“Scrambling”: Logic of horizontal competition between local governments based on three cases of interprovincial disaster counterpart support

Interprovincial counterpart support is a cooperative system used by local governments to achieve horizontal flow of resources based on cross-regional cooperation.Existing research has mainly focused on governance ef‐ficiency,institutional advantages,and ranking incentives while ignoring the scrambling behavior and opera‐tional mechanisms of local governments formed by ranking incentives and territorial responsibilities.This study selected the Wenchuan earthquake,Yushu earthquake,and COVID-19 as three typical cases.We con‐structed a theoretical framework for competition among provincial local governments and found that competi‐tion in interprovincial disaster counterpart support followed a dual behavioral logic of“striving to be first”and“fear of being last”.Specifically,local governments will choose striving to be first under the logic of time coercion,content games,and territorial responsibility;they will choose fear of being last under the logic of re‐sponsibility avoidance and moral pressure.This type of scrambling-based horizontal competition reflects the logic of local government competition tournaments.This study further revealed the specific processes,mecha‐nisms,and results of horizontal local government competition,which can provide inspiration for cross regional and provincial cooperation.

Strategic interaction among local governments, fiscal spending competition and regional economic growth

Using a spatial econometric model, this paper investigates strategic interaction among provincial governments regarding expenditures, the mechanism behind expenditures interaction and their effects on economic growth in China. Our conclusion is as follows: Significant strategic interaction exists among provincial governments regarding expenditures mainly owing to fiscal competition mechanism in China, and expenditures interaction has changed significantly since tax sharing system reform, which has had positive effects on regional economic growth. This conclusion has significant implications for the optimization of public functions, size and structure of local governments in China.

Research of Mechanism on the Impact of Local Governmental Competition on Farmland Conversion

In the perspective of local governmental competition, the impact of local governmental competition on farmland conversion is analyzed in terms of political competition, factors competition and products competition, and the empirical analysis is conducted according to the provincial data from 2002 to 2007. The results show that the endowment of land resources correlates negatively with the scale of farmland conversion, and the population, the tendency of exceeding capital investment and the competition of research and development input correlate positively with the scale of farmland conversion. According to these research results, corresponding policies and countermeasures are put forward: we should overhaul the system of performance evaluation of local governmental officials; we should normalize the local governmental competitive behavior.

Europeanization and Multilevel Governance： Trying to Make Sense of International Activities of European Local Governments

This paper analyzes the links among Europeanization, multilevel governance, and international activities of local governments. To do so, a revision of the literature on these three areas is provided, with a special emphasis on the effects that the Europeanization process （hierarchical and horizontal） and multilevel governance （type I and type II） have had over the internationalization of local governments. Thus, local governments＇ international activities have evolved and adapted to a complex system of governance. Furthermore, the paper offers a reflection on current trends such as European Union （EU） and national programmes aimed at fostering International initiatives of local governments, and the impact of the economic crisis on these activities.

Impacts of Emerging Biotechnologies on Major Power Competition and Global Governance

COVID-19’s global spread has exposed the weakness of biosecurity systems,underlining shortcomings and increasing the difficulty of global governance.Given the dilemma inherent in biotechnology’s prospects and risks,the leadership of biotechnology and biosecurity capability has become a focal point of great power competition.Both the threat of bioterrorism and the risk of the misuse or abuse of biotechnology are urgent and complicated.Due to the lack of verification mechanisms and the dual-nature of biotechnology,biosecurity competition may result in an arms race or military conflict,but major powers can innovate cooperation mechanisms to provide public goods and manage risk.

Transfer payments from the central government to the local governments and the local governments' efforts on taxation: taking China as an example

The influence of the transfer payments from the central government to the local governments on the local governments＇ efforts on taxation must be taken into consideration by every country for the design of the transfer payments. Based on the theoretical analysis on the influence of the transfer payments from the central government to the local governments＇ on the local governments＇ payments＇, this paper indicates that the local governments＇ efforts on taxation depends on the demand elasticity of the district for public goods, It increases with the increase of the elasticity. Judge the degree of the local govet：nment＇s efforts on taxation by measure 2. After an empirical analysis on the transJer payments from the central government to the local governments＇from 2000 to 2004, this paper gets the con- clusion that the local governments＇ effbrts on taxation ctbates with the increase of supporting payments or with the increase of the ratio of transfer payments to local wiliing public paymentS. Under speCific Circumstances, the higher the ratio of transfer payments to the local fiscal expenditure is. the smaller the local governments＇ efforts＇ on taxation is＂ under the central payments, whereas＇ the higher the local income is, the higher the efforts is under the central pav- ments. Based on this＇, this paper gives the meaning of its eOrresponding pofiCieS. ＂

