Policy Trends Research Articles

Електронне урядування як невід’ємний атрибут публічних комунікацій громадянського суспільства

Ukraine has identified the digital transformation of public communications as a priority policy for developing civil society. After the Association Agreement of Ukraine with the European Union, the introduction of European norms and standards in establishing electronic democracy as the basis for further developing the digital public space is of great importance. The study aims to justify measures to improve the mechanisms of civil society’s public communications in the conditions of electronic democracy in Ukraine, considering foreign experience. The content of the theoretical foundations of electronic governance in the context of functional support is disclosed; the level of information and communication technologies in the system of public management and administration was analyzed; the system of electronic government was investigated in the context of the development of public communications and the renewal of the regulatory and legal framework of Ukraine; trends of state policy in the field of e-governance were monitored; ways of further development of the information and digital space in the system of public communications of Ukraine are proposed. Based on the aspect analysis, a conceptual model of the system of information and communication provision of e-governance is proposed, which is built based on the analysis of the subject area and the selection of priority electronic resources that consider the interests of the state and individual subjects of civil society. In modern conditions, the system of electronic public communications must be fully adapted to the needs and requirements of civil society, in which modern information and communication technologies are the main driving forces of social and economic transformations. Information technology innovations in public administration must be complex, simultaneously, and coherently combining informational, organizational, legal, socio-psychological, personnel, technical, and other factors. Keywords: electronic governance, communications, information and communication technologies, public administration, civil society.

Preferences for Postacute Care at Home vs Facilities

Two in 5 US hospital stays result in rehabilitative postacute care, typically through skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) or home health agencies (HHAs). However, a lack of clear guidelines and understanding of patient and caregiver preferences make it challenging to promote high-value patient-centered care. To assess preferences and willingness to pay for facility-based vs home-based postacute care among patients and caregivers, considering demographic variations. In September 2022, a nationally representative survey was conducted with participants 45 years or older. Using a discrete choice experiment, participants acting as patients or caregivers chose between facility-based and home-based postacute care that best met their preferences, needs, and family conditions. Survey weights were applied to generate nationally representative estimates. Preferences and willingness to pay for various attributes of postacute care settings were assessed, examining variation based on demographic factors, socioeconomic status, job security, and previous care experiences. A total of 2077 adults were invited to participate in the survey; 1555 (74.9%) completed the survey. In the weighted sample, 52.9% of participants were women, 6.5% were Asian or Pacific Islander, 1.7% were American Indian or Alaska Native, 11.2% were Black or African American, 78.4% were White; the mean (SD) age was 62.6 (9.6) years; and there was a survey completion rate of 74.9%. Patients and caregivers showed a substantial willingness to pay for home-based and high-quality care. Patients and caregivers were willing to pay an additional $58.08 per day (95% CI, 45.32-70.83) and $45.54 per day (95% CI, 31.09-59.99) for HHA care compared with a shared SNF room, respectively. However, increased demands on caregiver time within an HHA scenario and socioeconomic challenges, such as insecure employment, shifted caregivers' preferences toward facility-based care. There was a strong aversion to below average quality. To avoid below average SNF care, patients and caregivers were willing to pay $75.21 per day (95% CI, 61.68-88.75) and $79.10 per day (95% CI, 63.29-94.91) compared with average-quality care, respectively. Additionally, prior awareness and experience with postacute care was associated with willingness to pay for home-based care. No differences in preferences among patients and caregivers based on race, educational background, urban or rural residence, general health status, or housing type were observed. The findings of this survey study underscore a prevailing preference for home-based postacute care, aligning with current policy trends. However, attention is warranted for disadvantaged groups who are potentially overlooked during the shift toward home-based care, particularly those facing caregiver constraints and socioeconomic hardships. Ensuring equitable support and improved quality measure tools are crucial for promoting patient-centric postacute care, with emphasis on addressing the needs of marginalized groups.

