Policy Focus Research Articles

England's statutory biodiversity metric enhances plant, but not bird nor butterfly, biodiversity

Abstract Biodiversity net gain is a policy focus worldwide, acknowledging ongoing losses of biodiversity to development, and a commitment to offsetting any residual impacts on biodiversity elsewhere. At least 37 countries have mandatory offsetting policies, and a further 64 countries enable voluntary offsets. Offsets rely on credible and evidence‐based methods to quantify biodiversity losses and gains. Following the introduction of the United Kingdom's Environment Act in November 2021, all new developments requiring planning permission in England must demonstrate a biodiversity net gain of at least 10% biodiversity net gain from 2024, calculated using a statutory biodiversity metric framework. The metric uses habitat as a proxy for biodiversity, scoring habitats' intrinsic distinctiveness and current condition. We carried out a study of the metric's performance across England in terms of outcomes for biodiversity. We used generalized linear mixed models to regress baseline biodiversity units against five long‐established single‐attribute proxies for biodiversity (species richness, individual abundance, number of threatened species, mean species range and mean species range/population change). Data were gathered for species belonging to three commonly used indicator taxa (vascular plants, butterflies and birds) from 24 sites, including all terrestrial broad habitats except urban. In baseline assessments, metric‐derived biodiversity units correlated with most plant biodiversity variables, but not with any of the bird or butterfly biodiversity variables used in this study. Plant species recorded in habitats with higher baseline biodiversity units had slightly more restricted ranges (slope −16.22 ± 1.52, p < 0.001) on average and had shown stronger past declines (slope −0.02 ± 0.00, p < 0.001) than those in habitats with lower baseline biodiversity units. Each additional baseline biodiversity unit was associated with a 1% increase in plant species richness (p < 0.01). Synthesis and applications: Using the statutory biodiversity metric to define 10% biodiversity net gain without additional species‐focused conservation management is likely to translate into small gains for plant biodiversity, and negligible gains for birds and butterflies. We make specific recommendations to improve the metric's efficacy in achieving desirable biodiversity outcomes. Our results provide a valuable case study for other countries interested in developing metrics to support biodiversity net gain policies.

LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS DRUG TREATMENT POLICIES IN EASTERN INDONESIA: WHAT TARGET CHARACTERISTICS MATTER?

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) drug treatment compliance remains a challenge in Eastern Indonesia. Aims: The study sought to determine which aspects of Eastern Indonesia's LF drug treatment compliance policies were most pertinent. Methods: The 2018 Indonesian Basic Health Survey data was employed. The analysis units were adults (≥ 15 years) who had received LF drug treatment. LF drug treatment compliance was analyzed based on respondent characteristics (age, gender, marital status, education, occupation, wealth and comorbidities) using binary logistic regression. Results: The proportion of adherence to LF treatment in Eastern Indonesia was 73.1%. Respondent characteristics that influenced LF treatment compliance were age group > 24 (aOR = 1.374, 95% CI: 1.305-1.447), female (aOR = 1.307, 95% CI: 1.263-1.353), all educated respondent status (aOR = 2.152, 95% CI: 2.043-2.268), and all employed respondents (aOR = 1.437, 95% CI: 1.365 - 1.512). Married respondents and those with all levels of wealth status were less likely to take LF drug treatment. Conclusion: Policy focus on improving LF treatment compliance among the younger male, the less educated, the unemployed, and those with lower social economic status. Keywords: compliance, Eastern Indonesia, lymphatic filariasis, public health

