Different Levels Of Government Research Articles

The role of heritage and citizenship in the configuration of a sustainable city model supported by the new urban agendas. From the international scale to a regional model, the case of Andalusia

In the current situation marked by a necessary ecosocial transition, the new urban agendas have been acquiring a leading role, establishing strategies for the transformation of cities based on the principles of sustainability, where the cultural approach takes on a relevant role. The aim of this article is to analyze, the framework agendas drawn up at different levels of government, from the perspective of heritage and culture. To this end, the documents that make up the International, European, Spanish and Andalusian urban agendas are analyzed by means of a bibliographical review, considering heritage and citizenship as key components in the urban configuration. As a result of the multilevel analysis, a series of key factors are identified as a reference framework for the implementation of new urban agendas in cities from a heritage and citizenship approach.

RESPONSIVENESS AS A DEFINING PRINCIPLE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN THE MODERN CONDITIONS OF STATE-BUILDING

The article deals with responsiveness as a defining principle of public administration in the modern conditions of state-building in Ukraine. The author emphasizes the need to study responsiveness as a methodological tool for analyzing modern public administration. Responsiveness is defined as receptivity to the opinions, complaints and suggestions of users of management services by introducing and implementing changes in the organizational structure, culture and model of management services. Responsiveness is also the ability of the institutional management system to respond promptly to the challenges of the social environment, to the demands of internal and external influential policy actors. It is proved that the democratization of all processes of public life depends crucially on the effectiveness of the dialogue between the state and society, which is specified primarily as the relationship between people and authorities. This is where the question of whether and to what extent the government hears the voice of the people becomes most acute. The authors identify certain features of the responsiveness of the public administration system in Ukraine in the form of a set of contradictions and problems of social development. The authors emphasize that ensuring the principle of responsiveness requires harmonization of domestic reforms with world and European events and taking into account current global trends. The analysis suggests that responsive governance creates a reservoir of goodwill that is formed through support, and this reservoir facilitates the adoption of difficult and sometimes unpredictable decisions. The reservoir of goodwill creates space for responsible decision-making and constructive cooperation at different levels of government, as citizens who are satisfied with the political system are more likely to accept that government sometimes has to make decisions based on long-term responsibility rather than short-term reactions.

A dual summit of power? Career movements and multilevel circulation in the Spanish executive elite

ABSTRACT Drawing from the literature on political ambition, this article examines whether politicians holding executive offices exhibit similar patterns of movement between different levels of government as parliamentary elites. It also tests the influence of various institutional and political variables typical of federal systems. Focusing on Spain, the study classifies career movements based on the initial position and the direction of advancement, analyzing their variations depending on the availability, accessibility, and attractiveness of the structure of opportunities. The article particularly aims to elucidate why certain regions are more advantaged to provide decision-makers with more opportunities to circulate across political layers. Our sample includes cabinet members (prime ministers and ministers) and regional chief executives in Spanish regions from 1980 to 2021. The findings suggest that the status of regions, the availability of parliamentary seats, and the regional party system, among other factors, contribute to understanding regional variations in opportunities for executive level-hoppers.

Towards building networks of solidarity: A co-designed training model for non-professional interpreters and translators in regional Australia

Despite ongoing efforts by different levels of government, barriers still exist for diverse communities in Australia when it comes to accessing culturally and linguistically appropriate social services. These barriers have detrimental effects on the sense of belonging and social inclusion of migrants, as highlighted by recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters. In rural and regional areas, where access to resources and support can already be limited, these issues are particularly pronounced during crisis situations. Non-professional interpreters and translators have played a crucial role in facilitating effective communication in these circumstances, as they are often trusted members of their communities and understand their needs. However, relying on volunteers to provide multilingual communication in times of crisis is neither equitable nor sustainable. In response to this issue, the IMPARO pilot project has been implemented in the regional hub of Shepparton, Victoria, with the aim of providing training and professional development opportunities for non-certified community interpreters and translators. This project utilises principles of co-design and participatory initiatives to foster relationships and associations that promote inclusive practices and solidarity. Using action research and digital platforms, the project ensures equitable access to resources for its participants, who not only strive for professional certification and improved employability but also recognise the value of building intercultural networks of solidarity as a solid foundation to promote sustainable forms of knowledge sharing among diverse communities.

