Political Environment Research Articles

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

Political Regime and Governance on climate Change. Evidence from the Western Balkan Economies

Abstract The political environment plays a crucial role in steering societies to address the challenges posed by global warming and contributing to global initiatives toward a resilient and environmentally sustainable future. Political regimes in different places in the democracy-authoritarianism spectrum show varying degrees of effort to reduce their nation's respective carbon emissions. This paper aims to determine the role of political regimes along with governance dimensions in climate change mitigation. The analysis uses the V-Dem database and the World Governance Indicators (WGI) to conceptualise and measure each country's political system and its institutional quality of governance, respectively. The empirical model uses a panel database of the variables of interest for the years 1998-2022 regarding the Western Balkan (WB) economies. The target group of countries sparks our interest due to their significant challenges, such as widespread pollution, political regime changes, and severe governance problems. Furthermore, integrating the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, which suggests a complex relationship between economic growth and environmental sustainability, the analysis provides evidence that the relationship between CO2 emissions and GDP per capita follows a quadratic trend, suggesting that as GDP per capita increases, the associated CO2 emissions may not change linearly but instead follow a parabolic pattern. WB countries also share the ambition of EU accession and hold the EU candidate status. To the extent these states manage to overcome their institutional issues, they will be in the position to implement the EU environmental acquis efficiently, which will amount to a critical step in the region's environmental health. Policymakers and scholars of the field will benefit from this paper since it determines the impact of political systems precisely matched with empirical results to derive conclusive answers regarding the political systems and climate change debate.

SINXRON TАRJIMАDА STRАTEGIYA VА TАKTIKАLАR

The role and characteristics of simultaneous translation (ST) in the general system of translation are very wide, and deeper knowledge and skills are required from simultaneous translator. The translator uses simultaneous interpretation of different types of interpretation, in particular, semantic translation from serial translation and different forms and methods. Translation is also a unique bridge which connects these cultures. Whether it is a written translation or an oral translation, at a certain degree it creates an exchange and acquaintance of cultures. Every language reflects the worldview, psyche and identity of that nation. It gives a heavier task for the translator when performing the translation. Today, simultaneous translation is widely used in meetings of heads of state and international conferences. It is natural that the main topic of such simultaneous translation processes is about politics, the political environment in the neighboring and international arena. In carrying out political translation, an experienced translator always takes into account the hidden ambiguity in the speaker’s speech. This is because in the political context of a country, a word that has a positive meaning often has a negative meaning when it is simultaneously translated into another language. It is no coincidence that "Politics is an art." After all, various political metaphors and euphemisms are often used in politics.

Nigerian Youth Engagement in Violent Electoral Environments: Political Apathy or ‘Constrained Optimism’?

Abstract How do young citizens engage with politicians and their political environment in contexts where elections are frequently affected by violence? We explore this question through focus group discussions (FGDs) in Nigeria, a country with high rates of election violence. We argue that young voters in violent electoral environments operate with ‘constrained optimism’, where they perceive low government responsiveness but possess high levels of self-efficacy. Participants condemned violence and expressed little faith in political institutions and leaders to curtail violence, but they also felt a determination to elect a better government and a strong sense of a civic duty to vote, participate in politics, and encourage others to do so as well. Many participants also shared that they would continue to support their preferred candidate if they were accused of violence. Some participants raised concerns about the veracity of such allegations while others explained that politicians sometimes use violence for defensive purposes. Still others stated that they would continue to support candidates who expressed remorse for engaging in violence and committed to peaceful campaigning in the future. Taken together, we argue that young voters in violent contexts operate with ‘constrained optimism’ where they remain committed to democracy, but face constraints on who they support and how they participate. Our findings nuance expectations of the effects of electoral violence on political participation and better help us understand the challenges facing voters in contexts where violence is rife.

