і ймовірні небезпеки автономізації української вищої школи, ті тенденції, які за перспективи неуспішної реалізації матимуть негативні соціальні наслідки. Відстоюючи думку про те, що найперший засіб запобігання негативним тенденціям – це поступовість, зваженість і врахування кризової соціально­економічної ситуації в Україні, авторка також підкреслює, що зусилля в цьому напрямку вимагають, насамперед, політичної підтримки, оскільки для проведення подібного перетворення необхідно мати широкий доступ до постійного моніторингу ситуації, статистичних матеріалів стосовно стану і тенденцій змін у вищій школі країни. ; У статті розглядається основна інновація нового закону «Про вищу освіту» – автономізація вищих навчальних закладів . Автор аналізує основні позитиви і переваги цього нововведення і на досвіді західноєвропейських вишів обґрунтовує позицію щодо потреби докорінної зміни менеджменту, формування нових стандартів, планів тощо. Таким чином, на першому місці у переліку інновацій, пов'язаних з автономізацією, завжди виявляються зміни в управлінні. Вони, у свою чергу, теж формують певну ієрархію – на вищому рівні знаходяться освітньо­політичні пропозиції, на найнижчому – персональні зміни у керівництві того чи іншого закладу. Тому успішне втілення реформ децентралізаційного чи іншого, значного за наслідками, плану вимагає потужних і довготривалих раціональних і сучасних моделей планування і втілення. В цьому сенсі автор оцінює і ймовірні небезпеки автономізації української вищої школи, ті тенденції, які за перспективи неуспішної реалізації матимуть негативні соціальні наслідки. Відстоюючи думку про те, що найперший засіб запобігання негативним тенденціям – це поступовість, зваженість і врахування кризової соціально­економічної ситуації в Україні, авторка також підкреслює, що зусилля в цьому напрямку вимагають, насамперед, політичної підтримки, оскільки для проведення подібного перетворення необхідно мати широкий доступ до постійного моніторингу ситуації, статистичних матеріалів стосовно стану і тенденцій змін у вищій школі країни.

ANOTĀCIJA Pētījuma pamats ir Eiropas Savienības arodbiedrību koncepts sociālajā dialogā un sociālā partnerība publiskās pārvaldes lēmumu pieņemšanas procesā. Sociālais dialogs ir salīdzinoši jauns jēdziens, kas tikai pēdējās desmitgadēs ir ieguvis nozīmīgu vietu publiskajās debatēs starptautiskā līmenī. Tas ir balstīts uz Starptautiskās darba organizācijas (turpmāk – SDO, angļu valodā – International Labour Organization) konstitūciju un darbību, aptverot tādas jomas, kā darba tiesības, nodarbinātība un sociālā aizsardzība. Izmantojot šo trīspusējo struktūru, SDO pasaulē īsteno unikālu pieeju sociālā dialoga ieviešanā. Sociālā drošība un sociālais dialogs ir arī Eiropas sociālās politikas pamatelementi, tādējādi norises ES var kalpot arī nacionālo līmeņu, tajā skaitā Latvijas, sociālā dialoga un sociālās partnerības galveno tendenču attīstības analīzei. Šis pētījums iezīmē sociālā dialoga jēdzienu kā galveno elementu darba attiecībās ar uzsvaru tieši uz darba attiecībām publiskajā sektorā. Autors ir izstrādājis pieeju darba attiecībām un sociālajam dialogam, ņemot vērā salīdzinošo pieeju definīcijas, ko noteikušas starptautiskās institūcijas, piemēram, SDO un Ekonomiskās sadarbības un attīstības organizācija (angļu valodā – Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD), kā arī dažādas iestādes ES un Latvijā. Autors atsaucies arī uz vairākiem pētījumiem, ko veikuši zinātnieki ar nozīmīgiem ieguldījumiem šajā pētniecības jomā. Īpaša uzmanība pievērsta arodbiedrībām kā sociālajam partnerim lēmumu pieņemšanas procesā ES līmenī, kur sociālā partnerība ir daļa no ES sociālās dimensijas un ir ievērojami attīstījusies salīdzinājumā ar valstīm citur pasaulē. Pašreizējās diskusijas ES līmenī ir vērstas uz tādiem modeļiem, kā, piemēram, Eiropas sociālā savienība, kas var papildināt Eiropas Ekonomikas un monetāro savienību, un diskusijas par Eiropas politisko savienību. Šis pētījums arī iezīmējis sociālā dialoga konceptu kā galveno elementu darba attiecībās ar uzsvaru uz darba attiecībām īpaši publiskajā sektorā. Arodbiedrību loma sarunās ar sociālajiem partneriem un sociālā dialoga koncepcija varētu būt ļoti nozīmīga diskusijās par Eiropas sociālo savienību. Šajā pētījumā tiek apspriesti un salīdzināti dažādu arodbiedrību modeļi, un jo īpaši tiek analizēts mūsdienu Latvijas arodbiedrību modelis. Tiek analizēta arodbiedrību kā sociālā partnera loma lēmumu pieņemšanas procesā – galvenokārt attiecībā uz valsts sektoru. Darbā tiek iztirzāta Latvijai aktuālā Latvijas Brīvo arodbiedrību savienības darbība un tās attīstība, īpaši attiecībā uz lēmumu pieņemšanas procesu, kas saistīts ar valsts pārvaldes vadību. Nobeigumā, balstoties uz intervijām un anketēšanu, analizējot ekspertu viedokļus, kā arī apkopojot un analizējot arodbiedrību biedru viedokļus un pārējo iedzīvotāju viedokļus, tiek analizēta arodbiedrību loma perspektīvā ES un Latvijā un izvērtēta arodbiedrību nozīme lēmumu pieņemšanā publiskajā pārvaldē. Pamatojoties uz galvenajiem atklājumiem, pētījuma rezultātā apkopoti secinājumi un izstrādāti priekšlikumi arodbiedrību darbībai publiskās pārvaldes lēmumu pieņemšanā. Atslēgvārdi: arodbiedrības, likumdošana, sociālais dialogs, sociālā partnerība. ; ANNOTATION The framework of the study is the EU conce0pt of trade unions in social dialogue and social partnership in the public sector. Social dialogue is a relatively new concept. It has gained significant importance in public debates internationally only in the last decades and is grounded in the constitution and activities of ILO covering rights at work, employment and social protection. Through its tripartite structure, the ILO has unique access to the world in relation to the Social dialogue implementation. Social dialogue and social security also became fundamental elements in the European Social policy, thus the EU could serve as an example of analysis of main trends in the development of Social dialog and Social partnership at the EU and national levels. The subject of current discussion at the EU level is focused on such models as, for example, European Social Union, which would complement the European Economic Union and a European Political Union. This study outlines the concept of the Social dialogue as a core element of the industrial relations with a focus on industrial relations specifically in the public sector. The concept of Social dialogue and the role of trade unions in negotiations with social partners could contribute to the discussion about European Social Union. The author has elaborated the approach to industrial relations and Social dialogue taking into account comparative approach to definitions provided by the international institutions such as ILO and OECD as well as institutions in the EU and Latvia. The author also refers to a number of studies by scholars that made contributions to this area of research. Special attention is given to trade unions as a social partner in decision – making process