Why do oil importers diversify their import sources politically? : evidence from U.S. firm-level data

International politics affects oil trade. But why? We construct a firm-level dataset for all U.S. oil-importing companies over 1986-2008 to examine what kinds of firms are more responsive to change in "political distance" between the U.S. and her trading partners, measured by divergence in their UN General Assembly voting patterns. Consistent with previous macro evidence, we first show that individual firms diversify their oil imports politically, even after controlling for unobserved firm heterogeneity. We conjecture that the political pattern of oil imports from these individual firms is driven by hold-up risks, because oil trade is often associated with backward vertical FDI. To test this hold-up risk hypothesis, we investigate heterogeneity in responses by matching transaction-level import data with firm-level worldwide reserves. Our results show that long-run oil import decisions are indeed more elastic for firms with oil reserves overseas than those without, although the reverse is true in the short run. We interpret this empirical regularity as that while firms trade in the spot market can adjust their imports immediately, vertically-integrated firms with investment overseas tend to commit to term contracts in the short run even though they are more responsive to changes in international politics in the long run.

The effects of international politics on oil-exporting developing countries

International politics affects oil trade. But does it affect the oil-exporting developing countries more? We construct a firm-level dataset for all U.S. oil-importing companies over 1986-2008 to examine how these firms respond to changes in "political distance" between the U.S. and her trading partners, measured by divergence in their UN General Assembly voting patterns. Consistent with previous macro evidence, we first show that individual firms diversify their oil imports politically, even after controlling for unobserved firm heterogeneity. We conjecture that the political pattern of oil imports from these individual firms is driven by hold-up risks, because oil trade is often associated with backward vertical FDI. To the extent that developing countries have higher hold-up risks because of their weaker institutions, the political effect on oil trade should be more significant in the developing world. We find that oil import decisions are indeed more elastic when firms import from developing countries, although the reverse is true in the short run. Our results suggest that international politics can affect oil revenue and hence long-term development in the developing world.

Taiwan strait crises and Chiang Kai-shek's strategic thinking : a perspective from the Taiwan's archive

This paper uses Taiwan's archival documents to reexamine the two Taiwan Strait crises and the characteristics of Chiang Kai-shek's strategic thinking. Section 2 examines the oscillation of U.S. policy concerning the ROC's offensive toward mainland China and the defense of the Da-chen islands before and after the initiation of the First Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1954-1955. Doing so will highlight the contradictory U.S. attitude that contributed to the crisis and weakened its ability to control Chiang. Section 3 focuses on Chiang Kai-shek's strategic vision toward East Asia. In particular, this section focuses on his strategic thinking and tries to assess whether or not he was a "reckless" or "irrational" leader as often described in the previous research on his personality.

Political influence in commercial and financial oil trading : the evidence from US firms

International politics affects oil trade. But do financial and commercial traders who participate in spot oil trading also respond to changes in international politics? We construct a firm-level dataset for all U.S. oil-importing companies over 1986-2008 to examine how these firms respond to increases in "political distance" between the U.S. and her trading partners, measured by divergence in their UN General Assembly voting patterns. Consistent with previous macro evidence, we first show that individual firms diversify their oil imports politically, even after controlling for unobserved firm heterogeneity. However, the political pattern of oil imports is not entirely driven by the concerns of hold-up risks, which exist when oil transactions via term contracts are associated with backward vertical FDI that is subject to expropriation. In particular, our results indicate that even financial and commercial traders significantly reduce their oil imports from U.S. political enemies. Interestingly, while these traders diversify their oil imports politically immediately after changes in international politics, other oil companies reduce their oil imports with a significant time lag. Our findings suggest that in designing regulations to avoid harmful repercussions on commodity and financial assets, policymakers need to understand the nature of political risk.

