Political Landscape Research Articles

Elections 2024 in the Republic of Belarus: political landscape and strategy of the authorities

The article analyzes the new approach of the leadership of the Republic of Belarus to the organization of the structure of legislative power and elections to the National Assembly and local councils. The author pays special attention to the specifics of the 2024 election campaign and the process of forming the All-Belarusian National Assembly.

The Influence of RMB Settlement Globalization on the Political and Economic Evolution of Singapore Amidst US-China Rivalry

At the dawn of the 21st century, the ascending comprehensive national strength of China has significantly bolstered the role of the RMB in global economic transactions, thereby expediting its international settlement globalization. This development, unfolding within the framework of an increasingly interconnected global economy, profoundly impacts Singapore. Positioned as a crucial trading partner and geographical neighbor to China, while simultaneously serving as a vital security ally of the United States in Asia, Singapore's political and economic landscapes are witnessing transformative shifts. This paper endeavors to meticulously examine and elucidate the specific impacts of RMB settlement globalization on Singapore's political and economic dimensions. Moreover, it aims to explore the potential challenges and opportunities that these impacts may engender for Singapore in the near future, particularly against the backdrop of the US-China competition. The analysis of how the global proliferation of RMB settlement is reshaping Singapore, alongside the nature and direction of this influence amid the strategic rivalry between the US and China, is of paramount importance. It provides deep insights into the evolution of the global political-economic order and assists in formulating strategies for middle-tier nations like Singapore within the changing regional dynamics. By offering a detailed understanding of these developments, this study acts as an essential guide for navigating crises, capitalizing on developmental opportunities, and actively participating in regional affairs.

CONCEPTUAL POLYCOMPONENT MODEL OF AN INNOVATIVE MECHANISM FOR IMPROVING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF AGRO-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX ENTERPRISES

The modern agricultural sector is going through a period of intense transformation caused by both internal and external factors. In the context of active globalisation, business entities are forced to withstand fierce competition and therefore need to constantly adapt to the environment. This creates an urgent need for agribusiness enterprises to constantly improve their approaches and mechanisms of operation. Continuous adaptation requires flexibility, innovation and strategic thinking. Changes in the economic, political and technological landscape require businesses to respond quickly to new opportunities and challenges to ensure their competitiveness and sustainability. This constant process of adaptation is becoming a prerequisite not only for success, but also for survival in today's global business environment. The purpose of the article is to develop an innovative mechanism for improving the competitiveness of agribusiness enterprises. Methodology. The methodological basis of the study, which objectively reveals and substantiates the problem of increasing the competitiveness of agro-industrial enterprises using the model of the innovation mechanism, is based on such special and general scientific methods as: monographic, logical-theoretical, statistical and economic-mathematical, visualisation, system analysis, neural network modelling, logical generalisation, abstraction and conclusion formation. The information base of the study was formed by the materials of the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, statistical yearbooks, scientific developments of scientists on the defined topic, and financial statements of the studied enterprises. The subject and object basis of the study is the entrepreneurial activity of agricultural enterprises in Vinnytsia Oblast: Agricultural complex "Zelena Dolyna", PJSC "Dashkivtsi", LLC "Selyshchanske", FE "Yavir", FE "IRYNA – O.T". The results of the study have shown that the innovation mechanism, which consists in ensuring the management of innovative development of agribusiness enterprises, involves adjusting the business environment of an economic entity to achieve a cumulative effect from the efficient use of innovative and energy potentials. The paper emphasises that the cumulative effect means that the effect of the interaction of innovation and energy resources exceeds the simple effect of the impact of each of them separately. Practical implications. The authors calculated the indicators of competitiveness of the studied agricultural enterprises of Vinnytsia Oblast; assessed the level of innovation potential of these enterprises; determined the indicators of energy potential. On the basis of the obtained diagnostic results, a fuzzy knowledge base has been formed and a multicomponent decision-making system has been built for various combinations of values of the components of the innovation mechanism.

