Government Research Articles

Increased Poverty: The Failure of Government Programs and the Natural Resource Factor

The Indonesian government, including local governments, has spent large sums of money and many programs to reduce poverty. However, in several regions in Indonesia, the number of poor people has increased, as in Central Kalimantan, where the poverty rate has increased in the last three years. The number of poor people in Central Kalimantan in 2020 is 132 thousand people; this number increased to 140 thousand people in 2021, then increased again to 145 thousand in 2022. Research on poverty has been carried out in Indonesia. However, research analyzing poverty caused by natural factors and mismanaged government policies has not been carried out. This research was conducted to analyze poverty in Central Kalimantan between state policy governance factors and natural factors. The research uses analytical qualitative methods and case study designs. The analysis uses the new institutional theory and the natural resource curse theory. The research finds that mistakes in managing government policies (structural dimension) and nature (natural dimension) are factors that both play a role in increasing poverty in Central Kalimantan. As a practical suggestion, the government needs to make more intense and detailed efforts to alleviate poverty in Central Kalimantan that are adapted to natural conditions. Keywords: poverty in Indonesia, poverty programs, the curse of natural resources

Evaluating a targeted selective speech, language, and communication intervention at scale – Protocol for the Happy Talk cluster randomised controlled trial.

Background In areas of social disadvantage up to 40–50% of children enter preschool with speech and language skills significantly poorer than would be expected for their age. The Happy Talk trial tests if a community embedded, targeted selective speech and language programme that simultaneously engages with parents and early childhood educators, (1) improves language outcomes in children aged between 2 years 10 months and 6 years and (2) is cost effective for the health care system. Method The Happy Talk trial is a large scale cluster randomised trial of a 12-week manualised intervention delivered in pre/school settings serving socially disadvantaged communities, in Ireland. Seventy-two clusters will receive the intervention (12 participants per cluster). Parents and pre/school staff engage in group training and coaching in the form of 12 1-hour sessions for parents and four staff workshops, over the course of the pre/school year. Training/coaching includes core interaction skills (modelling, expanding, balancing questions and comments), early literacy and phonological awareness. Blinded assessments pre- and immediately post-intervention and at 6 months follow up, will measure the primary outcomes of children’s receptive and expressive language and functional impact, and secondary outcomes of quality of life. Parental responsiveness and educator-child interactions will also be evaluated. Discussion This robust study evaluates a public health approach to the delivery of speech language and communication intervention in the ‘real world’ in the community, which focuses on prevention and equity of access. Pilot work indicates that the programme is feasible, acceptable to parents and staff, cost effective, and suitable for implementation at scale. The trial includes a process evaluation, a well-developed economic evaluation and the outcomes are directly relevant to children, families and educators. This work has the potential to improve the long-term outcomes and life chances of people living in social disadvantage. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov NCT06460090 Trial Management There is a formal governance structure to oversee the conduct and running of the trial, consisting of a trial management group and a steering committee. More details on the composition, roles and responsibilities of each committee can be found in the supplemental material.

Cross-country comparison analysis of individual and institutional factors of anomie and online offending

This article addresses the gap in the literature by empirically assessing a cross-national comparison of institutional anomie theory (IAT) and self-reported cyberoffending. We used survey data from Finland, Hungary, and the United States to examine the relationship between institutional anomie and cybercrime. Each country represents different types of societies, which makes them interesting cases for cross-national comparison. With Hungary representing a conservative welfare regime, Finland a social democratic welfare regime, and the United States a liberal welfare regime, we predict that the more political regimes intervene in economic relations and support non-economic institutions, the less applicable IAT's variables will be in predicting cybercrime perpetration. In line with these predictions, binomial regression models suggest that IAT works best in the United States, where individualism, achievement, and fetishism of money increased the indices of cybercrime offending. IAT variables were less useful in predicting cybercrime offending in the other nations. Yet, also in line with our prediction, family has a strong external control function in Finland, protecting participants from cybercrime offending. However, no IAT indexes achieved statistical significance in Hungary, where a work-based welfare system suppresses family-related values. Education has a mixed effect on cybercrime offending. Thus, IAT is valuable for understanding cybercrime offending; however, it should be examined in more countries with social institutions and individual value systems different from that of the United States.

