Central Government Research Articles

Issue uncertainty and selections of policy instruments in policy pilots: evidence from China’s long-term care insurance

ABSTRACT Policy pilots have been instrumental in governing China’s economic and social development. Prior research has primarily concentrated on examining the types of policy pilots and their promotion strategies through the lens of central-local dynamics, and analysing the organizational models of policy pilots within specific contexts. However, there’s a gap in understandinghow the central government employs policy instruments to foster organizational learning within pilots. In complex policy pilots, there is often uncertainty regarding objectives, pathways, and outcomes. Using China’s Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI) pilot as a case study, this research reveals that policy pilots utilize distinct sets of policy instruments during the organizational learning process, contingent upon the context. The first set of instruments indicates a shift in the central government’s intervention intensity, ranging from weak to strong, employing autonomous, advocacy, and directive policy instruments in sequence. The second set of instruments shows an evolution in the depth of the central government’s engagement with the policy issues, progressing from shallow to deep, with the use of booster, framework, and calibrated policy instruments, respectively. This study highlights how policy pilots employ a diverse array of instruments to navigate the intricacies of policy implementation when confronting complex social policy challenges.

Government schemes empowering Indian women: A study in the reference of Bihar

Many schemes being run by the government to empower women are now bearing fruit. These schemes are not only empowering the women of villages in India but they are also becoming aware of their rights. Bihar is the best example of this. Where today women's status has increased not only in jobs but also in the family. Women's respect and self-respect have both increased. Calling women weak is now a thing of the past. Women's interference and their participation has increased in every field of society and family. Today no family will be able to live happily by ignoring women. The schemes being run by the Government of India and the Government of Bihar to make women empowered and self-reliant have a big role behind this. In a developing state like Bihar, where earlier women not only used to go out under the veil but they also used to have less participation in the decisions of the family and society, but now this has become a thing of the past. Now women have become aware of their rights. Many laws have been made at the government level to protect their safety and their rights, which have proved to be a boon for the interests of women. After the liquor ban in Bihar, the safety of women has improved further. It is known that there is a liquor ban in Bihar since the year 2016. The effect of which has proved to be significant in the progress of women. In India, the population of women in the year 2024 is 48.4 percent. At the same time, the population of men is 51.6 percent. In India, there are 1,020 women for every 1,000 men. This is the first time that the population of women in India has exceeded that of men. Many schemes of the central government are only for women. At the same time, the Nitish government of Bihar is also running many schemes for women empowerment. The Modi government has taken many steps towards women empowerment. The benefits of which have been received by the women of the country on a large scale. Gender justice is an important commitment of the government enshrined in the Constitution of India. Several steps have been taken by the government in the last few years to promote a gender-just society and increase the representation of women in various sectors. In the last few years, India has been witnessing a rapid shift from women-led development to women-led development in the vision of a new India. Towards this end, the government has adopted a multi-pronged approach to address women's issues on a life-cycle continuum, encompassing educational, social, economic and political empowerment, so that they can become equal partners in rapid and sustainable national development. India is currently one of the 15 countries in the world to have a woman head of state. Several schemes for women empowerment in Bihar are being run by the Government of Bihar and the Government of India. Many of these schemes are related to sectors such as employment, agriculture and health. These schemes have been formulated keeping in view the situation of women in Bihar so that their participation in society can be increased. Without women empowerment, women cannot get the place in Bihar, country and society, which they have always been entitled to. Without women empowerment, she cannot fight centuries old traditions and evils. She cannot free herself from bondages and take her own decisions.

