Political Reform Research Articles

Challenges and options for advanced training in surgery : An interdisciplinary position paper against the background of the hospital structural reform in Germany

Even now the further training in surgery faces considerable challenges. The planned hospital structural reform will result in new bureaucratic and organizational hurdles, which could lead to aconsiderable loss of quality in advanced surgical training across all disciplines. The aim of this position paper is to describe the current and future challenges for advanced surgical training and to identify possible approaches and opportunities for the further development against the background of the planned hospital structural reform. For the development of this position paper acommittee of representatives of the Young Forums of the German surgical societies identified and critically discussed current problems and challenges of the present residency training system and formulated alist of demands for asustainable residency training concept. The planned shift to outpatient treatment and centralization were identified as central challenges for surgical residency training. Surgical training must be considered consistently and from the outset in all political reform efforts. In addition to a transparent and cost-appropriate financing of residency training, we call for the involvement of all German surgical societies in the reform process. Furthermore, the social framework conditions for junior surgeons should be considered. The structural change in the hospital landscape in Germany, which is being forced by politicians, harbors the risk of afurther loss of quality and experience in surgical treatment and training. At the same time, the planned hospital reform offers aunique opportunity to address existing problems and challenges in surgical training and to consider them as astarting point for structural changes which are fit for the future.

Aspects of Throughput Rate and Scientific Output in Doctoral Education: Changes over Time at the Departmental Level

Doctoral education has been shaped by a continuous interaction between the research community and representatives of the governmental authorities. In Sweden, doctorates were organised into structured educational programmes in 1969. In this study, the development of doctoral education in Medical Radiation Physics at Lund University, Sweden, was analysed over approximately 50 years, in terms of quantitative parameters related to throughput rate and scientific production making up the doctoral theses. Theses from two time periods (1970 to 1999 versus 2001 to 2023) were compared in terms of the total number of full papers (either accepted or in manuscript form), number of accepted full papers and number of accepted full papers as first author. For all three categories of included papers, median values were not significantly different between the two time periods while the variances were significantly smaller for the period 2001 to 2023 (level of significance 0.05). The time between admission and thesis defence decreased with time, according to linear correlation analysis, while the number of supervisors increased. Doctoral theses showed a significantly more uniform composition after a major political reform in 1998. Hence, doctoral education can be described as becoming more efficient and predictable. It is suggested that the primary causes include the introduction of individual study plans and secured personal financial support. The increased efficiency can also be problematised regarding, for example, insufficient independence and limited freedom of research.

Between Revolution and Reaction: The Political Significance of Kant’s Doctrine of the Idea

Abstract This essay argues that Kant’s conception of regulative ideas of practical reason introduced in the Critique of Pure Reason serves an important twofold function in his political philosophy. First, Kant’s version of the ideal, Platonic republic acts as the a priori paradigm of a rightful state to which existing regimes can and should conform. Second, Kant frames the regulative status of such practical ideas as a resolution of the conflict between the extremes of dogmatism and skepticism. In his principal political writings from the 1790s—i. e., “Theory and Practice,” “Perpetual Peace,” and the Doctrine of Right—Kant draws on his account of practical ideas in the Critique to articulate a counterfactual norm of popular sovereignty that distinguishes his political standpoint from opponents on the left and the right. Radicals repeat the error of the dogmatists by affirming that the norm of collective self-legislation is completely attainable in experience. By contrast, conservatives make the mistake of the skeptics by denying that rational political standards can be applied to reality at all. I show that Kant reconciles these extremes through his model of gradual, non-violent political reform guided by the regulative ideal of a perfectly self-legislating state.

