Dissertation (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M. Inst. Agrar.)(Agricultural Economics)-University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Also available online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 205-212). Also available via the Internet.

This thesis examines how institutional frameworks impact on political repre-sentation. It looks at the links and relationships that exist between political institutions and political representation, and explores how institutions shape the role and behaviour of elected representatives. Institutional frameworks are comprised of institutions which include a great variety of rules. Some rules were intentionally designed and formally described in laws and policies. Others developed informally over time as practices and conventions. The thesis argues that formal and informal rules, individually and in combination, impact on political action. Political representation is about action. It is about how elected representatives act for the represented, and about whether the ‘acting’ is in the interest of the represented. The thesis argues that formal and informal rules influence the actions of representatives and thereby shape political representation. This thesis is a qualitative case study of sub-local government in the city of Munich in Bavaria, Germany. It builds upon ‘new institutionalism’ and inves-tigates what the institutions of sub-local government in Munich are, and what their role is with respect to the actions of elected representatives. The thesis looks at both how institutions shape the actions of representatives and at how representatives create and shape these institutions. Based on its empirical findings, the thesis generates theories and hypotheses as to how political institutions and political behaviour influence each other. The thesis reflects on the significance of the findings for representative government in Munich and, more broadly, for democratic outcomes at the local and sub-local level.

This thesis examines emerging commitments by local governments in Oregon to address climate change, and situates those efforts within climate policy development at the international, national, regional, and state governmental levels. It also reviews the literature for local climate initiatives and seeks to expand upon that knowledge by surveying “Climate Policymakers” in Oregon. The survey results provide insight into the challenges and opportunities associated with local government and state-level efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon. Considering current climate policies, a broad selection of scholarly analysis, and the opinions of leading climate policy experts in Oregon, this thesis recommends eight categories of strategies to enhance greenhouse gas reduction efforts in Oregon.

M.Comm. (Business Management) / With the unbannlng of the African National Congress, It soon became evident that they would play a major part In the future of South Africa, politically aswell as economically. With the release of Mr. Nelson Mandela It also became evident that the ANC was seriously considering a policy of natlonallsatlon. This study discusses the economic policy of the National Party which Included, until recent times, socialist doctrines. The study shows the failing position of South Africa's economy but also Indicates that a free market policy would unlock the country's true potential. The economic policy of the National Party since 1948, discriminated to a large extent against black South-Africans, which could well be the main motivating factor why the ANC would be considering a policy of natlonallsation. The study therefore also discusses and comments upon the economic policy of the ANC as was published for the first time In 1990. Subsequent developments In the economic debate within the ANC, which Includes a review of a number of public statements by ANC leaders, Is also discussed as well as the ANC's Reconstruction and Development Programme. The study agrees that there Is more than one form of natlonallsatlon, but Indicates that probably none would be accepted without reserve by the private sector. The study takes a critical view of the advantages and disadvantages of a policy of natlonallsatlon In the South African context. The study discusses the effect that natlonallsatlon would have on the economy of South Africa and that It would probably cause the ANC to have less funds available to use for soclo-economlc purposes than In a free market economy. A conclusion Is reached that a policy of natlonallsatlon In the current circumstances In South Africa, In any form, would be far more disadvantageous to most South African citizens than advantageous.

Magister Legum - LLM

This thesis uses economics-style incentivised laboratory experiments to study the effects of the political transformation in Arab Spring Countries (frequent recalling of governments, political and social polarisation, and campaign dynamics of founding elections) on economic outcomes; such as tax compliance, support for painful economic reforms, corruption, and interpersonal trust. The main focus of this thesis is on Egypt, being the largest Arab country in terms of population, historically the most influential in the region, and with a dominant cultural influence felt all over the Arab world. I find the following experimental evidence: (i) Giving citizens the right to recall government officials decreases the level of corruption in government through the increased accountability it imposes on elected politicians. Specifically, corruption is reduced by 14% in the presence of this right (p=0.04). (ii) Empowering citizens with the right to recall government officials was also found to decrease tax compliance by 20% due to the high frequency of divisive elections associated with this newly acquired right in a newly democratised country and the creation of losers who become unsatisfied with the outcome of the election process and thus the psychological costs associated with their incompliance are minimized. (iii) Ideological polarisation in elections can impede economic reform. And that (iv) negative campaigning in elections can impact negatively on the level of interpersonal trust in the society.

This thesis explores how English councils and their public service partners responded to the UK Coalition government’s ‘austerity’-related spending cuts between 2010 and 2015. The research is distinctive in moving beyond a focus on the impacts of cuts to individual services, instead considering responses to austerity ‘in the round’, using a governance perspective. The methodology was innovative, using principles of ‘action research’ and ‘appreciative inquiry’ to design the research collaboratively with Nottingham City Council. Fieldwork was undertaken between 2012 and 2014, including a document review, 34 interviews and two workshops with frontline staff, as well as informal participant observation. The approach aimed to deliver academic rigour, as well as useful findings for practitioners addressing challenges in the field. Taking the locality of Nottingham as an exploratory and revelatory embedded single case study, the analysis combines insights from new institutionalist and interpretive theory. It demonstrates that although the council showed institutional resilience, and was able to maintain a wide range of services, spending cuts were creating pressure to change both the ‘practices’ and ‘narratives’ underpinning service delivery. Tensions in some service delivery partnerships suggested shifts in local ‘traditions’ of governance, viewed by some actors as symptomatic of a wider change in the values underpinning governance institutions. Meanwhile the council was increasingly focussed on strategic forms of community leadership, whilst links with local communities were diminishing. Working with partners, the council had (at least temporarily) mitigated a dramatic reduction in income. Yet although change in service delivery was incremental, the potential for transformation in local governance was clear. These findings are shown to have consistencies with wider comparative studies. Policy implications are discussed for the 2015 Conservative government, as it implements a further round of austerity-related cuts.