Global Dominance Research Articles

China, the Global South, and the transnationalisation strategy of the renminbi

China is steadily building financial infrastructures to promote the renminbi’s transnationalisation, in line with its official claims. Despite limited quantitative success, Beijing is creating a comprehensive financial system whose boundaries are ultimately defined by China’s domestic stability. Beijing aims to strengthen currency interoperability and promote payment/settlement innovation to penetrate and shape the financial system from within. This paper argues that China is pursuing a South-centred strategy to challenge the USD hegemony by addressing the North–South financial asymmetries. However, China is not the only player on that field. India, Brazil, and South Africa also raise monetary arguments to challenge the rising renminbi while ring-fencing their domestic economies as China can do. Despite the renminbi offering a consistent second best to the USD, as seen with the post-sanction Russian switch to the renminbi, the competition for global currency dominance is far from over.

Nigeria’s 4-D Diplomacy and Regional Integration in West Africa: A Peacebuilding Debacle?

Nigeria’s soft power capabilities in Africa largely derive from its historical Afrocentric and good neighborliness foreign policy orientation. In West Africa and beyond, this foreign policy slant was activated to advance the de-colonial and anti-apartheid movements as well as restore political order in several security-beleaguered parts of Africa. Apart from the rigid application of Chapter Two of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance which frowns at power acquired or maintained through unconstitutional means, Nigeria’s Afrocentric and good neighborliness foreign policy posturing has shifted under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The foreign policy shift reflects the global dominance of liberal democracy in the context of the resurgence of military coup d’état in West Africa. Relying on the fundamental assumptions of liberal internationalism, this study unpacked how the shift in Nigeria’s foreign policy stance has affected regional integration in West Africa. The study found that it is not in Nigeria’s national interest to be in open hostility with its proximate neighbors because of its inclination toward the propagation of the ideals of liberal democracy in Africa.

BRICS Alliance: A SWOT Analysis and the Potential Implications for Ending the Dominance of the USD

The group known as BRICS, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, came into being when its members decided to join hands to challenge the economic and political power of the wealthier nations of North America and Western Europe and expanded as BRICS+ when Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates entered the alliance with the same goals. Among the main reasons that led to the formation of the bloc was to put an end to the global dominance of the United States dollar (USD). Today, the BRICS+ bloc is motivated more than ever to find a solution to the ever-growing sanctions imposed by the United States (U.S.) on its member states as well as to cope with the fluctuating market situations that are merely based on the USD. The effectiveness of the newly expanded bloc’s alliance is the need of the hour, and for this purpose, the current study conducted a SWOT analysis to evaluate the bloc’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The study took the facts and figures associated with the BRICS member states and their dealings with the U.S. and tried to analyze the effectiveness of this bloc should its members decide to conduct business with each other in a common currency. Furthermore, the study also evaluated the reasons behind the concept of de-dollarization and the benefits it offers the member states of the BRICS bloc. Additionally, the study proposes essential recommendations, such as the formulation of necessary measures to deal with potential disagreements that may arise regarding the choice of a common currency that should be used for trade among the member countries. Such an application of the study is an entirely novel application in the current area of research with the potential to open new horizons for future research considering the new targets of the BRICS+ group.

Comparative analyses of bacterial contamination and microbiome of broiler carcasses in wet market and industrial processing environments

The slaughtering environment is crucial for the food hygiene and safety of poultry products. Despite the global dominance of industrial processing, live bird slaughtering in wet markets persists due to cultural, religious, and economic reasons. This study aims to reveal the correlation between hygiene scales in wet markets and bacterial contamination levels on broiler carcasses, with a particular focus on pathobiont transmission risks and microbiome characteristics. Wet markets were categorized based on home-made ratings and the Hygiene and Biosecurity Assessment Tool (HABT). The study assessed total aerobic bacterial (TAB) levels, food spoilage and hygiene indicators (Pseudomonas and E. coli), foodborne pathogen Salmonella, and the microbiome of broiler carcasses, intestinal contents, and slaughtering facilities. Comparative analyses were conducted between market and industrial processing environments. TAB levels on broiler carcasses showed a significant negative correlation with hygiene scores, indicating that both HABT and home-made rating tools effectively assess and improve processing hygiene. Industrial processing consistently reduced bacterial contamination compared to wet markets. Although Salmonella spp. prevalence was lower in market-processed carcasses, the study identified significant cross-transmission of pathobionts and variations in bacterial composition with hygiene improvements. Notably, the microbiome analysis revealed overlaps in amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) between carcasses and contamination vectors, highlighting pathobiont transmission risks. The present study confirmed the scales of hygiene standards among wet markets reflect bacterial contamination on broiler carcasses. Enhancing slaughter practices to meet industrial hygiene standards is essential for reducing the transmission of foodborne pathogens and pathobionts, and improving food safety.

