Prime Minister Research Articles

Development in Parliamentary Oversight of Government Work in Light of the 2020 Constitutional Amendment (Algeria)

In most comparative law systems, the role of parliament is not limited to issuing various types of legislation and improving the legislative framework. It goes beyond its fundamental function of legislating to include another important role: oversight, specifically the restraining role over the actions of government members in certain cases defined by the Constitution. Parliament exercises this oversight role alongside its legislative function. It is also important in maintaining public interest and evaluating the government’s work by questioning its members on the progress and execution of agreed-upon projects. Referring to the Algerian system, we find that the Algerian Parliament, which consists of two chambers—the National People’s Assembly (APN) and the Council of the Nation—exercises oversight over the government’s actions. The first chamber, the APN, primarily does this. Consequently, this type of oversight may sometimes lead to political accountability, which can result in either the resignation of the Prime Minister or the dissolution of the first chamber of parliament. These mechanisms include the motion of censure and the interpellation process.

Impact assessment of COVID-19 and PMO15 on labour in the plantation-wood processing sector in Lao PDR with policy recommendations

The primary objective of this research was to 1) explore the impacts of COVID-19 on availability of, and demand for, labor in the plantation-wood processing sector in Lao PDR; 2) the Government and industry response measures to COVID-19; and 3) the impacts of 2016 Prime Ministers’ Order (No. 15/PM, PMO15) aimed at addressing illegal logging and controlling log exports were also considered, as representative of a similar ‘shock’ to the sector. The research, undertaken in Vientiane Capital City, adopted a mainly qualitative methodology utilizing literature reviews and semi-structured interviews to gather data from the government, industry and workers. Micro, small and medium sized companies and their employees were surveyed. The research found that Lao wood manufacturers were affected by the shutdowns in response to COVID-19 and there were follow-on effects up and down value chains. The experiences of Laos were found to be similar to those experienced in wood producing countries globally. Supply issues and access to markets were key factors impacting the ability of factories to continue to operate and retain workers. Government protection measures were effective but challenging to implement, and access to support was difficult. Impacts on male and female differed. Awareness of, and access to, mandatory social security insurance by workers was very low. Other forms of social ‘safety-net’ were more apparent and important, including company-based programs, charity, and family/self-help. Improved dissemination of information about the need for, and benefits of, social security should occur to mitigate future shocks. The high dependence on foreign workers to fill skilled jobs in the sector remains an issue. Coupled with reforms in response to PMO15, to improve factory and product standards and ongoing export restrictions, there is a need further build Lao skills and capacity. Current efforts to up-skill Lao workers for employment in emerging wood product industries must be maintained, and improved recognition of Lao-acquired competencies is needed. Market needs analysis including the development of product dossiers is required together with the building of relevant technical expertise. Without this the Lao wood processing sector will be remain vulnerable to future shocks.

Leadership in international populism: How Viktor Orbán’s Hungary shows the way

Although a burgeoning literature explores the international dimensions of populism, we still know little about how populist leaders gain international popularity. This paper describes how Viktor Orbán, the Prime Minister of Hungary, has emerged as the role model of international right-wing populism. It demonstrates that Orbán actively supplied himself as an example that like-minded politicians should follow. We draw on the concept of legitimation strategies to illustrate why Orbán markets himself as the leader of an international movement against liberal ideologues (Wajner, 2022). At the same time, populists in many countries have searched abroad for a successful model to follow. Orbán’s anti-migration policies and his defense of conservative family values constitute chapters of an illiberal playbook that right-wing populists are eager to implement. We use the concept of authoritarian learning to develop this demand-side perspective (Hall and Ambrosio, 2017). Empirically, we demonstrate our argument through an analysis of speeches delivered at a leading gathering of right-wing populists and moral conservatives: the Hungarian editions of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) that took place in Budapest in 2022 and 2023.

Communicative Competence in the Select Speech of Shri Narendra Modi: A Linguistic Analysis

The close connection between language and ideology has long been a recurring subject of study among linguists. Politicians often rely on language manipulation to convey specific messages, discussing topics that seem familiar but may not be fully understood by the audience. This study uses critical discourse analysis to identify the presuppositions and entailments, and thus the ideology, in a speech delivered by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. The speech is an appeal from Modi to the people of India. A closer examination reveals that Prime Minister Modi employed various persuasive strategies to achieve political and ideological goals. The analysis of the selected speech of Shri Narendra Modi for Swachh Bharat mission on Independence Day establishes the social practises followed and the text that influences the people to bring changes in our society. The level of text and the level of context is analysed for linguistic analysis in six categories like phonology, syntax, semantics, conceptual, belief and para linguistics.

