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302. New Approaches to Data Production for Monitoring and Mitigating Gender Inequality
- Author:
- Özge Aktaş Mazman
- Publication Date:
- 03-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
- Abstract:
- This brief prepared within the scope of the Exploring Data for Gender Equal Cities project carried out with the support of the Consulate General of Sweden in Istanbul, presents new perspectives.
- Topic:
- Governance, Inequality, Sustainability, Data, and Gender
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
303. How to Best Manage Data for Transformative Equality Policies?
- Author:
- Itır Akdoğan
- Publication Date:
- 03-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
- Abstract:
- In this brief prepared within the scope of the Exploring Data for Gender Equal Cities project carried out with the support of the Consulate General of Sweden in Istanbul, data processes in equality policies are discussed and recommendations are put forward for decision makers to develop transformative policies.
- Topic:
- Inequality, Cities, Decision-Making, Equity, and Gender
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
304. Modelling the environmental impact of agri-food trade policies
- Author:
- Jan Hagemejer
- Publication Date:
- 03-2024
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
- Abstract:
- In the era of globalization, international trade policies significantly influence the economic and environmental conditions of countries. As environmental concerns grow, it’s important to understand how these trade policies affect sustainable development and identify the strategies needed to achieve positive outcomes for the climate and environment. This analysis aims to evaluate the impact of international agricultural trade on achieving certain climate and environmental goals, particularly those outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), mainly Goal 13, but also parts of other environment-related goals. We examined the effects of specific trade agreements, considering the current energy and climate policies, using modeling tools to focus on CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions like N2O and CH4. This helps us understand how international trade can reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally and find ways to prevent pollution from simply moving to other regions due to changes in trade. This working paper provides arguments for developing new and improved trade policies that incorporate environmental measures as tools to mitigate climate change.
- Topic:
- Agriculture, Environment, Food, Trade, and Sustainability
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
305. R2P Monitor, Issue 68, 1 March 2024
- Author:
- Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
- Publication Date:
- 03-2024
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
- Abstract:
- R2P Monitor is a quarterly publication applying the atrocity prevention lens to populations at risk of mass atrocities around the world. Issue 68 looks at developments in Afghanistan, Central Sahel (Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger), China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Myanmar (Burma), Nicaragua, Nigeria, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, Cameroon, Central African Republic, South Sudan and Yemen.
- Topic:
- Human Rights, International Law, Responsibility to Protect (R2P), and Atrocity Prevention
- Political Geography:
- Afghanistan, China, Sudan, Ukraine, Israel, North Korea, Yemen, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Palestine, Nicaragua, Haiti, Syria, Venezuela, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Myanmar, South Sudan, Cameroon, Sahel, Central African Republic, and Global Focus
306. Introduction: The Militarization of Space
- Author:
- Eliahu H. Niewood and Matthew Jones
- Publication Date:
- 03-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Journal of Advanced Military Studies
- Institution:
- Marine Corps University Press, National Defense University
- Abstract:
- From a national security perspective, the space domain today is fundamentally different than it was 10 years ago. It is also likely to be very different 10 years from now than it is today. The role of the commercial sector, the nature of development of space capabilities, the ways satellites are gaining access to space, the uses of space capabilities, the organization of the U.S. Department of Defense when it comes to space, and the likelihood of conflict in space all look very different today than they did in the past. This issue of the Journal of Advanced Military Studies considers a variety of these shifts in detail. To provide context and background for the individual articles, this introduction describes some of the connections between the changes and gives an overview of each one.
- Topic:
- National Security, Militarization, and Satellites
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus and Space
307. Breaking the Newtonian Fetish: Conceptualizing War Differently for a Changing World
- Author:
- Ben Zweibelson
- Publication Date:
- 03-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Journal of Advanced Military Studies
- Institution:
- Marine Corps University Press, National Defense University
- Abstract:
- Explaining what a military’s social paradigm concerning conflict and war is requires a theoretical approach to both frame the core constructs and offer feasible alternatives. This article introduces social paradigm theory for military application and how most modern, technologically advanced militaries sustain a Newtonian-styled worldview concerning warfare and what constitutes war. The Newtonian-styled war paradigm gained prominence during the last five centuries, yet is now becoming increasingly insufficient and possibly irrelevant. The integration of ever-increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence into nearly all aspects of warfare will require new ways of thinking and how teams of humans and AI systems collaborate in complex security contexts immediately. The new combination of the space domain, cyberspace, those military forces associated with these new domains, and special operations activities are of increased focus for how and why conflict may change, particularly within an overarching traditional nuclear deterrence between state competitors. This requires a military paradigmatic shift, moving away from Newtonian constructs.
- Topic:
- Military Strategy, Artificial Intelligence, Warfare, Complexity, Force Design, and Emergence
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus, United States of America, and Space
308. Characterizing Future Authoritarian Governance in the Space Domain
- Author:
- Julian G. Waller
- Publication Date:
- 03-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Journal of Advanced Military Studies
- Institution:
- Marine Corps University Press, National Defense University
- Abstract:
- Traditionally, discussions of governance beyond Earth have largely been held to the purview of debates about space law and global governance regimes. Yet, the priority of space exploration among ambitious, tech-industry associated billionaires and its continued potential for militarization suggest that a more dynamic approach may be needed, given that state-sponsorship of extraterrestrial colonial projects may be more akin to partnerships between private and public actors rather than nation-states assuming traditional roles as sole sources of decision-making. Permanent settlements in space will require forms of localized government that may look distinct from contemporary models of political order. This article thus asks a provocative question associated with the empirical record of human colonization and settlement in prior eras: What sort of authoritarian governance is most likely to form in human space settlements during the medium term? Reviewing variations on political order in small-scale colonial settlements in light of recent conceptual work on authoritarian rule, the article identifies three theoretical models of governance that may emerge once beyond Earth settlements become permanent fixtures of human society.
- Topic:
- Authoritarianism, Space, Militarization, Space Governance, Political Order, and Corporate Spacefaring
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus and Space
309. The Void Above: The Future of Space Warfare and a Call to Update the Rule of International Space Law
- Author:
- Alan Cunningham
- Publication Date:
- 03-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Journal of Advanced Military Studies
- Institution:
- Marine Corps University Press, National Defense University
- Abstract:
- In an age where space warfare is becoming more likely and a militarized space is already a reality, it is imperative to develop a strong legal framework to try and prevent nation-states from engaging in warfare. By implementing legal standards, improving on the existing legal framework, and taking input from outside legal sources, outer space can be made safer and the potential for armed conflict more protected against.
- Topic:
- International Relations, International Law, International Security, Military Affairs, Space, Warfare, and Space Law
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus and Space
310. Contractual Origins of Anti-Americanism: Pew 2013 Results
- Author:
- Cem Birol
- Publication Date:
- 07-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- All Azimuth: A Journal of Foreign Policy and Peace
- Institution:
- Center for Foreign Policy and Peace Research
- Abstract:
- Economic Norms Theory (ENT) implies that anti-modernist and anti-market values flourish in countries where the central authority poorly monitors contracts that bind economic transactions. Decades of research show that ENT astutely predicts civil war and interstate war incidents, as well as people’s support for war, and suicide bombing in defense of Islam. This paper investigates the association between contract enforcement and anti-Americanism, which is the ENT’s core, yet is a statistically under-evaluated implication. Accordingly, in countries with poor economic contract monitoring, power-contending elites can attribute the resultant loss of prosperity to the USA and relatedly spread anti-American values among citizens. It is the urban poor who are cognitively most available to adopt such elite-driven anti-Americanism since they tend to be hurt most socially and economically by unfulfilled market contracts. To investigate this argument, I statistically estimate random intercept models on a sample of Pew Global Attitudes Project’s 2013 survey results. I observe that a three-way interaction among individuals’ urbanity, poverty, and their nations’ poor contract enforcement indicators increase anti-Americanism.