OPEN LETTERS IN CLOSED SOCIETIES: THE VALUES OF HISTORIANS UNDER ATTACK

ABSTRACTThis article explores a question of practical ethics: To which values do historians appeal when they come under sustained attack from political power? An important instrument of historians living in closed societies to express their values is the open letter, defined as an unauthorized public statement cast in epistolary form and addressed to either political leaders or fellow historians, but always with the general public as a silent reader in the background. Limited to the post‐1945 period, a search for such open letters yielded 106 examples from 39 countries in closed and open societies. Four types of open letters were identified: those describing repression effects, those rebutting official historical views, those defending basic principles, and those presenting transitional historiography. Nine telling cases from six closed societies were then reviewed in detail and analyzed from a variety of angles (authorship, rhetoric, audience, impact, criticism, regime stage, and regime type). When these cases were examined in light of the initial question, it was found that most letters contained a great diversity of values but focused on how the human rights of historians were threatened. Invariably, their theme was historical writing in its full breadth, including its documentary infrastructure and its ramifications in education and the public sphere. Respect for historical truth was invoked more than any other value. It was a minimalist truth conception, however, understood as the absence of historical lies and falsification. The reason for this emphasis on an integrity‐oriented conception of historical truth may lie in an old and deep‐seated professional fear: the fear that the dictator's corrupted and divisive version of history survives and triumphs as the final verdict.

Neuroliberalism in global education policy: towards a critical framework of neuroliberal governance in education

ABSTRACT This paper takes on the recent surge of neuroscience in global education policy and argues that the concept of neuroliberalism provides an insightful perspective through which to understand and critically analyze the contemporary mobilization of neurosciences within education. In particular, the paper unpacks the notion of neuroliberal governance as a context for examining emerging forms of behavioral government in education, and proposes a critical framework to enhance a research agenda on the implications of neuroliberalism in education policy and practice. The discussion explores the challenges for education scholars engaged in research and analysis that aims to bring the consequences of neuroliberal governance into view. In its account of what a critical neuroliberal framework might offer, the paper suggests that analyzing the ethical and political implications of neuroliberal governance in education is essential for unpacking the policy enthusiasm for neuroscience and its global reach.

The place of strategic ecological communications in change management (based on the national project “Ecological Well-Being”)

Comprehensive improvement of the state of the environment is currently the subject of government decisions, programs and projects in Russia. This affects the interests of various audiences: business, the public, federal and regional influence groups, and hence requires strategic communications aimed at explaining, expanding the number of supporters, uniting efforts, legitimizing the governmental decisions, and changing the behavior of the audiences. The purpose of the study is to analyze the place of strategic environmental communications in the action program for the implementation of state environmental strategies. The author relies on theoretical studies of Russian and foreign authors on this issue. In the practical part, she analyzes communications in the process of forming the national project “Ecological Well-Being”. The results of the conducted study of the media and official resources of state authorities allow to consider several communicative models of behavior: public and non-public. The stage of formation of the national project is accompanied by non-public communication, which creates certain risks when information is released into the public space, since criticism and disagreement with the adoption of relevant decisions may arise from various groups. The author offers a list of possible conflict topics and examines the features of the formation of strategic environmental communications, based on M. Harvell’s matrix.

Quantile via Moments Panel Data Analysis: Dissecting Political Regimes and the Spectrum of Internal Conflicts

AbstractThis study investigates whether the political regime affects internal conflicts and specific types (e.g., civil war, political violence, and civil disorder). The study reveals that even incremental movements toward democracy are associated with reduced internal conflict, challenging some elements of the inverted U hypothesis. Moreover, factors such as government stability are better indicators of smaller-scale forms of internal conflict than the political regime type. Finally, scenarios of acute internal conflict, cultural tension, and government instability serve as more reliable indicators, implying that these elements eclipse the stabilizing influence of a regime's progression toward a more inclusive government.

Coups and refugee flows in autocracies and democracies

ABSTRACT Much research stresses the impact of armed conflict on refugee flows. This article focuses on another form of political instability that has yet to be systematically examined: coups. It presents a typology of coups by considering (a) whether coup plotters succeed or not in seizing power, and (b) the type of regime after the coup. It identifies four types of coup attempts: (1) failed coups in autocracy, (2) failed coups in democracy, (3) autocratic coups, and (4) democratic coups. We argue that failed coups in autocracies and autocratic coups increase government repression and hinder economic performance, creating societal environments that trigger refugee flows. This contrasts with more stable environments following failed coups in democracies and democratic coups that are expected not to affect refugee flows. Quantitative analysis of all countries between 1980 and 2016 supports the theory, and qualitative analysis of varieties of coup attempts in Egypt, Spain, and Turkey illustrates the postulated theoretical mechanisms.

