Rules-based System Research Articles

Technological Conditions and the Rise and Fall of the Rules-Based System

Technological Conditions and the Rise and Fall of the Rules-Based System

China’s Rise and the Global Dilemma: Balancing Economic Interdependence vis-à-vis Rules-Based System?

China's rise as an economic and geopolitical power has created a dilemma for the global community as it challenges the balance of economic interdependence vis-a-vis the rules-based system. China's growing assertiveness in the international arena and disregard for established international norms and rules has raised concerns about the future of the rules-based system and its impact on global governance. China's expanding military capabilities and assertive territorial claims have further fueled concerns about its intention to alter the existing global order. Thus, the article underscores that as a foreign policy tool, China has been using economic coercion, weaponising interdependence by leveraging its economic power over developing states to achieve political and strategic objectives. In addition, China has established parallel multilateral institutions to promote its interests and challenge the dominance of traditional Western-led institutions. These institutions provide an alternative to the existing global economic order, which China sees as being dominated by the West. The outcome of China's activism is that it has been able to form like-minded alliances at the United Nations and other prominent institutions, thereby posing a risk and an uncertain future for global governance and the balance of power in the international system.

Disciplining Health Regulations through the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures: Science and the Rule of Law

Abstract The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) disciplines WTO Members’ health regulations to prevent their misuse for protectionist purposes. In doing so, its obligations reflect several elements of the rule of law, including legal certainty, non-arbitrariness and non-discrimination, as well as a recognition of the rights of individuals. Through its obligations of non-discrimination, transparency and scientific justification and the scope it leaves for Members to prioritise the protection of health over trade liberalisation, the SPS Agreement can be regarded as entailing a rule-of-law approach. However, cognisant of the limits to the rule of law when transposed to the international level, it is important to avoid an overly “judicialised” approach to the disciplines of the SPS Agreement, and in particular its reliance on scientific justification to prevent arbitrariness in sanitary and phytosanitary regulation. Otherwise, there is a risk of intruding too far into the regulatory autonomy of States, weakening the “compliance pull” of the agreement and thus inadvertently undermining the rule of law in this area. An approach that instead recognises the inherent subjectivity and uncertainty in science and respects Members’ divergent priorities in health regulation would go further in engendering support for the rules-based system of international trade.

Diagnosis of coronary microvascular dysfunction using magnetocardiography

Abstract Background In patients with ischemia and non-obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA), diagnosing coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is limited to invasive, expensive, and/or difficult to access methods. Magnetocardiography (MCG) is a rest-based scan that measures weak magnetic fields generated by cardiac ionic currents and has been validated for diagnosing ischemia secondary to obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Objectives The goal of this study was to validate MCG for diagnosing CMD in patients with INOCA as compared to invasive coronary functional angiography (CFA), the gold-standard for evaluation of CMD by coronary flow reserve (CFR). Methods Forty-eight patients with INOCA (58 ± 10.5 years of age) underwent both CFA and a noninvasive 36-channel MCG scan. CFA diagnosed 21 patients with CMD (CFR <2 by Doppler wire method or CFR <2.5 by thermodilution method) and 27 patients were confirmed as negative for CMD. Using MCG, patients were classified as either CMD positive or CMD negative using an adaptive rules-based system, originally developed for evaluating ischemia secondary to obstructive coronary artery disease. These rules based on 5 features involve the analysis of depolarization and repolarization to observe regions where electrophysiological heterogeneity exists and action potentials in affected tissue are altered in amplitude and/or rate. Results Of the 21 patients confirmed positive for CMD by CFA, 15 had at least one abnormal finding on the MCG. Of the 27 patients confirmed negative for CMD by CFA, 19 had no abnormal findings in the MCG. Using gold standard invasive CFR as reference, MCG had a mean accuracy of 71%, sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 70% for the detection of CMD. Figure 1 shows an example of CMD negative and CMD positive patient. In patients that exhibited more than one abnormal finding on the MCG rules (n =5), accuracy was 80%, with 4 patients correctly characterized as CMD positive, and one patient being characterized as falsely positive. Conclusions In INOCA patients, MCG demonstrates ability to noninvasively assess for CMD. An MCG-based diagnostic pathway for CMD merits further clinical evaluation. Abbreviations and Acronyms: CMD, coronary microvascular dysfunction; MCG, magnetocardiography; CFR, coronary flow reserve; INOCA, ischemia and non-obstructive coronary artery disease; CFA, coronary functional angiographyFigure 1

ECONOMIC COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA AT THE PRESENT STAGE

The Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey are intensifying their bilateral cooperation in the trade and economic sphere, which has a long and ambiguous history. Despite some unfavorable moments, at present it is constantly developing incrementally. The article shows the main directions of economic cooperation between the two countries, as well as trade and investment ties. The authors conclude that on the basis of strengthening national economies, not only quantitative and qualitative development of cooperation between the two countries, which are large economic entities, is taking place, but also a new enclave of globality is being formed, which in the future may have an impact on both regional and global processes. According to the authors, what is happening is a response to the growing volatility of the world economy, as a result of which the rules-based system of the world economy will collapse. The authors applied modern methods of economic research, including statistical, visualization method and positive approach. The article used statistical data from the international database of UNCTAD, as well as analytical data from Russian and Turkish researchers.

