Political Meddling Research Articles

Perceived outcomes of medical teaching institute reforms: insights from management, faculty, and administration in Pakistani tertiary health care

ObjectiveThe study aims to explore the perceived outcomes of Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) reforms on autonomy and overall performance within tertiary healthcare institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, Pakistan.MethodologyA cross-sectional study was carried out from September 2023 to March 2024, involving interviews with frontline staff, administrative personnel, and senior management within MTI-affiliated institutions. The methodology employed, using both qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques.ResultsThe study showed that institutional staff members’ knowledge and understanding of the MTI changes differed. Some observed very minor adjustments, while others saw advances in hospital operations and service delivery. Administrative complexity, political meddling, and resource allocation problems were noted as challenges. Positive results were also observed, though, and they included improved infrastructure, possibilities for staff training, and decision-making procedures.ConclusionDespite significant improved, there are still challenges, such as inconsistent staff comprehension, mixed impacts on service delivery, resource allocation issues, and political meddling. Addressing these issues necessitates improved communication, continuous evaluation, and coordinated efforts to improve administrative systems and obtain consistent funding.

“It´s a utopian dream”: Mexico´s intercultural universities and the challenges of decolonising higher education

ABSTRACT This article analyzes the decolonising potential of Mexico´s Indigenous-serving universities, through a qualitative study of the pioneer of these institutions: the Mexico State Intercultural University (UIEM). Created jointly by the federal and state governments in 2003, the UIEM is one of 16 such universities serving more than 21,000 students, mostly members of Mexico´s Indigenous minority. In this article, I present findings from more than 75 interviews with UIEM graduates, students, teachers, and administrators, focusing on their perceptions of the intercultural curriculum, as well as its relationship to the labour market, an area that has received little attention in the literature. The research seeks to answer the following broad question: To what degree does the intercultural model challenge existing knowledge hierarchies and empower Indigenous students and to what degree does it reproduce the coloniality of power, being and knowledge? While the institutions serve an important function in expanding educational opportunities and revitalising Indigenous languages and cultures, they also face profound difficulties, including political meddling, a lack of institutional autonomy, ‘epistemic frictions’ over the curriculum, institutional racism, scarce resources, and contradictions between the ‘intercultural utopia’ and the realities of the job market.

Prioritizing Trail Bridge Construction Projects in Nepal Using Linear Discriminant Analysis

The country of Nepal desperately requires trail bridges to foster rural connectivity and socio-economic progress especially in the remote areas. However, despite their significance, political meddling among other socio-economic factors has continuously influenced bridge construction priorities resulting in a non-uniform distribution that does not always match key indicators like population density, disadvantaged population or number fatalities due to river crossing. This report identifies Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) as an objective and fair approach for prioritizing bridge projects. This research will provide a structured way of ranking these bridges with reduced political influence and consequently decreasing social disparities through focusing on such criteria as benefiting homes, total population, disadvantaged population, time saved, type of rivers and risk factor. Trail bridges were in history demanded by Nepal since 1950s in a bid to receive international aid and community-based construction. The participation of the communities in the planning, designing and maintenance of these bridges has increased over time thus promoting sustainability and ownership. However, there are still challenges that remain to ensure equitable distribution of bridge projects that adequately address the needs of the most marginalized groups. Through LDA application, this research demonstrates how priority classes can be effectively separated to objectively determine areas with urgent need for bridge constructions by decision makers. From the analysis it is clear that bridges can be ranked by using socio-economic or geographical data that is quantifiable in order to promote fair infrastructure development. The nexus between traditional knowledge and modern analysis techniques toward sustainable equitable infrastructural development in Nepal cannot be overemphasized by the findings from this study. This. therefore, strengthens rural community resilience while also ensuring resources are distributed based on objective requirements but not political or socio-economic influences.

Identification of challenges and shortcomings in the selection of bidders on road projects in India: a study

The selection of bidders for road projects in India poses significant challenges and shortcomings, impacting project efficiency and outcomes. Enhancing project efficacy and efficiency requires recognizing and resolving these problems. The paper aims to explore the issues of contractor selection and the significance of project specific pre-qualification criteria. A mixed research approach was used in this study, consisting of a literature review and a questionnaire survey with a purposive sampling method. Key findings show that the lowest bidder, determined by the quoted price, is used as the basis for contractor selection. In contrast, political meddling, difficulties with selecting the best bidder among numerous alternatives, and complex manual selection processes were prominent. Payment, quality adherence requirements and progress tracking were the significant areas where conflict occurred with contractors. The study proposes a ranking structure for a total of 46 macro-level pre-qualification criteria. A weighted final decision system that uses a simple additive linear quantitative model is also suggested; this provides a general solution irrespective of the varying demographic and socio-economic legal framework of construction contracts. The study’s findings mandate that client organizations amend the current pre-qualification criteria and implement an appropriate decision support system for choosing the most reliable contractor.