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

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

The Integration of the Western Balkans Into the EU

Abstract This article examines the intricacies of European integration for Western Balkan countries, exploring the unique challenges each state confronts on its path to EU membership. It delves into the political, legal, and diplomatic reforms required, emphasizing the pivotal role these play in aligning with EU standards. Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Kosovo are analyzed in terms of their distinct obstacles, such as internal political stability, judiciary reforms, dispute resolution with neighbors, and anti-corruption efforts. For instance, North Macedonia’s settlement of a historical name dispute with Greece underscores the importance of diplomacy in the region. Serbia’s bid for membership is complicated by the necessity to normalize relations with Kosovo amidst internal and external tensions. Montenegro’s recent political transitions illustrate its dedication to democratic principles and Euro-Atlantic alliances as it pursues EU accession. Kosovo’s journey is marked by its unique international recognition issues and the implications of recent EU sanctions following ethnic conflicts. The article argues that while progress has been made, the EU accession journey for these nations will require sustained commitment, comprehensive reforms, and adept negotiation to surmount the hurdles ahead. It is through such concerted efforts that the Western Balkan countries can advance towards achieving their EU membership goals, with the collective process shaping the region’s European perspective and integration.

A Sociological study of the religious identity of young people in Central Asia and Europe (following the example of Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Poland)

The purpose of the article is to determine the situation in the field of religious preferences of young people in the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Poland by studying the specific features and dynamics of the development of traditional beliefs in the Central Asian and European regions. The main methods used in the preparation of the work were the system-analytical method and the statistical method. The characteristic features of different areas of religion in Asia, as well as the origins and root causes of the formation and development of religious trends in Kyrgyzstan, are studied. The key moments in the history of the transformation of the Kyrgyz society in the XVIII-XXI centuries are outlined in the context of the influence of this process on the emergence of specific signs of local religious trends. Different approaches and concepts to the study of the young generation of the Central Asian Republic and Poland are evaluated by considering the qualitative and quantitative results of a number of sociological surveys. The results and conclusions of this work can be used as a basis for the development and implementation of a number of political and social reforms with an emphasis on raising awareness of the issue among the younger generation of Kyrgyzstan.

Criminal offenses in the field of Cybernetics related to computer - Computer forgery and computer fraud

Abstract Deliberative polling has emerged as a promising method for promoting democratic reform and citizen engagement in various contexts, however, its potential and limitations in hybrid regimes, where democratic governance is challenged by a mix of democratic and authoritarian features, remain relatively unexplored. This paper focuses on the case of North Macedonia, as a country that has undergone significant political and societal transformation especially in the recent years. Despite efforts to promote democratic reforms, the country continues to face challenges in terms of ensuring democratic governance and citizen participation. In a hybrid regime, like North Macedonia’s, political leaders might not be inclined to value citizens’ input, and the media environment might not be free from influence, which limits access to varied and reliable sources of information. Civil society organizations may also encounter limitations on their operations, and institutional assistance may be insufficient. Additionally, the population’s diversity could make it difficult to reach and build trust with citizens. In this context, deliberative polling represents an opportunity to engage citizens in meaningful political dialogue and institutional reform. This paper examines the potential of deliberative polling as a tool for promoting governance in North Macedonia and highlights the challenges and limitations faced in this process.

Direct elections and trust in state and political institutions: Evidence from Indonesia's election reform

People's trust in state and political institutions is a key foundation of a well-functioning economy. The question of whether direct elections affect trust remains open, especially in developing countries, due to a scarcity of studies with robust identification strategies. We estimate the impact of direct elections on people's trust in state and political institutions, using a major political reform in Indonesia as the source of exogenous variation. Pre-2005, regents, mayors, and governors were elected by the local legislative assembly. Starting in 2005, they must compete in an open election where voters directly choose their preferred leader. The historically and institutionally driven staggered implementation of these local direct elections enables us to identify the causal impact of the reform. We find that direct elections increase trust in all state and political institutions, except for the police and political parties. We find that trust only increased in districts where the elections were held with no or low hostility, implying that trust is strongly influenced by political situations during direct elections. We find that elections did not really improve well-being or satisfaction, implying that the absence of election hostility is a stronger explanation for the higher trust.

