State Officials Research Articles

From conventional insurgency to binational criminal syndicate? ELN’s state capture in the Colombia-Venezuela Borderland

ABSTRACT This article investigates the Colombian National Liberation Army (ELN) intervention in an economic broker by coopting local and comunal power. Colombian-Venezuelan borderland, underlining how it embarked on a state capture project. The ELN’s footprint on both sides of the border varies; however, while in Colombia, the group has captured the state, in Venezuela, it created a parallel state. Critically describing the group’s modus operandi, we identify how the organization became an economic broker between coopting local and communal power. This process informs how the group competes and/or cooperates with adversaries, enemies, and state officials in a bargaining scheme that takes the form of criminal governance arrangements.

Russian Business and the Authoritarian Welfare State

Authoritarian regimes widely involve non-state actors in social welfare to increase output legitimacy and regime stability. Despite the volume of corporate social investments, the role of private companies in authoritarian welfare is still poorly understood. This study analyzes the functioning of corporate social programs in the Russian authoritarian welfare state by focusing on corporate grant competitions and corporate volunteering as means of engaging both the local population and the companies’ employees in the regions. Drawing on stakeholder theory, it investigates how companies position themselves as welfare providers and how they legitimize their role with regard to key stakeholders, including state officials, employees, and the local population. The analysis is based on in-depth interviews with company representatives and key stakeholders in four Russian regions: Kemerovo, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region, Tiumen′, and Volgograd. In addition, corporate social reports from 2018 and information for beneficiaries were evaluated to identify program guidelines, motivations, and stakeholder assessments. The study argues that companies play an important role as welfare providers through the financial support of social organizations and employee initiatives at the regional and the local level. By providing social investments in geographically defined “territories of presence,” Russian companies pursue a double legitimation strategy, both demonstrating their social responsibility and loyalty toward the regime and strengthening authoritarian welfare provision through private social investments. With a detailed analysis of corporate social programs, this study contributes to our understanding of the specific conditions and mechanisms of social policy in authoritarian regimes and the place that companies occupy within it.

The impact of foreign direct investments on the increase in the number of visitors in tourism - Case study Republic of Kosovo

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) plays a significant role in the Republic of Kosovo's economy, namely in the tourist sector. The primary goal of this research is to examine the impact of FDI on the increase in the number of tourist visits (NTV), as well as the trend of NTV and government spending on recreation, culture, and religion in the Republic of Kosovo. The results demonstrate that NTV increased in Kosovo between 2008 and 2022, however this increase was not consistent. The most pronounced growth was in 2021 compared to 2020, at approximately 133%, while the most pronounced decline in NTV was in 2020 compared to 2019, at -46%. From 2008 to 2022, the FDI trend was the highest in 2022, when the value of FDI reached 778.2 million euros, while the government's expenditures in the fields of recreation, culture, and religion were the highest in 2021, at approximately 61 million euros. Empirical analysis indicates that FDI has positively impacted the expansion of NTV in Kosovo, with a β parameter of 0.41. The report suggests that state officials adopt more sustainable and effective policies that will result in higher FDI, government tourism spending, and NTV in Kosovo. A sustainable FDI policy for the tourism industry will have an impact not only on tourism, but also on other tourism-related businesses. Furthermore, a critical appraisal is required in Kosovo to improve tourism performance and regional economic development, among other things.

Geschichte und Leben eines Textes: Über die Erklärung Zur Problematik der Aussiedlung der Sudetendeutschen aus 1995

The article recalls the publication and historical context of the Declaration on the Question of the Expulsion of the Sudeten Germans, which was adopted as an official statement by the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (ECCB) in 1995. The document dealt with the past and present of relations between Czechs and Germans, in particular with the expulsion of the Sudeten Germans from the Czechoslovak border regions after the Second World War. The ECCB’s declaration was intended to express the fact that the two nations caused each other considerable harm during this period. However, a common future is only possible through mutual reconciliation, forgiveness and a joint endeavour to overcome historical injustice. The creation of the declaration was a reaction to the context at the time, when the aim was to find a new way of co-operation between Czechs and Germans after the revolution of 1989. After forty years of communist rule in Czechoslovakia, mutual antipathy was once again widespread among the public. The Sudeten German Landsmannschaft was a key group in this respect. The authors of the Declaration on the Question of the Expulsion of the Sudeten Germans faced criticism, mainly because of historical inaccuracies or an alleged unnecessary humiliation of the Czechs towards the Germans. Nevertheless, the document was largely favourably received by the public and politicians and was gratefully received by the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD). Subsequently, the declaration was taken as inspiration for further work on the topic and, in cooperation with the EKD, a Protestant anthology on the subject was produced.