Compliance or Complicity? An Analysis of the EU-Tunisia Deal in the Context of the Externalisation of Migration Control

On 23 July 2023, the European Commission concluded a ‘Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic and Global Partnership with Tunisia’ (MoU), mainly aimed at stemming migration in exchange for strengthened cooperation in other policy areas. The MoU was met with strong criticism from both civil society and institutional bodies such as the European Parliament, the European Ombudsman, and several Member States. Critics fear complicity in the fundamental rights violations of migrants and denounced the informal and opaque approach by the European Commission, while formal avenues were at hand. This article reassesses the conclusion of the MoU and draws an analysis of the MoU from the perspective of human rights compliance as well as democratic and judicial control, while also examining compliance with the European Commission’s obligations. Furthermore, the article puts the MoU in the context of the EU policy trend of externalising migration control through partnerships with third countries.

Основные О аспекты и перспективы сотрудничества России и Армении в сфере цифровой экономики / Fundamental aspects and perspectives of Russian-Armenian cooperation in the field of digital economy

The article analyzes the issues of the economy digitalization within the Eurasian integration. One of the main article’s endpoints is that Russia and Armenia have common trends of the regulation policy and big potential of innovative and industrial integrity projects/ In the context of the applicable laws, including compliance with the EAEU statements the article focuses on the ways of modernization and structural reforms of the sector.

ANALYSIS OF SHIPPING FINANCING SOURCES IN THE CONTEXT OF UNCERTAINTY

The article is aimed at identifying the peculiarities of financing shipping under conditions of uncertainty and analysing the sources of financing of shipping companies. Methodology. This study is based on the analysis of trends in the socio-economic, military-political and environmental situation, which cause global uncertainty and limit the ability of shipping companies to obtain external financing. The article compares the Petrofin Global Ship Finance Index with the dynamics of seaborne trade volumes for the period from 2008 to 2022, determines the correlation coefficient of these indicators and identifies the leaders among the banks-creditors of the shipping industry in terms of the volume of shipping loans in the loan portfolio. Results. The study shows a direct correlation between the shortage of shipping financing and the three main forms of global uncertainty. The results of comparing the Petrofin index with the growing dynamics of seaborne trade indicate a decrease in the role of banks and an increase in the role of alternative sources to cover the shortfall in shipping financing, such as raising resources from capital markets, financial and leasing companies, private equity funds, private equity and venture capital investments, investment platforms, hedge funds, state capital, and capital from international organisations. The main reasons for the change in the structure of shipping companies' funding sources are the conservative lending policy of banks in the crisis, tighter regulation, higher interest rates, lending only to borrowers with a positive credit history, and increased loan collateral requirements. Instead, the advantages of alternative sources of financing are flexibility, speed, less regulation compared to banks, the ability to provide large volumes, new types and forms of financing, and more competitive rates. Practical implications. The volatile external environment complicates the process of finding financing for shipping companies, which directly affects fleet renewal, the increase in the cost of ship construction and refurbishment, and the digital and environmental modernisation of shipping. Therefore, shipping companies should diversify their sources of financial resources, have a margin of safety in equity, and redistribute their borrowing portfolio between bank loans and alternative forms of financing. Value/Originality. The analysis of traditional and alternative sources of financing for shipping in the context of macroeconomic instability allows to identify key trends in investment policy towards shipping companies, to identify the specific needs of shipping companies in the face of various forms of global uncertainty and to outline the features of the most common sources of financing.

Current Challenges of International Legal Regulation of EAEU — China Partnership in Transport and Logistics