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The active initiative taken by Russian President Vladamir Putin by bombarding the antigovernment forces in Syria at the end of September 2015 startled the world by its precalculated boldness. Russian intervention has radically changed the dynamic of the war by empowering the Syrian government of Bashar Assad, and has resulted in a ceasefire agreement which starts on 27th February 2016, led by Russia and the US. No one can predict at present the next stage of conflicts in Syria or whether it will result in a positive solution to the tragic wars there. However, there is no denying the fact that Russia has played an important role in the development of the game. This paper analyzes the motivations of Putin in intervening in the Syrian crisis and the factors which have enabled Russia to play an enlarged role in the Middle East, seemingly beyond its objective capabilities. Legacies of international networks built during the Soviet period; shrewd tactics in making use of the inconsistency and vacillation of US policies, particularly towards the Middle East; its historical experience of interaction with the Muslim cultures, including domestic ones; its geopolitical perception of world politics, and the export of energy resources and military weapons as tools of diplomacy are some of the factors which explain Russian behavior. At the same time, the personal leadership and accumulated experience of President Putin in formulating Russian diplomacy and in manipulating different issues in a combined policy should be taken into account. His initiative in Syria succeeded to some extent in turning world attention away from the Ukrainian issue, aimed at changing the present sanctions imposed by the West. Another phenomenon to be noted in the international arena is the newly developed mutual interaction between Russia and the Arab countries in the Gulf. Frequent visits to Russia by autocratic leaders, including kings, emirsand princes do not always reflect a shared common interest between Russia and the Arab leaders. On the contrary, in spite of sharp and fundamental differences in their attitude toward the issues related to Syria, Iran and Yemen, the Arab leaders find it necessary to communicate with Russia and to know Russia���s expected strategies and intentions towards the Middle East, apart from its oil and gas policies. The Iran deal on the nuclear issue in July 2015 may have been a factor behind the phenomena.

An analysis of recent changes in Spanish Coastal Law

Spanish coastal legislation has changed in response to changing circumstances. The objective of the 1969 Spanish Coastal Law was to assign responsibilities in the Public Domain to the authorities. The 1980 Spanish Coastal Law addressed infractions and sanctions issues. The 1988 Spanish Coastal Law completed the responsibilities and sanctions aspects and included others related to the delimitation of the Public Domain, the private properties close to the Public Domain, and limitations on landuse in this area. The 1988 Spanish Coastal Law has been controversial since its publication. The ���European Parliament Report on the impact of extensive urbanization in Spain on individual rights of European citizen, on the environment and on the application of EU law, based upon petitions received���, published in 2009 recommended that the Spanish Authorities make an urgent revision of the Coastal Law with the main objective of protecting property owners whose buildings do not have negative effects on the coastal environment. The revision recommended has been carried out, in the new Spanish Coastal Law ���Ley 2/2013, de 29 de mayo, de protecci��n y uso sostenible del litoral y de modificaci��n de la Ley 22/1988, de 28 de Julio, de Costas���, published in May of 2013. This is the first major change in the 25 years since the previous 1988 Spanish Coastal Law. This paper compares the 1988 and 2013 Spanish Coastal Law documents, highlighting the most important issues like the Public Domain description, limitations in private properties close to the Public Domain limit, climate change influence, authorizations length, etc. The paper includes proposals for further improvements.

Compensaci��n de energ��a reactiva en los servicios auxiliares de una central t��rmica

