International Groupings Research Articles

ASEAN Defence Ministers MeetingPlus: Institutional structure, specific features, and evolution (2010–2022)

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is one of the key multilateral structures in Asia-Pacific. Throughout its history, the organization has established a system of external partnerships. In 2010, a specific security-related dialogue format has been introduced into this system, — the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus). In order to provide a better understanding of the legal nature of the ADMM-Plus as an international grouping, and to discuss the dynamics of its evolution, as well as the practical results of its work, this paper examines the Meeting’s activities in the recent years (2010 to 2022) and identifies the stages of its institutional development. The author notes that, unlike other similar fora, ADMM-Plus has a strictly limited number of participants. It could seem counterproductive, however, both ASEAN and its dialogue partners keep up to the closed nature of the grouping, beware of the potential contradictionsincaseofitsexpansion.Theauthoralsoconductsthediscourse analysis of the ADMM-Plus documents and member statements, highlighting +-the views of the participants and identifying the current international positioning of the forum. In conclusion, the paper emphasizes that, in the context of the fundamental changes in the world order, ASEAN has proven its ability to control the sensitive agenda of the ADMM-Plus, and stays committed to its principles of multi-faceted policy. At the same time, the affinity of Russian and ASEAN approaches towards the development of Asia-Pacific is displayed. While other dialogue partners, primarily the United States and China, are pressurising ASEAN in order to ‘win over’ the Southeast Asian countries to their side, Russia consistently promotes an equal, practice-oriented dialogue, and adheres to the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and in local conflicts. The author concludes that, in spite of the low-profile practical achievements of the ADMM-Plus, the Meeting remains suitable for all its participants, as the main effect of its activity represents the maintenance of contacts and negotiations in the defence area in the face of the new regional security challenges.

City diplomacy of ordinary cities: Harnessing migrant inclusion policies for international engagement in Amadora, Portugal

AbstractThis paper adds to the literature on urban diplomacy by focusing on the role of smaller cities with an active international engagement in migration matters. What are the motives driving the involvement of these “ordinary” cities in international groupings? What role do these cities play in the circulation of policies related to migration integration? How does it translate into local policies? To do so, we rely on a quantitative analysis of 64 networks around the world and on the case study of Amadora (Portugal). It is argued that “ordinary” cities may gain visibility when participating in transnational networks of cities. However, the research also shows that the city involvement is driven by the search for financial capacities, thereby nurturing a form of dependency from international subsidies. In addition, Amadora's involvement in city networks is not necessarily connected with actual activism in favor of migrant integration. The research shows the tensions between political discourses at national and local levels, and the loopholes of the “transnationalization” of migration governance.

The Scenario Approach of the Country Investment Policy in the Conditions of Globalization

Considering the particularities of economic development, countries should cooperate and participate in joint projects within regional and international groupings. The paper aims to develop a scenario approach to the investment policy of countries in the context of globalization. Defines how important the investment component of a country's economic development is and justifies why countries are heterogeneous regarding investment attractiveness. To fulfil the main goal the author applies the capital asset pricing model, which is a basic concept in the field of finance. In addition to the main goal, the text of the article systematizes the stages of development of the organizational project scenario, justifies the role of foreign investments in economic development, and analyses world trends regarding changes in the attractiveness of investments. The paper estimates how attractive national economies are for foreign investments as well.

A tentative anatomy of Christian responses to anthropogenic climate change

Abstract This pilot study addresses the differences in responses to anthropogenic climate change expressed in published normative statements for a cross section of Christian denominations and groupings from the UK and USA as well as international groupings. Grid-group cultural theory is tentatively employed to better understand these differences. Because the cosmologies identified by grid-group theory have as their basis the metaphor of the body, this is in effect a tentative anatomy of Christian responses to anthropogenic climate change. As a test case, this paper explores whether or not it is fruitful to attempt to challenge a given cosmological outlook to better communicate climate change and how this might be achieved or whether to speak to that cosmological perspective and how this might be achieved. In addition, this paper explores how each distinctive cosmology might contribute helpfully in responding to anthropogenic climate change. Finally, avenues of further work to expand this approach are explored.

