URBAN FORTRESSES

One of the consequences of the state's inability to protect the life and property of all its citizens—especially in developing countries—is the formation of private alternatives to crime prevention and control. Gated communities, or enclosed neighbourhoods, are one such popular alternative. This article compares the phenomenon of gated communities in two developing countries: South Africa and Brazil. Both countries are plagued by violent crime and share key human development indicators. The article also explores key issues that have been raised around gated communities in both countries. Gated communities can contribute to spatial fragmentation in urban areas, and reflect increased polarisation, fragmentation and diminished solidarity within society. By excluding other urban residents and people from surrounding neighbourhoods, gated communities can contribute to social exclusion, inhibiting the construction of social networks that form the basis of social and economic activities.     

Modelling international conflict under conditions of state level economic and political uncertainty

Formal models of international conflict have tended to concentrate on change across the security dimension, assuming that the state level economic and political dimensions are constant. However, the conclusion of the Cold War suggests that over the long run these dimensions are not constant; indeed, the development of economic power, state level limits on defence expenditures, structural impediments to economic change, and several other ‘constants’ clearly do have an endogenous role in international conflict. This paper suggests one strategy for their inclusion as a causal factor in conflict modelling.     

South Africa and Peace Support Operations: Limitations,Options and Challenges

Abstract

Malawi's political transition from single-party rule to multiparty democracy in June 1994 raised expectations for sustainable peace in the country by, among others, passing a new legal framework that provided for conflict resolution mechanisms and good governance. However, political conflicts that have posed challenges to the foundations of peace and political stability have been a characteristic of the multiparty dispensation, leading to interventions by indigenous institutions whose aim is to build peace. This paper, which is based on field research, analyses the major political conflicts that have occurred on Malawi's political scene since the 1990s. Using the Public Affairs Committee as a case study, the paper illustrates the challenges facing the indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms. It also shows that despite the political transition, the socio-political environment still exhibits political behaviour and norms formed during the 30 years of single-party rule. There is a need for capacity-building and deliberate policy to enhance the indigenous-based mechanisms in order to promote sustainable peace in the country.     

论高校关工委在大学生思想政治教育中的作用

大学生是祖国的希望和未来,离退休老同志是宝贵的资源和财富。大学生处于未成年人向成年人过渡时期,思想活跃,但极易受不良思想的侵蚀。老同志阅历丰富,思想信念坚定,经验丰厚。如何通过高校关工委的桥梁和辅助作用,让离退休老同志在大学生思想政治教育中发挥"余热作用",是新形势下面临的新任务。因此,结合高校关工委的工作实际,对关工委和广大离退休教师在大学生思想政治教育中的特殊作用和策略展开研究,既具有理论价值,又具有现实意义。     

Trading coups for civil war

This paper investigates civil conflict as a product of the survival strategies of African leaders. Specifically, the paper offers a theory of risk substitution that predicts coup-fearing leaders will undermine the military effectiveness of the state when making an effort to extend their own tenure. While ‘coup-proofing’ practices have often been noted as contributors to political survival, considerably less attention has been paid to the influence of these strategies on other forms of conflict. Utilising data from a number of cross-national datasets, the analyses show that having a higher number of ‘coup-proofing’ counterweights significantly worsens a state's civil conflict prospects. A brief consideration of multiple episodes of conflict further suggests that in addition to coup-proofing undermining the counterinsurgency capacity of the state, some leaders are simply indifferent to – or can even potentially benefit from – the existence of an insurgency.     

实现强军目标“三进入”的主题内涵与途径

政治理论教学作为传授党的创新理论的主阵地,在强军目标“三进入”中发挥着举足轻重的作用。扎实推进强军目标“三进入”,必须坚持把培养高素质军事人才作为根本要求,积极搭建教学平台,不断拓展基本途径,从而不断提升“三进入”的质量效果。     

从劝服理论看制约军队思想政治教育效果的因素

思想政治教育是保证军队“打得赢、不变质”的有效途径。探讨制约思想政治教育效果的因素,对于增强我军的文化软实力有着现实性和必要性。从传播效果的“劝服论”入手,通过对教育者、受教育者和教育技巧三个方面的分析,探寻提升思想政治教育效果的有效途径。     

社会工作视阈下少数民族大学生思想政治教育的思考

少数民族大学生既具有一般大学生的时代特征,又包含民族特色,思想政治教育工作需要进一步创新和完善机制予以应对。作为一种专业的助人服务活动,社会工作的价值观和方法可以融入到少数民族大学生思想政治教育工作中,使其更加凸显人文关怀,切实提高工作的针对性、主动性和实效性,在教育的理念、对象、内容、方式方法和环境等方面获得一定的创新。     

论高中《政治生活》实施探究性学习的一般模式

探究性学习的实质是要求教师转变教育观念,在教学中充分调动学生学习的主动性和积极性,激发学生学习的主人翁意识,真正使学生成为学习的主人。因此高中政治课的课堂教学应该充分渗透探究性学习的精神,同时教师又应在这一宗旨的指导下,根据教材的内容和特点的不同采用不同的模式,选用不同的方法,这样才能达到构建高效课堂的目的。     

从知识教育入手提升思想政治教育实效的途径

知识教育蕴含思想政治教育的内容和信息,思想政治教育需要以知识教育为载体,提高说服力和感染力。发挥知识教育的思想政治教育功能需要更新教育理念,拓展思想政治教育途径,提高教育工作者的素质。