Female-biased Dispersal of the Emei Moustache Toad (Leptobrachium boringii) under Local Resource Competition

Dispersal is an important area of ecological and evolutionary research.Although many studies have been conducted in mammals and birds,dispersal pattern in amphibians is still unclear.To verify dispersal patterns of amphibians,an endangered species the Emei Moustache Toad(Leptobrachium boringii)was selected.In this study,we analyzed six genetic parameters:inbreeding coefficient(F_(IS)),gene diversity(H_S),the mean of corrected assignment index(mAI_C),the variance of corrected assignment index(vAI_C),relatedness(r)for all three years together and each year separately based on eight highly polymorphic microsatellite loci.Data in totaled across years and each year for 581 individuals captured during 2013–2015 revealed a significant female-biased dispersal pattern.Significantly higher F_(IS) and H_S in females,and lower mAI_C and r for each year separately in females support that L.boringii displays femalebiased dispersal,although r for the total dataset and vAI_C tests did not show significant differences between the sexes.Female-biased dispersal patterns may be explained by the local resource competition hypothesis.

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.

A Memetic Algorithm With Competition for the Capacitated Green Vehicle Routing Problem

In this paper, a memetic algorithm with competition(MAC) is proposed to solve the capacitated green vehicle routing problem(CGVRP). Firstly, the permutation array called traveling salesman problem(TSP) route is used to encode the solution, and an effective decoding method to construct the CGVRP route is presented accordingly. Secondly, the k-nearest neighbor(k NN) based initialization is presented to take use of the location information of the customers. Thirdly, according to the characteristics of the CGVRP, the search operators in the variable neighborhood search(VNS) framework and the simulated annealing(SA) strategy are executed on the TSP route for all solutions. Moreover, the customer adjustment operator and the alternative fuel station(AFS) adjustment operator on the CGVRP route are executed for the elite solutions after competition. In addition, the crossover operator is employed to share information among different solutions. The effect of parameter setting is investigated using the Taguchi method of design-ofexperiment to suggest suitable values. Via numerical tests, it demonstrates the effectiveness of both the competitive search and the decoding method. Moreover, extensive comparative results show that the proposed algorithm is more effective and efficient than the existing methods in solving the CGVRP.

DYNAMICAL BEHAVIOR OF AN INNOVATION DIFFUSION MODEL WITH INTRA-SPECIFIC COMPETITION BETWEEN COMPETING ADOPTERS

In this paper,we proposed an innovation diffusion model with three compartments to investigate the diffusion of an innovation(product)in a particular region.The model exhibits two equilibria,namely,the adopter-free and an interior equilibrium.The existence and local stability of the adopter-free and interior equilibria are explored in terms of the effective Basic Influence Number(BIN)R_(A).It is investigated that the adopter free steady-state is stable if R_(A)<1.By consideringτ(the adoption experience of the adopters)as the bifurcation parameter,we have been able to obtain the critical value ofτresponsible for the periodic solutions due to Hopf bifurcation.The direction and stability analysis of bifurcating periodic solutions has been performed by using the arguments of normal form theory and the center manifold theorem.Exhaustive numerical simulations in the support of analytical results have been presented.

Local Government Debt Management Solutions

Two rounds of leveraging-up have led to a high debt ratio in the Chinese economy, triggered liquidity mismatch and increased systemic financial risks. The key causes of local government liabilities are soft budget constraints and non-market-based factor allocation. Currently, the risks of local government liabilities are generally controllable. This paper concludes that the long-term solution to managing local government liabilities is to enhance budget constraint and institutional assurance and proposes countermeasures in the reform of urban construction investment and ftnancing mechanisms.