Imran Khan’s Speech as Prime Minister of Pakistan at UNGA 2021: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Linguistic Strategies under the Lens of Fairclough’s 3D Model

The study aims to unfold the linguistic strategies employed by the former prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan in his speech delivered at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in the year 2021. However, the primary objective has been to explore the functions these linguistics strategies performed to convey the target meanings to the global audience. Fairclough 3D model has been employed as the framework of this study. Hence, the population of the study included the multiple speeches delivered by the former prime minister Imran Khan to UNGA throughout his tenure while the researcher selected a particular sample of only one speech given in 2021 through purposive sampling. The findings revealed the constant use of multiple linguistic strategies by the former prime minister to portray the positive image of Pakistan in front of the whole world by highlighting the importance of global peace.

INDIAN ARCHITECTS & MODERNISM: THE DILEMMA OF THOUGHTS

Journey of Indian architecture in search for its identity started in the middle of 20th Century. It emerged from the conflict of two parallel thought processes namely, rationalism and revivalism with the former being propagated by the followers of modernism and later by the followers of the old school of thoughts. The hegemony of rationalists’ idea prevailed over the passage of time with the arrival in India of foreign architects like Le-Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Dame Jane Drew and Maxwell Fry and the then Prime Minister Nehru had thrown his weight behind rationalism over revivalism to project independent India’s image to the world as a progressive nation. The architecture of these foreign masters had a profound influence on Indian architects’ works, some of whom being the team members of these foreign architects’ Indian commissions. This paper is an attempt to investigate whether the influence of these foreign masters’ architecture in India is limited to only a specific group of architects who worked with them during their Indian commissions or this influence was all over irrespective of the Indian architects’ association with foreign Masters.

The Janus Face of Italy’s Far Right

When Giorgia Meloni, the leader of a party with fascist roots, was elected Italy’s prime minister, liberal alarm bells went off. Concerns soon evaporated, however, as Meloni continued Italy’s policy of support for Ukraine against Russia and refrained from picking fights with the European Union. Her adherence to what looked like a traditional centre-right foreign policy mystified observers across the Atlantic, who neglected her more troubling domestic policies. In liberal-minded and pro-EU quarters, the belief emerged that if Meloni showed that moderation could pay off electorally, other far-right parties could follow suit. However, Meloni’s foreign policy is arguably less the result of a genuine change of heart than of contingent factors such as a strongly Atlanticist US administration, Italy’s need for EU cash and a lack of competition for the leadership of Europe’s far right. All these conditions may vanish in the coming years, and if they do, Meloni may find that her experiment in moderation is not politically expedient after all.

The greatest political show on earth: India’s general election 2024

ABSTRACT This article analyses the Indian elections of 2024. Prime Minister Modi was returned for a third term despite failing to win an overall majority and despite electoral losses by his BJP party. The article compares Modi’s self-presentation to that of China’s Zhou dynasty and the Mandate of Heaven.

Keir Starmer The ‘Labourist’ Prime Minister

Keir Starmer The ‘Labourist’ Prime Minister

Equatorial Guinea: New Prime Minister

Equatorial Guinea: New Prime Minister

Online Prosumers and Penal Policy Formation in an Age of Digital Polarization and Populism: An Exploratory Study

This article explores the influence of right-wing social media users on penal policy formation processes. Through a passive digital ethnography approach, the study examines online debates preceding and following recent legislative interventions adopted in Italy by the new right-wing government in power since late 2022, namely the criminalization of unauthorized rave parties and the punitive approach to migration management. The article discusses the role of social media users as prosumers, who both consume and produce content, and shows how social media platforms amplify political polarization by promoting selective exposure to like-minded viewpoints and facilitating the spread of divisive content. It also showcases how prosumers contribute to the propagation of punitive narratives and engage in direct interactions with populist leaders through social media platforms. Conversely, political leaders—specifically Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in this case study—use these platforms to disseminate their narratives and create support for their penal policies, employing fear-mongering tactics and simplistic messaging. Our findings suggest that, while social media platforms have transformed political discourse, in the Italian scenario their direct influence on penal policy making from the ground-up remains limited. Instead, traditional top-down channels continue to dominate the process of penal policy formation.