Principle-Based Regulation in Indonesia: in Response to Digital Age Toward Financial Services

After the advent of digital technology, today's financial services have grown in importance. Part of the innovation disruption is the digitization of technology at the start of the industrial era 4.0. In the financial services industry, where access to the financial industry needs to move quickly, sophisticated, and useful to satisfy people's demands, innovation cannot wait for tomorrow. The regulation requirement for financial services inspired by the digital era must move fast to keep up with the times, even though Indonesian legislation must go through a lengthy bureaucratic procedure. In this case, law reform in the financial services sector is needed to respond to digital developments. This research is normative juridical research with the statute, conceptual, and comparative approaches. This study aims to apply the application of principle-based regulations to legal reform in the financial services sector in response to the digital era. This issue has been discussed in the United Kingdom since the financial crisis and implemented along with the rule-based regulations. In Indonesia, this issue has been implemented in institutional-level regulations, for example, Bank Indonesia Regulations in Payment System. However, efforts should be made to adopt these principles into all arrangements related to the financial services sector. This is because the regulations that are still valid in Indonesia are dominated by a rules-based system of regulations.

Lifting the Tide on Biodiversity Conservation through Trade and Investment: Biodiversity Conservation under ChAFTA and the WTO

Abstract Trade has an important and lasting impact on biodiversity conservation. This is especially true for two of the most unique mega-diverse ecosystems in the world: Australia and China. Not only does trade perpetuate unsustainable economic practices that exacerbate biodiversity loss, but it also has a direct influence on the ability for both Australia and China to implement effective policies aimed at biodiversity conservation. This article will explore the nexus between biodiversity conservation and international trade through the lens of the Australia – China trade relationship. To explore this issue, this article will first discuss the ideological foundations of the WTO, viz, a rules-based system aimed at promoting trade liberalisation. Whilst the WTO does not specifically regulate biodiversity, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) does contain several provisions as general exceptions which enable Members to reconcile competing priorities of trade liberalisation on one hand, and sustainable development on the other. This article will then explore the trade and biodiversity nexus present within the China and Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA). Whilst ChAFTA contains several innovations which can improve biodiversity conservation, the Agreement also contains provisions which inhibit transparency and the ability for environmental non-government organisations to submit amicus curiae briefs in ISDS arbitration. Through a comparative analysis of other bilateral trade treaties, this article advocates for an approach which addresses these issues, including addressing systemic concerns regarding global biodiversity conservation.

Towards Transparent and Secure IoT: Improving the Security and Privacy through a User-Centric Rules-Based System

In recent years, we have seen a growing wave in the integration of IoT (Internet of Things) technologies into society. This has created new opportunities, but at the same time given rise to several critical issues, creating new challenges that need to be addressed. One of the main challenges is the security and privacy of information that is processed by IoT devices in our daily lives. Users are, most of the time, unaware of IoT devices’ personal information collection and transmission activities that affect their security and privacy. In this work, we propose a solution that aims to increase the privacy and security of data in IoT devices, through a system that controls the IoT device’s communication on the network. This system is based on two basic and simple principles. First, the IoT device manufacturer declares their device’s data collection intentions. Second, the user declares their own preferences of what is permitted to the IoT device. The design of the system includes tools capable of analyzing packets sent by IoT devices and applying network traffic control rules. The objective is to allow the declaration and verification of communication intentions of IoT devices and control the communication of such devices to detect potential security and privacy violations. We have created a test-bed to validate the developed solution, based on virtual machines, and we concluded that our system has little impact on how the overall system performed.

The Tianxia System: A Transcendence to the Liberal International Order

The post-World War II Liberal International Order (LIO) promoted democracy, human rights, free trade, and a rules-based system. Yet it has been dominated by powerful countries, leading to limited representation and economic inequality in developing countries. In contrast, the Tianxia system is more inclusive. This study aims to make broader recommendations for addressing the confusion of the international system and the absence of global governance in the context of Sino-US competition. Using the method of comparative analysis, the Tianxia system and LIO are evaluated. The research shows that the Tianxia system surpasses the LIO to varying degrees in theory and practical experience, but it faces implementation challenges. This highlights the difficulty of a single country promoting the establishment of a world system. Therefore, the establishment of the Tianxia system is still incomplete, and more global forces are needed to jointly overcome the crisis of global governance.

