Economic Aspirations Research Articles

European Union Transnational R&I Aviation Funding: An AirTN Case Study

One of the main objectives of the European Commission (EC) since the 70s has been to coordinate research policies and to enhance the transnational cooperation in order to reach efficiency in terms of funding and to match with Europe’s economic ambitions. It has been addressed through a centralized approach managed by the EC and a decentralized approach through the cooperation of member states. Regarding the aviation sector, the centralized financing has been successfully implemented under the EU Research & Innovation Framework Programmes, while the decentralized approach has been less successful through the initiative Air Transport Net (AirTN) ERA-NET. The intention of this paper is to analyse the AirTN case study and its methodology to launch transnational calls, the results, and the reasons why it was not completely successful. Following the identification of these main barriers, we provide a list of suggestions that could have been implemented for a more successful outcome.

Destination and place: social sustainability and social innovation in second-home tourism

ABSTRACT Second homes are of great sociocultural importance in many countries, and their significance intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic when they acted as refuges in times of crisis. However, the growth and unsustainable impact of second-home tourism questions second-home tourism’s value for host communities and their residents, how it affects destination and place, and collaborative processes. After emphasizing economic and environmental aspects of sustainability in second-home tourism, attention is now directed to the inclusion of the social dimension in tourism and policies due to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This study investigated second-home tourism’s effects on a community and how social sustainability elements can drive innovation to fashion a destination and place for everyone involved, using the case of Øyer Municipality in Southeast Norway. By analyzing tourism strategy goals, political policies, and in-depth interviews, results revealed a gap between strategy goals and the informants’ perspectives, indicating that a lack of resident involvement in innovation processes and poor collaboration between stakeholders affect residents’ quality of life, visitor satisfaction, and destination development. However, economic aspirations and growth involved in second-home development continue to prevail.

‘Our stomachs are still hungry’: The colonial state, African nutrition and small grains in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), c.1950 to 1970s

By the early 1950s, farms and industries in Southern Rhodesia were reportedly experiencing increasing cases of malnutrition and poor physical health among African workers. Yet, notwithstanding these alarm calls, the government as well as most mining and commercial crop sectors of tobacco, maize, and cotton, were reluctant to acknowledge the crisis – let alone take action. The colonial state and employers alike avoided the additional expense of providing what was then understood as a decent diet for labourers, or wages that could ensure one. Thus, despite increasingly joining the waged labour force, Africans could not rely on employers – instead turning to the support net of African families. Relying on primary archival data, this paper uses the development of small grains – sorghum, millet and rapoko – to re-examine the story of African food and nutrition over three decades during the Federation and UDI years from the 1950s to 1970s. In telling this story, we show the contested social, economic and political impact that diets had on black and white society. We argue that African consumption of ‘traditional’ small grains was central to the social and economic survival of a workforce in crisis. We show how African ways of eating triumphed over the state’s notions of so-called ‘African traditional’ food and their economic ambitions behind controlling their diet.

South Africa's Persistent Social ills Post-1994 and the Deterioration of the African National Congress (ANC): Is the Country Heading towards a Failing State?

This article investigates the increasing and continuous social ills that millions of South African individuals have faced since the ushering of a democratic government in 1994. It claims that the African National Congress (ANC) is yearly losing its grip on its power to run the country and alter the current development hurdles. This is against growing dissatisfaction with the ruling party of poor service delivery, corruption, state capture, and maladministration, among other dynamics. Post-1994, the realities of changing society and putting in place the bold development aspirations of a newly democratic country put more spotlight on the institutions and fiscal arrangements that could, mindful of ecological constrictions and economic ambitions, deliver much-needed essential services to people experiencing poverty. However, lessons from this are that irrespective of some achievements; the country has continued to witness significant challenges, particularly the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty, and inequality in an era where the ANC continues to lose power and grip in many municipalities. However, it is argued in this article that the ANC might not necessarily lose control in the next decade, nor will South Africa become a failed state. Nevertheless, it will face the uncertainty of more fighting and losing more grip as parties such as the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) gain more political ground yearly. The article is based on a qualitative research approach through secondary data sources, including journal articles, books, chapters in books, credible newspapers, and online sources.