Understanding attrition of early career midwives in Australia

ProblemThere is a lack of understanding of the experiences of early career midwives which lead to workforce attrition. BackgroundIn the Australian midwifery setting, workforce attrition in conjunction with the ageing profile of the workforce is of increasing concern. Midwives in the earliest stages of their career are most vulnerable to career attrition, however limited research specifically engages with this cohort. AimTo understand the professional and social circumstances that led early career midwives to leave clinical practice, how their midwifery background influenced career trajectories, and what would compel them to return to clinical practice. MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 early career midwives who had left the profession within 5 years of qualification. Transcripts underwent thematic analysis. FindingsThree themes described early career midwives’ experiences: transition to professional practice, an untenable workplace culture, mental health impacts of early clinical midwifery practice. Two further themes emerged about experiences post-midwifery careers: influence of midwifery on subsequent career, and conditions for re-entry. DiscussionChallenges with transitioning to professional midwifery practice in conjunction with untenable workplace culture led to such deterioration in wellbeing that remaining within the profession became unfeasible for early career midwives. Desire to remain within health care was apparent, however re-entry to the profession was deemed by most to be out of the question. ConclusionEarly workforce retention strategies should be the focus of future workforce planning and policy. Larger scale inquiry foregrounding early career midwives is necessary to inform strategies for midwifery workforce retention in Australia.

A sustainability and governance index for assessing the EU’s green hydrogen import options

The European Commission’s REPowerEU plan set the target of importing 10 million tonnes of ‘green’ hydrogen into the European Union (EU) by 2030. Against this backdrop, this paper sets out to assess a central question: which countries can be identified as suitable partners for European green hydrogen imports? Using Germany as a reference case, the article develops a quantitative sustainability and governance index (SGI), assessing five dimensions identified as central to ranking external partners: (i) the political will to scale up a green hydrogen sector; (ii) a country’s integration with the EU/Germany; (iii) its commitment to international engagement and climate targets and policies; (iv) environmental regulatory effectiveness; and, (v) its governance performance. With this, the SGI offers a novel way of thinking about potential EU green hydrogen partnerships. Rather than focusing on the geography of renewables or cost structures underpinning a country’s export potential, the present index captures the extent to which countries may be suitable for green hydrogen partnerships if judged by political and environmental factors. The empirical analysis suggests significant differences between a total of 113 assessed countries as per their overall index ranking, but also the individual dimensions composing the index. This allows drawing conclusions on the policy focus of potential partnerships, taking choices when facing trade-offs regarding individual dimensions, and prioritizing among the latter.

Modelling policy scenarios: refocussing the model-policy logic for the case of German passenger transport

BackgroundNational energy and climate scenarios are typically simulated or optimised using sectoral or energy system models, which include a large number of model settings and scenario assumptions. However, their realisation is contingent upon framework conditions and policy settings, which are often included in accompanying narrative scenarios. This paper therefore proposes refocussing the model-policy logic towards directly modelling policy effects. Applying this approach to the case of German passenger transport, I focus on demand-side policies and use open-source databases and models to develop a module for the translation of policies into model parameters.ResultsSeparate model runs were used to test a ceteris paribus policy reference scenario for 2035, the marginal impacts of modelled single policy effects, and a joint policy package scenario. Relative to the reference, demand-side policies show significant impacts: an annual reduction of 355 bn person-kilometres (30%) and a reduction of car-owning households from 95 to 90% in rural areas and from 76 to 64% in urban areas. The resulting mode shift decreases car-driven kilometres by 400 bn and increases public transport by 45 bn per year. This may reduce GHG emissions by an additional 30 Mt (or 33%) relative to the reference in 2035.ConclusionsTransport demand policies can significantly mitigate GHG, calling for a stronger policy focus beyond the much-studied shift to electric vehicles. While further research and model development are needed, the feasibility of policy scenario modelling increases its utility for policy-making.

The role of parenting- and employment-related variables on fathers' involvement in their children's education.

