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(review) The State and Civil Society in Post-Soviet Russia: The Development of a Russian Style Civil Society

 The State and Civil Society in Post-Soviet Russia: The Development of a Russian Style Civil Society Argument Cultural and societal norms, which developed during the Soviet period, have continued to shape civil society arrangements in the post-Soviet period. This is because the cultural-historic legacies of both the Soviet Union and the subsequent peculiarities of Russia’s economic, social and political transformations since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Civil Society in the Soviet Union - During the Soviet period, social, economic, and political activity was closely controlled by the state - We argue that these particular relations are the roots of a civil society po-russki . The perestroika period -Even though the perestroika period led to the end of monolithic Soviet-style civil society, it did not create a space for collective action which could more effectively bridge between both halves of the hourglass. -The lack of genuine democratisation of the state and its struc...
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(review) Issue creation and agenda content In Participation in American politics: The dynamics of agenda-building

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  Issue creation and agenda content This Chapter tried to define issues and different types of political agendas. Issue is a conflict between two or more identifiable groups over procedural or substantive matters relating to the distribution of positions or resources. Triggering Devices natural catastrophe EX mine cave-in, air inversion, flooding and fire unanticipated human event EX spontaneous riot, murder and air hijeckings technological change in the environment that creates heretofore undiscussed questions. actual imbalance or bias EX distribution of resources ecological change EX population explosion Need initiator converts the problem into an issue. Agendas Two types of political agendas, systemic agenda and institutional, governmental or formal agenda. Systemic agenda consists of all issues that are commonly perceived by the political community. widespread attention or at least awareness shared concern of a sizable portion of the public that some type of action is required....
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(review) Political Accountability in Hong Kong: Myth or Reality?

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  Political Accountability in Hong Kong: Myth or Reality? ( Lam, J. T. (2009). Political accountability in Hong Kong: Myth or reality? Australian Journal of Public Administration , 68 , S73-S83. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8500.2009.00623.x ) This article assesses the practice of political accountability in Hong Kong. Theoretical review Political accountability Ministers are selected by those elected to comprise a team of rule (Dogan 1989). The concept of responsible government in a liberal democracy signifies that ministers are responsive to public opinions, that their decisions should be prudent and mutually consistent, and that they are answerable to the electorate and responsible for their actions (Marshall 1989). Generalizing the ministerial system as one that contains politicians as cabinet ministers who constitute the top echelon of the government, this analysis defines the term ‘minister’ as a legitimate representative who acquires a mandate through election or political...
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(review) Privatization in The Ashgate Research Companion to New Public Management

Privatization This article aimed to give a general concept of privatization and discuss its causes and effects. Concept of privatization Sale of state-owned enterprises Contracting out public services to private providers (Public provider > Private provider = Contracting out, Private provider > Public provider = Contracting in ) Statutory body, also call “corporatization” and “marketization” Public-Private partnership refers to joint operation or collaboration between public and private organizations. Common forms of privatization are  contracts - government contracts with private sector providers to deliver public services franchises - government awards a private firm an exclusive right to provide a public service or operate a public asset in return for an annual lease payment or one-time upfront payment. divestiture - when government is getting out of a service, activity or asset entirely, often through outright sales In academics, the most important forms of privatization ...
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(review)Policy windows and multiple streams : An analysis of alcohol pricing policy in England

This article aimed to use Kingdon’s multiple streams model to explain the failure of minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol in England. This article believed that the reason why MUP failed is mainly due to political fluency.   Problem Stream (identification of an issue) Raising alcohol harms in society Who should be targeted by the policy? minority of problematic drinkers heavy episodic drinking rather than long-term heavy drinking   MUP is a whole population measure. However, MUP can also be said to be a targeted measure as not all products are affected by it.   Policy Stream (development of potential policy)   The development of MUP Modeling test by researchers at the University of Sheffield School of Health and Related Research, which succeeded in changing the farming of policy debates to the whole-population approach.   Laid a foundation for policy entrepreneurs to bring forward proposals to adopt price-based interventions and create a window of opportunity ...
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(review)Progress in Tobacco Control in Singapore: Lessons and Challenges in the Implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

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  Tobacco Control in Singapore Protection from Tobacco Industry Interference Progress in Demand-Reduction Monitoring Prevalence of Tobacco Use through research / statistics / survey  Protecting People from Tobacco Use: Smoke-Free Environments and Prevention Legislation incrementally (Smoking (Prohibition in Certain Places) Act and Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale of Tobacco) Act Penalty Offer Help to Quit Tobacco Use: Smoking Cessation Service Warnings about the Dangers of Tobacco Tobacco product packaging and labelling (First country in Asia) Enforce Bans on Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship Raise Taxes on Tobacco  Highest tobacco tax burden among ASEAN member ban duty free tobacco allowances for travellers since 1991 implement tobacco retailer licensing system impose excise control on tobacco products at storage and production warehouse Progress in Supply Reduction Illicit Trade stricter border control Sales to Minors minimum legal age from 18-21...
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