The Stability of Buddhism and Persistence of a Sufficient Living of the Laotians make Self-Immunity to Changing Socio-cultural in the Urbanity of Vientiane, Lao PDR

The research studied self-sufficiency living through the frugality practice of Laotians living in Vientiane city area. Data collections were performed using 400 surveys and 30 sets of questionnaires with community leaders, young adults, state officers, private staffs, general citizens and youths. Result found that Vientiane Laotians are strictly Buddhism and they have more than two occupations due to low wages and high cost of livings. The majority of the citizens are part of young adults’ group and women group. Due to high cost of living, urban living required Laos people to be frugal on a daily basis. They dine together and works are self-reliance. Sustainability and sufficiency are practiced among households at a medium level, but people portrayed extremely high generosity level towards each other. Environment and nature conservation are a big part of their ‘normality’. Vientiane Laotians often attend social gatherings after work. Their demonstrated strong beliefs in Buddhism, of which the religion has encouraged them to live in unity following the Sufficiency Economy Dharmachakra Model.

The prophet on trial: Baptist dissenters before the Soviet courts, 1960s–1980s

ABSTRACT This article explores the courtroom behaviour of adherents of the oppositional dissenter wing within the Evangelical Baptist community in the Soviet Union, who faced trials for violating Soviet religious laws between the 1960s and 1980s. The analysis reveals that the accused believers developed a nuanced defence strategy encompassing three core elements: mobilizing support from their fellow believers in courtrooms, constructing communicative patterns that involved drawing prosecutors and judges into theologically driven dialogues about truth, and employing distinctive rhetoric aimed at questioning the legal foundations and legitimacy of Soviet religious policy. The accused Baptists adopted a marked confrontational stance towards state officials in charge of criminal prosecutions and trials, striving to overcome them in argument. Ultimately, the courtrooms became a platform for them to voice and promote their faith-based views on state politics and freedom.

British economic strategy and regional institutions in Asia, 2016–2024

AbstractThis paper examines the British approach to Asia and its regional institutions from the Brexit vote in 2016 to the British general election of July 2024. The paper analyses official government statements and debates among political elites about Britain’s foreign policy posture in the region, from the broad ‘Indo-Pacific tilt’ and the Belt and Road Initiative to engagement with specific regional institutions such as ASEAN, BRI, AIIB, CPTPP and bilateral trade and investment agreements. It argues that approaches to regional institutions in and across Asia are driven by a combination of a dominant policy view that there is a need to engage with Asia which is becoming economically and strategically more important in a changing world, alongside a desire to decentre China in British strategic approaches to the region (partly in response to US-China strategic rivalry). However, given China’s centrality to regional economic growth in Asia, this approach creates contradictions which are rarely addressed in British policy debates. This paper will contribute not only to understanding British foreign policy, but also shed light on the evolving “new regionalism” and power dynamics across the Indo/Asia–Pacific, and how actors external to the region view and engage with the development of regional institutions in Asia.

Requirements for the Concept of the Implementation of Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for Preventing Corruption in the Public Sector

Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have enormous potential for preventing corruption in the public sector. However, at present, the use of AI in the public sector is not regulated. Consequently, the article aims to propose concrete steps and actions for the implementation of AI technology in the public sector with a view to using this technology as a new tool to identify and prevent situations of corruption. The author conducted a study of Latvian state and local government officials in different regions and positions throughout 2023. In the article, the author analyses the research data on officials’ experiences with AI, their expectations about the effectiveness of AI in preventing corruption, as well as their basic requirements for the concept of implementation of AI. The author of the article proposes to create a basis for the legal environment for the use of AI and recommends adopting the guidelines of AI on the following basic ethical standards: the priority of human well-being; prohibition of harm at the initiative of the AI system; human control; compliance of design with law; prevention of covert manipulation of human behaviour; built-in security. In the article, the author recommends creating a special procedure for testing and further implementation of solutions of AI, bypassing redundant administrative procedures. In addition, the author recommends stimulating anti-corruption institutions and developing approaches to issues of civil liability for mistakes made by AI technology.