at the EU level, where social partnership as a part of the EU social dimension and is significantly developed compare to the other parts of the world. In this study different trade unions' models are discussed and compared. In particular, a model of trade unions' in nowadays Latvia is analysed. The role of trade unions as a social partner in decision -making process related mainly to the public sector is illustrated. The author applies a "model-based" approach by using the example of Latvia where a number of anti-crisis measures have been undertaken. Latvia could serve as an example of one of the peripheral EU Member States and also a 'programme' country that benefited from EU and IMF assistance, but experienced challenges in effectiveness of social dialogue and performance of trade unions. The paper discusses the current developments related to the position of Latvian Free Trade Union Federation in the system of decision-making process related to the public administration management. Finally the prospective role of trade unions in the EU and in Latvia is analysed and possible revitalisation of trade union is discussed. The author suggests to deeper the role of trade unions in implementation of the flexicurity principles as well as in the implementation of the European Citizen's Initiative. On the basis of the main findings, the study provides conclusions and suggestions for trade union actions. Keywords: trade unions, legislation, social dialogue, and social partnership.

Цель. Осмыслить феномен духовности общества в связи с человеческой сущностью как «трансценденцией», свободой в условиях глобализации социальной деятельности. Предложить идею мировоззренческой космо-теоцентрической парадигмы, основанной на принципе «метафизической ответственности» человека как «трансцендентного проекта». В связи с поставленной целью на уровне общефилософского синтеза выделить особенность онтологического положения человека в бытии как творца культуры и указать на его служебную роль в универсуме, исполнение которой автор считает основной духовной функцией человеческого сообщества. Обосновать ограниченность антропо-социоцентризма как принципа мировоззрения современного цивилизованного общества, в котором человек служит самому себе. Дать анализ понятия обусловленности индивидов и узости их смысловых интенций в круге целей и интересов цивилизационного развития. Выделить возросшее значение духовного авторитета, мудреца в современном обществе, указать на важность гармонического ансамбля душевных качеств личности, сочетающихся на основе сбалансированной дополнительности познавательного, эстетического, морального, религиозного отношений к действительности. Методология. Характер методологического подхода к исследованию феномена духовности автор связывает с принципом экзистенциального единства элементов телесно-духовной организации человека – разума, переживания, воли, веры. Такой подход предполагает учѐт не только факторов объективной детерминации форм и тенденций человеческого существования, но и включение ценностного, смыслового, мировоззренческого полагания в культуру на партикулярном и универсальном уровнях. Воссоздавая космо-теоцентрическую конструкцию вектора развития общества в направлении духовности, автор исходил также из априорно принимаемой им очевидности особого положения человека в бытии как «проекта Трансцендентного» с «метафизическим долженствованием». Научная новизна. Проблема духовного мироотношения человека в истории культуры, так или иначе, является сквозной, архетипической. В современных условиях, однако, при глобализации человеческой жизнедеятельности, она приобретает особую остроту, хотя в массовом обществе она почти не замечается или воспринимается как некое ювелирное украшение культуры личности. От того, насколько общество овладеет духовным, космо-теоцентрическим мировоззрением, зависит практическое выживание человечества, судьба цивилизации, а в метафизическом смысле возможность реализации человека в качестве онтологически заданного духовного существа. Связывая размышление о духовности человека с априорной онтологической предпосылкой его положения в бытии как трансценденции, автор придаѐт философствованию спекулятивный характер, поскольку, если бы он исходил их эмпирических оснований и двигался аналитическим путѐм, таяли бы его вера и надежда на духовную реализацию человечества. Выводы. Переход современного цивилизованного общества к космо-теоцентрической парадигме мировоззрения подготовлен противоречиями его технологического и культурного развития. В условиях возрастания силы сознательного влияния общества на самого себя многое в реализации этого процесса зависит от духовного направления деятельности людей в сфере культуры и душевных качеств субъектов культурной деятельности, которые идеально обрисованы в статье как мудрецы, духовные авторитеты. Самым серьѐзным препятствием на пути духовной трансформации потребительского общества является мировоззренческий антропоцентризм. Его недостаток не только в том, что он превращает человека в культ для самого себя, а его жизнедеятельность в служение себе, антропоцентризм ослабляет потенцию веры человека и его волю. Демократический плюрализм, многообразие культурных форм, усиление аналитической тенденции в познании превращаются в факторы смысловой растерянности и неуверенности знания, безуспешно ищущего надѐжных доказательств на уровне общего выбора направления общественного развития. Эту слабость в сфере стратегического нравственного предпочтения многие постмодерные философы представляют как силу противодействия «большим нарративам», «тоталитарным идеологиям». Однако людей без идеологии нет, как нет и сомнения в наличии ценностных ориентиров, в отношении которых может быть установлено решающее общественное единодушие. ; The purpose of the article is to regard the essence and phenomenon of spirituality in connection with ontologi-cal foundation of human being existence. The author suggests the concept of new cosmo-theocentric paradigm of human world outlook, as a ground of perspective transformation of social life activity on the contrary to anthropo-centric view, which dominates in present society consciousness. The author gives the characteristics of the ideal sage and underlines the importance of spiritual teachers in cultural development of society. Methodology. The me-thod of philosophizing is connected with the unity of mind, sensuality, belief, will in integral body and mental or-ganization of a man. Such point of view takes into consideration not only aspects of objective determination, but includes senses of existence and world outlook ideas in culture on particular and universal levels of social experi-ence. The author considers a special ontological disposition of the human being in the world as a "transcendent project" with "metaphysic responsibility". Scientific novelty. In the history of social culture the problem of its spiri-tual attitude towards reality is a basic problem, but now it becomes especially up-to-date and important. Now the