Analysis on Local Government's Illegal Occupation of Cultivated Land Using Game Theory

In order to find out reasons for local government illegally occupying cultivated land and reduce such acts to ensure China's grain security,this paper made an analysis through building the single person game model for local government's legal or illegal occupation of cultivation land.It reached the conclusion that the benefit obtained by local government from illegal occupation of cultivated land is far greater than cost and punishment of such illegal acts.Illegal act is an optimal choice of local government to maximize its benefits,which is also the major reason for its illegal occupation of cultivated land.Thus,to reduce these illegal acts of local government,it should reduce benefits of local government obtained from illegal occupation of cultivated land,and increase costs for illegal occupation of cultivated land.

Analytical Framework Model for Capacity Needs Assessment and Strategic Capacity Development within the Local Government Structure in Tanzania

This is a methodological paper prepared by senior academicians, researchers and consultants from renowned universities in Tanzania. The paper provides insights as to how best development agents can approach the challenge of capacity needs assessment and development of capacity building programs in the context of the local government structure in Tanzania. The paper is of original nature and is based on author’s accumulated knowledge and practice in conducting capacity assessments and developing capacity building programs in Tanzania. The paper describes what can be considered to be best practices in conducting participatory capacity assessment through consultative processes which involves most of the key actors who would be engaged in implementing proposed interventions. The paper puts forward an analytical model for capacity assessment and program development in the Tanzanian context. The main features of the model can be summarized as participatory capacity assessment, strategic capacity building program development and complementarity through synergy building with like-minded stakeholders. The operational modality for utilizing the model in developing capacity building programs which among other components has monitoring and evaluation aspects is included. It is recommended that practitioners and development agents should test the model in their working environments to realize its potential benefits including program ownership by stakeholders.

Good Local Government for Better Governance and Sustainable Human Development

The purpose of this article is to raise the question of how important decentralisation and local governments are for the successful transition and eventually for sustainable human development of a state. The paper focuses on the gap between development or transition and decentralisation within academic and international policy discourse. In article, the author tries to answer such questions as how local government can contribute to SHD （sustainable human development）. And how should the international community contribute to and support the transition and development process of the developing countries？ Article shows that local self-government can be a school of democracy and responsibility for the wealth of the state and citizens. By sharing the Polish decentralisation experience, the author shows how important decentralisation might be for successful transition, democratization and sustainable development. The paper also includes a short introduction to the European Charter, recent African efforts like AMCOD or UCLGA and European Union development assistance policy. The purpose of this is to show how little attention is paid to local governments and decentralisation within international policy and how huge is the gap between Europe＇s （developed） states and Africa＇s （developing） states related to their decentralisation policy, law and practice.

Local Government Behavior behind China's Excessive Investment under Decentralization——Theoretical and Empirical Analysis Based on Manufacturing Sector

This paper investigates the effect of local government intervention on capital deepening of manufacturing sector by using interprovincial panel data sets of 28 Chinese provinces,municipalities and autonomous regions between 1994 and 2011.Theoretical research indicates that as a transitional economy,China's local government intervention in corporate investment behaviors will cause excessive investment,thus bringing about a long-term and sustained tendency of capital deepening in manufacturing sector.Empirical test further discovers that in a certain range,the phenomenon of capital deepening in manufacturing sector is not an inevitable result endogenous to economic development and technology progress,and that investment behaviors of manufacturing sector are largely subject to the external institutional environment.Fiscal decentralization has indeed promoted capital deepening of manufacturing sector.Financial credit expansion and interventions in SOEs are major instruments for local governments to intervene in the capital deepening of manufacturing sector and such an influence is particularly significant for China's central,western and northeast regions.Therefore,clarifying government functions and improving local government performance review mechanism are of great significance to the healthy development of China's manufacturing sector.

The E-Government in Local Governance and Its Contribution to the Regional Development: A Comparative Study

The purpose of this article is to designate the impact of the implementation of e-governance in municipalities and to suggest some proposals for further growth. More specific, in the first chapter, there is a theoretical approach of e-governance by presenting its definition and describing the current situation of the progression of e-governance to these municipalities. In the second chapter, it is presented a comparison between these municipalities about the implementation and progress of e-governance among them. Finally, in the third and last chapter, there are the conclusions and some proposals for future growth of e-governance to these municipalities.