Parent involvement strongly correlates with children's educational attainment. Sociocultural shifts in parenting roles and shared responsibilities have driven an increase in the need for involvement of fathers in activities to support their children's educational development. Several factors are thought to influence father involvement in children's education; however, the most salient factors remain unclear. To examine which variables correlate with father involvement in their children's education using a combination of demographic, parent-related and employment-related variance. A total of 166 fathers of at least one child aged 6-17 years and residing across five industrialized Western countries participated in an online survey. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis (HMRA) was performed to examine the total and incremental variance using regression models including demographic, parenting- and employment-related variables linked to educational involvement. The variables included in the current study could explain a large and statistically significant 34% of the variability in fathers' educational involvement. Of these variables, only four were statistically significant in the final model. Specifically, fathers were more likely to be engaged in their children's education when their children were younger, and when parent self-efficacy, positive work-to-family interface and financial anxiety were high. The study's findings indicate that a positive work environment can help fathers better support their children's education, offering a new focus for future interventions and policies. This includes those focused on targeting work-related constructs to optimize family functioning.

A comparative review of methane policies of the United States and China in the context of US – China climate cooperation

ABSTRACT Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas. The US and China are the world’s two of the largest methane emitters and jointly committed to tackling this global challenge in the US–China Joint Glasgow Declaration at COP26 in 2021. However, few studies have revealed the methane policy landscape in the two countries. Greater understanding of these policies and how they have evolved is critical for enhancing future actions. We addressed important research topics currently understudied, including the types of policy instruments used, the commonalities and differences between the two countries in their primary policy foci, and the evolution and driving forces of methane policies. This study conducted a comprehensive and comparative review of methane-related governance structures and policy frameworks in both countries. We performed policy mapping based on systematic and large-scale policy document collection and screening, followed by an in-depth review of the development of methane policies in both countries. This study found that both countries placed uneven emphases across sectors, with a notable focus on the energy sector. While the US showed a preference for regulatory policy instruments such as acts, rules and regulations, China primarily utilized planning instruments such as Five-Year Plans (FYPs), notices, and working guidelines. Additionally, methane policies in both countries were largely driven by safety, resource utilization, and pollution concerns rather than reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our study suggests that both countries should fill the policy gaps to accelerate their actions on methane mitigation and consider more climate-centric policies. It underlines the potential for US–China collaboration through the exchange of knowledge and best practices, which would also greatly advance global climate governance.

Workplace inclusion: Exploring employer perceptions of hiring employees with disability

AbstractThe unemployment rate for people with disability in Australia has remained unchanged for decades, despite policy and strategy focus. Therefore, understanding perceptions of those making hiring decisions is important. This research used a qualitative approach interviewing 13 participants who made hiring decisions. Reflexive thematic analysis uncovered four themes about altruistic hiring motivations, organisational culture barriers, sharing of disability during the hiring process, and negative emotions towards disability. There were distinct perspectives between people with and without experience of disability. People without experience tended to encourage early sharing of disability in the hiring process, cite organisational culture as a barrier, and shared strong negative emotions towards people with disability. People with experience of disability tended to prioritise autonomy of people with disability in sharing during the hiring process, and an intersectional approach to improve organisational culture. Regardless of disability experience, participants tended to share altruistic motives for hiring people with disability, despite this potentially contributing to the maintenance of power dynamics. Future research should continue to explore personal attributes and decision making of employers, ideally conducted by people with lived experience of disability. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.

Policies Affecting the Efficiency of Beef Production in Alberta: A Supply Chain Analysis

