Governance System Research Articles

Analisis Penerapan Konsep Demokrasi Pada Mahasiswa PPKn Universitas Riau

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of the concept of democracy among students of the Pancasila and Citizenship Education (PPKn) study program of the University of Riau (UNRI). The understanding of democracy as a system of government that involves community participation needs to be realized and carried out by the younger generation, especially students. The method applied in this study is a literature study research method. Data was obtained from articles published on the national journal website which can be accessed through Google Scholar. Data is also obtained from books, magazines, and various other media. Qualitative descriptive data analysis was carried out to conclude the results of the use of the concept of democracy among students. The results of this study state that although Civic Studies students have a high awareness of the importance of democracy, further efforts are needed to promote the implementation of these ideas in everyday life. It is recommended to strengthen democracy education in the campus environment, such as holding activities that promote active participation and open dialogue among students

Practical path for developing “new quality productive forces” driven by the digital economy in China

Developing “New Quality Productive Forces” (NQPFs) has been accepted as a new theory to accelerate the high-quality development in China. In current, China’s high-quality development mainly relies on the traction of the digital economy. In view of this, developing NQPFs in China’s digital economy sector requires locate and remove some obstacles, such as the insufficient utilization of data, inadequate algorithm regulation, the mismatched supply and demand of regional computing power and the immature market environment. As a solution, it is necessary to allocating data property rights in a market-oriented way, establishing a user-centered algorithm governance system, accelerating the establishment of the national integrated computing network, and maintaining fair competition to optimize the market environment.

Understanding hybridity governance in Africa: A theoretical framework for hybrid structures, policies, and practices

The amalgamation of traditional and modern governance systems represents a transformative advancement in contemporary African government. This study examines the concept of "hybridity governance" within the African context, providing a comprehensive theoretical framework that integrates modern institutional procedures with traditional governance systems. The paper examines the evolution of African governance from pre-colonial to post-colonial eras, illustrating the emergence of hybrid governance as a response to internal dynamics and external influences. It accomplishes this by utilising historical studies. The philosophical underpinnings are investigated, highlighting organisational and social concepts that elucidate the acceptance of hybrid models. The paper elucidates the applications, accomplishments, and challenges of hybrid government in several African nations through various empirical case studies. A critical examination examines the consequences of these governance paradigms for public administration in Africa. It underscores opportunities for innovation and enhanced flexibility, while also emphasising intrinsic challenges such as job ambiguity and conflict. The report concludes with forecasts regarding the future trajectory of hybrid governance in Africa, considering the interplay of local socio-political dynamics, global interconnectedness, and technological advancements. This article serves as a vital resource for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders interested in the evolving governance paradigm in Africa, providing valuable applications and recommendations.

The Neo-Weberian State in Italy: Understanding the Influence of Populist Government, EU Administrative Reform Support Policy, and Digitalization

This article argues that administrative reforms in Italy over the period 2001–2024 provide a case of special significance for investigating key profiles of the Neo-Weberian State (NWS) in relation to three important domains. The first pertains to the relationship of the NWS to politics/party ideology: Italy is a case of populist parties, both right-wing and left-wing, governing either separately or jointly, thereby providing an apt case for studying the impact of populist government on the functioning of a Neo-Weberian administration. Second, the case of Italy allows for the investigation of the implications of the embeddedness of a NWS administrative system into a broader, supranational governance system (the European Union). Third, the NWS characteristics shape and are shaped by digital government. Key findings point to, first, the bureaucracy in NWS very limitedly acting as guardian of liberal democracy and the rule of law, at least in the factual case of Italy, while leaving open the possibility that a pure, ideal-typical NWS might perform such guardianship role. Second, the European Union, itself a Neo-Weberian administration, plays a role in the diffusion and strengthening of the NWS in its Member States. Third, the NWS interplays with digitalization processes, shaping and being shaped by them.