DETERMINANTS OF USMCA COMPETITIVE FORCE FORMATION

Understanding the factors that influence the formation of the competitive force within the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is crucial for delineating the features that contribute to the effective functioning and development of its economic competitive landscape. The primary objective of this article is to examine the impact of the interplay between determinants influencing the global competitiveness of member states and international integration groupings on the sustainable economic growth of the USMCA. The article introduces the author's conceptual framework, which presents a comprehensive classification of determinants that shape and enhance the adaptive competitiveness of integrated economic systems. This framework, alternatively referred to as the interpretation of the drivers of the USMCA's global competitiveness, applies to any international integration grouping. The proposed approach advocates the separation of the USMCA's development model as an independent entity, distinct from the model that governs the global competitiveness of individual member states. Notable differences have been identified by evaluating several determinants, including economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure, on the formation of the global competitiveness of member states within the USMCA. The member states of the USMCA show significant differences in their global competitiveness. It is worth mentioning that the criterion of economic performance stands out as the most influential factor, with all three member states performing better in terms of competitiveness on this criterion. The study's findings underscore that the USMCA's competitiveness is a key feature of its economy. It is evident through the cumulative, synergistic effect of the pooling of global competitive forces among the member states. This amalgamation strengthens the USMCA's position in the global economy. Assessing the global competitiveness of the USMCA is important for delineating the development trajectories of member states within the international integration grouping. It is crucial for the design of a coherent competitiveness policy and the promotion of intergovernmental and inter-union dialogue. It also serves as a valuable indicator or marker of the USMCA's competitive development trajectory.

Transitional Justice Networks and the Role of ‘local’ Actors in Cambodia

Debates over localisation in transitional justice and peacebuilding have been characterised by the assumption that more equitable relationships between local and international actors allow for more effective and just interventions. Critical scholarship has in turn cautioned over the use of reified conceptions of the ‘local’ and ‘international’, emphasising each as contested sites. Through a network analysis of transitional justice event data in Cambodia, we ask: what are the roles and influence of Cambodian actors, and what might their positions tell us about the relationships between international and local groups? We find that event data shows strong local representation within the transitional justice community. However, representation is not synonymous with influence. Our data demonstrates an uneven distribution of network positions within both local and international groupings. This illustrates the need for greater attention to the role of individual biographies that advantage certain individuals to shape transitional justice interventions.

Clinicopathologic study of mantle cell lymphoma with epstein-barr virus infection: A case series and literature review.

BackgroundMantle cell lymphoma (MCL) with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection is rarely reported. The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence and clinicopathological features of MCL with EBV infection in the largest series thus far.MethodsAfter screening 138 cases of MCL, we identified eight cases of MCL with EBV infection.ResultsMost of them (7/8) had non-neoplastic bystander cells with positivity for EBV and no expression of latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) and EBV nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2). The cases of MCL with EBER positivity did not have abnormal immune function or other lymphomas. Moreover, their histopathological morphology was indicative of classical MCL. Cases of MCL with EBER positivity exhibited statistically significant differences in lactate dehydrogenase, anemia status, and MCL international prognostic index grouping (P=0.008, P=0.02, P=0.001, and P=0.011, respectively). The differences between the two groups in age, sex ratio, clinical manifestations, and immunohistochemical phenotypes were not statistically significant.ConclusionsThe incidence of MCL with EBV infection was low (5.8%). Clinicopathologically, cases of MCL with EBER positivity were similar to their EBV-negative counterparts. Our findings revealed that most cells infected by EBV in MCL are background cells rather than tumor cells. This is inconsistent with data from previous studies, indicating that tumor cells in MCL may not be prone to EBV infection.

Bernard Shaw as Political Writer

Bernard Shaw as Political Writer

Population trends in BRICS: Developments and projections

The purpose of the article is to analyze population trends in the BRICS countries in the period from 2000 to 2019 based on local realities and socio-economic indexes, as well as to study projections up to 2050. The article also explores initiatives of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the field of demographic research relevant to BRICS, such as fertility, birth, and mortality rates. Thus, it is possible to determine the main characteristics of the population of the BRICS countries, their challenges and objectives, which allow us to predict with an eye to 2050 and the dynamics of the evolution of each member of the international cooperation grouping. Overall, it is argued that urbanization processes were one of the key factors driving population trends in the BRICS countries, especially those related to lower fertility rates. Finally, the current situation of BRICS in the international scenario is evaluated, given the explored attributes, with an emphasis on the importance of public policies favorable for the full development of the potential of the BRICS population. Therefore, member states’ initiatives to promote higher levels of social welfare are investigated, as well as their benefits to local peoples, who together account for more than 40% of the world’s total population.

