Thomas Heberer

Bio: Thomas Heberer is an academic researcher from University of Duisburg-Essen. The author has contributed to research in topics: China & Politics. The author has an hindex of 17, co-authored 110 publications receiving 1262 citations.

No. 24 (1999): Aspects of Private Sector Development in Vietnam

Abstract: The private economy sector in Vietnam is a quite recent phenomenon that emerged in the process of the Vietnamese reform and renovation process (doi moi). In Western languages we find rather few publications addressing that sector. For many Western scholars Vietnamese material is rarely available. Therefore, more information might be of interest for scholars interested in Southeast Asian developments. This Working Paper contains three contributions on private sector development in Vietnam. The first paper was written by Prof. Tuong Lai, former Director of the Institute of Sociology, National Center for Humanities and Social Sciences in Hanoi who is currently a member of the Research Institute under the Vietnamese Prime Minister. Author of the second paper is Nguyen Duc Vinh, a research fellow of the Institute of Sociology in Hanoi. The papers from Tuong Lai and Nguyen Duc Vinh were presented to a workshop on "Private Entrepreneurship in China and Vietnam" at Gerhard-Mercator University Duisburg in May 1999. The third paper, written by Thomas Heberer and Arno Kohl, addresses preliminary findings of a research project on the private economy in Vietnam, conducted in 1996 (a five months field study) and was funded by the German Research Council (DFG). The authors of the papers are solely responsible for the contents of their papers and the English version.

Falungong - Religion, Sekte oder Kult? Eine Heilsgmeinschaft als Manifestation von Modernisierungsproblemen und sozialen Entfremdungsprozessen

Abstract: This paper discusses the ideological contents, and the social background of Falungong, a sect suppressed and persecuted by the Chinese state since several years. It focuses not on violations of human rights and torture of sect members, but tries to identify the character and features of Falungong. Therefore, it particularly analyses the teachings of Li Hongzhi, its founder and master. Moreover, sects like Falungong and their suppression have to be comprehended from a historical perspective that suppressed religion and religious movements in the case that they challenged the state. The problems that arose during the processes of modernization and social change and the reaction from parts of the population (e.g. religious revival) have to be understand in the context of developments in recent years.

Some considerations on China's minorities in the 21st century: Conflict or conciliation?

Abstract: On a global scale, there has been a significant increase of ethnic conflicts in the last decade. They constitute one of the main sources of domestic political instability in multi-national countries. Recent opinion polls among Chinese citizens point to growing ethnic conflicts even in China. This paper addresses primarily five sources of conflict: collective memory, political conflicts, economic conflicts, cultural conflicts and new conflicts arising from economic and social change. It explores various forms of ethnic resistance (active and passive ones, violent and peaceful ones, formal and informal patterns) and suggests possible measures of conflict prevention and reduction of conflicts. Finally it argues that China may provide a good basis for such measures, as ethnic minorities are not only recognized as nationalities, but also are respected by public law and - according to this law - enjoy the same rights as the ethnic majority.

Wahlen als Bottom-up Prozess in der VR China Institutioneller Wandel durch Grassroots-Wahlen

Abstract: In der VR China gibt es ein Wahlsystem, das Anfang der 1950er Jahre etabliert, zu Beginn der Kulturrevolution abgeschafft und dann 1979 wiederhergestellt und erweitert wurde.1 Es orientierte sich ursprunglich am sowjetischen Ratevorbild und am Vorbild der 1931 entworfenen chinesischen Rateverfassung. Es sah u.a. die Wahl der von der Partei nominierten Kandidaten in den staatlichen Betriebsund Wohneinheiten (Danweis) sowie allgemeine Wahlen von Abgeordneten zu den lokalen Volkskongressen (Parlamente) vor. Das erste Wahlgesetz von 1953 bestimmte, dass alle Personen ab 18 Jahren aktives und passives Wahlrecht erhielten, „Grosgrundbesitzer“ und „Konterrevolutionare“ ausgenommen. Auf der Gemeindeebene sollte die Wahl der Kandidaten fur die Gemeindevolkskongresse in direkter Wahl erfolgen, die Kandidaten wurden allerdings von der Partei aufgestellt. Im Prinzip spielten Wahlen niemals eine so zentrale Rolle wie in demokratischen Landern. Das zeigte sich nicht nur daran, dass zwischen 1953 und 1979 nur insgesamt dreimal (1954, 1956 und 1963) solche Direktwahlen durchgefuhrt wurden, sondern auch, dass die Abschaffung des Wahlsystems 1963 von kaum jemandem registriert wurde. Wahlen waren von daher eher als Teil der sozialistischen Mobilisierungspolitik zu verstehen.

Some reflections on the current situation in China

Abstract: The paper examines recent political and social developments in the People’s Republic of China. It highlights some of the principle features in current Chinese politics: fragmentation of both the system and its actors; the role of the Chinese state as a developmental state; the issue of whether the party state exhibits stability and legitimacy. Furthermore, the discourses on political change within Chinese politics and intellectuals are addressed, the preconditions for a stable democracy are discussed and finally the function of the current Chinese state will be assessed.

Democracy and Its Critics

Abstract: The course is focused on historical texts, most of them philosophical. Context for understanding the texts and the course of democratic development will be provided in lecture and discussions, and by some background readings (Dunn). We begin with the remarkable Athenian democracy, and its frequent enemy the Spartan oligarchy. In Athens legislation was passed directly by an assembly of all citizens, and executive officials were selected by lot rather than by competitive election. Athenian oligarchs such as Plato more admired Sparta, and their disdain for the democracy became the judgment of the ages, until well after the modern democratic revolutions. Marsilius of Padua in the early Middle Ages argued for popular sovereignty. The Italian citystates of the Middle Ages did without kings, and looked back to Rome and Greece for republican models. During the English Civil War republicans debated whether the few or the many should be full citizens of the regime. The English, French, and American revolutions struggled with justifying and establishing a representative democracy suitable for a large state, and relied on election rather than lot to select officials. The English established a constitutional monarchy, admired in Europe, and adapted by the Americans in their republican constitution. The American Revolution helped inspire the French, and the French inspired republican and democratic revolution throughout Europe during the 19 century.

Seeing like a State.

Abstract: It’s been a long time since academic discussions about research and teaching were part of the board meetings of the department of Anthropology and Sociology of the University of Amsterdam. Most of our meetings today deal with administrative problems [...]

Campanha de prevenção do câncer bucal em Araraquara: uma iniciativa de extensão consolidada em 11 anos de experiência

Abstract: The authors present the Annual Oral Cancer Campaign of Araraquara promoted by the Oral Medicine Service of the Araraquara Dental School – UNESP. This campaign is an extension activity which, since its beginning, in 1993, has been expanding.The campaign provides background for teaching and research as well as benefits to the regional community. In 1999 this activity was conducted, for the first time, in a public fair visited daily for thousands people. This opportunity, which started in 1999, promoted the expansion of benefits and contributed to legitimate the campaign as an authentic extramural extension activity.

Strong Societies And Weak States State Society Relations And State Capabilities In The Third World

Abstract: Thank you very much for reading strong societies and weak states state society relations and state capabilities in the third world. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have search hundreds times for their chosen books like this strong societies and weak states state society relations and state capabilities in the third world, but end up in malicious downloads. Rather than reading a good book with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, instead they juggled with some infectious bugs inside their desktop computer.