International System Research Articles

The International System for Serous Fluid Cytopathology (TIS) Survey in Preparation for TIS 2.0

The International System for Serous Fluid Cytopathology (TIS) Survey in Preparation for TIS 2.0

Challenging Power and Redefining Progress: Arundhati Roy’s Critique of Neoliberalism, Militarization, and Environmental Injustice

Abstract: This study examines how Arundhati Roy critically articulates power dynamics in her groundbreaking writings The Greater Common Good and Power Politics: The Reincarnation of Rumpelstiltskin, offering a thorough analysis of neoliberalism, militarization, and environmental injustice. By dissecting modern development theories, Roy reveals structural oppressive mechanisms that disproportionately affect ecological systems and vulnerable groups. The study shows the complex relationships between economic exploitation, environmental degradation, and social marginalization by critically examining the ways in which corporate interests and state-sponsored policies work together to sustain structural violence. The research examines the rhetorical construction of development via a postcolonial feminist perspective, exposing the systematic commodification of natural resources and the dispossession of indigenous population by neoliberal ideology. Roy’s philosophical intervention highlights grassroots resistance as a transformative political approach and centers the realities of marginalized people, challenging prevailing narratives. Large- scale infrastructure projects, like the Sardar Sarovar Dam, are symbolic representations of modern power structures that put economic expansion ahead of the wellbeing of people and the environment, as the analysis shows. The ethical implications of development theories are critically examined in this study, which adds to larger academic conversations about social resistance, political economy, and environmental justice. Roy’s writing are regarded as an important intellectual critique that reveals the normalized violence present in international capitalism systems and provides substitute ideas of progress, sovereignty, and ecological interdependence.

If Elected as a non-permanent member in 2026, can Liberia leverage its influence on the UN Security Council?

From the exploratory case study method that is also qualitative, this article provides a conceptual understanding of Liberia’s bid for the seat as UNSC NPM with an emphasis on its influence on the global stage. Based on the conceptualization of how small states can leverage their influence on the UNSC to substantially contribute to international peace and security, this paper doubts not the possibility for small states to leverage their influence at the UNSC but is particularly skeptical about the leverage of Liberia's influence as a small state on the UNSC. The paper argues that Liberia's prolonged absence from the UNSC since 1961 coupled with its peripheral position in the international system raised a legitimate concern that resonates with the conceptual framework adopted by this paper. Conclusively, the paper argues that if elected as UNSC NPM, Liberia's position will be similar to the ceremonial role of most African countries that exit the UNSC without a mark of significance difference. It recommends that to make a significant difference, Liberia could take a cue from Estonia and Lithuania experiences cited in this paper as small states that meaningfully impacted the UNSC.

Compass, oceans and world politics. Book review of the collective monograph ‘International relations: Facets of the present and the future’

The book under review is a collective monograph by the Russian International Affairs Council ‘International relations: Facets of the present and the future’, published in 2023. The reviewer emphasizes the high relevance of this work since all leading states (including Russia) are facing a need for a deeper rethinking of current trends in the development of international relations and establishment of new strategic priorities. The book under review differs from numerous recent Russian and foreign publications on the matter by a truly broad thematic scope and comprehensive approach. The monograph touches upon both the ‘classical’ factors of international relations (military power, energy, trade) and a number of new ones, which have acquired particular importance as the international system entered a period of profound transformation. These new factors include artificial intelligence, education, digital security, the climate crisis, ‘soft power’, etc. The reviewer concludes that this monograph can serve as a beacon in the raging ocean of modern world politics and as such may be of interest to both international experts and diplomats, as well as to a broad reading audience.

Scholarship with a Purpose: Frontiers of Gender Equality Pushes the Boundaries for Students and Scholars Alike

Abstract This review article critiques Frontiers of Gender Equality: Transnational Legal Perspectives, edited by Rebecca J Cook. Composed of chapters centred on advancing gender equality, Frontiers differs from the typical edited collection because the authors worked collaboratively and shared a common purpose. They are all strongly committed to substantive equality (as opposed to formal equality) and recognise the importance of addressing intersectional discrimination. In their respective chapters the authors expand the discourse surrounding gender equality law by envisioning transformative approaches to righting gendered wrongs in domestic, regional and international human rights systems. While the collection is certainly valuable for scholars and legal practitioners, this review article considers its value for a different audience – that of graduate students in law and gender studies. Because the book is far more structured and unified than the typical edited collection, it could serve as a foundational textbook for an advanced comparative course on gender equality and the law. This review article – authored by a professor and a law student – analyses the book’s considerable strengths as a textbook. However, it also identifies certain weaknesses and suggests supplementary materials, in order to provide better coverage of the Asia-Pacific region.