Shoppers face high beef prices at the supermarket, but those prices are not a reflection of what Canadian farmers and ranchers earn from their cow-calf herds. In the past 30 years, the average beef producer’s operating margin has never reached $50,000, despite the fact that the average beef farm’s asset base stands at more than $2 million. Better access to export markets, including the U.S., South Asia and North Africa, would help to remedy the producers poor returns. Export prices would need to cover production costs, the largest of which is feed for the producers’ cattle herds, accounting for 77 per cent of the average ranch’s cash costs. As of July 2023, Alberta’s herd consisted of 1.77 million beef and dairy cows. With demand for livestock-derived food expected to jump by 38 per cent in the next 30 years, Canadian cattle ranchers need to take advantage of this global increase through freer trade. Canadian beef can remain competitive globally if the supply chain accesses world markets beyond the U.S., especially in developing countries where consumer incomes are increasing. The industry also needs investments in research, farm extension and supply chain co-ordination from national and provincial self-funded producer groups. Producers must look outward to global trade but be ready to capture new innovations at home. The dominant economies of scale are available to beef processors and finding savings is difficult for farmers and ranchers. However, there is potential for the supply chain to see savings from new technology, which is why investment in continuing support for ranch-level production research is necessary. Producers also need to focus on national co-ordination aimed at protecting trade access and responding to trends in consumer demand for beef. Any new industry policies must also consider key factors that currently affect market demand and expansion including: changing consumer preferences globally, the welfare of animals raised for slaughter and the effects of greenhouse gas emissions on supply chain sustainability. As some of the output and byproducts of the grain production sector provide feed for cattle, policies meant to support the grain sector may be indirectly influencing the beef sector significantly — for good and bad. Infrastructure required for worker safety, animal welfare improvements or improved food safety also adds to the cost of the beef supply. Protectionist trends and increased tariffs pose a threat to the supply chain because they too can create new costs. This is why access to foreign markets is crucial for producers, along with continued investment in research, sector-wide co-ordination to support market access and reviewing crop support to ensure livestock producers are compensated if grain policy changes harm them. Although live animals and much processed Canadian beef are exported to the U.S., fostering good trade relations in Asia and Africa is vital, given the growth in incomes and consumer demand for beef that is predicted for those regions. Free trade is the basis of good agriculture policy and any move towards protectionist policies and higher tariffs is the biggest threat for new costs in the supply chain. Canada’s beef sector requires low-cost access to foreign markets, making free trade policy the single most important policy focus for the sector.

The structure and function of a coastal state aquaculture plan

Aquaculture contributes approximately half of all global aquatic food production and will be critical in addressing future seafood demand, including the United States (U.S.). Many states, territories, and countries are developing and updating aquaculture specific policy in an effort to plan for, and better manage the expansion of aquaculture in their territorial waters. The U.S. has considerable potential to sustainably expand aquaculture production, which has been a focus in both federal and state policy. State aquaculture plans have been used for over 40 years to help plan and coordinate aquaculture development, with a growing emphasis on sustainability. Here, we located and evaluated a set of coastal state aquaculture plans released in the last 25 years (N = 7) in an effort to provide resources to states and territories interested in this activity. We synthesized information from each plan to understand the support, motivation, writing process and entities involved, taxa and environments under consideration, key structural elements, and the types of recommendations provided. We found that coastal state aquaculture plans are often government or industry initiatives developed in partnership with other groups, including academia, government agencies, and tribal actors, as well as supported formally by executive or legislative branches. Plans were diverse but tended to described the vision for the future, provide recommendations, identify and incorporate cross-cutting concepts into the plans (e.g., best management practices and marine spatial plans), and highlight the need for the plan to be updated regularly. As states aim to expand aquaculture, understanding the structure and function of the tools used by states to inform policy formation will be important to help make future development plans more effective and efficient.

Analisis Dampak Pengangguran dan Tingkat Kemiskinan di Provinsi Lampung 2016-2020

The province of Lampung in Indonesia continues to face a great deal of poverty. The purpose of this study is to look at how poverty levels in this area are affected by population (X2) and unemployment (X1). Numerous primary and secondary sources of data are gathered, and relevant statistical techniques are applied to the analysis. The analysis's findings demonstrate that unemployment (X1) significantly affects Lampung's poverty level, with rising unemployment rates being correlated with rising poverty levels. Contrary to predictions, however, population size (X2) does not appear to have a meaningful impact on the amount of poverty. This implies that other variables might have a greater influence on how impoverished this area is. These results have significant ramifications for Lampung's development strategy. The main focus of policy should be on initiatives to lower the unemployment rate by increasing job opportunities for the populace and creating jobs through skill-training programs. Other aspects of poverty, such as access to healthcare and education, should also be taken into consideration.

