Regional Politics Research Articles

The Pacific Islands and Chinese power as presence, influence, and interference

Abstract Dominant debates about China’s growing presence in the Pacific Islands – through infrastructure, aid, trade, and investment – suggest that Chinese material power directly translates to influence and effective interference in Pacific states’ domestic and foreign affairs. These perspectives fail to clarify the causal link between Chinese economic statecraft and Pacific governments’ alignment with Beijing’s interests. They also deny Pacific people agency, overlooking how power relations are mediated by Pacific state and non-state actors operating across complex political and socio-economic structures. We challenge such rationalist conceptualisations of Chinese power by developing a constructivist taxonomy of power as presence (dormant capability), influence (socialisation), and interference (incentives), and applying it to the Melanesian subregion. We argue that Chinese power is not merely material, causal, and unidirectional. Chinese power can also (re)shape the identities and interests of Pacific elites and publics in a constitutive manner, potentially aligning their ideas about substantive norms, rules, and practices guiding their foreign relations with Chinese ‘core interests’ and perspectives on regional and global politics.

Государственная политика в сфере развития креативной экономики Российской Федерации

The article analyzes the main directions of state policy in the field of development of the creative economy of the Russian Federation. The institutional framework for the legal regulation of politics, key concepts and their definitions are given, the principles of implementation of the policy under consideration are systematized and supplemented, the main groups of existing support measures are formed.

Arctic cooperation with Russia: at what price?

Abstract After February 2022, it seemed that a breakdown of political, economic and scientific cooperation in the Arctic would be one of the many examples of collateral damage from Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine. Two years on from the invasion, however, the Arctic 7 (the United States, Canada and the Nordic countries) have renewed their engagement with Russia on polar issues. The Arctic Council has emerged as the exceptional case of a regional body in which Russia and NATO nations continue to collaborate, albeit at a more limited level through the working groups. This article examines the dilemmas facing the Arctic 7 as they seek to balance a values-based policy and strong stance against Russia in solidarity with Ukraine, with a desire to ensure the continuing survival of the Arctic Council and its primacy in regional governance. We argue that Russia has sought to weaponize the Council—withholding vital climate data and threatening to bring China further into regional politics—as part of a wider strategy of coercive diplomacy and hybrid threats in the Arctic. The Arctic 7 should recognize that they ultimately stand to lose more from giving into Russian tactics than from freezing Moscow out of the Arctic Council while the war in Ukraine continues.

THE POLITICS OF FIDESZ-KDNP OF HUNGARY UNDER V. ORBÁN IN WESTERN MEDIA, 2010-2024

This article offers a comprehensive analysis of Western media coverage of the Hungarian government's political course under Viktor Orban and the FIDESZ-KDNP coalition from 2010 to 2024. The study encompasses a wide range of aspects of Hungary's domestic and foreign policy, tracing the evolution of "Orbanism" perception in international media discourse. The author examines in detail the key themes that dominated Western media regarding Hungary, namely: The transformation of the country's democratic system and discussions around the concept of "illiberal democracy". Systematic conflicts between Hungary and the European Union, especially on issues of rule of law and democratic values. Hungary's strict migration policy and its impact on European policy in this area. Economic reforms known as "Orbanomics" and their controversial perception in the international arena. Changes in Hungary's media landscape and discussions about press freedom. Hungary's foreign policy course, including its relations with Russia, China, the USA, and neighboring countries. Special attention is paid to the impact of the Hungarian governance model on regional politics in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as its perception by right-wing and conservative movements in Europe and the USA. The article also examines the dynamics of Hungary's relations with the EU and NATO, particularly in the context of Russian aggression against Ukraine and Hungary's position on this conflict. The research is based on a wide range of Western media sources, including leading newspapers, magazines, television channels, and online publications. The author traces changes in the tone and focus of coverage of Hungarian politics during the specified period, identifying key trends and turning points in the international perception of Hungary. The article also examines Western media's reaction to Hungary's presidency of the Council of the European Union. The author summarizes the main trends in Western media coverage of Hungarian politics and assesses their impact on Hungary's international reputation and its relations with key partners.