survival of the civilization depends on the development of spirituality. From metaphysical point of view it means how spiritual the human being may be. The author connects the consideration of spirituality with particular human being ontological status in the world and provides his reflection with speculative character. Conclusions. The transi-tion of modern civilized society to the cosmo-theocentric paradigm is prepared by contradictions of its technological and cultural development. In historical circumstances when the conscious influence of society on itself is growing, the realization of this process depends on spiritual trend of human beings cultural activity and mental quality of so-cial leaders. Anthropocentrism as a world view principle is a main obstacle on the way to spiritual transformation of consumer society. This principle made the human being the cult for itself and weakened its ability for will and be-lief. Democratic pluralism and diversity of cultural forms, reinforcement of analytic tendency in cognition are turned into the aspects of confusion in selection the trends of social development. Many philosophers of "postmodern situa-tion" connect democracy and pluralism with fighting against totalitarian ideologies. However, we have no person without any ideology and undoubtedly it is possible to attain consonance in the sphere of main morality values.

С принятием и вступлением в силу части 2 ГК РФ выяснилось, что глава 54 ГК РФ оставляет открытыми ряд вопросов, из которых одним из наиболее важных представляется вопрос о соотношении договора коммерческой концессии (франчайзинга) с близкими по юридической природе лицензионным договором, договором простого товарищества, договором комиссии и агентским договором, дистрибьютерским договором, инвестиционным договором. На страницах научных изданий продолжается активная полемика, которая касается также определения понятия, правовой природы и особенностей договора коммерческой концессии как института гражданского права. Отсутствие четкости в указанных критериях приводит к значительным сложностям в практическом применении действующего законодательства, что, в свою очередь, требует его совершенствования путем внесения изменений и дополнений. В представленной статье усматривается выбор автора в качестве конечной цели решения вопроса о соответствии существующего в настоящее время законодательного понятия коммерческой концессии действующей бизнес-модели договора франчайзинга. Для решения указанной цели автором используются методы статистического анализа, абстрагирования и сравнительного правоведения. В статье в результате исследования существующих теоретических подходов путём применения упомянутых методов анализа гражданско-правовых норм, регулирующих отношения сторон по договору коммерческой концессии и смежных с ним договоров, определены правовая природа и особенности договора коммерческой концессии как института гражданского права. Исследованы проблемы практики правоприменения. Как вывод, автором высказано мнение о том, что наличие признаков, свидетельствующих о самостоятельности договора коммерческой концессии, еще не доказывает того, что его необходимо рассматривать в качестве самостоятельного вида договора, выдвинут тезис об актуализации решения вопросов адекватного договорного оформления исключительных прав на результаты интеллектуальной деятельности и перехода к инновационному этапу развития экономики. Как результат, определены основные требования к совершенствованию правового регулирования отношений возникающих из договора коммерческой концессии. Новизна исследований автора, представленных в данной статье, видится в выдвижении оригинального конкретного предложения о принятии во внимание ряда принципов при формировании нового законодательства о франчайзинге, в виде специального закона, а именно: учета неразрывности условий договора коммерческой концессии, которым предусмотрено использование комплекса исключительных прав и организационных условий (продуктовые и организационные ноу-хау); достижения баланса частных и публичных интересов (интересов бизнеса, общества и государства); учета «лучших практик» регулирования франчайзинга за рубежом, как в развитых, так и развивающихся странах, для целей адаптации данного опыта в российской практике. Среди возможных социальных результатов учета законодателем при разработке и принятии нормативных правовых актов предложений, представленных автором настоящей статьи, видится значительное развитие отношений, оформляемым договором франчайзинга, распространение которых в РФ весьма востребовано, однако в настоящее время происходит слишком медленно. Сам анализ, полученные автором выводы и предложенные им подходы могут послужить почвой для дальнейшей научной дискуссии, а также стать частью российской правовой доктрины. ; With the adoption and entry into force of the Civil Code 2 revealed that Chapter 54 of Civil Code leaves open a number of issues, of which one of the most important is the question of the relationship of a commercial concession (franchise) with close to the legal nature of the license agreement, partnership agreement, contract and commission agency agreement, Distribution agreement, investment contract. On the pages of scientific publications continues active controversy, which also concerns the definition, the legal nature and characteristics of the commercial concession agreement as an institution of civil law. Lack of clarity in these criteria leads to considerable difficulties in the practical application of the current legislation, which, in turn, requires its improvement through changes and additions. In the article the author's choice is seen as the ultimate goal to address the issue of compliance with the existing legislation currently existing concept of franchise business model franchise agreement. To achieve the goal of the author used methods of statistical analysis, abstraction and Comparative Law. The article from the study of existing theoretical approaches by applying these methods of analysis of civil law governing the relationship of the parties under the contract of commercial concession and allied contracts, defined the legal nature and characteristics of the commercial concession agreement as an institution of civil law. The problems of enforcement practices. As a conclusion, the author suggested that there is an indication of the independence of the commercial concession agreement does not prove that it should be considered as a separate type of contract, have argued that an update addressing adequate contractual design exclusive rights to results of intellectual activity and transition to the innovative stage of economic development. As a result, the basic requirements for the improvement of the legal regulation of relations arising from the contract of commercial concession. The novelty of the author's research, presented in this article, is seen in the extension of the original concrete proposal for taking into account a number of principles in the formation of the new legislation on franchising, in the form of a special law, namely excluding the continuity conditions of the contract of commercial concession, which provides for the use of the system of exclusive rights and organizational conditions (food and organizational know-how) to achieve a balance private and public interests (interests of business, society and the state); accounting "best practices" regulation of franchising abroad, in both developed and developing countries for adaptation of this experiment Russian practice. Among the possible social impact accounting legislator in the development and adoption of normative legal acts of the proposals submitted by the author, seen significant development of relations to be signed by the franchise contract, the distribution of which is highly in demand in Russia, but now is too slow. Analysis itself, obtained by the author and the conclusions he proposed approaches can serve as a basis for further scientific discussion, and become part of the Russian legal doctrine.