At the current stage of development of international relations, when factional trends in the foreign policy of such significant world leaders as the European Union and the United States are only gaining momentum, China has become the main strategic partner for Russia likewise for the EAEU. Due to the introduction of international sanctions against both China and Russia, reorientation of economic cooperation and, therefore, transportation and logistics routes to the East seems to be the most correct development paradigm. However, at the current level of development of science and technology, it is necessary to expand and intensify the formation of the array of international legal legislation to create an effective basis for legal regulation of the transport and logistics industry for the growth of synergistic effect of integration processes in the Eurasian space.Aim. To analyze various aspects of international legal regulation of the ways of integration of the EAEU and China in the transport and logistics sphere to increase the level of economic interaction between the partner countries.Tasks. It is proposed to consider the main trends in the formation of an array of international legal acts aimed at creating a basis for effective cooperation between China and the EAEU in the current geopolitical conditions, taking into account the need to develop advanced regulation of the introduction of digital technologies, including the development of logistics platforms, to create conditions for seamless cargo transportation in the Eurasian region.Methods. The study used formal-legal and comparative-legal methods, deduction, synthesis, induction, as well as abstraction and system method.Results. The necessity to develop unified regulatory requirements both in the sphere of technical operation of different types of transport and the creation of a regulatory framework for the development of conjugate EAEU-China transport and logistics digital infrastructure, providing seamless multimodal transportation to obtain a synergistic effect from the economic integration of the Eurasian region was substantiated.Conclusions. The comprehensive diagnosis of the effectiveness of international partnershop between the EAEU and China in transport and logistics proposed by the authors of the study will allow to adjust the existing strategy of interaction between the countries and increase the efficiency of Eurasian integration through the implementation of measures aimed at the development of seamless logistics.

Chronic, Disruptive, or Resistant? Target Ecologies and the Medicalization of Homelessness in California

Abstract How do place and social context shape how policymakers construct the targets of state interventions? This paper analyzes recent proposals in California to subject people experiencing homelessness to involuntary psychiatric treatment. Using newspaper articles, legislative hearings, government reports, and interviews, we show how policymakers frame “the homeless mentally ill” in distinctive ways: Chronic and contained people who require extended institutionalization, disruptive and visible individuals who need a period of forced sobriety, and a service-resisting and underserved population whom mental health agencies have overlooked, but who could comply with treatment with a coercive incentive. We argue these constructions reflect how policymakers represent specific target ecologies: concentrated but confined homelessness on LA’s Skid Row, frequent and expensive use of emergency services in San Francisco’s Tenderloin, and expanding homelessness in jurisdictions traditionally reticent to provide care, as in San Diego County. This paper shows the value of disaggregating broad population categories to show how they are differentially problematized, as policymakers seek to gain support and justify intervention in specific places. We also illustrate a broader policy trend of reframing involuntary treatment as a progressive and compassionate response to substance use, homelessness, and urban disorder.

Current Issues and Future Directions of Inclusive Education in Japan

Inclusive education in Japan was developed on the foundation of special needs education (SNE), which began in the early 2000s. There are various arguments as to whether the current multi-track system of SNE extending from segregated special needs schools to general education classrooms will lead to inclusive education, which is the goal of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This study focuses on the movement for system reform of the SNE and examines its current status and challenges. It also discusses recent policy trends in general education classrooms that have affected the promotion of inclusive education. Furthermore, while making a global comparison using Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) data, this paper highlights Japan’s advantages and challenges in achieving inclusive education. Finally, it examines the conditions for realizing a new Japanese-style inclusive education.

Prawo Unii Europejskiej a krajowe systemy prawne – przyczyny komplikacji

The aim of the article is to analyse the implementation of European Union law into the Polish legal system and the resulting expansion of legal acts at the national level.In Poland, the introduction of subsequent changes in regulations or the creation of new ones is justified by the need to adapt our law to the requirements of EU legislation.The research results presented in this article are part of a broader research project aimed at the analysis of long-term trends in Polish legislative policy. The project was conducted at Lazarski University by a team of researchers from different academic centres, with legal and economic background. In the process of data collection, an innovative research method was used based on the assumption that lawmaking is subject to the same long-term tendencies as any other commodity, i.e. the law of supply and demand. For the purpose of the study, 10 research questions on legislative trends were formulated. The study itself was a two-stage process: in the first stage, the researchers collected data; in the second, they analysed the data.In the publication, the authors presented the general results of the research, and then analysed and evaluated those laws in which the studied phenomenon of system complication occurred, understood as the introduction to the legal system of more complex and complicated regulations concerning the model of activities, in relation to those previously in force.