The Use of Trade Coercion and China’s Model of ‘Passive-Aggressive Legalism’

ABSTRACT There is a growing view among both governments and commentators, especially in the West, that China engages in acts of trade coercion which violate the law and spirit of the multilateral trading system. And while there is a developing literature discussing this issue, the debate currently lacks clarity about how China’s approach differs from other types of coercion which do not inspire the same backlash. This article advances the literature by suggesting that Chinese trade coercion is particularly threatening to the rules-based system (RBS) as it uses methods that had largely been eradicated under the GATT/WTO system. Chinese trade coercion therefore represents a “new” and important phenomenon in international trade as it uses coercion for strategic purposes, usually as retaliation for perceived affronts in matters unrelated to trade. We label this approach “passive-aggressive legalism” because, rather than relying on open dialogue to resolve diplomatic frictions, China implements informal and “plausibly deniable” retaliatory measures to indirectly make its displeasure known and felt. The article concludes by making broader claims about why China’s approach represents a threat to the WTO system and may even undermine the effectiveness of rules-based constraints in other domains of global regulation.

India’s Strive to be an Indomitable Power in the Indo-Pacific Region: A Minireview

The Indo-Pacific region has been considered of utmost importance by India, to safeguard its strategic interests in order to achieve its current economic growth and power ambitions. India has implemented a strong focus towards improving India's business interests, investment and economic development in the Indo-Pacific region. China’s increasing activism has been a major threat to world politics for both strong and weak nations. Quad was formed constituting of America, Japan, India and Australia, with an aim of joint action against the growing terrorism in the Indian Pacific, open avenues free trade, promotion of rules-based system while maintaining a protective attitude toward each other with harmony. These further expanded in the avenues of maritime security, technology, infrastructure, counter-terrorism, human assistance and connectivity, health security and Mekong regional cooperation. The relation between India and Seychelles has been considered very important in the present government. India's maritime strategy has shown a vast change and India is being considered as an important power among the coastal nations of the Indo-Pacific region. India's diplomatic initiative has been a continuous renewal of maritime security proposals. This review entails the formation and function of Quad and India’s major steps towards becoming a strong nation in the Indo-Pacific region. Keywords - Indo-Pacific, India, Quad, Seychelles, Maritime DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/81-03 Publication date: January 31 st 2023

Literature review of decision models for the sustainable implementation of Robotic Process Automation

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a rules-based system for automating business processes by software bots that mimic human interactions to relieve employees from tedious work. It was verified in the literature that there are few works related to RPA decision support models. This technology is in great growth and, therefore, it becomes important to study the evaluation of the implementation of RPA. The objective of this work is focused on a literature review for the identification and analysis of Robotic Process Automation implementation models. This work analyses some models or studies available in the literature and, in addition, analyses it from a perspective relating to the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) related to environmental, social and economic effects. Regarding the results obtained, it appears that there is still a lot of room to improve research in this field, for example, with regard to the development of an evaluation model for the implementation of the RPA, taking into account the TBL of the sustainability concept.

Issues in Australian Foreign Policy January to June 2022

Issues in Australian Foreign Policy January to June 2022

Has Anti-Migration and Anti-Refugee Discourse Hampered Progress against Child Labour?

The chequered application, since 2000, of integrated policies to eradicate the intersectional root causes of child labour sits more recently in a wider political context of recrudescent populist ethnonationalism accompanied by weakened respect by the governments of many countries for the rules-based international system and rights-based development. The author suggests that (apart from Northern-centric trade and policy interests) influential populist-nationalist governments (including those of the United Kingdom (linked to Brexit), and Australia (linked to the “Bali Process”) have contributed to diverting global attention from the largest cohort intended to benefit from Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7 - the 160 million children now in child labour - by conflating forced labour with trafficking and trafficking with migration and asylum. This conflation seeks to demonise asylum-seekers, refugees, and economic migrants. It is an important element of the discourse of populist-nationalist ruling parties in their search for continued electoral support and reflects a willingness to violate international law protecting human rights.