AbstractThe distinction between the international refugee status and the national legal position as a refugee is important. The decision is based on different legal sources and taken by different competent bodies. Furthermore, different procedures should apply to the two different questions. In practice, however, the recognition procedure is often one and the same. The relation between the refugee and the country of asylum is the most important relation and this is where most problems come up. It is a serious problem, if states refuse to grant the international refugee status in order to regulate for instance the labour market. Furthermore, there is a legal dichotomy which may create difficulties in the fact that international law such as for instance the Refugee Convention of 1951 often regulates the international refugee status, as well as the legal position as a refugee in national law. In practice, the international rules apply only if a person has been recognized as belonging to the category of people defined as refugees. This is not logic, because the recognition as a refugee is declaratory not constructive. This is important, not just from a legal point of view, but also because of diplomatic and political considerations concerning the relationship between the country of asylum and the refugee's own country. The material question of defining who is a refugee is established in international treaties which also define the competence for recognizing refugee status. This competence lies with the potential country of Asylum. At the same time, however, the competence of recognizing a refugee under the statute of the UNHCR lies with the High Commissioner. This inconsistency, however, has not in practical terms led to too many unfortunate results. It is quite normal that it is left to the states to interprete international law embodied in the principle of autointerpretaion. Autointerpretation, however, does not include a right to autodecision. The interpretation which states attach to international law has to be acceptable for the international community and the spokesmen of the international community in this respect is Unied Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. While the material problems and the problems of competence are regulated in international treaties, these treaties are, however, silent about the procedure for recognition. Very few states have a formalized procedure for the recognition of refugee status. One argument, which has been put forward, is that national authorities are reluctant to recognize the international refugee status of a person, because this recognition will have effects in other countries particularly concerning entry and status in these other countries. The author suggests that even if it is desirable for the individual refugee that his status as a refugee is recognized once and for all by all contracting parties to the Refugee Convention, it appears obvious that the conventions leave it to each state to decide on the refugee status in relation to the individual refugee as well as in relation to other states. This legal situation has drawbacks, but it means on the other hand that states cannot deny refugee status with reference to the practice of other states. The author furthermore suggests that international harmonization of the recognition procedures is desirable probably only from a political point of view, namely that states in the same region solve the problems in common so that no single state escapes its international responsibility by a particularly restrictive practice. A harmonization does not appear to be necessary out of considerations for the individual refugee, and it would probably be impossible. Certain elements should, however, be included in every recognition procedure. As far as the evaluation of facts is concerned it is quite difficult to establish judicial or administrative bodies to deal effectively with this side of the problem. The author refers to the Danish solution according to which cases are referred to the Danish Refugee Council which is a private organization for the elucidation of facts involved in the case. The Council is in a position much more freely than the official administration to use its private international connection to receive information which is beyond the judicial official administrative system. As far as the legal aspects are concerned it is necessary that there is a close contact with the international community in order to make sure that the decision of the state is acceptable to the international community. The author points out that the decision of a person's international status as a refugee is a decision for life. It is therefore necessary that at least as many legal safeguards are included in this decision as in ordinary judical proceedings. Decisions should be made by legal authorities independent of the political structure. The legal guarantees should ensure that the decision is made by persons who are independent of the political power structure, that legal counsel is offered the applicant, that there is a possibility of appeal and that the decisions and proceedings to the widest possible extent are public. If there is not complete harmony between national and international law, it will be up to the national courts to point out that there is a breach of an international obligation. According to normal practice in the Nordic countries, the court will probably go far in constructing the national rules in conformity with the international obligations. Three points in conclusion and for debate: — A person's international refugee status is something that primarily comes out of international rules and the only purpose of the recognition procedure is to establish this in relation to the country of asylum. The decision is legal and should be taken in legal forms. A person's international refugee status and the legal position which a country normally gives refugees should not be confused.

