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The Nkandla controversy has long dominated South African politics and has seemingly been endless. This article revisits the Nkandla issue from the perspective that it fails the Kantian categorical imperative (i.e. CI) and attempts to explain the problem of individual as well as organisational or structural corruption, in which the author contends the Nkandla controversy to be grounded. This article opens a discussion on the relevance of Kantian theory in confronting the matter of Nkandla. The author argues that Kant's moral theory should not be viewed simplistically but from a rational position of internalised moral maxims or precepts. The Nkandla project is interrogated in relation to the former Public Protector's and Minister of Police's reports on the Nkandla 'security upgrades'. It is the author's view that South Africans are demanding accountability insofar as the Nkandla project is concerned, since moral attitudes are an integral and necessary part of our everyday lives. It is the author's contention that the President and the executive have no desire to be accountable and transparent in the Nkandla matter. The aftermath of Nkandla controversy has changed the face of South Africa's political environment completely. The author further argues that holding political elites accountable should not be regarded as hostility towards those held responsible and the African National Congress as political organisation. The author also looks at the Constitutional Court ruling on this matter. ; https://doi.org/10.4102/td.v13i1.383

In this article, the author briefly summarise the characteristics of the science of complexity or post- Bertalanffy General Systems. The author discusses the shift from considering systems as acquiring properties due to their explicit or supposed design, to self-organised, emergent systems. Characteristics, approaches to modelling and interventions to change vary in nature with the post-Bertalanffy Systemics. While new suitable models and approaches are under study in sciences, such as physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, engineering, and neurosciences, the author detects significant backwardness when dealing with the complexity of social systems and related problems that are developing in the post-industrial age. These problems include economic crises, security, defence, privacy, managing prisons, and supporting development. Such social problems are inadequately faced by using classical Bertalanffy's systemic concepts or by simply transposing models and changing the meaning of variables. This inadequacy is based on the underestimation of the peculiarities of Human Systems that consist of complex interactions that allow coherence and are also cognitive, informal, learning, evolutionary, ecological and non-governable Luhmannian subsystems. The non-cultural or low-cultural accessibility of the approaches considered by the science of complexity contribute to this inadequacy. Finally, the author presents some comments on how the science of systems may further evolve by considering new types of systems and systemic properties such as systemic fields and quantum systems. He speculates about some possible future understanding of human social systems.

This article presents the analysis of the US involvement in the process of providing indirect military and other kinds of support to the Afghan mujahedeens. The author also presents a brief overview of the main methods and means of US military aid to the Afghan rebels in the 1980s, as well as a detailed consideration of the process of providing such assistance. The author identifies three stages in the process of interaction between the US administration and the US intelligence agencies, on the one hand, and the Afghan insurgency, on the other hand: the first stage (1978-1979) refers to introduction of a limited contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan, where the US assistance to Afghan rebels was extremely cautious and measured; the second stage (1980) is marked by a considerable build-up of military assistance to Mujahedeens, but the United States sought to conceal their participation in this process; and during the third stage (since the election of Ronald Reagan up to the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan), the assistance to Mujahedeens increased in several times, and the US stopped hiding this fact. The author briefly discusses the role and place of such countries slong with the US as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and so on in the structure of rendering support to the Afghan Mujahideens. The author also studies the US role in Afghanistan's transformation into a "nest" for cultivating Islamic extremists.

The aim of this article is to present the crisis in the Republic of Mali, a country with the largest democratic advances in West Africa in the nineties. However, in 2012 and 2013 Mali experienced a crisis which had led to a military coup. The collapse of state institutions in Mali destabilized the entire region. The author of article devoted particular attention to the process of decentralization of power in the nineties. A series of reforms that gave hope to alleviate the Tuareg issue. The author tried to describe the origins of the crisis in Mali in 2012/2013. She focused on the issue of the Tuareg returning from Libya and an accurate description of the course of events. The declarations of independence of Azawad, the military coup, Tuareg denial by the Islamists or the entry of the French army to Mali are the key points of these events. The author mentioned also the presidential elections that bring a chance for stabilization in Mali. As the events in the Sahel have an impact on other countries in the region the author would like to present the effects of the crisis on the situation in Niger, Mali and Libya. The author's aim was to present a forecast of opportunities and threats for Mali and the region. This topic is very dynamic, the situation in Mali seemed to stabilize but the violence erupted further in the northern part of the country.