El proyecto tiene como objeto analizar desde el punto de vista t��cnico-econ��mico las posibilidades para mejorar el factor de potencia en los consumos auxiliares de la Central t��rmica Litoral, perteneciente a Endesa Generaci��n. Debido a un cambio normativo, las tarifas de acceso a las redes de transporte y distribuci��n de energ��a el��ctrica aplicar��n ahora tambi��n a los consumos propios de las empresas productoras de electricidad dentro del ��mbito de aplicaci��n de las tarifas de acceso. Como la energ��a reactiva se facturar�� en funci��n del factor de potencia se propone para su compensaci��n la instalaci��n de bancos de condensadores para mejorar el mismo y disminuir la penalizaci��n. Para el dimensionamiento de los bancos se han utilizado los consumos horarios de los a��os 2012 y 2013 de tres fronteras: grupos 1 y 2 de 400 kV y los transformadores auxiliares de arranque (OTAAs) de 6 kV , teniendo en cuenta las peculiaridades de una Central de Generaci��n, ya que s��lo ser��n objeto de estudio (a efecto de penalizaciones) las horas en las que el grupo est�� parado o arrancando. El resultado final muestra la diferencia en cuanto a los periodos de amortizaci��n de una instalaci��n con generaci��n y sin generaci��n, siendo esta ��ltima m��s rentable econ��micamente. ABSTRACT The goal of this project is to analyse the possibilities to better the power factor in the auxiliary consumption of the Thermal Plant Litoral from an economic and technical viewpoint. Due to a normative changes, the access price rates for the transportation and distribution of electrical energy, will also apply now to the electricity productive companies own consumption within the scope of the access rate. Since reactive power is invoiced based on the potency factor, we propose the installation of capacitor banks to improve the aforementioned power factor as compensation so as to reduce sanctions. We have used the time profiles from 2012 and 2013 to dimension the banks, using 3 borders: Group 1 and 2 (400 kV) and the auxiliary starter transformers (OTAA's) of 6kV, taking into account the special characteristics of a Generation Plant , since we will only study the hours that the group was shut down or powering up (since these are what the penalties cover). The final result shows the difference in regards to repayment periods for both generating and nongenerating installation, being the aforesaid the most economically worthwile of the two

Por causa do Reino dos C��us Uma leitura de g��nero de Mateus 19,1-12 e 5,27-32

H�� no Evangelho de Mateus material suficiente para se chegar ao discipulado de iguais porque seu conte��do reflete uma pr��tica igualit��ria de Jesus em rela����o ��s mulheres. Nesta tese tal pr��tica pode ser verificada atrav��s da investiga����o de duas per��copes nas quais Jesus advoga a causa das mulheres discutindo o direito masculino do div��rcio e o adult��rio: 19,1-12 e 5,27-32. No debate sobre a justa causa para se despedir a mulher, Jesus declara que a volta �� cria����o original n��o mais concede tal prerrogativa aos homens. Essa discuss��o ocorre em terreno legal e isso se evidencia pelo termo aitia, cujo significado demonstra que na demanda do div��rcio a lei concede ao homem o benef��cio de encontrar um motivo para acusa����o. Jesus, por sua vez, declara que pela sua lei todo motivo e acusa����o contra a mulher se transforma em motivo e acusa����o contra o pr��prio homem diante de Deus. O sil��ncio dos fariseus comprova que os argumentos de Jesus s��o irrefut��veis, mas o protesto dos seus disc��pulos revela que n��o lhes agrada a igualdade social entre os sexos. A resposta final e definitiva de Jesus encontra-se em Mt 19,10 onde pelo uso da met��fora eunuco ele encerra o debate dizendo que somente podem aceitar a sua causa os que abra��arem a causa do Reino dos C��us. Os temas div��rcio e adult��rio permitem estender a discuss��o para o matrim��nio que �� a rela����o social e legal que fundamenta tais pr��ticas, e buscar na Antig��idade as leis e costumes que regiam a vida sexual das mulheres naquele tempo, considerando os ambientes mais relevantes em rela����o ao mundo b��blico: o mundo greco-romano e o oriente pr��ximo no per��odo entre os s��culos IV a.C. e IV d.C. para que, atrav��s da pesquisa sobre matrim��nio, div��rcio, adult��rio, dote, rep��dio e outras san����es relativas �� vida sexual das mulheres, se possa chegar aos mecanismos culturais da educa����o capazes de levar as mulheres �� cumplicidade ou �� resist��ncia aos seus pap��is sociais. Essa pesquisa se encerra com uma aprecia����o da hist��ria da ren��ncia sexual nos contextos judaico e crist��o para projetar o ambiente e o horizonte s��cio-religioso que foram palcos da recep����o e transmiss��o de Mt 5,27-32 e Mt 19,1-12, de modo a demonstrar que os argumentos mis��ginos que se tornaram inerentes �� interpreta����o desses textos s��o o resultado de uma mentalidade sexista que n��o corresponde �� cr��tica liter��ria do evangelho.(AU)