A Historical Introduction to Continental Pedagogics from a North American Perspective

AbstractThis article aims to serve as an introductory discussion of the European Continental tradition of pedagogics, specifically from a North American perspective. It begins with an overview of the Continental tradition and its main figures. Here, we find a philosophical and, thus, language‐sensitive attitude toward the human, the child; and a specific pedagogical terminology, i.e., descriptions and interpretations about the reality of education, such as educational practices, goals, norms, and organizational forms of educational institutions. John Dewey's educational theories exemplify the North American perspective on Continental pedagogics and its study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. Dewey's writings diverge notably from this tradition, as he integrated into his work American pragmatism and an interest in the scientific method, an interest that plays a role in today's policy trends in the United States and elsewhere. Then again, Dewey took a critical stand toward instrumentalizing pedagogics for political aims. On this point, the German‐born political philosopher Hannah Arendt agreed with him. As Arendt can be seen as an example of a Continental perspective on philosophy that includes a strong warning to separate politics and education, she relates to Dewey's argument against instrumentalization. Thus, this article also features some of her work. The overall intention is to contribute to a renewal of a language for pedagogics by delineating a historical‐philosophical perspective on this specific field of professional practice.

Sustainable Development and Renewable Energy Policy: A Review of Global Trends and Success Stories

As the world grapples with the pressing challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, the imperative for sustainable development and the adoption of renewable energy policies has become increasingly apparent. This comprehensive review explores the global landscape of sustainable development and renewable energy policies, shedding light on emerging trends and success stories that offer valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners. The paper begins by examining the evolving international discourse surrounding sustainable development, emphasizing the crucial role of renewable energy in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. It delves into the key principles and frameworks that guide global efforts towards sustainable development, highlighting the interconnectedness of economic, social, and environmental dimensions. The review identifies and analyzes the diverse approaches and strategies employed by countries worldwide to integrate renewable energy into their policy frameworks. Case studies from various regions showcase successful initiatives, emphasizing the impact of well-designed policies on fostering a transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy systems. Examples of effective policy instruments, such as feed-in tariffs, renewable energy targets, and innovative financing mechanisms, are explored to provide a nuanced understanding of the factors contributing to success. Furthermore, the review critically assesses the challenges and barriers hindering the widespread adoption of renewable energy policies, including policy inconsistencies, technological constraints, and socio-economic factors. Insights gained from the analysis offer valuable lessons for refining existing policies and developing new strategies to accelerate the global shift towards sustainable and renewable energy solutions. This review serves as a comprehensive resource for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders, offering a nuanced understanding of the current global trends in sustainable development and renewable energy policies. By drawing upon success stories and identifying key challenges, it provides a roadmap for fostering effective and scalable solutions to address the urgent need for a sustainable energy future.

К вопросу освещения СМИ Азербайджана и Армении подписания Бишкекского протокола (1994-2021 гг.)

The article analyzes the information confrontation and the influence of the media of the South Caucasus states on the evolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its settlement on the example of the Bishkek Protocol of May 5-12, 1994. The activity of regional media in the conditions of the formation of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia as independent subjects of the world political process in the post-bipolar period is considered. The peculiarities of the functioning of mass media in the conditions of the active phase of the conflict and in the post-conflict period are revealed. The information concepts, strategies and ideological features of the media of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Armenia, which were used by the conflicting parties when covering the signing of the Bishkek Protocol and subsequently, are studied in detail. The role and significance of the media, their influence on the dynamics of the ethnopolitical conflict and the formation of geopolitical stability in the South Caucasus are investigated. Based on the analysis of publications in the main state print media of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, regional electronic mass media, the author comes to the conclusion about the urgency of the problem – the negative influence of the media on the peaceful settlement and post–conflict situation in the region. The characteristic principles, approaches, ideological concepts and information strategies that were used by the Azerbaijani and Armenian media when covering the signing of the Bishkek Protocol are identified. A differentiated approach is noted in the process of covering the peace treaty. The main trends in the information policy of the parties in the period under review – from 1994 to 2021 are identified. The destructive role of the media, which acted as a tool of manipulation within the framework of long-term information and propaganda campaigns to discredit the Bishkek Protocol, is pointed out. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that on the basis of the studied publications, trends have been identified to belittle the historical significance of the Bishkek Protocol in order to resume the armed conflict and its “unfreezing” already in the first quarter of the XXI century.