February to May 2024

On 22 May, standing outside the door of No. 10 in pouring rain (and for some unfathomable reason sans umbrella), the Prime Minister announced that there would be a General Election on 4 July and Parliament was duly prorogued on 24 May and dissolved on 30 May. Before that, however, there was a flurry of legislative business by agreement between the two front benches.

Digital Democracy in India: How Social Media Shapes Political Narratives?

Social media has significantly impacted the landscape of Indian electoral politics, transforming the dynamics of political campaigning and voter engagement. The adoption of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Instagram in Indian political campaigns represents a fundamental shift in how political messages are crafted and disseminated. The 2014, 2019, and 2024 general elections highlight the strategic role of these platforms in shaping electoral outcomes. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has employed social media not only as a tool for broadcasting campaign messages but also for creating interactive, data-driven strategies that personalize voter engagement. This paper examines the multifaceted impact of social media on Indian politics, including its influence on voter behaviour, campaign strategies, and public opinion. It explores both the empowering aspects of digital engagement and the challenges, such as misinformation, echo chambers, and algorithmic biases. The aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how social media has redefined political communication and its implications for democratic processes in India.

Women's Representation in Government Bodies of the Russian Federation in the Period from 1991 to 2023

The representation of women in public authorities reflects a number of more general issues related to gender equality, the peculiarities of women's political leadership, women's participation in politics, etc. The purpose of this article was to identify gender proportions in the federal executive authorities and the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation for the period from 1991 to 2023. The study was conducted by statistical analysis of data presented in open sources, on the websites of the Federation Council, the State Duma, the Government and other public authorities. This article reflects the dynamics of changes in the gender distribution of positions in the field of politics over the period under study. For the analysis, the highest positions of executive and other state authorities of the country were selected, as well as membership in both chambers of the Russian parliament, which made it possible to consider women's representation in positions involving direct decision-making. The study raises the problem of the underrepresentation of women in senior political and elected positions in public administration. According to the results of the study, data on women's representation in government over the past 34 years were systematized. A trend has been identified to increase the representation of women in high-level executive positions. At the same time, the number of women in the Cabinet of Ministers of our country in the entire history of the Russian Federation has not exceeded 11% or two female representatives at the same time. No more than two women at the same time had the opportunity to take the position of Deputy Prime Minister. There are positions that have been held exclusively by men for more than thirty years. The number of women in the country's parliament is also small, but the positive trend here is more pronounced. With a global average of 26.5% female representation, in Russia there are only 18.4% women among the members of both houses of parliament.

METI and Japanese scramble: re-definition of Japan’s African policy under the second Abe administration and future of African summit diplomacy

During the Second Abe Administration (2012-2020), Japan intensified its efforts to strengthen economic ties with Africa. This paper explores the reasons behind this shift and its implications for Japan’s African policy. Challenging the prevailing ‘Reactive State’ model of Japanese African policy, the study argues that the shift resulted from political and bureaucratic reforms that centralized power in the Prime Minister’s office (Kantei) and Abe’s favoritism toward the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). As a result, METI gained greater influence over African policy. Unlike the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, METI views Africa as a promising market with a limited Japanese presence and advocates for a more business-oriented approach. The paper concludes that Japan’s new policy provides a convincing reason why Japan must engage with Africa. However, Japanese companies do not always follow as the Government intended. Despite government efforts, the Japanese private sector remains hesitant to expand investment in Africa due to challenging business environments and the absence of legal frameworks between Japan and African countries.

India-Nepal Relations in the Modi Era: Dynamics, Challenges, and Prospects

The India-Nepal relationship, marked by shared historical, cultural, and geographical ties, has seen both cooperation and discord. Despite a foundation of mutual respect, these South Asian neighbors have occasionally faced strains and disagreements in their bilateral relations. This research aims to thoroughly examine the dynamics, challenges, and prospects of India-Nepal relations during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure from 2014 to 2024. It has three primary objectives: firstly, to understand the dynamics influencing the relationship; secondly, to identify and analyze challenges in maintaining and strengthening bilateral ties; and thirdly, to explore potential opportunities shaping their future relationship. The study considers historical, cultural, and political factors affecting the evolving dynamics, including recent border disputes, and employs a multi-methodological approach to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex bilateral relationship under Modi's leadership.