Lineage-specific pathogenicity, immune evasion, and virological features of SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86/JN.1 and EG.5.1/HK.3.

SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 with an additional L455S mutation on spike when compared with its parental variant BA.2.86 has outcompeted all earlier variants to become the dominant circulating variant. Recent studies investigated the immune resistance of SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 but additional factors are speculated to contribute to its global dominance, which remain elusive until today. Here, we find that SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 has a higher infectivity than BA.2.86 in differentiated primary human nasal epithelial cells (hNECs). Mechanistically, we demonstrate that the gained infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 over BA.2.86 associates with increased entry efficiency conferred by L455S and better spike cleavage in hNECs. Structurally, S455 altered the mode of binding of JN.1 spike protein to ACE2 when compared to BA.2.86 spike at ACE2H34, and modified the internal structure of JN.1 spike protein by increasing the number of hydrogen bonds with neighboring residues. These findings indicate that a single mutation (L455S) enhances virus entry in hNECs and increases immune evasiveness, which contribute to the robust transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 JN.1. We further evaluate the in vitro and in vivo virological characteristics between SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86/JN.1 and EG.5.1/HK.3, and identify key lineage-specific features of the two Omicron sublineages that contribute to our understanding on Omicron antigenicity, transmissibility, and pathogenicity.

Webtoons, Desperately Seeking Viewers: Interactive Creativity in Social Media Platforms and Cultural Appropriation of Global Media Production

Webtoons optimize interactivity and participation of media users in the world of digital media by consolidating a unique digital culture. This article examines the role of users in interactive media by exploring the case of webtoons in the context of a changing global political economy and cultural dominance. Korean platform monopolies have established a new business model for webtoons and developed it as a center of Korean creative power. While webtoons have increasingly expanded and attracted the global market and the global audience, some persistent social issues remain, including the precarious labor structure, monopolistic power in the industry, and ideological dominance in content. Although webtoon viewers are often recognized as cultural intermediaries and powerful agents for their contributions to interactive creativity, their role has fluctuated according to changing political-economic structures and industrial strategies. In the course of expanding to the global market and to new business areas such as intellectual property (IP), webtoons have evolved in new fashions while disclosing the ambivalent nature of participatory media and digital interactivity. This article elucidates the double faces of interactive creativity focusing on viewers’ participation in webtoon production in the context of changing webtoon industry and growing partnership with global media.

Power and Privilege: Mapping Imagined Communities in Japan’s English Medium International Schools

This paper explores the commodification of education and the reinforcement of hegemony through international English Medium schools in Japan, positioning them as gatekeepers to imagined communities of global elitism. Over the past decade, Japan has seen a surge in international schools, driven by the global dominance of the English language. The institutions, which were initially established for expatriate elites, now cater to affluent Japanese and Asian families. This paper examines the high costs, selective admissions, and marketing strategies of these schools to illustrate how they commercialize education, perpetuate class divisions, and uphold cultural dominance. The literature suggests that English Medium U.K. and US model international schools in Japan symbolize access to elite Western power structures, reinforcing social stratification and the marginalization of those within Japan unable to afford such education. This study employs theoretical frameworks of imagined communities, hegemony, and cultural capital to analyze the broader societal implications of these schools. A systematic review of relevant academic literature, complemented by a comparative analysis of tuition fees, was conducted to deepen the understanding of the relationship between education, power, and social identity in contemporary Japan. By doing so, it aims to foster a more inclusive and equitable educational environment.

