Can Co-Owners Agree to Disagree? A Theoretical Examination of Voting Rules in Co-Ownerships

Does there exist a voting rule to be, for example, inserted into the constitution of a newly constructed apartment building, which is likely to attract the greatest number of consumers? We analyze this and other questions within a framework in which co-owners resolve future debates by voting. We examine the conditions under which a co-owner optimally opts for unanimous, special majority, simple majority, and minority voting rules. The main innovation of the analysis is that co-owners with distinct characteristics may yet unanimously agree on the optimal voting rule. Among the other results are that the optimal level of the voting rule is non-decreasing (non-increasing) in one’s level of disutility from opposing (favoring) an accepted (a rejected) proposal. Also, while our results are generally in line with the predictions of Ellickson (1982) and the evidence of Barzel and Sass (1990), according to which heterogeneous (homogeneous) voters require (less than) a super majority voting rule, we show a possible exception to this generalization: heterogeneity, in some circumstances, may optimally lead to a minority voting rule. The results are applicable for groups such as general assemblies in apartment buildings, neighborhood councils, and others.     

A Theoretical Basis for the Consideration of Spending Thresholds in the Analysis of Fiscal Referendums

This paper concerns the political economy of budget balances and focuses on fiscal referendums. It specifically suggests – on the basis of theoretical arguments –that any analysis of fiscal referendums must take their spending thresholds into account. Thus, it claims that mandatory fiscal referendums can impose greater constraints than optional fiscal referendums. In conclusion, various recommendations based on this observation are proposed.JEL classification: D70, H72.     

“城中村”集体资产改制问题初探

我国城市化进程中出现“城中村”现象,影响全面建设小康社会目标的实现。在改造城中村过程中集体资产改制是最关键的问题。本文针对集体资产改制过程中存在的问题,提出改制建议。     

Review of no-fault absenteeism cases taken to arbitration, 1980–1989: A rights and responsibilities analysis

No-fault absenteeism control programs represent an emerging counterpoint to traditional misconduct-based approaches. By altering the policies governing absence in the work place, the rights and responsibilities of both the employee and employer may be modified. This article examines the arbitral standards applied in the disposition of grievances arising under no-fault absenteeism plans. Arbitration cases from 1980 to 1989 are analyzed; a taxonomic structure for reviewing arbitrator rulings on the unilateral imposition of no-fault programs, as well as discipline and discharge arising under no-fault policies, is developed. While advocates of no-fault plans have asserted that arbitrators will embrace these plans, the results of this analysis indicate that arbitrators will infuse standard elements of reasonableness and just cause into no-fault policy. Trends in arbitral standards in absence cases, policy-making strategies for managements and unions, as well as implications for the rights and responsibilities of employees and employers are outlined.     

Township-village enterprises,local governments and rural communities: the Chinese village as a firm during economic transition1

The nature of TVEs and the real functions of township-village governments are rooted in the Chinese township-village organization. The management of common property in a village group or a rural community is quite different from management in a situation where the boundaries of common property are unclear. Before economic reform, the cooperative elements or interspecific resources, such as low information costs, kinship ties, trust and cooperative spirit belonged in common to all villagers, yet cooperation was absent because the Chinese state appropriated the collective benefits. During the course of reform, the link between village official and state is being gradually broken down and the official is returning to his own village organization. The original interspecific resources of villagers and the identity of the village leader as government official are institutionalized as specific contractual relations in China's reform circumstances. The Chinese village behaves as a firm-type organization and the collective benefits can be internalized during the economic transition.     

About some formalisms of interaction Phase transition models in economics?*

The aim of the present work is to scrutinise the economic use of phase transitions formalisms and to assess their relevance. The formal correspondence between the issue of micro-macro passage when agents are interacting and the physics problem of phase transition is first set out. The second section presents two formal tools likely to be associated with these problems and to exhibit the typical phenomena of phase transition. It is then possible to highlight the key points upon which the phase transition phenomena in these formal representations rely, and then to assess the relevance of their economic “counterparts” associated with these crucial characteristics. A more general appraisal of these formalisms for economics is finally sketched.     

Salvatore model with equiproportional preservation of forests

A a condition for preserving their tropical rainforests, countries in the southern hemisphere are demanding equiproportional protection of temperate forests in the northern hemisphere. The Salvatore version of the Heckscher-Ohlin-Samuelson model is used to simulate the case in which it is efficient for both North and South to preserve the same proportion of their national forests. The extreme assumptions of the Salvatore model are then relaxed and the resulting effects on forest preservation examined. Although the model is highly abstract, it lends credibility to the calls for equal protection of old-growth forests.     

Motivating intention to take action on behalf of an out-group: implications for the use of advocacy messages in social marketing strategies

ABSTRACT

In psychological research, the Social Identity Theory has been used to explain people’s motivation to take action in support of causes predominantly with a focus on in-group action. This study takes up the call to extend the limited attention given to intent-to-act on behalf of an out-group. Our research investigates support for the legalisation of medical marijuana (an out-group) and concludes that message structure is critical to increasing the likelihood of intent-to-act in support of an out-group. Specifically, we show that messages delivered from a legitimate advocate for the issue will generate empathy towards those affected and anger towards the perceived injustice, motivating intent to take action. Social marketers, charged with engaging communities to support programmes targeted at disadvantaged minority groups within the population, will benefit from the results of this research.     

社会资本对中国农村共用土地资源治理的影响研究

研究目的:考察社会资本是否影响成员在共用土地资源治理集体行动中的参与积极性。研究方法:文献研究法,经济计量模型法。研究结果:社会资本变量中成员关系网络的质量和社区非正式规范水平两变量影响着成员在集体行动中的表现。成员的网络规模和关系强度以及成员社团活动参与影响了成员对社区非正式规范的评价,间接地影响了成员的行为选择。研究结论:无论是结构性社会资本还是认知性社会资本都会在不同程度上影响成员在农村共用土地资源治理集体行动中的参与积极性,因而应着力培育和构建农村社会资本。     

新中国农业集体组织制度的三次飞跃——基于集体行动的逻辑

农业集体组织理性行动与农民个体理性激励的实现始终是新中国农业组织制度变迁的矛盾主线.本文依据奥尔森集体行动的逻辑视觉,分析了中国农业集体组织制度:人民公社、家庭联产承包责任制以及新型农业专业合作组织的发展演变机理.理清新中国农业制度,尤其是确立未来农业改革的制度设计与选择,对于实现农业现代化具有极其重要的理论价值和实践...