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Begin New Search Topic Politics Content Type Journal Article

31. China and Sri Lanka’s Debt Crisis: Belt and Road Initiative Blowback

Author:
Sudha Ramachandran
Publication Date:
05-2022
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
China Brief
Institution:
The Jamestown Foundation
Abstract:
Sri Lanka is in the grip of an unprecedented crisis. For several months, the country has been reeling under a severe foreign exchange crisis. In early May, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said that its usable forex reserves were just $50 million (Daily News, May 5). As a result, Sri Lanka has been forced to suspend repayment of $51 billion worth of debt owed to China, Japan and other foreign creditors (The Hindu, April 12; The Island, April 13). The country has also been unable to pay for imports of essential commodities, and has experienced serious shortages of food, fuel and medicine (The Island, January 15). The economic crisis has in turn triggered a political crisis. Public anger has boiled over onto the streets. Angry protesters have been calling for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa (Colombo Telegraph, April 7). The Rajapaksa family has dominated Sri Lankan politics for decades and several members of the family are in positions of power as ministers, legislators or heads of corporations and departments. Sri Lankans want the entire clan out. Some of them, including Mahinda, resigned under public pressure in recent months (Island, April 17). Although Gotabaya remains president and under the country’s executive presidential system, continues to wield enormous power, it is evident that the influence of the Rajapaksas has declined. The unfolding crises in Sri Lanka have implications beyond the island. China is among Sri Lanka’s largest bilateral lenders and has played a big role in the island’s infrastructure development. Sri Lanka is a part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Despite China’s pledges that BRI would boost Sri Lanka’s economic and social development by transforming it into “the hub of the Indian Ocean”, Chinese loans are widely believed to have pushed the country into a ‘debt trap’ (Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka, June 16, 2017). How have the crises impacted China’s image in Sri Lanka and will the decline of the Rajapaksas, widely regarded as ‘pro-China,’ impact Sino-Sri Lankan relations? Finally, will the Sri Lankan crises affect the fate of BRI?
Topic:
Debt, Development, Politics, Infrastructure, Economy, and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
Political Geography:
China, South Asia, Asia, and Sri Lanka

32. Future Global Policeman? The Growing Extraterritorial Reach of PRC Law Enforcement

Author:
Martin Purbrick
Publication Date:
05-2022
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
China Brief
Institution:
The Jamestown Foundation
Abstract:
The recently signed security agreement between the Solomon Islands and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), along with the support of Chinese police to the Solomon Islands government to suppress social unrest in November 2021, highlight the increasing international deployment of PRC law enforcement (China Daily, April 2). This deployment follows several decades of expanding PRC international law enforcement activity, which is intended for extraterritorial enforcement action, seeking the return of fugitives, and as part of China’s engagement with other countries. The 2021 violence in the capital, Honiara, led to destruction in the local Chinatown and the subsequent deployment of Chinese police officers, who have previously provided equipment and training to the Solomon Islands. The China Police Liaison Team is led by Zhang Guangbo, an officer of the rank of Commissioner third class, who stated that the deployment is intended to protect the safety of Chinese communities in the Solomon Islands as well as to contribute to the overall stability in the islands (Embassy of the PRC in the Solomon Islands, March 4). There has been considerable unease in wider region over the expanded deployment of Chinese police officers to the Solomon Islands. The governments of Australia, Japan, and the United States have all criticized the security pact, and have raised concerns that the deployment of Chinese police officers could lead to a future military presence. Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne stated on March 25 that “Australia is aware of the proposed draft Security Cooperation agreement between China and Solomon Islands…We would be particularly concerned by any actions that undermine the stability and security of our region, including the establishment of a permanent presence such as a military base” (Australian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, March 2022). In response to these concerns, the Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia has said that if Chinese police officers were called on for assistance they would be under the command of the Royal Solomon Islands Police and stated that “We will try and do our best in terms of dealing with them to make sure that what is happening in other countries where, like Hong Kong, doesn’t happen in our country” (Solomon Times, 6 May 2022).
Topic:
Security, Politics, Law Enforcement, and Economy
Political Geography:
China and Asia

33. The Beijing Olympics in Retrospect: An Anti-Human Rights Politics Machine

Author:
Christelle Genoud
Publication Date:
03-2022
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
China Brief
Institution:
The Jamestown Foundation
Abstract:
As the U.S. and other Western nations announced diplomatic boycotts of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) frequently exhorted the international community to keep politics out of the games (People’s Daily, December 8, 2021). Spokespersons of the Beijing Organizing Committee also objected to the “politicization” of the Olympic Games, and claimed that the closed loop Olympic bubble was solely a COVID-19 containment measure necessitated by growing concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant in China (Global Times, January 5). Although, the creation of a closed loop bubble was ostensibly undertaken for epidemic prevention purposes, it also had the impact of isolating athletes and journalists, and forestalling unwanted international focus on poor human rights conditions in China.
Topic:
Human Rights, Politics, Sports, and Olympics
Political Geography:
China and Asia

34. ‘Climate Change and Political Letdown: Understanding Environmental Degradation through the Prisoner’s Dilemma.’

