scholarly journals The pros and cons of rent-seeking: Political rent in various research paradigms

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2(30)) ◽  
pp. 11-27
Author(s):  
Stefan Sękowski

This article shows that how we look at political rent and rent-seeking depends on our position on state interference in the economy and which theory of regulation we are familiar with. Although the theory of rent-seeking is in accordance with the paradigm of the private interest (economic) theories of regulation, the researcher also needs an insight based on the public interest theories of regulation if he wants to judge the impact of rent-seeking and the creation of political rent on social well-being properly. The paper is also a conceptualization of political rent. It describes forms of rent-seeking and economic systems most amenable to it.

Author(s):  
Dirk Voorhoof

The normative perspective of this chapter is how to guarantee respect for the fundamental values of freedom of expression and journalistic reporting on matters of public interest in cases where a (public) person claims protection of his or her right to reputation. First it explains why there is an increasing number and expanding potential of conflicts between the right to freedom of expression and media freedom (Article 10 ECHR), on the one hand, and the right of privacy and the right to protection of reputation (Article 8 ECHR), on the other. In addressing and analysing the European Court’s balancing approach in this domain, the characteristics and the impact of the seminal 2012 Grand Chamber judgment in Axel Springer AG v. Germany (no. 1) are identified and explained. On the basis of the analysis of the Court’s subsequent jurisprudence in defamation cases it evaluates whether this case law preserves the public watchdog-function of media, investigative journalism and NGOs reporting on matters of public interest, but tarnishing the reputation of public figures.


Societies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Ourania Tzoraki ◽  
Svetlana Dimitrova ◽  
Marin Barzakov ◽  
Saad Yaseen ◽  
Vasilis Gavalas ◽  
...  

The ongoing ‘refugee crisis’ of the past years has led to the migration of refugee researchers (RRs) to European countries. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, RRs often had to work from home and/or to continue their social, cultural and economic integration process under new conditions. An online survey carried out to explore the impact of the pandemic on the refugee researchers showed that RRs found it difficult to adapt their everyday working life to the ‘home’ setting. The majority have had neither a suitable work environment at home nor the appropriate technology. Although they stated that they are rather pleased with the measures taken by the public authorities, they expressed concern about their vulnerability due to their precarious contracts and the bureaucratic asylum procedures, as the pandemic has had a negative impact on these major issues. The majority of RRs working in academia seem not to have been affected at all as far as their income is concerned, while the majority of those employed in other sectors became unemployed during the pandemic (58%). Recommendations are provided to the public authorities and policy makers to assist RRs to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic on their life.


2021 ◽  
pp. 223386592110117
Author(s):  
Robert Davidson ◽  
Alexander Pacek ◽  
Benjamin Radcliff

While a growing literature within the study of subjective well-being demonstrates the impact of socio-political factors on subjective well-being, scholars have conspicuously failed to consider the role of the size and scope of government as determinants of well-being. Where such studies exist, the focus is largely on the advanced industrial democracies of the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development. In this study, we examine the size of the public sector as a determinant of cross-national variation in life satisfaction across a worldwide sample. Our findings strongly suggest that as the public sector grows, subjective well-being increases as well, conditional on the extent of quality of government. Using cross-sectional data on 84 countries, we show this relationship has an independent and separable impact from other economic and political factors.


Author(s):  
Marta Pietras-Eichberger

The study analyzed selected issues related to the scope of human rights and freedoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland and Russia. The author wanted to compare the regulations issued by a Member State of the European Union and a country outside the European Union, often using undemocratic methods of exercising power. The work focuses on research problems related to the principles of protection, the confrontation of individual interests with the public interest, and the impact of the regimes introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic on human rights law in both countries. The thesis of the study is that in the event of a threat to public health, analogous restrictions on human rights are introduced both in an undemocratic country and in a country belonging to international structures identifying with democratic values. The state of the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed, and in some area even contributed to the creation of mechanisms reserved for crisis situations, posing a direct and real threat to public safety and health.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelika Kútna ◽  
Imrich Antalík ◽  
Norbert Gyurián ◽  
Zoltán Šeben

In 2013, the Slovak Parliament adopted the Law on Amendments to the Law on Income Tax. One of the most significant changes was the introduction of the Tax License of a Legal Entity. On January 1st, 2018, a minimum corporate tax (the so-called tax license), which was introduced in 2014, was abolished. The main aim of this paper is the evaluation and quantification of the impact which the minimum corporate tax has on the amount of tax liability of a selected group of legal entities in the agricultural sector. The research had tried to find an answer if the tax license abolishment was more in the political interests or if it had some economic background. The main research questions are how has the corporate tax duty increased in the agricultural sector in the Slovak Republic after introducing the minimum corporate tax and how has the tax burden for agricultural holdings increased after introducing the tax license. The analysis presented in this paper confirms that the instrument of introducing the minimum tax is for loss-making sectors, such as the agricultural sector, undoubtedly unfair. On the other hand, the study has confirmed that the public which regularly pays the taxes, agrees with its introduction.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e24105-e24105
Author(s):  
Muhammad Farooq Latif ◽  
Faisal Azam ◽  
Syed Hammad Tirmazy ◽  
Shahid Bashir ◽  
Fahad Ibnshamsah ◽  
...  