The Role of the United States in the Formation of BRICS

This article critically examines the formation of the BRICS alliance, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, with a specific focus on the pivotal role played by the United States in shaping this strategic partnership. It explores the extent of US influence and the accompanying responsibilities it assumes within the alliance. The article highlights the proactive efforts of Brazil, Russia, and China to expand their global influence while concurrently aiming to reduce US interference. Brazil, in particular, seeks partnerships with Russia and China as a means to attain autonomy and foster development. Simultaneously, Russia and China strive to challenge US global dominance and solidify their own spheres of influence. The article concludes by emphasising the importance of critically evaluating Europe's military support to Ukraine, suggesting that such support may primarily serve US interests. Additionally, it underscores Europe's potential to promote peace and stability by pursuing independent and principled foreign policies.

Tracking KP.2 SARS-CoV-2 Variant in India and the Clinical Profile of KP.2 Cases in Maharashtra, India.

Following the emergence of the JN.1 SARS-CoV-2 variant, variants with key mutations in the spike protein, such as L455F, F456L, and R346T, were identified. In early January 2024, the KP.2 (JN.1.11.1.2) variant was first identified in clinical samples. Its increasing global prevalence has raised concerns over its transmission and clinical impact. The study investigates KP.2*'s (*indicates KP.2 and all its sub-lineages) spread and clinical severity in Maharashtra. This study involved 5,173 Indian SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequences with collection dates between November 1, 2023 and June 24, 2024. Lineage analysis of sequences was performed using Nextclade software (version 3.8.0). Telephonic interviews were conducted to confirm the demographic details and obtain clinical information on the KP.2* cases. The obtained data were recorded and analyzed using Microsoft® Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA). Among the 5,173 sequences analyzed, JN.1* appeared as the predominant lineage (65.96%, 3412/5173), followed by KP.2* (7.83%, 405/5173) and KP.1* (3.27%, 169/5173). In India, KP.2* was first detected on December 2, 2023, in Odisha. The majority of KP.2* sequences were from Maharashtra (248/405, 61.23%), followed by West Bengal (38/405, 9.38%), Gujarat (27/405, 6.67%), and Rajasthan (24/405, 5.93%). Maharashtra reported its first KP.2* sequences on January 24, 2024. The clinical study included 160 cases of the KP.2* variant from Maharashtra. Of these, 95.63% (153/160) presented with mild symptoms, such as fever (108/160, 67.50%), cold (87/160, 54.38%), cough (80/160, 50%), sore throat (44/160, 27.5%), body ache (43/160, 26.88%), and fatigue (42/160, 26.25%). About 33.13% (53/160) of the cases required institutional quarantine or hospitalization, with the rest managed at home. Among those hospitalized, 50.94% (27/53) received conservative treatment, while 49.06% (26/53) needed supplemental oxygen, steroids, or antiviral therapy. Regarding the vaccination status, 89.38% (143/160) of the cases had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, whereas 10% (16/160) were unvaccinated, with the majority of the unvaccinated being children aged zero to nine years (7/16, 43.75%). The overall recovery rate for KP.2* cases was 99.38% (159/160), with only 0.62% (1/160) succumbing to the disease. The KP.2 variant has become the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in India and Maharashtra. Despite the affected individuals experiencing mild symptoms, studies have shown lower neutralization titers and high infectivity due to FLiRT mutations, suggesting KP.2's potential rise to global dominance.

RETURNING TO SAID AND HIS «ORIENTALISM»