Factors and Consequences of the Battle between the Seljuks and the Ghaznavids at Dandanqan

Afghanistan, our wonderful country, has a glorious past. Many great men and heroes have been nurtured in this ancient land, leaving valuable contributions in the golden pages of our country's history, which society and the nation take pride in. Among them, we can mention the invaluable services of Sultan Mahmood of Ghaznawi in the political and cultural fields of the country. As soon as he became powerful, he made all possible attempts to broaden his territory. Although the establishment of the independent and grand Ghaznavid state is attributed to Alp-Tegin, its glory is linked to Sabuktigin, especially his son, Sultan Mahmud of Gaznavi. After the fall of the Samani state, Mahmood stepped in, restored the lost state, and founded a vast empire. He worked to strengthen the internal unity of the country by defeating his internal rivals and making comprehensive efforts to implement his various plans. Among his plans and programs was the invasion of India, which he pursued with strong determination and achieved numerous successes. The purpose of this research paper is to examine the factors influencing Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi's military campaigns in India, his focus on conquests and expansion, the spread of the Islamic religion in non-Islamic lands, and the elevation of religion and the economy during this period. Research has various methods and approaches. This research paper has been prepared with the library research method and by using the most reliable historical books with complete integrity. In conclusion, we can say that Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi established a central government in India, spread Islamic culture and religion there, and obtained significant economic gains and wealth from the conquest and occupation of India.

Bride kidnapping and informal governance institutions

AbstractBride kidnapping, a forced marriage practice, has surged in post‐Soviet Kyrgyzstan alongside a revival of traditional values. The central government has empowered councils of elders, or aksakals, to handle local disputes based on cultural norms, including bride kidnapping. This study uses data from a national survey and a latent class nested logit model to examine how aksakal governance influences men's decisions to kidnap brides. Findings indicate that living under aksakal governance makes men 9% more likely to obtain a wife through bride capture, with men substituting kidnapping for choice marriage modalities such as elopement and standard love marriages.

Regional financial potential after the enactment of the law on the financial relations between central government and regional governments in Indonesia

The implementation of government decentralization in Indonesia is facing regulatory problems for autonomous regions’ financing sources. Therefore, attention to regional finance is increasingly needed given that autonomous regions are required to carry out various central government interests in addition to their affairs. This leads to a split of power over financing development policy by the regional government. However, this does not mean that the local government’s financial needs must be free from the central government’s intervention. This study briefly compares financing regional autonomy in Indonesia, France, Germany and Thailand. The results show that the distribution of financial resources between the central government and regional governments is inconsistent with Article 18A section 2 of Law No.1/2022. The results also show that the provisions of various sources of taxation and levy have not met the financial needs of regions in Indonesia. Financial balance in the form of Natural Resources Production Sharing Fund from various natural resources owned by regions that only share unrenewable resources such as mining excavated materials remains unequally distributed between regions that have natural resources.

Characteristics of adolescents with acute alcohol intoxication accessing emergency care in The Netherlands

Abstract Background Prevent alcohol consumption amongst minors is a major concern for national governments. Collecting comprehensive data on adolescent drinking patterns is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies. Therefore, the aim of this study is to give an overview of demographic and clinical characteristics of adolescents with an acute alcohol intoxication in the Netherlands. Methods This study was conducted using a cohort of adolescents aged 14-17 years presenting with acute alcohol intoxication symptoms at the emergency department from 2015-2023. Data were collected at the Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis in Delft in order to monitor trends in admissions for acute alcohol intoxication. Data on patients age, blood alcohol concentration, sex, combined drug use and reason of admission were collected. Results A total of 505 patients who presented themselves with symptoms of acute alcohol intoxication at the Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis were included. The mean age of patients was 15.7 years old. The mean blood alcohol concentration was 2.0‰. During the COVID-lockdown period there were statistically significant less admissions with alcohol intoxication. The distribution of sex was nearly equal with 50.3% females and 49.7% males. Combined drug use was present in 13.4% of all cases, with cannabis as the most frequent type of drugs found. The most common known reason for admission was ‘reduced consciousness’ (35.9%). Conclusions These findings are relevant for both the central government’s ongoing prevention initiatives and treatment strategies within hospitals. In the future, more countries should evaluate data on adolescent drinking patterns.

The Clash between China’s High-Tech Industry versus the Chinese Government

China is experiencing a severe clash between its central government, the Chinese Communist Party, and its high-tech industry. While the Chinese government needs to expand and diversify its economy, it is attempting to impose stifling controls on the industry that could bring this to fruition. There are political, social, and economic reasons for this clash. But, most importantly, the clash between the Chinese government and the high-tech industry will most definitely affect the country’s economic future at a time when such factors as its gross domestic product and employment situation cannot afford a serious contraction. The aim and purpose of this article is to examine the numerous implications of China’s clash between its government and its high-tech industry.