The Influence of RMB Settlement Globalization on the Political and Economic Evolution of Singapore Amidst US-China Rivalry

At the dawn of the 21st century, the ascending comprehensive national strength of China has significantly bolstered the role of the RMB in global economic transactions, thereby expediting its international settlement globalization. This development, unfolding within the framework of an increasingly interconnected global economy, profoundly impacts Singapore. Positioned as a crucial trading partner and geographical neighbor to China, while simultaneously serving as a vital security ally of the United States in Asia, Singapore's political and economic landscapes are witnessing transformative shifts. This paper endeavors to meticulously examine and elucidate the specific impacts of RMB settlement globalization on Singapore's political and economic dimensions. Moreover, it aims to explore the potential challenges and opportunities that these impacts may engender for Singapore in the near future, particularly against the backdrop of the US-China competition. The analysis of how the global proliferation of RMB settlement is reshaping Singapore, alongside the nature and direction of this influence amid the strategic rivalry between the US and China, is of paramount importance. It provides deep insights into the evolution of the global political-economic order and assists in formulating strategies for middle-tier nations like Singapore within the changing regional dynamics. By offering a detailed understanding of these developments, this study acts as an essential guide for navigating crises, capitalizing on developmental opportunities, and actively participating in regional affairs.

NBESM: A Novel BERT Integrated with Sequence Model for Classifying the News in Telugu

News classification helps individuals understand the political and social landscape of their region, enabling them to make informed decisions and participate in civic activities. Accurate classification ensures that readers can distinguish between news, opinion, and other types of content, maintaining the credibility and ethics of journalism. Many people prefer consuming news content in their native language. By classifying news in regional language, media outlets can cater to the language preferences of their audience. Traditional approaches have classified using Bag of Words and embedding approaches but Word embeddings are limited to the vocabulary seen during training. Words that were not present in the training data will have no pre-defined embeddings, and handling such out-of-vocabulary words can be challenging. Later, researchers started experimenting with neural networks such as RNN, GRU and LSTM. While LSTMs are designed to capture long-range dependencies, they can still struggle with very long sequences. As the sequence length increases, LSTMs may face challenges in retaining relevant information over extended periods. The proposed research integrates LSTM with transformers. Transformers excel at capturing contextual relationships across text, while LSTMs are designed to capture sequential patterns. This integration can be particularly useful for tasks that require modeling both local context and long-range dependencies.

The logic of the Marcos Jr. Government’s South China Sea Policy

This study provides a comprehensive discussion of changes in the Philippines’ South China Sea strategy under the Marcos Jr. government. Since his election in June 2022, the Philippines has implemented a diversified strategy regarding its South China Sea policy and related disputes with China. In striving for its interests and activities in the South China Sea, the Philippines aims to launch hard and soft checks and balances on China at multiple levels, for example, through multilateral military cooperation with the United States, international arbitration, and applying propaganda tactics. This study attempts to deconstruct the specific actions and overall logic of the Philippines' South China Sea policy by comprehensively analyzing international dynamics and domestic changes. It sheds light on the intricate way global geopolitical contests, particularly the intensifying rivalry between China and the United States, are influencing political sentiment and actions within the Philippines. Concurrently, it examines the Philippines' strategic deployment of its South China Sea policy to catalyze international reactions, such as support from the United States, and how this involves recalibrating its internal political and economic landscape. Overall, the paper shows how the Philippines’ South China Sea policy seeks an optimal balance among various forces while facing many uncertainties and challenges.

Shaping Sustainable Futures: Public Policies and Renewable Energy Insights Based on Global Bibliometric Analysis

The paradigm of sustainable energy is gaining ground at the historical juncture of the present worldwide push for sustainable development. This is being driven by the latest technological advancements and by a maturing process of public policy evolution toward support for a sustainable energy transition. This paper analyzes, with the support of bibliometric analysis, the specialized literature in order to capture the main themes of interest, as well as their evolution, thus offering a panoramic view of research trends and the significance of implementing correct environmental measures and policies. Covering the period from 1991 to 2024, our exploration filters 2990 articles from the Web of Science database using a query that intersects “sustainable energy”, “renewable energy”, and “sustainable development”, with a nuanced consideration of the political landscape that shapes these domains. Using the advanced capabilities of the R program, the methodology employed facilitates a nuanced workflow of extraction and analysis, allowing for a detailed examination of the proliferation of research over the decades. This paper provides significant results, demonstrating the increasing impact of research through international collaborations, the importance of high-impact journals on sustainability policies, and the growing focus on “renewable energy” and “CO2 emissions”. The analysis of the relevance of term groups in environmental policy development and the correlation between economic growth and CO2 emissions confirms emerging trends. Furthermore, critical directions for future research and the necessity for formulating and implementing coherent sustainability policies are highlighted.