A Systematic Review of the Role of School Management Committee for the School Performance in Nepal

According to Nepal's Education Act (2028 B. S.), the School Management Committee (SMC) is crucial to educational institution governance. This legislation emphasizes the role of School Management Committees (SMCs) in infrastructure management, policy implementation, and school issues. The reviewed articles examine SMCs' complex formation, operational challenges, and crucial role in community involvement to improve education. Although attendance monitoring is difficult, the articles consistently emphasize SMCs' positive impact on community involvement. By encouraging citizen committees like SMCs to make decisions, the international perspective broadens the debate on school democratization. School Management in low-income countries can improve education despite its challenges by encouraging greater involvement, independence, and responsibility. An inclusive strategy that values diverse perspectives is essential for educators and administrators to work together. The Education Act of Nepal establishes and governs School Management Committees (SMCs) to ensure accountable administration and community engagement. The reviewed articles discuss SMCs' benefits and drawbacks and encourage educational institutions and local communities to work together. Complex SMCs require constant dedication to overcome challenges, demonstrating their vital role in improving education. Effective school governance and management shape education quality and equity, especially in poor nations. This article examines School Management Committees (SMCs) and their effects on education in Nepal. SMCs, which include parents, teachers, and local authorities, oversee school activities, encourage community participation, and assure responsibility. SMCs confront many obstacles, including lack of awareness, capacity restrictions, and political meddling, despite their importance. In response to these problems, School-Based Management (SBM) is being promoted to improve community involvement, autonomy, and accountability in school governance. SBM implementation may face resource restrictions and change resistance despite its potential benefits. Effective leadership at the school and SMC levels drives educational improvement and stakeholder collaboration, according to the paper. It promotes school democratization and community decision-making.

The African Union and Conflict Resolution: Challenges and Prospects

With an emphasis on the difficulties and opportunities the AU faces, this paper explores the role of the African Union (AU) in resolving conflicts in Africa. Using secondary data sources from scholarly publications, studies, and official AU papers, the research takes a qualitative approach. The research investigates the efficacy of the AU's projects and the challenges faced in resolving conflicts by examining the organization's efforts in conflict prevention, mediation, peacekeeping, and peace-building. The findings clarified the constraints caused by political meddling, a lack of political will, finance, and resources, the complexity of African conflicts, and regional and global dynamics on the continent. Notwithstanding these difficulties, the research emphasizes how the AU may support conflict resolution by utilizing its mediation procedures, early warning systems, and alliances with domestic and foreign organizations. The study emphasizes the need of ongoing efforts to discourse the root causes of African conflicts and improve the AU's capacity for resolving disputes.

Impact of Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) on Election Integrity in Nasarawa State

The election umpire sought to improve election integrity in Nigeria with the introduction of the bimodal voters' accreditation system replaced the earlier Card Reader, which was only intended to identify and recommend voters on election day. BVAS was designed as a game changer since it could identify, authenticate, and validate prospective voters to ensure free, fair, and credible elections in the country. However, the outcome of elections nationwide and the pending litigations on election fraud and integrity are contemporary discourses among scholars and citizens. Therefore, this study examines the impact of the bimodal voters’ accreditation system on election integrity in Nasarawa State, Nigeria with a specific focus on the 2023 general election. This study adopted a descriptive research design, primary data were collected through a self-structured questionnaire and interview guide to elicit information from the respondents. The study utilised technology theory as the theoretical framework for the study. Multi-stage sampling techniques were used to select a sample size of ninety (90) respondents for questionnaire administration. The findings of the study revealed that the bimodal voters' accreditation system has eradicated overvoting/double voting, increased public participation in the electoral process, enhanced the public level of trust and confidence in the electoral process and improved electoral transparency and integrity in the study area. The study concluded that though the bimodal accreditation system has helped improve the electoral system, however, there is a need to improve its effectiveness to prevent loopholes. The study recommends among others, the need for the autonomy of electoral umpires to prevent political meddling.

