Flawed Policy Research Articles

A Flawed Policy Metaphor: An Empirical Test of Earlier Academic Promise and Later STEM Outcomes

A Flawed Policy Metaphor: An Empirical Test of Earlier Academic Promise and Later STEM Outcomes

COVID-19 vaccines: history of the pandemic’s great scientific success and flawed policy implementation

The COVID-19 vaccine has been a miraculous, life-saving advance, offering staggering efficacy in adults, and was developed with astonishing speed. The time from sequencing the virus to authorizing the first COVID-19 vaccine was so brisk even the optimists appear close-minded. Yet, simultaneously, United States’ COVID-19 vaccination roll-out and related policies have contained missed opportunities, errors, run counter to evidence-based medicine, and revealed limitations in the judgment of public policymakers. Misplaced utilization, contradictory messaging, and poor deployment in those who would benefit most—the elderly and high-risk—alongside unrealistic messaging, exaggeration, and coercion in those who benefit least—young, healthy Americans—is at the heart. It is important to consider the history of COVID-19 vaccines to identify where we succeeded and where we failed, and the effects that these errors may have more broadly on vaccination hesitancy and routine childhood immunization programs in the decades to come.

Analysis of China's Policy on Bridging Urban-rural Digital Divide Based on the Mixed-Scanning Model

The urban-rural digital divide is a new manifestation of regional inequality in the digital age, which has gradually received more and more attention in China in recent years. At present, China’s policies on bridging the urban-rural digital divide fall into a binary structure of some well-developed areas only needing theoretical supplements and others not sufficiently addressed. Therefore, this study introduces the Mixed-Scanning model proposed by an American scholar called A.E.Etzioni, using incrementalism theory and rationalism theory respectively to discuss policies in relevant fields. The incrementalism theory is applied to analyze the policy flaws in digital education and the digital economy. Whereas the rationalism theory is applied to policy analysis of the urban-rural digital gender divide, the combined governance model of "government + market + citizens", and policies related to the "cognitive divide". This paper concludes that STEM education and rural Internet training in digital education, as well as farmers' focus on finding their own digital positions in the era of big data in the digital economy could effectively bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas. At the same time, this paper also draws the conclusion that the government needs to pay attention to the concept and technical barriers to eliminate the urban-rural digital gender gap, and needs to mobilize the participation of citizens to bridge the urban-rural digital divide. Finally, this paper points out that AI technology is an important measure to narrow the digital "cognitive gap" in the future.

Has Japan Failed? Examining the role of the BOJ in post-crisis Japan

Abstract: Over the last 3 decades, Japan has suffered from persistent economic malaise which are without precedent in economic history, and as interesting as the circumstances leading to the demise of Japan as a major economic power are, they are but secondary to the mystery of the constant failure of measures to alleviate the situation. The question that this paper will attempt to answer, with the aid of advanced econometric tools is why the expansionary monetary policy measures taken by the Bank of Japan genuinely failed to stimulate the Japanese economy? The hypothesis I would like to outline is that the Bank of Japan DID fail to ameliorate the economic situation in Japan, due to several shortcomings such as a constant misunderstanding of the economic climate, the sudden drop in effective demand due to the emergence of Asian competitors, and the flawed policy of continually supporting insolvent banks.

Belgian public authorities held liable for flawed climate policy: Klimaatzaak case

The judgment handed down in the Klimaatzaak case by the French-speaking Court of First Instance of Brussels on 17 June 2021 was largely confirmed by the well-reasoned 160-page judgment of the Brussels Court of Appeal of 30 November 2023. This judgment raises fundamental issues relating to the judicial review of inaction by public authorities that leads to a failure to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In reviewing the Belgian climate change policies in the light of the fundamental rights to life and private and family life and the general duty of care inherent in fault-based civil liability, the Court of Appeal narrowed the gap between Belgian GHG emission reduction targets and public mitigation measures. It follows that political rhetoric must be fleshed out into legal instruments that are properly designed to counter the impacts of climate change on life and privacy.

Where is Home without Legal Status? Understanding the Choice to Stay Among Post-Cessation Liberians in Nigeria

Abstract This article examines the experiences of “residual” Liberian refugees in Nigeria, individuals who remained in their country of asylum after the UNHCR terminated their refugee status. This study explores how the diverse interpretations of home and flight contribute to their decision to “stay” rather than opt for voluntary repatriation. In the context of transnationalism, the concept of simultaneity, where individuals feel a sense of belonging in both their home country and their host nation, underscores the need to consider the dynamics of movement and attachment in both places, and how these connections evolve over time. However, the idealisation of home as an unchanging and secure haven can result in flawed policy decisions that overlook the fact that many refugees have been displaced precisely because their homeland is no longer safe. The findings shed light on the aftermath of cessation, which might place “residual refugees” in a precarious position where they must navigate the intricate interplay between agency and constraint without state protection. This article offers a broader perspective on their ability to manoeuvre within these confines, balancing between two aspects: legal status and social leverage as responses to their precarious legal situation and transitional efforts to establish new homes.

