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This article examines the implications of EU governance tools for social activism in Europe, specifically whether benchmarking, best practices, the open method of co-ordination, or mainstreaming delimit the kinds of activism non-governmental and other organizations can pursue under EU auspices. This is possible because EU governance models give member states ultimate discretion on the design and implementation of EU social policies, and EU governance principles are based on specific normative commitments. I explore whether EU governance therefore renders activist confrontation of states unlikely, constrains policy participants' learning, particularly of perceived radical lessons, or allows only state-led challenges to market and social structures. To the extent that any of these dynamics entails EU governance, the models should be viewed with caution, and European social activists should be prepared to choose between conceding to state agendas or working outside EU governance margins. Cases include EU gender and social inclusion policies.

This paper addresses the motivations that drive participation in groups concerning water protection and provides a review of the key role collective action plays in accessing and managing water resources. It also analyses the conditions and factors which make such organizations effective in solving shared problems and in faciliting and institutionalizing negotiation platforms. Collective action heavily relies on the social capital existing in a community to accomplish goals and objectives. These social networks allow for flow of information, serving not only to criticize but also to purpose a different course in environmental and particularly, water management. The vital role of collective action and other "major groups" in sustainable development was recognized in Chapter 27[2] of Agenda 21, leading to revised arrangements for consultative relationship between the United Nations and non-governmental organizations which are, indeed, collective voluntary action. The coalition building capacity suggesting the mobilization of civil society in the sense of organized interests can supplement the ultimate responsibility of the traditional democratic institutions according to the implementation of the Aarthus Principles. Modern governance calls for consensus, seeking processes with organized interests, a good culture of consultation and participation. Collective action meets these goals, as offers the chances for environmental effectiveness, contributing to information generation and creation of relevant knowledge. These factors may relieve the legislator, affecting the way in which powers are exercised at European level, particularly as regards the five principles of good governance, namely openness, participation, accountability, effectiveness and coherence. Most problems with water resource management are felt at the lowest levels and changes in water management are required down to the individual action, reasons why the development strategies call for extensive pro-active participation (at different levels, sectors and scales) upholding the principles of subsidiarity. Finally, this paper also highlights the role performed by collective action in increasing advocacy skills and capacity, contributing to strengthening governance at the local level through favoring the enabling environment for water protection and conservation.

Fälle wie der des insolventen amerikanischen Energiekonzerns Enron erwecken den Eindruck, dass Special Purpose Entities in erster Linie dazu gegründet werden, den Einblick Unternehmensexterner in die wirtschaftliche Lage eines Unternehmens zu begrenzen. Die kritische Einstellung zu solchen Instrumenten der Unternehmenspolitik wird noch dadurch verstärkt, dass Unternehmenszusammenbrüche wie im Falle Enron regelmäßig mit einem erheblichen Verlust an Arbeitsplätzen verbunden sind.Andererseits erfüllen Zweckgesellschaften insbesondere in Branchen wie der Auto-mobil(zulieferer)industrie, wo Wertschöpfungsketten einem steten Wandel durch neue Technologien und hohe Marktdynamik unterliegen, eine wichtige Finanzierungsfunktion.Die vorliegende Broschüre erläutert die rechtlichen und wirtschaftlichen Merkmale, die finanzwirtschaftliche Bedeutung und die Erscheinungsformen von Zweckgesellschaften für deutsche Unternehmen. Sie möchte damit vor allem Aufsichts- und Betriebsräte unterstützen, die sich mit Special Purpose Entities in der Praxis der Unternehmensfinanzierung und bei der Beurteilung der wirtschaftlichen Lage von Konzernen auseinandersetzen müssen. Darüber hinaus richtet sie sich an Bilanzanalysten, die sich mit den deutschen und internationalen Standards zur Rechnungslegung von Zweckgesellschaften vertraut machen wollen.

Governance is becoming a more appropriate term than government to explain what is happening with the outsourcing of public services to for-profit, nonprofit, & faith-based organizations. This is not privatization, but 'government by proxy'. For a number of reasons -- including expertise, flexibility, & efficiency -- government is choosing surrogates to perform some of its public services. This does not mean, however, that the surrogate takes on the task of accountability. That still belongs to government, which directs & pays for those services. It is suggested here that policymakers & public managers need to think long & hard before they accept this 'third-party government' system to make sure they understand all its implications -- not only for public administration but also for the idea of a 'limited state'. Public administration is rooted in constitutional values, including responsibility & accountability for its services no matter who actually delivers them. References. J. Stanton