The BRICS New Development Bank in the World Financial System

The article reveals the main stages of formation of New Development Bank (NDB), its strategic peculiarities and activity areas, opportunities and existing challenges to achieve the aims concerning promotion of interests of developing countries in the international fi nancial system, including reforms of international fi nancial institutions. The analysis shows that during the decade of its existence NDB turned into fully functional fi nancial institute with its own management bodies, a strong fi nancial profi le (credit rating AA+ from Standard and Poors). All this allows the bank to attract long-term fi nancing on global capital markets. The bank also has a wide range of borrowers in the fi eld of infrastructure projects and sustainable development. The core principle of NDB’s organizational and management system is the equal contribution in capital that means the equal voice rights of the founding countries plus "agreement by consensus". The analysis held by the authors demonstrates that this principle can cause both positive as well as negative consequences. For example, it can lead to disagreements between member countries concerning credit policy. The problem can be solved only via a trade-off . Being the new and special development bank, NDB at the same time has to consider economic reality he operates in. The research proves that today NDB is a part of international fi nancial community. The bank aims to cooperate with other MDBs. Nevertheless, NDB actively supports the question of reforming the existing world fi nancial institutions, including IMF, World Bank and other MDBs to promote the principles of equality and justice at the global level. Bank’s loyalty to its own strategies and principles allows to consider NDB as a fi nancial institute, that is alternate to other MDBs. Of course, now NDB cannot replace all other MDBs. Alternativeness here means a demonstration of possibility to achieve more equal and fair approach to international fi nancial relations. Such approach meets the interests of the majority of countries in the world. That’s why it’s evident that despite many challenges the role of NDB in world fi nancial system will increase.

Better Organisation of Occupational Pensions: What Else Can Germany Learn From the International Context?

The organisation of occupational pension schemes in Germany is a topic worthy of further investigation, as there is an opportunity to benefit from the experience of other countries and increase the prevalence of such schemes. For instance, how might the participation and commitment of employees in company pension schemes in Germany be enhanced through the examination of international models? It is crucial to investigate how the occupational pension scheme diverges from those of other leading countries. These questions can serve as a foundation for a more comprehensive inquiry into how Germany could enhance its occupational pension scheme in light of international experience. The extant literature primarily addresses occupational pension schemes at the national level. It is evident from an analysis of the existing literature that occupational pension provision is becoming an increasingly significant aspect of the German pension landscape. This is due to the fact that an increasing number of employees view occupational pension provision as an important supplement to the statutory pension. Consequently, there has been a notable increase in the willingness to take out a pension, with figures more than doubling over the past three years. Despite an increase in willingness to take out occupational pension plans, Germany is significantly behind other countries in terms of penetration rates. An analysis of existing literature has revealed a lack of research on international occupational pension systems, highlighting the need for a comparative analysis of these systems with the German system. This paper compares selected occupational pension systems with the German occupational pension system. The sample consists of 10 selected countries. In the methodological part of the study, the differences between the international occupational pension systems are first analysed by means of a qualitative content analysis of the existing literature. In the quantitative part of the research, the differences are then evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis analysis with the statistical programme DATAtab. The results show the differences between successful occupational pension systems and are intended to offer a possible approach for the reform of the German occupational pension system.