Legal Protection for Workers on Job Loss Guarantee in the Tourism Sector

In Indonesia, labo u r social security is a right of workers, as exemplified by the provision of job loss insurance . In essence, social security is designed to ensure that workers retain a decent standard of living in the event of job loss. One of the most frequently demanded rights of workers is the right to social security. The Indonesian Social Security Administration Body (BPJS) programme comprises two distinct categories: social security for health and social security for employment . The following ques tion is posed: How is the job loss insurance programme in the tourism sector implemented at BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Cabang Bali Gianyar ? Furthermore, what form of legal protection is afforded to workers who lose their jobs in accordance with Indonesian Govern ment Regulation No. 37/2021 on the implementation of the Job Loss Insurance Program? Methodology: empirical research employing a soc iological approach. The findings indicate that the implementation of the job loss guarantee programme at BPJS Ketenagakerjaa n Gianyar is conducted in accordance with the submission of job loss insurance claims from workers who have been laid off. At PT CH B Villa, 26 workers who experienced layoffs were eligible to receive the benefits of job loss insurance , including 24 worker s (92%) who were entitled to receive them and two workers (8%) who were not. In conclusion, the implementation of the job loss insur ance programme at the Villa of PT CHB Gianyar has been effective in providing legal protection and benefits for laid off wo rkers. In the event that an employer violates the rights of a dismissed worker, the employer may be subject to administrative sancti ons in accordance with the provisions of Article 46 of Indonesi an Government Regulation No. 37/ 2021 concerning the implement ation of the job loss insurance . These sanctions may include written warnings to the employer and the cessation of certain public se rvices.

Accommodating Journalism in Authoritarian Political Regimes. The Interventionist and Loyal-Facilitator Roles in Cuba and Venezuela

ABSTRACT This study examines the relationship between accommodating journalism and journalistic roles in authoritarian regimes, focusing on Cuba and Venezuela. Through content analysis of news from influential media outlets in both countries, the study assesses professional roles including loyal facilitator, watchdog, civic, infotainment, service, and interventionist roles. In particular this study aims to measure the presence of the loyal-facilitator and interventionist roles in the media of Cuba and Venezuela; to explore potential differences between both countries; and to contrast whether media ownership influences the performance of interventionist and loyal facilitator roles. Findings show similar patterns, but they especially indicate significant differences between Cuba and Venezuela, with Cuban journalism showing higher prevalence of interventionist and loyal facilitator roles, while the other roles are more frequent in Venezuelan journalism. Media ownership can also influence the adoption of journalistic roles: while in Cuba accommodating discourses are not only dominant in state-owned media, in the case of Venezuela private and civil society media tend to show a more critical discourse compared to state-owned ones. These findings contribute to understanding journalistic roles in authoritarian regimes, supporting the existence of accommodating journalism in these contexts, but with a somewhat more independent journalism in Venezuela.

Правосознание и юридическая аномия

The article is devoted to the problem of the reverse influence of the state of legal culture on the state of individual and public legal consciousness. In conditions of transit, which the domestic political regime began to undergo since the mid-80s of the 20th century, the legal culture of Russian society was also under constant pressure from changes occurring at the state level. Such a “transitional” form of legal culture can be revealed through the concept of legal anomie.

Barriers and facilitators for adherence to follow-up by HR-HPV-positive women with premalignant cervical lesions: a mixed-design study in Mexico

BackgroundMexico reports low follow-up completion rates among women with abnormal cervical cancer screenings. This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to follow-up adherence among women with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and premalignant cervical lesions in Mexico.MethodsA mixed-methods study was conducted from February to April 2019. Participants included women undergoing follow-up care for high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) and premalignant lesions, along with health personnel from the Women’s Healthcare Center (CAPASAM) in Mexico. Quantitative data were obtained from the Women’s Cancer Information System and through a questionnaire about factors affecting follow-up adherence. Additionally, the health personnel involved completed a compliance checklist regarding care regulations. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Qualitative data were collected via semi-structured interviews with both groups, followed by a content analysis based on identified categories. The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System confirmed care process risks. Proposals to enhance the Early Detection Program for Prevention and Control of Cervical Cancer were collected from a CAPASAM health personnel nominal group.ResultsIdentified barriers to follow-up included low income among CAPASAM users, family provider roles limiting time for appointments, long waits for testing and results delivery, distant facilities, insufficient service hour communication, inadequate health personnel training, and a lack of systematic counseling. Hesitation toward follow-up was also linked to shame, apprehension, uncertainty, test aversion, fear of positive results, and limited cervical cancer and screening knowledge. Patriarchal attitudes of partners and limited access to the now-discontinued PROSPERA government program further discouraged follow-up. Facilitators comprised respectful treatment by CAPASAM staff, no-cost services, health campaigns, and positive user attitudes.ConclusionsThe study found more barriers than facilitators to follow-up adherence, highlighting the need for strategies to bolster the Early Detection Program. Future strategies must address the comprehensive array of factors and incorporate stakeholder perspectives.