Economic Sustainability of Small Mining Towns: A Case Study in South Africa

Small mining towns are often single-industry towns that turn to ghost towns or face negative socio-economic impacts upon mine closure. This study qualitatively explores the roles that mining companies and other key stakeholders (should) play in the development of local economies of the small mining communities to bring about economic sustainability, employing a constant comparative analysis. A small mining town in South Africa is the case study. Legislative and policy frameworks were scrutinized for their effectiveness in promoting economic sustainability. In-depth interviews with key stakeholders were carried out. Key factors limiting the effective implementation of developmental strategies were also explored. The study finds that weak community involvement, lack of trust, poor collaboration, poor municipal capacity, and legislation and policy flaws impact economic sustainability. Sustainable local economic development efforts are reported though. However, such efforts are insufficient because of the legislation and policy frameworks that are promoting short-term growth. Also, the town’s overdependence on the mining company, local government not optimally fulfilling their roles and responsibilities, and minimal community members’ participation on local economic development are other hindrances. However, the fact that the mining company and local municipality do acknowledge the shortcomings in their efforts towards promoting economic sustainability is a promise in minimizing the socio-economic effects of mine closures.

Polish Takeover Regulation: The Recent Chapter in the Long Story of Flawed Rules, Legislative Hesitation and Policy Mistakes

This paper presents a critical examination of recent Polish takeover regulation from a perspective of evolution of capital market law in Poland. The study is based on both legal analysis and an empirical and statistical approach. Firstly, as a starting point, it briefly describes the mandatory bid rule and Takeover Bids Directive as well as the development of early Polish provisions. Secondly, the paper elaborates on the normative model of takeovers, which was in force until 2022. Using a case study and a comprehensive statistical examination of all mandatory bids carried out between 2008 and 2017, it shows how the unusual and incorrect legislative structure of two thresholds of control (33% and 66% of votes) allowed the actual circumvention of mandatory bids, to the detriment of minority shareholders. The paper also describes political considerations and political influences on the legislative process, which led to the failure of the 2014–2015 takeover law proposal. The core of the paper is devoted to the current takeover rules. Statistical research of ownership structures in Poland shows that the threshold of control set at 50% of votes is undoubtedly too high, which entails risks to investor protection that may arise from the adopted model. Based on research on significant holdings in Polish listed companies, the paper further elaborates on the notion of control over a public company and proposes a regulatory utility function to determine the desired threshold of control. This leads to the conclusion that the optimal regulatory threshold of control, given the characteristics of the Polish capital market, is 30% of votes.

Is WADA creating and then prosecuting thought crimes?

ABSTRACT Antidoping policy regulates and punishes the use of substances that are listed on a Prohibited List (PL). These substances are colloquially known as ‘performance-enhancing substances’. There is very little empirical evidence of enhancement for most of the substances on the PL raising the possibility that the perceived enhancement of performance experienced by an athlete is a placebo effect. A placebo effect is a response to an inert substance that is strongly influenced by psychological and social cues in the surrounding environment. It is our contention that, given the lack of proper empirical testing of the substances on the PL, it is in fact the appearance of a substance on the PL that has the strongest performance-enhancing effect in elite athletes. This disconnect between science and WADA’s code raises the question of what we really object to: real performance enhancement achieved using substances on the PL or performance enhancement that occurs because WADA has told us that the substance will enhance performance by placing it on the PL? In this case, antidoping policy would punish those who believe the performance-enhancing myth at the heart of the PL thus leading to a deeply flawed policy that creates its own victims.

Controversial debates about workforce nationalisation: Perspectives from the Qatari higher education industry

ABSTRACT Workforce nationalisation in the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries is a crucial challenge for their development plans. The current study explores controversial debates about workforce nationalisation to understand the existing threats from the views of less examined key stakeholders, namely, educators and senior students. The study argues that the identified obstacles relate not only to policy flaws but also to the education – employability gap, phantom employment, and detrimental social and community perceptions. Given its exploratory nature, the study adopts a qualitative approach and uses 28 semi-structured interviews to identify critical obstacles to effective workforce nationalisation from human development, legal development, and socio-cultural perspectives. The findings contribute to the literature on GCC workforce nationalisation by unpacking educators’ and senior students’ views.