From brussels effect to gravity assists: Understanding the evolution of the GDPR-inspired personal information protection law in China

This paper explores the evolution of China's Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) and situates it within the context of global data protection development. It draws inspiration from the theory of ‘Brussels Effect’ and provides a critical account of its application in non-Western jurisdictions, taking China as a prime example. Our objective is not to provide a comparative commentary on China's legal development but to illuminate the intricate dynamics between the Chinese law and the EU's GDPR. We argue that the trajectory of China's Personal Information Protection Law calls into question the applicability of the Brussels Effect: while the GDPR's imprint on the PIPL is evident, a deeper analysis unveils China's nuanced, non-linear adoption that diverges from many assumptions of the Brussels Effect and similar theories. The evolution of the GDPR-inspired PIPL is not as a straightforward outcome of the Brussels Effect but as a nuanced, intricate interplay of external influence and domestic dynamics. We introduce a complementary theory of ‘gravity assist’, which portrays China's strategic instrumentalisation of the GDPR as a template to shape its unique data protection landscape. Our theoretical framework highlights how China navigates through a patchwork of internal considerations, international standards, and strategic choices, ultimately sculpting a data protection regime that has a similar appearance to the GDPR but aligns with its distinct political, cultural and legal landscape. With a detailed historical and policy analysis of the PIPL, coupled with reasonable speculations on its future avenues, our analysis presents a pragmatic, culturally congruent approach to legal development in China. It signals a trajectory that, while potentially converging at a principled level, is likely to diverge significantly in practice, driven by China's broader socio-political and economic agendas rather than the foundational premises of EU data protection law and its global aspirations. It thus indicates the inherent limitations of applying Brussels Effect and other theoretical frameworks to non-Western jurisdictions, highlighting the imperative for integrating complementary theories to more accurately navigate complex legal landscapes.

Attitudes, concerns, and perceptions of patients undergoing fertility treatments in an abortion restrictive state in the aftermath of the Roe v. Wade reversal.

To investigate the abortion views and reproductive concerns of current in vitro fertilization patients after the US Supreme Court Dobbs v. Jackson decision, which overturned the Roe v. Wade decision guaranteeing abortion access. This is a cross-sectional survey of English-speaking patients undergoing in vitro fertilization from January to November 2022 at a large academic institution in a state with restricted abortion care. Participants completed a 43-question electronic survey which measured feelings about abortion, future fertility treatments, and embryo disposition both quantitatively and qualitatively. Of 543 eligible patients, 267 (49%) consented to participate when called and were sent the survey. Of those, 180 (67%) completed it, resulting in a total completion rate of 33%. The majority believe abortion should be legal in the case of birth defects (90.8%) or rape or incest (90.3%). A significant proportion (91.4%) expressed concerns about abortion being illegal in the state that they receive infertility care. They reported some concern about making embryos (89.6%), controlling what happens to them (95.4%), and discarding them (94.4%). Patients wrote about their concerns with pursuing fertility treatments, fear of not having access to needed medical care, and the desire to remain close to states with less restrictive abortion laws. The evolving political landscape surrounding access to reproductive care has created significant concerns regarding legal regulation of these treatments and the disposition of embryos. By understanding patients' concerns, health care providers can more effectively advocate for the protection of fertility treatments and patients' autonomy in embryo disposition.