PurposeThis study aims to provide a review of corporate governance in China because effective and strong corporate governance is necessary for the efficient functioning and long-term sustainability of financial markets and corporations.Design/methodology/approachThe author provides a literature review of corporate governance in China through themes such as the concentration of state ownership, the degree of independence among board directors, insider trading, quality of financial disclosures and the maturity of capital markets.FindingsThe author reviews empirical work surrounding key corporate governance variables and identifies avenues for future research. The author finds that corporate governance mechanisms exhibit implications for firm performance, fraud, capital retention, financial constraints, institutional investors, auditing and the quality of financial disclosures. In addition, the author reviews evidence documenting the importance of independent board directors in regulation and ethical conduct.Originality/valueThe literature review contributes to the growing literature on responsible corporate governance and provides further understanding of the importance of business ethics for promoting the integrity and long-term sustainability of China's capital markets and corporations and to ensure that company assets are used efficiently and productively in the best interests of investors and other stakeholders. This study offers insights to policy-makers interested in enhancing the quality of corporate governance within their nation. In addition, it provides a macro-level perspective for executives of multinational firms to consider if they are considering making a direct investment in China.

В статье проведено исследование правового статуса саморегулируемых организаций. Обозначены современные тенденции распространения саморегулирования на консультантов, инноваторов в области нанотехнологий, профессиональных спортсменов, частных военных компаний, операторов по обращению с отходами, субъектов информационных технологий, оптовых торговых организаций и др. Выявлено, что вовлечение данных организаций в круг субъектов конституционно-правовых отношений по вопросу осуществления государственной власти должно отвечать определенным критериям. Выделены особенности обжалования действий и решений саморегулируемых организаций с учетом принятия Кодекса об административном судопроизводстве Российской Федерации. Представлены трудности определения подведомственности судебных споров (судам общей юрисдикции или арбитражным судам) между саморегулируемой организацией и субъектами профессиональной деятельности, которые не имеют статус индивидуального предпринимателя. ; In the article researches the legal status of self-regulatory organizations. Author marked modern trends in the proliferation of self-regulation for consultants, innovators in the field of nanotechnology, professional athletes, private military companies, operators of waste management, subjects of information technology, wholesalers, etc. Author revealed that the involvement of these organizations in a range of subjects of constitutional legal relations in question the exercise of state power must meet certain criteria. Author highlighted features of the appeals against actions and decisions of self-regulatory organizations considering the adoption of the code of administrative procedure of the Russian Federation. Author presented the difficulties of determining jurisdiction litigation (courts of General jurisdiction or arbitration courts) between the self-regulatory organization and of professional actors who do not have the status of an individual entrepreneur.

The article is a review of the scientific monograph of Liav Orgad «The cultural defence of nations. A liberal theory of majority rights» (Oxford, University Press, 2015. 273 pp.). The present review summarizes the provisions, in which the author of the monograph under review analyzes the approaches of modern states to address the problem of preservation of national identity in the face of the threat posed by large migration flows. It also offers an assessment of the conclusions made by the author of the monograph under review as a result of observing of national legislation from the standpoint of constitutionalism, in particular, coming to the conclusion that in the present conditions developed states are often «forced» to abandon the democratic values, which in itself is absurd. The author of the monograph under review also makes an attempt to justify the need to protect «the rights of the majority», along with «minority rights», relying on fundamental international instruments for the protection of human rights, which is also reflected in this article. The monograph endeavors to define the concept of «national identity» and what it means for each individual state using the example of such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands and the United States of America this review provides a summary and critical evaluation of key points put forward by the author of the monograph under review in this regard.

This essay points to structural and formal techniques in the hybrid poetries of current female North American poets writing in the book-length form. The author suggests that in their hybrid poetries, M. NourbeSe Philip, Claudia Rankine and C.D. Wright engage with Marshall McLuhan's 1954 concept of the "newspaper landscape". The author further argues that through such formal invention, these poets create identification points in their respective works for both traditional poetry readers and non-specialised readers. As such, the above poets encourage a hybrid audience for their hybrid poetries. Using theories by rhetoricians Kenneth Burke, and Jeffrey Walker in relation to the hybrid poetries of the above poets, this paper highlights the ability of language to direct our attention to different worldviews and the role of language in impacting audience. The author argues that the "newspaper landscape", as seen in poetries of NourbeSe Philip, Rankine and Wright discussed herein, broadens the traditional audiences for poetry by appealing to both specialised and non-specialised readers. In making this claim, the author outlines the formal and structural elements of contemporary hybrid poetries and the ways in which such elements culminate in broader audiences and more accessible poetries. Further, and consequentially, the paper concludes by making a link between the hybrid techniques of the newspaper landscape and possible impact in the public sphere that these hybrid poetries may encourage.