Sistem Ekonomi Pancasila, Keadilan Sosial, dan Neoliberalisme Global

This paper explores the paradigm shifts in global economic policy over the last two decades, mainly focusing on the rise of neoliberalism and its effects on economic disparities. Neoliberal policies, which prioritize market mechanisms as central to economic governance, are critiqued for exacerbating income inequality and diverging from the principles of social justice foundational to Indonesia's constitution and Pancasila ideology. In contrast, the Sistem Ekonomi Pancasila (SEP) offers a framework that emphasizes social justice, equitable wealth distribution, and the welfare of all Indonesians, aligning economic activities with the nation's ideological foundations. The SEP challenges the neoliberal assumption that labor market flexibility is the sole solution to unemployment, instead highlighting the roles of industrial and regional development in addressing structural unemployment. Furthermore, the paper critiques the focus of monetary policy solely on price stability, advocating for a broader approach that integrates macroeconomic stability with social welfare. Incorporating the principles of Pancasila into economic policies is crucial for achieving an equitable economic democracy, where the government balances market interests with its priority for social welfare. The paper concludes with a proposal for the drafting of a Pancasila Economic System Act to institutionalize these principles into Indonesia's economic governance, ensuring that economic policies promote not only growth but also fairness and social justice for all Indonesians.

Re-energizing health literacy in Wales: a testbed for health, education and prosperity for all.

A growing body of evidence demonstrates the importance of enhancing health literacy for improved health outcomes, self-reported health, lower health services use and disease prevention. Importantly, improving health literacy has great potential to reduce health inequities and inequalities. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified health literacy as a global priority, viewing it as a right and a fundamental competency necessary to function within modern society. Building health literacy foundations should begin in early childhood, including focus within educational frameworks and school curricula. The WHO advocate for governments to embed it as an explicit goal. In response, it has received significant international policy and strategy focus, in addition to the development of country-level action plans. In Wales, UK, it was identified as a priority in 2010, but despite wider developments spanning health and social care, well-being, economy and education policy, growth in health literacy has stalled since. Optimizing health literacy would act as an indirect enabler to a range of Welsh policies and strategies. A promising avenue for strengthening the health literacy of current and future generations is through ongoing significant national education reforms and the introduction of the new Curriculum for Wales. One of four overarching purposes of this curriculum is healthy, confident individuals, and health and well-being constitutes one of six statutory curriculum areas. Tracking the impact of this on children and young people's health literacy offers opportunities for Wales to model and gain traction as a national-scale health literacy policy testbed. This requires re-energizing health literacy as a national priority.

An evaluation of digital inclusion response policies for elderly in China

AbstractDigital inclusion is related to the physical and mental health of the elderly, and the relevant policies formulated by the government have an important impact on it. This article analyzes 69 policies related to digital inclusion of the elderly released by the central government of China. The results of the content analysis show that the current policies generally attach importance to the service and building of digital inclusion for the elderly, and gradually shift the policy focus to aging adaptation, smart device use, and learning guidance. The evaluation results using a policy modeling consistency index (PMC‐Index) indicate that the quality of the current Chinese government's policies to help the digital inclusion of the elderly is generally high. However, PMC‐Surface shows that there is still considerable variability in the scores of the main‐indicators for each policy. The evaluation results suggest that we can still improve the effectiveness of policies by expanding the scope of policy audiences, establishing good policy timeliness planning, and enriching policy contents, so as to effectively help the elderly integrate into the current rapidly developing digital society.