Civil Society's Role in Shaping Political Discourse: Comparative Analysis


 
 
 This comparative analysis explores the pivotal role of civil society in shaping political discourse across different socio-political contexts. Through a qualitative approach, this study delves into the dynamics of civil society engagement and its impact on political discourse through an extensive review of literature and library research. The study examines various case studies and empirical evidence from diverse regions to elucidate the multifaceted nature of civil society's influence on political discourse. The findings reveal that civil society organizations play a crucial role in promoting pluralistic and inclusive political discourse by fostering dialogue, advocacy, and civic engagement. Moreover, the comparative analysis highlights the significance of contextual factors such as historical legacies, institutional frameworks, and socio-cultural dynamics in shaping the effectiveness of civil society's engagement in political discourse. The study underscores the need for further research to explore the nuances of civil society's role in different political environments and to identify best practices for enhancing its contribution to democratic governance. By shedding light on the comparative dynamics of civil society's engagement in political discourse, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms through which civil society can promote democratic values and foster informed and inclusive political debates.
 
 

Assessing the impact of fiscal decentralization, green finance and green technology innovation on renewable energy use in European Union countries: What is the moderating role of political risk?

Renewable energy use plays a substantial role in sustaining environmental quality. Therefore, there is a need to make substantial efforts to advance the renewable energy sector and to provide affordable, clean, and reliable energy to attain sustainable goals. With this notion, the present study aims to assess the definitive roles of green technology innovation (GTI), green finance, fiscal decentralization, political risk, and environmental regulations in fostering renewable energy use while controlling for the effects of industrial structure and economic growth for ten selected European Union (EU) nations spanning from 2000 to 2020. The study's findings reveal that while GTI, green finance, and fiscal decentralization foster renewable energy use, political risk impedes renewable energy use in EU nations. Notably, this study advises EU nations to persuade the integration of local and federal governments for the devolution of fiscal powers and ensure a stable political environment to promote green innovation and investments in the renewable energy sector to realize sustainable goals.

From Division to Coordination: A Study on the Power of Urban Rural Integration of the Minimum Living Security System from the Perspective of Multi Source Flow

For a long time, China's minimum subsistence guarantee system has suffered from the problem of large differences between provinces and cities, and between cities and rural areas within provinces and cities, and in this context, some regions have gradually implemented the urban-rural integration policy and have gained some experience. Based on the theory of multiple streams, it can be found that the convergence of problem or policy streams can open a window of opportunity for policy change, and in China, the political environment and the party's philosophy of governance can also provide reliance on and support for policy change, and the coupling of the three streams provides the conditions for the promotion of the process of urban-rural integration. On this basis, countermeasures are proposed to promote the urban-rural integration of the minimum subsistence guarantee system in three aspects: paying attention to the emergence of problems, exploring policy options and adhering to the political philosophy.

Teacher Views of Relationships between their Teaching Practices and Beliefs, the School Context, and Student Achievement

Teachers hold many beliefs, shaped by their educational knowledge, experiences, and cultural, social, historical, and political environments. These teacher beliefs, together with teacher characteristics and school context factors can influence cognitive processes, expectations, instructional decisions, and practices which could affect learning experiences, student engagement, and achievement. Numerous studies have explored these factors, however, often separately or with only one or two others. This paper explores primary school teachers’ self-reported perceptions on the relationships between teacher beliefs (including teacher class level expectations, self-efficacy, motivation, goal orientation, work engagement, passion for teaching, relatedness to students), teacher characteristics (including gender, ethnicity, teacher experience), and school context factors (including decile and year level taught), and the impact of these on student achievement and teachers’ instructional practices.Associations were found between teaching self-efficacy and all the other factors explored; work engagement and teachers’ years of teaching experience, gender, and school decile; and years of teaching experience and student achievement. Further, relatedness to students, passion for teaching, and teaching self-efficacy was found to be associated with teachers’ instructional practices.

