Principles Of Policy Research Articles

The Rise of Global Health Emergency Governance

AbstractIn this paper I shed new light on contemporary developments in global health governance, policymaking, and knowledge production. Specifically, by investigating the historical roots and emergence of global health emergency governance. Drawing on the Foucauldian notion of “problematisation” and on Science and Technology Studies of disaster, I trace, examine, and elucidate three main axes through which, I argue, health emergencies became a problem of global governance. I show, first, the formation of emergency management as a distinct professional field. Second, the migration of emergency management into global health governance and its proliferation within it. And third, the move from global health emergency management to the global governance of health emergencies. Overall, I suggest the rise of global health emergency governance provides crucial context for understanding social, political, and epistemic tensions and controversies in health emergencies such as COVID-19. Through the analysis, I identify a particular rationale that is rooted in emergency management and had become embedded in global health emergency governance. A rationale that involves “temporal compression” and “structural plasticity.” I discuss possible implications of this rationale for global health governance, policy, and knowledge.

Article: Green Subsidies: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

This article examines the legal framework governing subsidies. It scrutinizes the manner in which green subsidies are treated under the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measure (ASCM). The main issue of the current system is that subsidies cannot be justified by a policy rationale. This paper then discusses some of the proposals made for the amendment of ASCM in order to provide states with sufficient policy space. This article examines the question of whether international climate change obligations are jus cogens norms, before ending with concluding remarks.

Poverty Alleviation from an Islamic Perspective: Study of LazisNU Ponorogo Programs

Poverty is a deep-rooted social issue that demands serious attention in its resolution. Islam rejects poverty, considering it a calamity that must be fought, while social welfare is a shared responsibility, as outlined in Article 34 and Article 27 Paragraph 2 of the 1945 Constitution. Despite the government's efforts to alleviate poverty since independence, the results could have been more optimal. This study employs a descriptive qualitative method, collecting data through interviews, observations, documentation, and literature analysis. It also examines Islamic poverty alleviation through a NU Care-LAZISNU Ponorogo case study, which manages zakat, infaq, and sedekah to assist people experiencing poverty. The findings of this study highlight the need to apply Islamic economic principles in social and economic policies to reduce inequality and improve social welfare in Indonesia.

Философия Русского космизма в российско-армянских отношениях: переход от Русского космизма к Российскому космизму и его влияние на внешнюю политику / The Philosophy of Russian Cosmism in Russo-Armenian Relations: The Transition from Russian Cosmism to Russian Cosmism and Its Impact on Foreign Policy

The article analyzes the influence of Russian and Russian Cosmism philosophy on Russia's foreign policy strategy towards Armenia. It examines the transition from Russian Cosmism to Russian Cosmism, reflecting changes in the political and cultural landscape of contemporary Russia. Key philosophical concepts of Cosmism, such as sociocosmism, universalism, and anthropocentrism, and their impact on cultural and political consciousness in both countries are discussed. Special attention is given to how Cosmism’s philosophical ideas could shape Russia’s foreign policy strategy and offer new approaches to international relations and cooperation with Armenia. The article also highlights the historical interaction between the two countries, reviews their foreign policy principles, and provides recommendations for further research and practice in the context of philosophy and foreign policy

The Qur'anic Perspective On Marine Resource Conservation: A Human Responsibility

The conservation of marine resources is an important issue in maintaining the balance of ecosystems and the sustainability of life on earth. The Qur'an provides clear guidance on human responsibility in protecting nature, including marine resources. This article seeks to reveal the messages contained in the Qur'an related to the ocean. The Qur'an emphasises the importance of maintaining the balance of nature (mizan) and prohibits destruction (fasad) on earth. QS. Al-A'raf [7:56] and QS. Al-Baqarah [2:30] emphasise the role of humans as khalifahs responsible for environmental sustainability. These principles include the protection of marine resources through conservation measures and sustainable management. Therefore, a friendly attitude towards the environment and sustainable utilisation is a shared responsibility. This research was conducted through a literature study using qualitative, descriptive methods, relying on deductive and inductive approaches and then analysed structurally and sociologically ethnographically. These findings underscore that marine resource conservation in Islam is not only an ecological obligation but also a rewarding act of worship. Implementing these principles in everyday policies and practices can help address global environmental challenges and ensure the sustainability of marine resources for future generations. The Qur'anic perspective on marine resource conservation emphasises human responsibility for maintaining the balance of nature and preventing damage. These principles are relevant to be applied in modern conservation efforts to achieve environmental sustainability