Historical geographies of grid city development: Mandalay from Burma to Myanmar

This paper critiques Mandalay city's gridded urban development within historical urban geography, providing a non-Western perspective in an increasingly global field that transcends the Eurocentric paradigm of urban form. The study combines historical and spatial analysis, literature review, and interviews to understand how Mandalay's urban grid embodies the shifting political landscapes. King Mindon's original grid, drawn from Burmese astrology and Buddhism respectively to legitimize his ruling power and reinforce social class division. British rule shifted the grid towards administrative and economic exploitation. Under socialism, adaptations to Mandalay's grid and land redistribution efforts, while seemingly equitable, primarily benefited the elite rather than marginalized squatters. Subsequently, the State Law and Order Restoration Council manipulated the grid for real estate purposes, reflecting monarchical practices. Mandalay's grid serves as a physical expression of power and governance, symbolizing the city's evolving political landscape from Burmese kingship to contemporary Myanmar under a top-down governance system. This research enriches historical geography by revealing the interplay between political history, symbolism, and urban geographic development.

Research on a Multidimensional Dynamic Environmental Assessment: Based on the PSR Analysis Framework and Bootstrap-DEA Model, in the Yellow River Basin, China

An environmental assessment is a complex and interrelated entity. A multidimensional and dynamic environmental assessment can directly reflect the effectiveness and capacity of the ecological governance system. Assessing the factors influencing the resource–environment coupling efficiency in the Yellow River Basin is crucial for advancing environmental management and regulation, enhancing public participation and transparency, as well as fostering international exchange and cooperation. This study uses the PSR analysis framework and the Bootstrap-DEA model to measure the resource–environment coupling efficiency. It employs spatial autocorrelation, kernel density estimation, Dagum Gini coefficient analysis, σ-convergence, and spatial beta convergence methods to explore the multi-level spatial pattern and convergence trend of the resource–environment coupling efficiency. The findings indicate that overall resource–environment coupling efficiency exhibits minimal temporal variation characterized by a hierarchy of upstream > downstream > middle reaches, alongside a spatial differentiation trend marked by small agglomeration coupled with significant dispersion. Additionally, regional disparities reveal a distribution pattern of downstream > middle reaches > upstream. Notably, while there are no σ-convergence characteristics, evidence supporting spatial β-convergence suggests that these efficiencies will converge toward a steady-state level over time.

Incorporating an international perspective in leadership training.

Incorporating an international perspective in the experience and skill-based focus of leadership learning is central to preparing for leadership in the 21st century; a time when the world is increasingly connected across culture, governance, economies, and educational systems. For leadership educators to be more effective, the authors advocate heeding the voices of international students and colleagues, examining the legacy of colonialism, and engaging as humble and curious learners.

UN SDG 3 and Context-specific effects of stakeholder engagement on health care service delivery and policy implementation: A local government health sector case study in Pakistan’s Complex Governing Structure

In this study effects of context-specific stakeholder involvement in implementing the health care related policies as well as providing health care services in the Gujrat, Pakistan local government's health sector is empirically explored. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect qualitative dataset from government bureaucrats, healthcare providers and civic representatives. The study found enhanced operational efficiency, better health outcomes are outcomes of successful stakeholder engagement achieved through collaborative partnerships and participatory methods. Conversely, these improvements face major complications due to resistance from some stakeholders who are motivated by entrenched malpractices and political agendas. This study highlights importance of inclusive and transparent governance system by classifying strategies for incorporating stakeholder interest/s, concerns into policy-making. Current paper advances study of stakeholder theory by highlighting significance of addressing power dynamics and consequences of stakeholder involvement in health sector.

How Does the “Belt and Road” Initiative Affect Debt Sustainability?

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has opened new financing channels, promoting sustainable debt management and high-quality economic growth in China and BRI-participating countries. This paper, using sample data from 64 BRI-participating countries and 40 non-BRI countries from 2002–2021, employs the difference-in-differences (DiD) method to examine BRI impacts on government debt sustainability. Empirical results passing robustness tests reveal heterogeneous effects. Findings indicate: first, the BRI enhances government debt sustainability in participating countries; second, government spending, foreign direct investment, and international trade moderate economic development; third, the BRI exhibits heterogeneity by income, debt levels, and growth rates. The study demonstrates the BRI alleviates “debt anxiety” and injects new momentum into global economic governance system improvement and innovation, ensuring stable macroeconomic operation and high-quality economic growth.

