State Autonomy Research Articles

Exploring the Rise of Transnational Issues (such as Pandemics, Terrorism, and Climate Change) and their Impact on State Autonomy

This study examines how pandemics, terrorism, and climate change impact state sovereignty. A quantitative research design was used to gather data from 150 participants, consisting of the general public and government officials of Punjab, Pakistan, through an online questionnaire. Correlation analysis, regression analysis, and t-tests were applied to examine the relationships between these global challenges and state autonomy. The findings indicate that pandemics, like COVID-19, considerably weaken state sovereignty by requiring international cooperation, indicating a strong negative relationship between the impact of a pandemic and state sovereignty. In addition, the regression analysis shows that transnational terrorism limits state autonomy as a result of the imperative for multilateral counterterrorism initiatives and collaborations in international security. Moreover, the results of the t-test show that the states which comply with international environmental agreements reduce state sovereignty to a much greater extent than those which do not, thereby emphasizing the great influence climate change has on state autonomy. The findings suggest that the increasing need for international cooperation in solving global problems is changing the way state sovereignty functions, thereby emphasizing the conflict between national interests and global governance. The research methodology applied very robust statistical techniques to ensure reliable and statistically significant results which would give valuable insights regarding the changing nature of state sovereignty concerning transnational issues.

Safety Net Spending on Children and the Sources of Household Income Across U.S. States, 1997-2016.

High levels of poverty and economic precarity in the United States relative to other countries have led to academic and policy debates about whether welfare state investments accomplish what they are intended to. Although social safety net spending clearly has antipoverty effects at the national level, there is scant evidence on the "resource pathway" presumed to underlie the effects of the local welfare state on families with children. Which types of public investments have especially contributed to the total resources of households with children? Understanding this question at the state level is important, given dramatic variation in states' safety net spending on children and the rise of federalism, which increases state autonomy in designing and administering social programs. Using annual data from the 1997-2016 State-by-State Spending on Kids Dataset linked to data from the Census Bureau's Annual Social and Economic Supplement to the Current Population Survey, we examine the relationship between transfer spending in states and household income sources. Findings suggest that government transfers raise the total income of households with the lowest income and educational levels and that transfer income among these households is more multidimensional than among higher resource households. Further, analyses using variation within and across states demonstrate that state-level spending in each area is associated with an increase in corresponding transfer income among non-college-educated households and those in the bottom half of the income distribution; such spending is associated with no increase (or a decrease) in transfer income among college-educated households and those in the top quarter of the income distribution. These results suggest that increases in state-level spending disproportionately benefit the budgets of households with the lowest resources and might be a promising means to reduce resource gaps between households.

THE EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ORDINANCE No. 439/MJSP OF AUGUST 4, 2023 AND THE AUTONOMY OF THE STATES

Brazilian federalism, characterized by the division of power between different levels of government, aims to guarantee the autonomy and decentralization of public administration. In this context, public safety emerges as a crucial issue, requiring coordination and joint financing between the federal government, states, and municipalities. Law 13,756/2018, enacted on December 12, 2018, represented an important milestone in promoting federal cooperation in public safety. By creating the National Public Safety Fund (FNSP), the law established financing and management mechanisms that aimed to strengthen the actions of federal entities in preventing and combating crime. This decentralization sought to ensure greater effectiveness in the application of resources, allowing each federal entity to adapt actions to its specific needs and realities. However, Ordinance MJSP 439/2023, published on August 4, 2023, raised questions about its compatibility with the principles of federalism. By establishing a limitative list of axes and assets that can be financed with FNSP resources, Ordinance 439/2023 limited the autonomy of states in choosing priorities for their public security actions. The central question then arises: does Ordinance 439/2023, by establishing strict guidelines for the application of FNSP resources, violate the principles of Brazilian federalism? This is the question that this study, of a bibliographic and documentary nature, seeks to answer. Through an in-depth analysis of Law 13,756/2018 and MJSP Ordinance 439/2023, we conclude that the limitative list violates the autonomy of states in deciding what to invest in public security in the State or Federal District.