Author:
Dayyab Gillani
Publication Date:
12-2022
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Political Studies
Institution:
Department of Political Science, University of the Punjab
Abstract:
This paper attempts to analyze the political uncertainty surrounding environmental degradation by means of utilizing the game theoretical model. It challenges the popular opinion that views the political exchanges over climate change as a super game where players will eventually learn to cooperate through repeated interactions. Instead the paper argues that the climate change problem is essentially a case of ‘one-shot prisoner’s dilemma’ irrespective of the number of times the players interact with one another. To demonstrate the one-shot prisoner’s dilemma at play, it employs the comparative method to explain the climate politics between the major polluters of the world (US, China, Brazil and India). The debate is analyzed at two distinct levels: Intergenerational and Intragenerational level. Lastly, the paper notes the significance of ‘the immediate threat factor’, which it argues poses a fundamental challenge to the political resolution of the climate change problem.
Topic:
Climate Change, Environment, and Politics
Political Geography:
Global Focus

35. Strategic Triangle in the Indo-Pacific Region through Competition, Cooperation and Containment: Future of Maritime Power Posturing

Author:
Muhammad Sharreh Qazi
Publication Date:
12-2022
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Political Studies
Institution:
Department of Political Science, University of the Punjab
Abstract:
Within bounds of the Regional Security Complex, this article assesses key developments in the Indian Ocean and fallout of strategic interests from the Pacific Ocean in maritime convergence. The article argues that maritime interests in the Indian and Pacific Ocean are witnessing convergence as states form coalitions and strategic partnerships to create a balance between USA and China. Strategic choices between principal and peripheral actors is structured in a mix of containment, competition and cooperation. China and its strategic partners understand the momentum of impact if American interests in the Pacific Ocean are merged with its interests in the Indian Ocean. The article argues that China would be opting to go for cooperation strategy as a means to broaden its reach and entangle oncoming contenders. America, on the other hand, is opting to amalgamate both competition and containment in a worst case scenario situation to prevent China from creating an overwatch against global maritime activity. The paper finds that an escalatory environment with spiraling tendencies is forming in and around the Indo-Pacific and its fallout will likely be seen in assessment of magnitude of contending parties. It finds that despite understanding maritime worth of the Indo-Pacific connect, principal and peripheral partners to these strategies might be willing to transform maritime politics to strategic entanglement.
Topic:
Politics, Maritime, Regional Security, and Strategic Entanglement
Political Geography:
Indo-Pacific

36. Nation-Building Process of Pakistan: Traditional and Non-Traditional Challenges

Author:
A. Z. Hilali
Publication Date:
01-2022
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
South Asian Studies
Institution:
Department of Political Science, University of the Punjab
Abstract:
“Nation-building or State-building” has been a 20th century highly complex and controversial concept which taking again center-stage in the post-Cold War era. The idea has generated much heated debate in the world as well as in the academic circles. The notion is a process of constructing or structuring a unification of the people within the state through the state power which can be politically and economically stable and viable in the long run. In the past „nation-building‟ or „state-building‟ approach emphasizes on cultural identity for the newly established „nation-states‟ which lead to self-determination. However, in the contemporary modern world, it is process whereby a diverse society with different languages, cultures and religions come together within the boundaries of a sovereign state with a unified constitutional and legal dispensation. In this regard, Pakistan is multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious state where people have less amount of commonality of interests, goals and preferences. It is extremely unlikely that different linguistic communities will agree on the definition of „nation‟. Its complexity and fragility is the product of deep rooted political and economic factors which are the main threats to its domestic security and stability. It is also fact that religion and external threats are no more viable reason for the state and regime survival. So, the guardians of the state remain failed to succeed in „nationbuilding‟ process which is still the biggest challenge to the country‟s solidarity. Modern scholars have views that nation-building cannot complete without economic development, modernization and democratization. Thus, the state is the political regime that operates within an existing nation or nations. It is the role of the state to bring together disparate national communities into a stable political regime. Nonetheless, the model of democratization, expansion of federal structure, economic growth and stable political institutions recognize as the formula of success and this is the only way of nation-building or national integration.
Topic:
Democratization, Politics, Ethnicity, Language, Economic Development, and Nation Building
Political Geography:
Pakistan and South Asia