The Impact of Political Stability on Regional Economic Growth in India: A Comparative Study of State-Level Development

This study explores the intricate dynamics of Indian politics, focusing on the interplay between historical legacies, electoral processes, and socio-economic factors shaping contemporary governance. As the world's largest democracy, India offers a unique perspective on political evolution influenced by colonial history, diverse cultural contexts, and rapid economic changes. The analysis covers the historical foundations of India's political system, the impact of major political parties and leaders, and the role of elections in determining policy outcomes. Key areas of focus include the influence of caste and religion on voting behavior, the effects of political campaigns and media, and the evolution of political alliances. The study also addresses current challenges such as corruption, governance inefficiencies, and the impact of globalization on domestic politics. Findings indicate that while India's democratic institutions are resilient, significant disparities in political representation and governance persist, highlighting the need for reforms to enhance transparency and address socioeconomic divides. This examination provides valuable insights into the complexities of democratic governance in a diverse and rapidly evolving society. Additionally, the study underscores the role of regional politics and local governance structures in shaping national policies. It highlights how regional parties and state-level leaders influence broader political trends and contribute to the complexity of India's federal system. By incorporating these perspectives, the analysis offers a comprehensive understanding of how local and national forces interact, shaping the overall political landscape of India

Covering the land with oil palm: revelation, value, and landownership among the Kairak‐speaking Baining of Papua New Guinea

AbstractThis article explores how a displaced Papua New Guinean people decided to lease their customary land for oil palm plantation farming to restore their land use rights and resolve ongoing disputes with migrant settlers. By transforming the landscape into a territorialized space as a plantation, Kairak‐speaking Baining hoped to gain actual landownership status and control over their land, which in turn, they believed, could bring them the development they had long dreamed of. I argue that Kairak conceptions about the plantation as a tool to reveal their landownership and remove the settlers drew on Melanesian notions about covering and revelation, changing perceptions of value, and discourse around ‘settlerhood’ and ‘nativism’, and show how agribusiness capital expansion strategies leverage regional politics of identity and autochthony. By illustrating how the plantation expansion unfolded differently in this region, the material offers new insights on the Plantationocene, global land grabs, dispossession and migration, and reaffirms the consequences reported elsewhere in the world where enclosures of exclusion lead to forceful rearrangements of people's social and economic lives, leaving their hopes and plantation promises unrealized.

Palestine and the Ends of Theory

This article argues that over the past decade-and-a-half, amidst the resurgence of US/EU solidarity with Palestine, several anti-Zionist analyses have emerged that sidestep national liberation, regional politics, or imperialism. It connects that terrain to the rise of a new, and partially anti-systemic, political Islam that gained strength with the fall of the USSR and the contradictions arising within US-led imperialism. The article links this phenomenon to post-Cold War imperialist counterinsurgency and accumulation strategies, and the chasm separating EU-US anti-Zionism from the Palestinian national movement. It discusses political repression and the professionalization of Arab regional studies and ‘the Left,’ with pressures to create a Palestinian narrative speaking to an alleged mainstream and thus making Palestinian rights fit within a world-system and its geoculture that have no place for them. It analyzes those theories that helped forge an anti-Zionism hostile to Israel that ignores, mischaracterizes, or rejects the concrete forces resisting Israel and the US. The article calls for a more catholic theoretical practice that is open to the liberation agenda and its historical agents.