Теоретичні підходи до розвитку логістичних систем в умовах нестабільності економічного середовища

It has been established that modern conditions of economic instability are characterized by rapid changes in demand, supply, and other business parameters, forcing enterprises to seek new solutions to ensure their competitiveness. The necessity of flexible logistics systems management has been proven, allowing for adaptation to new challenges, enhancing the effectiveness of management practices, and ensuring sustainable business development. Theoretical approaches to developing logistics systems play a crucial role in addressing these tasks, particularly by implementing innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and automation. The development of logistics systems is characterized as a complex and multidimensional task that requires flexibility, innovation, and sustainability to overcome economic risks. A logistics system structure is presented, including the main objective, core idea, goals, functions, principles, and the primary aim within the context of international logistics systems. The main directions for decision-making in conditions of economic instability are discussed, including risk and uncertainty analysis, resource and asset diversification, cost reduction, process optimization, flexible planning, innovation, digitalization, and a focus on resilience. The proposed theoretical approaches to developing logistics systems as adaptive, innovative, risk-oriented, customer-focused, and cooperative− contribute to effective functioning and adaptation in a rapidly changing economic environment. It has been demonstrated that important directions for ensuring the sustainability and competitiveness of businesses include: firstly, the adaptability of logistics systems to unstable conditions, which entails their ability to respond quickly to changes in market situations, economic crises, fluctuations in demand, and other external factors; and secondly, the integration of innovative technologies into local processes (digital platforms for monitoring; the use of big data; automation and robotics). Keywords: adaptability, economic instability, efficiency, logistics system, development, management, enterprise.

Democracia global y Estados no representativos

Abstract Can the current international system provide sufficient protection for individual freedom in a globalized world? This article aims to show that only a legitimate international system could offer such protection. However, the current international system lacks legitimacy because it is composed of a large number of non-representative states that dominate their people. Consequently, this paper analyzes the possibility of international interventions as a means to transform non-democratic states into democratic ones, based on the distinction between dominating and non-dominating interventions, according to whether the freedom as status is compromised, and in turn between interventions that strengthen and weaken global democracy.

Emerging Middle Powers, Transitions, and the Role of Turkey in a Changing International Order

In what ways are emerging powers affecting the liberal international order? This study examines the increasing influence of emerging powers in international affairs and how these powers may shape the new order that is emerging. We argue that the declining roles of existing international organizations and Western diplomatic interventions have paved the way for new actors, mostly emerging powers that are now leading various interventions. Yet research has not fully captured the implications of these new powers for the emerging order. Using Turkey as a case study, the authors demonstrate that shifts within the international system are likely to have far-reaching consequences to the liberal international order and may give rise to illiberal conservative trends. The study addresses how emerging powers are likely to change the international system and relates some contributing factors. The study concludes that the shift of emerging powers towards illiberal conservativism may have a volatile impact on the liberal international order.

Evaluation of an HIV-related Education Intervention Scale-up: A Hybrid Type 3 Effectiveness-implementation Study in the Dominican Republic.

We developed an infographic intervention to augment HIV-related education in the Dominican Republic (DR), which demonstrated preliminary success in pilot studies. We then partnered with the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) HIV Services and Systems Strengthening program in the DR to scale up the intervention. We used a two-tier Training-of-Trainer (TOT) method to teach intervention administration. N = 12 program leaders completed the tier-1 training and subsequently taught N ~ 102 clinical staff to use infographics with people with HIV (PWH) (tier-2 trainings). Study Aim 1 was to assess implementation outcomes; Aim 2 was to explore infographic influences on program-level health outcomes. We conducted a hybrid type 3 effectiveness-implementation study with three data components: (1) Surveys bookending tier-1 and tier-2 trainings; (2) Focus groups with tier-1 and tier-2 trainees; and (3) program-level data. We designed surveys according to Kirkpatrick's Training Evaluation Model and analyzed responses with descriptive statistics and/or Fisher's exact tests. We led four focus groups with a theory-driven guide and analyzed transcripts with conventional qualitative content analysis. We analyzed program-level data by comparing outcomes before and after infographic use with advanced statistical modeling. All 12 program leaders completed tier-1, and 36 staff completed tier-2 surveys; focus groups comprised eight tier-1 and 27 tier-2 trainees; program-level data pertained to 4,318 PWH. Surveys and focus groups indicated the TOT method is feasible, acceptable, and sustainable. Program-level findings showed PWH were more likely to attend scheduled visits and be virally suppressed following infographic implementation. Results indicate our intervention can likely enhance HIV education at large scale.