Ecoregion-Based Environment Policy to Resolve Water Resource Conflicts at the Surakarta Ex-Residency

Introduction: This research studies the severe case of water resource conflicts at the Surakarta Ex-Residency, Indonesia. The researchers were interested in studying this case as they wanted to provide a solution to the water resource conflicts that happened at the Surakarta Ex-Residency through an eco-region-based environmental policy principle. This research aims: (1) To describe the water resource conflicts at the Surakarta ex-Residency, Central Java, Indonesia, (2) To identify the governmental policies on water resource management that cause water resource conflicts, and (3) To formulate ecoregion-based water resource management policy model to resolve water resource conflicts. Methods: This was socio-legal research with doctrinal and non-doctrinal approaches. Results: The research results show that the water resource conflicts between the society and the Municipal Waterworks that have control over the water resources happened due to policies that allowed water management for commercial interests. Conflicts also happened between Regional Governments, as a result of an inaccurate understanding of regional autonomy. This leads to the formulation of water resource management policies that are merely based on regional egos. Discussion: The Regional Government's policies on water resource management contribute to the emergence of water resource conflicts. This is because such policies are directed to various orientation forms, namely economic orientation, privatization, and the unsynchronized water resource management regulations between Regional Governments. The water resource conflict resolution policy with the ecoregional approach is carried out through a mutual agreement between Regional Governments, that will be followed up by each of those Regional Governments. Conclusion: The legitimization is in the form of Regional Regulations that regulate the imposition of responsibilities as well as the rights on the water resource management.

Uncertainties of Economic Policy and Government Management Stability Played Important Roles in Increasing Suicides in Japan from 2009 to 2023.

Standardized suicide mortality rates per 100,000 (SMRs) in Japan consistently decreased from 2009 to 2019 but increased from 2020. The causes of these temporal SMR fluctuations remain to be clarified. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the causalities underlying the recently transformed fluctuations of suicide mortality in Japan. Monthly suicide numbers disaggregated by sex and social standing, and political uncertainty indices, such as economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and government management instability (AENROP), were obtained from Japanese government databases. Interrupted time-series analysis was performed to analyze temporal fluctuations of SMRs disaggregated by sex/social standing associated with the three General Principles of Suicide Prevention Policy (GPSPP) periods and the COVID-19 pandemic. Panel data and vector autoregressive analyses were conducted to investigate causalities from political uncertainties to SMRs. During the first and second GPSPPs (2009-2017), all SMRs disaggregated by sex and social standing decreased, whereas those of unemployed females did not change. During the third GPSPP (2017-2022), decreasing trends in all SMRs were attenuated compared to previous periods. All female SMRs, except unemployed females, showed sharp increases synchronized with the pandemic outbreak. No male SMRs showed sharply increasing at the pandemic outbreak. SMRs of unemployed males/females drastically increased in the later periods of the pandemic, while SMRs of employed and multiple-person/single-person household males did not increase during the pandemic. SMR of unemployed males was positively related to AENROP but not EPU. Other male SMRs were positively related to EPU/AENROP. On the contrary, not all female SMRs were related to EPU/AENROP. Increasing AENROP generally contributed to increasing male SMRs throughout the observation period; however, susceptibility to AENROP and/or political information might have unexpectedly contributed to suppressing the sharply increasing male SMRs induced by large-scale social shocks (the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak) in Japan.