Por causa do Reino dos C��us Uma leitura de g��nero de Mateus 19,1-12 e 5,27-32

H�� no Evangelho de Mateus material suficiente para se chegar ao discipulado de iguais porque seu conte��do reflete uma pr��tica igualit��ria de Jesus em rela����o ��s mulheres. Nesta tese tal pr��tica pode ser verificada atrav��s da investiga����o de duas per��copes nas quais Jesus advoga a causa das mulheres discutindo o direito masculino do div��rcio e o adult��rio: 19,1-12 e 5,27-32. No debate sobre a justa causa para se despedir a mulher, Jesus declara que a volta �� cria����o original n��o mais concede tal prerrogativa aos homens. Essa discuss��o ocorre em terreno legal e isso se evidencia pelo termo aitia, cujo significado demonstra que na demanda do div��rcio a lei concede ao homem o benef��cio de encontrar um motivo para acusa����o. Jesus, por sua vez, declara que pela sua lei todo motivo e acusa����o contra a mulher se transforma em motivo e acusa����o contra o pr��prio homem diante de Deus. O sil��ncio dos fariseus comprova que os argumentos de Jesus s��o irrefut��veis, mas o protesto dos seus disc��pulos revela que n��o lhes agrada a igualdade social entre os sexos. A resposta final e definitiva de Jesus encontra-se em Mt 19,10 onde pelo uso da met��fora eunuco ele encerra o debate dizendo que somente podem aceitar a sua causa os que abra��arem a causa do Reino dos C��us. Os temas div��rcio e adult��rio permitem estender a discuss��o para o matrim��nio que �� a rela����o social e legal que fundamenta tais pr��ticas, e buscar na Antig��idade as leis e costumes que regiam a vida sexual das mulheres naquele tempo, considerando os ambientes mais relevantes em rela����o ao mundo b��blico: o mundo greco-romano e o oriente pr��ximo no per��odo entre os s��culos IV a.C. e IV d.C. para que, atrav��s da pesquisa sobre matrim��nio, div��rcio, adult��rio, dote, rep��dio e outras san����es relativas �� vida sexual das mulheres, se possa chegar aos mecanismos culturais da educa����o capazes de levar as mulheres �� cumplicidade ou �� resist��ncia aos seus pap��is sociais. Essa pesquisa se encerra com uma aprecia����o da hist��ria da ren��ncia sexual nos contextos judaico e crist��o para projetar o ambiente e o horizonte s��cio-religioso que foram palcos da recep����o e transmiss��o de Mt 5,27-32 e Mt 19,1-12, de modo a demonstrar que os argumentos mis��ginos que se tornaram inerentes �� interpreta����o desses textos s��o o resultado de uma mentalidade sexista que n��o corresponde �� cr��tica liter��ria do evangelho.(AU)

