Limitations In Terms Research Articles

Term limits in parliament and electoral disconnection: the case of the Five Star Movement

Term limits in parliament and electoral disconnection: the case of the Five Star Movement

Horizon problem and capital expenditures: evidence from the public sector in Indonesia

PurposeThis study investigates whether horizon problems affect the allocation of capital budgets and their implementation in a government setting.Design/methodology/approachWe use data from 2005 to 2020 for local governments in Indonesia, which apply a limit of two five-year terms for mayors. We use regression analyses for panel data with total observations of 4,541 local government years from 448 unique local governments. We also use graphical analyses and t-tests to provide robustness to our results.FindingsMayors allocated lower capital expenditures in the second term than in the first. Capital budget allocation is lower for local governments whose mayors are older than 60. Our additional analysis shows that incumbents seeking re-election allocate more capital expenditure than those not seeking re-election.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to the literature on the behavioral effect of term limits on local government's allocation and implementation of capital budgets. Limiting elected government officials to a certain number of terms will prevent the monopoly of power. However, it may negatively affect budget allocation on capital programs in their last term. Our findings should interest public policymakers in discerning the costs and benefits of term limits for elected offices.Originality/valueMost studies on horizon problems have focused on the corporate setting. This study provides evidence of the effects of horizon problems in the government setting, especially in Asia.

Term limits and accountability incentives to perform: performative signalling of local governmental action

ABSTRACT Research exploring term-limits’ influence on politicians’ behaviour has mainly focused on financial measures of government performance. However, other dimensions of performance which can be used by politicians to claim credit and boost their political careers have seldom been explored in this research agenda. Leveraging the lift of the reelection ban for Mexican mayors after 2014, we study the electoral incentives of term limits on local government performance. We use a difference-in-difference design and compare first-term mayors, thus discarding alternative mechanisms such as differences in competence due to longer tenure. Municipalities where reelection is allowed report more municipal council meetings. Yet, term limits fail to affect the initiatives presented per meeting, administrative procedures on behalf of citizens, nor water provision. Thus, while term limits affect performance incentives for local politicians via accountability and electoral incentives, these focus on more visible and performative actions that serve as inexpensive signals of governmental activity.

PEMBATASAN MASA JABATAN KETUA UMUM PARTAI POLITIK: TINJAUAN NEGARA HUKUM DAN DEMOKRASI

This paper aims to identify the implications of not regulating the term limits of political party chairmen on the principles of the rule of law and democracy and to find juridical and conceptual reasons for the government to regulate it. This research employs a normative legal method with a statutory and conceptual approach. Some of the research findings show that the implications of the absence of rules limiting the term of office of political party chairmen have negative implications for the principles of the rule of law and democracy, namely that leadership turnover or regeneration does not take place regularly. As a result, the majority of leadership in political parties has an authoritarian character where the party as an organization is not managed based on rules, but is determined by the authority and personal subjectivity of the chairperson. Initially, the limitation on the term of office of party chairpersons was not included in the regulation to prevent the Government from interfering in the internal affairs of parties, which based on past experience - especially during the Old Order and New Order, excessive state intervention has led to violations of citizens' constitutional rights to associate and assemble. Currently, the threat to citizens' freedom of association and assembly comes from the internal power of political parties, particularly from party chairpersons. With enormous and almost unlimited authority, party chairmen can act arbitrarily. Therefore, it is time for the Government to strictly regulate the limitation of the term of office of party chairpersons to...

Legal Constraints or Aggregate Individual Characteristics? Examining Factors of State R&D Intensity and Spending in the United States

ABSTRACTThis study empirically examines the impacts of legal constraints and aggregate individual characteristics on the funding and expenditure related to states' research and development (R&D). A system generalized method of moments (GMM) analysis is performed over a 20‐year period (2000–2019). The budgetary institutions, including rainy‐day funds, TELs, and debt limitations, significantly affect states' overall innovative capacity and R&D spending. They can hinder improvements in states' innovative capacity and R&D expenditure. On the other hand, states can circumvent these institutions and increase their R&D intensity and spending. States' development and human capacity foster their innovative capacity and R&D spending. Catholic work ethic is also crucial for enhancing state governments' innovative capacity and R&D expenditure. Legislative term limits reduce states' R&D intensity and expenditure. Meanwhile, economic downturns may motivate additional spending on R&D activities to promote states' innovative capacity and R&D spending. Fiscal burdens can prevent states from investing in R&D.

Mind bylaws when confronting board term limit issues

With all of the disruption in nonprofit operating environments during the pandemic, it may have escaped your board's attention that one or more members of the board have termed out. In fact, it's even possible that the terms of entire boards actually ended during the pandemic and associated lockdowns, without anyone noticing. But does that mean the board's decisions since then are all moot and void? Not necessarily, according to Benjamin Takis, co‐founder of Sustainability Education 4 Nonprofits.