Enhancing cross-border contact tracing in Europe: Lessons learned from COVID-19 and future directions

Abstract Introduction Health systems in the EU operate at the national level, granting Member States autonomy for outbreak preparedness and response within their territories whilst coordinating at EU level to combat serious cross-border threats. The EU’s Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) provides the platform to exchange personal data for contact tracing across 30/EEA countries and was extensively utilized during COVID-19. This study examines insights from EU/EEA countries and assesses the feasibility of integrating national digital systems with EWRS to increase its effectiveness. Methods A comparative case study surveyed representatives from 24 countries and interviewed nine, analyzing contact tracing processes, actors, digital technologies, and challenges/facilitators during COVID-19. Thematic analysis was complemented by two webinars engaging EU/EEA countries to validate findings and gather additional perspectives. Results EWRS was valued for safety and efficiency but faced challenges during peak pandemic periods due to the heavy manual workload. Integrating national digital systems with EWRS could enhance data quality, timeliness, and coordination between countries. However, countries have varied and incompatible digital contact tracing systems, limiting the feasibility of their integration with EWRS. Moreover, most countries organize contact tracing at the subnational level, with regional entities developing and managing their own digital technologies under national guidance. Smaller countries excluded, subnational contact tracing case management systems were often not integrated with each other to exchange personal data in an automated way at a national level. Conclusions While integrating national digital systems with EWRS could bolster efficiency of contact tracing across EU/EEA, the presence of diverse technologies and decentralized governance poses feasibility challenges. Other improvements are needed to enhance cross-border contact tracing during outbreaks. Key messages • Integrating national digital systems with EWRS promises enhanced efficiency for contact tracing across EU/EEA in line with Regulation (EU) 2022/2371 on serious cross-border threats to health. • Diverse technologies and decentralized governance pose feasibility challenges, underscoring the need for further enhancements in cross-border contact tracing in EU/EEA during large outbreaks.

Government-Business Relations in Policymaking During the New Order Indonesia

Government–business relations have been central to general discussions on policymaking in democratic states. This study analyzes government–business relations in policymaking during economic booms and crises in New Order Indonesia (March 1966–May 1998). The analysis is based on pluralist, state autonomy, and capacity theories, and critical discourse analysis is applied to textual sources to reveal the historical dimensions of policymaking during the economic booms and downturns under the New Order Indonesia. The findings show that policymaking during these periods was characterized by complex, dialectical, and dynamic relations between the government and businesses.

The global implementation of UNDRIP: a thematic review

ABSTRACT Following almost 25 years of work, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007. UNDRIP has been widely recognised as an authoritative statement of human rights norms concerning Indigenous peoples around the world. However, meaningful implementation of UNDRIP has been slow. To better understand the pace and challenges facing implementation, we identify and analyze four key recurring themes that emerge from the growing literature on this topic. This includes (1) Indigenous self-determination versus state autonomy as a driver of potential conflict; (2) the meaning of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) in the context of UNDRIP; (3) the nexus between land, culture, and self-determination; and (4) Western/Global North influence over non-Western/Global South state implementation of UNDRIP. We examine several specific examples from across the globe to reveal the continuities and discontinuities across these four themes. The article concludes by offering ideas on how the limits of the present study and wider literature on UNDRIP might be rectified. That is, by incorporating a greater number of Indigenous perspectives on UNDRIP and adding more studies of governance and implementation challenges encountered in countries located in the Global South.

A regulatory model for harmonizing tax collection across Nigerian states: The role of the joint tax board

Nigeria's decentralized tax system presents significant challenges to efficient tax administration, with disparities across states leading to issues such as double taxation, revenue leakage, and non-compliance. The need for a harmonized tax system has become more critical as the country seeks to improve its revenue generation and create a more conducive environment for businesses. This paper examines the role of the Joint Tax Board (JTB) in creating a regulatory model that harmonizes tax collection across Nigerian states. The study outlines the complexities of the current tax structure, highlighting the fragmentation between federal and state tax authorities. It also explores the successes and limitations of the JTB in coordinating tax policies, particularly with regard to the Personal Income Tax. Drawing on international examples of successful tax harmonization, the paper proposes a hybrid regulatory model that balances state autonomy with centralized coordination. Key principles for the proposed model include the standardization of tax policies, strengthening of enforcement mechanisms, and the adoption of modern technology to streamline tax administration. Furthermore, the paper discusses the challenges of implementing a harmonized tax system, such as political resistance from states, disparities in technological capacity, and weak enforcement mechanisms. Recommendations include legislative reforms to strengthen the powers of the JTB, capacity building for state tax authorities, and increased collaboration between federal and state governments. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the pivotal role of the JTB in driving tax harmonization and highlights the need for a unified tax system to promote economic growth and improve compliance in Nigeria. Keywords: Regulatory Model, Harmonizing, Tax Collection, Nigerian States, Role, Joint Tax Board.

