Challenges of Vietnamese Agricultural Cooperatives in the 21st Century:The Link Between Efficiency and Legality

The article shows that the situation of agricultural cooperatives in the world in general and agricultural cooperatives in Vietnam in particular are facing certain challenges in the context of globalization in the 21st century.The article points out limitations on:the nature,principles of democratic member control and principles of surplus distribution of the International Cooperative Alliance,as well as Vietnamese law in cooperative management.

The Concept of the Soul of Multiverse as a Genuine Supporter of Wildlife and Biodiversity on Earth

This work used the cosmological neuroscientific concept of Soul of Multiverse for placing the problem of wildlife and biodiversity protection into a new philosophical environment where religious,scientific and philosophical approaches are in harmony.It resulted in the thought that the obligation of protecting wildlife and biodiversity on Earth,just as the sanctity of caring for all human lives,originated in cosmic laws set in the divine blueprints of the Soul of Multiverse.These laws seem to relay that in the 21st century the time has come on Earth to stop killing animals for food,to stop overhunting and overfishing,to stop industrial activities responsible for deforestation,desertification,air pollution and climate change,and to run animal experiments for science and medicine only in the extremely limited,most justified cases and only until new technologies make them no longer necessary.The conclusion was that to achieve these goals,new global governing mechanisms are needed.Specifically,the establishment of a Government of Earth,the next step of the political process that started with the United Nations in the first place,may be necessary to solve the global problems of wildlife and biodiversity protection since meaningful solutions for global problems require global governing mechanisms.

Revisiting the Spirit of the UDHR and Discussing Human Rights Development——Summary of Views from the Seminar Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

On December 4,2023,the China Society for Human Rights Studies hosted a seminar in Beijing commemorating the 75^(th) Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Participants discussed topics such as the significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,China’s theories and practices in respecting and safeguarding human rights,the three global initiatives and global human rights governance,human rights protection in the digital age,and telling Chinese stories of human rights in the new era.The discussions led to a broad consensus and achieved positive results.

The Three Pillars of Sustainability Framework: Approaches for Laws and Governance

The three pillars of sustainability framework is a multidisciplinary implementation and solutions oriented approach that recognizes most successful and scalable sustainability solutions require the presence of, and are driven by, all three pillars simultaneously: 1) technology and innovation;2) laws and governance;and 3) economics and financial incentives. The three pillars framework is strategic because it often reveals or describes specific and feasible changes that advance sustainability solutions within markets and institutional settings. The section on technology discusses the crucial role that technology plays in creating new ways for doing more in our rapidly urbanizing communities by using less resources and energy inputs. The section on economics discusses problems with current conceptions of economic welfare that measure growth (flow) rather than the asset base (wealth), and explores possibilities for integrated and multidisciplinary analysis for coupled economic and social systems. The section on laws and governance considers the role of legal frameworks related to incentives, regulatory baselines, and in public policy formation, including influences and feedback effects from social norms, changing culture, and sustainability education. Technological development and engaging economic markets are at the center of our best and most rapidly deployable sustainability solutions. In that context, a specific focus is given throughout the discussion sections to the key role of laws and governance in supporting relevant, effective, and sustainable technological and economic development, as well as to highlight the crucial (often final) steps the law plays in successfully implementing new sustainability projects. As the discussions and examples (taken from Asia, the US, and Europe) demonstrate, the three pillars framework is flexible and useful in a number of contexts, as a solutions template, as an integrated planning approach, as a decision making guide, and for determining project priorities.

Law, the Nigerian Economy and Corruption

Corruption has had severe negative consequences on the economic growth and development of nations all over the world especially on developing countries. It has various implications for both the developed and developing economies. Corruption hampers development and thus raises the level of poverty in any economy that finds itself entrenched in corrupt practices. Corruption creates uncertainty and risk in the growth and development potential of any country. This paper presents a review of corruption as it relates to the economic development of Nigeria. By using a theoretical method of analysis, the study reveals that corruption is Nigeria＇s biggest challenge. It is clear to every citizen that the level of corruption in the country is high because it is found in every sector of the society. In public or private sector, corrupt practices are easily observable. Corruption has been a deterrent to economic development in Nigeria. The findings show that corruption has a significant negative effect on economic growth and development. The paper examines historical connection between the law and the economy and discusses the theoretical and conceptual issues in corruption and economic development and the role of lawyers in the economy. The paper also seeks to provoke debate on the role of law in the anti-corruption crusade, strengthening the rule of law and promoting economic development. It also identifies and discusses the impact and effects of corruption on economic development in Nigeria, while proffering policy recommendations that should underpin the road to Nigeria becoming the ＂next surprise＂, on indices such as transparency, accountability, and the application of the rule of law, in dealing with corruption leading to improved consumer price index （CPI） ranking, induce investment, and foster economic growth and development.