BRICS Expansion: A Geopolitical Triumph of Partner Countries

The BRICS organization is making significant and consistent progress in its development. The 15th BRICS Summit was held in Johannesburg from 22 to 24 August 2023. This summit is a global event that sets the trends and guiding principles for future economic policies. Four of the five BRICS member countries are among the ten largest countries in the world in terms of GDP, territory and population. According to open sources, the total area of the BRICS countries is 39.7 million square kilometers (26.7% of the world’s land surface), and the population is estimated at3.2 billion people (41.5% of the world’s population). The economic potential of BRICS, as the leading economic organization in the world, is more than significant. These competitive advantages in the economy and financial sphere represent an enormous resource of industrial, human and technological potential that can serve as the locomotive of the global economy. Following the conclusion of the above summit, the leaders of the BRICS countries adopted the final “Johannesburg-2” declaration, which noted the advisability of using their countries’ respective national currencies in international trade and collectively resolving problems related to international debt. In addition, decisions were made to expand BRICS and admit new member states to the organization. BRICS has established itself as a prominent entity on the global stage, whose influence in world affairs is consistently strengthening. The strategic course of their unification is aimed at planning for the future and meets the interests of the leading nations of the international community, the so-called world majority. By acting cohesively on the principles of equality, partnership support and mutual consideration, the BRICS member countries are effectively addressing the most pressing issues on the global and regional agenda. The BRICS member states are strongly in favor of the establishment of a multipolar world order that is based on international law and is fair. At the same time, they are committed to adhering to the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter. BRICS is the most important guarantor of the legal foundations of international relations and a fair world order in general. The recent expansion of the BRICS group is a significant event that enables the group to have an even greater influence in international affairs. The presented article analyzes the features of the recent expansion of BRICS and its impact on world geopolitics, taking into account the admission of new states to the organization. The distinctive features of the BRICS group activities and its role in relation to the G7 and G20 are revealed. The trends in the transition to a multipolar world are discussed. Furthermore, issues of political and economic cooperation between the different BRICS member countries are analyzed.

Limits of India–US Relations: Balancing Through Strategic Autonomy and Multi-alignment

The India–US relationship has often been described as a defining partnership. But the nature of the friendship in actuality is yet to assume depth. Despite convergences at multiple levels, it falls short of a true strategic partnership or deep friendship. The India–US relationship is neither a trusted nor an assured economic or security partnership. It is often tested by the vagaries of real-time issues, especially involving other great powers. That is why, despite signing the civilian nuclear deal, foundational agreements, being members of the QUAD and Indo-Pacific Economic Forum, and with the common objective of containing the rise of China, they are unable to work closely together on myriad bilateral, international and regional issues. There are differences over matters of primary interests and the type of partnership that each wants to establish. The United States was insensitive to Indian concerns in its abrupt drawdown from Afghanistan in 2021, sub-continental security threats emanating from the China–Pakistan axis and its continued military support to Pakistan. India’s neutral stand (read in the United States as being pro-Russian) in the Ukraine crisis marked by its abstention from voting against Russia in the UN and purchase of Russian oil despite strong objections from the US-led Western camp are cases in point. We argue that India’s US policy is a case of limited balancing dictated by compulsions and lacks depth. For rising India, a continued desire for strategic autonomy and multi-alignment—the post-non-alignment foreign policy principles—guides its foreign policy orientation. For Washington, a deeper relationship would imply India abandoning its visions of strategic autonomy and joining more formally in Washington’s orbit. These core national objectives of the two countries limit the level of partnership they can forge.