37. Affinity Networks and Hereditary Succession in the Political Parties and its Impact on the Federation of Pakistan

Author:
Sarfraz Batool and Marium Kamal
Publication Date:
01-2022
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
South Asian Studies
Institution:
Department of Political Science, University of the Punjab
Abstract:
The political system of Pakistan rests on the principle of federation: powers of decisionmaking are constitutionally divided between parliament and the provincial governments. The constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973 emphasizes party-based democracy. It demands the practice of democracy within the political parties to promote democratic norms in political culture and to create a conducive political environment to strengthen the federal system in Pakistan. The second important principle of federation is unity in diversity. A political party in a federation is considered as a bridge between the federal government and its federating units having its roots in the general masses across the federating units. It helps the federating units to have a forum to identify, express, and articulate their interests. But the element of hereditary succession and the presence of affinity networks within political parties is weakening the democratic spirit of the federal Constitution of Pakistan. In major political parties, the only merit to elevate to the highest rank in the party is to be the next heir or to be the close relative of the party leader. The culture of hereditary leadership promotes the norms of kinship politics and nepotism where political decisions are made to protect the vested interests of kinship groups at the cost of the more extensive interests of the federation. This paper is based on three sections; the first section deals with the phenomena of hereditary politics in general; the second section deals with the importance of political parties in a federal system and; the third section of the study deals with hereditary succession and affinity networks in political parties in Pakistan and their impact on the federal system. The study used the desk research method to analyze the data under the qualitative approach. Primary and secondary sources are used to collect the data, however, primary data is collected from various internet sources like official websites of FAFEN, ECP, and Dunya news, etc.
Topic:
Politics, Social Networks, Federation, and Kinship
Political Geography:
Pakistan and South Asia

38. Political Rights of Christian Minority in Pakistan before 1973

Author:
Tooba Ahmad, Ghulam Mustafa, and Rahila Asfa
Publication Date:
01-2022
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
South Asian Studies
Institution:
Department of Political Science, University of the Punjab
Abstract:
When Muslim Leaders of the Subcontinent of India were trying to create a different independent state for Muslims, the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah repeatedly used the phrase “Separate state for the Minorities of India”. He demanded a state where all types of minorities could live freely according to their religious teachings and norms. These demands were very pleasing for all types of religious minorities of the Subcontinent, so few of them supported the idea of Pakistan where anyone could live freely. The Christian community supported the idea of Pakistan and made efforts to become part of it. There are different speeches of Quaid-e-Azam that consist of praises of Christian leaders who were helping the Muslim leadership. Despite the fact that Pakistan’s Objective Resolution and Constitution of 1956 and 1962 gave equal rights to every citizen and religious liberty to minorities, the Objective Resolution and Constitution of 1956 and 1962 are the most condemned document which made Pakistan a theocracy. After liberty and freedom, political rights are the most important rights for any person. This paper will try to find out the answer to the question of how objective resolution, Constitution of 1956 and 1962 dealt with the minority rights and their political rights. For this purpose in-depth study of all three documents occurred along with different articles, news, research reports and books.
Topic:
Islam, Politics, Minorities, History, Christianity, and Hinduism
Political Geography:
Pakistan, South Asia, and India

39. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: News Framing in Political, Strategic, and Economic Perspectives in Print Media of Pakistan

Author:
Hammad Naseer, Muhammad Raza Majid, and Malik Adnan
Publication Date:
01-2022
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
South Asian Studies
Institution:
Department of Political Science, University of the Punjab
Abstract:
The treatment, image, and issues related to CPEC become significant when this venture is considered a game-changer for the Pakistani economy. This study analyzes the CPEC coverage in Pakistan's highly circulated English newspaper, Daily Dawn, and The News. The quantitative content analysis technique is employed for this study from April 2015 to December 2019. This study aims to explore how news contents of selected newspapers portray the image of CPEC and the treatment of selected newspapers toward this project. The theoretical foundation of this study work under the Grunig models of Public Relations. The findings of this study reveal that both newspapers portray a positive image of CPEC. The primary focus of the news content of selected newspapers is information regarding the economic and political aspects of this project, while inadequate significance is given to strategic, social, and legal aspects. Moreover, from Grunig’s models' perspective, major public relations practices worked under the public information and press agent model.
Topic:
Economics, Politics, Media, and CPEC
Political Geography:
Pakistan, China, and South Asia

40. Defamatory Statements in Recent Political Landscape and Freedom of Speech

Author:
Aman Ullah and Akram Badshah
Publication Date:
07-2022
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
South Asian Studies
Institution:
Department of Political Science, University of the Punjab
Abstract:
It is an internationally recognized principle that the prerogative to speak freely is a preliminary human right of the utmost importance. It is a fundamental democratic principle which plays a key role in strengthening other human rights. Concurrently, it is widely accepted that this right is not absolute and the legislature may impose restrictions on it, according to law, for the welfare of the people. The unbridled license may not be given to any person for publishing defamatory material, either libel or slander, which defames the dignity and reputation of others on the plea of the prerogative to speak freely. The prerogative to speak freely must be proportionated against other fundamental rights and constitutional principles. The basic purpose of this article is to explore the “defamatory statement” which harms the reputation of others in the light of UDHR, ICCPR and the Constitution of Pakistan, particularly in the recent political landscape.
Topic:
Human Rights, Politics, Freedom of Expression, Free Speech, and Defamation
Political Geography:
Pakistan and South Asia