Demonetization and its effects on Indian economy

Indian government has taken a bold decision on note ban on 08/11/2016. Central government was a judicious, well-thought out and well-implemented step, and whether it would really eradicate all the existing black money. Here I have utilized the opinions of great expert on economics, financial economist and intellectual politicians. This study will help us to know about the positive and negative impact of note ban decision taken by Indian government. This study is purely based on secondary data, which is collected from news papers, magazines, websites from internet, some useful books related to topic etc. This paper entails the problems related to pre and post demonetization period and thereby to find out solutions and to provide suggestions in order to overcome the problem. Demonetization is the process of withdrawal of a particular form of currency from circulation. The purpose of the study is to compare and analyse the impact of demonetization on Indian economy during pre and post period. The older denominations must be replaced with the new ones. The findings of the study reveal that India will achieve a significant growth by adopting the demonetization strategy and will create a huge positive impact on the entire economy in a long run. This paper also shows that it was quick step taken by the government of India without any measures which people had to face a lot of consequences in standing in the long queues to exchange their older denominations.

The Role of Trade Officers in Enhancing Local Revenue Collection in Mpanda Municipal Council

The persistent under-collection of local revenues in Mpanda Municipal Council undermines the council's financial autonomy and leads to continued reliance on central government funding. This study aimed to evaluate the role of Local Government Authority (LGA) trade officers in revenue collection as a strategic initiative to diminish this dependency. To address this issue, the study employed a convergent mixed-method design rooted in pragmatism, allowing for the integration of qualitative and quantitative data to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing revenue collection. The research involved a population of 75 individuals, including personnel from the trade and industry unit, collectors, revenue officials, and business owners within the district council. A sample of 63 respondents participated in the study, with 46 responding to questionnaires and 17 business owners interviewed. Data were gathered through a combination of these methods, analyzed to capture both numerical trends and in-depth perspectives. The findings underscore the critical importance of strategic revenue management practices, well-informed trade officers, and effective revenue supervision in reducing reliance on central government funding. These insights bear significant implications for policymakers and local government officials aspiring to bolster financial self-sufficiency and ensure sustainable fiscal governance in Mpanda Municipal Council. To address these challenges, the study recommends a focus on comprehensive training and capacity-building programs for trade officers to enable them to autonomously manage revenue collection processes.

Assessing the Factors for the Effectiveness of the Task Force Staff in Revenue Collection in Tanzania Local Governments Authorities

Recurring challenges in revenue collection and the insufficient revenue collection is pervasive, affecting the financial viability within Tanzania Local Government Authorities (LGAs) prompted this study with a focus on Mpanda Municipal Council. The aim is to assess key factors such as staff training, resource allocation, and community engagement that impact efficiency of task force staff operations. Mpanda Municipal Council was chosen due to its recurring challenges in meeting revenue collection targets and its strategic importance as a rapidly growing municipality with increasing fiscal demands. The study is grounded in both Agency Theory (AT), TAPACO and Resource-Based Theory (RBT). Agency Theory emphasizes the relationship between principals (local governments) and agents (task force staff) in ensuring that revenue collection objectives are aligned, while Resource-Based Theory highlights the importance of internal resources both tangible and intangible in achieving organizational effectiveness. Adopting a pragmatist research philosophy, the study used a convergent mixed-method research design, combining both qualitative and quantitative data to provide a holistic understanding of the research problem. Pragmatism guided the choice of methods, focusing on practical solutions and actionable outcomes. The quantitative data were analyzed using Ordinal Logistic Regression (OLR), which revealed that all independent variables significantly impact revenue collection effectiveness. A population of 75 people with a sample of 63 participants, comprising 46 respondents completed questionnaires while 17 business owners participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used in case of qualitative data. The findings reveal that targeted training programs, adequate resources, and active community engagement significantly enhance the effectiveness of task force staff in revenue collection. The study concludes that improving these areas will result in better revenue generation and financial stability for local governments. It is recommended that local governments increase investment in training, adopt modern technologies, and foster stronger community engagement to reduce reliance on central government funding.