Biochar influences soil health but not yield in 3‐year processing tomato field trials

AbstractBiochar can deliver many agronomic benefits, though effects may be greatest in suboptimal agricultural soils. The objective of this study was to investigate biochar in prime agricultural soils in a Mediterranean climate. In 3‐year irrigated processing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) field trials, in which three biochars were amended to a sandy and silt loam, biochar did not influence yield. Given the global policy focus on biochar for climate change mitigation and adaptation, however, it is essential to measure more than just agronomic parameters. To this end, a soil health assessment was conducted 2.5 years after biochar amendment. In the fertile silt loam and more nutrient‐limited sandy loam, biochars had a variable but positive effect on pH, electrical conductivity, soil potassium, water stable aggregation, and permanganate oxidizable carbon. There was no effect on soil moisture nor potentially mineralizable nitrogen or carbon. In the silt loam, there was no change in microbial biomass or phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) composition. In the sandy loam, almond shell biochars were associated with a slight increase in total biomass, an increase in the ratio of fungal to bacteria PLFAs, and reductions in multiple PLFA ratios were typically interpreted as indicators of environmental stress. Results of this study demonstrate that biochar may deliver soil health benefits in agricultural soils in a Mediterranean climate. However, increased soil health does not necessarily engender increased agricultural productivity within a 3‐year period. Furthermore, increases in soil health indicators were inconsistent across soil and biochar types, underscoring the need for site‐ and material‐specific investigation.

Experiment in resilient city: An evaluation of China’s demonstration city of safe development policies

The drive of resilient city explores a new path for urban governance in the context of risk society, and China’s demonstration city of safe development (DCSD) policies are the indigenous practice of resilient city idea. This paper used text mining technology and PMC-index model to establish an evaluation system for DCSD policies. Then eight representative sample DCSD policies were assessed. The results show that the average PMC-index scores 5.38 and reaches a great consistency grade. Nine model indicators indicate that the Chinese government has a clear policy focus on the efforts of DCSD, prefers to use compulsory type policy tools, and fully mobilizes the public to participate in safe city development jointly. Meanwhile, structural imbalance in policy instruments is a prominent disadvantage. The research establishes an evaluation system for DCSD policies, and provides a new perspective for the explorations of resilient cities worldwide. The extensive applicability of the policy evaluation model needs to be studied in depth in the future.

Legal Regulation of Entrepreneurial Activity in Special Economic Zones: Problems and Prospects

Relevance.The development of territories defined as special economic zones in the Russian Federation continues to be in the focus of the state policy aimed at attracting investments of both domestic and international nature in various sectors of economic activity: from manufacturing to tourism and innovative technologies. Under these conditions, the task of quality legal regulation of entrepreneurial initiatives and ensuring conditions for the successful operation and protection of business assistants in SEZ territories becomes more relevant.The purposeof the study is to assess the existing regulatory mechanisms, identify problems in the sphere of SEZ residents' activities, and determine promising directions for further development of legal relations that contribute to the increase of investment potential in the territory of the country.Objectives.Analysis of the existing mechanisms of control and legal regulation of the activities of economic entities with the status of SEZ residents, the study of shortcomings in the legal framework concerning the procedures for depriving business structures of the SEZ resident status, which directly affects the stability of their functioning.Methodology. To achieve the set objectives, we used various methodological approaches, in particular, deductive, system-analytical, formal-logical, which allowed us to review the current mechanisms of regulating the activities of economic entities-residents of SEZs, and from the general theoretical provisions to draw specific conclusions about the prospects for the development of the legal environment for the regulation of entrepreneurial activity in SEZs.Resultsof the study are a critical understanding of the existing approaches to legal regulation and support of SEZ activities, as well as the adjustment of the regulatory framework taking into account the identified shortcomings, which will improve the effectiveness of the SEZ institution and contribute to a balanced economic development of regions and stabilisation of the investment environment at the macro level.Conclusion.The article presents proposals for amendments aimed at eliminating the identified problems concerning the clarification of the legal status of residents and mechanisms for controlling their activities, which should contribute to improving the effectiveness of legal regulation and ensuring the stability of entrepreneurial structures in SEZs.