CULTURAL SOFT POWER IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: CONTRASTING IMAGES OF CHINA AND CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES IN BRITISH MEDIA DISCOURSE, POLICYMAKING AND PUBLIC RESPONSES (2013–2022)

In 2022 the Confucius Institute (CI), part of China’s cultural outreach around the world, found itself at the centre of intense debate in the United Kingdom (UK). Its 30 branches on British university campuses became a symbol of a changed attitude towards a country that had been regarded as a partner, but was increasingly seen as a systemic challenge, or even a threat to national security. In this article, I posit the CI as the bellwether of the bilateral relationship over the past decade (2013–2022), contrasting its images as reflecting the dynamics in the British political environment and the UK’s standing in a post-Brexit context. Via content analysis of British media representation of the CI, I interpret China’s soft power through the lens of cultural diplomacy and analyse the emerging themes in the stories about CIs in the UK. I highlight the political divergence over attitudes towards the CIs’ presence between England and Scotland and examine evidence of their influence in public life and among their target audiences. While CIs in the UK resisted threats of closure, the introduction of new policies in England prompted some distancing from these controversial outposts.

Do bilateral investment treaties help post-coup countries attract foreign investment?

Studies of international investment treaties have debated whether these agreements independently increase foreign investment flows. This article contributes to the debate by contextualizing the impact of bilateral investment treaties on post-coup domestic political environments. We argue that these treaties enable capital-receiving countries to live up to their commitments of investment protection and promote foreign investment when signatories’ capacity for investor protection has been compromised by the political turmoil of coup events. Using a sample that covers 81 countries between 1970 and 2017, we find that bilateral investment treaties are positively associated with foreign investment in post-coup countries, and that this association is strongest in the immediate years following the coup and attenuates gradually over time. This finding potentially lends support to theorizations of bilateral investment treaties as substitutes, rather than complements, to domestic institutions in fostering investment activities.

What do International City Networks Contribute to Global Governance? Towards a Better Conceptual and Empirical Assessment

ABSTRACT This article systematically assesses international city networks (ICNs) and their contribution to global governance. Research in urban studies has frequently emphasised the growing number and activities of ICNs in global politics, particularly environmental politics. However, systematic and comparative assessments of their main characteristics and how they contribute to global governance in different issue areas remain rare. To advance our conceptual, empirical, and comparative understanding of these networks, we review existing approaches and analyse a sample of 30 ICNs concerning three categories, namely their structures, aims, and activities. The results show that ICNs assemble diverse actors, closely collaborate with international organisations, and are dedicated to the implementation, but also the change of global norms in several issue areas of global governance. At the same time, the results suggest that more empirical data and comparative analyses of ICNs are necessary to advance our conceptual understanding of ICNs and their relevance in global governance.

Natural Embeddedness, Place Attachment, and Local Opposition to Developmental Projects: A Polanyian Analysis of the Origins of Preemptive Environmental Protests in China

This article aims to uncover the underlying social and institutional origins of China’s local preemptive environmental protests against developmental projects with negative externalities, which have not been fully investigated by the extant literature on “NIMBY” (“not-in-my-backyard”) activism in China. Primarily through the perspective of Karl Polanyi’s environmental sociology, this article presents a case study of the 2012 protest in Qidong, Jiangsu province, against an industrial waste disposal pipeline. The case of Qidong shows how local ecology has been deeply embedded in the social context and relations that have historically shaped the economic structures, culinary traditions, and place attachment in the area. Such a nexus between the environment and society in turn significantly impacted the opposition pattern of the local communities, which involved various social strata by triggering their economic and health concerns as well as an emotional response. Moreover, the article finds that the unified cross-class action under the banner of defending public interests was possible in Qidong largely because the actors were all part of the same holistic local ecological system, with shared economic interests, dietary preferences, and cultural identities. This research thus echoes the insights of environmental sociology and argues that it is necessary to take into account the interplay between ecology and locality to understand local environmental politics.