Optimizing provincial tax compliance: Implementing good corporate governance pillars

Tax revenue in the province is still low, even though the central government has handed over the tax base to the regions for more than 20 years. The concept of GCG can improve performance and tax revenue in the regions. This study examines the relationship of each pillar of Good Corporate Governance (GCG) to tax compliance and determines the types of GCG pillars that can be prioritized for implementation in a local government agency. This study uses the regional financial management transparency index (ITPAD) as an indicator of the transparency pillar, the fiscal independence index (IKF) as an indicator of the independence pillar, and financial statement audit opinion for the accountability and responsibility pillars. Finally, the Gini ratio is an indicator of fairness. The research sample was taken from all 34 provinces in Indonesia. Secondary data is sourced from publications, books, web pages, and previous research from 2016 to 2020. This period was chosen to exclude data from the COVID-19 pandemic era in Indonesia. The analysis method is panel data multiple linear regression with a random effect model. The results showed that fiscal independence and transparency of a region's budget management positively influence public tax compliance in a provincial area in Indonesia, while the opinion of financial statements and the Gini ratio have no influence. This study implies that to improve public tax compliance in a provincial area in Indonesia, and local governments can prioritize the implementation of the transparency and independence pillars achieved by increasing the ITPAD and IKF scores in their regions. The Ministry of Home Affairs can also encourage regions to enhance transparency and independence by improving ITPAD and IKF so that tax revenue in the regions can increase.

Strategy Of The Local Government Of Mamasa Regency In Preventing Religious Conflicts To Realize National Security

Managing diversity based on local democracy is a preventive step to prevent prolonged conflicts toward social reintegration. Religious segmentation is used as a way to unravel the political conflicts that previously echoed in this area. Efforts to carry out the representation of religious identity (Islamic-Christian) in each Regional Election event are used as a new political format to minimize the tension of identity politics that can erode the spirit of community togetherness. Representation politics is then manifested in the form of pairs of candidates to occupy the position of regional head until the last twenty years have been institutions that have the ability to maintain unity and unity. This research uses a qualitative approach. For data collection techniques, researchers conduct interviews, observation, and documentation procedures. The theories and concepts used in this study include strategy theory, peace theory, conflict theory, conflict prevention concept, Conflict early Warning and Early Response System (CEWERS) concept, and state defense concept. Based on the results of the study, it can be understood that overall, conflict management carried out by the government, both the central government and local governments, is very poor. Efforts to resolve conflicts only occur at the elite level and do not include people who suffer more and lose more due to conflict. An elitist resolution will only meet the interests and demands of the elite. The demands of the masses that should also be accommodated are ignored. As a form of strategic steps of the local government of Mamasa Regency in preventing conflicts in the administration of government and its relationship with the roots of religious conflicts in Mamasa Regency, some of the descriptions of the steps taken include the Education and Socialization Approach, Increasing the Role of the Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB), Strengthening the Economy and Social Welfare, Fair and Transparent Law Enforcement, and Inclusive Infrastructure and Public Facilities Development.