Explaining the EU’s policy shift toward China: an institutional approach

ABSTRACT The foreign policy of the EU has long been criticized for prioritizing ‘expediency above principles’ and failing to ‘speak in a single voice.’ However, its strategy toward China has demonstrated a surprisingly coordinated shift over the past decade – one that requires a theoretical explanation. By problematizing existing approaches that focus on either individual policy sectors or the international system, this article introduces an institutional approach. This approach emphasizes the role of the EU’s fundamental objectives and the institutional framework supporting them in explaining the EU’s policy shift toward third countries. Drawing on evidence from official documents, news reports, and interviews with policymakers, this article illustrates how the rise of China has challenged the EU’s fundamental objectives of prosperity and security, which further intensifies the existing value conflicts between Brussels and Beijing. This article contributes to the scholarly discussion of the interplay between global disorder and European integration.

State Practice and Opinio Juris at the Intersection of Customary International Law and General Principles of Law

Abstract Starting from a reflection on the legacy of Benedetto Conforti’s scholarship and his construction of general principles of law as a sui generis category of customary international law, this essay discusses the issue of the distinction between general principles and customary rules. It focuses on the recent work of the International Law Commission, and argues that the solutions offered in the Draft Conclusions on General Principles of Law, provisionally adopted in 2023, are far from satisfactory as regards both principles derived from national legal systems and principles formed within the international legal system.

How Putin’s Perceived Threats Escalate Russia-West Tensions: a Balance of Threat-Based Content Analysis

Abstract The Russia-Ukraine conflict in the past decade has garnered attention as a subject of inquiry because of its implications for security in the international system. This research examines the relationship between Russia’s perceived threats from the West and the subsequent fluctuations in tensions in the reciprocal relations between Russia and the West. The researcher used an explanatory design and a qualitative method with deductive reasoning for a cross-sectional study. The Russian president was selected as the sample, and data related to Putin’s annual speeches to the Federal Assembly from 2014 to 2024 were examined using manual conceptual content analysis in line with Stephen Walt’s balance of threat theory. The author discovered that Russia’s perceived threats from the West prompted the development of strategies that involved assertive measures to counter them. The research concludes that the Russian president’s perceived threats from the West have escalated tension in the Russia-West mutual relations, confirming the research’s hypothesis.

Linking Theory to Practice

Before the 1990s, the practice of post-conflict management mainly focused on military and law-enforcement priorities. Since then, a development-oriented approach has evolved by making a greater sense of the better addressing of the root causes and characteristics of conflicts, as well as the needs and motivations of actors and individuals. In the same vein, critical approaches to the traditionally „minimalist” approach suggested a relatively new, community-based practice that may help to better understand the complex political, psychological and economic situation in local terms to enhance the efficiency of reintegration of former combatants and make them socially and politically represented after conflicts end. At the same time, according to Mary Kaldor’s theory, we have witnessed meaningful qualitative changes regarding the nature of armed conflicts which pose vital challenges to the Westphalian international system as they reshape the concept of sovereignty and question the state monopoly on violence. Proponents of the “new war” thesis argue that such qualitative changes in wars also necessitate a fundamental shift from the traditional peacebuilding approaches. In Kaldor’s view, as a consequence of the rapid globalisation during the 1990s and the never-ending erosion of state sovereignty a fundamentally new theoretical framework is needed in the course of peace operations which is entirely different from the former so-called „liberal peace”. Thus, the new characteristics of wars pointed out by Kaldor may have a great significance in how peacebuilding and DDR programmes should be planned and implemented in post-conflict settlements. In this analysis the question is how the failure of traditional disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) programmes and the prospective new generation of them reflect to „new wars” theories, particularly to Kaldor’s thesis, so what connections they may have, if any. The author makes this search through a Liberian case study. The focal points of the analysis include: actors (1); motivations and goals (2); brutality and the victimisation of the civilians (3); and economic and financial characteristics (4).

