Migration and Americanization: The special case of Belgian economics*

One of the distinguishing features of Belgian economics is that, from the early 1920s, so many of Belgium's best economists pursued postgraduate studies at top American universities, a case of ‘temporary’ migration. This was made possible by the fellowships granted by the Commission for Relief in Belgium, a legacy of the First World War. After a stay in the US of a few years, most returned to Belgium. However, they maintained strong links with the US. Also, they tried to recreate in Belgium the most valuable elements of their American experience. It would lead to a strong and early Americanization of Belgian economics. Moreover, they were at the forefront of several initiatives to organize economics on a European scale, such as the European Economic Review and the European Economic Association.     

Between mathematical formalism,normative choice rules,and the behavioural sciences: The emergence of rational choice theories in the late 1940s and early 1950s

Abstract

This paper discusses why mathematical economists of the early Cold War period favored formal-axiomatic over behavioral choice theories. One reason was that formal-axiomatic theories allowed mathematical economists to improve the conceptual and theoretical foundations of economics and thereby to increase its scientific status. Furthermore, the separation between mathematical economics and other behavioral sciences was not as clear-cut as often argued. While economists did not modify their behavioral assumptions, some acknowledged the empirical shortcomings of their models. The paper reveals the multifaceted nature of rational choice theories reflected in the changing interpretations and roles of the theories in those early years.     

澳大利亚反规避调查法律及中国的应对措施

根据澳大利亚《1901海关法》和《2015海关(国际义务)规则》,澳大利亚反倾销委员会可以针对6种规避行为进行反规避调查:在澳大利亚组装零部件、在第三国组装零部件、通过一个或者多个第三国出口涉案产品、出口商之间约定、逃避关税预期效果和轻微改变产品出口到澳大利亚,其中"逃避关税预期效果"是澳大利亚法律中特有的。澳大利亚自2013年反规避调查法律生效以来已经发起了5起反规避调查,其中有3起针对中国的产品。反规避调查法律制度已经成为澳大利亚保护本国产业新的利剑,作为澳大利亚最大贸易伙伴的中国必须深入理解澳大利亚的反规避调查法律,结合实践研究对策,时刻警惕并积极应对澳大利亚反规避调查。     

Do Court Decisions Drive the Federal Trade Commission’s Enforcement Policy on Merger Settlements?

Mergers are generally conglomerate in nature with only minor (if any) horizontal overlaps. Under U.S. law, an enforcement agency may challenge any anticompetitive aspect of the merger and the consequent delay associated with litigation would impose costs on the firm. These costs may give the enforcement agency “leverage” to extract a settlement even when the firm would prevail in court. This paper explores whether the FTC’s decisions to challenge transactions approximate the case law. We find that the representative enforcement regimes of the FTC and the courts are remarkably similar, although the FTC credits efficiencies, while courts consider buyer sophistication as a mitigating factor.     

由“问责风暴”谈公务员行政法律责任的完善

一段时间以来。国内安全事故频频见诸报端,有不少官员被依法追究行政法律责任,其影响之大被媒体形容为中国掀起“问责风暴”。这种现象应当引起我们对公务员行政法律责任完善的思考,问责应当形成常态机制,而不能是运动式的追责效果．在这方面可以借鉴香港地区的“廉政公署”制度,健全公务员行政问责机制。     

Training Employees for African Statistical Offices

A review of the organizational set-up of a national statistical office, its staffing levels and subjects covered has been described. Two groups of employees of a statistical office are considered with respect to the teaching of statistics, namely those already in employment and those expected to be employed by a statistical office. The Statistical Training Programme for Africa (STPA), under which the present study was undertaken, improvement and strengthening of statistical training programmes for employees or expected employees of a statistical office, are described including selected aspects of the programme. Teaching programmes for those currently in employment with the objective of improving their work performance are also described. Achievements and problems of the programme are given. In conclusion a new framework for revitalisation of teaching of statistics in Africa in the 1990s is mentioned.     

解说行纪商:法理上的严格判断

行纪商乃市场交易中广泛盛行的一种极为重要的中间商,蕴涵着明显区别于狭义代理商和居间商的法律特质,具有诸多优势并发挥着独特效能。对行纪商的正确认识及准确适用,显然有赖于法理上的严格判断。     

国有资产监管者监管研究

本文从我国国有资产监管体制改革的实践出发,从监管和监管者监管的涵义界定入手,探讨我国现阶段国有资产监管体制的性质以及所存在的缺乏监管者的监管、权责不对称、监管效率不高等问题,提出应建立由国务院和全国人大对国资委的监督机制,并从对国资委的财务、权力和行为、效率三个方面的目标入手,通过建立人大报告制度、加快并健全国有资产法制建设、加大国有资产经营和监管的信息披露等措施,提高我国国有资产的监管效率。     

Marketing Australia overseas—a corporate perspective

The Australian Tourist Commission promotes international tourism to Australia. It undertakes a range of marketing activities including advertising, public relations and tourist trade promotions. It does not sell travel. The tourist industry in Australia contributes 6% to Gross Domestic Product and employment. International tourism in Australia accounts for around 15% of all tourism. Australia is divided into eight states and territories all of which promote tourism within the country and also undertake offshore promotions with the Australian Tourist Commission. The strategy of the Commission for the next 3 years includes an emphasis on conventions and incentives, market research, quality promotions and special interest travel across a broad range of markets.     

Cultural lag and international communication The Case of Japan

In this special first issue contribution by Dr. Nagai in his capacity of Supervisory Editor of this new Journal, attention is given to the often neglected influence of the cultural lag on communications and its impact on economic policies and international relations.