Analyzing “Jayu” in South Korean presidential rhetoric: a comprehensive study from 1948–2023 with a focus on the Yoon Suk Yeol administration

The current study examines the strategic use of “Jayu” (freedom or liberty) in South Korean politics, with a focus on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration, where it symbolizes conservative ideologies and political identity. Employing Natural Language Processing, time-series analysis, and visualization techniques, the research analyzes presidential speeches to explore Yoon’s marked emphasis on Jayu, indicative of a strong conservative allegiance. The findings reveal a significant association between the utilization of Jayu and conservative strategies, underscoring its crucial role in Yoon’s political strategy and its function in garnering support from conservative factions within a polarized political context. Yoon’s discourse, characterized by an extensive use of Jayu, fosters polarization and partisanship, moving away from inclusive dialog. This study illuminates the role of symbolic language in political communication and identity formation, providing insights into the interplay between rhetoric and ideological positions in the intricate political landscape of South Korea.

Navigating the Complexities of Identity: is there an Accelerated Israelization of Religion?

This research aims to explore the dynamics of Israeli politics, particularly regarding the interplay between religion, democracy, and identity. By delving into this complex landscape, the research unravels the multifaceted nature of Israeli politics, shedding light on the various factors that shape its political landscape. This includes examining the influence of religion, the functioning of democratic institutions, and the diverse identities within society. A key focus is to analyze the role of religion in politics, including its impact on governance, policy-making, and societal norms. This involves studying the influence of religious parties, the relationship between religious and secular segments of society, and the implications for minority rights and freedoms. The research aims to assess the functioning of democracy in the counter-relations between religion and society, evaluating the extent to which democratic principles are upheld and the challenges faced in maintaining democratic governance amidst religious diversity and societal divisions. This objective is demonstrated by exploring the complexities of identity within Israeli society, including Jewish identity and the intersections between religious, cultural, and national identities. This involves examining how identity politics shapes political discourse, electoral behavior, and policy priorities. By analyzing the complexities of Israeli politics, the research seeks to identify key challenges facing the nation - tensions between religious and secular forces and uncover opportunities for fostering greater social cohesion, promoting democratic values, and addressing issues of religious pluralism. The main question investigated here is if we can trace an accelerated Israelization of Haredim due to local and global political changes and the fight for existence against terrorism that have changed the social and cultural nature of Israel in the last year?

‘I praie ye send for the courall’: children’s coral as the physical embodiment of parental hopes and fears in early modern England

ABSTRACT Mediterranean red coral has long been believed to be imbued with sacred, spiritual and healing power and was given to children across Europe in the form of an amulet, teether or medicine. In early modern England, portraits of children from affluent families and medical receipts provide snapshots of coral usage, a moment in time, which do not adequately reveal the spiritual, therapeutic and affective significance of this material within the context of unique family circumstances and a multitude of perceived threats to children’s health. Focusing on five case studies, this article delves into the lived experience of families who deemed coral objects an essential childhood accessory in the period from 1590 to 1775. Julian Herrick, a goldsmith’s widow, Sir John Oglander, a knight caught up in the civil war, Dr Garencières, a doctor confronting dangerous infection, Lady Blackett, a devoted grandmama, and Ann Lord, a woman facing destitution, all placed value on coral for their young children. This study draws on a diverse range of material and documentary evidence from the seventeenth and eighteenth century to unpack the significance of red coral for parents within a changing religious, political and medical landscape. Building on scholarship within material culture studies and the history of emotions, this study also situates children’s coral objects within emotional relationships and seeks to uncover the implicit meanings such objects held which could not be written or articulated due to illiteracy, controversy or persecution. By combining a micro-historical approach with a broader thematic analysis, the case studies presented indicate that coral occupies an important place in the history of the early modern family as the embodiment of the anxieties of parents and grandparents, a means to soothe and protect young children and a material expression of hope, love and faith, particularly during periods of crisis and separation.

Memorializing Women on the Move: A register of migrant women landmarks in Europe.