- Topic:
- Economics, Poverty, Urban, Survey, Economic Norms Theory (ENT), Hierarchical Modelling, and Anti-Americanism
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus and United States of America
311. Meeting Skill Needs for the Global Green Transition: A Role for Labour Migration?
- Author:
- Samuel Huckstep and Helen Dempster
- Publication Date:
- 01-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Center for Global Development (CGD)
- Abstract:
- The green transition will generate an enormous demand for workers. This paper reviews demand for, and supply of, skills relevant to the green transition in five countries in the Global South and five in the Global North. It focuses on the installation and maintenance workforce needed in two sectors: solar photovoltaic panels and heat pumps. It finds that in almost all of the 10 countries studied, supply of the necessary skilled workers is unlikely to meet demand. In particular, Global North countries, which must cut more emissions sooner, face challenges in obtaining sufficient workers against a backdrop of ageing populations. If green transition targets are to be met, migration is likely to be needed as a complement to domestic training and reskilling. Given that the shortage of green-skilled workers is global, however, migration must be accompanied by support for training and retaining workers at home.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Environment, Migration, Labor Issues, and Green Transition
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
312. Mind the Gap: Bridging the Divide between Cooperation Providers
- Author:
- Beata Cichocka, Rachael Calleja, Sara Casadevall Bellés, and Emma Mawdsley
- Publication Date:
- 01-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Center for Global Development (CGD)
- Abstract:
- Despite the increasing imperative for cross-provider collaboration, the quest for a truly “global” development paradigm remains elusive, marked by persistent divides between different types of development providers’ normative frameworks, models, experiences, capacities, and institutional allegiances. This paper explores the potential role of countries to act as bridges across these varying institutional, normative, or technical “distances” between providers. We begin by examining why, when, and under what conditions countries choose to act as bridges, given their differing capacities, credibility, knowledge, and willingness to act in the role. We then identify some common types and illustrative examples of bridging countries, including “dual donors,” “development experience” bridges, “political” bridges, and “geographic or cultural” bridges, and explore some of the most common types of actions that they can undertake. While all of these actions—whether joint project implementation, hosting forums, brokering agreements, or contributing to the creation of more inclusive norms and multilateral spaces— require some level of both political and technical commitment, they vary in terms of the level of ambition and mutual trust required to undertake action and therefore provide a broad range of options suited to a variety of contexts, agendas, and actors wishing to play a bridging role. Following a brief examination of the benefits and risks associated with bridging, the paper concludes with some policy recommendations for bridging countries that wish to approach this ambitious challenge more strategically.
- Topic:
- Development, Government, Donors, and Collaboration
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
313. Beyond the “Gavi-Eligible”: High-Leverage Opportunities for Gavi to Enhance Vaccine Access and Uptake in Ineligible Middle-Income Countries
- Author:
- Rachel Bonnifield, Morgan Pincombe, and Janeen Madan Keller
- Publication Date:
- 04-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Center for Global Development (CGD)
- Abstract:
- The global locus of undervaccination is increasingly shifting from the poorest countries in the world—which are eligible for support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi)—to middle-income countries (MICs) that do not qualify for traditional Gavi support. Given these growing challenges, Gavi must rethink its engagement with those MICs that are ineligible for traditional support. Although this engagement is intended to be “catalytic” and has been intentionally targeted to country needs, it also has been relatively small-scale and ad hoc. Gavi’s next five-year strategic period from 2026 to 2030, known as “Gavi 6.0,” offers a window of opportunity for its board and leadership to consider new and different ways for Gavi to engage with MICs to advance global vaccine access and improve vaccination outcomes. To have the greatest impact in this context, Gavi must lean into its comparative advantage in market shaping and demand consolidation to drive its contributions to global vaccination efforts with finite resources. We offer recommendations for Gavi to operationalize broader engagement with MICs, specifically by enabling an expanded cohort of MICs to access more affordable prices for both newer, costlier vaccines and future vaccines via opt-in framework agreements and by supporting a global coordinating hub to shape a forward-looking immunization innovation agenda.
- Topic:
- Public Health, Vaccine, Global Health, and Middle-Income Countries
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
314. Disinvesting from Low-Value Health Technologies in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Between a Solution to the Current Fiscal Crises and a Costly Mirage?
- Author:
- Adrian Gheorghe and Pete Baker
- Publication Date:
- 04-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Center for Global Development (CGD)
- Abstract:
- In this policy paper we summarise what is known about healthcare disinvestment and outline documented experiences in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to draw insights on what has worked, to what extent, and under what conditions. We reviewed the published literature on documented experiences of attempted healthcare disinvestment in LMICs. We identified two common scenarios when disinvestment initiatives were attempted, namely “one-off” and “systematic” initiatives, and characterised them in terms of objectives, resources and political will. We found four documented examples of one-off disinvestment initiatives—Iran, Malaysia, Romania, and Vietnam, two documented examples of systematic disinvestment initiatives by health technology assessment (HTA) agencies in LMICs—Brazil and China, as well as a range of countries like Thailand, India, and Ghana that carry out systematic disinvestment through routine HTA processes. We conclude that disinvestment is costly, time-consuming, and rarely as successful as policymakers intend. Key considerations to improve the chances of success include whether strong pre-existing health prioritisation systems exist (such as an HTA agency) and whether the design of initiatives are tightly matched to the level of political will, the policy objective, and available resources.
- Topic:
- Development, Science and Technology, Global Health, and Fiscal Crisis
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
315. Why and How Multilateral Development Banks Support Improved Outcomes for Economic Migrants and Refugees
- Author:
- Helen Dempster, Martha Guerrero Ble, and Stephanie López Villamil
- Publication Date:
- 05-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Center for Global Development (CGD)
- Abstract:
- Economic migrants and refugees can bring both benefits and costs to their hosting countries. If well-integrated, they can support themselves, their families, and their hosting countries as producers and consumers. Both economic migration and forced displacement are therefore integrally linked with development outcomes. Recognizing this, multilateral development banks (MDBs) are supporting their beneficiary member countries to improve outcomes for economic migrants and refugees, in the form of billions of dollars in grants and loans, as well as technical assistance, policy dialogues, and knowledge exchanges. This paper provides an introductory snapshot of some of the financing instruments, projects, and strategies used; particularly innovative approaches; and challenges MDBs face in expanding their engagement. It is hoped this paper will be useful to anyone who engages with MDBs and wants to understand how they engage on economic migration and forced displacement, particularly as these issues continue to grow in importance.