Federal fractals: review of Stephen Tierney, The Federal Contract

Stephen Tierney’s new book presents an exciting new theory of federal constitutionalism. His core argument is that each federal constitution is founded on a ‘federal contract’, which is an agreement among a plurality of territorial communities to form a federal political community while retaining their distinct constitutional identity as constituent states. This offers an alternative to the ‘social contact’ of liberal political theory in which the isolated individual is the sole basic unit of the constitutional order. The explanatory power of Tierney’s thesis is impressive. He shows how the idea of the federal contract can be manifested in many varied forms but in a manner that recognises the constitutional status and autonomy of the constituent states, formed into an association under which they agree to act cooperatively with each other and with the federation as a whole, under a mutual commitment of reciprocity that underwrites inter-governmental cooperation and solidarity, while also maintaining inter-governmental distinctiveness and autonomy. Under the auspices of this simple and elegant idea, Tierney offers an account of federal constitutionalism that resembles the fractal patterns of mathematical geometry insofar as each federal system reflects a particular federating logic that drives its initial creation and ongoing evolution. This opens up a promising area of further research involving an ever-closer examination of federal systems to see whether the fractal-like patterns he has identified continue to be apparent at progressively higher levels of resolution.

Specificity in the Inter-American Court of Human Rights

Abstract Human rights bodies formulate highly specific orders to minimize the risk of State non-compliance. However, specificity comes at a cost, reducing State autonomy when local agents implement measures on the ground. This article develops the concept of specificity in human rights reparations and analyses the specificity formulas deployed by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in structural measures as a form of positive subsidiarity. We employ qualitative data analysis software to process 322 measures of non-repetition ordered by the Inter-American Court through to the end of 2020. This analysis identifies two modes of specificity: process-based, which defines procedures for compliance, and outcome-based, which sets the goals for the State. After coding over 800 segments of text from Court decisions, we outline an exhaustive legal framework with 26 process-based categories and 2 outcome-based forms of specificity. We conclude that outcome-based specificity can help courts balance positive subsidiarity and State autonomy in the design of reparations.

Foundational Doctrines of International Law: balancing sovereignty, justice, and global order

This paper explores twelve foundational doctrines of international law, each playing a crucial role in shaping the global legal order. These doctrines—including sovereignty, non-intervention, recognition, and universal jurisdiction—balance the principles of state autonomy with the need for international cooperation and justice. By examining landmark case laws, such as ‘The Island of Palmas’ and ‘Nicaragua v. United States’, the paper illustrates how these doctrines are applied in practice. This analysis provides insight into the complex interplay between national interests and global governance, highlighting the evolving nature of international law.

The CJEU’s Unintelligible Impairment of the Financial Health of EU Performers: Ever-Increasing Suspense in Neighbouring Rights

Abstract With the RAAP ruling in 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) delivered a judgment with a far-reaching impact, both on the autonomy of Member States within the making of reservations under international treaties, and on revenues for collecting societies and neighbouring rightsholders in the EU. The controversial part of the judgment states that entering reservations on the granting of equitable remuneration for neighbouring rights on the basis of international treaties should only take place at EU level. This effectively leaves no autonomy to Member States within the principle of reciprocity, contrary to former popular belief by many Member States and scholars. The US has entered reservations with regard to EU countries under Art. 15(3) WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT), thus no remuneration is disbursed for performances by EU artists in the US. Due to the US repertoire’s large presence in the EU, the latter’s performers will be left with a considerably smaller share of the revenues to be distributed by EU collecting societies. The European Commission must urgently finish the ongoing research and consultation on RAAP. Right now, too many requests by interest groups remain unanswered. The recommended (and hoped for) route is for the EU to invoke the principle of reciprocity and enter reservations for other WPPT parties that have entered such reservations with regard to EU countries. An extensive arrangement regarding reservations is necessary, also regarding situations where the relationship between fundamental rights and reciprocity provisions is currently unknown.