Sustainable and Climate-Friendly Products: What Role Is There for Product Standards?

The legal regulation of products within the European Union has witnessed significant developments over time. Originally driven by the imperative to remove barriers to the free movement of goods, it gradually incorporated environmental considerations, albeit to a limited extent. However, the importance of environmental requirements for products is gradually increasing and the effort to ensure that products placed on the market are sustainable and climatefriendly is gaining momentum. This article delves into the fundamental aspects of regulating products in the EU through the establishment of standards. It offers an analysis of the main trends of European standard-based product policy from a historical perspective and discusses various general contemporary issues of product standard-setting in the view of ensuring a high level of environmental protection.

Developing strategic foresight for drug policy: trends, scenarios, and implications

Background This study utilized foresight analysis to project drug policy trends and challenges in Finland up to 2030. It aimed to develop scenarios and strategies for addressing critical issues and to explore alternative policy options. Methods A comprehensive methodology was employed, including scope analysis, horizon scanning, trend analysis, and scenario building along with the expert panels. This approach facilitated the identification and categorization of trends into mega-trends, emerging trends, and weak signals, ensuring a robust and inclusive analysis. Results Key findings include mega-trends, such as changing drug policies and rising economic burdens. Emerging trends highlight the increase in synthetic, polydrug, and prescription drug use, vulnerability in certain subgroups, and growing drug-related mortality. Weak signals point to the advent of online drug marketplaces and new treatment methods. Past foresight studies agree on market growth and policy inertia but diverge on resource allocation and older generation targeting. Conclusion Developed scenarios and strategies address issues like increasing drug prevalence, service gaps, and market diversification, advocating for integrated approaches in demand reduction, governance, law enforcement, environmental protection, and harm reduction services. This research highlights the significance of participatory foresight methods in shaping Finnish drug policy, offering valuable insights for future trajectories and affirming the importance of foresight in this field.

Nexus of Gender and Renewable Energy: Importance and Trends in Global and National context

This is an article on “Nexus of Gender and Renewable Energy: Importance and Trends in Global and National context”. Here, as per objectives of the study, literatures on the respective issues have been reviewed by a desk review process. This paper has highlighted the issues on importance and trends of gender-energy nexus. The reviews have tried to show association between SDG 7: "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.” SDG: 5 is "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls" for sustainable development. The major highlight of the paper is effective Policy implication, participation, importance and trends, poverty and energy justice and transitions are inseparable entities of gender energy nexus. Energy access saves time, reduces drudgery, reduces indoor air pollution levels, improves education and improves health of women, alleviates poverty etc. Energy access creates new opportunities for income generating activities.

Новый военно-политический ландшафт в Арктике: прогнозы из Китая

The Arctic is becoming another node in a series of geopolitical contradictions between Russia and the West, where Moscow and Beijing speak largely from the same positions. This trend has become more relevant after the start of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, which was also well understood by Chinese scientists and experts. In this work, the author has attempted to analyze the Chinese academic discourse, which considers the current geostrategic situation in the Arctic and substantiates the possibility and necessity of military and political cooperation between Russia and China in the Arctic region. Chinese scientists and experts identify a number of new trends in NATO’s Arctic policy and conclude that the adjustment and new trends in the Arctic policy of the North Atlantic Alliance closely interact with the international political situation and the Arctic geopolitical game and correspond to the transformation and expansion of NATO’s strategic functions in recent years. As for the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict on the Arctic, China believes that it is mainly reflected in changing the geopolitical structure of the Arctic; undermining the foundations of international cooperation in the region; negatively affecting the process of economic development of the Arctic; and increasing pressure on the Arctic climate environment. A general analysis of the military-political situation in the Arctic in the context of China’s interests leads Chinese researchers to the conclusion that it is necessary to strengthen Russian-Chinese interaction and cooperation in the region. This conclusion allows them to formulate specific recommendations: facing new challenges in the Arctic and its increasing militarization, China and Russia need to define a program of security cooperation and increase its level.