This article examines the impact of Edward Said’s concept of Orientalism on the contemporary geopolitical landscape. The authors argue that while the critique of Orientalism has significantly influenced academic discourse and domestic policies in Western countries, particularly the United States, it has not led to fundamental changes in global geopolitical strategy. The paper focuses on two key aspects: the natural connection between knowledge and power, which cannot be altered by anti-colonial declarations, and the shift of colonial discourse to new regions, specifically non-Western Europe. The authors posit that the strength of a modern state lies in its ability to dynamically bifurcate its image into internal and external faces, presenting different aspects to its society and foreign partners. Using the United States as a case study, the article demonstrates how internal anti-colonial discourse coexists with an unchanging foreign policy strategy of global dominance. The authors criticize the illusions about the possibility of changing the fundamental principles of US foreign policy, which has remained consistent since 1941. The paper emphasizes the continuation of a strategy aimed at fostering global dependence on the West, despite anti-colonial rhetoric. The article explores the complex interplay between domestic movements for social justice and decolonization, and the pragmatic realities of international relations. It argues that the deconstruction of Orientalism, while challenging the legitimacy of historical colonial practices, has not transformed the core geopolitical interests of Western states.The authors contend that the apparent dichotomy between internal anti-colonial discourse and external policy reflects both the complexity and strength of states like the US, where domestic and foreign policies can be shaped by different institutional and ideological forces. The paper also discusses the expansion of the concept of liberal democracy as an export product to regions deemed lacking in popular sovereignty.In conclusion, the article suggests that the critique of Orientalism, despite its academic and cultural impact, has been effectively neutralized in geopolitical practice. This is achieved through a shift in focus to regions not traditionally considered part of the «old» Western colonies, allowing for the implementation of economic partnership policies without the moral self-flagellation associated with charges of Orientalism. The paper ultimately argues that renaming reality does not change its underlying structure, and that the postmodern belief in the power of language to transform geopolitical realities is akin to magical thinking. It concludes that the critique of Orientalism has not fundamentally altered the eternal principles and interests guiding global geopolitical strategies.

Dominance and rarity in tree communities across the globe: Patterns, predictors and threats

AbstractAimEcological and anthropogenic factors shift the abundances of dominant and rare tree species within local forest communities, thus affecting species composition and ecosystem functioning. To inform forest and conservation management it is important to understand the drivers of dominance and rarity in local tree communities. We answer the following research questions: (1) What are the patterns of dominance and rarity in tree communities? (2) Which ecological and anthropogenic factors predict these patterns? And (3) what is the extinction risk of locally dominant and rare tree species?LocationGlobal.Time period1990–2017.Major taxa studiedTrees.MethodsWe used 1.2 million forest plots and quantified local tree dominance as the relative plot basal area of the single most dominant species and local rarity as the percentage of species that contribute together to the least 10% of plot basal area. We mapped global community dominance and rarity using machine learning models and evaluated the ecological and anthropogenic predictors with linear models. Extinction risk, for example threatened status, of geographically widespread dominant and rare species was evaluated.ResultsCommunity dominance and rarity show contrasting latitudinal trends, with boreal forests having high levels of dominance and tropical forests having high levels of rarity. Increasing annual precipitation reduces community dominance, probably because precipitation is related to an increase in tree density and richness. Additionally, stand age is positively related to community dominance, due to stem diameter increase of the most dominant species. Surprisingly, we find that locally dominant and rare species, which are geographically widespread in our data, have an equally high rate of elevated extinction due to declining populations through large‐scale land degradation.Main conclusionsBy linking patterns and predictors of community dominance and rarity to extinction risk, our results suggest that also widespread species should be considered in large‐scale management and conservation practices.

Security assessment and diagnosis for industrial water resources using TODIMSort considering Best–Worst Method with double hierarchy hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set

Motivated by the driving force to address global water scarcity, industrial water resources, as the second largest consumption of water resources, its security assessment plays a crucial role in improving the current situation. Hence, this paper proposes a novel methodology to conduct the industrial water resources security (IWRS) assessment. Firstly, a more targeted assessment system based on the framework of the Pressure–State–Response (P–S–R) on IWRS is established. Then, enhanced with a double hierarchy hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set (DHHFLTS), the Best–Worst Method (BWM) now determines subjective weights through DHHFLTS-BWM (DF-BWM). By introducing the Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method, which considers the indicator interactions, objective weights are obtained to modify the subjective weights. Furthermore, the global dominance of all alternatives is calculated by a TODIMSort method and grading them. Moreover, 16 cities in Anhui Province are taken as examples to assess IWRS in the decade from 2011 to 2020. Comparative analysis with original BWM, time series analysis, sensitivity analysis on loss attenuation coefficient, coupling and coordination analysis and obstacle analysis on all indicators are conducted to verify the rationality, effectiveness, and stability of the proposed assessment methodology. Simultaneously, explore the existing issues within IWRS. It can be seen from the results that the performance of Lu’an and Huainan cities is relatively better, while Ma’anshan city shows relatively poorer performance. In addition, per capita water resources and wastewater treatment facilities have a significant impact on the IWRS. Finally, some management suggestions are proposed to enhance the scientific and effective management of industrial water resources and ensure their sustainable utilization.