The Jurassic Park and Ata Modo in Eastern Indonesia

Famous for its distinctive Komodo dragons (Varanus Komodoensis) and features home to underwater ecosystems, the Komodo National Park (KNP) has become a prominent and favorite destination of visitors locally and globally in recent years. Situated in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia, KNP has three prime islands: Rinca, Komodo, and Padar. The infrastructure development in KNP formulated in 2020 by the central government of Indonesia, including establishing offices, photograph areas, clinics, warehouses, public spaces, and tour guides' offices, raises controversy about this decision. While the government of Indonesia persuaded citizens that this erection was a conservation effort for protection, preservation, and utilization, UNESCO refused this plan by enacting a refusal document and assessing whether the development could affect the property's Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) before the review of the relevant environmental impact analysis by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Additionally, the local people argue this plan will threaten the giant lizard's habitat regarding the entry of heavy equipment and disadvantage local tourism actors. Using a systematic literature review method, this piece collects and discovers a different concept in the issue of infrastructure development in KNP instead of another scholar's perspective. Walpole and Goodwin (2000) find that economics and facilities are the prominent aspects of tourism, while UNESCO considers the environment in development. In contrast to popular belief, this paper indicates a significant role of local people, known as Ata Modo, in the KNP establishment. This paper's findings propose that Ata Modo, as local people/tribes in KNP, should not be relocated from their area and instead be involved in the decision-making process. The bottom-up approach can be executed as a practice in a democratic process. From the fiscal approach, this development will positively impact local people's economy through collaboration and stakeholder participation.

Performance trends and goal achievement of health indicators in Gyeongsangbuk-do and Daegu Metropolitan City.

The core goal of South Korea's health policy is equity. To this end, regional disparities in health indicators must be identified. However, as an in-depth analysis of health disparities and health indicators in Gyeongsangbuk-do and Daegu Metropolitan City is lacking, this study examined the trends in performance and goal achievement in health indicators. Data collected from 2011 to 2022 for 31 cities and counties in the Gyeongbuk region (23 regions in Gyeongsangbuk-do and eight regions in Daegu Metropolitan City) were analyzed to examine 28 health indicators across three categories: health behavior, health outcomes, and healthcare utilization. The data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 23.0. The findings for health indicators showed significant and persistent gaps in health levels in Gyeongsangbuk-do, particularly in health behavior (31.3% and 68.7%), health outcomes (33.3% and 55.6%), and healthcare utilization (33.3% and 100%), in Gyeongsangbuk-do and Daegu Metropolitan City, respectively. Central government is vital for infrastructure development and financial assistance to effectively enhance health services in the local communities of Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Analisis Pengelolaan Limbah Bahan Berbahaya dan Beracun (B3) di Industri Perhotelan Kota Jambi

This research aims to identify the type and amount of B3 waste, identify B3 waste management based on Government Regulation Number 22 of 2021, as well as the SWOT strategy for B3 waste management in the Jambi City hotel industry. The research method is a mixed method. Data collection techniques were carried out by means of open interviews using questionnaires, documentation and literature studies. This research used two types of informants, namely 5 experts and 36 hotel staff, with a questionnaire as the data collection instrument. The results of this research are the type of B3 waste in hotels, namely used oil with the highest amount, namely 0.786 tonnes, and the smallest amount, namely used cloth, amounting to 0.009 tonnes. The research results also found that the hotels that produced the most B3 waste were 5-star hotels, amounting to 0.752 tons. The stages of B3 waste management implemented in the hotel industry are the reduction stage and the storage stage. In the SWOT diagram, it is in quadrant II, namely a combination of strategies between strengths and threats (ST strategy), namely central government regulations, administrative sanctions for hotels, reducing the use of B3 waste in hotels, preparing TPS for B3 waste not mixed with other waste, the government working together. with third parties for B3 waste management, inviting the public to protect the environment.

Politics of local fiscal discipline with vertical fiscal imbalance

AbstractWe examine the political conditions mediating the effect of vertical fiscal imbalance (VFI) on local government fiscal discipline in Ghana. Based on a panel dataset of 216 local governments in Ghana over the period 1994–2018, we adopt both a static and dynamic approach, in addition to a regression discontinuity design. From the results, while alignment may give “free pass,” local governments could leverage same for effective tax efforts. Further, the benefits of lower political competition may reduce where local governments place reliance on central government grants. There is consistent evidence of a negative effect of VFI on fiscal discipline.