THE BEAR, THE EAGLE, AND THE FALCON: RUSSIA, AMERICA, AND THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES IN A TIME OF GREAT POWER RIVALRY

Relations between the Russian Federation and the United Arab Emirates have evolved over the past decade into a strategic partnership owing to a seeming congruence of Russian and Emirati strategies across theatres in the Middle East, combined with the UAE’s intention to unofficially engage in “hedging” against the backdrop of the Russo-Ukrainian War. This article explores the reasons why the UAE has recalibrated its orientation vis-à-vis the United States, with an emphasis on how its leadership has worked to enhance ties with Moscow during a time of Great Power rivalry. From the UAE’s perspective, hedging constitutes the bedrock of a sound foreign policy focus. However, this article posits that Abu Dhabi also needs to appreciate the costs of adhering to a hedging agenda, especially when the Israel-Hamas War and tensions in Iraq, Syria, Iran, Lebanon, and the Red Sea could trigger a wider war. Although the United States and UAE harbour disagreements, the two states can still try to revise their divergent trajectories. Yet it remains unclear as to whether the contours of the USA-UAE strategic partnership can somehow be improved upon at this time. Alas, much depends on whether Washington and Abu Dhabi can find common ground on issues such as resuming a stalled deal to supply F-35 fighter jets; the possible brokering of a settlement between Israel and Palestine; the potential formation of a more robust security pact; and the UAE’s role in assisting the United States in countering Iran and its proxies’ nefarious activities.

POLITICS AND SOCIAL WELFARE: DYNAMICS OF SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ON ELECTABILITY IN INDONESIA

This research aims to analyze the relationship between political policy and social welfare, with a focus on the dynamics of the Social Assistance Program (Bansos) and its impact on electability in Indonesia. In a dynamic political context, social assistance programs have a significant role in shaping public perceptions of government performance. This research uses a qualitative approach with descriptive methods. This research found that the main focus of social assistance is on the poor as the group most in need. Unfortunately, the practice of politicizing social assistance often occurs before general elections, obscuring its true purpose. Research notes cases of politicization, such as the use of the Family Hope Program as a campaign tool, detrimental to the essence of the welfare program. Regulatory reform, application of the concept of graduation, and policy focus on economic empowerment are crucial steps to maintain the effectiveness of social assistance, avoid the risk of politicization, and address the root causes of poverty in a sustainable manner. The decision of the Government and DPR to shorten the campaign period further increases the risk of politicization, especially with the existence of a socialization period which can be used to maneuver without sanctions. Criticism of the increase in the allocation of social assistance funds indicates the potential for pork barrel politics, where the government may use it selectively for the benefit of increasing electability. Increased supervision, transparency, political literacy, and a strong media role are key in overcoming the complex challenges of politicization of social assistance and pork barrel politics ahead of the elections.

Caring citizens: Refugee families, welfare, and affective equality

AbstractThe United States resettles refugees as humanitarian‐aid recipients and authorizes them to work so that they may achieve immediate self‐sufficiency. Current and former refugees, who utilize public assistance, must engage in a work activity or risk losing their benefits eligibility. Is employment the right activity for them? Workfare poses challenges for families with young children. When primary caregivers (typically mothers) transition into the formal labor force, they face constraints on their capacity to determine their child's care and on the timing of their physical separations from that child. The employment focus of both workfare and resettlement policies reflects a neoliberal ideal of citizens as workers, unencumbered by partners or dependents. I utilize the concept of affective equality from Kathleen Lynch's Care and Capitalism to consider the institutional disregard of people's relational and moral needs in refugee resettlement programs. Based on research in western New York among Karen and Karenni refugees from Myanmar, this article examines how families contend with resettlement and workfare constraints on their capacity to care. I describe how interlocutors' families manage affective inequalities by constructing and utilizing family networks who nurture a care ethic focused on familial needs like the provision of kin‐based care.