“It’s changing our lives, not for the better. It’s important that we have a say”. The role of young people in informing public health and policy decisions about gambling marketing

BackgroundMarketing has a significant impact on the normalisation of gambling for youth across the globe. This has included shaping positive attitudes towards gambling, as well as increasing the social and cultural acceptance of gambling – particularly aligned with valued activities such as sport. Because of this, public health experts argue that gambling marketing poses a significant risk to the health and wellbeing of youth. While young people are increasingly exposed to, and impacted by marketing for gambling products, they are rarely consulted about policy issues and options. This study aimed to explore young Australians’ perceptions of current policy responses to gambling advertising, whether they thought young people should be involved in discussions and decisions about gambling marketing regulations, and their perceptions of the duty of governments to protect young people from gambling industry marketing strategies.MethodsQualitative focus groups (n = 22) were held with n = 64, 12–17 year olds in the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales. Participants were asked to reflect on current gambling policies, particularly relating to marketing, what they thought should be done about gambling marketing, and if and how young people should be included in public health responses to gambling. An interpretivist ‘Big Q’ approach to reflexive thematic analysis was used.ResultsYoung people highlighted the need for more effective regulations around the content and frequency of gambling marketing. They also wanted to see more realistic representations of the negative impacts of gambling to counter persistent positive commercial marketing messages. Most thought that young people should be given an opportunity to have a say about responses to gambling due to their unique experiences. Participants identified mechanisms to increase young people’s engagement in decision making, such as direct lines of communication to different levels of government, involvement in research, and diversifying ways of engagement. Specific recommendations included more regulatory action such as bans on gambling advertising.ConclusionsCreating formal structures that facilitate the inclusion of young people’s perspectives in decisions made about gambling can result in more innovative and effective strategies to prevent the harms from gambling industry products, promotions, and practices.

Building a Robust Federalism in India: Constitutional Provisions, Practical Challenges, and Pathways to Overcome

This study explores the intricacies of India's federalism, examining both the actual challenges encountered in implementing the system and the legal structure that establishes and governs it. The Indian Constitution aims to establish a balance of authority and responsibility between the central and state governments. It combines unique characteristics of unitary government with federal government. This study looks at the key constitutional provisions and amendments that specify the organizational structure of the federal government, including the division of legislative power, budgetary relationships, and administrative processes. Federalism cannot actually be implemented in India due to significant barriers, despite a constitution designed to maintain a careful balance. Administrative inefficiencies, political tensions, and economic disparities sometimes lead to strained relations between centers and states. This essay looks at these problems, highlighting instances of conflict and cooperation between different levels of government. This study aims to understand the evolution of Indian federalism by a critical analysis of case laws, policy decisions, and intergovernmental discussions. The paper also covers the effects of regionalism, coalition politics, and economic liberalization on the federal framework. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the practical aspects of constitutional federalism and the necessary modifications to enhance its efficacy by means of an examination of these characteristics. The findings underscore the necessity of continuous deliberation and adaptation to ensure that India's federalism is resilient and responsive to the aspirations of its diverse citizenry.

Entre o desinteresse e a desigualdade: percepções de <i>brokers</i> e <i>stakeholders</i> sobre a implementação de políticas florestais em nível subnacional

Objective/context: In 2020, Ucayali was the Peruvian region with the highest loss of Amazonian forest (47,267 hectares). Measures have been taken regarding climate commitments and environmental governance, but the results continue without notoriety, and mitigation actions are limited. From a subnational approach, the article seeks to analyze the perceptions of brokers and actors involved about the implementation of forest policies in the Ucayali region. Methodology: Based on a qualitative strategy that included semi-structured interviews and a co- construction workshop to evidence the perceptions of the actors involved, with direct knowledge of the territory and implementation, and intermediary agents (brokers), the latter with the capacity to influence the decisions made regarding the formulation of action plans. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the existence of a structural difficulty in achieving short- or long-term change actions. There are institutional limitations but also a lack of support from civil society. Originality: Considering the type and limited number of studies on perceptions of climate change-oriented policies, the results obtained allow for generating relevant evidence for policy formulation processes and articulation between different levels of government.