Order of Precedence Between Local Laws of Cities with Subordinate Districts and Regulations of Provincial Governments Clarifying Premises for Discussion Based on the Characteristics of Laws

The lack of descriptions regarding the order of precedence between the local laws of cities with subordinate districts and the regulations of provincial governments in Legislation Law of the People's Republic of China(Legislation Law) has led to two divergent views. One holds that "the local laws of cities with subordinate districts should take precedence over the regulations of provincial governments," while the other supports the exact opposite. This is a value judgment issue in legislation. To reach a solution, we need to clarify the premises based on the characteristics of the laws in question so that a basic common ground can be established for discussion. The first premise for traditional legislation is that a law should be based on experience as well as logic; the second is that the experience of authority subjects, plus the three aspects of logic should outweigh the experience of social subjects, plus the three aspects of logic. With respect to postmodern legislation, the first premise is that experience should override logic, and the second is that the experience of the authority subject should take precedence over that of social subject, with no requirements for logical consistency. Since Legislation Law fal s into the category of postmodern legislation, according to the premises, the argument that the local laws of cities with subordinate districts should take precedence enjoys wider acceptance, but the view is logically challenged in terms of conceptual consistency, system consistency and principle consistency. More studies must be conducted to facilitate the discussion.

Cosmopolitan Democracy and Democratic Public Law

Cosmopolitan democracy model is presented by David Held, beyond idealistic perspectives of left and right ideologies, mainly with a legal view, and found a global impact. As a prominent theorist in the field of democracy studies, David Held, by integrating the principle of autonomy in the model of constitutional democracy with the principle of participation in the model of participatory democracy, introduces a novel composition named ＂cosmopolitan democracy＂ that is a conception of democratic legal relations. Held is the first man who seeks to investigate democracy separated from the ideological models in relation to general human rights and identifies main areas of power in human life. He considers totally seven sets of rights necessarily enabling people to enjoy a free and equal participation in setting their communities. These rights include： right to health, welfare rights, cultural rights, civil rights, economic rights, political rights, and the right to enjoy a peaceful livelihood. Held＇s ultimate desire is to realize ideals of cosmopolitan democracy model in the global sphere, beyond the lessons of the West and the East. Through rethinking the theoretical and practical frameworks of this theory in today＇s world, the current paper seeks to study its role in reproducing democratic realism so that it would prepare the ground for the global consensus far from the ideal models.

The Understanding and Perception of the Po

To study political culture, it is important to have a clear definition of it. At the same time, it is important to definethe role of political culture in society. We need to measure to be challenged role of political culture in society andthen measure it in detail. We have studied the concept and perception of political culture in order to justify the realpolitical situation in our country, using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods of research. The mainpurpose of this article is to clarify the real situation of political culture and the picture of how they represent andexpress their voices. One of the main assumptions of the study of political culture is considered to be the need for itand the impact of its adequacy.

Conflict： Efficient State or State Under the Rule of Law？-- The Hungarian Case of the Victory of the Efficient State over the State Under the Rule of Law

This study is seeking an answer as to whether the efficient state and the state under the rule of law are indeed irreconcilable, as well as to whether these two categories are by nature to be seen as contrary concepts. The basic issue is whether efficiency is to be handled as an ＂extralegal＂ category, or whether legal regulation, in accordance with public administration traditions in Europe, can in itself meet the requirement of efficiency. Also the study presents the formation of the issue of conflict between the effective state and the state under the rule of law in Hungary after the election held in 2010 in the practice of economic policy and legislation of the Orban government. We are trying to answer the question of the tendency of power concentration to really menace the principles of a traditionally-formed state under the rule of law, as well as whether the economic policy of the government can be implemented effectively in a strongly centralized political and state administrative system.