Critical Analysis of Content Checking Organizations in India in Debunking Political Disinformation Spread on social media During Lok Sabha Elections 2019

The spread of political disinformation is an urgent problem that significantly impacts society by shaping public opinion and election results. In the fight against political disinformation, content verification organizations (CVOs) act as guiding lights of reality. CVOs use a variety of tactics to combat false information, including fact-checking, writing articles to refute claims, and posting clarifications on social media. Additionally, CVOs carry out in-depth research, illuminating the widespread impact of disinformation on voter opinion and election outcomes. CVOs have amassed sizable fan bases and have a favorable influence on election processes and public opinion. According to studies, a single fact-check may influence up to 100,000 people, with 10% of respondents changing their political opinions as a result. Notably, 5% of votes cast in the 2019 Indian Lok Sabha elections went to candidates whose claims had been confirmed by CVOs. Despite their admirable efforts, CVOs confront obstacles, most of which are brought on by inadequate finance, which limits their ability to successfully combat false information. Significant challenges are also posed by political meddling and social media platform rules. Nevertheless, CVOs consistently work to combat political disinformation, enabling people to make wise judgments. Governments and social media platforms must acknowledge the role played by CVOs and provide them with the assistance and safeguards they need against outside interference.

Editorial

In recent decades we have experienced a resurgence of authoritarianism in previously democratic societies that have given way, once again, to populist movements, and in so many corners of the world that have been affected by social revolutions. The freedoms of progressive-minded people, live artists and curators are increasingly constrained not only by practicalities and aesthetics but also by political meddling and institutional censorship. A consequence of their convictions and positions of resistance is that their personal safety has been threatened. These are conditions that have been dire realities for curators living in many countries. Within the pages of this issue, they offer differing visions for imagining a radical curatorship in the face of tyranny by designing and defining innovative strategies that break down traditional ways of being and doing. And they model themselves as artivist community organizers and socio-political reformers.

Discourse of Composite Budgeting System in Ghana: Contextual Perspectives on Its Potentials and Constraints from the Wa Municipality, Upper West Region

Decentralization is accepted globally as a way of enhancing development and a trigger for good governance. Effective decentralization is premised on fiscal decentralization, which transfers finances to the local level. To make fiscal decentralization a reality, Ghana implemented the composite budgeting system (CBS) in 2011. This paper used qualitative case study design, where in-depth interviews from key informants were the main methods used to collect data. We found six main challenges of the CBS thus: policy and regulatory challenges; inadequate knowledge on the CBS by staff; political meddling in the implementation of projects; and untimely and inconsistent release of funds for the Assembly. We also found that CBS holds the following prospects: waste is minimized; transparency in resource use is assured; unified processes of budgeting and monitoring and evaluation; and ensures local participation. We conclude that district assemblies while “muddling through” intractable challenges, could strive to maximize on the potentials identified.

Carrie Lam, China-Hong Kong Dual System and the Struggle for Autonomy: A Diplomatic Analysis

Carrie Lam, the fourth Chief Executive was “Too Pro-China” to insist on the autonomy or enhance the struggle of Hong Kong for autonomy as proposed by the 1997 China’s promises to the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and the international community, that it would operate a “One Nation-Two Systems” for fifty years, ending in 2047. The last twenty-five years have been characterized by broken promises, failed covenants, unnecessary political meddling, judicial undercutting, press gagging and restrictions on freedom of speech leading to protests, advocacy, instability and political tension in the territory. The UK which should have intervened by reminding China of the July 1, 1997 pledges and accord and in absolute terms compel China to uphold the agreements, has been burdened by socio-political, economic and domestic challenges. China has taken advantage of UK’s domestic problems and political instability to violate the agreements over Hong Kong. This article argues that the people of Hong Kong were aware of/already sensed a consistent decline in China’s resolve to allow freedom of speech, democracy, freedom of the press, uninterrupted judicial process, fundamental human rights and the British educational system. This article concludes that while the UK kept her promise to transfer HK to China after Ninety-Nine years (1898-1997). China has refused to keep to the post transfer treaty. The covenant of fifty years has been broken almost immediately after it was signed. The UK on the other hand has broken the ethical/moral covenant to keep China on the covenant lane. Aside pockets of condemnations, no sanctions have been recommended or applied for failure or default by China. This paper is essentially a field research with reliance on primary and secondary sources of data in published outlets such as journals and online articles, newspaper interviews, and books. Its scope is limited to issue and content analysis of Hong Kong’s struggle to make China keep her promises. The study adopts the Kant’s Struggle for Autonomy as a theoretical guide. It captures the essence of the struggles in Hong Kong.

