Suchergebnisse

Firm diversification across unrelated businesses is prevalent in many emerging economies, in contrast to the practices in developed economies. A fundamental difference between these two types of economies concerns with the existence of sound economic institutions including in particular the institutions constraining government expropriation of private properties. In this paper, using a survey data set of private enterprises in China, we find that severer government expropriation in the form of higher informal levies, extralegal payments, and entertainment fees causes firms to diversify. We then provide two case studies to highlight the extra costs that China's private entrepreneurs need to bear for doing businesses, and how they can subsequently leverage their relations with government bureaucrats to diversify into various businesses. ; postprint

"M-194." ; "March 1995." ; Shipping list number: 95-0140-P. ; At head of title: An information report. ; Includes bibliographical references. ; Mode of access: Internet.

Germany has a strong, differentiated civil society that provides a stable foundation and a supportive infrastructure for civic action. The number of civil society organisations (CSOs) has continued to grow in recent years and civil society is in a position to cover a broad spectrum of tasks and needs in society and to develop and represent societal positions. Not only as a labour market, CSOs also represent an economic factor. CSOs and civil society as a whole are also currently facing challenges. There is a trend towards less time being invested in volunteering and towards more informal volunteering. The basis for funding is declining because economic developments are causing donations and state funding to shrink. CSOs or individuals are also coming under pressure from state and non-state actors for their work and may, as a consequence, even withdraw from their commitment. The self-image of CSOs as initiators of social change and actors in political decision-making has increased noticeably. As a result, the role of civil society in relation to the state and in shaping policies has also become more contested. While political parties often perceive the involvement of civil society actors in the public sphere as unwelcome competition and the state administration is developing an ever-increasing need to control civil society, the business community is suspicious of civil society as an antipode in the formulation of social priorities. This report provides quick access to the latest developments and findings on the most important aspects of German civil society. Starting with a description of the organisational landscape, it presents the activities of CSOs, their role in the labour market, developments in volunteering and funding, bureaucratic obligations, issues of political participation and observations regarding a shrinking civic space. When compiling the data for this report, a number of desiderata became apparent: the data on civil society is incomplete in many aspects, not up to date or only comparable to a limited extent due to differing research methods. Closing these gaps requires collective efforts on the part of CSOs, state institutions and the research community.

This essay situates four plays by and about GDR women, written between 1951 and 1963, in relation to the nascent state's gender legislation. The plays register the initially aggressive implementation of gender equality at work and at home that ended with the national and economic crisis created by the cold war. Under pressure, the state expected women to reshoulder domestic responsibilities and concomitant gender roles. Women's drama propagated acceptance of the "double burden," forfeiting feminist politics for family ideology and thereby shaping the contradictory construction of a female, socialist subject. (KS)

First published in 1968, The Government of France is a guide for students of politics to learn about the eventful history of French democracy and the often startling role of France on the international scene. In conveying information, the authors never fail to relate the structure to the social and economic background, and their commentary is enlivened by amusing asides. By the time he has reached the end of the book the reader will not only have much information on France, but he will also understand how the machinery of government has evolve and in what direction it is likely to move in the future.

"A handy reference book of fiscal information compiled for the convenience of members of the 68th General Assembly, citizens, officials and organizations interested in sound government." ; Tables. ; Cover title. ; Mode of access: Internet.

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The aims of this article are to describe the fundamental connection between State government, counties and municipalities and to expose peculiarities of interaction of State government subjects and Local Self-government institutions. The survey method is grounded on the systemic research and analysis of the Lithuanian legal acts: Law on the Local Self-government, Law on the Governing of the County and Law on the Regional Development. The main conclusions of the article are following: a) the objects, functions and responsibility of Regional institutions and Counties are separated by legal acts, but in fact Regional institutions and Counties are indivisible unit; b) in reality municipalities become subordinate to the State government and restraint from Self-government institutions appreciable by limited liberty of decision making and finance resources, and intensive state inspection of procedures; c) there is not fully realized principle of decentralization. In the future State government system and Local Self-government reforms could take the way of self-governmental regions making and the power, functions and decision making competence of municipalities could be extended

The aims of this article are to describe the fundamental connection between State government, counties and municipalities and to expose peculiarities of interaction of State government subjects and Local Self-government institutions. The survey method is grounded on the systemic research and analysis of the Lithuanian legal acts: Law on the Local Self-government, Law on the Governing of the County and Law on the Regional Development. The main conclusions of the article are following: a) the objects, functions and responsibility of Regional institutions and Counties are separated by legal acts, but in fact Regional institutions and Counties are indivisible unit; b) in reality municipalities become subordinate to the State government and restraint from Self-government institutions appreciable by limited liberty of decision making and finance resources, and intensive state inspection of procedures; c) there is not fully realized principle of decentralization. In the future State government system and Local Self-government reforms could take the way of self-governmental regions making and the power, functions and decision making competence of municipalities could be extended