Possibilities to escape the rental trap

Despite a resurgence of economic activity since the 2008 financial crisis and longstanding government policies promoting homeownership, the percentage of renters has remained stable over the past decade despite most preferring homeownership. This study examines the time required for various rental market groups to save for a down payment on an apartment in the capital area from 2011 to 2022. We also assess the potential impact of a government program allowing certain low-income groups to set aside just 5% of a property’s price as a down payment. The focus is on people in the lowest 20th percentile group. Using data on wages, taxes, compulsory pension contributions, and spending patterns, we analyze how much each group can realistically save, considering both minimal (bare) and typical consumption benchmarks. This analysis reveals how much each group can save for a down payment. Our findings show that despite economic prosperity and wage increases outpacing the consumer price index (excluding housing costs), the time needed to save for a down payment in 2022 remains nearly the same as in 2011 due to rising housing prices. Single parents face the most difficulty saving for a down payment, but the 5% down payment program offers a more realistic path to homeownership. The implications are that government policies should focus on controlling house prices and continuing the 5% down payment program to enhance homeownership opportunities.

INSECTICIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY IN TWO POPULATIONS OF Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) FROM GUERRERO, MEXICO, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THEIR MANAGEMENT

The Aedes aegypti L. mosquito is a vector of diseases such as classic and hemorrhagic dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV), Zika (ZIKV), yellow fever (YFV), and Mayaro (MAYV). In 2019 alone, in Latin America, there were 2.7 million cases and 1206 deaths. In Mexico, government programs for managing this pest include the elimination of larval habitats and chemical control of larvae and adults. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of two larvae and adult populations of A. aegypti from the state of Guerrero, Mexico, under laboratory conditions, to insecticides with different modes of action and to make considerations for their management. In the bioassays, larvae showed susceptibility to permethrin, malathion, deltamethrin, and Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis; low resistance to Temephos and propoxur; as well as moderate resistance to Spinosad. Both adult populations showed resistance to permethrin and susceptibility to deltamethrin, while the Acapulco population showed resistance to alpha-cypermethrin. For larvae, Spinosad is suggested to be used in times of high incidence of dengue. During drought, it is advisable to include rotations of B. thuringiensis var. israelensis with organophosphates. For adults, the use of imidacloprid in combination with botanical insecticides is considered a rational alternative to rotations with organophosphates and pyrethroids.

Performance of agricultural extension agents in Indonesia: evidence from a nationally representative survey

ABSTRACT Purpose This study analyses the performance of field extension agents in Indonesia using a multi-dimensional performance indicator. Methodology The study uses data from an online survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,974 field extension agents. Binary and ordinal probit models are utilised to analyse the performance of extension agents and the factors influencing it based on a multi-dimensional measurement of performance. Findings and practical implications Improved performance is associated with increased career progression, availability of external funds, the opportunity to collaborate, involvement in government programs, implementation of disciplinary measures and a diversified use of advisory methods. To promote performance, the government should encourage and improve the institutional arrangements. Theoretical implications This study introduces a multidimensional measurement that covers timeliness, targeting and content dimensions while capturing both the institutional arrangement and demographic characteristics in explaining performance. Originality/value This study introduces an online survey for extension agents that encompasses a nationally representative sample, thereby demonstrating this cost effective approach designed for rapid data collection and facilitating the measurement of performance during unforeseen events, such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Its broad applicability allows for a thorough analysis of agricultural extension agents’ performance in a variety of contexts.

Where is Serbia's stabilitocracy heading to? A Break from the past but without a future

Since 2012, the gradual establishment of a new type of political regime, stabilitocracy in the Balkan region and Serbia in particular has raised many questions. From Europeanization (failed attempts), active and instrumentalized memory activism, and progressivism, to the foreign policy shift compared to Yugoslavia and, broadly speaking, the contestability of the liberal peacebuilding processes at work in Serbia, this paper engages in a critical discussion about its constituents and emphasizes the limits of the current Serbian political pattern beyond dogmatism and partisan discourses, and by showing greater openness to non-Western ways of thinking.