Study on the spatiotemporal distribution patterns and influencing factors of cultural heritage: a case study of Fujian Province

The spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of cultural heritage reveal the trajectory of human activity changes, and a deep analysis of its natural and cultural factors holds significant reference value for the overall conservation and management of cultural heritages. This study focuses on the cultural heritage at the provincial level and above in Fujian, utilizing GIS spatial analysis to explore the spatiotemporal evolution of cultural heritages and their natural and human influencing factors. The research findings are as follows: (1) The distribution of cultural heritage in Fujian exhibits a clustering pattern, with dense areas transitioning from the upstream regions of the prehistoric and pre-Qin periods to the eastern coastal areas gradually. (2) The Ming and Qing dynasties have the highest number of cultural heritages, with the type of heritage transitioning from ancient sites in the early periods to ancient architecture, and in modern times, mainly important historical sites and representative architectural heritages. (3) The overall centroid coordinates of cultural heritage reveal a shift from the northern part of Fujian to the eastern and southern parts. (4) Natural factors significantly influence the distribution of cultural heritage, with a higher concentration in plain and hilly areas, on slight slopes with gradients between 0.5° and 2.0°, and on the southern and southeastern slopes, especially within a 1-kilometer radius of rivers. (5) The creation of cultural heritage during historical periods is closely linked to the regional history, culture, political, and economic environments. The positive development of these socio-cultural factors has a promotional effect on the quantity of cultural heritage. This study demonstrates the utility and applicability of GIS spatial analysis techniques in cultural heritage research, providing a methodological framework that can be adapted and applied internationally. The findings offer insightful data that can inform targeted conservation and development strategies for cultural heritage, ensuring their effective preservation and sustainable management across different regions.

The production of extended local territory: Topology and the spatial politics of city-region making in China

A new trend has been emerging in China’s urban and regional politics, as it is becoming prevalent to extend one municipal authority to another, transcending boundaries, often through the establishment of joint development zones. These newly produced subnational territories are worth further attention to clarify the underlying political dynamics of China’s changing state space. This paper examines the Shenzhen–Shanwei Special Cooperation Zone in Guangdong and analyses the political–spatial processes through which a certain area of Shanwei has been transformed into the ‘Eastern frontier of Shenzhen’. Looking into the relational power nexus that has also been inflected by trans-scalar and cross-boundary dynamics, as well as its manifestations in urban landscapes, we propose extended local territory as a key analytical concept to explore how and how far the rise of extensive territoriality has been articulated with intensive localities. Empirically, we elaborate on the ways in which the territorial ambition and authority of Shenzhen have been managing to traverse boundaries, while also recognising that Shenzhen’s aspiration of materialising its extensive territoriality is challenged by both scalar constraints and the grassroots politics rooted in local history and geography. Addressing the dialectics between the extensive territoriality and intensive locality, we attend to the inter-topological effects and trace the patterns of correlation that are involved in this process, which also turns out to be a critical approach to better understanding changing state spaces in and beyond China.

The Belarusian Frontier of the 1920s: Did Belarusization Take Place in the Russian-Belarusian Border Area?

The paper analyzes the historical circumstances of the 1920s, under which in three regions of the Russian-Belarusian borderland – Pskov, Smolensk and Bryansk governorates – it was necessary to reach the objectives of ‘Belarusization’: the size of the Belarusian population, the state of the school network in the NEP era and staffing for the solution of the “Belarusian question.” Belarusization is regarded as an integral part of the new Soviet national policy based on the resolutions of the 10th and 12th Congresses of the RCP. The purpose of the study is to identify and characterize the basic conditions for carrying out Belarusization in Russian regions with compact residence of the Belarusian population. First, this concerns the size of the Belarusian population in these governorates at the beginning and during the process of Belarusization, and detection of the dynamics and reasons for its significant reduction, starting from the end of the 19th century. Secondly, special attention must be paid to the problems in the school education system during the NEP era (financial, material, personnel), the solution of which was of much higher priority for local authorities in comparison with the objectives of Belarusization. The results of the study show that the policy of Belarusization in the Russian border regions failed to receive the due support either from local authorities overloaded with many other urgent tasks, or from the residents of the above mentioned governorates, including Belarusians. The practice of “self-Russification” became a kind of hidden form of protest among the Belarusian part of the population of the Russian border regions. Conclusions: The policy of Belarusization in the Russian-Belarusian border regions was not carried out in full even in the “minor format” proposed by Moscow, largely due to its artificiality and implementation without taking into account the opinions of the majority of Russian Belarusians themselves. The study is intended for specialists in national and regional politics, and in Russian and Belarusian history.