Pertanggungjawaban Pidana Pemberi dan Penerima Suap dalam Proyek Pengerjaan Pembangunan Infrastruktur: Studi Putusan Nomor 438 K/Pid.Sus/2021

Bribery in infrastructure projects is a form of corruption that undermines the legal order and public trust in government institutions and state administrators. In this study, the bribe giver is considered to play a role in influencing the decision or action of public officials, while the bribe receiver is considered to have abused his authority. This research uses normative research methods, commonly referred to as legal research techniques, positive legal research techniques, doctrinal legal research techniques, and pure legal research techniques, used in this research. Legal research that focuses on written laws or regulations (law in books) or legal research based on social norms and regulations is known as normative legal research. bribe givers and recipients have criminal liability regulated in law number 31 of 1999 concerning the eradication of criminal acts of corruption amended by law number 20 of 2001. Article 5, both the giver and receiver of a bribe are considered to be the perpetrators of a criminal offence. a bribe giver who offers or gives something to a state official to influence a decision that will benefit him or her or someone else can be sentenced. Enforcement is carried out through investigation, investigation, prosecution, and trial of bribery cases. One method that is often used is the Hand Capture Operation (OTT) by the KPK, which has successfully uncovered many major bribery cases among state officials,

United States Precinct Boundaries and Statewide Partisan Election Results

We describe the creation and verification of databases of all precinct boundaries used in the United States 2016, 2018, and 2020 November general elections, enhanced with election results for all partisan statewide offices. United States election officials report election results in the smallest geographic reporting known as the precinct. Scholars and practitioners find these election results valuable for numerous use cases. However, these data cannot be augmented with other geographically-bound data, such as U.S. Census data, without precinct boundaries. Here we describe the collection of precinct boundary data from state and local election officials, sometimes provided in GIS formats, images, text descriptions, and – in rare cases – verbally. We describe how we verify boundaries with other election data, such as geocoded voter registration files. Our open-source data has appeared in redistricting litigation argued before the United States Supreme Court; and has been used by state and local redistricting authorities, media organizations, advocacy groups, scholars, and a vibrant community of mapping enthusiasts.

Navigating the Post-Dobbs Landscape: A Roadmap for Interstate Abortion Care

n June 2022, the Supreme Court issued an unprecedented ruling in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson, revoking the constitutional right to abortion for the first time in 50 years. To date, fourteen U.S. states have completely banned abortion. Consequently, individuals residing in states with restrictive legislation are forced to travel to neighboring states to access abortion care and other reproductive services. Extended travel time disproportionately affects individuals from communities of color, low-income patients, and rural residents, increasing the risk for maternal health complications and death. The United States holds the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, with 33 deaths per 100,000 births (Katella 2023). Alarmingly, 84% of these deaths are considered preventable (Katella 2023). Thus, it is imperative that state healthcare policymakers prioritize equitable access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare for all patients (Katella 2023). This care should incorporate strategies to decrease on-site patient volume, such as implementing shield laws to protect abortion providers treating out-of-state patients, enhancing telehealth services for abortion medication services, and incentivizing the establishment of physical infrastructure. For state officials in destination states, specifically the 23 governors of the non-partisan Reproductive Freedom Alliance, we recommend immediately prioritizing the establishment and anticipated enforcement of provider shield laws. To ensure widespread and equitable access to reproductive healthcare services, a more robust three-tiered approach is outlined herein, prioritizing: (1) shield laws, (2) telehealth services, and (3) physical infrastructure.