Building an AI ecosystem in a small nation: lessons from Singapore’s journey to the forefront of AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is arguably the most transformative technology of our time. While all nations would like to mobilize their resources to play an active role in AI development and utilization, only a few nations, such as the United States and China, have the resources and capacity to do so. If so, how can smaller or less resourceful countries navigate the technological terrain to emerge at the forefront of AI development? This research presents an in-depth analysis of Singapore’s journey in constructing a robust AI ecosystem amidst the prevailing global dominance of the United States and China. By examining the case of Singapore, we argue that by designing policies that address risks associated with AI development and implementation, smaller countries can create a vibrant AI ecosystem that encourages experimentation and early adoption of the technology. In addition, through Singapore’s case, we demonstrate the active role the government can play, not only as a policymaker but also as a steward to guide the rest of the economy towards the application of AI.

Chinese Multinationals Gaining Global Dominance

Chinese firms have become key players in the global economy. Their rise is a defining feature since the turn of the century. In this paper, we analyze the ascent of Chinese firms in global business, the factors behind their emergence and how they have disrupted the global competitive landscape. Through the empirical study of large samples of firms and the help of databases like Capital IQ, FdI Markets and SDC Platinum, the paper examines the revenue growth and global expansion of Chinese firms– highlighting, among others, trends in geographical and sectoral distribution and modes of entry in foreign markets. The paper pays also particular attention to the rise of Chinese firms as global innovators and includes several cases studies in key industries. The paper concludes that while Chinese firms’ global expansion benefited from a favorable global environment, the current trade wars and geopolitical tensions, may be more challenging.

Language Portraits of Four Transnational Educators from China: Experiences, Ideologies, and Teaching Practices

This study uses language portraits (Busch, 2018) to shed light on the relationship between the multilingual experiences and teaching practices of four transnational educators who have lived, studied, and taught across China and the United States. Using multimodal thematic analysis methods (Coffey, 2015; Purkarthofer & De Korne, 2020), this approach highlights the ways in which language experiences and teaching practices are mediated by language ideologies. This approach enables the participants to visualise and describe their linguistic repertoires and multilingual experiences in relation to teaching practices in the focus group interview. Findings show that these educators from China value Chinese as a resource for teaching and learning. They hold an asset-oriented view of the students’ home languages and are willing to incorporate their home languages to support classroom teaching and learning. Although they have mixed feelings about English, due to negative learning experiences, they are aware of the economic value of the language, which sustains their efforts to improve their English proficiency and influences their career plans. Overall, the educators evidence an emerging, yet rudimentary, multilingual awareness. The entrenched ideology of Mandarin monolingualism, which prioritises Putonghua (Standard Mandarin) over other Chinese dialects, along with the global dominance of English and its associated language ideology, has profoundly influenced teaching practices in multilingual classrooms.

China's Economic Development Policy: An Analysis

This study aims to analyze several developmental policies of the Chinese government that have helped China in becoming a major global power. Several elements, such as its policy initiatives, global commerce, and investments, have been studied to analyze China's economic expansion and its political influence globally. This study examines the applicable literature through qualitative research methods to shed light on the role that China's developmental strategies played in the country's rise to global dominance. The study also considers how these policies have an impact on the country's progress and its rise as a major power. Although almost all policies were inspected yet results showed that the reforming and open-up policy of China is the key driver to its rise including the "Made in China 2025" program, and the "Belt and Road" plan as the most important initiatives. Developing nations should learn from China's effective infrastructure development, innovation, and economic policies.