This dataset was developed by COST Action 19112 Women on the Move (WEMov), which engages in unveiling women migrants' presence and participation in the construction of Europe. The dataset was built as a register of toponyms and monuments in the political and public landscape in Europe - such as street names, school names and parks, as well as statues and memorials - that celebrate women migrants. With the dataset we want to discover how women migrants are remembered and what kind of landmarks present these individuals who have had an episode of migration for a variety of reasons. Moreover, our aim is to make these landmarks and the stories of women migrants visible by presenting the results of the dataset in an interactive map on our website. At the moment, the dataset includes 1000 landmarks. The collection of data was based on voluntary work of scholars and students from over 40 different European countries. We have aimed for broad geographical coverage; however, some areas are better represented than others due the nature of data collection. The collection of data is an ongoing process and therefore the dataset in Nakala repository, to which this data note refers, presents the situation in July 2023. Updated versions of the dataset will be made available in Nakala and we will download new landmarks to our interactive map on a regular basis. The selected landmarks and migrant trajectories feature cross-community or cross-cultural migration. They show both typical and exceptional forms of mobility and present women of different age, profession, social status and migration status. This intersectionality of the project and the dataset highlights not only the richness of these landmarks and their value for scholarship but also the wide spectrum of migrant women and their contribution to society.

Embracing Peace: Path to Cross-Party Collaboration in US Politics

In light of the pivotal 2024 US elections, this comprehensive study delves into the imperative of cross-party collaboration within American politics. Amidst a backdrop of heightened partisan divisions, this paper argues for a paradigm shift towards a more synergistic political atmosphere that transcends mere party affiliations. It articulates the essentiality of fostering transparency, mutual respect, tolerance, and proactive dialogue as foundational pillars for bridging ideological divides. This study not only accentuates the pivotal roles of accountability and equitable representation in cultivating mutual respect and cooperation across party lines but also spotlights the influential role of the electorate. It posits that a robust civic education is crucial for equipping citizens with the tools necessary to engage thoughtfully and critically in political discourse. By championing these core principles, this paper envisions a trajectory towards a more conciliatory and democratic political landscape, poised to invigorate the democratic spirit as the nation approaches the critical juncture of the 2024 elections. Through a combination of theoretical insights and empirical analysis, this study seeks to ignite a renewed commitment to collaborative governance, essential for the flourishing of democracy and the betterment of society at large.

Two decades of research capacity strengthening and reciprocal learning on sexual and reproductive health in East Africa – a point of (no) return

ABSTRACT As the world is facing challenges such as pandemics, climate change, conflicts, and changing political landscapes, the need to secure access to safe and high-quality abortion care is more urgent than ever. On 27th of June 2023, the Swedish government decided to cut funding resources available for developmental research, which has played a fundamental role in the advancement of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) globally, including abortion care. Withdrawal of this funding not only threatens the fulfilment of the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGS) – target 3.7 on ensuring universal access to SRHR and target 5 on gender equality – but also jeopardises two decades of research capacity strengthening. In this article, we describe how the partnerships that we have built over the course of two decades have amounted to numerous publications, doctoral graduates, and important advancements within the field of SRHR in East Africa and beyond.

АNALYZING THE COPENHAGEN CRITERIA AND REFORMS IN THE CONTEXT OF TURKEY’S ASPIRATION FOR EU MEMBERSHIP

This study provides a scholarly overview of Turkey's political landscape , especially in the context of its aspirations for European Union (EU) membership and its commitment to the Copenhagen Criteria. The article describes the historical trajectory of Turkey's Westernization efforts, dating back to the period of Tanzimat and thereforms of Ataturk. The author emphasizes that EU membership is a strategic imperative for Turkey.The author highlights the path of Turkey's reforms since 2001, paying special attention to significant achievements in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms, which are a constant reason for rejecting Turkey's application for membership. However, the author highlig hts the continuing problems, in particular restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, exacerbated by Turkey's withdrawal from international conventions (Istanbul Convention) protecting marginalized groups, especially women affected by gender-based violenc e . Emphasizing the urgent need to address these issues, this article highlights the path of the Republic of Turkey towards concerted efforts by domestic and international stakeholders to strengthe n democratic principles and protect human rights in a changing political environment. The article presents a scientific discourse aimed at promoting a detailed understanding of the trajectory of Turkey's accession to the EU and its broader implications for democratic governance and huma n rights in the region. For a more detailed study of the issue under study, government reporting documents were used: the Report of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights andFreedom of the United States and the Report of Turkey on the fulfillment of criteria

The Growing Problem of ‘Cop-Baiting’ by the Public

The political landscape has shifted, and police are increasingly the target of activist actions aimed at discrediting the institution and its members. Police must be more proactive in managing communications during political and other events. External communications – particularly monitoring and responding to social media posts across multiple platforms – should be a key component of incident and public order command and not an afterthought. Combating misinformation requires faster and/or real-time information release when possible, including photographs, live streaming, body-worn and dash camera footage, and other videos from events.