Turkey's Strategic "Development Road" Project: Geopolitical Impacts and Regional Opportunities

Transportation and economic development are indispensable elements for states. Road projects, which are used for trade purposes and have countless returns when the balance of exports and imports is under control, prepare the ground for the formation of political power and shape foreign policy in the process. This article focuses on the “Development Road” initiative on the “Belt and Road” project, which is planned by Turkey in cooperation with Iraq. This route project, which extends from the Persian Gulf through Iraqi territory and Turkey to Europe, constitutes an alternative to the project planned to open a space for the southern flank of the Chinese route or through the Suez Canal. Within the framework of the “Development Road” project, the study, which investigates the strategic goals, risks, opportunities, regional politics and their effects on countries, reveals an objective trend. Although the “Belt and Road” project, which is a Chinese breakthrough, has attracted much attention in the scientific field, the transit routes of the project have not been sufficiently emphasized. The conclusion of this study is that the “Development Road”, which is carried out jointly by Turkey and Iraq, has the aim of directing the Chinese project and becoming indispensable for the general route. The research is based on qualitative methods, literature review and analysis. It is thought to contribute to the studies on the subject.

ХОРАЗМ ВОҲАСИ ИЛК ЎРТА АСРЛАРДА КЕЧГАН СИЁСИЙ МУНОСАБАТЛАР ТАРИХИГА ДОИР МУЛОҲАЗАЛАР

The article describes the complex political relations caused by Khorezm's strategic location, economic importance and cultural heritage. Also, the fate of various ruling dynasties, their role in regional and international politics, as well as their mutual relations and alliances are analyzed, and the main factors that influenced the scientific research work of this period are also considered.

Regulatory politics and hybrid governance: the case of Brazil’s Amazon Soy Moratorium

This paper analyses the unique hybrid governance of Brazil’s Amazon Soy Moratorium (ASM) in regulating soybean production in the Amazon, where private actors have created a state-like ban on commodity production to reduce deforestation that goes beyond national law. Despite existing research regarding impact assessment, the study aims to fill knowledge gaps in explaining the ASM’s alliance-building processes, its longstanding maintenance, and its potential for regulatory replicability. Informed by the application of the Baptist and Bootlegger political economic theory of regulation and empirical data from qualitative interviews and document analysis, we provide an actor-centered explanation of the design, adoption, and maintenance of the ASM over a 19-year timeframe. Our results show how NGOs and businesses had opposite motivations and negotiated their roles to form a successful strategic alliance, reinforced by the inclusion of third parties (e.g., technical and governmental actors) to assist in its monitoring and transparency. Developed as an exclusive private market regulation, the ASM agreement, however, relies on a policy mix: private and public actors play a role in implementation, which includes assisting and relying on existing public policies, instruments, and official data. This policy mix was necessary for the ASM’s noteworthy hybrid and long-term governance. Its successful formation in 2006 was enabled by factors including an economic crisis, foreign pressure linked with national enforcement failure, and, most importantly, the Amazon scope. Our analysis shows who gains or loses from the regulatory design. Furthermore, we shed light on the biggest regulatory spillover, to the Cerrado, where the failed attempt at replicability emphasizes the regulatory uniqueness of the ASM. The study concludes with a discussion of what will help or hinder the ASM’s longevity, providing lessons for similar regulatory mechanisms on forest-risk agricultural production, such as EU’s recent Regulation on Deforestation-free Products.