Implications of Declining Ground Water and Water Quality in the US Southeastern Coastal Plain Ecoregion and Areawide Environmental Impact Statement Required for Mining in the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin—Part 1

Karst aquifers occur worldwide and exhibit groundwater flow responses that differ considerably from aquifers lacking fractures, bedding planes, and other karst conduits where significant and rapid groundwater flow can occur. The regional, karst Floridan aquifer system underlies the United States (US) Southeastern Coastal Plain Physiographic Region and exhibits hydrologic interconnections with overlying surficial aquifers and throughout other zones of the aquifer system, as is characteristic of other karst aquifer systems. Anthropogenic groundwater declines in this regional karst aquifer system have been documented in published literature for decades, but the impacts of those declines in this coastal plain region and the embedded ecosystems that provide essential and critical habitat for native, endemic, and federally endangered and threatened species have not been considered previously. Those anthropogenic groundwater declines reduce surfacewater levels and flows due to the capture of both groundwater and overland flow of surfacewater, resulting in induced recharge through semi-confining zones and interbasin flow through fractures and other karst conduits. This case study identifies examples from the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin study area and comparison areas of how those declines result in loss of historic base flow to surface waters and other capture of surface waters, ultimately increasing saltwater intrusion. Those results alter and degrade the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters, in violation of the US Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972. Historic groundwater declines from mining and other anthropogenic groundwater withdrawals from this regional karst aquifer system already threaten the survival and recovery of federally endangered and threatened species, as well as existing and proposed critical habitat for those species within this regional extent, in violation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. This case study and its companion publication (Part 2) appear to be the first to provide scientific support for this regional karst aquifer system as the unifying factor in habitat responses to irreversible groundwater impacts on aquatic and marine ecosystems. These adverse impacts strongly suggest that the extent of the regional Floridan aquifer system should be designated as the Southeastern Coastal Plain Ecoregion for the purpose of managing natural resources. Mining activities continue to expand in our study area, which is the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin. Despite that fact, no comprehensive Areawide Environmental Impact Statement (AEIS), similar to the AEIS required for phosphate mining within the Central Florida Phosphate District (CFPD) approximately a decade ago has been conducted for any of the numerous mining projects that are occurring and are proposed within the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin. This case study also provides examples of why a comprehensive AEIS is essential to consider all of the adverse direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of those mining activities to the CWA, the ESA, and the irreversible losses to local economies, because federal agencies responsible for considering those adverse impacts rely on public comments to identify those adverse impacts. The mining activities authorized throughout the regional Floridan aquifer system under Category 44 Nationwide Permits (NWP) result in the same type of adverse impacts as the mining activities evaluated under Individual Permits in that region. Therefore, those Category 44 NWP mining activities also should be required to obtain Individual Permits and be evaluated under an AEIS in the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin. This case study also describes how Florida’s assumption of the CWA Section 404 regulatory authority in 2020 severs four sub-basins within the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin study area at the state line between Florida and Georgia.

Research on the Scientific Meaning of Rule of Law in China

Beyond the existing academic viewpoints, clarifying the scientific meaning of the rule of law in China in the binary interaction between subject and object is the prerequisite for reifying the rule of law in China from an abstract symbol to a logic in action. The subject dimension of rule of law in China subsumes the legal consciousness, self confidence, independence and self-improvement of the subject. The object dimension of the rule of law in China focuses the relation mode and governance pattern between right and power. In the dimension of time, the rule of law in China is the unification of history and reality of China model. In the dimension of space, the rule of law in China is committed to seeking the right to speech, governance, management and development from the perspective of globalization.

The general laws of the evolution of the county governance in our country before the founding of the new China

Since the Qin Dynasty started the county system to the foundation of China, ＂county＂ has been the basic unit of the centralized state in our country. Although the county-level governance mode is stable, its evolution has laws to follow. Generally speaking, the rules are that the scale of the county government is small for a long time and the governmental functions in the long term are fixed. The roles of the clan organizations in the social governance are increasingly strengthened and the slow development and roles of other social organizations outside the clan organizations are increasing.