Political Choices of Muhammadiyah Citizens as a Muslim Minority in the 2018 Bali Governor Election in Indonesia

Purpose: the primary aim of this study is to explore how the Muhammadiyah community in Bali, a minority Muslim group, engaged in the 2018 Bali gubernatorial election to assert and navigate their political identity. This research seeks to understand the impact of their political participation within the broader dynamics of identity politics in a predominantly non-Muslim setting. Theoretical Reference: the study is framed within theories of political identity and political communication, which provide insights into how identities are formed, communicated, and leveraged in political contexts. These theories help elucidate the complex interactions between minority groups and the political environment, particularly in areas where identity politics play a significant role. Method: A qualitative descriptive approach was employed to capture the political preferences and behaviors of Muhammadiyah members during the 2018 gubernatorial election. Data was gathered through interviews, focus groups, and analysis of campaign materials and public statements. This method enabled a detailed and nuanced understanding of the Muhammadiyah community's political engagement. Results and Conclusion: the findings indicate that Muhammadiyah members actively participated in the election, using it as a platform to advocate for their political and social interests. Their engagement was shaped by their minority status and the need to assert their identity in a socio-political landscape dominated by different religious and cultural norms. The election outcomes revealed both the challenges and opportunities faced by Muhammadiyah in navigating identity politics in Bali. Implications of Research: this study highlights the critical role of minority religious communities in shaping political landscapes, even in regions where they do not form the majority. Understanding these dynamics is essential for policymakers, political leaders, and civil society organizations that aim to foster inclusive political processes. It also underscores the importance of effective political communication strategies that cater to diverse communities. Originality/Value: this research contributes to the limited literature on the political behavior of Islamic organizations like Muhammadiyah in regional politics, particularly within non-Muslim majority regions. It offers a unique insight into how identity politics and minority status influence political engagement and communication, adding depth to the discussions on multiculturalism and political inclusion in Southeast Asia.

To be or not to be a state? The alignment behaviours of Abkhazia and South Ossetia with Russia

This article presents an adaptation of Kuik's hedging theory to analyse the secessionist movements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, both seeking independence from Georgia with Russian support. By examining their distinctive strategies, this study addresses the extent to which these regions seek to maintain their independence from Russia, as their patron state. The article argues for the need to modify hedging theory to accommodate the unique context of former Soviet actors and de facto states. The adaptation develops the concept of a "political hedge," with a focus on elite-driven nation-building as a mechanism to influence the likelihood of Russian integration. Abkhazia is identified as an illustrative case of hedging behaviour, whereas South Ossetia displays characteristics resembling but distinct from bandwagoning. This analysis contributes to refining the applicability of hedging theory within novel political environments and underscores the significance of elite-led nation-building in shaping state and national legitimacy in secessionist regions.

Different shades of green: how transnational actors frame nature as a solution to sustainability challenges in African cities

ABSTRACT Nature – based solutions (NBS) are increasingly being positioned within global discourses concerning how urban sustainability challenges can be addressed. To better understand to what extent, how, by whom and with what potential implications NBS are promoted in urban Africa, this paper focuses on transnational actors and presents a dataset covering 40 NBS initiatives in 57 cities across 19 African countries. A framing analysis is undertaken to understand to what degree NBS are mobilised in accordance with global discourses. To that end, the paper builds on existing work by Tozer et al. (2022, “Transnational Governance and the Urban Politics of Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Change.” Global Environmental Politics, 1–23) on globally circulating frames of urban nature. In further contributing to their framework, we delve into the underlying values or shades of green that are being signified through the frames by applying the IPBES Nature Futures Framework. Results indicate that urban nature comes to be seen as a solution within a climate resilience – integrated benefits nexus through which various types of transnational actors are bringing nature into the city. Two important findings can be highlighted: First, the deployed frames offer opportunities to address major African urban sustainability challenges, but initiatives may not yet be configured to adequately address their scope and magnitude. Second, the configurations of frames are predominantly informed by instrumental values that put "Nature for Society” perspectives in focus, missing opportunities for NBS to build on relational values, or “Nature as Culture” perspectives and for accommodating a plurality of worldviews on desirable futures for urban nature.