- Topic:
- Development, Migration, World Bank, Refugees, and Banking
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
316. ABCs of the IFIs: Understanding the World Bank’s IDA21 Replenishment
- Author:
- Erin Collinson, Clemence Landers, Justin Hurley, and Grace Miner
- Publication Date:
- 06-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Center for Global Development (CGD)
- Abstract:
- The International Development Association (IDA)—the World Bank’s arm that works in low- and lower-middle-income countries—is one of the largest sources of development assistance for the world’s poorest countries. It is also a crucial tool for resource-constrained governments to borrow on affordable terms compared to other creditors, including Chinese entities. IDA supports eligible countries whose annual per capita incomes fall below an established line (currently $1,315 in FY2024). Because IDA provides grants and highly subsidized loans to its client countries, its funds need to be replenished by donors every three years. Replenishments are year-long negotiations where the World Bank’s shareholding countries, of which the US is the largest, negotiate a policy and financing package for the next three-year cycle. This year, 2024, is an IDA replenishment year for the institution’s twenty-first round of funding (“IDA21”), culminating with a pledging session in December to finalize IDA21’s financing envelope.
- Topic:
- Development, World Bank, and International Development Association (IDA)
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
317. Options for Green-Skilled Migration Partnerships: A Guide for Policymakers
- Author:
- Helen Dempster and Samuel Huckstep
- Publication Date:
- 06-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Center for Global Development (CGD)
- Abstract:
- The green transition is widely expected to lead to high levels of net job creation, with roles distributed across the pay and skill spectrum. To fill these roles, many countries of destination will need to use migration alongside their domestic labour supply. Yet few countries of origin have enough skilled workers to meet their own green transition targets. As a result, any green-skilled migration facilitated by countries of destination should be linked with investments in the training, recruitment, and retention of workers into ‘green’ jobs within countries of origin. This paper explores three models that link training and migration in a partnership framework—fixed-term migration; Global Skill Partnerships; and migration with parallel investments—to maximise both economic development and carbon reduction benefits. For each model, the paper outlines key considerations that should be taken into account along with a worked example. It also includes a "guide," walking policymakers through the different models to understand which would best meet the needs of countries of origin, countries of destination, and employers.
- Topic:
- Economics, Migration, Economic Development, and Green Transition
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
318. Starting from the Source: Methods and Priorities for Explaining Lead Exposure
- Author:
- Rachel Bonnifield
- Publication Date:
- 08-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Center for Global Development (CGD)
- Abstract:
- Lead is a dangerous neurotoxin, and lead poisoning remains one of the most serious and neglected public health challenges in the developing world, with major negative impacts on global health, education, and overall economic development. There is now growing international momentum to mitigate lead pollution, with the goal of dramatically reducing human lead exposure and consequent adverse effects. Yet before lead exposure can be effectively mitigated, it is essential to understand why humans are being exposed to lead in the first place and therefore how policymakers can intervene to stop further exposure. To date, such research into the major sources of lead exposure—broadly referred to as source assessment—in developing countries has been limited. Thus, there is limited information and no global scientific consensus about the most important causes of global lead exposure. Given growing global interest in addressing lead poisoning, there is an urgent need to better understand the major sources of lead exposure in different settings by increasing the volume and quality of related research. Tailored to a policy audience, this paper offers a state-of-the-science review of methods for doing so. First, it provides background for understanding lead exposure—that is, how and why lead enters the environment, how it behaves once there, and how environmental lead results in elevated blood lead levels for humans. Second, it outlines basic principles for source assessment, including a discussion of objectives and terminology. Third, it details the range of methods available for understanding the sources of lead exposure and describes how such methods can be used in combination to understand major sources of lead exposure in a given context. Finally, it considers major policy-relevant gaps in the literature base about sources of global exposure and offers suggestions for a research agenda in this space.
- Topic:
- Development, Public Health, Global Health, and Lead
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
319. Financing the Pandemic Cycle: Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery and Reconstruction
- Author:
- Victoria Fan, Sun Kim, Diego Pineda, and Stefano Bertozzi
- Publication Date:
- 08-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Center for Global Development (CGD)
- Abstract:
- The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical gaps in the global response to health crises, particularly in the financing of pandemic prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and reconstruction. This paper presents a comprehensive framework for pandemic financing that spans the entire pandemic cycle, emphasizing the need for timely, adequate, and effective financial resources. The framework is designed to support policymakers in both low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income nations, providing a guide to appropriate financing tools for each stage of a pandemic, from prevention and preparedness to response and recovery. Key economic concepts such as global public goods, time preference, and incentives are explored to underscore the complexities of pandemic financing. The paper also highlights the importance of timely, accessible, and sustainable financial instruments. The paper lists the pandemic financing instruments used for health during the COVID-19 pandemic, identifying 23 different tools. We also used the IHME 2024 Financing Global Health database to estimate that US$91.6 billion was spent for COVID-19 health support, primarily for response financing, over 2020 to 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic wrought significant economic impacts on the order of trillions of dollars, even as investments in pandemic preparedness to mitigate future risks is relatively small, on the order of $10 billion annually. The paper concludes with policy recommendations, calling for the establishment of a rapid-response financing mechanism, tailored to the unique challenges of pandemics, and a redesign of global health governance to better address these threats.
- Topic:
- Finance, Crisis Management, Public Health, Pandemic, and COVID-19
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
320. A Win-Win: Migration Partnerships for an Aging EU Workforce
- Author:
- Helen Dempster, Pete Baker, and Samuel Huckstep
- Publication Date:
- 09-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Center for Global Development (CGD)
- Abstract:
- European Union (EU) member states have ambitious green transition targets and healthcare strategies in place, requiring the relevant sectors to expand. Yet these sectors are already suffering from large workforce shortages. Expanding skilled migration from third countries to the EU to meet these shortages risks stripping countries of origin of the talent they need for their own goals. Any skilled migration therefore needs to be pursued within partnerships which prioritise meaningful benefits to the country of origin to combat “brain drain”, a “win-win” policy solution. This can be done through the Global Skill Partnership model, wherein the country of destination pays for the training of workers within the country of origin, some of whom migrate. While migration is a member state competence, there is real opportunity for the incoming European Commission to make a global difference in three ways: (1) expand funding for pilot projects; (2) support the development of new partnerships; and (3) be a positive voice for the role of skilled migration.
- Topic:
- Migration, European Union, Skilled Labor, European Commission, and Green Transition
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
321. Making Migration Work for Adaptation: Classifying Remittances as Climate Finance
- Author:
- Samuel Huckstep and Jonathan Beynon
- Publication Date:
- 10-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Center for Global Development (CGD)
- Abstract:
- Labour migration programmes targeted towards climate-vulnerable populations can provide transformative finance, raising household incomes and allowing adaptation. Current flows of adaptation finance are highly insufficient. Mobilisation of private adaptation finance is very low, despite commitments to increase mobilisation. Targeted labour migration programmes can leverage private adaptation finance at a high level of efficiency. Incentivising the selection of migrant labour from communities most vulnerable to climate change by counting a portion of their remittance flows as mobilised private climate finance may therefore have significant benefits.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Development, Migration, Adaptation, and Remittances
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
322. Localization in Theory and Practice
- Author:
- Ranil Dissanayake
- Publication Date:
- 10-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Center for Global Development (CGD)
- Abstract:
- The movement for localization in foreign aid presents philosophical and practical challenges for providers of foreign aid. In the past, some level of localization (to at least state actors) of both decision-making and spending could be achieved through general and sector budget support, a logistically simple (though politically difficult) approach. Current practices, with more aid disbursed in the form of discrete projects, make localization more difficult to achieve. For development agencies to make progress they must confront conceptual, practical and strategic challenges. This paper suggests practical definitions of different kinds of localization and what they seek to achieve, points out trade-offs between them and sets out how they challenge current conceptions of how and what foreign aid seeks to do, as well as suggest limits to the optimal extent and type of localization. It then considers practical difficulties in implementing these different conceptions of localization given existing donor practices and capacities, and the strategic challenges of realizing the desired outcomes—specifically principal-agent problems within the organization and with contractors. It concludes with key lessons and messages for donors and funding agencies.