A Comparative Study of the Clan Relationship and Clan Governance System in the Chinese and Western Aristocratic Families—Take A Dream of Red Mansions and The Age of Innocence as Examples

A Dream of Red Mansions, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, and The Age of Innocence by American author Edith Wharton both depict the love stories of three noble youths in feudal aristocratic families against the backdrop of significant social changes. This paper seeks to compare the clan relationships and governance systems portrayed in both works, highlighting the similarities and differences between Chinese and Western aristocratic families. By doing so, this study aims to contribute to the broader field of cultural comparison between Chinese and American literature.

دور الأمن القومي في ابرام المعاهدات الدولية

Abstract National security is considered one of the important and fundamental issues that societies have worked to provide and achieve, both in ancient and modern times, because it reflects the protection of individuals and the achievement of social welfare for them on the one hand, and the protection of the form and system of the state internationally on the other hand. Countries have worked to provide national security through the stages that have swept the life of the international community, specifically after World War II, as the international community realized the importance of this issue and moved towards finding it by all means in order to achieve the requirements of welfare for its peoples and security and reassurance for them on the one hand, and on the other hand, protecting the political system of governments. Given the importance of national security globally, its work path has shifted from internal and national to regional and international, as the current stage is represented by the protection of this concept, through working to find a safe haven for countries by employing national security in the documents of international agreements and treaties, whether bilateral or collective, in order to protect small and developing countries from the ambitions of major countries, as well as the issue of providing global food security, which has become a real danger due to desertification and serious environmental problems and the problem of global inflation due to international wars and their repercussions on all countries, as the issue of water security played another role in the path of national security and protection and the necessity of providing it to countries as it is one of the vital factors for the continuity of life and the stability of countries, because it has become a strong economic threat to countries participating in international water rights, and thus it was a wide field for concluding treaties and agreements regarding the preservation of the rights of others in it, and the study resulted in living examples of everything that was stated about the protection of the national security rights of countries. Keywords (national security - dimensions of national security - food security - water security - international treaties).

Research on the Law Enforcement Power of Township Governments from the Perspective of Constitution

The issues on the law enforcement power of township governments has always been an important research topic of grass-roots governance and is of great significance to realize the modernization of national governance system and governance capacity. As a vertical allocation of administrative power, low enforcement power sinking to towns and villages can effectively solve long-standing problems such as "those that are visible cannot be managed, and those that can be managed cannot be seen" in practice. In view of the theoretical and practical difficulties faced by law enforcement power sinking to township governments, focusing on the predicament of the law enforcement power of township governments in practice, in this thesis, the current situation and problems of township governments’ law enforcement power were deeply discussed, and corresponding improvement measures were proposed to improve the law enforcement efficiency of township governments and promote the construction of grassroots rule of law.

Socio‐Economic Development Performance and Convergence Among Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies in Ghana

ABSTRACTEquitable development is one of the conditions for achieving a stable and just society. This assertion is corroborated by the numerous global and regional efforts to minimize inequality and ensure balanced development. By this recognition, decentralization, a system of governance where power cascades from centralized, remote structures to accessible local bodies, has long been floated as a tool for achieving development equity. In Ghana, decentralized units are unequally endowed, resulting in differing capacities for resource mobilization and service delivery. This study sought to accomplish two fundamental objectives, first to understand the nature of socioeconomic development performance dynamics among Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and whether spatial spillovers exist and mediate these dynamics. Second was to investigate whether socioeconomic development performance is converging over time. Using performance on the District League Table (DLT) as a proxy for socioeconomic development, global and local Moran's I analysis revealed statistically significant clustering of development performance, hinting at the presence of spatial spillovers. Leveraging spatially explicit Markov chains, findings indicated that most MMDAs were more likely to stay in their performance classes than transition to a different cohort, with this probability being the highest in the upper and lower classes. Nonetheless, MMDAs located within high performing neighborhoods were more likely to improve in their performance than their counterparts located in low performing neighborhoods. Further analysis also revealed a high degree of cohesion, where MMDAs' development performance tend to assume the direction of their neighborhoods. In the second objective, decomposed Theil index analysis revealed processes of convergence overall and within decomposed groups while between groups convergence appeared to have saturated. The study advocates for collective as opposed to piecemeal strategies for achieving equitable development.