The politics of Gulf foreign aid: from survival and solidarity to political and military influence

This article critically examines the shifting dynamics of foreign aid politics within the Gulf states. Historically rooted in cultural factors and solidarity with Arab and Muslim nations, foreign aid from prominent donors such as the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait has undergone a profound transformation. Their aid has evolved from solidarity aid into an effective instrument of foreign policy, used strategically to project power and expand regional influence. This shift has not only redefined the role of Gulf countries in international and regional politics but has also catalysed the transformation of states in the broader Middle East. This article, therefore, seeks to answer the following two questions: (1) How do we explain the evolution of the politicisation of Gulf foreign aid? and (2) To what extent has the provision of Gulf foreign aid been a crucial determinant of changing regional dynamics in the Middle East, particularly since the Arab uprisings in 2011? It argues that Gulf donors have become crucial power brokers, shaping the politics and trajectories of key states such as Egypt post 2011. Their substantial financial assistance has proven instrumental in steering political and socio-economic transformations, highlighting the pivotal role of Gulf aid in shaping regional affairs.

Good Neighbourly Relations: Norm Emergence and Adoption

ABSTRACT This article studies the politics of regional cooperation and regionalism, with particular attention to “good neighbourly relations”, which has emerged as a new concept in the field. Since the early 1990s, the Balkan countries have pursued attempts to link with each other in regional platforms and networks. Applying the concept of “good neighbourly relations”, this article seeks to reveal how the countries of the region have pursued regional cooperation while facing the reality of persistent bilateral disputes among themselves. While influential studies point to a growing cleavage among neighboring countries, this article seeks to further the understanding of regional cooperation with an assessment of the emergence and rise of the concept of “good neighbourly relations” to a norm of regionalism. By applying a social constructivist perspective this article investigates whether, and how, “good neighbourly relations” functioned as a channel of diffusion of norms pertaining to regionalism and regional cooperation in the Balkans. The article suggests that “good neighbourly relations” provided an opportunity for norm diffusion. By allowing the emerging norm of “good neighbourly relations” to guide regionalism efforts, the ambitions to promote the norm regionally as well as globally were supported.

Monastic Unrest on the Border of Carolingian Italy: The Strange Case of Abbot Poto of San Vincenzo al Volturno

ABSTRACT In the aftermath of the Carolingian conquest of the Italian peninsula, a commission was held in Rome to judge the case of Poto, Abbot of San Vincenzo al Volturno, who was accused of infidelitas for refusing to pray for Charlemagne’s safety. The papal inquiry reveals the existence of two factions within the monastic community, each of them likely following a different approach to monastic discipline. However, regional politics soon overlapped with internal strife, as the group led by Ambrogio Autpert was supported by Duke Hildeprando of Spoleto and the other led by Poto was supported by Pope Adrian I. This article analyses this episode of monastic unrest by focusing on the opportunities that political uncertainty opened for public authorities in an unsettled border area. It also aims to challenge the ethnic framework (assuming a Lombard faction opposed to a Frankish faction) which historiography has traditionally applied when interpreting Poto’s act of disobedience.

Penyelesaian Perkara Tindak Pidana Anak Dibawah Umur Dengan Asas Restorative Justice di Lingkungan Polres Belitung Timur

Crimes of theft in the family committed by children require special handling by the police, not all cases involving children are resolved through the courts. This is in the best interests of the child and also considers justice for the victim, which is called a restorative justice approach. This research aims to analyze the form of resolution of criminal acts committed by minors in the East Belitung Police area. The results of the research are that the resolution of children's cases that applies restorative justice is guided by Law Number 11 of 2012 concerning the Juvenile Criminal Justice System and the 2012 Political Regulations concerning Restorative Justice, namely the resolution of children's cases outside the criminal court which emphasizes restoring the situation. initially with an emphasis on conditions for creating justice and balance for children and their victims. The conclusion is that the form of resolving criminal acts of theft committed by the East Belitung Police is by implementing restorative justice. Restorative justice carried out by the East Belitung Police aims to accommodate the norms and values ​​that apply in society while providing legal certainty, especially the benefits and a sense of justice that meets the needs of the community. a sense of justice for all parties, which is a manifestation of the National Police's authority in carrying out duties in the field of criminal proceedings and police discretion based on Articles 16 and 18 of Law Number 2 of 2002 concerning the State Police of the Republic of Indonesia.