通过扫黑除恶的社会治理——以贯彻落实《反有组织犯罪法》为视角

在黑恶势力及其违法犯罪严重影响基层政权稳定的严峻形势下,党和国家决定开展扫黑除恶专项斗争,经过三年的全面、深入、系统推进,成效显著,赢得全面胜利。扫黑除恶是国家专门力量直接介入基层社会治理的重要体现,但单纯通过刑事司法或综合治理均无法达到深入且快速的良好治理效果。在总体国家安全观的指导下《,反有组织犯罪法》以“四个结合”为治理理念,构建惩防并举、标本兼治的有组织犯罪治理体系。其具体体现了司法治理与综合治理并重,且重点突出、有机衔接的共治路径及其立法思路。其中,司法治理强调宽严相济刑事政策的细化落实及关联治理机制的体系性完备,综合治理则突出群众路线下治本且治标的综合预防体系健全。通过不断完善的法治来推动常态化、高质效的有组织犯罪治理,保障扫黑除恶的法律效果、政治效果与社会效果相统一,有利于促进实现国家治理体系和治理能力现代化。

Democratic Values of Mongolians Becoming as a Pillar of Perspectives of Democracy, Human Rights, Freedom, and Legitimacy

The modern democracy in Mongolia has changed from ideology and desires into the daily actions and real-life needs of achievement of the people. The content of this article aimed to categorize the democracy development process and its challenges and opportunities in promoting democratic governance in Mongolia;such brought specific approaches of the changes and difficulties. The content of research article contextual approaches are characterized by own individual research data on democracy as basis on the use of the work and the independent research findings of the researcher. On the overview of process of uncut democracy consolidation, the democracy development in Mongolia managed to the most consistent principles and fundamental values of democracy up to second half of the 1990s. From the second half of the 1990s till the election in 2004, within this term, the following challenges and difficulties risen to action of slowing down that forming of political parties, grouped into fractional, blockage of post-trafficking, conspiracy, and to be corrupted and bribery as mentioned as newly adverse phenomena have begun to the democracy development.

Global Governance in Cyberspace: Process,Conflict and China’s Proposals

In recent years,problems such as cyber warfares,cyber espionages and cyber crimes have become global public nuisances and always challenge the authority of the sovereign states. Therefore,the governance of the derivative problems concerning the global cyberspace has become an issue of importance in the international law. To overcome these challenges,sovereign states begin to get involved in cyberspace and seek international cooperation,so as to promote the evolution of the international rule of law in cyberspace. Currently,the cyberspace is filled with contradictions and conflicts. The cyber hegemonic states monopolize basic resources for cyberspaces,and their liberalism of double standards is the best tool to maintain their centralized and dominant situations. Moreover,the differences on governance problems between different camps leads to the significant institutional supply shortage. Accordingly,as a responsible power,China should advocate the Chinese solution and wisdom so as to create the reform of global cyberspace governance system. Possible specific measures include clarifying the governance structure of sovereign state-orientation,adhering to the model of shared governance with multilateral approach and multi-party participation.

Democracy Development in Mongolia:Challenges and Opportunities

The modern democracy in Mongolia has changed from ideology and desires into the daily actions and real-life needs of achievement of the people.The content of this article aimed to categorizing the democracy development process and its challenges and opportunities in promoting democratic governance in Mongolia such brought specific approaches of the changes and difficulties.The contented of research article contextual approaches are characterized by own individual research data on democracy as basis on the use of the work and the independent research findings of the researcher.On the overview of process of uncut democracy consolidation and the democracy development in Mongolia managed to the most consistent principles and fundamental values of democracy up to second half of the 1990s.From the second half of the 1990s till the election in 2004,within this term,the following challenges and difficulties risen to action of slowing down that forming of political parties,grouped into fractional,blockage of post-trafficking,conspiracy,and to be corrupted and bribery as mentioned as newly adverse phenomena have begun to the democracy development.