Beyond free trade in raw materials: Reconciling international trade rules with planetary boundaries

International trade rules enshrined in agreements like the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) promote free trade, with exceptions for environmental protection. This paper explores the tension between these rules and Earth Systems Science's concept of planetary boundaries, which define environmental tipping points beyond which humanity faces irreversible harm. We analyse GATT's provisions, particularly Article XI's prohibition on trade restrictions and Article XX's exceptions, through the lens of planetary boundaries. Our analysis argues that current interpretations of these articles are inadequate to address the environmental impact of raw material trade. We further examine the concept of permanent sovereignty over natural resources, which grants states autonomy over resource exploitation and trade. We posit that planetary boundaries are not a restriction on sovereignty but a call for modifying state trading behaviour and consequently how international trade rules is structured and interpreted. This analysis demonstrates the complexity of transforming the legal landscape necessary for a global just energy transition, a response to climate change that requires aligning international trade with environmental sustainability.

The idea of ‘United Turkestan’ in the Turkic speaking states media: influence on the Western media

ABSTRACT In the early twentieth century, amid the transformation of political systems, the idea of independence and autonomy of Turkic-speaking states gained new impetus due to the active work of Kazakh intelligentsia; in the twentieth century, a similar situation emerged – with new challenges and threats. The study aims to analyse the specifics of the formation and development of the idea of ‘united Turkestan’ in the media of Turkic-speaking countries and several European states through the consideration of the problem of protecting the interests of national minorities during the Soviet rule in the Central Asian region. The main methods were the historical method, which was used to examine the peculiarities of the activity of national liberation movements in Kazakhstan in the early twentieth century, and the method of system analysis, which was used to study the factors influencing the creation of the information image of ‘united Turkestan’ in the press. It was found that the role and influence of mass media, mainly printed publications published in some European countries and talking about the real situation in Turkestan, were decisive for the subsequent development of the concept of the community of Turkic-speaking peoples.

Great Power Competition, Clientelism, and De Facto States: Transnistria and Taiwan Compared

Abstract To what extent can de facto states act autonomously vis-à-vis their patron states and domestic societies? This article draws on theories of clientelism in international relations to develop a novel argument explaining the agency of de facto states. Examining two strategic triangles—Russia–Transnistria–Moldova and US–Taiwan–China—it demonstrates that interrelated domestic factors such as robust political competition, democratic pluralism, reimagined national identities, and big business shape the autonomy of de facto states in Eastern Europe and East Asia. Furthermore, the structured focused comparison of Transnistria and Taiwan indicates that the agency of de facto states declines when rising parent states and dissatisfied patron states challenge the status quo, engaging in great power competition. Their autonomy varies across areas of low and high politics, as patron states prioritize military-security issues and interfere less in the economic and cultural affairs of the de facto states.

Farm bills in the parliament: impact of farmers protest and the democratisation of legislative process in India

ABSTRACT This research article analyses the impact of the farmers’ agitation on the legislative process in India. The Indian farmers’ protest against the 2020 Indian Agriculture Reform Acts, dubbed as ‘Kala Kanoon’ (black laws), not only voiced dissatisfaction with the contents of the farm bills but also confronted the undemocratic legislative practices. We provide descriptive evidence by discussing five major dimensions of the impact of the protest and the outcome i.e. the repeal of the laws. First, the protest movement and the resultant repeal helped discern a valuable public policy lesson to abandon top-down policy-making. Second, the protest questioned the bureaucratic approach to legislation that excluded the primary stakeholder group from policy-making. Third, it revealed the diminished role of the legislature and the concentration of power in the executive. Fourth, it exposed vulnerabilities in the parliamentary system when the ruling party holds a brute majority. Fifth, the protest emphasized the importance of state autonomy and legislative accountability to hold the executive accountable. We conclude with the summation of the major arguments from the discussion by highlighting the implications of the farmers’ movement for India’s future legislative processes.

Local State Autonomy and Economic Transformation: A Comparative Study of Two Chinese Cities

Beginning in the early 2010s, many of the cities in China dominated by state-owned enterprises began to attract investment from the country’s more developed east coast, thereby opening the way for their economic development. However, this transition was not consistent across all regions. How can regional variation in this transformation be explained? This article argues that the capacity for local governments to make relatively autonomous decisions regarding the state-owned economic sector has been essential for economic transformation. This is because it is only when they have such independence that local officials will be able to fully employ the policy tools necessary for the institutional reforms that allow them to concentrate the resources needed for development. To demonstrate this argument the article uses a controlled comparison of development in Mianyang and Deyang, two neighbouring cities in Sichuan Province.