Term Limitation of Indonesian Parliamentarians Seen from Constitutionalism

This article intends to use a constitutionalist lens to examine why term limits for Indonesia's People's Representative Council and Regional Representative Council are necessary. The article employs the statutory approach, the conceptual approach, and the comparative approach to writing about normative law. The article makes use of deductive and inductive reasoning strategies grounded in prescriptive analysis. Due to the inability to locate a clause or provision that regulates limitedly regarding the limitation of the term of office of members of the People's Representative Council and Regional Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia, from a constitutionalist's perspective, the paper concludes that such a limitation is urgently necessary. Since constitutionalism necessitates checks and balances, it follows that this goes against the Republic of Indonesia's constitution. As a result, the article concludes that three (3) factors emphasize the necessity of term limits for members of the Indonesian Parliament as a means of strengthening the principle of constitutionalism: (1) the existence of a legal vacuum, (2) the poor quality of Indonesian democracy, and (3) the importance of leadership regeneration.

Time, money, and support: Exploring young adult representation in state legislatures

The underrepresentation of young adults in legislative bodies in the United States represents a democratic deficit. Nonetheless, little is known about the factors that shape their underrepresentation in this context. In this article, I examine the severity of young adults' underrepresentation in U.S. state legislatures and explore how four institutional mechanisms help to explain representational variations across the states. I demonstrate that 1) young adults in the voting age population are underrepresented in state legislative lower chambers by an average factor of 3, but that some states are better performers than others for the period 2018–2022; 2) a combination of institutional arrangements can positively impact young adults’ descriptive representation: the harmonization of voter and candidate age requirements, increased legislative professionalism, and the use of term limits and single-member districts. This article thus contributes both to our knowledge of young adult representation in a critical case and to the scholarship on subnational politics.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REFORM AND SUSTENANCE OF STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES (SOES) IN ZIMBABWE

The study sought to ascertain corporate governance reforms that foster sustenance of the SOEs in Zimbabwe and how such reforms can be implemented. This study has used a mixed-methods technique and a pragmatist philosophy. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, whereby structured questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data. Top and middle management, board members, board chairpersons, and CEOs of Zimbabwe’s SOEs made up the target population. For quantitative data, a sample size of 351 people was obtained using the sample process created by Krejcie and Morgan (1970). Interviews were done with sixteen (16) people until saturation was achieved. Stratified random sampling was used in the study to choose respondents for the quantitative data collection. To choose interview subjects for the qualitative data, purposeful sampling was applied. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 and NVivo version 12, respectively. According to the study, the primary corporate governance reforms for the survival of the SOEs in Zimbabwe included the following: open nomination processes for the SOEs; removal and resignation of directors who did not comply with best corporate governance practices; limitations on board member compensation; and changes to the executive directors’ terms of service. This research has shown that best corporate governance practices in the SOEs are brought about by reforming the Board Appointments Board (RAB). In order to ensure that corporate governance reforms are implemented effectively, the present study has suggested that term limits, with a maximum of ten (10) years, in Chief Executive Officer Employment contracts be strictly enforced.

Democratic Rollback in West Africa: Coup Contagion, Sit-tight Tyrants and Best Options for Regional Organisations

Unconstitutional changes of government (UCG) have resurfaced in West Africa, undermining decades of democratic progress. This article examines the effectiveness of intervention strategies by regional organizations, specifically the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in preventing democratic backsliding and mitigating military coups. Despite these organizations’ efforts, their strategies, including diplomatic pressure, economic sanctions, and military threats, have often yielded limited success. The study investigates the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches, highlighting the inconsistency in sanctions application and the internal divisions within ECOWAS that hamper effective intervention. Through a comprehensive review of recent coups in Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon, the study explores the broader political and economic factors contributing to instability, such as corruption, weak institutions, and socioeconomic challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest that enhancing democratic institutions, promoting good governance, and enforcing strict term limits are crucial for long-term stability. This study aims to contribute to the development of more robust frameworks for safeguarding democracy in West Africa, offering recommendations for regional organizations, national governments, and international actors to address the challenges of democratic backsliding and coup contagion.