Grand Strategies for Dealing With Chinese Local Government Debts

Local governmental debts in China seem to be in a more precarious position than local government debts in the USA. The scale of Chinese local government debts far surpasses that of the USA. Further, Chinese local government debts appear to be expanding at an alarming rate in the past decade or so. This research focuses on grand strategies for dealing with Chinese local government debts. There are five research questions for this paper： 1） What is the size of the Chinese government debts？ 2） Are Chinese local government debts controllable？ 3） Who or what caused the rapid increase of the Chinese local government debts？ 4） Is it possible to have individual accountability for increasing local government debts in the future？ and 5） Will it be helpful to create a local government debt management organization in the Chinese central government？ Based on the available literature, this analysis also utilizes in death interviews with 13 government officials, policy analyst, and scholars. First, this paper identifies the size and categories of debts related to Chinese local governments. Then this paper illustrates various ways and methods of Chinese local governments to obtain leverage. After analyzing the causes and origins of these debts, the research demonstrates a potential local systematic risk. By contrast to its advantages and disadvantages, the paper suggests that the local governmental debts need to be constrained. It is important to restrict debt growth in terms of issuing, buying, repurchasing, collateralizing, etc. within a legal framework. With the consideration of political mechanisms in China, the research suggests that the central government establishes a specific organization to help normalize the local governmental debts with the function of supervision and management. The research also believes that it will be an effective way to control the growth of local debts if the central government can hold the relevant top leaders/officials of local governments to be accountable for their performances related to debt accumulation.

The Politics of Local Regulation in Tanzania:The Quest for Multilevel Regulatory Governance

Regulation is currently perceived as an art and craft of governance where the regulatory processes are an outcome of interdependences between political actors,bureaucrats,business community,and the public at large.However,it is now extensively recognized that this interdependency is beyond one level of government particularly in the era of decentralization where regulatory outcomes are a result of a complex set of interacting levels.This study concedes that regulatory processes are intrinsically political endeavor.Principally,local government regulatory processes are characterized by multiple actors at different levels of governance,i.e.,the local government itself and stakeholders within its jurisdiction and the central government.In fact power dispersion has a vertical direction consisting of actors stemming from different governmental levels as a consequence of decentralization.The complexities of the relationships of multiple actors at different levels of government and across the same level of government create a number of risks that jeopardize quality local regulation that need to be managed calling for multilevel regulatory governance anchored on effective stakeholder engagement and coordination.Particularly,engagement with local government during the design of new regulations is largely poor resulting in a missed opportunity to have informed decisions that enhance quality local regulation.To augment multilevel governance,it is imperative to improve the interface between central and local government with local authorities recognized as“co-producers”of regulatory outcomes.Effective implementation of Regulatory Impact Assessment(RIA)that safeguards proper analysis of proposed and existing regulation is of paramount importance to ensure evidenced based regulations,analysis of cost implications for the local government,the capacity of LGAs in to implement as well as legitimacy of regulations.Therefore this study examines the political tradeoffs between the central and local government and among other stakeholders.

The Dimensions and Management of China-US Financial Competition

During a period of profound adjustments to the international power structure,China-US financial competition may intensify and lead to a crisis for the international financial system and even the international power system.The China-US financial relationship is structured in mainly four dimensions:the international monetary system,bilateral financial exchanges,the international financial system and the construction of international financial and/or economic concepts.Management of this competition relationship is thereby four-pronged:managing the relationship between the RMB and the US dollar in the international monetary system,the China-US bilateral creditor-debtor relationship,the indirect China-US relationship in global financial governance organizations and normative frameworks,and the divergence of both countries in regard to their economic ideologies.In particular,to stabilize the international monetary system,China should postpone the strategic confrontation between the RMB and the US dollar,strengthening their complementarity and cooperation based on market choice and their monetary function.Meanwhile,China should be prudent as a creditor to the United States,neither coerced by its over-reliance on American financial markets,nor tempted to weaponize the US debt by dumping US bonds.Also,before aiming for systematic reforms,China should first aim to become a stakeholder in the current global financial governance system by comprehensively accepting and becoming deeply integrated into it.Finally,China should avoid the economic competition model between China and the United States,and should instead apply the“Chinese Approach”to better facilitate solutions to international problems.These approaches to crisis management aim to help China endure this turbulent period of the international power system with more prudent strategies and policies,and to maintain a relatively stable international financial and economic environment for the sustained rise of its economy and for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.