OASAS will deliver free test strips and naloxone to New Yorkers

New Yorkers can get free fentanyl test strips, xylazine test strips and/or naloxone from the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). These can be requested from the local Opioid Overdose Prevention Program or a pharmacy, according to OASAS, if supplies are needed immediately. For a directory of Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs, go here. Delivery will take two weeks, according to OASAS. To order the test strips and naloxone, submit a request through the website: https://forms.ny.gov/s3/Harm‐Reduction‐Order‐Form. The initiative is paid for by the Opioid Settlement Fund.

OASAS head named to NAM

Last week Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., commissioner of the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), announced her election to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). “I am extremely honored to be one of the newest members of the National Academy of Medicine,” she said.

Историческая значимость деятельности Иоанна Каподистрии в решении греческого вопроса в первой половине XIX века

The article examines the activities of Ioannis Kapodistrias as an eminent politician and diplomat in the history of Russia and Greece. It analyzes Kapodistrias’ contributions to the national liberation struggle of the Greek people for independence from Ottoman domination. The role of Russia in facilitating Greece’s path to independence is highlighted, alongside an exploration of the leaders of the Greek national liberation movement. The significance of Orthodox faith, indigenous traditions, and culture for the Greek people is also addressed. The research underscores the pivotal role of Ioannis Kapodistrias in fostering relations between the peoples of Greece and Russia, grounded in their shared Orthodox faith and the institution of the Orthodox Church. An examination of archival data, scholarly works, historical literature, and the statements of high-ranking officials from the Russian Federation provides essential groundwork for further study of the personality of Ioannis Kapodistrias, as well as the application of his experiences and insights in the modern geopolitical conjuncture.

Zbyt długi żywot ustawy o pracownikach urzędów państwowych

In 1982, the Act on State Office Employees was passed. Despite the establishment of the civil service, which, according to Art. 153 of the Constitution should serve government administration offices, the 1982 Act is still in force, although its repeal has been announced many times. This is mainly because the 1982 Act, unlike the Civil Service Act, does not provide for a public procedure for equal recruitment for vacant official positions, which allows all political decision-makers to fill these positions through their discretion. However, this constitutes a violation of Art. 60 of the Constitution, which provides citizens with equal access to public service. The data collected under the Act on Access to Public Information shows that the number of people subject to the 1982 Act is very large and, moreover, that numerous important positions in the offices of the supreme state administration bodies are filled on its basis. This is to the obvious detriment of the public interest, especially since the 1982 Act does not contain a whole range of legal structures and requirements intended to ensure professional, reliable and impartial operation of the administration, as required by Art. 153 of the Constitution. The article contains a polemic with arguments about the need for special trust in employees, pointing out their extra-legal nature, as well as the dangers resulting from these assumptions. The thesis is the need to repeal the 1982 Act as soon as possible, as it has already been announced many times.

New York limits administrative discharge from OTPs

No longer can opioid treatment programs (OTPs) summarily discharge patients for non‐payment, use of drugs or other reasons having to do with anything other than safety, at least not in New York. Most OTPs never did this, especially in New York, but the publication last month of new guidance from the state's Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) clearly delineates the circumstances under which a patient can be discharged against their will.

ANALISIS PENGISIAN KEKOSONGAN JABATAN WAKIL BUPATI KABUPATEN LUWU TIMUR 2021-2026

Filling a vacant position is one of the important elements in Constitutional Law. Without being filled with officials (Ambtsdrager), the functions of state offices cannot run properly as they should. The problems in this study are: How is the regulation for filling the vacant position of Deputy Regent of East Luwu Regency, What are the obstacles in the process of filling the vacant position of Deputy Regent of East Luwu Regency, This study aims to analyze and how is the regulation for filling the vacant position of Deputy Regent of East Luwu Regency, To find out and examine the obstacles in the process of filling the vacant position of Deputy Regent of East Luwu Regency, This study was conducted using an empirical normative approach method, namely in the literature on political science, government science, and law, the terms power, authority, and authority are often found, this study was conducted in East Luwu Regency. The regulation for filling the vacant position of Deputy Regent of East Luwu Regency is still not perfect, because the DPR has rules of procedure related to the issue of electing a deputy regent, but it is not perfect so a special committee must improve the rules of procedure for electing the Deputy Regent of East Luwu Regency. The obstacle in the process of filling the vacant position of Deputy Regent of East Luwu Regency is due to a large number of supporting parties so it is difficult to obtain results through joint deliberations.