- Topic:
- Development, Humanitarian Aid, Reform, USAID, and Localization
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
323. Climate and Development KPIs
- Author:
- Ian Mitchell and Edward Wickstead
- Publication Date:
- 11-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Center for Global Development (CGD)
- Abstract:
- How committed are countries to tackling climate change at home and in developing countries? These tables provides nine key indicators on the world’s major economies spanning their climate contributions in three areas: emissions, policy, and international finance. Indicators are calculated to be comparable between countries with several expressed relative to population or economy size. Countries are ordered by the number of indicators on which they score in the best quartile, with indicators shaded for top quartile performance.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Development, Climate Finance, and Economy
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
324. Multilateral Development Banks in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations: Overview of Key Policy, Financial, and Operational Issues
- Author:
- Koldo Echebarria
- Publication Date:
- 12-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Center for Global Development (CGD)
- Abstract:
- This paper presents an overview of significant policy, financial, and operational challenges encountered by multilateral development banks (MDBs) in fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS). The data indicates that MDBs have increased their involvement in financing FCS compared to bilateral and other multilateral donors, with the World Bank playing the most significant role. This is explained by financial and operational comparative advantages inherent in the MDB business model, despite their implicit biases and constraints. The paper reviews the strategies and framework documents adopted by MDBs to address FCS as a distinct development challenge, highlighting the complexity of translating knowledge advancements and lessons learned into operational categories and clear priorities. It also examines how MDBs are placed regarding the recommendations of the "peace-humanitarian-development nexus," which is central to the international consensus for addressing FCS. The evolution of the financial capacities of MDBs and the criteria for resource allocation in response to the needs of FCS are analyzed. The paper concludes by posing a set of questions that MDBs and their shareholders should consider as they develop reforms to meet FCS-specific requirements and strengthen performance and outcomes.
- Topic:
- Development, World Bank, Banking, Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), and Sustainable Development
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
325. La lucha contra la violencia contra las mujeres y la violencia doméstica
- Author:
- Claudia de Mesa
- Publication Date:
- 02-2024
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Fundación Alternativas
- Abstract:
- El informe destaca tres avances significativos de la propuesta de Directiva en comparación con el Convenio de Estambul. La perspectiva de género, por un lado, integrada de manera indisociable en la violencia contra la mujer y reconociendo a las mujeres como víctimas por razón de su género. En segundo lugar, el mayor alcance de la Directiva respecto al Convenio, especialmente al imponer la obligatoriedad de su transposición por parte de los Estados Miembros. Por último, que su naturaleza jurídica permite abordar a agentes no estatales. Sin embargo, se señala que tanto ambos textos omiten abordar la trata de personas con fines de explotación sexual, a pesar de ser un grave problema con una dimensión de género significativa. En este sentido, se ha pretendido analizar la estrecha interconexión entre la trata de personas y la prostitución, probándose que esta es innegable y que, además, el negocio de la prostitución-y la trata, consecuentemente- se adapta constantemente a las circunstancias para aumentar sus beneficios.
- Topic:
- Women, Gender Based Violence, Public Policy, and Domestic Violence
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
326. El Ingreso Mínimo: Vital Evaluación de los tres primeros años de la gran iniciativa de protección social
- Author:
- Juan Antonio Martínez-Sánchez
- Publication Date:
- 02-2024
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Fundación Alternativas
- Abstract:
- Este documento intenta recoger los puntos de vista expresados en la jornada que tuvo lugar el día 23 de noviembre de 2023 en la sede de la Fundación Alternativas, el think-tank independiente y progresista, algo más de tres años después de la implementación del Ingreso Mínimo Vital. Los contenidos de este documento han sido elaborados por el moderador del acto, Octavio Granado, ex Secretario de Estado de Seguridad Social, y el equipo del Laboratorio de Políticas Públicas de la Fundación Alternativas. Cuentan con la aprobación, la revisión y las aportaciones de las personas que intervinieron en la jornada.
- Topic:
- Public Policy, Universal Basic Income, and Social Protection
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
327. Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence: An Emerging Issue in Women, Peace and Security
- Author:
- Kristine Baekgaard
- Publication Date:
- 12-2024
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS)
- Abstract:
- As the uses and abuses of technology develop at a rapid rate, the growing threat and consequences of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) must be addressed by those working to advance the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda. Existing policies and programs must be adapted and new ones adopted to account for digital dimensions of gender-based violence (GBV) and to keep online spaces safe for women. Technology has helped advance women’s rights around the world in important ways. Technological tools make education and employment more accessible, and online spaces create new opportunities to build movements and amplify calls for equality and justice. These gains serve the goals of the WPS Agenda, which aims to protect and empower women in conflict-affected contexts. Along with these benefits, however, are substantial costs. Globally, 66 percent of women have reported experiencing TFGBV—including instances of cyber-harassment and stalking, doxxing, and image-based sexual abuse. Further, there are increasing reports of digital tools being used to exacerbate offline violence. For example, sexual assaults of Iranian protesters have been filmed and used to blackmail the protesters, and women in Pakistan have been killed as a result of photoshopped images being posted online. National governments and international organizations increasingly recognize TFGBV as a pressing issue. Existing research and policies focus on the impact of TFGBV on specific women—primarily, politicians and journalists—with less attention paid to the implications of TFGBV for the WPS Agenda, particularly with regard to protecting women from GBV and promoting their participation in peace processes. Given the scale, scope, and impact of TFGBV, the WPS field must evolve to account for the unique challenges women are facing in an increasingly digitized world. Based on a comprehensive desk review of existing TFGBV literature, this report explores the linkages between TFGBV and the goals of the WPS Agenda. The first section introduces the WPS Agenda, specifically focusing on its structure and the context for its creation. The next section links TFGBV with the protection goals of WPS, outlining the prevalence of existing types of digital violence and the challenges with addressing them. It further highlights the link between digital and offline violence, demonstrating that protection efforts must account for a continuum of violence. The third section draws out threats TFGBV poses to the participation goals of WPS. It identifies three key dimensions of TFGBV that hinder women’s participation in peace and politics: targeted attacks against prominent women, the “gendered chilling effect” of online violence that discourages women from participating in online spaces, and online radicalization and misogyny.