Unveiling the Enigma: Empowering Citizen Engagement in Decision-Making Deciphering Albania's Case

This article aims to fill the gap and analyze citizen involvement in developing and transitional democracy, focusing specifically on Albania, a country in the Western Balkans. The objective of this article is to examine the models, trends, obstacles and opportunities offered by citizen participation, as well as to evaluate the determinant factors and their impact on the transformative processes of democratization and the fragile development of Albania. The article explores the participation of citizens in the decision-making process, and their role in policy-making and democratic decision-making and tries to understand how citizens can be more actively involved in the decision-making process and how this involvement can increase the legitimacy and effectiveness of policies. In this study, we use qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze existing practices of citizen involvement in the decision-making process at different levels of local and central government. We focus on the tools and mechanisms that can be used to encourage the involvement of citizens in the decision-making process. The results of this study aim to provide recommendations for policymakers and practitioners at different levels of government to improve the involvement of citizens in the process of decision-making. In conclusion, through these recommendations, we aim to help increase transparency, responsibility and legitimacy of decision-making processes and create an environment where citizens feel involved and heard in decision-making that affects life. Received: 8 March 2024 / Accepted: 13 June 2024 / Published: 02 July 2024

The EU’s twin transitions towards sustainability and digital leadership: a coherent or fragmented policy field?

ABSTRACT In order to achieve the goal of climate neutrality, while also enhancing Europe’s industrial competitiveness on the global stage, the acceleration of the twin – green and digital – transitions has been among the top priorities for the European Union (EU). Given the multiplicity of policy areas involved in these twin transitions as well as the nature of the EU as a multilevel organisation, coherence is the key requirement for the twin transitions to be successful. Drawing on the concept of coherence, this article explores whether the EU can be considered a coherent actor when pursuing the twin transitions. It understands coherence as a process to reduce contradictions across different policy domains rather than as a status where no contradictions exist. It also challenges previous views centred solely on coherence during policy implementation, and proposes a broader assessment that begins by framing different policy domains as mutually beneficial and aligned towards common goals. This perspective introduces two dimensions of coherence – conceptual and operational – along horizontal and vertical levels. By examining how policies are framed and interconnected across different levels of governance and policy agendas, this study reveals that while the link between the green and digital transitions and the need for coordination across different governance levels has been widely accepted, conceptual coherence varies across governance levels and policy areas. Furthermore, the study argues that operational coherence – putting ideas into practice – lags behind conceptual coherence, which highlights the challenges of implementing the twin transitions effectively.

Institutional governance priorities to foster exports in Egypt

PurposeThe paper studies types and mechanisms of vertical and horizontal multilevel institutional governance (IG) (multilevel governance [MLG]). The relation with exports is reviewed and quantified to attempt prioritizing institutional reforms fostering merchandise exports in Egypt.Design/methodology/approachThe paper studies data (from 1996 till 2020) to estimate impact of IG on Egyptian merchandise exports using two autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) models: to test the World Governance Index (WGI) composite index, followed by its main indicators; and to determine governance priorities in Egypt. “Institutional” approach is adopted to assess mechanisms boosting Egyptian exports. Design comprises three sections – (1) conceptual and literature review, (2) main MLG mechanisms and (3) key findings of empirical results – to find out which institutional reforms enhance exports competitiveness in Egypt.FindingsAmong MLG different levels of governance, the macro level is highly related to boosting exports competitiveness. Institutional differentials between countries and regions affect competitive edge. In Egypt, results show that IG priorities that could foster exports are the rule of law, regulatory quality, government effectiveness and political stability and absence of violence.Practical implicationsBy adopting IG mechanisms, i.e. legislative, organizational and digital; and instruments, e.g. National Single Window, Time Release Standards and others, Egyptian exports could reach new heights.Originality/valueExports competitiveness does not rely solely on monetary and fiscal factors; IG dynamics could be more important in Egypt. ARDL model for Egyptian merchandise exports using WGI 2021 dataset.

Аналіз економічного впливу регіонального туризму та рекреаційного потенціалу в Україні

The article is intended to analyze the economic condition of territorial communities and their recreational potential, identify problems of economic development. The main problems are the obsolescence of regulatory methods, insufficient coordination between different levels of government, and the lack of an effective mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of strategies. An analysis of the current state of tourism in Ukraine and the problems of the development of the tourism industry was conducted. An analysis of the current state of tourism in Ukraine shows that, despite the significant potential, the industry faces many challenges. The current state of the recreational industry of the Veliko Dalnytsia Territorial Community was analyzed and revealed that the region has significant recreational potential, but faces problems such as insufficient infrastructure, limited financial resources, and a low level of investor attraction.

The impact of decentralization of health services at the municipal level on health outcomes: evidence from China.