What impact does the European Union (eu) have on the development of the rule of law in South Eastern Europe (see)? The author of this article argues and shows that the eu has: 1) a positively reinforcing (healthy) effect with regard to judicial capacity and substantive legality, i.e. the alignment of domestic legislation with international standards, and 2) a negatively reinforcing (pathological) effect with regard to judicial impartiality and formal legality (the inner morality of law). The author explains the pathological impact of eu-driven rule of law reforms by referring to the eu's deficient reform approach and to unfavorable domestic conditions, which in their interplay reinforce certain reform pathologies (legal instability, incoherence, politicization) that undermine the rule of law. The main argument is supported by a mixed method study. A quantitative indicator-based analysis measures rule of law development across four key dimensions on the basis of a variety of data (e.g. survey-based indicators, cepej data, and a unique dataset on legislative output). Additionally, the author draws on a number of qualitative interviews that he conducted with magistrates from see and representatives from the eu, the European Court of Human Rights, and the Council of Europe. The author concludes from these findings that external rule of law promotion in weak rule of law countries is not transformative, but rather reinforces systemic deficiencies that undermine the rule of law.

In this article the author attempts to reflect on the role and place of business-subjects in democratization process of contemporary Russia: business is one of the three sectors. The author developed a typology of business-subjects as a stakeholders of democratization process, which allows to discussion more detailed designated research agenda. The role and place of Russian business in democratization process can't be analyzed without considering Russia's political system space, the specifics of which was most clearly indicated by the protest events after in 2011-2012. Discontinuation of various kinds of contacts between business-structures and civil society institutions has become the official policy derivative that does not contribute to democratization process based on the principles of partnership, publicity and multiple management technologies using. The author also reveals the importance of public support and solidarity by different interest groups in their relation to the business-subjects as actors of democratization. The data of the sociological survey conducted by "Levada Center" in August 2015 allowed to construct the graph of answers distribution to the question: "Do you think the activities of major Russian businessmen and entrepreneurs is now generally making anything for the benefit or to the detriment of Russia?", clearly demonstrating the absence of consolidated-positive attitude of the Russian public to the business. In conclusion the author offers practical recommendations to improving the role of business subjects in democratization process of contemporary Russia.

В статье анализируется фактически реализуемая в Российской Федерации модель местного самоуправления. Рассматривается ее соответствие конституционным положениям, закрепляющим организационную самостоятельность местного самоуправления. Сравнивается отличие принципов организации местного управления и самоуправления в Республике Беларусь от установленных Конституцией РФ. Предлагается создание необходимых условий для поддержки общественных инициатив и прежде всего территориального общественного самоуправления. Вносится корректировка в законодательное определение понятия «территориальное общественное самоуправлении», предлагается включить в Федеральный закон «Об общих принципах организации местного самоуправления в Российской Федерации» отдельную главу, посвященную порядку организации и деятельности органов территориального общественного самоуправления в качестве юридических лиц публичного права, их взаимодействию с органами местного самоуправления по решению вопросов местного значения. ; In the article a model of local government organization in the Russian Federation is considered. The author represents its compliance with the constitutional provisions, which secure independence of local government. The author compares the principles of local government system and public self-government in the Republic of Belarus and in Russia. The author proposes to create necessary conditions to support community initiatives and especially local self-government. The author of the article suggests making some corrections in the normative definition of "local community self-government" and adding a separate chapter to the Federal law "On General Principles of the Local Government System in the Russian Federation" on the organization and activities of local self-government as legal entities of public law, their interaction with local authorities for better management of local issues.

Статья посвящена рассмотрению современных методологических оснований изучения иммиграционной политики развитых государств. Автор операционализирует и классифицирует основные теоретические подходы к изучению иммиграционной политики в рамках политической науки. В статье выделяются шесть направлений теоретического анализа. На широком фактическом материале автор демонстрирует их сильные и слабые стороны применительно к анализу конкретных феноменов в рамках проблемы иммиграционного регулирования. В статье акцентируется внимание на различии подходов к определению акторов иммиграционной политики в рамках различных парадигм. Кроме того, в работе описываются различные подходы к объяснению механизмов и факторов формирования иммиграционной политики современных государств. Представленная статья будет интересна исследователям в сфере миграции, пограничного контроля, иммиграционной политики, гражданства и интеграции мигрантов. Библиогр. 17 назв. ; The article observes modern methodological base of researching of the immigration policy of the developed countries. The author operationalizes and classifies the main theoretical approaches to investigation of immigration policy of modern states in the frame of the political science. The author divides six theoretical perspectives to analyze the immigration policy. Using broad factual material, the author demonstrates their strengths and weaknesses in application to the analysis of the immigration regulation. He points his view on the difference in defining the actor of the immigration policy in diff erent approaches. Besides, in the issue, the author describes different approaches to defining mechanisms and factors of forming the immigration policy in different states. The issue will be interesting to researchers of migration, immigration policy, citizenship and social integration of immigrants. Refs 17.