Exploring the economic impact of institutional entrepreneurship, social Innovation, and poverty reduction on carbon footprint in BRICS countries: what is the role of social enterprise?

The world is facing challenges to reduce carbon emissions, the complex interplay between socioeconomic dynamics and environmental sustainability is of utmost importance. In the context of the BRICS nations-Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa-this study explores the intricate interactions between institutional entrepreneurship, institutional innovation, poverty reduction, social globalization, urbanization, and social entrepreneurship as well as their combined effects on the carbon footprint over the period of 1990 to 2021. This work examines the multi-dimensional interactions inside this nexus using a thorough analytical strategy that includes the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), Three-Stage Least Squares (3SLS), and Robust regression approaches. Institutional entrepreneurship and innovation are the main forces behind institutional change and may have an impact on how people behave in terms of the environment. Strategies for reducing poverty frequently involve greater resource usage, which has an impact on carbon footprint. Examining social globalization's impact on carbon footprints is necessary given how it affects consumer habits and economic activity. Rapid urbanization is a dual problem because it spurs both increased energy demand and novel sustainability measures. With its emphasis on community-driven solutions, social entrepreneurship can provide regional solutions to reduce poverty and carbon emissions. The study's findings provide policymakers, practitioners, and researchers with insights into the complex web of socio-economic factors that underlies carbon footprint fluctuations. This research paves the way for informed policy decisions, sustainable business practices, and the pursuit of harmonious development that addresses both economic aspirations and environmental imperatives within the BRICS countries by illuminating the connections between institutional entrepreneurship, innovation, poverty reduction, social globalization, urbanization, social entrepreneurship, and carbon emissions.

The effects of natural resources and integration on green economic recovery: Foreign direct investment and environmentally friendly technologies in China

China's remarkable economic expansion during this period has been accompanied by heightened awareness of the urgent need for responsible resource management and sustainable development. This study investigates the interplay between natural resource efficiency and economic development in China over the two decades from 2000 to 2020. Through rigorous econometric analysis, the research explores whether natural resource efficiency acts as a catalyst for economic growth. Focusing on the nexus between economic development and sustainable utilization of natural resources, this study examines the extent to which improvements in resource efficiency contribute to China's economic progress. By utilizing comprehensive data and advanced analytical techniques, the findings shed light on the intricate relationship between these two critical dimensions. The outcomes of this study carry implications for policymakers, economists, and environmentalists, offering insights into how a nation's ecological footprint can be harmonized with its economic aspirations.

Regulation of the Legal Profession in China: A Historical Overview

Abstract Understanding a legal system requires understanding of its legal service providers. The Chinese legal system has undergone major transformations since the late nineteenth century, and a series of approaches to regulating China’s lawyers has accompanied those transformations. This article offers a historical overview of those approaches, discussing the regulation of the Chinese legal profession and the foreign lawyers operating in the Chinese environment. The Chinese legal profession has never achieved significant self-regulation or autonomy from the state, and, during the Mao era (1949–1976) it was nearly obliterated. In the late 1970s, China began to rehabilitate its legal profession and create a space in which foreign law firms can operate legally. To a remarkable degree, that effort succeeded: Chinese law firms now operate around the world, and many major international firms operate successfully in China. In the first decade of the twenty-first century, there were signs that China’s leaders were willing to allow the legal system more autonomy and that part of that would comprise liberalizing the regulation of the legal profession. Instead, under Xi Jinping (China’s leader since 2012), political control over the Chinese legal profession has tightened, and foreign firms face new regulations that make it increasingly difficult for them to operate successfully. Going forward, Chinese firms might be supported to the extent they further the Xi regime’s economic aspirations, but they will be subject to closer oversight by the Chinese Communist Party. Foreign firms are no longer considered necessary for China’s economic rise, and they will be able to remain in China only if they are willing to abide by significant new restrictions.