U radu "Knjiga Samuel" autor dr Gavro Schwarz želi da široj čitalačkoj publici prikaže koncept "biblijske kritike". Njegov rad bazira se na analizi Knjige Samuelove koja zauzima važno mesto među biblijskim knjigama istorijskog sadržaja. Jevrejska istorija kroz Toru prikazuje kako se Izrael razvija kao narod, u knjigama Jošua i Sudije kako taj narod osvaja zemlju, u Samuelu kako se stvara izraelska država i kako nastaje monarhija, dok se u Knjizi Kraljeva opisuje kako se ta država raspada i polako uništava. Samuel dakle predočava središnji deo izraelske istorije, njen najlepši i najslavniji period koji obuhvata vreme od punih stotinu godina. Dr Schwarz podrobno opisuje i prepričava istorijske događaje koji su se odigrali u to vreme, razlaže ih i analizira na pitanja kojima se bavi biblijska kritika. Posebno se osvrće na razmatranja o tome da li knjiga Samuelova potiče od jednog ili više izvora i autora i zaključuje da kompozicija knjige verovatno upućuje na jednu osobu koja ima ustaljenu metodu i poseban način pisanja. Autor knjige Sameuleove novelističkom širinom opisuje male događaje i postupke likova iz kojih se rađaju veliki preokreti koji istoriju izraelskog naroda temeljno preobražavaju. On oslikava istoriju Izraela i namere Svevišnjega koji je izraelski narod uzeo pod svoju zaštitu i organizuje njegovu sudbinu. Istorijski događaji nisu puka slučajnost nego se odigravaju po odlukama Višeg bića. Autor ove Knjige želeo je da detaljno izloži i objasni način na koji se odluka Božja manifestuje, kako se pretvara u stvarnost i proizvodi velike preokrete. U izraelskoj istoriji Samuel, Saul i David označavaju važne epohe, nova stanja i slavna razdoblja. Zbog toga knjiga Samuelova želi prikazati ove velike epohe i preokrete u izraelskoj istoriji kao i način na koji se potlačeni narod vinuo najpre do slobode i nezavisnosti a zatim do vladavine nad susednim narodima i do političke moći i ugleda. U daljoj analizi dr Schwarz razmatra činjenice o "objektivnoj" i istoriji koju su opisivali proroci i ističe da je u istoriji izraelskog naroda religija za proroke imala važno stanovište na osnovu koga su posmatrali i prosuđivali događaje i pojave. Dr Schwarz konstatuje da je autor knjige Samuelove upotrebio svu raspoloživu istorijsku građu, slavne događaje i pojave i sačuvao objektivnost. Proniknuo je u biće i karakter svojih junaka i knjizi pridodao svoje umeće pripovedanja, psihološkog vezivanja i religiozne motivacije. Na kraju svog rada dr Schwarz zaključuje da među istorijskima knjigama Svetog pisma nijedna nema ovakav umetnički i istančan opis istorijskih karaktera kakav nalazimo u knjizi Samuelovoj koja, kako Klostermann kaže predstavlja 'najvišu tačku hebrejske historiografije'". ; In "The Book of Samuel", the author Dr. Gavro Schwarz wants to present the concept of "biblical criticism" to a wider readership. His work is based on the analysis of the Book of Samuel, which has an important place among the biblical books of historical content. Jewish history through the Torah shows how Israel developed as a nation, in the books of Joshua and Judges how that nation conquered the land, in Samuel how the state of Israel was created and how the monarchy was formed, while the Book of Kings describes how that state disintegrated and slowly destroyed. Samuel thus presents the central part of Israeli history, its most beautiful and glorious period, which covers a time of a full hundred years. Dr. Schwarz describes and convinces in detail the historical events that took place at that time, explains them, and analyzes the issues addressed by biblical criticism. He gives special attention to the considerations of whether Samuel's book originates from one or more sources and authors, and concludes that the composition of the book probably refers to one person who has an established method and a specific way of writing. The author of Samuele's book describes in novelistic wideness the small events and actions of the characters from which great upheavals are born, which fundamentally transform the history of the people of Israel. It portrays the history of Israel and intentions of the God, who took the people of Israel under his protection and organizes their destiny. Historical events are not mere coincidences, but take place according to the decisions of the higher being. The author of this book wanted to explain in detail the way in which God's decision is manifested, how it turns into reality and produces great upheavals. In Israeli history, Samuel, Saul, and David mark important epochs, new states, and glorious periods. That is why Samuel's book wants to show these great epochs and upheavals in Israeli history, as well as the way in which the oppressed people rose first to freedom and independence and then to rule over neighboring nations and to political power and prestige. In further analysis, Dr. Schwarz discusses the facts about the "objective" and the history described by the prophets and points out that in the history of the people of Israel, religion had an important point of view for the prophets on the basis of observing and judging events and phenomena. Dr. Schwarz states that the author of Samuel's book used all available historical material, famous events and phenomena, and preserved objectivity. He comes up with the being and the character of his heroes and added his storytelling skills, psychological attachment, and religious motivation to the book. At the end of his work, Dr. Schwarz concludes that none of the historical books of Holy Writings has such an artistic and sophisticated description of historical characters as we find in Samuel's book, which, as Klostermann says, represents "the highest point of Hebrew historiography."

