Authority Structures Research Articles

Anonymity and Digital Islamic Authority

Much of the literature on digital religious authority has focused on spiritual “influencers” and the challenges they pose to traditional religious hierarchies and structures of authority. Less attention has been dedicated to religious websites, social media pages, and digital feeds whose popularity and influence do not hinge on the personalistic qualities of their creators. There is a wide assortment of generic religious reference sites that, although developed and managed by largely anonymous webmasters and administrators, command significant audiences and exert substantial influence on religious interpretations and practices. We argue that anonymity affords certain advantages for bolstering visibility and influence that have hitherto received insufficient attention in the literature on religion, authority, and cyberspace. In contrast to spiritual influencers, who draw attention to their personal biographies, credentials, appearances, and connections to enhance their legitimacy and authority, individuals or groups who administer religious reference sites commonly employ alternative strategies that involve concealing personal identities, experiences, and affiliations. Their aim is to come off as neutral, impartial, and free of ideological baggage that might bias their interpretations. This facilitates their efforts to frame the content they share as a form of universal religious truth that transcends ideological and sectarian differences. Our analysis centers on websites and social media pages that provide guidance to Spanish speakers on Islamic theology, jurisprudence, and piety.

Decentralization and diaspora capture: transnationalism, autocracy, and hybrid power in federal Ethiopia

ABSTRACT This article analyzes how transnational actors navigate the tensions between federal policy, more localized power structures, and informal forms of authority in Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State (SRS). The concept of ‘diaspora capture’ foregrounds the efforts of state officials and transnational elites to take control of processes through which diaspora identities and patterns of coordination are formed and negotiated within webs of kinship and economic relations. Somali social structure has often been described as essentially ‘stateless’ or democratic to the point of anarchy, and Somali transnationalism is marked by webs of kinship-based reciprocity and informal economic practice. Nevertheless, we show that in eastern Ethiopia, post-conflict diaspora engagement since 2010 is characterized by persistent efforts of government elites and diaspora actors to gain influence over each other, reshaping the transnational terrain. We argue for more attention in transnational studies to how the conflicts and tensions between national or federal policy environments and subnational authority structures can create new fields of transnational interaction and unexpected collaborations between local governments (including autocratic ones) and diaspora constituents.

Inequalities in local government expenditure on environmental and regulatory services in England from 2009 to 2020: a longitudinal ecological study

BackgroundGastrointestinal (GI) infections affect one in five people in the UK and local authorities play a crucial role in controlling these infections. However, there have been substantial reductions in funding...

Stepping Forward, Stepping Back, and into the Unknown

My social position emerges from years of activism and a rural, working-class history. For decades, I have worked in adult/lifelong learning and development—inside communities and post-secondary institutions—always with the goal of achieving a more just and equitable world. While I aspire to these ideals, I have also had to learn that acts of solidarity involve learning when to step forward, when to step back, and a willingness to step into the unknown. In this autoethnography I choose a few examples from life experience that illustrate solidarity in action and what might be termed revolutionary praxis. Using examples from my work in global/international development, settler-Indigenous relations, feminism, and public transportation, I explore activism and solidarity. Finally, I offer insights into how solidarity functions in spaces of adult learning, including attention to paradoxes or attempting to “do good” while reinforcing inequalities embedded in neoliberal funding, social histories, and authority structures. Positions of solidarity require deep levels of consciousness raising. In my experience, no transformation is without challenges, risk, and acts of courage.

A Dynamic Model of Authoritarian Social Control

Abstract Authoritarian regimes often use targeted social control - unequal application of the law to limit expressive freedom and enforce social conformity. At the same time, their methods appear less draconian than in the past. In this model, an authority structures punishments and rewards to compel adherence to its preferred norm. The authority’s commitment is time-limited and depends on imperfectly informative signals of a citizen’ s behavior. Given two citizens with the same observed behavior, the authority imposes harsher punishments on the poorer and/or ex ante dissident individual. Lighter punishments are imposed on the wealthier citizen to prevent “overcompliance.” Wealth inequality increases over time. Some citizens become prosperous “lackeys” while others become destitute from confiscation. In stable regimes with high state capacity, the authority reduces punishments and/or increases rewards to allow citizens to accumulate wealth, leading to social conformity and balanced growth in the long run. In unstable regimes with low capacity, the citizenry splits into groups of wealthy lackeys and destitute proles.

The French customs authority system is an example of effective combatance against customs offenses for Ukraine

The article analyzes the structure and functioning of French customs authorities, emphasizing their role in combating offenses in the customs sphere and the possibility of adapting their experience for Ukraine. The French customs service consists of several units responsible for various aspects of customs control, from intelligence to investigations and technical support. Special attention is paid to the use of innovative technologies, such as risk analysis systems and «smart borders», which significantly increase the efficiency of customs operations. These technologies allow accurate control of goods, vehicles and passengers, which ensures prevention of customs offenses. The results show that the structure of the French customs authorities, divided into specialized directorates (intelligence, operations, investigations and technical support), significantly contributes to the prevention of fraud, illegal trade and security threats. Active use of risk analysis systems and cooperation with international organizations helps France manage cross-border risks and ensure compliance with European standards. The French model offers a valuable plan for the modernization of the customs service of Ukraine and its integration into European and world standards. On the basis of the analysis of the experience of France, conclusions were drawn regarding the possible directions of development of the Ukrainian customs service, in particular through the introduction of modern technologies, automation of processes and strengthening of international cooperation. The integration of advanced risk management methods and automated control systems will allow Ukraine to improve the transparency, security and efficiency of customs operations, reducing the number of offenses and corruption.

Secularity, Sociology, and the Contemporary History of Islam

This essay proposes to reframe the twentieth-century history of Islam by rethinking the relationship of that history to some dominant categories of twentieth-century sociology, especially the secularization thesis. The global history of Islam since the late nineteenth century has been shaped by an apparent paradox between its two most significant features. The first of these has consisted of persistent calls for Muslim revival, reform, and unity across the world, tending toward a unification or transcendence of the older forms of variation within the tradition. The second, countervailing tendency has been an increasing fragmentation of structures of authority within the tradition, a proliferation of the meanings attributed to it and of the forms of practice taken to embody it, and a renewed acuity of internal sectarian conflict. This is a paradox that only an understanding of Islam as social practice embedded in the forms of secularity characteristic of modern societies—and emphatically not one of Islam as “medievally” religious and uniquely “secularization-resistant”—can apprehend.

Europe's Super‐Rich: Towards Oligarchic Constitutional Order

AbstractThis article addresses an important but understudied puzzle in European Union Studies: the super‐rich's influence on domestic and transnational discourses, policies and institutions for wealth defence, security and legitimacy. It examines the super‐rich's impact on democratic governance and human rights claims of marginalized groups, and how states, civil society and non‐oligarchic entities contest oligarchic rule. The article proposes a research agenda to determine if Europe can be seen as an oligarchic constitutional order, characterized by governance practices and authority structures deeply intertwined with the super‐rich's interests in transnational and domestic politics. The framework in this research agenda underscores how institutional arrangements, legitimating principles, regulatory practices and procedural systems increasingly favour the super‐rich, reflecting a dominant mode of transnational governance rooted in extreme socio‐economic stratification. The research agenda aims to elucidate the tension between wealth and democratic governance, particularly how policies and normative discourses often align with the super‐rich's interests despite resistance from marginalized groups.

The Silent Protest

Throughout the course of modern history, political and religious authoritarian structures have sought to maintain monopolistic control of ideological discourse by placing severe limitations on freedom of expression. Dissident writers have characteristically responded to formal censorship, however, through the adoption of new literary techniques that move beyond ideological limitations. An exemplary case of literary innovation in the presence of strict regulations is Sister Juana Inés de la Cruz, who lived as a Mexican nun during the seventeenth century. Through a joint examination of Sister Juana's life and the broader historical context for her literary voice, this article will explore several techniques and ideas found in her letter La Respuesta a Sor Filotea (1691). In particular, Sister Juana uses the concept of silence in her written work to promote intellectual equality for women and create a thematic space in which multiple perspectives can be voiced.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN POST-CONFLICT RECONSTRUCTION: UKRAINIAN REALITIES AND INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

The problem of post-conflict reconstruction amidst an ongoing war is particularly relevant due to the necessity of balancing two key objectives: the rapid rebuilding of infrastructure essential for the functioning of society and the implementation of reforms aimed at enhancing the state’s investment attractiveness, promoting socio-economic modernization, and introducing modern educational standards. The fulfillment of these tasks is closely tied to the role of public authorities, which serve as the primary agents of the reconstruction process – from assessing the extent of destruction to integrating new practices and mechanisms in the context of socio-economic transformation. The purpose of this article is to examine global practices applicable to the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, taking into account its specific circumstances. The research methodology combines institutional and structural-functional approaches, enabling an analysis of how institutional transformations impact the implementation of recovery projects. The methods employed include document analysis, case studies, synthesis, and generalization. The study concludes that Ukraine requires both the adoption of global best practices in post-conflict reconstruction and the development of its own mechanisms, tailored to the specific nature of the destruction and occupation. The research also reveals that Ukraine needs differentiated recovery strategies for areas under its control and those still occupied. Additionally, the role of public authorities is emphasized as critical, requiring improvements in management practices and the establishment of safeguards against corruption and abuse. It is further demonstrated that the recovery process necessitates enhancements in both the legislative framework and the organizational structure of public authorities, with a focus on incorporating prioritization and planning principles across different levels of recovery efforts. Lastly, digital technologies are highlighted as instrumental in advancing recovery objectives, as they can streamline administrative processes, improve Ukraine’s investment rating, facilitate the compensation process for war-damaged property, and assist communities in executing recovery projects.

Embedding a Circular Economy through Local Government in Gippsland: A Case Study, Utilising Smart Specialisation Methodology

AbstractIn 2017, the ageing Hazelwood coal-fired power station in Gippsland (Australia), finally—and abruptly, closed. The Latrobe Valley Authority (LVA), funded by the Victorian State Government was then established to assist redundant workers and develop a long-term approach to transitioning towards a more sustainable regional economy and socially cohesive community. To enable this, the LVA adopted and implemented a methodology made popular in the European Union of the ‘Smart Specialisation Strategy’ (S3), bringing together practitioners from government, business, research and education, and the wider local community (known as the ‘quadruple helix’) to co-design a shared vision for the region’s future prosperity. With Australia declaring its commitment to and the Victorian government developing policy support for a Circular Economy (CE), the LVA funded a research project in 2022 to facilitate a ‘place-based’ approach to implementing a CE business model across Gippsland. Based on interviews and workshops conducted in the period 2022–23 with key regional stakeholders, as well as on the analysis of secondary sources, this paper provides an overview of the experience utilising the S3 methodology to explore the implementation of CE in a regional setting, historically dominated by natural resource-based industries, that is now undergoing multiple economic transitions, including cessation of coal-fired power generation, oil and gas extraction and native timber harvesting. Significant barriers identified include: poor understanding of broader opportunities embedded in systemic notions of S3 and CE, siloed structure of local government authorities (both within or between councils), difficulty in promoting alignment and cooperation at all levels between a diverse range of stakeholders, lack of policy coordination and support for business innovation, together with the absence of financial incentives or regulatory mechanisms to change behaviour from a linear to CE. Despite improved intentions in policy settings around intentionality of CE practices and other initiatives being progressed simultaneously with this work, CE in Gippsland (and Victoria more broadly) and its implementation continue to be narrowly focussed on recycling and waste management, where there are clear pressures in stock-piling of waste and limitations on landfill expansion. Regional approaches to implementation of circular economy are limited in Australia, with the exception of exemplars such as Geelong, Barwon South West, and Bega. However, there are currently no examples of utilising S3 methodology to implement CE in a regional setting. Here we identify current barriers and provide recommendations on how to overcome these with the engagement of a diverse range of stakeholders across Gippsland from agribusiness, regional planning, local governments, small and medium enterprises, utilising S3 methodology, to enable systemic changes towards CE models to be implemented region-wide. This study documents the journey so far for Gippsland, where the transition from traditional extractive industry provides the opportunity to embed more sustainable practices moving forward.

CONCEPT AND CHARACTERISTICS OF CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES’ COMPETENCE IN THE CONTEXT OF INNOVATIVE PROCESSES IN UKRAINIAN CUSTOMS AFFAIRS

This article analyzes the concept and characteristics of customs authorities’ competencies in Ukraine within the context of ongoing innovations in customs practices. As Ukraine pursues its Euro-integration goals — aimed at modernizing economic infrastructure, overcoming technological lag, attracting foreign investments, and enhancing international competitiveness — customs authorities play a pivotal role in ensuring the effective functioning of foreign economic activities. The focus of the article is on the necessity to modernize the competencies of customs authorities in line with global standards and to implement advanced innovative technologies, as outlined in Ukraine’s Innovation Development Strategy up to 2030. It examines the impact and significance of innovations such as the ‘Single Window’ system, ‘Smart Customs’ initiatives, pre-arrival cargo information technologies radio-frequency identification (RFID), and blockchain for enhancing customs control, management, and interactions with external partners. A central issue discussed in the article is the development of new competencies required for the effective implementation of these innovations by customs authorities. Specifically, it addresses the need to cultivate digital, intellectual, partnership, and security skills. The article also explores the effects of economic and political instability, particularly the wartime conditions in Ukraine, on the implementation of innovations in customs operations. Key challenges are identified, such as difficulties in exporting high-tech goods, granting incentives for importing innovative equipment, and applying non-tariff regulatory measures, including certification, quotas, and licensing. Recommendations are provided for improving the organizational structures of customs authorities and updating the legal and regulatory framework to adapt to modern requirements and standards. The article advocates for the development of a new, intelligent customs system that can swiftly and effectively respond to changes by employing cutting-edge digital technologies and security methods. Emphasis is placed on the importance of enhancing the qualifications of customs professionals, which is essential for the successful implementation of innovations in customs control.

Customs competencies in ukraine: embracing innovation for enhanced efficiency

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the concept and features of the competencies of Ukrainian customs authorities considering ongoing innovations in the customs sector. As Ukraine follows its Euro-integration path, aimed at modernizing its economic infrastructure, addressing technological gaps, attracting foreign investments, and enhancing its international competitiveness, the role of customs authorities becomes vital in facilitating effective foreign economic activities. The article underscores the critical need to update the competencies of customs authorities to meet global standards and incorporate advanced innovative technologies, as envisioned in Ukraine’s Innovation Development Strategy up to 2030. It explores the impact and relevance of innovations such as the ‘Smart Customs’ initiatives, ‘Single Window’ system, pre-arrival cargo information systems, radio-frequency identification, and blockchain technology in improving customs control, management, and interactions with external partners. A major focus of the article is on the new competencies required by customs authorities to successfully implement these innovations. It highlights the importance of developing digital, intellectual, partnership, and security skills. Furthermore, the article examines the effects of economic and political instability, particularly the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, on the innovation processes within customs operations. It identifies significant challenges such as the difficulties in exporting high-tech goods, offering incentives for the import of innovative equipment, and the application of non-tariff regulatory measures, including certification, quotas, and licensing. The article provides detailed recommendations for enhancing the organizational structures of customs authorities and calls for updating the legal and regulatory framework to align with current demands and standards. It advocates for the creation of a modern, intelligent customs system that can rapidly and effectively adapt to changes using state-of-the-art digital technologies and security methods. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of enhancing the qualifications of customs professionals, which is deemed essential for the successful integration of innovations in customs control.

Ownership as a Bundle of Rights: Antecedents of the Wedge Between Control and Cash-Flow Rights Within Firms

In this paper, we examine the antecedents of ownership rights within multiunit firms, focusing on the wedge between the control rights and cash-flow rights that parent companies hold over their subsidiaries. We argue that a key antecedent of a parent’s ownership rights in a subsidiary is the extent of the subsidiary’s interdependencies with the firm. Exploring two such interdependencies, we hypothesize that (1) the wedge between parents’ control and cash-flow rights is smaller for subsidiaries that are more closely related to the firm and (2) there is a U-shaped relationship between the extent of a firm’s multimarket contact in an industry and the wedge between parents’ control rights and cash-flow rights for subsidiaries that operate in that industry. We tested our predictions and found evidence supporting the first hypothesis and mixed results for the second in a sample of subsidiaries newly added to French manufacturing firms through acquisitions or de novo creations. In supplementary analyses, we also found that a subsidiary’s interdependencies are also associated with its hierarchical position within the firm’s formal authority structure. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/stsc.2022.0114 .

Prawne ujęcie ochrony środowiska przez państwo w świetle analizy kryzysu na Odrze

The article highlights the evolution of state functions over the centuries and the most relevant contemporary state functions. The seriousness of the ecological crisis is highlighted using the example of current events. The genesis of the Odra catastrophe, its causes and consequences are presented in detail. The activities and structure of the Polish water authorities, as well as the existing legal regulations in this aspect, are highlighted. The conclusion is the need for legal changes to improve the protection of the Polish environment, but especially of rivers and lakes.

'You're Just Thinking About Going Home': Exploring Person-Centred Medication Communication With Older Patients at Hospital Discharge.

The hospital discharge process poses significant safety risks for older patients due to complexities in communication and coordination among stakeholders, leading to potential drug-related problems post-discharge. Adopting a person-centred care (PCC) approach in medication communication by healthcare professionals (HCPs) is crucial to ensure positive health outcomes. This study aimed to explore the practice of PCC in medication communication between older patients and HCPs during the hospital discharge process. We conducted a qualitative study using non-participatory direct observations of patient-HCP consultations during hospital discharge, followed by semi-structured interviews with observed patients and, when applicable, their informal caregivers. Data collection occurred from October 2020 to May 2021 at two Swedish hospitals. We gathered data using an observational form and audio-recorded all consultations and interviews. The data were analysed thematically using the systematic text condensation method. Twenty patients were included (median age: 81 years [range: 65-94]; 9 female) in observations and 13 of them participated in interviews. Two patients were accompanied by an informal caregiver during the interviews. Three main themes were identified: (1) The impact of traditional authoritarian structures, depicts power dynamics between patients and their HCPs, showing how traditional structures influence the practice of PCC in medication communication during hospital discharge; (2) Consultation timing and mode not on patients' terms, describes suboptimal times and settings for consultations, along with the use of complex language that hinders effective communication; and (3) Discrepancy in expectations of self-care ability, illustrates a mismatch between the self-care guidance provided by HCPs during hospital discharge and the actual needs and preferences of patients and informal caregivers. Medication communication between older patients and HCPs during hospital discharge is frequently inconsistent with the practice of PCC. Not only must HCPs improve their communication strategies, but patients and their informal caregivers should also be better prepared for discharge communication and encouraged to participate in their care. This involvement would give them relevant knowledge and tailor communication to their individual needs, preventing problems in managing their medications after discharge. An advisory group of six patients and/or informal caregiver contributors provided input on the study design, edited the consent forms, and helped develop the interview guide.

Public governance in national minority rights protection

The article is devoted to the analysis of public administration in the field of national minorities rights protection. The author analyzes the system of authorities aimed at protecting the national minorities interests and nationalities in Ukraine. The Committee on Nationalities under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine was the first ukrainian central state body of the executive power, entrusted with the functions of ensuring ethno-national policy and protecting the national minorities interests. It is emphasized that the structure of public authorities protecting the rights of national minorities was not limited exclusively to the activities of the specialized central executive body. The positions of Advisor to President on ethno-national problems of Crimea and Advisor to President on the affairs of the Ukrainian diaspora were introduced. At the regional (oblast) level, the Republican Committee for Nationalities and Deported Citizens of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea operates, as well as the relevant subdivisions at the local level – nationalities and migration departments of regional state administrations. The situation changed with the switch of the state policy vector from pro-Russian to pro-European. This was not least due to the recommendations of the OSCE and the need to converge with the acquis communautaire of the European Union. National minorities rights protection has been in focus since the independence of Ukraine. Establishing and functioning of the relevant Ministry (Committee) on National Minorities is a direct confirmation of this thesis. This issue was always in focus of the Ukrainian governments besides the period of the rule of the pro-Russian government (2010-2014), when most of the state institutions for the protection of national minorities were liquidated. This fact determined the revolutionary events of the Euromaidan (2014) to some extent. As of today, Ukraine fulfills its obligations regarding the protection of the national minorities rights. The current central authority (State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, DESS) was formed in accordance with the recommendations of the OSCE and taking into account the experience of the EU member-states. Its status is lower in the executive power hierarchy. However, its scope of competence and its actual activity best serves the interests of the national minorities.

Public participation in the administration of justice during the polish-lithuanian period (14th – first half of the 17th century)

The scientific article examines the development and functioning of the judicial system on Ukrainian lands during the Polish-Lithuanian rule (14th – first half of the 17th century). The main focus is on the multi-level structure of judicial authority, which included the central power represented by the prince and boyars, as well as local power exercised by appointed officials such as voivodes, volostels, and posadniks. It is established that the legal heritage of Kyivan Rus significantly influenced the judicial system of Ukrainian lands during the Lithuanian principality, providing stability and consistency in legal regulation. The implementation of Magdeburg Law in certain cities is discussed, which brought new legal standards and granted some autonomy to urban communities. The role of various forms of public justice, such as veche, arbitration, kopa, communal, peace, and bench courts, is identified. The analysis covers kopa (communal) courts, which had survived since the times of Kyivan Rus and operated based on ancient Rus law. It is emphasized that kopa courts existed on Ukrainian lands both in the Polish Kingdom and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Their uniqueness lay in the participation of representatives from all social strata, which ensured a wide range of opinions and experiences. This form of justice involved the consideration of various cases, including land disputes, criminal offenses, inheritance issues, and other civil matters. Despite the spread of German law, which introduced new legal standards and procedures, kopa courts remained important institutions, especially in rural communities. Kopa courts were an integral part of the legal system of Ukrainian lands during the medieval period, ensuring access to justice for all social strata and playing an important role in maintaining social justice and legal order. A separate section of the article is dedicated to Wallachian law, which spread in the western Ukrainian lands in the 14th century and provided for a democratic form of justice through judicial veche. In summary, the coexistence of different legal systems – German, Rus, and Wallachian law – created a multifaceted legal culture that met the needs of various societal layers and ensured the stability and predictability of judicial decisions on Ukrainian lands during the medieval period.

Administrative and Legal Status of Tax Service Bodies in the Kyrgyz Republic

The article examines the concept of the administrative and legal status of the State Tax Service of the Kyrgyz Republic and determines the place of the tax service in the structure of executive authorities. The study determined the content of the administrative and legal status of the tax service of the Kyrgyz Republic. In a scientific article, the author analyzed the criteria for the distribution of powers of the tax service to determine the administrative and legal status of tax authorities.

The Contender’s Momentum? COVID-19 and IO Relations in the Regime Complex of Financial Assistance

Abstract How do crises affect authority structures in international regime complexes? The international order is characterized by regime complexes consisting of ever more overlapping institutions competing for authority. Most complexes consist of established institutions facing a growing number of more recently created institutional contenders. We argue that crises can alter the competitive structure of regime complexes. From the perspective of states, crisis situations can provide newly created contenders—designed as institutional alternatives—with functional advantages over established institutions. Long-established institutions tend to be highly institutionalized, decreasing flexibility and speed of decision-making. Thus, during crises, states may shift their cooperative activities away from inert institutions and to newly created, more flexible alternatives that are less encompassing. We test the plausibility of our claim by studying the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the regime complex of financial assistance (FA). The results of a qualitative process analysis of institutional crisis responses combined with a comparative network analysis of the FA complex support our argument. The COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity for the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the New Development Bank to position themselves as crisis-proof alternatives for developing countries to established institutions like the World Bank.