Analyzing the Institutional and Socio-Political Impacts of Sheikh Hasina’s Departure on Bangladesh’s Democracy

Sheikh Hasina’s departure from the position of Prime Minister of Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, following prolonged anti-government protests, marks a significant turning point in the nation’s political landscape. Hasina, whose tenure was characterized by notable economic advancements and controversial governance, faced a dramatic fall from power as a result of mounting public dissent and international criticism. Her administration's authoritarian practices and failure to address key public grievances, including the brutal suppression of student protests, eroded her support and ultimately led to her fleeing the country. The immediate effects of her departure include heightened political instability, potential disruptions in policy continuity, and public unrest. In the long term, the success of Bangladesh’s transition will hinge on the new leadership’s ability to manage economic challenges, uphold democratic norms, and maintain institutional integrity. The situation underscores the broader global struggle between authoritarianism and democratic aspirations, highlighting the crucial role of effective governance and inclusive political engagement in shaping Bangladesh’s future trajectory.

The personal presidency of Silvio Berlusconi

ABSTRACT No politician in Italy has embodied the characteristics of the Second Republic more profoundly than Silvio Berlusconi. This is not only because he served as Prime Minister on four occasions over three decades, and, along with Alcide De Gasperi, is the only leader to have completed an entire legislature. Nor is it solely due to the fact that Berlusconi’s mandates appeared to have been bestowed directly, by the people, an impression facilitated by the bipolarization of the party system he helped establish and which paved the way for the processes of Italian presidentialization. Most significantly, it is because Berlusconi adopted a personal presidency, navigating the tension between two elements. On one hand, he increasingly sought more powers for himself, showing great impatience with the perceived procedural delays of Parliament and oversight bodies; on the other hand, he never fully institutionalized a new role for the leader of the Government, leaving it inextricably tied to and dependent on his persona. This article aims to explore the role Silvio Berlusconi played as Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri (President of the Council of Ministers) and to examine his political-institutional legacy.

Measuring prime ministerial brands: Exploring Needham’s framework for assessing the UK’s Boris Johnson and the Greek Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Using political branding as an analytical lens can help explain the emotional connections and evaluative perceptions citizens have regarding political parties and their leaders. Measuring what makes a successful brand is best usually conducted with the benefit of hindsight, we can explain why a brand was a success or a failure based on public opinion data and attribute this to events. However, our research seeks to test the extent that analysis of strategic communication can offer opportunities to predict outcomes. We explore the communication of two prime ministerial brands who, due to their similarities and differences, offer an opportunity to assess the extent that the dimensions of a successful brand are universal. We employ Needham’s framework, developed to demonstrate why the brand of UK prime minister Tony Blair (1997–2008) proved so popular. We find that the dimensions of a successful brand are present in the strategic communication of both premiers. However, we find that the nature of some brands may make them appropriate for campaigning, but not for governance in challenging times. We argue that political brands need to be consistent, but once in government must be adaptable for the changing conditions and develop an appropriate style to accommodate the challenges facing a prime minister in the 21st century.

Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Social Science Studies, Vol. 12, No. 4

International Journal of Social Science Studies (IJSSS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 12, Number 4Fahri ÖZSUNGUR, Adana Science and Technology University, TurkeyJibrin Ubale Yahaya, National Open University of Nigeria NOUN, NigeriaK.O. Aramide, The Polytechnic Ibadan, NigeriaLingkai Kong, Izmir University of Economics, TurkeyMartial Fanga, The University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, IranMd. Nasir Uddin, Prime Minister’s Office, BangladeshNAZIAH ABD. KADIR, Universiti Selangor, MalaysiaPeriyasami Anbarasan, Indian Institute of technology Delhi, IndiaSana Ali, Allama Iqbal Open University, Pakistan, and Birmingham City University, United Kingdom, PakistanShaoshu Li, Cornell University, USASusheelabai Srinivasa, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, United StatesYuhan WANG, Guangdong University of Technology, ChinaYusramizza Md Isa, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia James YoungEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of International Journal of Social Science StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://ijsss.redfame.com