The Implication of Political Risk and Specific Macroeconomic Variables on Total Revenue in Tourism Industry

Political risk is one factor that influences tourism performance as a tourist is more sensitive to the hosting country’s political environment. In addition, to the effect of country risk on the tourism industry, the global economy has recently experienced severe shocks due to high inflation rates, political risk, and currency volatility. This paper aims to investigate the implications of political risk, inflation, and exchange rate volatilities on tourism revenue in South Africa. A sample of 144 monthly data was used to assess both long-run and short-run relationships amongst the study variables using the ARDL cointegration and error correction model approaches to achieve the study objective. Results indicated that political risk, inflation rate, and exchange rate volatility influence long-term revenue changes in the tourism industry. In contrast, real effective exchange rates and inflation significantly impact total revenue in the tourism sector. The findings also indicated that political risk has no short-term effect on tourism revenue. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the country's political stability increase, increasing the number of tourist arrivals and resulting in growing revenue for the tourism industry in S.A. Additionally, the South African reserve bank should revise its exchange-rate pegging, monetary targeting, and inflation targeting to reduce the effects of inflation on tourism revenue.

Quit the Politicking? How Factors Within Strategic Business Unit Teams Shape Returns from Entrepreneurial Orientation

In this study, we examine the entrepreneurial orientation (EO), political behavior, and discretion of leaders within an organization’s strategic business unit (SBU) customer portfolio teams to determine whether and how an SBU team’s political environment affects its performance. Building upon EO as theory of new value creation, we argue that politically charged SBU teams are less capable of translating EO into improved performance. However, we observe the harmful influence of SBU team politics on the EO-performance relationship is partially alleviated when SBU team leaders have greater discretion over their units’ actions. We examine our theoretical model using robust data collected from 320 SBU team leaders and 1181 reporting SBU project managers within a large multi-national information technology firm headquartered in India. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Centripetalism in Consociational Democracy: The Multiple Proportional Vote and the Belgian Case

AbstractBelgium illustrates that using consociational institutions in divided societies may ensure a peaceful political environment, but it fails in reducing its centrifugal tendencies. As communitarian issues threaten to paralyse the political debate, preserving the efficiency of the state will require adding centripetal incentives to the consociational framework. However, the solution usually proposed for this purpose –the creation of a federal constituency– would be insufficient and would raise legitimacy problems analogous to those occurred in Bosnia, the Swiss Canton of Berne or Cyprus. Instead, this paper advocates the adoption of a new electoral system: the Multiple Proportional Vote (MPV). MPV can maintain the consociational goal of including the different communities in the parliament, as well as to strengthen the centripetal trends towards moderation. Indeed, electors of every group are allowed to cast their preferences for candidates of the other communities. As such, MPV suggests that consociationalism and its main theoretical alternative, centripetalism, are far from mutually exclusive.

Adaptive leadership in times of crisis: Exploring situational responses and contingent factors at sub-national levels

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the necessity for effective public service leadership in managing complex crises. Employing the extended case method, this study examines sub-national pandemic responses in three countries, analyzing six comparative cases across governments and healthcare organizations. It focuses on the Situational Leadership Model (SLM) amidst diverse contingent factors such as political environments, resource allocation, cultural nuances, and community engagement. The findings demonstrate the adaptability of SLM in dynamic crisis contexts, highlighting its applicability in various organizational structures and cultural settings. Particularly notable is the interplay between organizational structure and leadership dynamics, as seen in the contrasting approaches of Zhongnan Hospital and Mayo Clinic. This research augments the discourse on crisis leadership, emphasizing adaptable and context-aware leadership strategies in navigating global health crises. It offers both theoretical and practical contributions, providing strategic insights for policymakers and leaders in similar future crises.

THE EFFECT OF FEMINISM ON EGYPTIAN LITERATURE

This study examines the contemporary Egyptian female subculture movements that have brought life to the nation's media landscape. According to the study, women have created unique strategies for encouraging a shared discussion on the significance of social change. Their emphasis on lifestyle issues often reserved for closed-door private discussions enables them to question social norms without upsetting the government or security services and entering the polarised political environment. This article examines the objectives and internal workings of three distinct online feminist initiatives using case studies. Through semi-structured interviews with important participants, we were able to understand the evolution of these groups from networks to movements and ultimately into the organizations we are familiar with today.