Some issues of state policy in the field of relocation of business entities under the influence of economically dangerous events

In recent years, Ukrainian businesses have been forced to make decisions to relocate their production and other facilities to safer regions of Ukraine or abroad. First of all, the relocation of business is directly related to the consequences of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation (one of the types of economically dangerous events). It should be noted that Ukraine currently lacks a unified state policy on the relocation of business entities under the influence of economically dangerous events. This causes additional difficulties both for the business itself (business does not understand the direction of this policy) and for the state (due to the lack of a strategic vision). The article aims at defining the purpose of the State policy in the area of relocation of business entities under the influence of economically dangerous events and the basic principles of this policy. These are the principles on which the State policy is based and which ensure its effectiveness. The principles of the State policy in the field of relocation of economic entities under the influence of economically hazardous events are based on the principles of the State regulatory policy in the field of economic activity, which are most relevant. As a result of the study, the author defines the purpose of the state policy in the field of relocation of business entities under the influence of economically hazardous events, namely: to facilitate the continuity of economic activity under the influence of economically hazardous events by relocating production and other facilities to safer regions of Ukraine For the first time, the author outlines the main principles of the state policy in the field of relocation of economic entities under the influence of economically dangerous events: universal (expediency, adequacy, efficiency, timeliness, efficiency, balance, predictability, planning and forecasting, scientific support, transparency and openness, availability of state support); special (validity, security, integration, competition (ensuring a competitive component), promotion of territorial development, social responsibility). Each of these principles was also described.

An examination of direct and indirect taxation in OECD countries and the case of Greece

This paper attempts to analyze and interpret the principles of direct and indirect taxation. Initially, a theoretical approach to the general concepts and principles governing tax law is presented. It is followed by a presentation of the Greek tax and financial system. The key points demonstrating the harmonization of tax legislation, in accordance with the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) guidelines so far are highlighted. Any future reform of the Greek national tax system should incorporate the fundamental principles of national tax policy. Additionally, it must be in line with OECD principles and guidelines. The further implementation of the Organization's recommendations will shift the balance between direct and indirect taxation, leading to strengthening the first and reducing the second. Over the last decades, the ratio of direct to indirect taxes has been on the increase, particularly in developed countries. The main reason is that direct taxation is socially just and effective. Direct taxation is attributed by the liable person, while indirect taxation is transferred according to the ability of each person to react to the relevant market. The OECD supports, for member countries, the strengthening of direct taxation, which takes into account income and other social criteria and satisfies both the criterion of efficiency and the criterion of fair distribution of economic burdens. On the contrary, indirect taxation is reduced to inversely progressive taxation in terms of the income of consumers and is not consistent with the OECD principles of socially just and effective taxation in economically developed countries. The taxation of the citizens in general follows the principle of the citizens contributing to the public burdens according to their powers, for there is nothing more unjust than to treat unequal men as equals. From this proportional treatment of the taxing units, the constitutional principle of equality is also satisfied by reflection.

Scalar orientation of policies and technology legitimacy: The case of decarbonization in Norway

This paper suggest that we need to better understand the relationship between policy rationales and their scalar orientation. The former refers to the underlying motivations for proposing policies. The latter refers to two dimensions: the geography of challenges that policy seek to address, and the geography of effects that policy seek to instigate. Such variations in the scalar orientation of national level climate and energy policy, may lead to differing rationales for (not) supporting technologies that can contribute to decarbonization, depending also on their alignment with broader context structures. In this way, scalar orientation of policy rationales may have significant implications for technology legitimacy. We develop a conceptual framework that distinguishes four types of scalar orientation in local/global challenges and effects. Empirically, we analyse how shifting scalar orientation of policy rationales in Norway has influenced legitimacy for LNG in shipping, offshore wind in the energy sector, and CCS for various user sectors.

Education Policy as Public Policy

This article examines the education policy currently implemented in Poland through the lens of understanding, characteristics, and functions of public policy. The analysis is framed within a metatheoretical perspective, referencing the concept of long duration. To illustrate the practice of education policy as a form of public policy, determinations have been made regarding the nature of public policy, its theoretical foundations, aims, and practical priorities. The conclusion highlights selected examples of actions and phenomena that illustrate how education policy deviates from public policy principles, along with research examples that provide theoretical foundations for the desired changes.

Winter is Coming: A Tale of Two Futures – Entrepreneurial State or Creative Destruction?