Questionnaire survey on hands-on simulation training using a dental humanoid robot (SIMROID®).

A dental humanoid robot, SIMROID®, is able to replicate the actions characteristic of human beings and enable training for communicating with patients and coping with unexpected situations. This study assessed user experiences via a survey questionnaire following hands-on training on the SIMROID®. A total of 112 participants, consisting of 50 high school students who visited AUSD (Asahi University School of Dentistry) to participate in open campus events, 42 fourth-year students at AUSD and 20 dental students from Mexico State Autonomy University, University of Siena and Peking University took the survey. The participants observed the movements and reactions of a SIMROID® robot placed on a dental unit for approximately 20 min after which they completed a questionnaire survey. Both Japanese and English versions of the questionnaire were prepared for local and visiting foreign dental students. The questionnaire comprised 8 items, with a further two items for those undertaking dental training and an open comment field. All participants who observed the SIMROID® completed the questionnaire giving a 100% response rate. Generally, simulation training with SIMROID® was highly appreciated by all participants. The comprehensive evaluation score for SIMROID® was 4.56 ± 0.50 points for high school students, 4.05 ± 0.82 points for students at AUSD and 4.70 ± 0.47 points for foreign dental students, showing all participants had a very positive experience and impression of the SIMROID®. Therefore, simulation training using SIMROID® seems beneficial learning tool.

State autonomy, economic reform & business elite influence in the GCC

ABSTRACT This study challenges traditional rentier state theory and contributes to a new generation of scholarship focused on state-business relations by evaluating the relationship between different degrees of state policymaking autonomy and business elite influences in political and economic institutions. The findings of this study address central policy questions about economic reform in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Using primary data from my case studies of Qatar and Kuwait, I posit two arguments. First, states with lesser business elite influence over political institutions have more autonomy to realise their economic reform goals; a less dominant and influential business elite circle will more likely submit to state-led economic reform initiatives. Greater business elite dominance, meanwhile, tends to create a powerful bloc undercutting economic change, such as labour reform or new regulatory frameworks, that would benefit the long-term stability of the state. Second, rentier states with higher degrees of state-led capitalism have more autonomy to conduct economic reforms; state-led capitalism produces more coherent and cohesive state apparatuses that can incentivize business elite cooperation.

Important Drivers of European Monetary Integration The Game Between the German Central Government and the Bundesbank as an Example

An independent central bank constitutes a veto actor in the political process itself and has the potential to limit the autonomy of the State (Government). In cases where the preferences of the state and the central bank diverge, the resulting authoritative actions will be influenced by the political structure of the respective country. Where changes in the domestic political system are difficult to achieve, the state can change the existing equilibrium between the central bank and the government by engaging in international regimes and international negotiations and evolving this equilibrium in the direction of greater state autonomy. This paper adopts a case study approach to propose a domestic political logic for international monetary policy choices by analyzing the relationship between international monetary co-operation, central bank independence and national autonomy, and uses the political game between the central central bank and the central government within Germany and the outcome to verify this view, thus providing a political science explanation for the relationship between German monetary politics and European monetary integration. The European Central Bank after the formation of the Union inherited the independence of the German central bank, and while assuming its responsibility for monetary stabilization and economic development, it gradually transcended the scope of its monetary functions and transformed itself from a purely technical institution to an important political player in the regional political and economic arena in the process of the already existing institutional constraints and changes in the economic situation.

From the Great Divergence to South–South Divergence: New comparative horizons in global economic history

AbstractThe Great Divergence debate has been the leading conversation in economic history for the past 25 years. This review article explores new comparative horizons in global economic history. I argue that questions of South–South Divergence form a logical and timely extension to the Great Divergence research agenda. Asia's economic renaissance did not only put an end to a century‐spanning process of widening global income disparities, it also set a new process of divergence within the global south in motion. Deeper understandings of the historical nature and origins of this transition are pertinent in light of the increasing demographic and economic weight of the global south. South–south comparisons also offer an opportunity to counter the dominance of western‐centered and north–south perspectives and incentivize the development of new approaches and theories that go beyond mainstream concepts designed by development economists and political scientists. I argue that these novel approaches will have to grapple with the opportunities and constraints to “late” development being shaped by the quadruple challenge of vast technology gaps, limited state autonomy, global competition, and rapidly closing land and resource frontiers.