В статье исследуется проблема участия представителей философии освобождения в политической практике различных латиноамериканских социальных движений. Демонстрируется тесная связь данного направления мысли с политической борьбой угнетенных слоев общества за свои права. Автор показывает, как меняются взгляды одного из ключевых представителей течения Энрике Дусселя на проблему взаимоотношений народа и интеллектуалов. Автор делает вывод о различии во мнениях о социальной активности класса интеллектуалов, которое мы находим в европейской философии (на примере Мише-ля Фуко) и философии освобождения. Особое внимание уделяется пониманию аргентинским философом термина «органический интеллектуал», который позволяет ему аргументировать необходимость поддержки простого народа в его освободительной борьбе. Эта поддержка начинается с критики существующего экономическо-политического порядка. ; Philosophers' of liberation participation in political practices of different Latin American social movements is analyzed in the given article. The author demonstrates the connection between philosophy of liberation and op-pressed people fighting for their rights. In addition, author demonstrates the changes in Dussel's views on relations between the common people and intellectuals. The author concludes that European philosophers (e.g. Michel Foucault) and philosophers of liberation have a difference of opinion about social and political activity of intellectuals. The author places emphasis upon the understanding of the category of "organic intellectual". Through this category, we can argue that people need support in their liberation movement. The first step is criticism of the cur-rent economic and political system.

В статье рассматривается вопрос о необходимости и возможности преподавания знаний о религии в государственной школе, учитывая светский характер образования. Проводится сравнительный анализ законодательства и практики изучения религии в школах РФ и Италии. Автор отмечает проблемы, связанные с введением учебного курса «Основы религиозных культур и светской этики» в российских школах. В заключение делается вывод о необходимости совершенствования российского законодательства, регламентирующего порядок ведения «религиозных предметов». Во-первых, предлагается ужесточить требования к образованию учителей, допущенных к преподаванию «религиозных» предметов в школах, а во-вторых, рассмотреть возможность для религиозных конфессий высказывать одобрение учебным пособиям по их профильному модулю в виде размещения специального грифа. ; The article concerns the issue of necessity and possibility of teaching about religion in the public schools with due consideration to the secular education. The author provides comparative analysis of legislation and practice of teaching religion at schools in the Russian Federation and in Italy. The author notes problems arising with the introduction of the school courses «Fundamental Knowledge on Religious Cultures and Secular Ethics» in the Russian schools. Finally, the author draws a conclusion on the neeed to improve the Russian legislation on the «religious studies». The author offers, first of all, to introduce stricter standards for the lecturers allowed to teach religious classes at schools, and, secondly, to view the possibility for the religious denominations to express approval on the course modules concerning them via providing an approval visa.

The goal of the research is to analyze the social and cultural integration as a tool for resolving the identities conflicts in the modern Russia. The methodology of research includes the systemic, social and philosophical analysis of social and cultural integration as a way for settling the identities conflicts in the North Caucasus. As a result of the study the author comes to the fact that a theoretical synthesis of conflictological paradigm and neofunctionalism is essential. In the paper, it is concluded that the modern conflicts resolution theory focuses its attention on the capacity of social and cultural integration to transform the destructive identities conflicts into constructive conflicts of interests. The author considers the structural factors of regional identities conflicts escalation and emphasizes the destabilizing role of ethnicity politicization. As the conditions of growth for the ethnic tension in the North Caucasus and its transformation into destructive identities conflicts, the author singles out the social inequalities, civic identity crisis, and ethnic mobilization. Proceeding from the analysis conducted, the author identifies the main factor of regional identities conflicts escalation: the controversy between systemic modernization and social disintegration. Finally, the conclusion is drawn about that the conflict resolution strategy for the Russian society has to be built on the principles of civic solidarity and social and cultural integration but not on the assimilation policy and suppression of ethnic distinctions. DOI:10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n6s5p325