This paper aims to explore the fundamental principles of sound monetary policy, fiscal prudence, and entrepreneurial innovation, which have historically supported the economic prosperity of nations. It seeks to identify the factors leading to an impending financial crisis and proposes countermeasures based on market liberalization and individual entrepreneurial resilience. Using a critical analysis of prevailing economic conditions, this paper evaluates the unchecked expansion of the monetary supply, fiscal policies, and government interventions. The methodology includes a review of historical economic trends and the application of theoretical frameworks concerning monetary policy, fiscal responsibility, and market innovation. The research identifies that the unchecked expansion of the monetary supply has contributed to inflationary pressures, diminished savings incentives, and led to the misallocation of capital. In addition, fiscal looseness and increased government intervention have exacerbated these economic vulnerabilities, creating conditions ripe for an economic crisis of substantial magnitude, possibly surpassing previous crises such as the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper concludes that this impending crisis is not an unforeseeable "black swan" event but rather one with clear warning signs that require immediate action. The findings advocate for a departure from interventionist policies and emphasize the importance of returning to foundational economic principles, including market liberalization and fostering individual creativity and entrepreneurial innovation. This paper serves as a timely call for policymakers to address these challenges before the full impact of the crisis is realized.

Migration Policy of the European Union: The Balance Between Law and Morality

The article defines the foundations of international morality and its relationship with international law. The existing difficulties related to the application of moral principles in migration policy due to the appeal to national sovereignty, which makes it difficult to follow global humanitarian principles, are considered. Different theoretical approaches to moral aspects of international relations and their impact on migration policy in different regions are described. The aim of the article is to define the foundations of international morality and explore its interaction with international law, as well as to analyse the complexity of applying moral principles in migration policy in the context of national sovereignty. The evolution of migration policy over time is traced through analyses of legal and regulatory instruments, statistical data, international reports and a broad literature base. The extent to which moral principles can be adhered to and instances of changing migration policy in the context of the complex situation in the European Union are reflected. The conclusions point to the integrity of the stated principles of migration policy, which is particularly evident in the tensions between Brussels and individual European countries. Difficulties in the EU that encourage the attraction of migration potential are highlighted, and mechanisms for the integration and adaptation of migrants are described. The interdependence between migration flows and state-level decisions, including moral principles, is quantified.

Do immigrants at bay keep the xenophobes away? Post-entry rights and public opposition to immigrant admission

Abstract Many citizens in liberal democracies are concerned about immigration and its impact on their countries. Governments often seek to address these concerns by restricting the post-entry rights of immigrants such as the right to permanent settlement or access to welfare benefits. Thereby, it is expected that immigrants with an inferior legal status are (perceived as) less threatening to natives and, as a result, make the latter more willing to accept new immigrants. Does this policy rationale indeed attenuate public opposition to immigrant admission and thus allow for the reconciliation of the economic need for immigrants with the political concerns of domestic constituents? This study advances the theoretical argument of a rights-conditionality in citizens’ immigration preferences and provides empirical evidence on the phenomenon. A factorial survey experiment among citizens in the United States and Switzerland tests the effect of residence and welfare rights on the public opposition to immigrant admission. The results show that restricting immigrants’ welfare rights does significantly decrease public opposition towards immigration across the two countries. In contrast, restricting immigrants’ residence rights does not, and in the context of Switzerland, even increases opposition to immigrant admission. Citizens critical of immigration are thus not per se more welcoming to immigrants if they receive an inferior legal status but seem to care about immigrants’ contributions and commitment to the receiving society. The findings highlight the importance of immigrants‘ post-entry rights in the view of citizens and show how the design of immigration policies may help to understand public immigration preferences.