Greening the marine map: a comprehensive study of China’s marine ecological and economic synergy

IntroductionThis research examines the coupling coordinated development dynamics between marine ecological governance and marine economic development in China’s coastal provinces. The marine ecological governance and economic development data of China’s 11 coastal provinces were comprehensively analyzed from 2011 to 2021.MethodsWe established a multi-dimensional evaluation index system for marine ecological governance and economic development, employing the global entropy weight method for quantification. Furthermore, the research examines and analyzes the trends in coordinated development and divergence between these two systems by constructing a coupled coordination degree(CCD) model, utilizing the Theil index decomposition method, and employing the geodetector detector.ResultsThe Northern marine economic circle outperforms the Eastern and Southern ones regarding marine ecological governance, while the Eastern marine economic circle is the most advanced in marine economic development. The results of the CCD model indicate that Guangdong, Shandong, Hebei, and Jiangsu have the best coupling coordinated development, while Hainan, Tianjin, and Guangxi are at the bottom. The results of the Theil index decomposition method indicate that intra-regional disparities are the primary cause of coupling coordinated regional development variations. At the same time, the results of the geographic detector further substantiate that energy structure, degree of industrial agglomeration, and foreign overseas direct investment are the principal influencing factors.DiscussionThe study presents policy recommendations derived from the findings intended to foster the integrated advancement of marine ecology and economy in coastal provinces, reduce regional development disparities, and establish a scientific foundation for achieving a sustainable marine economy.

GR-management and public policy

The basis for thinking about the current state of interaction between business and public authorities is the monograph “GR-management of business organizations in modern Russia. Complex analysis and applied technologies” (Degtyarev, A.A., & Teteryuk, A.S. (Ed.). Moscow: Prometej, 2024). The paper notes the consonance of the contents of the book with the trends in the development of the professional sphere of GR (Government Relations) in a modern society with a market economy. Methodologically, the book deals with the concept of interest groups in politics, when the interaction of business with public authorities is described in the system of political governance functionally-strategically (lobbyism), microtactically (lobbying) and technologically-procedurally (GR-management). The monograph includes ideas about conflictual interaction between business and the state and the orientation of GR management towards achieving company profitability and obtaining political rent. However, this interpretation of the axiology of business, as shown in the paper, is insufficient and contradicts the modern understanding of capitalism as “stakeholder” oriented and “inclusive”, in which profit, although the goal of business, is subject to public values. Hence, it is not lobbying (unilateral influence on the public decision-making process), but corporate public policy (socially responsible and partner behavior of business) that constitutes the strategic orientation of GR-management. With such interaction between business and authorities, communication comes to the fore as a search for mutually agreed positions in public policy.

The world of polycentrism: the role of values in major powers' competition

The Cold War was replaced by a post-bipolar world, which is morphing into polycentricity (multipolarity).In spite of the uncertainty regarding its final parameters and structural pillars, it is possible to assert that the current stage of international relations has two main features: selective deglobalisation and a new round of competition between major powers. Centrifugal forces in the 21st century have proved themselves stronger than the necessity of consolidation in the face of universal challenges: international terrorism, climate change, pandemics, etc. Apart from economic and political contradictions, opposite interpretations of national security interests, the sphere of competition of values has emerged and is going through a restructuring process. The task of this research is to determine if value narratives and accompanying ideologies are reasons or consequences of the escalation of tensions in the “Russia - USA - EU” triangle. The author compares the role of value antagonisms today with the periodof the Soviet-American clash of capitalism and socialism paradigms. The research shows that the resumption of geopolitical competition results not from the incompatibility of certain socio-economic models, but from a struggle for leadership in the system of global governance and regulation. In the course of this struggle, the value discourse, which in general has an objective foundation, is exposed with time to profound securitisation and geopolitisation, leading to the construction of antagonisms: “democracies - autocracies” and “pseudo-values - traditional values”. It is noted that the hypertrophied usage of the values' differences, with all their objectivity, can evolve from the function of cultural interaction to a self-perpetuating factor of interstate contradictions, which hinders adequate assessment of national and foreign resources and potential.