Under the system of health decentralization, there are differences in the level of expenditure decentralization at different levels of government, and their impact on residents' health may also be different. This paper is one of the first to evaluate the effect of decentralization of health services at the municipal level from a multi-dimensional health perspective. This paper uses the data of expenditure decentralization of health services at the municipal level to match the panel data from the China Household Panel Survey (CFPS) from 2010 to 2018, and uses the logit model, ordered logit model and two-way fixed effects model to empirically analyze the impact of health decentralization at the municipal level on health outcomes. Based on the perspective of multi-dimensional health, from the three aspects of physical health, depression status and cognitive ability, the six sub-indicators of self-rated health, BMI standards, depression scores (summation method), depression scores (factor method), phrase test scores and mathematics test scores are discussed separately. The results show that the decentralization of health services at the municipal level has a significant promotion effect on the multi-dimensional health of residents. The decentralization of health services at the municipal level has important theoretical significance for promoting the reasonable division of medical and health powers and expenditure responsibilities between provincial and municipal governments, improving the efficiency of health expenditure funds, and establishing a fiscal system that matches financial resources.

Quantitative Evaluation and Evolution Characteristics of Consistency Level of Black Soil Conservation Policy, Taking China’s Black Soil Protection Policy as an Example

Scientifically evaluating China’s black soil protection policy and exploring its evolution characteristics are crucial for promoting high-quality and efficient black soil protection projects worldwide. Utilizing the Policy Modeling Consistency (PMC) index model, the effectiveness of China’s black soil protection policy system is assessed. Building upon this evaluation, the research delves into the evolution process of the black soil protection policy system, examining its dynamic characteristics across different government levels. Through the application of text mining technology and visual analysis techniques, the study explores four dimensions: keyword co-occurrence, vertical synergy calculation, policy theme identification, and policy tool analysis. The results show the following: (1) The PMC index showed a phased growth trend, and various indicators gradually improved and tended to be stable. (2) Government policies at the same level exhibit progressive evolution patterns in terms of policy keywords and themes. (3) Across different levels of government, there are hierarchical lag evolution rules observed in policy keywords and provincial policy tools. Additionally, policy keywords display vertical synergy evolution patterns. In conclusion, future black soil conservation policies need to reduce hierarchical delays, enhance the coverage and comprehensiveness of policy content, and establish a sound policy feedback mechanism. The conclusions of the study are significant for improving management approaches throughout the black soil zones of the world.

Co-creation of urban agriculture through participatory processes in residential building environment: Insights from Finland

In the face of an increasingly global climate and food system crisis that unfolds alongside increasing urbanization, the importance of identifying novel ways of producing food in urban areas and linking this to achieving multiple sustainability objectives has increased. Previous evidence from Finland suggests that the growth in popularity of urban farming is driven by an interest in revitalizing the city, developing a sense of community, and increasing awareness about the value of food. These motives have encouraged different levels of governance to participate in developing urban agriculture (UA) in Finnish cities. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the suitability, benefits, and obstacles to the co-creation of UA in residential areas with housing companies. The results indicate that flexible module-based planning and availability of key site actors and factors (access to information and irrigation) are crucial to achieving UA's benefits. Additional benefits in the apartment building environment were perceived in terms of social capital, with respect to community-building, enhanced living comfort, and enhanced quality in the living environment.

Explaining Deviant Voting in Subnational Elections: The Case of Local Council Elections in Germany

Elections in multi-level systems are challenging for voters because they are supposed to hold political representatives accountable in a complex system of responsibilities. Therefore, when casting their votes in elections at different levels of government, level-specific factors should be of relevance for voters when making voting decisions. We compare deviant voting behaviour in two specific types of local democracy, namely those where institutional and political factors cluster differently. While local candidate-oriented democracies are characterised by candidate-centred voting systems and local party systems with low degrees of nationalisation, local party-oriented democracies are characterised by closed list systems and local party systems that show high degrees of nationalisation. Using individual and aggregate data on local elections in Germany from 2014, we show that voters in local candidate-oriented democracies seem to be more affected by local factors when casting their votes. However, we also show that our results depend on the respective measurement strategies for deviant voting, as local vote intention in free list systems may be measured in alternative ways. The paper makes a significant contribution to the understanding of deviant and local voting behaviour in multi-level democracies with different voting systems.

Political electoral cycles and evolution of Italian health care system financing. A long run perspective

A notable feature of the Italian healthcare system – where funding is centralized and regions manage services locally – is the mismatch between expenditure and funding dynamics, leading to a structural deficit and frequent bailouts on the part the regions. To explain the actions of central and regional governments, we propose a strategic game. The nature of the game varies depending on whether we are in an electoral period for the renewal of the regional government. During elections, regional incumbents use their information advantages, and it is rational for them to increase the deficit, whereas for the central government, it is rational to reduce transfers.That result is confirmed by the empirical analysis run on the 15 Italian Regions with ordinary statutes between 1982 and 2020. We have used Italy as a case study to demonstrate the relevance of our hypothesis, but we believe that the theoretical framework proposed in our paper can be applied to explain the significance of political cycles in determining the interaction between different levels of government in other federal contexts.