KAJIAN YURIDIS PASAL 23 AYAT 1 UNDANG-UNDANG NOMOR 2 TAHUN 2011 TENTANG PARTAI POLITIK MENGENAI BATAS MASA JABATAN KETUA PARTAI POLITIK

This study addresses the urgency of limiting the tenure of party leaders in Indonesia to strengthen the democratic system. According to Karl Popper, democracy allows citizens to control their leaders, contrasting with authoritarian leadership styles. Indonesia, as a democratic nation, recognizes the crucial role of political parties in political dynamics, regulated under Law No. 2 of 2011. However, this law does not specifically address the tenure limits of party leaders, leading to potential abuse of power and the emergence of political dynasties. This research highlights cases such as PDIP, Demokrat, and Gerindra, where party leaders have held their positions for extended periods. The study advocates for the implementation of standardized rules regarding the term limits of party leaders to prevent authoritarianism and ensure a healthy democracy.

Understanding the effect of term limits on voter turnout: Evidence from a quasi-experiment in Costa Rica based on a registered report

Imposing term limits on elected officials is expected to increase turnout due to enhanced competition by one theoretical perspective, while another predicts depressed turnout as a result of clientelist turnout buying. These puzzling contradictory predictions are examined by a quasi-experiment (using a difference-in-differences approach) based on a 2022 reform which introduced term limits for Costa Rican mayors that were applied for the first time in the 2024 municipal election. Over one half of mayors suddenly faced retroactive term limits, while the remaining ones were eligible for reelection. This analysis was pre-registered following the 2022 reform but before the 2024 election, that is, at a time when treatment assignment already occurred but the post-treatment outcomes were not known and the analysis could still not be performed. The analysis could only be completed after the February 2024 election. The results suggest that the adoption of term limits reinvigorated electoral competition but that its participatory gains were only modest, fostering turnout only in the largest cities. The analysis contributes by advancing the—still uncommon—practice of pre-registering observational research after the treatment assignment but prior to the release of the data (and even prior to the processes that produce that data).

Analysis of the Types of Retracted COVID-19 Articles Published in PubMed-Listed Journals.

Periodically, medical publications are retracted. The reasons vary from minor situations, such as author attributions, which do not undermine the validity of the data or the analysis in the article, to serious reasons, such as fraud. Understanding the reasons for retraction can provide important information for clinicians, educators, researchers, journals, and editorial boards. The PubMed database was searched using the term "COVID-19" (coronavirus disease 2019) and the term limitation "retracted publication." The characteristics of the journals with retracted articles, the types of article, and the reasons for retraction were analyzed. This search recovered 196 articles that had been retracted. These retractions were published in 179 different journals; 14 journals had >1 retracted article. The mean impact factor of these journals was 8.4, with a range of 0.32-168.9. The most frequent reasons for retractions were duplicate publication, concerns about data validity and analysis, concerns about peer review, author request, and the lack of permission or ethical violation. There were significant differences between the types of article and the reasons for retraction but no consistent pattern. A more detailed analysis of two particular retractions demonstrates the complexity and the effort required to make decisions about article retractions. The retraction of published articles presents a significant challenge to journals, editorial boards, peer reviewers, and authors. This process has the potential to provide important benefits; it also has the potential to undermine confidence in both research and the editorial process.

More Electoral Competition Without More Voter Participation: Quasi-Experimental Test of a Term Limit Reform in Ecuador

Term limits are theoretically expected to boost voter participation which has been confirmed by multiple empirical examinations. This study uses a robust causal assessment within the difference-in-differences framework to evaluate this hypothesis. It leverages an exogenous 2018 term limit reform in Ecuador which prohibited some, but not all, incumbent mayors from running in elections. Contrary to expectations, the results indicate null findings: the adoption of term limits has neither increased turnout, nor depressed the casting of blank and spoiled ballots (alternative indicators of voter engagement under compulsory voting). This is puzzling given that the reform impacted the electoral competition by significantly increasing the number of mayoral candidates in the newly open-seat contests. Two possible solutions to the puzzle of the null findings are presented with implications for understanding the scope conditions for the effect of term limits on voter participation.

Pragmatism and protest: Russia’s communist party through Covid-19 and beyond

AbstractThe Covid-19 epidemic came at a sensitive time for Russia’s leadership, which was attempting a political reset and structural reforms, including the removal of President Putin’s presidential term limits. This article examines how issues related to the pandemic provided new opportunities for the systemic opposition, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, who emerged as the main beneficiaries after capitalising on opportunities created by the epidemic. The underappreciated role of systemic opposition parties in electoral authoritarian systems, which balance “voice” and “loyalty” to benefit both themselves and the regime, is examined in the context of the Covid-19 crisis.

Radioprotective Potency of Nanoceria.