Governance challenges to protect globally important ecosystem services of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean

Abstract Antarctica and the Southern Ocean (A&SO) has a unique environment that plays an important role in the Earth’s life-support systems. It has no indigenous human population but hosts around 5000 researchers and is visited by more than 100 000 tourists per year. In this paper, we describe the biophysical processes that create the region’s ecosystem services, outlining their related governance systems within the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), and show the global distribution of the ecosystem service beneficiaries. These services clearly support populations across the world but are endangered by anthropogenic activities, which the current place-based ATS is not empowered to control. We discuss whether it is possible to use insights from Elinor Ostrom’s work on managing the commons, including her eight core design principles and the idea of Common Asset Trusts, to better harness efforts to protect ALL of the region’s ecosystem services. We note that many existing arrangements associated with the ATS are already well-aligned with Ostrom’s design principles but need to be expanded to better protect the globally important ecosystem services produced by A&SO.

Learning in polycentric governance: Insights from the California Delta science enterprise

AbstractScience is critical for learning and adaptation of policy and governance systems. Increasingly, science is produced in the context of a science enterprise: a complex, polycentric institutional arrangement featuring multiple science forums and actors. The characteristics of these polycentric systems can influence whether and to what extent science supports policy‐relevant learning. Limited research, however, has examined how science enterprises function as polycentric systems and how they can be governed to support learning. Using a survey of actors involved in the science enterprise of the California Delta, we integrate the collective learning framework and ecology of games framework to analyze individual‐ and forum‐level drivers of perceived learning across the adaptive management cycle. The results suggest that social drivers such as leadership, trust, and engagement are most highly correlated with perceived learning. While science enterprise actors often perceive administrative and financial resource limitations, those constraints are less important for learning than social drivers.

Journeys of change towards the blue economy: evaluating process in transformational change

AbstractTransformation is idealised as a solution to multiple ocean crises, and the blue economy has emerged as a paradigm to facilitate transformation towards a sustainable ocean future. Conceptualisations of transformation differ and processes of change to achieve transformation remain under-explored in literature, representing a significant gap in understanding how transformation is achieved. By exploring the process of blue economy governance transformations in Seychelles and Bangladesh, key attributes of transformation as a process are identified and contextualised. Connectivity of events and actions that addressed a range of different depths and parts of the governance system were identified as enablers of progress towards the blue economy. Strong, centralised leadership was identified as important at an early stage of change, but this must evolve to a distributed form of leadership to continue direction and flexibility. The role and importance of external agencies in creating and catalysing change is complex, presenting challenges to sovereignty but also acts as an independent driver of movement. From a national government perspective, the need to be ‘constantly seen as doing something’ hinders deeper changes and interventions, and instead promotes more superficial outcomes. These results demonstrate the challenges in creating transformative change, and suggest a need to explore evolutionary processes of change over time.

A methodological framework for assessing regional climate efforts. Learning from its application in Italy

In multi-level governance systems, regions are key actors in tackling climate change, acting as a bridging authority between the state and municipalities. Regions can provide a common framework and support local action, in particular through ad-hoc or mainstreamed mitigation and adaptation strategies. Despite this, their contribution to multi-level climate planning is still little explored in the scientific literature. This work proposes a methodological framework developed to comprehensively assess the climate efforts of regional governments, based on three dimensions: ambition, robustness, implementation and progress. Ambition qualifies the regions' commitment. Robustness assesses the evidence-based approach of the plan and its link with the regional sustainable development strategy, as well as the regions’ involvement in transnational networks. Implementation and progress, records the availability of indicators to provide evidence of the actions taken, monitor progress, and inform stakeholders. Applying the proposed methodology to the Italian multi-regional case study sheds light on the weaknesses that limit the impact of climate action, while defining the factors that enhance climate performance. The results show that transnational networks can raise the level of ambition for mitigation, but less so for adaptation, where there are no quantitative targets or fixed target years. A science-based approach and a strong link to the regional sustainable development strategy provide a good degree of robustness, while tracking implementation and progress remains the most challenging factor. Good practices were also identified, based on the successful experiences of some Italian regions, which can be profitably transferred between regional authorities, but also to other sub-national governments.