An Inquiry into Synergies and Tensions between the EU Connectivity Strategy for Asia and China’s Belt and Road Initiative

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to offer a systematic comparison between the EU Connectivity Strategy and China’s Belt-and-Road Initiative (BRI), the world’s two most significant connectivity plans for economic development. Design/Methodology/Approach – Based on a comparative approach, the paper delves into geopolitical factors shaping both initiatives, the tension between a unilateral and a rules-based system of Asia-Europe connectivity and explores opportunities of enhanced connectivity cooperation between China and the EU. Findings – This paper identifies both key differences as well as synergies between the BRI and the EU Connectivity Strategy. The EU Connectivity Strategy for Asia and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) share similar goals in boosting sustainable growth and trade across the continents through investments in critical infrastructure. A sense of competition between the BRI and the Connectivity Strategy has the potential to change both initiatives for the better, however stronger commitment from the part of the EU will be necessary if it wants to be able to provide an alternative to China’s development model in third countries and sustain its privileged position as the world’s largest trading block. Research Implications – This article wants to foster pragmatic and goal-oriented dialogue between the EU and China that can lead to shared principles of connectivity. The key question is to what extent will the EU be able to respond to geopolitical realities and craft a rules-based alternative to China’s state-led economic development plan.

Design of a Rules-Based Recommendation System Implemented in Prolog for the Management of Electronic Waste from ICT

Design of a Rules-Based Recommendation System Implemented in Prolog for the Management of Electronic Waste from ICT

Rules-Based System for Writing Arabic Numerals in Indonesian Words

One of the algorithms stored in natural intelligence is the writing of Arabic numerals in Indonesian words. Algorithms in naturals intelligence are not easy to find. This problem gave us an idea to create artificial intelligence that tries to mimic natural intelligence algorithms. The proposed algorithm for building artificial intelligence is an R-Z rule-based system. This rule-based system contains a knowledge base of R-Z rules and a knowledge base of facts. In the knowledge base, the R-Z rule provides the R rule and the Z rule, while the facts knowledge base provides facts in the form of a definite standard number and an affix word. R-Z rule-based system for reasoning writing Arabic numerals in Indonesian words uses forward chaining. Artificial intelligence designs that mimic naturals intelligence in writing numbers in Indonesian words were made in C using Borland C++ 5.02 software. The experimental results show that by applying the R's rule of seven rules and Z's of twenty-five rules, the R-Z rule-based system can write Arabic numerals in Indonesian words from Arabic numerals "0" to Arabic numerals "9999999". For example, to write the Arabic number "10" in Indonesian words, the R-Z rule-based system starts with the R2 rule. Rule R2 takes action on Z3 to create new facts about Arabic numerals in the Indonesian word, namely "SEPULUH."

Funding a Global Public Good

The ACWL was established to enhance the credibility and acceptability of the rules-based multilateral trading system embodied in the WTO. Having affordable access to the services of the ACWL ensures that developing and least-developed countries can effectively participate in and take full advantage of their WTO Membership. The ACWL has become a global public good that serves the interests of all WTO Members. As the ACWL has outgrown its original financial plan, there is an urgent need to put its financing on a secure basis. All WTO developed country Members should recognize the important role of the ACWL and help in the burden sharing of financing it. ACWL, global public good, rules-based multilateral trading system, developing countries, burden sharing, financing

EC-Chicken Cuts: How Developing Countries Obtained Increased Market Access Through Successful Recourse to WTO Dispute Settlement

Some developing countries have learned from experience that WTO dispute settlement is by no means an abstract exercise. Instead, the WTO dispute settlement process has produced tangible benefits in the form of enhanced market access for key developing country exports, thus contributing to a rise in standards of living in those countries. This article examines how in EC – Chicken Cuts, two developing country Members, Thailand and Brazil, were able to use the WTO dispute settlement mechanism to challenge successfully EU customs classification measures that adversely affected their market access for exports of chicken products. Following their victory at the WTO, Thailand and Brazil were able to gain increased market access for chicken exports to Europe. The dispute illustrates how developing countries can successfully use the rules-based system in the WTO to level the playing field with large, developed country Members. Developing countries, WTO disputes, market access, ACWL, Thailand, chicken industry, rule of law, EC-Chicken Cuts

Globalization, international mobility and the liberal international order.

Since the Second World War, globalization has been underpinned by a liberal international order, a rules-based system structured around the principles of economic interdependence, democracy, human rights and multilateralism. However, the relationship between international mobility and the liberal international order (LIO) is contested. In the article, I disaggregate ‘international mobility’ into three regimes: the travel regime, the voluntary (labour) migration regime, and the refugee regime—each governed by distinct norms and operating procedures. I outline the characteristics of the LIO that pertain to international mobility and provide evidence to demonstrate that none of the three dimensions of international mobility—travel, migration, and asylum—reflects these characteristics. Given the LIO principles enumerated above, the exclusion of international mobility from the LIO is surprising. I survey the scholarship on the LIO and international mobility and argue that the exclusion of international mobility from the LIO rests on benefits provided to core states by the status quo ante governing international mobility. That is, the status quo ante permits countries of destination to determine the level and type of cross-border mobility. Thus, international mobility continues to be underpinned by the play of state preferences rather than the principles of the LIO. The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to shape these norms and operating procedures in ways that reinforce the status quo.