How Artificial Intelligence Can Influence Elections: Analyzing the Large Language Models (LLMs) Political Bias

Abstract The rise of large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and Gemini has raised concerns about their potential political biases and the implications for information dissemination and user influence. This study aims to measure the degree of political bias inherent in major LLMs by analyzing their responses to a standardized set of questions rating the quality and bias of popular news websites. Employing a systematic methodology, we queried both free and paid versions of ChatGPT and Gemini to rate news outlets on criteria such as authority, credibility, and objectivity. Results revealed that while all LLMs displayed a tendency to score left-leaning news sources higher, there was a notable difference between free and premium models in their assessment of subjectivity and bias. Furthermore, a comparison between the models indicated that premium versions offered more nuanced responses, suggesting a greater awareness of bias. The findings suggest that LLMs, despite their objective façade, are influenced by biases that can shape public opinion, underlining the necessity for efforts to mitigate these biases. This research highlights the importance of transparency and the potential impact of LLMs on the political landscape.

A Comparative Analysis of Donation Contract in Albanian and Italian Contract Law

Abstract The donation contract, as delineated in the Albanian Civil Code, symbolizes the altruistic and compassionate ethos upon which is founded. Its primary aim is to embody acts of generosity and selflessness, reflecting the donor’s relinquishment of ownership for the benefit of the recipient. The motivation behind entering this legal relationship is rooted in the donor’s desire to enhance the recipient’s assets, a sentiment essential for the contract’s efficacy. The transition in Albania’s political landscape has brought forth a new legislative ethos, prompting adaptations to legal provisions in alignment with contemporary requirements. As property relations evolve, influenced by political and historical shifts, so too does the donation contract. Addressing the challenges encountered in donation contracts, Albanian legal scholars have sought solutions that align with evolving social dynamics. While current legislation offers broader provisions for donation contracts compared to previous iterations, ambiguities persist. Thus, there’s a recognized need for enhancements and clarifications, achieved through comparative analysis of Albanian and Italian legislation on donations. This comparison aims to elucidate critical yet ambiguous aspects of donation contracts for readers and scholars. One such issue pertains to categorizing donations accurately, determining whether they stem from unilateral acts or real contracts. The Civil Code unequivocally designates donation as a contractual arrangement. Regarding the grounds for revoking donation contracts, Albanian law delineates only two cases wherein donors can revoke donations, in contrast to Italian law, which affords donors this right in numerous circumstances. Italian jurisprudence and the previous Albanian Civil Code, unlike the current one, recognize another ground for revocation: the birth of the donor’s children. This provision aims to safeguard donors who, had they known about impending births at the time of donation, might have reconsidered their decision.

2019 European Elections in Cyprus: An Empirical Exploration of Second-Order Election Effects and Europe Salience

Abstract By focusing on Cyprus’ constitutional and political system in light of the most recent European elections, this article explores and empirically analyses the second-order election theory and the European salience theory. The study applies these theories to identify key trends in Cypriot voters’ electoral behavior, including their attitudes toward European integration. The contribution starts with a brief preliminary section on the country’s historical background, geopolitical profile, and political landscape. It then provides insights on Cyprus’ electoral system, the political parties’ campaigns, and election results. The findings seek to unveil voter attitudes and political trends in Cyprus, feeding public discussion and academic dialogue on the issue in anticipation of the upcoming 2024 European election. The article aims to clarify the European South’s attitudes toward voting and what to expect in the upcoming 2024 elections, considering challenges, threats, and volatility.1