The latest trends in family and demographic policy in Russia

Despite the importance of many social institutions developed by society and the state related to upbringing and education, the family, like no other institution, undertakes the natural, natural and social mission of forming the personality of its child, its children, capable of becoming an active member of society and a citizen of their state in less than two decades of human life and state development. It is necessary to emphasize the special importance and significance of the family not only for society, but also for the state. This article examines the dynamics of marriage and divorce in Russia in various periods of its historical development, from 1950 to 2022 inclusive. The article shows the transformation of public relations in the formation of family and marriage relations over the past thirty years in Russia and the modern efforts of the state to increase the value of registered marriage as the basis of modern family and demographic policy. The modern trends and tendencies of legislative consolidation of the norms of encouragement of Russian families who have been married for a long time are shown. The study uses statistical data, visualized information, scientific articles by Russian researchers on topical issues and problems of family and demographic policy in Russia, media materials, speeches by Russian politicians and statesmen.

Secularization, De-secularization and Re-secularization in Bangladesh: Does the ‘Third Image’ Matter?

This article analyses the trajectories of secularization, de-secularization and re-secularization in Bangladesh. It is about mapping broad historical developments with reference to basic understanding of secularization and its progress in Bangladesh. The central question in the article is: How have the trajectories of secularization, de-secularization and re-secularization in Bangladesh been influenced by the nexus of internal–external dynamics of political and social forces developed in the 1980s? The article argues that a decisive attempt to rediscover liberal and secular character of politics is currently evident in Bangladesh. The attempt to reestablish secularism in the society also faces a host of challenges, stemming from national, regional and global contexts that echo the 1980s. Methodologically, it is based on policy outlook and trend analysis.

Тенденции развития внешней политики США конца XX − первой четверти XXI века. Концептуальный аспект

This article analyses trends in US foreign policy of the late 20th and first decades of the 21st centuries as a major factor influencing modern geopolitics. The problem is considered in the theoretical aspect and in the historical-political retrospect, from the 1990s to the present day. The subject of the analysis is the stages of the formation of the foreign policy doctrine upheld by the USA in international relations. For the 1990s, the paper studies the doctrines asserting hegemony and unipolarity as the goals of US foreign policy in the geopolitical realities that took shape after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The period of 2000s – 2010s was, according to the author, a time of transformation in US foreign policy: from the adoption after September 11, 2001 of the so-called Bush Doctrine, giving the USA rights to launch preventive strikes and make interventions against states suspected of cooperation with international terrorist organizations, to the idea of abandoning claims to global hegemony and attempts to normalize relations with Russia (“reset” policy) and China (the Group of Two) during Barack Obama’s presidency. The final part of the article examines the period of Donald Trump’s and Joe Biden’s presidencies, when the USA returned to the idea of global hegemony, based on the ideological thesis that the USA is the leader of the free world opposing the world of autocracies, whose leaders are Russia and China. According to the author, the current situation reproduces the realities of the Cold War, with the confrontation between the USA as the “defender of the free world” and the USSR as the founder of the world communism movement. The author concludes by attempting to determine the reasons for the transformations in US foreign policy of the late 20th and early 21st centuries as well as to give a forecast of its development trends.

Book review: Arathi P. M. (Ed.), Public Health in India: Policy Shifts and Trends

Arathi P. M. (Ed.), Public Health in India: Policy Shifts and Trends, Sage Publications, 2022, 365 pp., ₹1341, ISBN 978-93-5479-370-7 (Hardcover).