- Topic:
- Science and Technology, Women, and Gender Based Violence
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
328. Technological Innovation and Cybersecurity: The Role of the G7
- Author:
- Ettore Greco and Federica Marconi
- Publication Date:
- 05-2024
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Istituto Affari Internazionali
- Abstract:
- In an era of unprecedented technological advancement, digital transformation is revealing its enormous potential, but also presenting new challenges. At its core, it represents a catalyst for innovation, igniting advancements that enhance productivity and propel economic growth. Thus, harnessing its transformative power holds the promise of unlocking new opportunities, solving complex challenges and ultimately shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for humanity. However, rapid technological progress has ushered in a new era of interconnectedness and interdependence, where nations are increasingly reliant on digital systems and networks to power their economies and safeguard their national security. In this regard, the intersection of technological advancement and the amplification of geopolitical tensions has brought into sharp focus the myriad threats that countries face in the contemporary landscape. Among others, cyberattacks, in particular, have grown more sophisticated, transcending national borders and necessitating collaboration and partnerships among nations to protect against such threats. These challenges have prompted all major actors – both public and private – to intensify their efforts to protect their data and digital assets. They are devising and implementing a variety of risk management strategies. The empirical evidence shows that the most effective and resilient cybersecurity policies and approaches are those tailored to specific risks and security requirements. Individual organisations need to adopt the cybersecurity measures most appropriate for the challenges they face, based on a careful risk assessment. This requires the adoption of internationally recognised cybersecurity frameworks and standards that are based upon the principles of risk management and that are relevant across sectors to strengthen consistency and continuity among interconnected sectors and throughout global supply chains. Cybersecurity threats are transnational by definition and as such they can be countered effectively only through global mechanisms aimed at risk reduction and trust building. A primary objective of multilateral cooperation should be the adoption of interoperable policy frameworks that promote international harmonisation and consistent cybersecurity mechanisms. The G7 can provide a fundamental impulse for this cooperation at the global level by encouraging the development and implementation of risk-based, consensus-driven frameworks, standards and risk management best practices. A commitment to these internationally recognised cyber risk management approaches and frameworks can advance economic security and enhance cyber resilience across the ecosystem.
- Topic:
- Science and Technology, Cybersecurity, Innovation, G7, and Digital Policy
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
329. The “latecomers” of Bougainville: The difficult completion of post-conflict disarmament processes
- Author:
- Theò Bajon
- Publication Date:
- 03-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Security and Defence Quarterly
- Institution:
- War Studies University
- Abstract:
- Post-conflict disarmament processes inherently grapple with definitional challenges regarding definitive endpoints and measures of completion. This paper examines the phenomenon of delayed disarmament through the case study of so-called “latecomers” in Bougainville—ex-combatants who voluntarily surrendered their weapons following the cessation of formal demobilisation, disarmament, and reintegration programming. This study proposes a behavioural model that conceptualises late comer decisionmaking dynamics pertaining to temporary small arms retention. Pivoting upon an iterated security dilemma framework, the model posits that contextual environmental stressors and temporal factors serve as key variables initially sustaining weapons possession in the absence of hostilities. However, this intermediate status carries risks of eventual escalation to renewed violence or protracted and arduous disarmament engagement. The latecomer case reveals the inherent fluidity and uncertainties surrounding delimitations of the disarmament process. Further interrogating ex-combatant dilemmas could strengthen post-conflict policy and practice. Fundamentally, this research demonstrates the enduring temporal ambiguities inherent to disarmament, highlighting the need for pluralistic understandings attentive to issues of indigeneity, humanity, and interpretive meaning central to sustainable peace-building.
- Topic:
- International Security, Disarmament, Conflict, and Peacebuilding
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
330. Gender diversity management in NATO for sustainable security and peace
- Author:
- Kamila Trochowska-Sviderok, Yvonne Rose Masakowski, Montgomery McFate, and Anne Holohan
- Publication Date:
- 03-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Security and Defence Quarterly
- Institution:
- War Studies University
- Abstract:
- The article focuses on the need for a paradigm shift in diversity management for sustainable peace and security. We discuss the bidirectional influence of security and defence organisations and society; the intersectionality of issues related to social justice, health, race, and ethnicity; sexual abuse and exploitation; and cultural factors that influence the functioning of LGBTQ+ personnel and the gender/technology nexus in the context of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). During the application of the Sustainable Security Paradigm to gender diversity management, we found that ecofeminism and the ideas of post-colonial theory should inform the transformational shift of contemporary security and defence organisational cultures. This approach was used by the multinational NATO Science & Technology Organization Exploratory Team ET-197 Gender, Peace and Sustainable Security (2022-23) and its successor, the NATO HFM-368 Research Task Group (2023-26). Our research efforts were triangulated by an analysis of doctrinal textual, audiovisual and art sources that relate to gender diversity and its management. Given the complexity of future warfare, there is a strategic imperative to develop an inclusive defence strategy that reconfigures the traditional white male-focused military paradigm. It is evident that the root cause of gender inequality cannot be solved solely by doctrine and training solutions—rather a transformational organisational culture shift is pivotal and critical to the future global security. This is the first article that addresses the issues of gender diversity management for sustainable security and peace in an interdisciplinary and holistic manner. Our approach is relevant to any organisation with internal gender and intersectional diversity and systemic discrimination.
- Topic:
- NATO, International Security, Social Justice, Sustainability, and Gender Minorities
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
331. Techno-Realism: Navigating New Challenges in the Contemporary Role of Technology in Politics
- Author:
- Isti Marta Sukma
- Publication Date:
- 06-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Security and Defence Quarterly
- Institution:
- War Studies University
- Abstract:
- This paper aims to introduce a new theory, techno-realism, which is derived from political realism, to help comprehend the complex connections between technology and politics. According to techno-realism, technology serves as a means of power, with the innate drive for survival in human nature shaping the formation of identity. The research question at the core of this study revolves around the extent to which technology influences contemporary political science and whether it truly serves as a means of power. Three concepts are introduced: identity establishment, technology as the central source of power, and non-state actors in politics. The primary case study focuses on the complexity of the issue in Xinjiang, examining the application of cyberpolitics in the region. The second case study explores technology’s role in Indonesia’s political power struggle, as evidenced by its 2024 elections and the abuse of information and electronic transaction law effectiveness to control freedom of speech. Additionally, this paper introduces a case study on the Indo-Pacific regional power dynamics in confronting “digital authoritarianism”. This paper underscores the imperative for a new theoretical framework, adapted from political realism, which despite being subject to considerable criticism, has the potential for further development, placing technology at the core of analysis. Recognising the central roles of technology, identity formation, and non-state actors, techno-realism offers valuable insights for navigating complex political landscapes and informing strategic responses to emerging challenges. However, further research is needed to understand completely its applicability and limitations across different contexts, as demonstrated by the case studies presented in this paper.