"These Walls reframes the debate the country's incarceration crisis, with a compelling focus on architecture as a path forward. Tony Messenger, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Profit and Punishment says "A critical intervention in the high stakes debate about the social value of jails and what we could do instead to create safety and justice." Alex Vitale, author of The End of Policing writes For nearly a century, the Rikers Island jail complex has stood on a 413-acre man-made island in the East River of New York. Today it is the largest correctional facility in the city, housing eight active jails and thousands of incarcerated individuals who have not yet been tried. It is also one of the most controversial and notorious jails in America. Which is why, when mayor Bill de Blasio announced in 2017 that Rikers would be closed within the next decade, replaced with four newly designed jails located within the city boroughs, the surface reaction seemed largely positive. Not only would Rikers, a long-standing symbol of the ills of mass incarceration, be decommissioned, but the buildings erected in its place would be the product of more enlightened views and outlooks. Many were enthusiastic, including Eva Fedderly, a journalist focused on the intersections of social justice and design, who was covering the closure and its impact for Architectural Digest. In a world of the rhetoric of talking heads and empty political promises, here, finally, was action. Breaking down the structures that enable an unjust system would surely mean its eventual eradication--change. Wasn't that a sign of progress? As Fedderly dug deeper and spoke to more people involved, however, she discovered that the consensus was hardly universal. Among architects at megafirms tasked with redesigns that reconcile profits and progress, the members of law enforcement working to stop incarceration cycles in community hot spots, the reformers and abolitionists calling for change, and, most wrenchingly, the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals whose lives will be most affected, some agreed that closing Rikers was a step in the right direction, but many were quick to point out that Rikers was being replaced, not removed. There was frustration that the presence of new jails would disrupt neighborhoods, and that the city's resources should be invested in effective crime prevention and rehabilitation in communities to stop the incarceration cycle. On one point, however, there was firm agreement: whatever the outcome, the world would be watching. Part on-the-ground reporting, part deep social and architectural history, These Walls is an eye-opening look into how systems of inequity are constructed and a challenge to our long-held beliefs about what constitutes power and justice.

"The world has a lot of questions about the current state of affairs between the United States and Iran… How has the US undermined democracy in Iran? Is Iran really trying to develop nuclear weapons? How has US waged a terror campaign against Iran for years? How is it that the US and Israel, rather than Iran, are destabilizing the Middle East? How has Iran helped the US in the war on terror? In 'The Plot to Attack Iran', critically acclaimed author Dan Kovalik exposes what Americans have known about the Islamic Republic is largely based on propaganda. The 1953 coup that deposed the democratically-elected prime minister for a US-selected shah? Sold to average American citizens as a necessity to protect democracy and guard against communism. In truth, it was America's lust for Iranian oil and power that installed the tyrannical shah. The Iranian hostage crisis that miraculously ended with Ronald Reagan's inauguration as president? Evidence shows that Reagan negotiated with the hostage-takers to hold the hostages until his inauguration. Iran, once known as Persia, is one of the oldest nations on earth. It has a rich history and a unique culture, and is bordered by seven countries, the Caspian Sea, and the Persian Gulf. It is literally the intersection of many countries and many worlds. It has a population of eighty million people and occupies a space nearly the size of Alaska, the largest US state; it is the seventeenth largest country in the world. Over the past century, Iran's greatest resource, and at the same time its greatest curse, has been its oil. For it is oil that has caused the United States and other world powers to systematically attempt to destroy Iran. After a greedy Iranian monarch sold all of Iran's oil and natural gas reserves to a British financier in 1901, the West started just one of its many invasions and exploitations of the country. Using recently declassified documents and memos, as well as first-hand experience of the country, critically-acclaimed author Dan Kovalik will change the way you think about Iran, and especially what you think of US interference there. Learn how the United States vilifies its enemies, and accuses them of unspeakable horror to mask its own terrible crimes. Not only does the illuminating and important 'The Plot to Attack Iran' delve into the current incendiary situation, but it also predicts what could happen next, and what needs to be done before it is too late." (Publisher's description)

"This book tells how public authorities in Singapore designed and adapted policies for allocating land, capital, and labor in order to create good places for Singapore citizens and residents to live and work, setting the infrastructure for people in Singapore to create a poster-child East Asia economic miracle of the late 20th century ... The book is among other things a fascinating analytical economic history about how Singapore purposefully deployed a suite of interrelated public policies about land use, life cycle savings, taxation, regulation, and ethnic toleration."--THOMAS J. SARGENT, Nobel Laureate in Economics "Rich in facts, data, and scholarly analyses, this book tells a fascinating story of Singapore's affordable housing policy. It eloquently demonstrates that the objective of affordable housing is achievable. Global cities around the world struggling from declining housing affordability could learn a lot from Singapore's success."--ZHI LIU, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, USA "Which country gets the housing market right? This is a question that experts very often get at conferences, gatherings, and during interviews. And usually "Singapore" comes up as one of the answers. Sock-Yong Phang does an excellent job in sharing her knowledge on Singapore's housing market, and on what has and has not worked."