MARSHAL NESAMONY’S EFFICACY IN SRI MULAM POPULAR ASSEMBLY

Various political, social and religious reformers contributed for the upliftment of the oppressed communities in the Travancore region. Among them, Nesamony, fondly called ‘Nesamony Raja’, ‘Marshal Nesamony’ and ‘Kumari Thanthai’ (Father of Kanniyakumari District) stands distinctive for his exemplary achievements towards the liberation of the oppressed class and their resurgence. Nesamony occupied a unique place in the minds of the Tamils of Travancore. As a popular leader, Nesamony became the Chairman of the Nagercoil Municipality in 1942. He was elected to the Sri Mulam Assembly of Travancore State in 1944 from the Kalkulam cum Vilavancode constituency. Till 1956 the present Kanniyakumari district was a part of the erstwhile Travancore State. The political activities of the people of the region were mainly influenced and guided by the Travancore Tamil Nadu Congress founded by Marshal Nesamony. This article elaborates his valuable services during his tenure as member in Travancore Legislative Assemblies.

Implementation and Elimination of Actions Criminal Illegal Fishing Towards the Development of Sustainable Fisheries

Objective. To analyze legal political reforms in the Fisheries Law to enforce the law and eradicate the criminal act of IUU Fishing in the development of sustainable fisheries in Indonesia. Design/Methodology/Approach. Using empirical (non-doctrinal) research methods with statutory, conceptual, and comparative approaches. Results/Discussion. Factors that cause ineffective law enforcement against illegal fishing include weaknesses in legal substance, institutional structure, and legal culture, especially related to the formulation of criminal sanctions. The concept of political reform of fisheries law must include revision of laws, adoption of international law, as well as changes in the law enforcement model through an integrated criminal justice system approach, with the top coordinator of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. Conclusions. Legislative reform, adoption of a multi-legal regime approach, extraterritorial jurisdictional authority, and active community participation are needed to increase the effectiveness of law enforcement and support sustainable development in the fisheries sector. Originality/Value. Highlights aspects of implementing and eradicating illegal fishing, with an emphasis on increasing law enforcement for sustainable fisheries development.

Party Politics in West Bengal: Historical and Contemporary Dynamics

Party politics in West Bengal is a complex and ever-evolving phenomenon deeply rooted in the state's socio-cultural history. This overview explores the dynamic landscape of party politics in West Bengal, tracing its historical evolution and examining the key players, ideological underpinnings, electoral strategies, and socio-economic factors that have influenced voter preferences over the years. From the pre-independence era's freedom struggle to the contemporary political dynamics dominated by the All-India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), West Bengal's political journey reflects its vibrant cultural mosaic and socio-political complexities. This paper also discusses the current scenario in West Bengal, highlighting the role of various political parties in recent local and assembly elections. The methodology involves a comprehensive review of academic papers and journals on various aspects of West Bengal's politics, governance, and societal dynamics. While existing literature touches on governance-related aspects like healthcare policies, decentralisation, and power sector reforms, there is a research gap in integrating these elements to provide a holistic assessment of West Bengal's governance model. The paper identifies this research gap and calls for a more comprehensive study that explores the interplay of political decisions, decentralisation efforts, and policy reforms in shaping the state's development and governance outcomes.

Social media for diffusion of conflict & violence in Ethiopia: Beyond gratifications

This study explored the use of social media among the Ethiopian youth at the time of the political reform. The study employed an explanatory sequential design. Using an online questionnaire, the quantitative data were gathered from 412 university students who were pursuing their education in eight major cities of the country. For the qualitative data, in-depth interviews were conducted with 35 students in four places of the research area. The survey data was discussed using descriptive statistics while data from the in-depth interviews were discussed thematically. This research discerns that the youth had unshakeable loyalty to Telegram (96 %) while they are also dominantly using YouTube (nearly 79 %), Facebook (65 %) and Instagram (53.7 %). It is also discovered that the youths showed a high level of trust on social media (70 %) virtually on par with their faith in their friends (77.4 %) and teachers (72 %) where their entire trust in social media is governed by selective trust mechanism. The entire dependence the youths had on this mechanism, which is exacerbated by the social media algorithm, led to high level of like and share of posts including unproved stories and misinformation which in turn lead to the diffusion of conflict and violence in a vicious cycle. By shedding new light on how members of a collective culture could use the media to achieve group-oriented goals, the study also refutes the widespread view, which predominantly ties UGT (Use and Gratification Theory) with self-oriented aspirations. This study recommends the enhancement of media literacy by incorporating it in the schools curricula and providing media literacy education to the public using various channels of communication (including both mainstream and new media).

THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF STATE RESTRUCTURING IN NEPAL

This study delves into the effects of political reform in Nepal, particularly the shift from a centralized unitary system to a federal structure. While political parties initially didn't prioritize restructuring in their agendas, movements like a decade long Maoist war and the Madhesh uprising played a pivotal role in driving this change. The research aims to understand how these political shifts have influenced Nepali society, especially in remote villages with a strong history of political activism. Combining primary qualitative data from local communities with secondary information from existing literature, the study employs descriptive and analytical methods to explore the social consequences of state restructuring over time. By examining both historical context and present realities, the research sheds light on the complex relationship between political changes and societal behavior in Nepal. Ultimately, the findings offer valuable insights into the diverse impacts of political restructuring on Nepali society, enriching our understanding of its socio-political landscape.

Revocation of Article 370; Restoration of Peace & Sharp Decline of Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir

The focus of this research work is on the transformative impacts of the abrogation of article 370 and 35A of the Indian constitution and how for the peace has been restored by introducing political reforms and how far the sharp decline in militancy related incidents has witnessed after August 5, 2019. The political truth actualized by the Modi led central government, by abrogating the ingredients like article 370 and 35A and the way government architected the state into two union territories-Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh for bringing stability based on four components-modernity, rule of law, accountability and peace. With changing political scenario, new social and political thoughts are emerging under the umbrella of liberal democracy and the people’s positive political participation is showing huge improvement.

Overcoming Challenges of Education: Effects of Structural Violence and Advances in Quality Education in Colombia and Pakistan

Far from solely direct, structural violence moves stealthily within the very frameworks of society, injuring in ways not seen. Its harms manifest not in physical blows but through the architecture of injustice, through inequities etched into policies, laws, norms. Having this in mind, the main goal of this paper is to present how structural violence takes place in the sustainable development goal of Quality Education (SDG4) in Colombia and Pakistan. To make it possible, structural violence will be defined, as well as the sustainable development goals, and in particular its goal 4 about quality of education. Likewise, it will be analyzed how SDG-4 correlates with other sustainable development goals. This study adopts a cyclical and exploratory approach to theory development as its scaffolding, specifically Grounded Theory methodology. data collection and analysis techniques follow the mixed method with a transformative theoretical design prioritizing qualitative interviews findings. Results highlight the current status of SDG 4 in Colombia and Pakistan, illuminating how ingrained systemic biases and discrimination undermine equitable quality education. Experts outline interlinked recommendations such as sustained investment in education systems, building societal recognition of education as a human right, engaging communities to shift discriminatory beliefs and norms, and centering marginalized groups' agency in political and social reform efforts. A multifaceted approach combining top-down resource provision and bottom-up consciousness-raising is advocated among other recommendations. Overcoming structural violence requires transforming systemic structures while simultaneously shifting societal mindsets perpetuating discrimination in education.

The Impact of the French Revolution to the Great Reform Act

This study delves into the intricate relationship between the French Revolution and the Reform Act of 1832, exploring how revolutionary ideals of liberty and equality, evolving class dynamics, and shifting socio-political contexts shaped political reform in early 19th-century Britain. The passage focuses on two main questions. Firstly, on an ideological level, how did the shock of the French Revolution impact the attitudes of various political powers in the UK towards democratic reforms? Secondly, how did the French Revolution influence the attitudes of different social classes in the UK? By examining the attitudes of different social classes, contentious debates over voting procedures, and various forces for change, this research illuminates the multifaceted impact of the French Revolution on Britain's path to reform.