e24105 Background: Cancer care has been severely affected by covid 19 pandemic leading to medical, ethical and organizational issues. Oncology healthcare professionals face challenges due to reorganization of cancer services and increasing health care requirements resulting in uncertainty and psychological stress. Aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of covid 19 pandemic on psychological well being of oncology clinicians in the MENA region. Methods: We randomly invited 1500 oncology clinicians including medical oncologists, clinical oncologists, radiation oncologists and surgical oncologists from 17 countries in the MENA region to complete a web based survey to determine the level of psychological stress during covid 19 pandemic from October 2020 to January 2021. The questionnaire was based on Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Generalized Anxiety Disorders Scale (GAD-7) and WHO Well-being Index (WHO-5). The data was analyzed using SPSS version 21 and difference between groups was measured by T-test and ANOVA. Results: Overall 520 (35%) oncology clinicians including 368 (71%) males and 152 (29%) females participated in the survey. Most of the participants were medical oncologists (38%) from teaching institutions (76%) and the public sector (84%). 46% (n = 242) participants were 35-45 years of age. Majority of clinicians reported moderate (45.6%) to severe (42.3%) anxiety on GAD-7 scale. Females had statistically higher levels of anxiety (average score;15.46 ±4.87, p = 0.04). On PSS, the majority of participants reported higher stress with average scores (29.64 ±3.83) for males and (30.23 ±4.62) for females. Average score for WHO wellbeing index was 62.95 (±20.52) for males and 74.3 (±20.87) for females denoting a preservation of general well being, even in a higher stress and anxiety situation. Female gender was significantly associated with anxiety level on GAD-7 scale (p = 0.04), but this difference in stress level and well being was not observed on PSS (p = 0.134) and WHO well being index (p = 0.709). Clinicians of ages 25-35 years had significantly higher anxiety levels on GAD-7 scale (p = 0.004) and higher stress on PSS (p = 0.000). Age over 55 years was associated with lower levels of anxiety and stress on GAD-7 and PSS. Oncology clinicians working in public sector experienced significantly lower stress as compared to private sector on PSS scale (p = 0.041) Conclusions: Covid 19 pandemic has significantly increased the anxiety and stress levels among oncology clinicians in the MENA region. Anxiety and stress were higher in females and young clinicians. Clinicians over 55 years of age and oncologists working in the public sector reported less stress and anxiety. General well being of clinicians was well preserved even in a highly stressful and anxious situation.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 314-315 ◽  
Author(s):  

Rock music has undergone dramatic changes since its introduction 30 years ago and is an issue of vital interest and concern for parents and pediatricians. Rock music lyrics have become increasingly explicit during the last two decades—particularly with reference to sex and drugs. Some lyrics communicate potentially harmful health messages. These lyrics are of special concern in today's environment, which poses unprecedented threats to the health and well-being of adolescents, including pregnancy, drug use, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (and other sexually transmitted diseases), accidents, and suicide. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly opposes censorship. According to the Federal Communications Commission, the public owns the airways, which are leased back to radio and television stations that are obligated to produce programming in the public's best interest. Good taste and self-regulation by consumers, media, and the music industry would be appropriate and effective solutions. The AAP, therefore, recommends that: 1. The public, and parents in particular, be made aware of sexually explicit, drug-oriented, or violent lyrics on records and tapes. 2. Broadcasters and the music industry be encouraged to demonstrate good taste and self-restraint in decisions regarding what is produced and allowed to be broadcast. 3. Rock performers be reminded that they can serve as positive role models for children and teenagers. 4. The AAP and other concerned organizations encourage parents to take a more active role in monitoring music to which their children are exposed. 5. Local coalitions of pediatricians, educators, and parents discuss the effects of the media on children and teenagers. 6. Research concerning the impact rock music has on the behavior of adolescents and preadolescents be developed and supported.


Author(s):  
Royce Hanson

This book examines the impact of planning politics on the public interest by focusing on the case of Montgomery County and its land use policy. In particular, it considers Montgomery's pioneering approach to inclusionary zoning, the Moderate-Priced Dwelling Unit Ordinance, in terms of its effect on development patterns and the character and cost of housing. Montgomery was among the earliest fast-growing suburbs to stage development concurrently with the provision of public facilities. Its land use policies were efforts by the county's planners and politicians to solve practical problems in the public interest. The book analyzes the chain of strategic decisions that transformed Montgomery County from a rural hinterland of Washington, D.C. into a socially diverse urbanizing county of a million people in Maryland. This introduction provides an overview of the growth of suburbs and its implications for neighborhoods and residents, Montgomery County's suburbanization, and the organization of the book.


2018 ◽  
pp. 139-158
Author(s):  
Pekka Sulkunen ◽  
Thomas F. Babor ◽  
Jenny Cisneros Örnberg ◽  
Michael Egerer ◽  
Matilda Hellman ◽  
...  

This chapter explores gambling regulation regimes, looking at the different control structures used, and their effectiveness in serving the public interest. Gambling has always been regulated by public policy, and in whichever way the industry is developing, government regulation is always involved. Regimes of gambling regulation involve both public and private actors and institutions. Public monopolies may be stronger in the area of consumer protection than restrictive licensing, associations-based operations or competitive markets. In considering the choice of regulation regime, policymakers would be well advised not to weigh the pros and cons or the costs and benefits of legal gambling in itself but to consider whether it is the best way to achieve the public interest goals compared to the alternatives.


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