Peran Indonesia dalam Mewujudkan Stabilitas Keamanan Kawasan Regional Asean di Tengah Perebutan Pengaruh Negara-Negara Great Power

Geopolitical developments in Southeast Asia have become the center of attention of major world powers, especially the United States and China. ASEAN, through the ADMM and ADMM-Plus forums, plays an important role in maintaining regional security stability. This study aims to analyze Indonesia's role in realizing security stability in the ASEAN region in the midst of great power competition. The research methods used are qualitative with in-depth interviews, case studies, and secondary data analysis from various sources, including policy reports and official government statements. The results of the study show that Indonesia plays a role as a diplomatic mediator, a reinforcer of regional cooperation, and a defender of ASEAN sovereignty. ADMM-Plus also faces challenges in expanding membership, which requires careful geopolitical considerations. In conclusion, Indonesia has a crucial role in maintaining regional stability through multilateral cooperation and conflict resolution efforts in ASEAN.

Removing the arrests unlawfully seized by the state or private enforcement officer on the vehicle that belongs to one who is not a debtor under enforcement proceedings

To date, there is a legal problem in Ukraine, which is the result of a large number of illegal actions of state and private enforcement agents related to the seizure ofa vehicle that once belonged to the debtor in enforcement proceedings, but which at the time of the enforcement proceedings commencement or the imposition of the relevant arrest is the ownership of another person who is not a debtor under enforcement proceedings. Illegal actions of law-enforcement officers and the imperfection of the legislation of Ukraine violate the property rights of bona fide purchasers, do not allow them to take actions regarding the registration of the vehicle in the bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, and force them to go to court to protect their rights. However, it should be noted that in most cases, legal ignorance and imperfect justification of the legal position become the basis for refusing to grant such a claim. In this regard, this article presents the results of a scientific and legal study of the issue, identifies the gaps in the legislation of Ukraine that led to this problem, and also provides recommendations for lawmakers to perform changes to the legislation of Ukraine that could address the issue. Additionally, the article provides legal conclusions on determining the ownership of a vehicle (in particular, the moment of transfer of ownership from the seller to the buyer), taking into account the peculiarities of vehicle registration in the bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, as well as on determining the legal status of such a vehicle registration procedure means and determination of the legal status of the actions of state and private enforcement officers regarding the seizure of the transport property of a person who is not a debtor in enforcement proceedings. In addition, the paper provides legal conclusions regarding the existing options for applying to the courts with requests to remove the wrongful seizure from the vehicle.

Knowledge popularization in a technocratic-populist context, or how the Israeli state shaped media coverage of large-scale urban plans

In this study, we examine recent actions taken by the Israeli state to naturalize technocratic understandings of land-use plans through the mass media, and assess the implications of this for power-knowledge relations between the state, planners and citizens. Our research focuses on the years 2013–2018, when state planners and officials began working with PR agents to promulgate state-generated, pro-growth representations of plans through mainstream media outlets. We focus on coverage of three types of large-scale plans, all of which involve complex and varied knowledge contents: city master plans, new neighborhood plans, and urban renewal plans. Using critical discourse analysis and semi-structured interviews with key planners and journalists, we examined what kinds of knowledge and information about these plans were conveyed, and how. We found that a significant percentage (some 40%) of the articles published during this period were based directly on state-issued press releases, and exclusively conveyed state-sanctioned perspectives. We interpret this as an attempt by the state to highlight its own role in planning and housing, while taking advantage of journalists' lack of planning knowledge and pressure to publish in order to construct ‘citizen-technocrats’ whose knowledge mirrors that of state-affiliated actors. We situate these findings within the emerging academic discourse on “technocratic populism,” a form of governance in which populist regimes communicate technocratic knowledge directly to citizens, and show how mis/disinformation tactics usually associated with populist discourse now appear in planning communications in Israel. This practice, we argue, has served to entrench a shift toward a centralized form of neoliberalism, while promoting illiberal conceptions of state-citizen relations in the planning context.