Electoral Governance and Democratization in Francophone Africa:A Critical Appraisal

The exhaustion of dictatorial powers and communist regimes ushered in the third wave of democratization in francophone Africa,through the emergence of democratic institutions essential to the holding of credible elections.This new democratic era,which redefines the stakes of power through peaceful political competition in the form of elections,marked the end,at least symbolically,of a time when a coup or popular insurrection seemed to be the only way to overthrow dictatorial regimes.The election thus appears as an instrument of regulation of political life.Through a constructivist perspective,this research aims to discuss the relationship between electoral governance and democratization in francophone Africa.It shows that even if democracy is taken as a tool of political civilization in francophone Africa,there is no institutional linking.It means that electoral must be the key for the regulation and the credibility of democratization and democracy.

Trust and Structural Response to Natural Disaster： Some Implications to Government Reform

The Philippine government is a representative democracy. It has three co-equal branches of government namely the executive, legislative, and judicial, operating on the principle of check and balance. Issues that had riddled top officials of government remained unresolved hitherto; and, the local government units had their own lingering issues. The government structure therefore did not seem to have the mechanism to correct itself. This paper argues that responses to, as well as the ensuing conditions of the survivors of natural disasters, are affected by how much trust the incumbents of relevant government structures have of each other and that actors outside of the government hierarchy can offer avenues for reform. Tropical Storm Washi that hit Cagayan de Oro City could be a case in point. It left thousands of people dead or missing, millions of dollars in damages, and thousands of internally displaced persons （IDPs）. The local government, tasked by the local government code to handle matters related to social welfare, did not seem to have performed as expected. In an apparent lack of trust, donor agencies preferred to course cash and relief items through conduits others than the local government. While the system remained unable to correct itself, the victims of the disaster continued to suffer. Civil society organizations and non-government organizations were trying to re-establish people’s trust in the system through legal measures, and hope that electoral reforms could be instituted.

On the Duty of the Government to Safeguard the Right to Water

The right to water is an emerging sort of human rights aiming to protect the right to water indispensable for the survival and development of individuals. From the perspective of International Human Rights Law, the paper analyzes the standards stipulating the international obligations to safeguard the right to water, inspects the state quo of the protection of the right to water in China and demonstrates the lawful suggestions to safeguard the right to water.

新《公司法》若干重要问题解读(笔谈)

新《公司法》修订所涉及的内容非常丰富,修订内容包括公司登记制度、股东出资责任、公司治理制度、公司资本制度、控股股东义务、董监高信义义务等方面。赵旭东教授指出,本次《公司法》修订在公司登记与信息公示制度、股东出资责任和法律后果、公司资本制度、公司治理制度、股东权益保护和控股股东义务这五个关键领域实现了重大突破和创新。周林彬教授集中解析了“国家出资公司组织机构的特别规定”一章,认为新《公司法》的亮点之一是通过新设这一章积极回应了我国国有企业治理的“本土实践”与“中国问题”,给出新时期国有企业治理的“中国方案”,推进了中国特色的国有企业治理制度的设计,重塑了国有企业的规范体系。刘凯湘教授对本次《公司法》修订中与公司资本制度相关的若干条文展开解析,包括限期认缴制、新增有限公司股东出资义务加速到期制度、股东违反出资义务的责任承担规则、董事会的催缴出资义务、股东失权制度、董监高对股东抽逃出资的连带责任、类别股的规定、授权资本制等。赵万一教授深入探讨了这次《公司法》修改的主要特点,认为新《公司法》既坚持了其商法属性,同时又充分考虑了《民法典》的既有制度内容,适当兼顾了与《民法典》之间的制度衔接关系,从而既为科学解决民法与商法的关系提供了理念和制度支持,也为中国式法律制度体系的创建提供了完美的立法实践样本。周友苏教授深入解析了新《公司法》在完善股东出资制度方面增加的股东出资缴纳、股东出资“加速到期”、股东失权、股东出资责任这四条新规定,认为新《公司法》在完善股东出资制度方面增加的这些新规定,积极回应了我国自2013年以来公司数量大幅增长所带来的股东盲目认缴、天价认缴、期限过长的现象突出,损害债权人利益的纠纷案件呈明显上升态势等问题,极大地强化了保护债权人的力度。李建伟教授深入解析了《公司法》修订中与法定代表人制度相关的若干条文,认为新《公司法》关于法定代表人的规定较之以往更加体系化,并有望基本解决困扰公司实践许多年的诸多难题,但其中亦存在不完全规范的问题。