Cancer presents a significant medical challenge that requires effective management. Current cancer treatment options, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, have limitations in terms of their efficacy and the potential harm they can cause to normal tissues. In response, researchers have been focusing on developing adjuvants that can enhance tumor responses while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Among the promising options, nanoceria (NC), a type of nanoparticle composed of cerium oxide, has garnered attention for its potential to improve various cancer treatment regimens. Nanoceria has demonstrated its ability to exhibit toxicity towards cancer cells, inhibit invasion, and sensitize cancer cells to both radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The remarkable aspect is that nanoceria show minimal toxicity to normal tissues while protecting against various forms of reactive oxygen species generation. Its capability to enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiotherapy has also been observed. This paper thoroughly reviews the current literature on nanoceria's applications within different cancer treatment modalities, with a specific focus on radiotherapy. The emphasis is on nanoceria's unique role in enhancing tumor radiosensitization and safeguarding normal tissues from radiation damage.

Political Uncertainty and the Geographic Allocation of Credit: Evidence from Small Businesses

AbstractWe investigate how banks change the geographic distribution of their small business loan portfolio when they face political uncertainty in some of the states where they operate. Using exogenous variation in gubernatorial elections with binding term limits, we show that political uncertainty causes local banks to increase out‐of‐state lending to small firms, particularly those located in higher‐income areas. This effect follows a decrease in local lending and is stronger for banks that are more capital‐constrained. The increase in out‐of‐state credit leads to an increase in employment growth and net firm creation in sectors with larger capital needs.

Political determinants of COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine rollouts: The case of regional elections in Italy and Spain

The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most significant public health crises in modern history, with considerable impacts on the policy frameworks of national governments. In response to the pandemic, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and mass vaccination campaigns have been employed to protect vulnerable groups. Through the lens of Political Budget Cycle (PBC) theory, this study explores the interplay between incumbent electoral concerns and political dynamics in influencing the implementation of NPIs and vaccination rollout within the administrative regions of Italy and Spain during the period spanning June 2020 to July 2021. The results reveal that incumbents up for the next scheduled election are 5.8 % more likely to increase the stringency of containment measures than those that face a term limit. The findings also demonstrate that the seats of the incumbent and coalition parties in parliament and the number of parties in the coalition have a negative effect on both the efficiency of the vaccination rollout and the stringency of NPIs. Additionally, the competitiveness of the election emerges as an important predictor of the strictness of NPIs. Therefore, our results suggest that incumbents may strategically manipulate COVID-19 policy measures to optimize electoral outcomes. The study underscores the substantive influence of political incentives, competitive electoral environments, and government coalitions on policy formulation during health emergencies.

Which Constitutional Provisions Are Most Important?

National constitutions codify provisions on a wide range of topics, ranging from presidential term limits to the country’s flag. But are all constitutional provisions equally important? Some are likely to be particularly consequential for how governments function, while others are likely to be largely symbolic. To date, there has been little research on the relative importance of constitutional provisions. To explore current thinking on this subject, we assembled a group of twelve comparative constitutional scholars to rate the relative importance of 340 constitutional provisions to the functioning of a country’s government. These aggregate ratings make three contributions to constitutional studies: (1) provide evidence on the current state of academic thought on the comparative importance of constitutional provisions; (2) establish an index of constitutional importance to be used in future research projects; and (3) offer a roadmap that could help direct research to provisions that may be more likely to have significant impacts on governance-related outcomes.

Failed hereditary succession in comparative perspective: The case of Senegal (2000–2024)

Abstract Contrary to enduring theoretical expectations on neopatrimonialism, family successions are rare in sub-Saharan Africa. This article demonstrates that family successions are difficult to set up and might fail when rulers attempt to implement them. Building on the scholarship on political dynasties and family successions in broader comparative politics, I demonstrate that the study of failed attempts helps unveil the specific mechanisms of such failure. While scholarship documents how formal rules (such as term limits) constrain the ruler’s succession agenda, I contend that other types of constraints -party politics, opposition coalition, and public opinion-might also strongly impact it but have remained underexamined. The Senegal case study helps uncover these constraints. The article begins by emphasizing the theoretical importance and empirical challenges of studying non-cases of family successions and, more specifically, failed attempts. Then, the article examines the Senegalese failed hereditary succession between former President Abdoulaye Wade and his son Karim. Through a longitudinal single-country case study (2000–2024), this article employs process-tracing to uncover the three main interrelated mechanisms, which led to this failure: Popular resentment towards the succession attempt, a succession crisis due to the ruler’s not leaving power, and elite defection leading to party split. In mutually reinforcing each other, these dynamics converged to block the transfer of power from the ruler to his son. Therefore, this single case study of a failed attempt enhances our empirical and theoretical understanding of what drives variation in the success or failure of family succession. I argue that the role of actors (party elites and voters) in the succession process and how they engage with the rules of the game (mainly over party leadership selection and elections) impact the succession outcome.