Implementation of the Business Judgement Rule Doctrine as Legal Protection for Directors in Realizing Good Governance of Regionally-Owned Enterprises

<em>The form of BUMD governance as a regional company as regulated in UUPD and PPBUMD consists of Regional Public Companies (Perumda) and Regional Limited Companies (Perseroda). The establishment of Perumda is in the form of regional regulations based on regional needs and the feasibility of the business field of the Perumda to be formed. Perumda is a BUMD whose entire capital is owned by one region only and is not in the form of shares. One of the important organs in a company is the board of directors. The board of directors who control the company in daily activities has the authority to determine policies in carrying out its powers and obligations in managing the company must have good intentions, be responsible, have integrity, be honest, and be highly dedicated to advancing and developing the company. The board of directors is fully responsible personally for the company's losses if the person concerned is guilty or negligent in carrying out his duties. The board of directors can take or carry out actions to facilitate his duties as long as it is within the scope of his duties and obligations and does not conflict with customs, fairness, and propriety. Implementation of the business judgment rule (BJR) doctrine as a form of protection given to directors in carrying out their duties and responsibilities in running the company. Business decisions or actions taken by directors are intended to manage the company professionally according to their expertise to generate profits for the company, even though there are risks from these decisions and actions that can cause losses for the company</em>

Challenges and Solutions in the Implementation of the Family Hope Program

The general background family Hope Program (PKH) represents a significant initiative aimed at reducing poverty through conditional cash transfers to very poor households, initiated in 2007. Specific background however, while many countries have adopted similar strategies, the effective implementation of such programs in rural contexts often faces numerous challenges. Knowledge gap This study specifically investigates the implementation of PKH in Gempol Village, addressing the knowledge gap regarding community attitudes and the practical obstacles that impede program success. Aims aim of this research is to analyze the barriers faced by stakeholders and participants in the execution of PKH. Results Findings reveal that successful implementation depends on enhanced coordination among government officials, program coordinators, and beneficiaries, as well as the necessity for ongoing education to ensure participants comprehend the requirements for enrollment in the program.The novelty of this research lies in its focus on financial management skills, which are often overlooked but crucial for effective fund utilization among beneficiaries.The implications of this study underscore the importance of strengthening communication among stakeholders and providing targeted educational interventions, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and effectiveness of the PKH initiative and similar community development programs in rural settings. Highlights: Coordination between stakeholders is crucial for successful program execution. Continuous education is needed for participants to understand requirements. Financial management skills are essential for effective fund utilization. Keywords: Family Hope Program, Implementation, Challenges, Solutions, Community

Examining Barriers to SME’s Access to finance: A Qualitative Review of Credit Guarantees in Malawi

The study examines the implementation of credit guarantees and how their barriers affect small and medium enterprises' (SMEs) access to finance in Malawi. The study reviews widely existing literature from academic research, policy frameworks, and reports from governmental and nongovernmental bodies. Additionally, the study uses primary data collection methods, in which interview and survey techniques are applied to cover the whole spectrum of stakeholders: SME owners, financial institutions, government functionaries, and development partners. This study uses a qualitative approach to examining how credit guarantees affect small businesses' ability to access capital and how well they do after it. Qualitative techniques include thematic coding of interview transcripts and policy documents, and quantitative techniques include using statistical tools. In so doing, the paper brings to light credit guarantees, which are essential in broadening the financial horizons of SMEs in Malawi. Major barriers to accessing finance include a lack of collateral, poor credit history, and exorbitant interest rates which become stumbling blocks for SMEs to secure loans from mainstream financial institutions. It further identifies the critical role of government policies and programs in supporting SMEs' financial inclusivity and offers measures to enhance credit guarantee mechanisms' effectiveness.

Implementasi Nilai Tri Kaya Parisudha Dalam Moderasi Beragama

Religious Moderation is a government program to achieve harmony in the lives of Indonesian people with diverse beliefs, cultures and languages. Every religion recognized in Indonesia has authentic sources that can support religious moderation, and Hinduism is no different. This research aims to examine more deeply the implementation of Tri Kaya Parisudha, including cleanliness of mind (manacika parisudha), cleanliness of words (wacika parisudha) and cleanliness of actions (kayika parisudha) to achieve religious moderation. This research is classified as descriptive qualitative research with a library research method, namely studying the sacred library texts of the Bhagavad Gita and Sarasamuscaya, and in-depth interviews with Hindu religious figures who were determined deliberately (purposive sampling). Data were analyzed using qualitative descriptive methods. Based on the analysis of the results and discussion, it is concluded that the teachings of Religious Moderation are found in the teachings of the Bhagawad Gita and Sarasamuscaya which are implemented in the Tri Kaya Parusdha teachings. The implementation of the Tri Kaya Parisudha values ​​in Religious Moderation in Indonesia is made easier by increasing understanding and grounding the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and Sarasamuscaya, which aims to build good character and attitudes of Hindus. Having a good Hindu character facilitates social relations between, internal and external religious communities in Indonesia so that tolerance, order and peace in society are conducive.