- Topic:
- Science and Technology, Authoritarianism, Elections, Realism, and Techno-realism
- Political Geography:
- China, Indonesia, Asia, Global Focus, and Xinjiang
332. The role of military morale as an essential dimension of combat power
- Author:
- Mioara Șerban
- Publication Date:
- 09-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Security and Defence Quarterly
- Institution:
- War Studies University
- Abstract:
- This paper focuses on the principles and values that guide human behaviour as well as judgements about what is considered ethical. The objectives of this analysis are threefold: (1) to explore the role of morale as an essential dimension of combat power, (2) to identify perceptions and representations related to the importance of military morale in managing stress during wartime or on a field mission, and (3) to identify possible ways to improve the resilience of military personnel deployed on the battlefield within the organisational culture. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach, including qualitative methodologies to examine the role and impact of psychological training and self-confidence in military settings along with quantitative methodologies that include specific questions regarding demographics and military experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty-two military personnel with direct experience in missions, conflict zones, or theatres of operations. Soldiers’ perceptions, formed by their states of necessity and subjective character, contribute to satisfaction, shaping the scope of motivation, and confirming that soldiers’ morale directly influences their actions on the battlefield. Accomplishing a mission requires not only the precise definition of objectives and the provision of the necessary tools but also an appeal to factors that stimulate, raise awareness, and activate personnel. The findings reveal measures that can be taken to manage stress in combat, including subjective ones, deriving from the military’s confidence and conviction in the legitimacy of the cause and the justice of the war, group integration, personal beliefs and hopes as well as objective ones, such as external mass influences, the media or the states involved, which affect the security of the military. The results of the study emphasise the importance of the initial training of the military at individual and group levels, or under leadership of superiors, together with the solidarity of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and European Union member states in supporting the families of the military and improving their situation from various perspectives: economic, material, orale, civil protection, and child protection.
- Topic:
- Security, Motivation, Morale, Combat Power, and Military Security
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
333. Leveraging competitive intelligence in offensive cyber counterintelligence: An operational approach for the shipping industry
- Author:
- Anastasios-Nikolaos Kanellopoulos
- Publication Date:
- 12-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Security and Defence Quarterly
- Institution:
- War Studies University
- Abstract:
- In the contemporary landscape of rapid digitalization, the shipping industry is increasingly confronted with unparalleled cybersecurity threats, necessitating a transition towards proactive strategies to address these evolving risks. Traditional methodologies have proven inadequate, thereby necessitating the integration of Competitive Intelligence (CI) within Offensive Cyber Counterintelligence (OCCI) frameworks. This paper investigates the interdependent relationship between CI and OCCI, underscoring their combined potential to safeguard organizational interests and enhance cybersecurity resilience. The primary objectives of this study are to elucidate the foundational principles and significance of CI within business contexts, to explore the theoretical underpinnings of OCCI, and to propose a structured framework for the integration of CI into OCCI operations specifically tailored to the shipping sector. Theoretical constructs highlight the critical importance of proactive measures in mitigating cyber threats and sustaining a competitive advantage in the digital era. Through a comprehensive analysis of the literature, this interdisciplinary approach provides practitioners with the opportunity to evaluate and implement the proposed framework. The insights garnered from this study hold significant implications for both academic research and industry practice, promoting ongoing collaboration in the development of robust frameworks for integrating CI within OCCI operations.
- Topic:
- Intelligence, International Security, Cybersecurity, Resilience, Shipping, Strategic Management, and Counterintelligence
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
334. Security scenarios: 3D Printed Firearms
- Author:
- Samu Rautio and Mika Broms
- Publication Date:
- 12-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Security and Defence Quarterly
- Institution:
- War Studies University
- Abstract:
- The aim of this study was to determine possible future scenarios if 3D printed firearms were to be manufactured in society. These scenarios provide a closer examination of the factors influencing the use of this relatively new method of firearms production. We reviewed the factors in 3D printed firearms that are relevant to various security authorities. Scenario analysis enables the examination of problem-solving for this multi-dimensional, multi-layered and multi-scale phenomenon. The topic was approached from a systemic perspective based on complexity thinking. The scenario-creation method employed five forecasting techniques applicable to the Playbook for Strategic Foresight and Innovation (Carleton, 2013). A context map created the basis for factor analysis, generational arcs, white spots and expert panel. The scenarios were developed into a structural format, allowing for the description of coherent entities. Upon analysing the scenarios, it was found that the ease of manufacturing 3D printed firearms could lead to a rapid increase in their numbers, potentially resulting in decreased internal and external security. The networking of manufacturers could also enable the production of weapons for individuals who previously did not have access to firearms. On the other hand, 3D printed firearms could open up new legal uses and possibilities. The networking of manufacturers could also enable the production of weapons for individuals who previously did not have access to firearms. On the other hand, 3D-printed firearms could open up new legal uses and possibilities.
- Topic:
- Security, Weapons, Forecast, Manufacturing, and 3D Printing
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
335. The Copenhagen School’s widening security theory in relation to cybersecurity. Applicability and Implications
- Author:
- Mihai Olteanu
- Publication Date:
- 12-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Security and Defence Quarterly
- Institution:
- War Studies University
- Abstract:
- This paper critically examines the relationship between cybersecurity and Copenhagen School’s widening security theory, with the aim of assessing the possibility of applying this theoretical framework to the cyber realm. As cybersecurity is a relatively recent addition to the security discourse, this research explores whether the Copenhagen School’s traditional framework, which was primarily focused on securitisation processes in the five main sectors (military, political, economic, environmental, and societal), adequately encompasses the unique aspects and dynamics of cyber domain. The research question is: Why the cybersecurity field can’t become a separate constructivist sector? The study begins with a detailed overview of both cybersecurity landscape and Copenhagen School’s fundamental principles to provide the context for a comparative analysis of the Copenhagen theory and contemporary cybersecurity literature. In doing so, the research delves into the features of cybersecurity, with a focus on the evolving nature of cyber threats and vulnerabilities. By performing a qualitative analysis of the existing literature, the paper assesses the limitations of integrating these two concepts, ultimately concluding that cybersecurity lacks the distinct characteristics required to be considered a separate sector under the Copenhagen School’s framework. The findings contribute to the ongoing discussions regarding the adaptation of traditional security theories to address contemporary security challenges in the digital age.
- Topic:
- Security, Science and Technology, Cybersecurity, and Copenhagen School
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
336. A Generalised Commodity Theory of Exploitation
- Author:
- Photis Lysandrou
- Publication Date:
- 01-2024
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- City Political Economy Research Centre (CITYPERC), University of London
- Abstract:
- This paper argues that the conceptual framework of Marx's Capital allows for the extraction of a commodity-based theory of capitalist exploitation that is distinct from the traditional labour-value based theory. The rationale for extracting such a theory is that it allows for an explanation of the current rise in global economic inequality in a way that shows this development to be entirely consistent with the fundamental laws of capitalism as it enters its globalised and financialised stage of development.
- Topic:
- Globalization, Capitalism, Commodities, Exploitation, and Financialized Capitalism
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
337. Tracking the Fortunes of Corporate Psychedelia
- Author:
- Sandy Hager
- Publication Date:
- 01-2024
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- City Political Economy Research Centre (CITYPERC), University of London
- Abstract:
- In recent years, new biotech companies have emerged hoping to cash in on a medical psychedelics market expected to be worth billions. This article examines the business models of two of the largest such companies. According to conventional wisdom, for-profit players are best positioned to deliver new cures for mental illness at scale because of their ability to tap capital markets. The analysis presented here challenges this story on two counts. First, it argues that profitability in the pharmaceutical business depends not on rapid scaling per se, but on controlling and restricting access to maintain pricing power. Second, it claims that the unruliness of psychedelics – manifested in the presence of cheap generics, murky intellectual property claims, and high costs of administration – raises serious questions about their commercial viability. The article then assesses the sector’s embrace of Johnson and Johnson’s patented form of esketamine, Spravato, as its prototype for commercialization. Spravato may provide a pathway for profitability, but patients must contend with high prices and a drug that provides only short-term relief and requires indefinite dosing. Rather than disrupt Big Pharma, corporate psychedelia replicates its main features, raising questions about its claims to tackle the mental health crisis.