Does natural resources efficiency provide roadmap for economic development in China? Evidence from econometric analysis

China's remarkable economic expansion during this period has been accompanied by heightened awareness of the urgent need for responsible resource management and sustainable development. This study investigates the interplay between natural resource efficiency and economic development in China over the two decades from 2000 to 2020. Through rigorous econometric analysis, the research explores whether natural resource efficiency acts as a catalyst for economic growth. Focusing on the nexus between economic development and sustainable utilization of natural resources, this study examines the extent to which improvements in resource efficiency contribute to China's economic progress. By utilizing comprehensive data and advanced analytical techniques, the findings shed light on the intricate relationship between these two critical dimensions. The outcomes of this study carry implications for policymakers, economists, and environmentalists, offering insights into how a nation's ecological footprint can be harmonized with its economic aspirations.

Leveraging Carbon Markets for Cost-Efficient Emissions Reductions in India: Practical Recommendations for the Design and Implementation of an Effective Carbon Market

A well-designed and well-integrated carbon market can reduce emissions reduction costs for the industry and help India meet its climate goals along with its economic aspirations. This report provides practical design and implementation recommendations for an effective carbon market in India, bringing together learnings from international carbon markets, India’s experience with market-based mechanisms over the two decades, and insights and industry feedback from a carbon market simulation.

Development of Sharia Monetary Policy in the Indonesian Economic System (Study of Islamic Bank Interest Monetary Policy)

Monetary policy issued by the central bank is useful for realizing the economic aspirations expected by a country, namely realizing and maintaining the stability of currency values. Monetary policy in the definition of Islam adheres to the basic principles of Islamic economics, namely having the highest power to Allah SWT, where everything that is owned by humans on earth is with the permission of Allah SWT. The purpose of this study is to explain the development of Islamic monetary policy in the Indonesian economic system. This study uses the literature review method, which examines theories related to the problems in this research. Literature review is done through data collection or relevant journals.

Cloaked “Pagods”: Portuguese and “Heathen” Churches in Sixteenth-Century Malabar

Vasco da Gama’s arrival in Malabar on 21 May 1498, would hasten an epoch of social and cultural transformation in Malabar’s history. This article examines one development of this transformative period. Namely, it seeks to understand how the arrival of a people who came in search of “Christians and spices” would result in lasting changes to the form and the style of Christian architecture in Malabar, in present-day Kerala (southwest India). It highlights the efforts of the Estado da Índia (Portuguese State of India) to reconcile concomitant political, religious, and economic ambitions in the region by broadly sketching interventions to the practice of Christianity and the architectural style of churches in sixteenth-century Malabar. The article further proposes the reading of Portuguese-style façades in churches that, to the Portuguese, recalled Hindu temples or “pagods” as an interventional program to hide or cloak the political, religious, and historical portent of the traditional Malabar church.

News Coverage of the Nile Dam Crisis in Chinese, Qatari and British Media: Exploring Proximity to Egypt and Ethiopia as a Framing Influence on CGTN, AJE and BBC's Reporting

Academic literature points to proximity, including geographic, political, economic, and cultural, as a key news value that influences media attention, sourcing, and visual framing across conflicts. Focusing on the prolonged Nile Dam crisis that has put Egypt and Ethiopia on the verge of military conflict, the study uses quantitative and qualitative content analyses to explore how China, Qatar and the UK's proximity to Egypt and Ethiopia relates to the framing of the conflict in China Global Television Network (CGTN), Al Jazeera English (AJE), and British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) English-language news articles and photographs online in 2019-2021. While proximity factored in AJE's more frequent coverage of the dispute, the study reveals how media systems and dependency on news agencies can mitigate proximity's impact on coverage and how temporary political tensions and economic aspirations can prompt more favorable reporting of the least culturally, linguistically, geographically, economically, and/or politically proximate country.

