The enlargement of the euro area: differences in relative inflation

This paper investigates the structural determinants of relative inflation (i.e. the inflation of non‐tradables vs tradables) in the context of overall inflation differentials in the EU. The analysis is based on the Bergstrand theoretical model. This framework incorporates three alternative hypotheses of relative inflation (Harrod–Balassa–Samuelson, relative factors endowment, and demand effects). Due to the lack of reliable data on capital stocks only a curtailed version of the model is tested here empirically. The various specifications of the model are estimated for the majority of EU countries, using the Pedroni panel group mean FMOLS estimator. In general, relative labour productivity and demand factors turn out to be significant and correctly signed, though evidence in favour of the latter effect seems to be less robust. In addition, differences in the determination of relative prices between the new and old EU Member States are found. They seem to be consistent with theoretical considerations and the transition phenomenon. The estimation results are very sensitive to the definition of non‐tradables. The paper also discusses policy implications for overall inflation, stemming from relative price models. It questions the usefulness of relative inflation models for the analysis of overall inflation differentials and practical policy decisions.     

多中心理论视野下的农村公共产品供给创新

农村公共产品供给对于解决“三农”问题，全面建设小康社会至关重要。现阶段我国政府财政供给能力有限，市场行为也不能解决农村公共服务领域的许多问题。为改进现阶段我国农村公共产品的供给，满足农村居民不断增长的物质文化需要，本文立足于我国社会的实践背景，借鉴多中心理论对相关实践活动的经验总结，在政府供给和市场供给的基础上，从多中心治道的理论视野来探析农村公共产品的供给创新。     

区域经济差异理论对民族地区经济协调发展的启示

经济理论的终极目的并非总结和发现规律,而是用于指导经济发展实践。东中西地带差异过大,已是不争之事实,但西部地区尤其是西部民族地区内部经济差异却极少受到应有的重视,我们应当在此类特殊经济差异显著扩大之前就未雨绸缪,事先做好调控才能避免“一波未平,一波又起”的被动局面。通过对经典区域经济差异理论的研究和分析,我们能从中发现一些有利于民族地区经济协调发展的启示。     

农村消费安全与企业社会责任的行为选择

保障农村消费安全是我国社会主义新农村建设过程中的主题之一。长期以来,农村消费安全问题一直是农村市场的薄弱环节,农村消费品市场是假冒伪劣产品的重灾区,解决农村消费安全问题已成为当务之急。本文基于对农村消费安全问题现状及原因的分析,分别从消费者教育,企业诚信经营,企业儒商人格培养,流通组织创新等方面就企业社会责任行为的选择给出了相应的对策建议。     

尽快建立多层次的农村养老保障体系

中国老龄化问题已是一个严峻的客观现实,本文在分析中国的老龄化五个突出的特点的基础上,阐述中国农村养老保障体系的六个方面。建立和完善社会养老保险制度,健全农村老年医疗保健机制,依法维护农村老龄人的合法权益,建立家庭养老与社会养老相结合的养老模式,关注农村老年人的精神生活,完善农村社会公共养老服务设施建设。     

农户联保贷款的制度优势与缺陷探析

农户联保贷款具有自动瞄准、互相监督、还款共生和培训互助等独特的制度优势。但是,农户联保贷款在我国还存在着排除最贫困农户、小组组建困难、道德风险大和贷款过程繁杂等缺陷。我国应在贷款对象、信用环境、联保小组数量等方面加以完善与改进。     

银行业对外开放对我国农村经济发展的影响

以银行业开放为视角,在介绍我国银行业开放现状的基础上,分析了当前银行业开放对我国农村经济发展的不利影响:银行业开放并没有优化农村金融资源的配置,反而加剧了农村资金供求的矛盾,同时也降低了农村金融服务水平。通过分析,提出了银行业开放条件下发展我国农村经济的几点建议。     

我国农村微观经济组织形式的演变趋势

在家庭联产经营基础上发展起来的农业产业化以及与之相辅相成的农民专业合作组织是实现城乡一体化的重要组织形式。我们必须从战略高度认识我国农业产业化建设和发展农民专业合作组织的深远意义。     

Decomposing Income Inequality and Policy Implications in Rural China

Using village data from samples covering 6 provinces,36 counties and 216 townships,the income inequalities within and between townships in rural China are assessed. The Theil index and the mean logarithmic deviation methods enable us to test income inequality at the township level,and to decompose it into intra-regional and inter-regional at county and provincial levels. In the present paper,we also decompose income inequalities between and within the nationally designated poor counties (NDPC). The results show that approximately two-thirds of the income inequality in rural China would be eliminated if measures and policies were targeted at the county level. This study also confirms the rationale that China's poverty alleviation strategy of focusing on poor counties based on the inequalities between NDPC and non-NDPC accounts for the most inter-province inequality.