- Topic:
- Business, Mental Health, Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Psychedelics, and Medicalization
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
338. Is “High Inflation” Always and Everywhere an Exchange Rate Phenomenon?
- Author:
- Tural Yusifzada, Hasan Cömert, and Kagan Parmaksiz
- Publication Date:
- 10-2024
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Abstract:
- After decades of stable and low levels of inflation throughout the world, the recent global upsurge in inflation has once again triggered extensive debate among economists about the underlying reasons for the rising trend in inflation. This study aims to contribute to this ongoing discussion by exploring a potential channel that could be fundamental to our understanding of the high inflation levels common across a large number of countries. Drawing upon a rich historical dataset spanning from 1961 to 2023 and employing a random effects panel probit model, our research reveals that the nominal exchange rate depreciation emerges as a strong predictor of “high inflation” episodes across different economies and time periods. Notably, this predictive capability extends to countries with varying income levels, with high-income, upper-middle-income, and lower-middle-income nations exhibiting success rates of 70%, 77%, and 63%, respectively, in forecasting “high inflation” based solely on exchange rate depreciation. Furthermore, food and energy prices also emerge as other important contributors to inflation. These findings have important implications for recognizing exchange rate depreciation as a vital early warning signal for high inflation not only facilitates more timely and effective policy interventions but also emphasizes the critical role of historical exchange rate dynamics and supplyside factors in comprehending the complexities of “high inflation.”
- Topic:
- Economy, Inflation, Exchange Rates, Early Warning, and Panel Probit Model
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
339. The Profitability of Bank Capital and Household Debt
- Author:
- Hyun Woong Park
- Publication Date:
- 08-2024
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Abstract:
- When does the banking sector profitability exceed the industrial sector profitability? In a benchmark, counterfactual scenario where banks lend to industrial firms only, the industrial profitability exceeds the bank profitability unless the banks’ financial intermediation technology is sufficiently advanced and the industrial sector’s leverage ratio is sufficiently high. In a more realistic scenario where the banks lend not only to the industrial firms and but also to households, which rely on bank loans for housing, vehicle, education, etc., the bank profitability exceeds the industrial profitability when the household sector’s total debt services are sufficiently large, regardless of the levels of the banks’ financial technology and the industrial sector’s leverage ratio. It suggests that the households’ debt and interest payments are potentially a important source of the bank profitability exceeding the industrial profitability. That is, the bank capital beat the industrial capital in terms of profitability by exploiting the households’ financial conditions that force them to rely on debt for their full reproduction. Lastly, this result is empirically confirmed through the ARDL cointegration analysis with the U.S. quarterly data for 1984–2020.
- Topic:
- Debt, Economy, Capital, and Banking
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
340. External Debt Stress and Domestic Debt Restructuring: Resolving a Paradox
- Author:
- C. P. Chandrasekhar
- Publication Date:
- 07-2024
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Abstract:
- The ongoing sovereign debt crisis in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) was signalled by instances of default or failure to meet external debt obligations denominated in hard currencies. But the response to the crisis has included attempts to restructure domestic sovereign debt issued largely in domestic currencies. Such moves have been justified by identifying the crisis as one of excessive aggregate public debt rather than just unsustainable levels of external debt. There is a need, it is argued, to reduce the gross financing needs (foreign and domestic) of debt-stressed governments that have accumulated excessively high levels of aggregate—domestic and foreign currency—public debt. This assertion ignores the difference between the stress associated with servicing debt in domestic and foreign currency. Governments can mobilise domestic resources using their sovereign right to tax and central banks have control over domestic currency supply, whereas both have little control over foreign currency availability, which depends on net foreign revenues earned and on net inflows of foreign incomes, transfers and capital. While domestic debt restructuring releases domestic resources, it does not automatically yield the foreign currency needed to relieve external debt stress. In addition, since the holders of domestic sovereign debt include citizens deploying their savings to invest in pension funds, insurance products and mutual funds, and commercial banks parking resources in ‘safe investments’, restructuring that debt through explicit or implicit haircuts is bound to be economically destabilising. Past savings would be eroded with adverse impact on current demand, and the damage to the balance sheets of banks would restrain credit to the detriment of consumption and investment. This makes implementation of domestic debt restructuring costly and difficult, as experience illustrates. Given that context, the paper examines the possible reasons why when less developed countries face external debt stress, the IMF and global finance insist on domestic debt restructuring as part of conditions associated with provision of emergency balance of payments finance or the restructuring of foreign debt.
- Topic:
- Debt, Investment, Currency, and Debt Restructuring
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
341. Inequality and the Environment: Global Inequality Research Award Lecture
- Author:
- James K. Boyce
- Publication Date:
- 07-2024
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Abstract:
- This lecture, delivered at the ceremony for the inaugural Global Inequality Research Award at Sciences Po in Paris, provides a trajectory of the author’s work on inequality and the environment that was recognized by the award. Thirty years ago, many economists and environmentalists saw inequality as a non-issue. Today there is widespread recognition of its importance. The lecture reviews how inequalities in the distribution of wealth and power affect both the magnitude and incidence of environmental harms and discusses some of the synergies between policies to reduce inequality and to improve environmental quality.
- Topic:
- Economics, Environment, and Inequality
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
342. Towards a Post-neoliberal Stabilization Paradigm: Revisiting International Buffer Stocks in an Age of Overlapping Emergencies Based on the Case of Food
- Author:
- Isabella Weber and Merle Schulken
- Publication Date:
- 06-2024
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Abstract:
- The neoliberal stabilization paradigm of interest rate hikes and austerity left economies around the world unprepared for the shocks to essentials experienced in the overlapping emergencies of war, conflict, climate change, and pandemic. This presents a window of opportunity for a paradigm shift. Neoliberalism became hegemonic through stabilization policy. Post-neoliberalism will require an alternative stabilization paradigm. In this paper we revisit the classic reasoning for buffer stocks by Keynes, Kaldor, Graham, and others as a starting point for this paradigmatic shift. At the core of the neoliberal stabilization paradigm are the assumptions that competitive markets are efficient and that relative price changes ought to be separated from macro-outcomes. In contrast, buffer stock reasoning starts from the inherent instability and inefficiency of commodity markets. Price volatility in essential commodities can lead to sellers’ inflation because of the interaction with administered prices in the industrial sector and can hamper growth and development prospects. We illustrate that the buffer stock reasoning can help understand the 2020-2023 world food price crisis and propose a multi-layered buffer stock system for food staples as a steppingstone in a gradualist transition to post-neoliberalism and a tool for a green transformation of agriculture.
- Topic:
- Food Security, Finance, Neoliberalism, Macroeconomics, and Stabilization
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
343. The Growth of Private Financial Markets
- Author:
- Lenore Palladino and Harrison Karlewicz
- Publication Date:
- 05-2024
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Abstract:
- Over the past decade, “private” financial markets, which face little oversight by regulators, have grown to the point where they dominate financial activity. Private funds have approximately tripled in size in the last decade to $26 trillion in gross assets (compared to the $23 trillion in the U.S. commercial banking industry). Private markets raise more in equity than public markets: in 2021, new stock issuances resulted in $434.7 billion, while private markets raised $1.73 trillion in committed funds that same year–almost four times as much. Private markets are structured differently–organized into funds by asset managers as limited partnerships, which shields general managers from liability. The primary dealers in these private markets are venture capital, private equity, private credit funds, and private real asset managers. In this working paper, we examine four institutional shareholder types: public and private pension funders, endowment plans, and foundations. Institutional shareholders now allocate 28-35% of their assets under management to the “alternative” assets of private markets. Pension funds alone currently account for $2.7 trillion in committed funds to private financial markets, the latter of which has ballooned to $26 trillion in gross assets. This development potentially represents new systemic risks to the economy at large and for the institutional shareholders participating in these markets.