‘Zimbabwe is open for business’: a legal perspective on the post-2017 use of Statutory Instruments

ABSTRACT Post-2017 Zimbabwean laws have remained hostile to business, contradicting Emmerson Mnangagwa’s promise to citizens and the international business community to make Zimbabwe flourish economically. Seven million Zimbabweans were on the brink of starvation in 2018 forcing Mnangagwa to use Statutory Instruments (SIs) to promote business, create employment, and defeat poverty. Yet, many Zimbabweans remain prevented from meaningfully contributing to reviving the economy. This article considers if the Mnangagwa administration’s political priorities and economic choices have undermined the very legal framework of the SIs intended to promote business confidence amongst citizens. The aspiration to better the lives of citizens by implementing regional trade liberalisation policies is based on theories of flexible integration and derogation. This article interrogates the legal frameworks of selected Statutory Instruments (SIs) and evaluates their impact on Zimbabwean livelihoods. It argues that Mnangagwa’s administration has implemented SIs arbitrarily, making it difficult for citizens to contribute positively to the creation of wealth for all. This is important because it shows the dangers of subordinating economic policies under the political imperative to remain in power. Reform of the legal provisions of SIs is needed to balance the political and economic aspirations of citizens.

Gas Flaring in Nigeria: A Multi-level Governance and Policy Coherence Analysis

The unnecessary flaring of natural gas impacts public and environmental health, contributes to climate change and wastes fuel resources. Though reducing flaring is an emergent global environmental governance priority, progress has been slow. We assess gas flaring policy in the critical case of Nigeria through multi-level governance (MLG) structure. Our analysis assesses policy coherence (leading to progress in reaching shared goals) and divergence (creating tension and undermining progress) amongst sectors and institutional structures across the supranational, federal, state and local government scales. A combined dataset of documents, stakeholder interviews and expert surveys is analysed using Qualitative Document Analysis (QDA) and content analysis. We identify the principal actors involved, examine the extent of gas flaring awareness and policy coherence across multiple sectors/policy domains, and assess progress towards Nigeria’s national intended contribution and national policy on climate change mitigation. We find that policy coherence around gas flaring, including efforts towards climate change mitigation, has been slowed by political partisanship, poor governance, lack of regulatory compliance, and policy conflict between environmental protection and economic development priorities. Nigeria urgently requires inclusive involvement of stakeholder voices across multiple sectors and scales of local/regional government, the strengthening of federal institutions, a revaluation of economic aspirations through revenue diversification, and leadership that can temper the power of International Oil Companies (IOCs) to exploit the complexity of the MLG structure. These actions would help the government in improving environmental justice outcomes for flaring-affected communities.

The sociolinguistic problems of English medium instruction in the Middle East and North Africa: Implications for epistemic access.

The global spread and dominance of English in higher education has reached alarming heights. While there has been a drive to argue for the relevance and importance of education through local languages, English has snatched the biggest slice of the cake by subtly imposing itself as the sole global language of education. This paper interrogates the sociolinguistic problems posed by the hegemony of English language. It argues that globalization and internationalization work in tandem with neo-colonial and neoliberal operations to create a class of global citizens that must support the economic aspirations of English imperial expansion and sustenance. The arguments are drawn from the experiences of Middle East and North Africa as well as lessons from Eastern and Southern Africa. The paper adopts a critical approach in order to place urgency against the onslaught of English medium of instruction in global higher education. This is done by problematizing the rhetoric of globalized and internationalized education. The paper then draws conclusions on epistemic access in the context of burgeoning knowledge economies. It argues that English medium of instruction is implicated in stalling access to knowledge for the great majority in order to cater for and safeguard the economic dominance of the elite minority.

The Rise of the Right-Wing Good Party (İYİP) in Turkey: Authoritarian Turn, Anomie, and Regulatory Nostalgia

ABSTRACT This article analyzes the rise of a newly established nationalist right-wing political party in Turkey—namely the Good Party (İYİP)—with respect to the concept of anomie. In contrast to the mainstream literature, which exclusively concentrates on the concept of populism in its analysis of the rise of right-wing political parties, this study explains the İYİP’s advancement using Institutional Anomie Theory, along with the fall of the ‘Turkish Dream’, wherein the democratic and economic aspirations of the 2000s were hindered in the 2010s by the authoritarian turn and the entrenchment of the neoliberal economic order. In other words, a contradiction between historically embedded goals (democratization and wealth) and the political means exercised (authoritarian turn and neoliberalism) led to anomie in Turkey, which created a window of opportunity to be exploited by a right-wing political party. The article concludes, based on İYİP rhetoric, that the backlash against the authoritarian turn may surface in the form of regulatory nostalgia for the parliamentary system and exclusionary attitudes towards Syrians living in Turkey.