Quantifying the synergy of China's carbon neutrality policies through policy documents

Carbon neutrality is a crucial pathway to addressing global climate challenges. To achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2060, the Chinese government has introduced a series of policies at various levels. Synergizing between these different levels of government and policy domains is crucial for smoothly advancing carbon neutrality goals. Additionally, policy documents provide a lens through which to observe policy synergy. This study defines a framework for assessing the synergy of carbon neutrality policies from the perspectives of policy content, policy issuer, and the temporal dimension. Utilizing text mining techniques and network analysis methods, the study quantifies policy synergy based on 224 carbon neutrality policies released by the Chinese government. The findings reveal high content synergy for the policy tool and goal dimensions, with network densities of 0.78 and 0.71, respectively. Regarding issuer synergy, the synergy across different regions in China varies significantly, ranging from 0.653 to 0.912. Meanwhile, as policy topics evolved, the temporal synergy increased from 0.88 to 0.90. These conclusions provide robust support for policy formulation, offering valuable insights to realize global carbon neutrality goals more efficiently and comprehensively.

Navigating Government Funding During a Pandemic: A Study on Nonprofits’ Receipt of Disaster Relief Funds

Abstract American communities have been the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The collaboration between governments and nonprofits is needed to satisfy the needs of the American communities. This article investigates the organizational factors of nonprofits that contribute to the obtainment of government disaster relief funds in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic by surveying nonprofits whose main offices were located in California. The findings show that, in general, having internal professionals in fundraising, and having previous experience in government applications contribute to the successful receipt of government relief funds. Moreover, different factors are associated with the receipt of relief funds from different levels of government. This article offers valuable insights to government and nonprofit funding relations and how their collaboration can enhance community resilience during times of disasters.

Exploring policy coherence to understand limited progress of gender and social inclusion in the energy sector: The case of Nepal

Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030 but securing universal access to energy supplies remains a challenge worldwide. There is increased recognition that gender and social inclusion (GESI) is critical for the transition towards low-carbon energy.Nepal's inclusive 2015 Constitution, and its 2021 federal-level Gender Equality Policy translate this commitment. Likewise, Nepal is committed to SDG 7. Yet energy policy includes only limited provisions for ensuring energy access by marginalized groups and women. This paper focuses on energy policy coherence to identify cohesion between policies and policy instruments at different levels of governance to identify bottlenecks to GESI. Using a policy coherence and feminist policy approach within an energy justice context, it traces the coherence of GESI policy through time and in relation to overall GESI policy objectives. Horizontal and internal coherence are assessed through the parallels/disjoints between energy-related periodic plans, policies, budgets, and GESI aims. The evolution of GESI in energy investments has been slow in part because of a narrow conceptualization of the policy problem and a lack of coherence and synchronization across documents, which undermines implementation of the GESI agenda.

Decentralization and immunization program in a single-party state: the case of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

BackgroundThe Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), a lower-middle-income country, lags behind other Southeast Asian countries in immunization coverage for children under two years of age. The organization of health services is a key determinant of the functionality of immunization programs. However, this aspect, and in particular its decentralization component of the healthcare system, has never been studied.MethodsA case study in the Lao National Immunization Program was performed using a neo-institutional theory-based conceptual framework, highlighting the structure (rules, laws, resources, etc.) and interpretative schemes (dominant beliefs and ideas) that underlie the state of decentralization of the healthcare system that support the conduct of the immunization program. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted with representative actors from various government levels, external donors, and civil society, in four provinces. Data were complemented with information retrieved from relevant documents.ResultsThe Lao healthcare system has a deconcentrated form of decentralization. It has a largely centralized structure, albeit with certain measures promoting the decentralization of its immunization programs. The structure underlying the state of centralization of immunization services provided is coherent with a shared dominant interpretive scheme. However, the rapid economic, technical, and educational changes affecting the country suggest that the coherence between structure and interpretative schemes is bound to change.ConclusionUnprecedented opportunities to access quality higher education and the use of social networks are factors in Lao PDR that could affect the distribution of responsibilities of the different levels of government for public health programs such as the National Immunization Program.