- Topic:
- Economics, Markets, Regulation, and Financial Markets
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
344. Marx on Credit and Financial Crises: The Industrial Cycles and the English Experience in the 19th Century
- Author:
- Henrique de Abreu Grazziotin
- Publication Date:
- 03-2024
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Abstract:
- This paper presents Marx’s theory of the industrial cycles, creating a synthesis and organizing his approach to this topic, which is fragmented throughout Part 5 of Capital Volume III. Marx’s theory of the industrial cycles explains why and how the credit system periodically drives capitalist production to endogenous business cycles that lead to crises of credit-driven overproduction and financial fragility. The paper presents the basic theoretical elements needed to understand the credit system in Marx’s approach, to later organize Marx’s theory, characterizing each phase of the cycle and indicating the causes of the movements observed for the credit dynamics, which directly affects the capitalist reproduction. It also presents Marx’s historical interpretation of the 1847 crisis in England, analyzing each phase of the cycle and associating it with Marx’s theoretical perspective.
- Topic:
- Capitalism, History, Macroeconomics, Industry, and Karl Marx
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
345. Beyond Punishment: From Criminal Justice Responses to Drug Policy Reform
- Author:
- Global Commission On Drug Policy
- Publication Date:
- 12-2024
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Global Commission On Drug Policy
- Abstract:
- The Global Commission on Drug Policy’s report, Beyond Punishment: From Criminal Justice Responses to Drug Policy Reform, exposes how punitive drug policies have driven mass incarceration and grave human rights violations. In 2023 alone, over 3.1 million people were arrested for drug-related offenses, with 20% of the global prison population detained for such crimes - nearly half for simple possession. The report underscores the devastating consequences of prohibitionist policies, including over one million overdose deaths in the U.S. in the past two decades and 40,000 in Canada in just eight years. It also highlights systemic inequities, such as Indigenous peoples in Canada being six times more likely to face drug-related arrests than white counterparts. Furthermore, the report illustrates the disproportionate burdens on women and children, deepening cycles of poverty and marginalization. It examines the broad spectrum of criminal justice responses to drug offenses, ranging from stop-and-search practices that disproportionately target marginalized communities to extreme measures like the death penalty and enforced treatment. These approaches often violate human rights, perpetuate stigma, and fail to address the root causes of substance use. Offering a roadmap for reform, the report advocates for evidence-based strategies, including harm reduction measures (e.g., Overdose Prevention Centers, naloxone distribution, and safer supply programs), decriminalization and the legal regulation of drug markets. These approaches not only save lives but also reduce societal harms, foster dignity, and promote health and equity.
- Topic:
- Human Rights, Reform, Criminal Justice, Mass Incarceration, Drugs, and Harm Reduction
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
346. 2021–2022 Global Resources Report: Government & Philanthropic Support for LGBTI Communities
- Author:
- Global Philanthropy Project (GPP)
- Publication Date:
- 06-2024
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Global Philanthropy Project (GPP)
- Abstract:
- The 2021–2022 Global Resources Report: Government & Philanthropic Support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex Communities is the most comprehensive report to date on the state of global funding for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) issues. This report documents data on over 20,000 grants awarded by nearly 1,300 foundations, intermediary NGOs, and corporations and by 16 donor government and multilateral agencies to over 8,000 grantees during the two-year period of 2021–2022.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, LGBT+, NGOs, Philanthropy, Funding, Transgender, Resources, and Intersex
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
347. The State of Intersex Organizing 3rd Edition
- Author:
- Julia Lukomnik, Somjen Frazer, Mauro Cabral Grinspan, and Ezra Nepon
- Publication Date:
- 10-2024
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Global Philanthropy Project (GPP)
- Abstract:
- The third edition of the State of Intersex Organizing survey was launched in October 2023 and received participation from 151 intersex respondents worldwide. The results provide illuminating insight into intersex organizations’ priorities, activities, needs, and experiences. The survey results also document their funding sources, budget sizes, and other elements related to movement sustainability, as well as their capacity to serve intersex people. The reports include the findings of global surveys, comparison with Global Resources Report funding data, case studies, recommendations, and more.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, LGBT+, NGOs, Intersex, and Organizing
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
348. The State of Trans Organizing 3rd Edition
- Author:
- Julia Lukomnik, Somjen Frazer, Mauro Cabral Grinspan, and Ezra Nepon
- Publication Date:
- 10-2024
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Global Philanthropy Project (GPP)
- Abstract:
- The third edition of the State of Trans Organizing survey was launched in October 2023 and received participation from 449 respondents worldwide. The results provide illuminating insight into trans organizations’ priorities, activities, needs, and experiences. The survey results also document their funding sources, budget sizes, and other elements related to movement sustainability, as well as their capacity to serve trans people. The reports include the findings of global surveys, comparison with Global Resources Report funding data, case studies, recommendations, and more.
- Topic:
- LGBT+, NGOs, Transgender, and Organizing
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
349. Building peace from the inside phase II: Supporting insider mediation for the sustainable transformation of conflict
- Author:
- Marine Jacob, Claudia Maffettone, Stephanie Sarta, Nura Detweiler, and Victoria Cochrane
- Publication Date:
- 10-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Berghof Foundation
- Abstract:
- The objective of these short policy briefs is to inform national, regional and international institutions on key topics related to insider mediation and to inform the development of more holistic and supportive policies for insider mediators. While women still face cultural, logistical and security barriers in their participation in local mediations, they are able to play critical and unique roles in mediating family, land, socio-economic, and environmental conflicts, contributing to a high success rate of mediation agreements. The value of building and supporting (informal) networks of insider mediators is key in environments that do not always welcome the contributions of civil society and where more flexible and nimble networks can act as early warning and response mechanisms, raising the chances to achieve sustainable and transformative peace.
- Topic:
- Women, Mediation, Post-Conflict, and Peacebuilding
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
350. Policy Brief 18: Sacred values in high-level peace negotiations Recommendations informed by neuro- and cognitive science
- Author:
- Carla Schraml
- Publication Date:
- 10-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Berghof Foundation
- Abstract:
- In an era where violent conflicts are increasingly complex and deeply rooted in sacred values and identities, traditional peacemaking strategies often fall short. Deeply held beliefs, as they are core to identity, are not only difficult to negotiate but also challenge conventional tactics for transforming conflicts and settling violence. Integrating insights from neuro- and cognitive sciences can enhance the practice of designing communication and processes for high-level peace negotiations. Drawing on neuroscience-informed research and insights from global (high-level) peace processes, the recommendations for peace practitioners in this policy brief emphasise the relevance of emotional and psychological underpinnings of conflict.
- Topic:
- Negotiation, Armed Conflict, Peacebuilding, Peace Process, Neuroscience, and Cognitive Science
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus