State Priorities Research Articles

States, Migrants, and the Challenge of International Human Smuggling and Trafficking in the Horn of Africa

Abstract: Countering the smuggling and trafficking of persons from the Horn of Africa to Western Europe and preventing the ensuing violations of the human rights of migrants has long been a challenge for states and international organizations. Focusing on the roles human smugglers, traffickers, and states play in smuggling and trafficking in persons, the study explains the persistence of smuggling and trafficking in terms of the following variables: (1) high supply of migrants, (2) profitability of the smuggling and trafficking in persons criminal business, (3) low level of prosecution and conviction of human smugglers and traffickers, (4) migrant, smuggler and trafficker efficient use of modern means of communications, and (5) divergent state policies and priorities on countering smuggling and trafficking in persons. The study concludes with an observation that the irregular human migration from the region and the attendant serious violations of migrant rights is difficult to resolve because it is a state-enabled phenomenon, and calls upon states, particularly EU member states, to revisit their policies to effect human migration that will benefit all stakeholders.

The unjust just transition? Exploring different dimensions of justice in the lignite regions of Lusatia, Eastern Greater Poland, and Gorj

The European Green Deal has been designed to make the European Union the world's first carbon-neutral union by 2050. Changing to fossil fuel-free energy systems is a priority for European Member States. A highly discussed and challenging topic is the phase-out of lignite, which is causing drastic changes on the ground. The European Commission has introduced the Just Transition Mechanism, an instrument designed to help ensure that the transition is fair and socially just. However, what fair and just truly means for citizens in affected regions remains unresolved. Thus, this study was conducted to ask how the policy package is perceived by stakeholders in the lignite regions of Lusatia (Germany), Eastern Greater Poland (Poland), and Gorj (Romania). We applied a qualitative research design conducting 91 semi-structured interviews which were focused on exploring different dimensions of justice, namely procedural, distributional, restorative and recognition justice. Our results show that most interviewees perceive the ongoing transition as unfair. Among the greatest challenges faced are the needs to holistically involve all stakeholders in the process and to implement their needs and demands. Major difficulties are obtaining the necessary funding and spreading the benefits to all stakeholders, as well as dealing with socio-demographic pressures, geographic isolation, or poverty. Especially the creation of a new identity and a shared vision for the post-mining era, i.e., one that is not only based on technical innovation, is lacking. The findings show that the Just Transition Mechanism does not sufficiently address its objectives to achieve justice, and major shortcomings need to be tackled by the national and regional decision-makers.

A tale of dualization: accounting for the partial marketization of regulated savings in France

As in other countries, regulated savings in France are intricately woven into dense regulatory frameworks driven by explicit governmental objectives. The anticipated marketization of the French economy should have eradicated them; however, a substantial portion of regulated savings has managed to evade this process. Is this phenomenon attributable to the tenacious grip of the French state-led tradition? Not entirely, as another subset of these savings has indeed undergone marketization. The landscape of French regulated savings is notably distinguished by a growing dichotomy: on one side, non-marketized products offered by banks, and on the other, increasingly marketized products provided by insurers. Drawing upon process tracing, we contend that these ostensibly conflicting developments emanate from the distinct and precise institutional dependencies between state and private actors in which these products are enmeshed. The prevailing status quo within the banking sector is owed to banks’ engagement in a mutually advantageous, long-term exchange of favors with state actors. Faced with the trade-off between offering less lucrative products and risking the endangerment of this relationship, banks have opted for the former. In contrast, an assertive strategy has gained traction in the insurance industry. Yet, strategies for the marketization of regulated savings aligned with state priorities have been implemented, even when insurers expressed opposition.

Partnering with consumers to co-design a person-centred coding framework for qualitative patient experience data

BackgroundPatient Reported Experience Measures (PREMs) provide health organisations insight into how ‘person-centric’ care is. Qualitative data in PREMs surveys provide essential context about experience but are challenging to analyse at an organisational level. ObjectiveTo co-design a person-centred coding framework to assist in the analysis of qualitative PREMs data. Patient involvementConsumer representatives were involved in problem identification, co-design, coding of raw data (testing), evaluation and manuscript authorship. MethodologyCo-design principles guided production of a deductive coding framework with Picker Principles of Person-Centred Care as a conceptual framework. The framework was co-designed over 4 stages, with cross-professional stakeholders (including two consumer representatives): 1) assessment of current state and understanding priorities; 2) adapting Picker Principles of Person-Centred Care as a coding framework; 3) testing and evaluation of a coding template over two quality improvement (QI) cycles against measures of inter-coder reliability and perceived usefulness; 4) endorsement and planning for implementation. ResultsThe Picker Principles were a suitable coding framework for inpatient PREMs data, and a coding template in an electronic spreadsheet met end-user needs. Results of the first QI cycle indicated a need for ‘less academic’ domain names and definitions, which were reviewed and updated to a first-person perspective in partnership with a consumer representative. Inter-coder reliability measures and qualitative feedback improved after cycle two testing and evaluation. DiscussionThis single site study produced a feasible solution to apply person-centred principles to analyse PREMs data and requires testing in different settings. Cross-disciplinary partnerships enabled the development of a reliable and acceptable deductive coding framework that was usable for people without prior experience in qualitative data analysis. Practical valueOur solution offers an example for health services to harness the value of qualitative PREMs data and partner with consumers to take person-centric action to improve the safety, equity, and experience of healthcare.

DIGITALIZATION AND MODERN ELECTRONIC SERVICES FOR ROAD TRANSPORTATION

Purpose. Digitalization of business processes and implementation of transparent and effective electronic services for the provision of administrative services is one of the key state priorities of Ukraine, the realization of which contributes to European integration processes and sustainable development of the country by reducing corruption risks in all sectors of the economy and social sphere. One of the main tasks that arises when solving this problem is the introduction and use of modern information technologies and electronic document management in road transport. In this regard, the paper analyzes the functionality of the existing information systems on the road transport market of Ukraine and considers the procedure for their use in the organization of transportation. Methodology. During the research, methods of analysis and expert evaluation were used to study the main functionality and the order of application of information systems for the organization of road freight transportation. Results. Currently, a number of electronic services and systems, such as Shlyah, eChherga, WiM, have been successfully implemented and operated in Ukraine for the organization of road transport. The e-TTN electronic document management system is at the final stage of implementation. Scientific novelty. The obtained results of the analysis of the functionality and the order of use of modern information systems for the organization of road transportation of goods allow to perform a scientific and economic evaluation of the choice of software products for solving operational logistics problems and improving the efficiency of the transport process. Practical significance. The presented research results can be used to organize and optimize the process of cargo transportation by road transport of Ukraine.

Generals and judges: command, constitution and the fate of Carthage

Abstract This paper considers the structure and priorities of the Carthaginian state in its imperial endeavours in both North Africa and across the Mediterranean, focusing especially on the well-documented period of the Punic Wars (264–146 BC.). It suggests that Carthaginian constitutional structures, in particular the split between civil shofetim (‘judges’) and military rabbim (‘generals’), impacted the strategic outlook and marginal bellicosity of the city, making it less competitive against its primary peer-rival in the Western Mediterranean, Rome.

Cultural Practices of Managing Social-Cultural Activity: Foreign Experience and Domestic Realities

The issue of cultural development in general, as well as the features of management in the social-cultural sphere, have become especially relevant in recent years in connection with introducing quarantine measures related to spreading COVID-19 in the world, Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and economic and political changes in the world. State authorities in many countries attach particular importance to the issue of forming an effective management environment for social-cultural activities. They put forward new high requirements for training specialists in this field, which would meet the challenges of time and the development trends of the world community. In particular, the sphere of musical culture in many countries of the world is recognized as a state priority, since it is the basis of society’s cultural, spiritual, social, political and economic development. The social-cultural sphere, as a system of state and public institutions, is responsible for the state of developing and functioning of the state and society. The purpose of the academic paper is to clarify the features of foreign and domestic practice of managing social-cultural activities, highlighting the principal factors, problems and prospects for developing this field. In the course of the research, bibliographic and analytical methods were used to study scientific literature on managing social-cultural activities. Along with this, induction, deduction, analysis, synthesis of information, system-structural, comparative, logical-linguistic methods, abstraction, and idealization were applied to study and process data. Moreover, the research authors conducted a questionnaire in online mode, in the course of which the viewpoint of scientists conducting research in the field of managing social-cultural processes and heads of cultural and educational institutions working in Ukraine and abroad was studied regarding the key practical aspects of this issue. Based on the research results, the main and most important theoretical aspects of implementing cultural practices of social-cultural work, primarily in the area of musical art, have been established.

The Evolution of Russia-Pakistan Relations (1998-2023): From Strained Relations to Geo-Strategic Engagement

It is argued that Pakistan and Russia had visible patterns of enmity before the 21st century. However, the abandonment of ideological constraints and shift in geopolitics, incentivize both states to forge closer relations primarily because of Machiavellian common cause. The study intends to highlight the major factors during multiple stages under the various leaders of Russia and Pakistan that reshaped the priorities of both states' vis a vis each other. Apropos of this view, three level of analysis is used to identify, individual, state and systematic factors, that act as an enabler and constraints in the growing relations between both countries. The study concludes that a balance of interests is key between Russia and Pakistan in complicated and multifaceted relations as both nations will look for opportunities to converge their interests while still pursuing their own geopolitical agendas.

Assessment of the directions and causes of migration in the modern world

The article deals with the essence of migration processes in various theoretical concepts, as well as existing approaches to assessing the impact of labor migration on the state and functioning of the labor market. The author has made a scientific assumption about the need to assess the dependence of the scale of labor migration on socio–economic factors of the country or region, such as the level of economic development, the level of availability of medical and social services, the level of material well–being, the level of spiritual development.It is assumed that these factors are determined by statistical indicators for the region and should be ranked by an expert survey. Migration assessment makes it possible to predict the number and directions of migration flows and to develop measures of state influence and priorities of migration policy that ensures the economic and national security of the country.

Сравнительный анализ систем здравоохранения в Китае и России на фоне социальной трансформации

The article analyzes the healthcare system of China and Russia from the point of view of the functioning of social insurance and the use of medical resources. The aim of the present article – to compare and analyze the values of key indicators in this area in order to guide countries towards strengthening cooperation and ex-change in the field of medicine. The results of the study showed that the concepts of health insurance in China and Russia are fundamentally different due to their focus on different social groups. It was also noted that Chi-na surpasses Russia in a number of indicators (financing, average life expectancy, etc.). The share of public spending on healthcare also exceeds the same indicator in Russia, but when calculated per capita, it does not meet the standards. The PRC has more medical resources than the Russian Federation, but in Russia the health protection of the nation is under the close attention of the government and is expressed in the action of state priority programs “Healthcare” and “Demography”. Conclusion dwells upon the fact that cooperation be-tween China and Russia in the field of healthcare will serve to improve medicine in both countries.

The impact of greenhouse gases on climate change

Climate change has become a threatening problem for all countries of the world. For Kazakhstan, one of the world’s largest grain exporters, with its previously predominantly arid climate, developed mining industry, metallurgy and mainly coalfired heat and electricity generation, slowing down warming is becoming an urgent task. The purpose of this study is to summarise various aspects of the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on climate change in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the possibilities of reducing greenhouse gas emissions through Kazakhstan’s transition to a new economic model based on the use of renewable energy sources. During the study, various methods of analysis were used – analytical selection based on a given or identified feature, comparative analysis of similar characteristics of various objects, statistical analysis of dynamic series, synthesis, representing the primary theoretical generalisation of empirical data. As a result of the study, a noticeable dependence of changes in average annual temperature and precipitation on total greenhouse gas emissions was identified. Moreover, the identified similarity of the dynamics of the main climatic indicators with the dynamics of individual greenhouse gases in Kazakhstan requires further research. It is also concluded that individual innovations in the form of individual renewable energy power plants or a Quota trading system determined by the highest values will not lead to a noticeable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Only the transition to a green economy, which should become a state priority, and its principles and main characteristics should be the reference when making any government decisions. This study can become a starting point for many theoretical and practical studies and show the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions not as a purely mechanical process, but in conjunction with other phenomena, which can be useful in making managerial decisions

Университетский медиадискурс как средство патриотического воспитания молодежи

Most institutions of higher education have official websites that are represented in social networks and messengers, thus providing students with relevant information. Patriotic education being a state priority, university media can also help to raise patriotism in students and develop an objective view of this state value. This research featured the Telegram channel of the Chelyabinsk State University in 2020–2022. The medialinguistic method made it possible to reveal the peculiarities of interaction between verbal and non-verbal sequences while the pragmalinguistic analysis helped to establish the communicative intention of the media text. The messages were multimodal and combined different types of information. The greatest pragmatic impact belonged to the publications that combined visual, textual, and auditory information. Patriotic narrative resonated with the target audience through a compilation of verbal and non-verbal components, such as facial expressions, gestures, intonation, body movement, and postures, that aimed at one and the same pragmatic effect.

“It was so many hoops to jump through”: Patient-reported administrative burden from disability, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and insurance appeals.

1591 Background: A breast cancer (BC) diagnosis places physical, emotional, and financial stress on patients. The full spectrum of administrative burdens that patients carry, while simultaneously dealing with cancer treatment, is unexplored. Methods: From 6-7/2022, Breastcancer.org community members consented to an anonymous online survey in English or Spanish. The survey assessed patient-reported disability claims [short-term (ST) or long-term (LT)], FMLA application, and appeals of insurance claim denials. Multivariable analysis (MVA) modeled associations with 1) disability application and 2) helpfulness of FMLA. Eligibility included: US resident, age ≥ 18, and BC diagnosis within 10 years. Results: Of 2,420 members screened, 1,710 met eligibility, and 1,437 completed the survey (84% participation rate). Nearly all (94%) identified as women; 60% identified as White, 27% Hispanic, 8% Black, or 4% Other race. Median age was 46 years (range: 19-85), and median time since diagnosis was 2 years (range: 0-10). 75% were on active treatment; 11% had metastatic disease. About one-third of respondents (32%) applied for ST disability, and 26% for LT disability (10% applied for both). A lower proportion of White patients applied for disability (ST: 17% White, 25% Black, 33% Hispanic; LT: 9%, 15%, 35%, both p<0.001). Patients with metastatic disease applied for LT disability more often (23% vs 16% non-metastatic, p=0.01). Although most were approved (74% ST, 63% LT); about one-quarter (23% ST, 29% LT) found disability very/extremely difficult to apply for, with no variation by race, ethnicity, or disease status (all p>.05). On MVA, Hispanic patients (OR=5.39, 95%CI 3.96-7.34) and those with metastatic disease (OR=1.52, 95%CI 1.01-2.30) had increased odds of filing for disability. Of respondents who filed for FMLA (27%), 25% found it a very/extremely difficult application. Of 289 FMLA recipients, one-half found it very/extremely helpful. On MVA, longer time since diagnosis was associated with perceived helpfulness (OR=1.16, 95%CI 1.03-1.30). One-third of respondents filed an appeal of an insurance denial: this was more common among those with metastatic disease (41% vs 32% non-metastatic, p=0.02) and less common in White patients (26% White, 39% Black, 45% Hispanic; p<0.001). Of respondents who appealed, most (57%) filed between 2-5 times; patients with metastatic disease were more likely to have to file >5 times (18% vs 7%, p=0.005). Conclusions: Patient administrative burden impacted one-third of BC patients, with larger burdens on historically marginalized or minoritized groups (e.g., Black and Hispanic patients; those with metastatic disease). State and national legislative priorities should work to standardize and streamline application processes so patients can have the financial stability to focus on cancer treatment and recovery goals.

Rethinking human capital: Perspectives from women working in the informal economy

AbstractMotivationThe development of human capital is a priority for most nation states, accelerated by the COVID‐19 global pandemic. In the context of reimagining a “new normal” post‐COVID, we reconsider the concept of human capital, and focus on knowledge, skills, and training of individuals in order to capture aspects of inclusive development.PurposeThis paper shows how the perspective of women, informal sector workers, representing some of the most marginalized workers in society, informs and improves our understanding of human capital and its development and utilization.Methods and approachOur findings are derived from field‐based research conducted over the summer of 2021 in which multiple (virtual) focus group discussions (FGDs) were held with selected members of the Self‐Employed Women's Association (SEWA) in India.FindingsThrough our FGDs, the participants provided new perspectives and insights into our knowledge of human capital, emphasizing the importance of social protection programmes, gender equity, ongoing training opportunities, decentralized supply chains, and income security. Perhaps most significantly, the benefits accrued to women through being organized have been key to unlocking their human capital potential.Policy implicationsOur research highlights themes that are often overlooked in the literature or are beyond the scope of more narrow conceptualizations of human capital. We show that human capital is tightly interwoven with other forms of capital (community assets), and hence efforts to build the former cannot be achieved in isolation from attending to the latter.

Ideology, grand strategy and the rise and decline of Ethiopia's regional status

Abstract Ethiopia transformed from a state on the verge of collapse at the end of the Cold War into one of the world's fastest-developing economies and a regional power in the Horn of Africa in less than two decades. Since 2018 its economic, military and diplomatic status have, however, become significantly compromised yet again. What explains these significant fluctuations in regional power status? Drawing on policy documents and in-depth interviews with diplomatic, military and political officials from the Horn of Africa this article conducts a comparative analysis of the nature and variation of Ethiopia's regional power status under the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) in 2000–2018 and the Prosperity Party (PP) in 2018–2022. The findings illustrate that the fluctuations in regional power were primarily caused by different grand strategies, which in turn reflected the priorities of the EPRDF's developmental state and the PP's restorative nationalist ideologies. These grand strategic concepts shaped Ethiopian government policies on key issues like defence doctrine, status-seeking, economic development, and rivalry and alliance management. These policies had a direct and significant impact on Ethiopia's state capacity, its ability to project military power and its diplomatic influence.

Secondary Frequency Regulation Control Strategy with Electric Vehicles Considering User Travel Uncertainty

The premise of electric vehicles (EVs) participating in the frequency regulation (FR) of power systems is to satisfy the charging demands of users. In view of problems such as the uncertainty of EV users’ departure time and the increase in power supply pressure due to disordered charging in the frequency regulation process of EV clusters, a secondary frequency regulation control strategy with EVs considering user travel uncertainty is proposed. Firstly, EV charging history was analyzed, a reliability parameter was introduced to describe the user travel uncertainty, and an individual EV controllable domain model based on reliability correction was constructed. Then, EV clusters were grouped according to charging urgency and state of charge (SOC), and the controllable capacity of EV clusters was determined. Finally, EV frequency regulation capability parameters and charging urgency parameters were defined to determine the EV frequency regulation priority list, combined with the EV state grouping and priority list, and the EV cluster frequency control strategy was proposed. The simulation results show that the proposed strategy can satisfy the charging demands of users under uncertain travel conditions, reduce the power supply pressure of the power system caused by EVs entering the forced charging state, and effectively suppress frequency deviation.

Legal Risk in the Management of Forest Cover in a River Basin San Juan, Cuba

The protection of forest cover in Cuba is a state priority. It is part of the state plan to deal with climate change. The purpose of this paper is to assess the legal risks associated with the protection of forest cover, which is essential to ensure the sustainability of hydrological watershed management in Cuba. The qualitative method of social research was followed. Techniques of content analysis, semi-structured interviews, and legal exegetics were applied. Geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing techniques were also used to triangulate data and results. This article provided a robust analytical framework for generating innovative laws for land planning through a three-phase methodological design associated with configuring, interpreting, and applying tools for stopping deforestation processes based on watershed management. As a result, it was demonstrated that limitations reveal a deficient legal application with risk in the river basin, and a significant causal relationship between institutions and communities. Furthermore, the study indicated that although there are legal norms that regulate the protection of forest cover in the studied basin, its vulnerabilities generate uncertainty about the foreseeable results in management of forest cover. It is recommended that the Provincial Council of Hydrographic Basins include the design of legal risk indicators for forest cover management into the sub-plan for forest area increase. These recommendations constitute a set of related actions to improve the sustainability of the above-mentioned management.