Towards the pluriversal museum: from epistemic violence to ecologies of knowledges

ABSTRACT Climate change, species extinction and accelerating inequalities are manifestations of a more fundamental crisis facing humanity: the global dominance of a capitalist/colonialist world order based on logics of extraction and exploitation. The modern, “universal” museum is implicated in this history. It is not only that the accumulation of exotic things was made possible through mercantile and colonial territorial expansion, but the transformation of such things into “objects of knowledge” and their incorporation into universalizing knowledge systems, given architectural expression in the museum, involved forms of epistemic violence that rendered other ways of knowing, understanding and being in the world non-existent. As part of the project of decolonizing the museum, this article questions whether this process of “epistemicide” was indeed so complete, considers whether marginalized forms of knowledge may be reactivated in historical collections, and imagines the role of the “pluriversal museum” in contributing to the shaping of more just and sustainable planetary futures.

Chinese Re-Examinations of Russia? The Strategic Partnership in the Wake of Russia’s War Against Ukraine

ABSTRACT This article asks whether Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has prompted a reevaluation within the Chinese expert community on China’s strategic partnership with Russia. This article examines how Chinese experts and academics assess the impact of the war on the partnership and Russia’s future role for China with regard to: security and military affairs; economy and technology; and global governance and regional interaction. Chinese analysts recognize that the war has put China in a difficult situation. Several voices express caution and calls to avoid becoming too closely associated with Moscow are prevalent, not least as Chinese experts view China and Russia diverging in the future on issues concerning the global order. Moreover, Russia’s development prospects are considered dim, which in turn affects the potential for concrete cooperation with China. Chinese assessments advocate for selective engagement with Russia, largely on Chinese terms as the balance of power continues to shift in China’s favor. Nonetheless, this article finds that the Chinese expert community overall assesses that the basic tenet for maintaining the strategic partnership remains unchanged. Crucially, under current US global dominance, Russia is considered a key partner to jointly counter-balance American global power and regional influence.

Currency Hegemony as a Tool of US Global Dominance

Subject. The formation of new centers of global influence predetermines corresponding changes in the global balance of power. At the same time, the lack of real reforms of the global monetary system allows the United States to continue to set the rules of the game in the global economy, despite its increasing crisis potential. In this regard, there is a need to identify the driving forces capable of producing constructive changes in the global monetary order. Objective. A summary of the practice of using the US dollar to suppress global competition and maintain American superiority in international economic relations. Results. The control of the international monetary sphere by the country — hegemon of the world economy can be traced at all stages of the development of international economic relations (IER). Currently, the hegemonic country’s self-interest from issuing international liquidity, with non-resistance to such a policy on the part of all other IER participants, hinders the development of effective anti-crisis measures and worsens the general condition of the world economy. Scattered attempts to overcome the failures of global currency regulation at the local level (including through the use of digital technologies) seem to be ineffective, since they are not systemic in nature. Conclusions. A qualitative reform of the global monetary system is impossible without combining the efforts of the world’s largest economies to counter the destructive policies of the country that issues key international liquidity. Otherwise, the costs of financial crises become an insurmountable obstacle to the global economy entering a path of sustainable development.

Doomscrolling evokes existential anxiety and fosters pessimism about human nature? Evidence from Iran and the United States

The media's adherence to “if it bleeds, it leads” has resulted in global dominance of negative news (e.g., stories of corruption, fraud, shootings, terrorism, and war). The appetite for negative news is fueled by negativity bias, which compels people to prioritize negative over positive stories. This cross-cultural study, inspired by media effect theories such as Cultivation Theory, explored the links between problematic consumption of negative news (doomscrolling), existential anxiety, pessimistic views about human nature, and belief about a just world in two distinct cultures. Participants included convenience samples of Iranian (n = 620) and American (n = 180) university-student social media users. Doomscrolling was associated with elevated levels of existential anxiety in both samples. Additionally, misanthropy was positively associated with doomscrolling only in the Iranian sample. Aligned with the Media-induced PTSD Hypothesis and the Shattered Assumption Theory, our findings suggest that prolonged exposure to negative news can contribute to the development of existential anxiety. Current news framing with its overemphasis on negativity could fuel doomscrolling-inspired existential concerns.