THE APEC INTEGRATED COMPETITIVE FORCE INDEX

The number of actors that affect the distribution of the competitive force in the global economy is growing, and the spheres of economic competition or cooperation are expanding to build up the competitive force. The article emphasizes the significant impact of international economic integration on the sustainable economic development of the world economy. It also shows that the study of the competitive force of interstate integration groupings is highly relevant today, as international economic integration plays a fundamental role in the development of trade and competitive relations between countries. The paper offers the methodology for competitiveness grouping of Member States of the international integration groupings in order to assess the global competitive force of trade and economic groupings in the world economy. The purpose is to investigate the Integrated Competitive Force Index of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2019 in order to analyze the attractiveness of APEC in terms of the global competitive force. It is also important to determine the attractiveness of APEC competitive environment according to 12 criteria on the basis of the research, which, in turn, allows for a better understanding and ranking of interstate integration groupings according to their competitive forces. Result. Based on the data of the Global Competitiveness Report 2019 on the competitiveness of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Member States (APEC), the Integrated Competitive Force Index of APEC as an interstate integration grouping has been calculated. The Index will help to assess economic integration or disintegration processes in the global economy. The article proves the necessity of the annual integrated competitive force ranking of international integration groupings. Practical implications. The introduction of the new Integrated Competitive Force Index of interstate integration groupings will help competition policymakers to decide which processes of economic integration or disintegration should be preferred in order to build up their competitive force in the global economy.

‘David vs Goliath’: The Congo Free State Propaganda War, 1890–1909

The Congo Free State (CFS) propaganda war was an international campaign waged between two distinct groups. On the one side, there were Leopold II, King of the Belgians, his representatives, and his supporters. Opposing Leopold was a disparate international grouping of Congo reformers representing a range of religious, social, and political positions. The propaganda war began with the first public criticism of the CFS government in 1890 and continued until official Belgian annexation in 1908. For the activists to be successful in their campaign, they had to wrestle from Leopold the meaning of the term ‘humanitarian’ and focus public attention on his misrule in the CFS. By analysing key texts produced by reformers, Leopold and his supporters, as well as the response to the propaganda in newspapers and in private letters between the activists, this article will show that Leopold’s press bureau was successful in sowing distrust of the arguments made by humanitarian activists. Additionally, this article will also demonstrate that Leopold’s strategy of sowing discord amongst his already fragmented opposition served to increase distrust in the critics of Leopoldian rule in the Congo.

The EU Global Competitive Force Index

Introduction. With this paper we want to show that the study of international competitiveness only at a country level does not correspond to the contemporary development of the global economy. The author presents the methodology for competitiveness grouping of international integration groupings’ member states in order to assess the global competitive force of trade and economic groupings in the world economy. Based on the data of the Global Competitiveness Report 2019 regarding the competitiveness of the EU Member States, the Global Competitive Force Index of the EU as an interstate integration grouping has been calculated. The Index will help evaluate economic integration or disintegration processes in the global economy. The research demonstrates the necessity of the annual global competitive force ranking of international integration groupings. This study will enhance knowledge in the field of economics by grouping the EU Member States’ global competitiveness indices according to 12 criteria and identifying the new quantitative and qualitative integrated Global Competitive Force Index of an international integration grouping. To reach this objective, we will define the Integrated Global Competitive Force Index as the average of the individual points of the EU Member States in 2019. The novelty of our study lies in the comparative analysis of the three largest interstate integration groupings from the perspective of their competitive force. The introduction of the new integrated Global Competitive Force Index of interstate integration groupings will help competition policy makers decide which processes of economic integration or disintegration should be preferred in order to increase their competitive force in the global economy. The purpose. Research and calculation of the European Union’s Integrated Global Competitive Force Index to analyze the attractiveness of the European Union in terms of global competitive force. Based on the calculation of the EU Integrated Global Competitive Force Index 2019, the attractiveness of the EU competitive environment has been determined according to 12 criteria. Results. The ranking of the three largest regional integration groupings of the world economy has been formed. Specification of the assessment and results of the integrated index of interstate integration groupings’ global development can be used for the competition policy development of the individual member state of an integration grouping as well as the communitarian competition policy. The EU Integrated Global Competitive Force Index will help understand what the integration grouping’s competitive force means and whether the process of interstate integration of countries contributes to enhancing the competitive force of an individual country and the integration grouping as a whole. To calculate the EU Integrated Competitive Force Index, we will analyze the Member States on 12 competitive strength criteria, and Global Competitiveness Report 2019 will serve as the basis for our study. According to our calculations, the EU Integrated Global Competitive Force Index is 72 points out of 100. Conclusion. The results of a comprehensive integrated assessment of the competitive force of 28 EU Member States demonstrate a high overall competitive force index of the grouping, indicating the EU’s impact on global competitive processes. The EU Global Competitive Force Index can be used both as an indicator of the separate international integration grouping’s development and as a global criterion for the effectiveness of interstate integration groupings in the transformation of international competitive relations. Discussion. The highlighting of the EU global competitive force is a requirement for the contemporary development of the global competitive environment, since interstate integration groupings are the main actors of the world economy, which significantly affect the distribution and growth of competitive force.