The EU and the new energy reality: Lessons learned from the vortices of 2022

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and manipulation of the gas flow have revealed Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s malicious intentions and the EU’s weaknesses in the energy sector and related policies. As time has gone by and the initial shock has faded, it has become obvious that the EU’s policies need reform. Both the workings of the internal energy market and the fundaments of current energy policy have shown themselves to be unfit for the increased geopolitical tensions that the EU is facing. This article takes stock of what led to the crisis, assesses these policy flaws, and suggests possible solutions for the functioning of the internal energy market and policymaking.

Gender, Climate Change and Food Insecurity: A Zimbabwean Rastafari Perspective

The global climate change crisis has a direct bearing on the imbalances affecting the ecosystem including food security. In Africa, the theme of food security is urgent and has been exacerbated by pandemics and the footprint of the ecological crisis. The study seeks to examine the experiences of Rastafari women in the context of gender, climate change and food insecurity in Zimbabwe. Rastafari is a religious and political movement that developed in Jamaica in the 1930s and was adopted by many groups globally. It contains elements of Protestant Christianity, mysticism, and a pan-African political consciousness. Paradoxically, Rastafari is a patriarchal movement that subordinates women, but at the same time claims to advocate for the liberation and social justice of the oppressed in society. The research posits that Rastafari women experience a double jeopardy in the face of human-made climate change and food insecurity in Zimbabwe. The study grappled with the following questions: How are the forms of inequalities legitimated in Rastafari? What becomes visible as violence and what is eclipsed in Rastafari? What practices are being reshaped and reconceptualised under climate change and food insecurity contexts? By using observation and interviews to gather data as well as insights, from the ecofeminist theoretical framework, the study established that rapid industrialization, heightened consumerism, unrestricted technologies, policy flaws and other anthropogenic factors engineered through the hegemonic tendencies of ‘Babylon’ are blameworthy for the catastrophe of climate crisis and food insecurity. Rastas are skeptical towards the use of Genetically Modified Foods. The research concludes that despite gender disparities in the movement, the agency of women Rastas is expressed through, inter alia, natural living, Ital foodways and waste management in the context of ecological crisis and food insecurity.

Security Policy Audits: Why and How

We describe a series of security policy audits that we conducted, exposing policy flaws affecting billions of users that are often exploited by even low-tech attackers. We argue that a systematic study of security policies and processes is sorely needed, and present a research agenda.

Проблема деэкологизации природоохранного законодательства России и Казахстана в контексте формирования эколого-безопасного пространства ЕАЭС

Introduction. The article analyzes the legal norms of Russia and Kazakhstan – the countries-members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Materials and Methods. The legislation of these two EAEU countries on environmental protection and rational use of natural resources was considered within the framework of a risk-oriented approach. Special emphasis is placed on legislation on specially protected natural areas, resorts and other unique natural objects and complexes. Along with the current national law, the practice of its application is considered, as well as the current and possible rule-making in the future. Analysis. The article examined the current legal norms that contribute to the emergence of corruption, as well as developed practical recommendations aimed at overcoming this negative trend. The authors state attempts to lobby individual financial and economic groups for their commercial interests in the field of lawmaking, which at the current stage leads to the de-ecology of national legislation in the EAEU countries. This trend is illustrated by an example of the latest changes in legislation on specially protected natural areas in Russia and Kazakhstan, as well as active attempts to change legislation towards the liberalization of the protection regime. Similar trends in the deecologization of environmental and natural resource legal norms in the two EAEU countries are revealed. Results. It was concluded that the flaws in environmental policy in the post-Soviet countries entail insufficiency and inconsistency of the newly adopted norms. The authors identify such deficiencies and indicate their possible negative consequences for law enforcement. Options for solving existing and potentially possible problems in the EAEU countries are proposed, with a concurrent consideration of the possibility of receiving such solutions by other states at the stage of their economic integration within the Union.

The Contradictions in China’s Developmentalist Foreign Policy

Despite China’s assurances that mutually beneficial economic development can overcome political or security challenges, its developmentalist foreign policy has faced a range of difficulties since the early 2000s. Yet since the introduction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, China has doubled down on its foreign policy developmentalism, reproducing and deepening the propensity to overpromise and underdeliver on its claims for development. Even in the face of the Covid pandemic and growing tensions with the United States, China has remained committed to promoting itself as an agent and engine of economic development on the global stage while also recalibrating the focus of development-focused policies to include health, environmental, and digital aims. As the United States seeks to establish a “new Washington Consensus” with appeal to emerging economies that are already deeply economic interdependent with China, it needs to better account for the momentum and even appeal of China’s flawed but adaptable developmentalist foreign policy.