Saving Russia. Neorealist Theorists and the Interpretation of the Kremlin’s International Policy according to the Actor-Network Concept

The Russian-Ukrainian war of 2014–2024 and the destructive role of Russia negatively affects regional and global aspects of the life of peoples and states. It has created a threat of serious chaos in international relations. Russia’s aggressive policy has caused a crisis in world politics that even the great powers of today cannot overcome. The return to a new Cold War and the outbreak of a major war in Europe threatens the entire modern international system with dangerous turbulence. The purpose of the study is to analyze the concept of effectiveness and the role of influential international actors in the modern Russian-Ukrainian war in the field of actor-network theory. The research methodology is based on the principles of science, objectivity, historicism and the basic conceptual and theoretical provisions of the study of world politics and international relations. Actor-network theory was introduced by Michel Callon and Bruno Latour in the second half of the 1980s. In accordance with this theory, relations between participants are determined by the network itself and are marked by the intensity and orientation of the network of interactions. In the sense of international relations and world politics, this means that they are under the strong or even decisive influence of powerful international actors (big powers and flexible interstate coalitions). Russia is seen as one of the most influential international players or “core of localities” that interact. Accordingly, other influential international actors are very cautious about the complete break of relations with Russia; they do not consider the possibility of its complete defeat in the aggressive war against Ukraine. Such a position was reflected and substantiated in various theoretical approaches, examples of which are the ideas of neorealism representatives such as John Mearsheimer, Farid Zakaria and Henry Kissinger.

Insights from the U.S. Admissions System for the Reform of International Student Recruitment in China

The current international student recruitment system in China is fraught with challenges such as an incomplete standardized examination framework and an inadequate performance-based assessment system, which fail to holistically evaluate students’ true capabilities and potential for growth. By examining the successful experiences of the U.S. admissions system, particularly the shifts in Stanford University’s admission policies before and after the pandemic, this study explores the implications of these experiences for the reform of China’s international student recruitment system. It is suggested that future reforms in China should focus on establishing unified and transparent admission criteria, strengthening performance-based assessments, and improving the preparatory education system to enhance the global competitiveness of Chinese higher education institutions, attract more outstanding international students, and promote the internationalization of higher education.

Ukraine and the Academy — One War, Many Theories

Leading theorists of major schools of thought in international relations disagree over the root causes of the ongoing war in Ukraine. This paper examines the merits and bases of the theories or explanations provided by each major IR school. It explores the dominant arguments concerning the nature and trajectory of the ongoing war, the prospects for its resolution, and its strategic effects on the international system with a particular emphasis on China. We argue that scholars’ views on these topics are significantly influenced by their theoretical orientations within international relations. Furthermore, strategic thinkers and policymakers, identified as homines theoretici or feminae theoreticae, are themselves deeply influenced by their theoretical understandings of the world, which in turn shape their normative engagement with world affairs. However, the interplay between theoretical perspectives and practical realities hinges on the dynamics of power and objective material conditions on the ground.

Kewarganegaraan dan Pertanggungjawaban Pidana

This research examines issues related to citizenship and criminal responsibility in the context of international courts, with a focus on how these challenges influence law enforcement processes. Through a case study-based qualitative analysis approach and a review of recent literature, this research explores how dual citizenship, the political status of perpetrators, and globalization influence jurisdiction and justice in international courts. Case studies analyzed include The Prosecutor v. Al-Bashir and The Prosecutor v. Dominic Ongwen, who shows how these issues hamper international courts' efforts to enforce the law. The findings of this research underscore the need for reform in the international legal system, including legal harmonization, reform of extradition mechanisms, and increased coordination between courts. This research also highlights the importance of continuous education and training for international law officials to face new challenges in the era of globalization.

PENGARUH KEBIJAKAN LUAR NEGERI TERHADAP HUKUM PIDANA INTERNASIONAL

The application of international criminal law in Africa is greatly influenced by the foreign policies of international actors and African countries themselves. The foreign policies of international actors, such as Western countries and multilateral organizations, often determine support for or rejection of institutions such as the International Criminal Court (ICC). This international support, whether diplomatic pressure or financial assistance, strengthens the role of international legal institutions in the prosecution of serious crimes in Africa. However, this relationship also gives rise to political tensions, where several African countries see this intervention as a form of neo-colonialism and ignore their national sovereignty. On the other hand, the foreign policies of African countries show complex dynamics. Some countries, such as Botswana, fully support the ICC as a means of ensuring accountability, while others, such as Sudan and Kenya, reject international intervention, especially in cases involving their political leaders. The relationship between African states and the international community in the process of implementing international criminal law reflects the efforts made to balance the need for international justice with the protection of state sovereignty. In this context, the development of regional alternatives such as the African Criminal Court is also a response to tensions with the Western-dominated international legal system.