Site Selection and Relocation of Ancient Cities from the Perspective of Regional Military and Political Strategies——A Case Study of Ganzhou

Ganzhou wasn’t setup on the contemporary site that seems to be “right” at Xihan Dynasty. It was relocated for four times, skimming over the “right site”. The thesis analyzes the relocations from the perspective of national relationship and political & military structure of the region, revealing the logic of the frequent relocations – complicated political & military situation. It still elucidates the military & political function and instrumentality of the early cities.

The Role of Diplomacy in the Transition from Look East to Act East Policy: A Comparative Study

Abstract: The pivotal role of diplomacy in the transition from India’s Look East Policy to the Act East Policy offers a comparative study of the two strategic frameworks. The Look East Policy, initiated in the early 1990s, marked India’s proactive engagement with Southeast Asia to enhance economic and strategic ties. In 2014, the policy evolved into the Act East Policy, reflecting a more dynamic and assertive approach to the region. This study delves into the historical background of both policies, highlighting the factors that necessitated this strategic shift. Through an in-depth analysis of diplomatic strategies, this paper compares the approaches used during the Look East and Act East periods. Specific case studies of diplomatic engagements with key Southeast Asian nations and regional organizations, such as ASEAN, illustrate the changes and continuities in India’s foreign policy. The study also examines India’s role in regional and multilateral forums, assessing how its participation and influence have evolved. Economic diplomacy is a crucial aspect of this analysis, focusing on trade agreements, investment flows, and economic partnerships that have shaped India’s relations with Southeast Asia. Additionally, the paper investigates the role of security and strategic diplomacy in addressing India’s interests in the region. Cultural diplomacy, encompassing people-to-people exchanges, educational collaborations, and cultural events, is explored to understand its impact on strengthening India’s ties with Southeast Asia. The overall impact of diplomatic efforts under both policies is evaluated, providing insights into India’s foreign relations, regional influence, and strategic goals. This paper suggests potential future directions for India’s diplomatic strategies within the context of the Act East Policy, considering current geopolitical and economic trends. This comprehensive study aims to contribute to the understanding of India’s evolving diplomatic landscape and its implications for regional and global politics. Keywords: Look East Policy, Act East Policy, Indian foreign policy, Multilateral Diplomacy, Cultural Diplomacy, Economic Diplomacy, Security and Strategic Diplomacy.

Ethnic diversity and electoral democracy in Sudan before and after the Arab spring

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of ethnic diversity on electoral democracy in Sudan, a nation grappling with ethnic, sectarian, and regional identity politics. Using a mixed-method approach, the study employs Time Series analysis from 1990 to 2019, followed by theoretical analysis to explore the relationship between ethnic diversity and electoral democracy. The framework of this study draws from relevant studies on this nexus, incorporating factors such as racial/ethnic voting motivations, corruption, institutional dynamics, conflict, and individual income. The study bridges a gap in the existing literature by providing insights into the mechanisms through which ethnic identities shape democratisation processes in the African region. The findings reveal an influence of ethnic diversity on electoral democracy, as evidenced by factors such as violent conflicts, political institutions, and economic inequality. Additionally, the study delves into contemporary implications of ethnic dynamics on democratic processes, particularly examining the military confrontations between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since April 2023. The practical implications of this study lie in developing effective strategies to mitigate the political repercussions of ethnicity, thereby fostering a peaceful democratic transition. Therefore, the findings may not be readily applicable to other regions or nations with distinct historical, cultural, or geopolitical contexts that might influence the interplay between ethnic diversity and electoral democracy differently.