The Politics of the Status Quo in Sri Lanka

Resistance to political change is a hallmark of Sri Lankan politics since the 1980s. Thus, the polity has been able to sturdily maintain the status quo. Linking contemporary politics with the political legacies of the 1980s, the article argues that by providing continuity to the 1978 constitution, Sri Lanka’s political system has become a hostage to the status quo. This is shown in the analysis of the functioning of democracy, and ethnic conflict and peace-making. The rise of illiberal democracy is traced to the present constitution and the centralizing tendencies of the J.R. Jayewardene regime. While some successive power-crazed leaders have nurtured illiberalism, others have undertaken a limited constitutional reform. Yet, none of them have rejected illiberalism altogether and shown commitment to a liberal constitutional order. Likewise, the debate on political solution is centred on the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution. Both the government and opposition leaders have a shared interest in failing every peace initiative and denying a permanent political solution. Together they form a barrier to comprehensive political reform in the country.

Where’s the beef?: the politics of health care reform in South Korea

Background: In February 2024, the South Korean government released a policy proposal for healthcare reform, with one of the main pillars being increased medical school admissions. This policy has sparked intense opposition from the physicians’ top association. Most importantly, interns and residents—the bedrock of the medical workforce in Korean hospitals—began to leave en masse. Consequently, a medical crisis emerged, in which many medical and surgical procedures were delayed.Current Concepts: According to studies on comparative health policy and systems, the crisis could be attributed to the unique characteristics of the Korean healthcare system, in which the administration and doctors have failed to establish a substantive dialogue through which policy options are examined and deliberated. These dynamics necessitated the establishment of an institutional space for interest group politics, causing both to suffer from a lack of action repertoires. The stalemate we witness reflects the enduring patterns of the same issue.Discussion and Conclusion: To ensure the success of the current initiative, institutional arrangements must be established in which policymakers and physicians make a credible commitment to each other. Alternatives, for instance, include reactivating and regularizing the Health and Medical Services Policy Deliberation Committee, which could pave the way for establishing a venue where key stakeholders can discuss future agendas, such as how to ensure improved accessibility to “essential” care and mitigate its subnational variation, thereby creating a long-term vision for new health system governance in South Korea.

THE WESTERN LEGAL SYSTEM IN INDONESIAN CRIMINAL PROCEDURAL LAW REFORM: A GLOBALIZATION AND LEGAL POLITICS PERSPECTIVE

In the field of law, the influence of globalization is reflected in the legal politics of procedural law reform, which is currently still in the form of legislation draft. This study aims to analyze the influence of globalization on the reform of Indonesian criminal procedural law in relation to national legal politics. This research is normative legal research, which focuses on studying library materials. Based on the results of a comprehensive study is known, the Draft Criminal Procedure Code includes a new system originating from the western legal system such as adversary system in court trial. Adopting the adversary system into the Draft Criminal Procedure Code is a very revolutionary legal political reform of the criminal procedural law. Various challenges will be faced along with the adoption of the new legal system. Changes in the legal culture of law bearers is also a key variable in the success or failure of a western legal system implementation. Although the concept of the Criminal Procedure Code is colored by the western legal system, it does not conflict with national legal politics because it reflects universal legal principles, namely equality.

Exploration of Course Ideological and Political Reform in Cultural and Art Courses Empowered by the Metaverse

Course ideological and political education, as an important part of moral education and talent cultivation in higher education, reflects the fundamental purpose of higher education in teaching and educating people. The ideological and political education in cultural and artistic courses in universities should adapt to the development of digital technology and innovate teaching methods, and combine the development of the metaverse and service design thinking to carry out ideological and political education reform. The article combines the background of the metaverse era, from classroom teaching to online teaching to practical teaching, to explore how to better utilize the metaverse to reform ideological and political education in cultural and artistic courses. By combining the metaverse context to enhance the effectiveness of ideological and political education in cultural and artistic courses, and by expanding the functions of the metaverse platform and designing teaching methods to comprehensively enhance students' comprehensive literacy, it promotes the reform of ideological and political education in higher education courses and serves the high-quality development process of national economic, social, and cultural construction.