--HITES AHIR, International Monetary Fund Global cities today are facing fundamental challenges in relation to unaffordable housing and growing economic inequality. Singapore's success in making homeownership possible for 90% of its population has attracted much attention internationally. This book represents a culmination of research by the author on key housing policy innovations for affordable housing. Housing policy changes were effected in the 1960s through reforms of colonial legislation and institutions dealing with state land acquisition, public housing, and provident fund savings. The comprehensive housing framework that was established enabled the massive resettlement of households from shophouses, slums and villages to high-rise government-built flats. In the 1980s and 1990s, housing market and land use regulations were amended in response to the changing needs of a growing economy. Housing policies have also been utilised to curb housing speculation, build racially inclusive communities, and reduce wealth inequality. More recently, an ageing population of homeowners has necessitated focus on policies for housing equity extraction. This landmark title is of relevance to all developing economies exploring alternative systems of affordable housing. Sock-Yong Phang is Celia Moh Chair Professor of Economics at the Singapore Management University, Singapore. She is the author of Housing Finance Systems: Market Failures and Government Failures (Palgrave Macmillan, 2013), as well as numerous publications on housing, urban transportation and public-private partnerships in scholarly journals

"The author of this stunning set of essays on politics and public policy makes crystal clear the meaning of the title. "The revolutionaries of contemporary America do not seek to redistribute privilege from those who have it to those who do not. These radicals wish to arrange a transfer of power from those elites who now exercise it to another elite, namely themselves, who do not. This aspiring elite is of the same race (white), the same class (upper middle and upper), and the same educational background (the best colleges and universities) as those they wish to displace." Wildavsky's bracing work takes a close look at these elites, who probably make up little more than one percent of the population. He sees their common denominator as hostility toward the masses, anti-American attitudes, derision of authority, and a belief in participatory rather than representative politics. The author carries through these themes in a variety of essays on black-white racial relations, social work orientations and black militancy, the politics of budgetary reform, elite and mass trends in the political party system, and the substitution of bureaucratic for democratic modes of advancing the policy process. This work is, in short, vintage Wildavsky: tough minded, spirited, and plain-spoken political analysis. In his new Introduction, Irving Louis Horowitz examines what has changed and what continues to be salient in Wildavsky's line of analysis. Essentially, the report card on The Revolt Against the Masses is that the situation described in these essays has changed somewhat in style but hardly at all in substance. The nuclear shield replaces the ABM treaty, and Afghanistan replaces Vietnam as centers of political gravity-but the same coalition of forces across party and economy still dominate the American political process. The justifiably famous essay on "The Two Presidencies" shows how persistent is the gap between the conflict over domestic priorities and the consensus on foreign policy-and why. This is, in short, a classic text that continues to merit careful study by all those interested in political life. Aaron Wildavsky was, until his death in 1993, professor of political science and public policy at the University of California in Berkeley. He was also director of its Survey Research Center. He served as director of the Russell-Sage Foundation, was a president of the American Political Science Association, and held a number of visiting professorships during his lifetime. Most recently, Transaction has posthumously published Wildavsky's complete essays and papers in five volumes. Irving Louis Horowitz is Hannah Arendt distinguished university professor emeritus at Rutgers, The State University, and longtime friend and associate of Aaron Wildavsky."--Provided by publisher.

Every oil and gas refinery or petrochemical plant requires sufficient utilities support in order to maintain a successful operation. A comprehensive utilities complex must exist to distribute feedstocks, discharge waste streams, and remains an integrated part of the refinery's infrastructure. Essentials of Oil and Gas Utilitiesexplains these support systems and provides essential information on their essential requirements and process design. This guide includes water treatment plants, condensate recovery plants, high pressure steam boilers, induced draft cooling towers, instrumentation/plant air compressors, and units for a refinery fuel gas and oil systems. In addition, the book offers recommendations for equipment and flow line protection against temperature fluctuations and the proper preparation and storage of strong and dilute caustic solutions. Essentials of Oil and Gas Utilitiesis a go-to resource for engineers and refinery personnel who must consider utility system design parameters and associated processes for the successful operations of their plants. Discusses gaseous and liquid fuel systems used to provide heat for power generation, steam production and process requirementsProvides a design guide for compressed air systems used to provide air to the various points of application in sufficient quantity and quality and with adequate pressure for efficient operation of air tools or other pneumatic devices.Explains the water systems utilized in plant operations which include water treatment systems or raw water and plant water system; cooling water circuits for internal combustion engines, reciprocating compressors, inter- cooling and after-cooling facilities; and 'Hot Oil' and 'Tempered Water' systems Alireza Bahadori, Ph.D., is a research staff member in the School of Environment, Science and Engineering at Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia. He received his Ph.D. from Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia.During the past twenty years, Dr. Bahadori has held various process and petroleum engineering positions and was involved in many large-scale projects at National Iranian Oil Co. (NIOC), Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), and Clough AMEC PTY LTD. He is the author of 250 articles and 14 books. His books have been published by multiple major publishers, including Elsevier. He has served on the editorial board of a number of journals and is a member of Engineers Australia. Dr. Bahadori is the recipient of the highly competitive and prestigious Australian Government's Endeavor International Postgraduate Research Award as part of his research in oil and gas area. He also received a Top-Up Award from the State Government of Western Australia through Western Australia Energy Research Alliance (WA:ERA) in 2009. Dr. Bahadori serves as a member of the editorial board and reviewer for a large number of journals. He was honored by Elsevier to be an outstanding author of the Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering in 2009.