Explaining the Taliban’s Revival: Thomas Spragens’s Crisis Theory

The revival of the Taliban and their rapid domination of Afghanistan shocked the world. It is a response to the chronic historical, political and social crises of the Afghan society, which is still in geopolitical and strategic confusion and disorder. Using the analytical descriptive method, the present study attempts to answer the question related to the causes of the reemergence of the Taliban based on Thomas Spragens’ crisis theory. The research hypothesis states that the conflict between political actors and the creation of a political deadlock has caused successive crises and political, social and security disintegration in the society. Accepting the Taliban, the Afghan people seek to solve the crisis and restore, peace, stability, order and security for themselves and their descendants. It seems that the occupation of the country, nonimplementation of Sharia laws and spread of corruption are signs of a brewing crisis caused by the weakness of the central government, lack of nation-state agreement, the spread of ethnocentrism and overdependence on America. To address these challenges, Afghans increasingly resort to Jihad and the formation of an Islamic Emirate as a possible solution.

An Analysis of Policy Frameworks on Business Formulization and Disaster Management to Mitigate Flood Loss and Damage Among Informal Businesses in Sri Lanka

The 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Egypt made a historical decision on disaster loss and damage for vulnerable countries. Even though parties agreed to salvage vulnerable nations with generous support, a fundamental question remains as to the extent to which these vulnerable countries can accurately identify the most vulnerable communities/areas. In Sri Lanka, informal businesses are particularly vulnerable to floods, but their informal status has limited the extent to which they could receive flood protection, including disaster-resilient infrastructure developments. The main objective of this paper, therefore, is to identify challenges that informal businesses have experienced in dealing with flood disaster risks. In doing so, we analyzed government policies and laws that are related to business formalization and disaster management. We also conducted interviews with key informants to verify our data. Our analysis found that the Sri Lankan government requires informal business owners to follow complicated rules to register their businesses. For these owners, who are not highly educated, these processes and fear of high tax rates discouraged registering their businesses. The central government tends to prioritize flood mitigation actions for formalized business areas. Informal businesses are not usually covered by flood insurance and compensation. In conclusion, we emphasize the need to establish widely available legal and administrative support for informal businesses to register. Adopting business continuity plans (BCPs) and keeping standardized business records also help businesses minimize flood loss and damage.

Problems of Good Governance in Managing Indonesia’s Borderland: The Case of Entikong Subdistrict

The present study explores the good governance processes of border management in Entikong Subdistrict. The Entikong Subdistrict in West Kalimantan is a priority district that receives special attention from Indonesian central and local governments. The Entikong border post started operating in 1989, making it the first land border in Indonesia. Nevertheless, despite its aged history and many development efforts within the area, the economic growth and welfare of the border community remained stagnant. The data for this article were collected through a field work in Entikong for four months in 2022 in which we conducted observation, interviews, and focus group discussion with local residents and government officers. This study reveals that good governance became the focal issue explaining Entikong’s lack of development by providing two problems in the border development at Entikong: 1) the government’s inconsistency on the road widening project and 2) the complexity of governance and bureaucracy. This paper further elaborates on the essence of locality in good governance practices while simultaneously addressing the authority division problems and communication towards the demands of the local community. This study argues that better public communication patterns should be implemented to avoid misunderstandings within the community and increase the participation of local citizens, government, and civil society in the development process of the border area.

Road through a broken place: the BRI in post-coup Myanmar

In the wake of the 2021 coup, Myanmar experienced a renewed civil war that has fragmented the country along a myriad of old and new conflict lines. Despite the high-intensity violence across many regions of the country, China is still pursuing an ambitious connectivity project under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): The China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) is meant to connect Myanmar to the Chinese market and boost Myanmar’s industrial development. However, the challenging post-coup environment has required significant changes in China’s approach to local infrastructure development and empowered a new set of subnational actors on both sides of the border. This article analyzes how CMEC has fared since the coup, and how the fragmentation of Myanmar has gone hand in hand with that of Chinese agency in the country. Contrary to prevailing descriptions of the BRI as a coherent, strategic, and top-down project, we argue that the case of Myanmar exposes the degree to which it is shaped by local interests and circumstances, and the limits of centralized BRI implementation. Finally, it is likely that adjustments in Chinese policy triggered by the situation in Myanmar will have more long-term consequences for the future of the BRI, specifically a more direct involvement in local security efforts and greater engagement with local authorities beyond the central government.