Free Agency, Hard Work, and the Justification of Economic Inequality in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Free Agency, Hard Work, and the Justification of Economic Inequality in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Relations between the Non-Aligned Countries of Africa and the Second World (1960-1980s): The Case of Sierra Leone

The research covers Sierra Leone’s relations with the Second World through the prism of Sierra Leone’s foreign policy. Two periods of Sierra Leone’s foreign policy are considered: during the Westminster bipartisan model from 1961 to 1970, and when the authoritarian regime led by President Siaka Stevens was established from 1971 to 1985. The central issue of the research is analysis of Sierra Leone’s cooperation with the Soviet Union. The aim of the research is to identify the factors that guided the non-aligned countries within the bipolar confrontation of the second half of the 20th century in building their relations with the socialist bloc. The relevance of the topic is related to the fact that the logic and principles of building relations of small non-aligned countries with both limited power resources and little political and economic ambitions with key world powers are less reflected in studies. The research is based upon comparative and historical-genetic methods as well as case studies. The author makes use of materials from the Sierra Leone Public Archives. The author concludes that Sierra Leone’s relations with the Second World were based on economic pragmatism rather than ideological or political proximity. For Sierra Leone, relations with socialist countries served as a tool for diversifying its foreign policy. This set Sierra Leone apart from its neighboring West African states, which either maintained an orientation towards first-world countries, namely France and the US, or reoriented themselves towards the Soviet Union.

India, the US, and China as a Geopolitical Triangle

This article examines the complex interactions of the geopolitical triangle comprised of India, the United States, and China, investigating the multifaceted relationships and changing power dynamics among these significant global actors. Nowadays, interaction between these countries has become more and more crucial in influencing the geopolitical situation. This paper analyses the historical backdrop of their contacts, emphasizing the geopolitical, economic, and security aspects that shape their connections. Amidst changing global power dynamics, India emerges as a significant participant, maintaining a delicate equilibrium in its relationships with both the United States and China. The article examines India's strategic decision-making and diplomatic actions, considering its longstanding stance of non-alignment, economic ambitions, and worries regarding regional security. Simultaneously, the United States and China participate in an intricate interplay of collaboration and rivalry as their interests align and diverge across multiple domains. A fragile balance defines the geopolitical triangle, as each nation seeks its own national goals while managing the difficulties presented by regional and global intricacies. The article examines the influence of this triangular relationship on the stability of the area, economic collaborations, and security structures. Furthermore, it examines how new factors such as technology, trade, and climate change contribute to the formation of geopolitical dynamics among these nations.

India, the US, and China as a Geopolitical Triangle

This article examines the complex interactions of the geopolitical triangle comprised of India, the United States, and China, investigating the multifaceted relationships and changing power dynamics among these significant global actors. Nowadays, interaction between these countries has become more and more crucial in influencing the geopolitical situation. This paper analyses the historical backdrop of their contacts, emphasizing the geopolitical, economic, and security aspects that shape their connections. Amidst changing global power dynamics, India emerges as a significant participant, maintaining a delicate equilibrium in its relationships with both the United States and China. The article examines India's strategic decision-making and diplomatic actions, considering its longstanding stance of non-alignment, economic ambitions, and worries regarding regional security. Simultaneously, the United States and China participate in an intricate interplay of collaboration and rivalry as their interests align and diverge across multiple domains. A fragile balance defines the geopolitical triangle, as each nation seeks its own national goals while managing the difficulties presented by regional and global intricacies. The article examines the influence of this triangular relationship on the stability of the area, economic collaborations, and security structures. Furthermore, it examines how new factors such as technology, trade, and climate change contribute to the formation of geopolitical dynamics among these nations.