ТОРГОВО-ЕКОНОМІЧНА ВЗАЄМОДІЯ ЄС З НАЙБІЛЬШИМИ ІНТЕГРАЦІЙНИМИ ОБ’ЄДНАННЯМИ

The article examines the current interaction, convergence and the state of formalization of trade and competitive cooperation between the largest international integration groupings, namely, negotiating the free trade area between them and determining the possible prospects for the development of transregional integration. The aim of the study is to analyze the main trends of free trade zones and agreements between the European Union (EU), United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), South American economic organization (MERCOSUR), the impact of transregional integration on trade and investment activities of Member States and integration groupings in general. The analysis of current trends has indicated the strengthening of the momentum of the negotiations on free trade zones between international integration groupings and the establishment of the major global trend: the number and types of agreements on trade and economic cooperation not only between countries, but also between interstate integration groupings are growing, new free trade zones are being announced, and the range of concepts regarding competitive advantages is being extended. It has been determined that trade and competitive interaction of the global economy creates a stable platform for building up both economic and competitive force, which leads to global economic development and enhances hypercompetition. It has been proved that trade and competitive convergence of interstate integration groupings leads to new forms and mechanisms of activities organization and as a result, the prospects for the consolidation of free trade zones are emerging. Thus, the competitive position of international integration associations in the global economy is being strengthened due to active development of economic and trade cooperation, not only within the grouping of Member States, but also in the parallel process of interaction with non-Member States and with international integration groupings.

ВПЛИВ ВСТУПУ КРАЇНИ ДО ІНТЕГРАЦІЙНОГО ОБ’ЄДНАННЯ НА ЇЇ КОНКУРЕНТНУ СИЛУ

The article examines the process of a country's accession to international integration groupings. It emphasizes that upon accession countries rely on either megatrends (globalization, integration and democratization) or countertrends (isolationism, disintegration and de-democratization). It is noted that the complex dialectic of megatrends of today's world economy adds to the complexity of the country's positioning in the international arena. The establishment and consistent complication of the transregional architecture of world economic relations has underlined the urgency of a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon of building up the Member States’ competitive force. The paper considers the forms that countries face during the implementation into the interregional relations system: leadership (international integration grouping that forms the rules and paths of interregional relations); emulation (import of a model of another regional group in the process of interaction); cooperation (providing any aid or assistance in the interregional cooperation); exchange (liberalization of trade and economic cooperation). The article identifies the factors determining the multiplexity of the world economy. A number of indicators for assessing the effectiveness of the county’s accession to the interstate integration grouping on its global competitive force has been determined. The effects of international economic integration that affect the global competitive force of a potential Member State of an international integration grouping have been highlighted: the establishment of a single market, reduction of trade-related costs, redistribution of trade flows, changing the volume and structure of international trade (within the grouping and with third countries); redistribution of investment flows and enhancing international investment; strengthening the international division of labor, structural and technological changes in the manufacturing sector; the price level change and transforming pricing mechanisms, change in the volume and structure of consumption, establishment of a new competitive environment, liberalization of entry into industry markets; changes in employment and wages, education and health systems; implementation of the agreed economic policy, changing the model and quality of state regulation and political strategy of the country.

STANDARDIZATION OF DESCRIPTION OF MEDICAL PRODUCTS

Prerequisites and results of the work carried out by the Scientific Centre for Expert Evaluation of Medicinal Products on the standardization of the values of international non-proprietary, grouping and chemical names of drugs, anatomic-therapeutic-chemical classification, dosage forms, dosage units and other data are presented. The information is reduced to the same unique values in terms of information about identical drugs. This information is required for inclusion in a single directory drugs classifier, created to automate the management of drug purchases and implementation of a system for monitoring the movement of drugs. The work also substantiates the need for further revision and updating of the previously conducted work on the unification of information fields, and the revision of positions that did not previously require processing due to their uniqueness. The prospects for standardization of the description of medicines within the framework of the single market of the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union are outlined.