Исследование текущего состояния цифровой экономики в Королевстве Саудовская Аравия

The article aims to examine the current state of the digital economy in Saudi Arabia, the largest country in the Gulf region. The examination of the Kingdom's digital economy involved assessing its level based on various global digital indicators, which been picked and determined in accordance with the digital economy policy principles of the Kingdom. The position of Saudi Arabia and its ranking compared to other countries, particularly the G20 nations, was studied. The national strategy aimed at enhancing economic digitalization was analyzed, along with the contribution of the digital economy to the national economy. A weighted SWOT analysis was carried out, which made it possible to deter-mine the level of the current state of the digital economy of Saudi Arabia, as well as to determine its strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats. As a result of the study, the authors identified the need for extensive initiatives to improve digital literacy and promote collaboration between education and the private sector, as well as targeted technical education programs, development of the local electronics industry and the development of crisis manage-ment schemes. The proposed recommendations can be used to plan and implement measures to support and accelerate the process of digitalization of the economy in the Kingdom.

Shaping people’s preferences: liberal neutrality, means paternalism and tobacco control

Abstract Liberal neutrality compels governments to respect individual preferences. Yet health-promotion campaigns, such as modern tobacco control policies, often seek to cultivate a preference for a healthy lifestyle. Liberal theorists have attempted to justify these policies by appealing to the concept of ‘means paternalism’, whereby these policies align with existing preferences. In contrast, this article argues that shaping preferences can be not only permissible but also morally required. Governments can preserve neutrality while influencing preferences by promoting generic goods valued in diverse societies and considering the preference-formation of future generations. This argument provides a stronger rationale for tobacco control policies.

Rethinking Human Security Through Feminist Lenses

At the beginning of the 2000s, the increased salience of the concept of human security was a welcome development both in academic and policy circles. Problematizing the state's central role as the principal object of security allowed human beings' security needs and concerns to be put in front and center, at least in theory, if not necessarily in practice. The increasing traction the concept got also allowed several non-traditional security threats, such as environment, health and migration, to be approached through security lenses and put on security agendas. Despite the burgeoning literature and the notable frequency at which the concept of human security got incorporated into policy discussions, it has lost, at least partially, its analytical traction and policy saliency. The lack of a clear definition as well as vague and tactical use of the concept by policymakers have raised concerns about the human security concept turning into an empty signifier. While the human security concept was welcome by some feminist approaches, it is also criticized by others. This article aims to discuss the human security concept through different feminist perspectives and understand its adaptability in the field based on a comparative interpretive analysis of feminist foreign policy initiatives by Sweden, Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Spain, Chile and Luxembourg. To realize this aim, we analyze the conceptualization and implementation of feminist foreign policies and how they put the human security approach into practice. We seek to problematize how feminist foreign policies tackle the ambiguities and limitations within the human security framework, and to what degree these policies confront or maintain current power dynamics and state-centered security models. We argue that feminist foreign policies do highlight the problems related to gender equality and contribute to their solutions, but do not challenge patriarchy and the power relations behind it. As such, while they contribute to better implementation of human security as a guiding principle for foreign policy, conventional foreign policy concerns limit the change they can create on the ground.

The Quest for Sentience: from Crustaceans to Plants

Although the use of the term “sentience” in philosophy dates to the 17th century, its use expanded particularly in the second half of the 20th century, with the emergence of non-anthropocentric ethics. A search for sentience in the animal kingdom began, which required the identification of a set of evidential sources. The difficulty in establishing, beyond any reasonable doubt, the existence of sentience in animals more distantly related to humans, and the consequences that the matter has for the legislation on animal protection, led to the proposal to apply the precautionary principle in animal welfare policy. This principle establishes that the fulfilment of minimum criteria is enough for the existence of sentience to be admitted. This led to the attribution of sentience to invertebrates, namely molluscs, insects, and crustaceans. As a result, the possibility of including decapod crustaceans into animal legislation is currently discussed. In this article, we will perform the comparative exercise of applying a framework of minimum criteria of sentience, previously applied to crustaceans of the order Decapoda, to vascular plants. The framework is composed of eight independent criteria and the likelihood of plants meeting each of them will be assessed and discussed in the light of the existing empirical evidence.