Spark-Based Network Security Honeypot System: Detailed Performance Analysis

In the contemporary world, network security has been of the biggest importance and acute worry in both individual and institutional wisdom, concurrent with the newly emerging technologies. Firewalls, encryption techniques, intrusion detection systems, and honeypots are just a few of the systems and technologies that have been developed to ensure information security. Systems for safeguarding an organizational environment through various defensive strategies are traditionally developed. "The enemy continues on attacking" is a primarily defensive statement. By empowering an organization to take action, Honeypot demonstrates its importance. An institution can discover, gather, address, and absorb new security policy flaws with the aid of honeypots. This methodology allows an organization's security measures to continuously incorporate new threats and penetration methods. This is the main justification of creating, developing, and using a honeypot. It is a resource that is meant to be taken advantage of and compromised. To evaluate the methodology, a spark-based honeypot strategy has been designed, put into practice, and tested in this study. The suggested study strategy has undergone many days of testing on a campus-based network. The designed system's primary function is to behave as a fully resourced computer or vault to draw intruders with the requirement that they not defend against or respond to intrusions. The studies were carried out using a number of parameters that were designed.

COVID-19 vaccines: history of the pandemic's great scientific success & flawed policy implementation

COVID-19 vaccines: history of the pandemic's great scientific success & flawed policy implementation

Controversies and hidden risks in biodiversity offsets in critically threatened Canga (ironstone) ecosystems in Brazil

AbstractCanga, or ironstone, ecosystems are hotspots of old-growth plant diversity and highly specialized cave invertebrates. These ancient metalliferous habitats are amongst the most threatened ecosystems because of the destruction caused by large-scale iron ore mining. International debate on biodiversity offsets is increasing because these mechanisms are seen as tools for potentially balancing economic development with conservation biodiversity. Leading mining companies worldwide, including some of the largest iron ore producers in Brazil, are signatories to offset principles and best practices that aim to achieve no net loss of habitats, species or ecosystem functions. We aimed to analyse whether Brazilian legal requirements for biodiversity offsets result in the achievement of conservation outcomes or in elevated threat of extinction in canga ecosystems. We evaluated technical reports that support decision-making related to environmental licensing for iron ore mining and specific offset proposals linked to the Atlantic Forest Act. We found a relevant net loss in canga ecosystems and observed shortcomings related to the equivalency and transparency of offset principles. These deficiencies are mainly related to lax norms and regulations and the absence of an integrated database for accessing information on environmental licensing processes. We argue that both policy flaws and low engagement by the Brazilian mining industry in implementing offset principles have increased the threat of extinction in canga ecosystems.

Security, Terrorism, and Territorial Withdrawal: Critically Reassessing the Lessons of Israel's “Unilateral Disengagement” from the Gaza Strip

Abstract In contemporary Israel, the apparently negative consequences of the 2005 “unilateral disengagement” from the Gaza Strip have fueled a perception that leaving territory harms national security. Three claims underlie this framing: (1) domestic Israeli political considerations—not national security concerns—caused the disengagement; (2) Israel abandoned territory without receiving any compensation; and (3) leaving Gaza only precipitated further terrorist attacks. This article challenges these claims. It argues that domestic dynamics alone do not explain the withdrawal. Instead, Israel withdrew to mitigate its casualties, yield foreign policy gains, deter and deny terrorist groups, and avert a perceived demographic threat. The disengagement did not seek to resolve the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Instead, through a limited territorial exit, it sought to stabilize the conflict and stymie negotiations with the Palestinians. In contrast to dominant perceptions, Israel achieved all of these objectives. Furthermore, it was Israel's post-disengagement policies that precipitated most of the recent security threats, not the withdrawal itself. These findings reassess the disengagement's goals and efficacy. They demonstrate that in contrast to popular perceptions in Israel today, the Gaza disengagement neither was a strategic blunder nor does it exemplify that territorial withdrawal constitutes a flawed policy choice.

Don't Drop Me Outside in 21st Century: A Cry from the Indus Valley Region

Quality education for all is the 4th universal agenda of sustainable development goals is a comprehensive plan of United Nations Organizations (UNO), but still, millions of schools aged eligible children are out of school globally, particularly the majority of belongs to African and south Asian regions which demand us to analysis the situations and sort out the key challenges and policy flaws. There is a need of the hour to formulate robust policy documents and well-implementation strategies to save the future of tomorrow’s people in greater human development interest. Pakistan is dealing with this chronic problem and at least 22 million Pakistanis children are out of school in the 21st century. The qualitative analysis concludes that scarce allocation and its time-barred utilization system with massive mismanagement hampered the above-referred agenda of human development. The study finds that development allocation fared poorly; a lower literacy rate contributes to unskilled labor, spreading absolute poverty and inequality in the country. The identified social ills spread negative trends in a society like street crime, terrorism, and slow growth in the economy because of the out of school children. There is an urgent need to adopt inclusive development policies, practices, and strategies with a participatory approach to tackle the challenge in greater human development interest.