This study offers an authoritative and readable account of the hidden history of book theft in eighteenth-century London. It exploits a rich primary source, the compelling narratives of crime contained in the digitised Proceedings of the Old Bailey. The authors explain how cases of book theft came to court, and how in the ensuing trials the nature of the book itself became a question for legal debate. They assess the motives which led Londoners to steal books and the methods they employed in thefts from households and booksellers. Finally, the authors ask what the Proceedings tells us about the social ownership of books, and how the phenomenon of book theft differently affected book producers and consumers. Stealing Books in Eighteenth-Century London will appeal to readers interested in the connected histories of metropolitan life, crime, and the book in this period, and in the uses of digital resources in humanities research. Dr Richard Coulton is a lecturer in English Literature at Queen Mary University of London. He is the author of Empire of Tea: The Asian Leaf that Conquered the World (2015, with Markman Ellis and Matthew Mauger), as well as the editor of Tea in Natural History and Medical Writing (2010). Dr Coulton has published journal articles on sociability, natural history, and horticulture in eighteenth-century London. He was previously a Fellow in Garden and Landscape Studies at the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection (Washington D.C.), an institute of Harvard University. Dr Matthew Mauger is a lecturer in English at Queen Mary University of London. He researches literature of the long-eighteenth century, focusing in particular on how Enlightenment legal debate forms an important context for artistic production in the period. Another aspect of Matthew's research focuses on legal and commercial innovation, mercantile life, and the history of the civic institutions of the City of London. He has published articles on Blake's legislative architecture, the literature of penal transportation, and the Corporation of London courts. He was the editor of Tea, Commerce and the East India Company (2010), and an author of Empire of Tea: The Asian Leaf that Conquered the World (2015). Christopher Reid works on eighteenth-century literature and history, with a focus on political writing and oratory in that period. His first book, Edmund Burke and the Practice of Political Writing (1985), examined Burke's rhetoric in the context of contemporary political controversy. In Eighteenth-Century Popular Culture: A Selection (2000), which he edited with John Mullan, he examined cultural interactions between the elite and popular spheres. His most recent book is Imprison'd Wranglers: The Rhetorical Culture of the House of Commons 1760-1800 (2012), which looks at speakers, speeches, and their dissemination through print in parliamentary oratory's golden age.

The Palgrave Handbook of the Psychology of Sexuality and Gendergives a thorough overview of all of the normative - and many of the less common - sexualities, genders and relationship forms including: Asexuality; Bisexuality; BDSM; Gay; Heterosexuality; Kink; Lesbian; Further sexualities; Trans sexualities; Cisgender; Intersex; Further genders; Non-binary gender; Monogamies; and Open Non-Monogamies.The Handbook also considers psychological areas such as Clinical psychology; Counselling psychology; Qualitative research; Quantitative research; and Sex therapy as they relate to sexuality and gender as well as intersectional areas such as: Ageing; Ethnicity; Class; Disability; Health Psychology; and Religion.Contributions from leading scholars and practitioners in this area combine cutting edge research with considerations on both clinical practice and academic study of sexuality and gender for psychologists from student to professor; and from any discipline interested in these ubiquitous aspects of humanity. Christina Richards is an accredited psychotherapist with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and is an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS). She is Senior Specialist Psychology Associate at the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust Gender Clinic; Clinical Research Fellow at West London Mental Health NHS Trust (Charing Cross) Gender Clinic; and is a co-founder of BiUK. As well as many other publications she is the co-author of the BPS Guidelines and Literature Review for Counselling Sexual and Gender Minority Clients and a clinical guidebook on sexuality and gender published by Sage: Richards, C., Barker. M. (2013). Sexuality and gender for mental health professionals: A practical guide. London: Sage.Meg John Barker is a writer, academic, counsellor and activist specialising in sex and relationships. Meg is a senior lecturer in Psychology at the Open University, UK and has published many academic books and papers on topics including non-monogamous relationships, sadomasochism, counselling, and mindfulness, as well as co-editing the journal Psychology Sexuality. They were the lead author of The Bisexuality Report - which has informed UK policy and practice around bisexuality. They are involved in running many public events on sexuality and relationships, including Sense about Sex, Critical Sexology, and Gender Sexuality Talks. Meg is also a UKCP accredited therapist working with gender and sexually diverse clients, and wrote the relationship book Rewriting the Rules.Christina RichardsDr Meg John BarkerDr Mark CarriganDr Emma TurleyDr Trevor ButtHelen Bowes-CattonDr Nikki HayfieldDr Damien RiggsDr Panteá FarvidDr Sonja EllisDr Penny LenihanDr Tony KainthRobin DundasDr Laura HarveyEster McGeeneyProf Katrina RønDr Sarah MurjanDr Walter Pierre BoumanAli ZieglerProf Terri D. ConleyAmy C. MoorsJes L. MatsickJennifer D. RubinDr Nathan RambukkanaProf Jan BurnsDr Claudia ZitzDawn ClarkProf Del LoewenthalDr Joanna SemlyenDr Sarah Seymour- SmithDr Gareth Hagger-JohnsonMichael BerryDr Paul SimpsonDr Brigette RickettDr Maxine WoolhouseDr Alex IantaffiDr Sara MizeDr Roshan das NairDr Rob Clucas