International Criminal Cooperation in the Shadow of the Coronavirus Pandemic

European cooperation in criminal matters is a priority in all EU Member States, whether in the detection, investigation or judicial fields. In recent years, I have been carrying out research in the field of organised crime, during which I have realised that in investigations involving two or more Member States, it is almost impossible to achieve the desired objective without criminal cooperation. Then, in the spring of 2020, investigative authorities had to deal with a variable such as the coronavirus pandemic, one of the consequences of which was that personal contact was minimised. However, one of the most important factors for successful and effective police cooperation are personal contacts, which can be achieved through training, meetings or even personal exchanges of views during the course of a criminal case.However, the activity of organised crime groups is ongoing, although it is fair to say that they favour cyberspace, but they have not given much thought to overcoming the obstacles that arose during the coronavirus pandemic. They have emerged in e-commerce, online marketplaces, but at the same time, they have expanded their existing network of recruiters and started to think globally. Their distribution activities and logistics have also changed. Typically, the online space can be observed for criminal activities such as drug trafficking, arms trafficking or fraud.The pandemic has also reduced the effectiveness of international cooperation on crime. In the research for this study, I am looking for answers to the question: what tools and methods of cooperation were available to the investigating authorities in the period before the pandemic and could they be further expanded? I will then contrast this period with the escalated situation during the pandemic. My research questions will include how and to what extent the coronavirus pandemic affected international criminal cooperation, in particular the use of Joint Investigation Teams. I also shed light on the question: what are the opportunities and obstacles to the use of available tools for criminal cooperation in the case of crimes committed in the online space?The threat is growing, it has more and more international aspects, so I think there is a need for deeper cooperation, not only between law enforcement agencies, but also involving the private sector and civil society. It is important to make the citizens of all countries aware of the threats they face.

Security and defense are truly a priority for the member states of the European Union: fact of hoax?

Security and defense are truly a priority for the member states of the European Union: fact of hoax?

Cultural and regulatory factors influence distribution and trajectory of invasive species in the United States: A wild pig case study

Since 2012, control of invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in the United States (US) has become a state and national priority due to their propensity to damage agricultural commodities and infrastructure, transmit disease, detrimentally affect ecological processes, and compete with native wildlife for resources. While several life-history characteristics certainly aided their proliferation, the recreational value of wild pigs was likely the stimulus for translocation and subsequent establishment of populations in ≥35 states, causing an annual economic burden of $1.5 billion in the US. Consequently, state-level legislative procedures regarding wild pigs are expanding in scope and priority, but policy among states lacks uniformity. States vary in their treatment of wild pig control based on differing resource appropriations and stakeholder interests. We conducted an evaluation to determine if policy was associated with state-level 1) presence of wild pigs, 2) spatial extent of wild pig population occupancy, and 3) trajectory of wild pig population occupancy. Our results suggest the presence of wild pigs in various states was influenced by hunting preserves and the sale of hunting opportunities. In occupied states, the spatial extent of wild pigs was again associated with the sale of hunting opportunities and a wild pig hunting culture. Finally, the trajectory of state-level wild pig spatial occupancy was positively influenced by the sale of hunting opportunities, and negatively influenced by transportation policies. Based on these findings, we propose state governments standardize transportation policy and fenced hunting regulations across regions of the US in a more prohibitive fashion to diminish range expansion through illegal and negligent introductions via transportation, release, and escapes from game farms. Moreover, in states where wild pigs have yet to establish, we strongly recommend states proactively prohibit transportation through intra- and interstate movement.