A san����o jur��dica da sociedade

A teoria dos sistemas sociais autorreferenciais �� uma teoria sociol��gica inovadora. Na verdade, trata-se de uma superteoria baseada em premissas construtivistas que se pretende universal, ou seja, capaz de descrever qualquer fen��meno social, incluindo as teorias rivais. O criador da teoria, o soci��logo alem��o Niklas Luhmann, escreveu obras sobre uma grande variedade de temas: desde do Direito at�� a Arte; de uma teoria geral dos sistemas sociais at�� uma teoria abrangente da sociedade. Como uma teoria de base construtivista, a teoria dos sistemas sociais autorreferenciais observa observa����es, mais especificamente, observa comunica����es. A teoria adota, assim, um fundamento te��rico singular que exige novas descri����es dos fen��menos sociais, ainda que j�� tenham sido exaustivamente estudados. Esse �� o caso de san����es legais. Luhmann, contudo, n��o fornece uma descri����o sist��mica das san����es legais. Ao inv��s disso, usa o termo de maneiras diferentes em seus estudos. As san����es a que ele se refere em seus estudos sobre o sistema pol��tico parecem estar mais relacionadas �� viol��ncia f��sica do que aquelas que ele mencionou ao descrever o sistema jur��dico. Esta indefini����o ��, provavelmente, fruto do que chamei \"no����o comum de san����o\". A no����o comum, menos do que um conceito de san����o, �� o acumulado de s��culos de esfor��os para definir medidas de controle social. Portanto, al��m de vaga, a no����o comum de san����o �� baseada em premissas que s��o estranhas �� teoria dos sistemas sociais. Assim, �� necess��ria uma nova descri����o dos fen��menos sociais associados �� no����o comum de san����o, a fim de expandir as possibilidades da teoria dos sistemas sociais. A observa����o desses fen��menos do ponto de vista da teoria dos sistemas sociais autorreferenciais resultou na descri����o de n��o apenas uma, mas de quatro estruturas sociais diferentes. A primeira foi identificada como san����o simbi��tica e pode ser tanto negativa - se associada ao uso da viol��ncia - como positiva - se associado �� satisfa����o das necessidades. A segunda �� o programa do sistema jur��dico que cumpre a fun����o de mem��ria no sistema, mantendo assim as expectativas normativas. A terceira estrutura �� uma varia����o da segunda; s��o programas oriundos dos processos legais que tamb��m cumprem fun����o de mem��ria. Estes programas diferem das san����es simbi��ticas na dist��ncia do uso da viol��ncia f��sica. Enquanto a san����o simbi��tica demonstra claramente a sua conex��o com a viol��ncia frente �� desobedi��ncia, os programas apontam para outros programas sancionat��rios antes de se referirem �� viol��ncia f��sica. De um modo muito diferente, o quarto tipo de estrutura social, os programas sancionat��rios de exclus��o, identificados com as penas privativas de liberdade, est��o intimamente ligados �� viol��ncia f��sica. Estes programas, embora realizem tamb��m a fun����o de mem��ria, cumprem outra fun����o: a gest��o de exclus��o na sociedade moderna.

Limita����es aos deveres instrumentais tribut��rios (aplica����o do art. 113, ��2�� do c��digo tribut��rio nacional)

Pouca aten����o tem merecido o estudo dos deveres instrumentais tribut��rios pelos estudiosos do direito tribut��rio em nosso pa��s, com a preocupa����o de conferir contornos n��tidos ao regime jur��dico dos deveres instrumentais dentro do sistema tribut��rio brasileiro e, em especial, de examinar a quais limita����es est�� adstrita a Administra����o P��blica na imposi����o desses deveres. O presente trabalho visa tentar suprir, em alguma medida, essa lacuna, promovendo uma an��lise das limita����es �� imposi����o de deveres instrumentais tribut��rios, que leve em considera����o, n��o apenas os princ��pios que conformam seu regime jur��dico, mas, principalmente, a exist��ncia de regras objetivas disciplinando o tema, partindo-se da premissa de que, genericamente, dic����es principiol��gicas, por sua abstra����o, n��o s��o suficientes para a adequada regula����o das condutas intersubjetivas, seja entre particulares, seja entre estes e o Poder P��blico. Merecer�� especial aten����o a regra inserta no art. 113, ��2�� do C��digo Tribut��rio Nacional, de forte voca����o limitadora, especificamente no que tange �� investiga����o do conte��do sem��ntico da express��o interesse da arrecada����o ou da fiscaliza����o dos tributos, que, a nosso ver, constitui a pedra-de-toque do regime jur��dico dos deveres instrumentais e das san����es punitivas impostas em virtude de seu descumprimento. Por fim, buscar-se-�� conferir a devida import��ncia aos custos de conformidades e demonstrar que seu estudo �� relevante para o sistema tribut��rio, na medida em que tais custos, enquanto efeito econ��mico da imposi����o de deveres instrumentais, implicam efeitos relevantes no ��mbito jur��dico, inclusive restri����es no ��mbito de prote����o de direitos fundamentais dos contribuintes.