Political meddling in social assistance programme: Panel data evidence from India

AbstractThis paper examines the role of the horizontal and vertical network in aiding eligible individuals to receive Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme. A vertical network refers to a household's political connection, and a horizontal network denotes the interconnectedness with others in the society. We have used data from all India representative individual level (2004–2005 and 2011–2012) panel data released by the India Human Development Survey. Our estimated results from the individual level fixed effects model suggest that programme eligible individuals with vertical networks have a higher probability of receiving the programme. Sub‐sample heterogeneities are detailed in the paper.

Understanding the B-Metro’s production of child abuse reportage: A hierarchy of influences perspective

Drawing on the hierarchy of influences perspective as analytical lens, this article examines the macro-, meso- and micro-level dynamics that attend the B-Metro’s mediation of child abuse in Zimbabwe. In-depth interviews with B-Metro staff revealed that journalists’ identities, professional ideologies, political meddling, resourcing challenges and a gendered newsroom culture shape the news discourse. Additionally, strategic considerations about the credibility of the news report and the economics of news gathering have led to an overreliance on court sources. Consequently, the reportage is dominated by a legal narrative that eschews meaningful interrogation of the structural conditions that engender child abuse. Findings also reveal that journalists denounce patriarchal violence but espouse its normative ideologies. Ambivalence characterizes journalists’ convictions and actions as they are torn between commercial and public interest imperatives, compassion fatigue and the ethic of care.

After Trump, US researchers urge Biden to block political meddling in science.

After Trump, US researchers urge Biden to block political meddling in science.

Why Orthopedic Surgery for Elderly Indicates that the Maryland Total Cost of Care Model should be Universally Adopted

Arthritis is the disease that kills the fewest but cripples the most. With the aging of the population in the United States and the antiquated DRG reimbursement system for hospital surgical intervention, it is inevitable that the Medicare assistant will bankrupt itself prior to the proposed bankruptcy date of 2026 if changes are not made. It may change would be to insist that the system in Maryland for reimbursement to hospitals for essential joint replacement surgery of the elderly be adapted nationwide.

Biased politicians and independent agencies

Some agencies derive legitimacy from their political independence: for example, political meddling in monetary policy is problematic, as politicians favor short-term electoral goals over long-term economic stability. Nevertheless, the process of agency reform, even for agencies that are thought to be independent, is seldom onerous and often follows standard legislative procedures. Furthermore, citizens frequently lack expertise to hold policymakers accountable for new bureaucratic policies. Why then do politicians abstain from exercising influence through agency reform? This article delineates an informational cost to agency reform. In issue areas where politicians are frequently biased and citizens cannot perfectly observe the quality of agency reforms, citizens assume that reforms serve the politicians’ self-interest and punish politicians for any reform at all. Agency independence then comes more from informational challenges than from institutional design. This article develops a formal model to explain when agencies are reformed and when they retain their independence.

Election Logistics and Political Meddling: Rethinking the Use of ‘Town Service’ Buses in Transporting Election Materials in Nigeria

Election Logistics and Political Meddling: Rethinking the Use of ‘Town Service’ Buses in Transporting Election Materials in Nigeria

Pandemic whistle-blower: we need a non-political way to track viruses.

Rick Bright exposed former US president Donald Trump’s political meddling. Now he’s spearheading a privately funded initiative to rapidly contain coronavirus variants and outbreaks of other pathogens. Rick Bright exposed former US president Donald Trump’s political meddling. Now he’s spearheading a private-sector initiative to rapidly contain coronavirus variants and outbreaks of other pathogens.

EPA yanks assessment of PFBS

Political meddling and a breach of scientific integrity led the US Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider a toxicity assessment for perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), the EPA says. PFBS is...

Sharp power in social media: Patterns from datasets across electoral campaigns

Using Christopher Walker’s and Jessica Ludwig’s ‘sharp power’ theoretical framework, and based on some preliminary findings from the May 2019 European Parliament election and the two 2019 rounds of elections in Israel, this article describes a novel method for the automatic detection of political trolls and bots active in Twitter in the October 2019 federal election in Canada. The research identified thousands of accounts invested in Canadian politics that presented a unique activity pattern, significantly different from accounts in a control group. The large-scale cross-cross-sectional approach enabled a distinctive perspective on foreign political meddling in Twitter during the recent federal election campaign. Thisforeign political meddling, we argue, aims at manipulating and poisoning the democratic process and can challenge democracies and their values, as well as their societal resilience.