Collective Trauma and the Evolution of Nehru's Worldview: Uncovering the Roots of Nehruvian Non-Alignment

ABSTRACTScholarship on Nehruvian non-alignment often assumes an artificial continuity between Jawaharlal Nehru's pre-independence thinking and post-independence decision, as India's prime minister, to pursue a policy of rejecting any international blocs or military alliances. This article demonstrates that, in fact, the ideas that constituted Nehruvian non-alignment were largely absent from Nehru's pre-independence thought – during the decades before India's independence Nehru articulated a strong willingness to cede India's sovereignty to international groupings for idealistic aims. To explain Nehru's shift from idealistic internationalist to professed internationalist but de facto isolationist with regard to alliances and blocs, I advocate a first-image, constructivist approach which considers the impact of collective trauma on Nehru's worldview. Drawing upon a novel, synthesized approach to theorizing collective trauma's impact on national identity, this article argues that the collective trauma Nehru witnessed and experienced during the decades before Indian independence profoundly impacted his trust in international institutions and views on representational diplomacy. In turn, this trauma affected his interpretation of various ideational and strategic considerations, contributing to the formulation of Nehruvian non-alignment.

Economic rationalism in Canberra 25 years on?

This article, based on an edited transcript of a speech at The Australian Sociological Association (TASA) conference in Melbourne in December 2016, summarises the criticisms of ‘economic rationalism’, cum neoliberalism, that emerged from the ‘economic rationalism debate’ in Australia of the early 1990s to the present. Economic rationalism reversed Australia’s historic nation-building legacy. Free market neoliberal doctrines have captured the central Canberra policy-making apparatus and radically reduced the coordinating role of the state in most areas of public policy. Economic ‘reform’ is seen primarily as a political project led by international and domestic corporate interest groupings and aimed at the transformation of Australia’s institutions. The neoliberal orthodoxy continues to distort the policy process as it has become functionally indispensable for the process of policy making and government, despite its failing intellectual legitimacy.

A Blue BRICS, Maritime Security, and the South Atlantic

Abstract Analysts frequently label the BRICS grouping of states (Brazil, India, Russia, China, and South Africa) as primarily an economic club emphasising economic performances as primary objectives. Co-operation of international groupings are rarely, if ever, set within the context of their access to maritime interests, security, and benefits. A second void stems from the lack of emphasis upon the economic benefits of secured maritime domains. In this vein, a common, but neglected aspect of the BRICS grouping’s power and future influence resides in their maritime domains, the value of which ultimately depends upon the responsible governance and use of ocean territories. The maritime interests of BRICS countries only become meaningful if reinforced by maritime security governance and co-operation in the respective oceans. Presently China and India seem to dominate the maritime stage of BRICS, but the South Atlantic is an often overlooked space. For BRICS the value of the South Atlantic stems from how it secures and unlocks the potential of this maritime space through co-operative ventures between Brazil, South Africa as a late BRICS partner, and West African littoral states in particular. Unfortunately, BRICS holds its own maritime tensions, as member countries also pursue competing interests at sea.

Mapping International University Partnerships Identified by East African Universities as Strengthening Their Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health Programs

BackgroundInternational university partnerships are recommended for increasing the capacity of sub-Saharan African universities. Many publications describe individual partnerships and projects, and tools are available for guiding collaborations, but systematic mappings of the basic, common characteristics of partnerships are scarce. ObjectiveTo document and categorize the international interuniversity partnerships deemed significant to building the capacity of medicine, nursing, and public health programs of 4 East African universities. MethodsTwo universities in Kenya and 2 in Tanzania were purposefully selected. Key informant interviews, conducted with 42 senior representatives of the 4 universities, identified partnerships they considered significant for increasing the capacity of their institutions' medicine, nursing, and public health programs in education, research, or service. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed. Partners were classified by country of origin and corresponding international groupings, duration, programs, and academic health science components. FindingsOne hundred twenty-nine university-to-university partnerships from 23 countries were identified. Each university reported between 25 and 36 international university partners. Seventy-four percent of partnerships were with universities in high-income countries, 15% in low- and middle-income countries, and 11% with consortia. Seventy percent included medicine, 37% nursing, and 45% public health; 15% included all 3 programs. Ninety-two percent included an education component, 47% research, and 24% service; 12% included all 3 components. ConclusionsThis study confirms the rapid growth of interuniversity cross-border health partnerships this century. It also finds, however, that there is a pool of established international partnerships from numerous countries at each university. Most partnerships that seek to strengthen universities in East Africa should likely ensure they have a significant education component. Universities should make more systematic information about past and existing partnerships available publicly.

Rola i znaczenie międzynarodowych rozwiązań prawnych wobec procesów globalizacji

Growing international interdependencies, weakening of internal and external sovereignty of the state and necessity of joint overcoming of problems and global threats reveals the necessity of creating new rules of global order, based not only on nation-states, but also on growing number of international organizations and institutions, regional groupings, communities and local organizations. The globalization of political life fosters rise of number of institutions, organizations and international groupings and development of international law. The cooperation between them should respect the rules of equality, freedom, democracy, partnership, solidarity, respect for cultural diversity and environmental protection.