The impact of marketing practices and its regulation policies on childhood obesity. Opinions of stakeholders in Spain

The aim of this study was to identify Spanish stakeholders��� views on the relationship between childhood obesity and the marketing and advertising of food and beverages aimed at children in Spain, as well as on the corresponding of regulations. We performed a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with Stakeholders/Key Informants (KI) from 13 organisations: experts (2), consumer advocates (1), public health advocates (2), food manufacturers (2), advertising advocates (1), government representatives (1), child/family/school advocates (2) and media (1). The variables studied were Prevalence of childhood obesity and its relationship to marketing/advertising and Regulation of marketing. In order to identify the most relevant arguments (pearls) in the discourses, a blind independent analysis by four members of the research team was performed. We found that the prevalence of childhood obesity was perceived to be higher than the European average. Self-regulation was identified as the main form of marketing control. Only food manufacturers and advertising agencies considered voluntary action and supervisory procedures to be effective. The other stakeholders advocated state control through legislation and non-state actions such as external assessment and sanctions. Despite the divergence of opinion between stakeholders, there was agreement on the need to improve supervision and to ensure compliance with current self-regulatory codes in Spain.

Estigma social y adopci��n internacional en Espa��a. ��Es la familia adoptiva un modelo familiar menos ��aut��ntico�� que los basados en lazos biol��gicos?

En Espa��a, el fen��meno de las adopciones internacionales irrumpe en la d��cada de 1990. En 2004, se convirti�� en el segundo pa��s del mundo que las llevaba a cabo. Con el objetivo de incrementar el conocimiento sociol��gico sobre la familia adoptiva internacional espa��ola, se realiz�� la encuesta a trav��s de web titulada Las familias adoptivas y sus estilos de vida. A partir de las respuestas ofrecidas por 230 madres y padres adoptivos, se dibuja el perfil sociodemogr��fico de sus hogares. Estos se caracterizar��an por contar con progenitores con elevado nivel formativo, no adscritos a ninguna religi��n, que defienden pol��ticas de izquierdas y que comparten un sistema de valores posmodernos respecto a la instituci��n familiar. La identificaci��n de la estructura dom��stica seg��n su tipo de alianza (biparental o monoparental) y su tipo de filiaci��n (adoptiva o mixta) nos permite situar a la adopci��n contempor��nea como una opci��n de filiaci��n elegida y no, exclusivamente, como alternativa ante la imposibilidad de tener hijos biol��gicos. Adicionalmente, los resultados arrojados por la encuesta nos permiten adentrarnos en uno de los aspectos menos abordados en el estudio sociol��gico de la familia adoptiva: el papel de las actitudes sociales hacia la adopci��n y su impacto en aquella. La mayor��a de los encuestados perciben el estigma social del que es objeto su familia adoptiva, pues, desde su punto de vista, la sociedad las considera como una forma de hogar menos satisfactoria que la basada en lazos biol��gicos.

Difusi��n de contenido obsceno dentro del Horario de Protecci��n al Menor en el Per��: An��lisis del reality show Esto es Guerra

En el presente art��culo se analiza el contenido que difunde Esto es Guerra, el reality show peruano con alto ��ndice de preferencia en la audiencia infantil durante el 2014, acusado de transmitir escenas con contenido sexual. El objetivo de esta investigaci��n es determinar si existen rastros de material obsceno en este bloque televisivo y si este transgrede el Horario de Protecci��n al Menor, reconocido en el marco legal peruano. Su justificaci��n se enmarca en la escasez de estudios que se han realizado sobre realities en el Per��, los constantes pedidos de la sociedad para que este programa deje de transmitirse y las sanciones que ha recibido de parte de organismos estatales. La metodolog��a empleada se basa en un an��lisis de contenido de la s��ptima temporada de Esto es Guerra, en el que se tendr��n en cuenta los mensajes que transmiten los conductores y participantes a trav��s de su comportamiento. La investigaci��n determin�� que el reality show de competencia presenta segmentos que podr��an ser considerados como obscenos, aunque su duraci��n es muy limitada y no representativa en relaci��n a todo el programa.