Search

Begin New Search Content Type Research Paper

11. The Politics of Migration and Refugee Rentierism in the Middle East

Author:
Marc Lynch, Elizabeth Parker-Magyar, Shaddin Almasri, and Rawan Arar
Publication Date:
03-2024
Content Type:
Research Paper
Institution:
Project on Middle East Political Science (POMEPS)
Abstract:
How does the rentier concept apply in the context of the regulation and governance of human mobilities? Given that the hosting of forcibly displaced populations grants political actors the ability to extract revenue in a manner akin to oil rentier states via refugee rent-seeking (Tsourapas 2019), what broader lessons may we draw if we link migration and the rentier state? Similarly, in the case of labor migration in the Gulf, state actors delegate their ‘authority over migration to private actors and turns citizens into migration rentiers’ (Thiollet 2022, 1649). How does rentier state theory explain the politics of migrants and refugees in the Middle East? The relationship between rentierism and human mobilities formed the core of a Project on Middle East Political Science (POMEPS) workshop organized on 22–23 September 2023 at the University of Glasgow. The workshop sought to unpack the linkages between cross-border mobility and rentier state theory in the Middle East.
Topic:
Education, Health, Humanitarian Aid, Migration, History, Refugees, Borders, Far Right, Mobility, Integration, Donors, Public-Private Partnership, Rentierism, and GCC
Political Geography:
Turkey, Middle East, Libya, North Africa, Syria, Jordan, Morocco, and Gulf Nations

12. Protected areas, indigenous communities, deforestation and the role of institutions: evidence for the lowlands of Bolivia

Author:
Pedro Cayul
Publication Date:
03-2024
Content Type:
Research Paper
Institution:
Centre for International Environmental Studies, The Graduate Institute (IHEID)
Abstract:
Protected areas and indigenous communities play a crucial role in controlling deforestation, which is responsible for carbon emissions related to land use and land use change, contributing to global warming and climate change. However, the effectiveness of protected areas is conditioned by their administration and the quality of the institutions in their countries. In this paper, I will analyze the effectiveness of protected areas (Both at the national and sub-national levels) and indigenous territories and the institutions' role in the case of Bolivia's lowlands. I computed deforestation rates for four different periods between 1986 and 2021 to test the impact of institutions on different types of protected areas by using satellite images at 30m resolution and combining them with official data on protected areas and indigenous communities, which includes specific locations and dates of creation. Using a spatial regression discontinuity design, the results show that protected areas at the national level are the most effective in controlling deforestation, particularly after the creation of institutions taking care of them. Departmental protected areas have some impact on preventing deforestation, while municipal ones have no influence. For indigenous communities, there was a significant effect on reducing deforestation with the first reservations created, but the effect wears off over time. Regarding mechanism, being close to cities and routes is a threat for indigenous communities and departmental PAs, while it is an advantage for national PAs. Finally, protected areas and indigenous communities show, in general, greater levels of deforestation when they are exposed to cattle ranching settlements, mines, and oil wells.
Topic:
Environment, Institutions, Mining, Indigenous, Deforestation, and Protection
Political Geography:
South America and Bolivia

13. Immigration Enforcement and Public Safety

Author:
Helena Gonçalves, Emily K. Weisburst, and Elisa Jácome
Publication Date:
07-2024
Content Type:
Research Paper
Institution:
The Cato Institute
Abstract:
The debate surrounding the enforcement of immigration laws often revolves around the impact of immigration on public safety. Recent surveys show that about half of Americans believe that immigrants are making crime in the country worse, and more Americans believe that immigrants have an adverse impact on crime than on jobs or the economy. Much research has found mixed evidence on the effect of immigration on local crime rates. Nevertheless, those advocating for the enforcement of immigration laws view it as a key policy tool for improving public safety.
Topic:
Immigration, Law Enforcement, Public Safety, and Illegal Immigration
Political Geography:
North America and United States of America

14. Frantz Fanon in the Middle East

Author:
Marc Lynch, Ghina Abi-Ghannam, Alina Achenbach, Arwa Awan, and Hanene Baroumi
Publication Date:
10-2024
Content Type:
Research Paper
Institution:
Project on Middle East Political Science (POMEPS)
Abstract:
Inspired by the emergence over the previous decade of this diverse theoretical and historical literature on Fanon in the Middle East, POMEPS and the Centre d’Etudes Maghrébines à Tunis (CEMAT)’s Laryssa Chomiak, along with Jillian Schwedler and Lisa Wedeen, convened a workshop on Fanon in late September 2023 – the first POMEPS workshop focused on political theory. The focus on Fanon furthermore continues our efforts at POMEPS to break down artificial barriers between the Middle East and Africa, and between Middle East Studies and the broader discipline. The choice of location was intentional: much of Fanon’s revolutionary writing was done in Tunis, after he was deported from French Algeria for his work with the FLN, and he continues to be revered among Tunisian intellectuals and the broader public. While Fanon wrote for a global audience, he was firmly situated in a North African context and embodied the complex interactions between those countries both with France and with decolonizing Africa: Fanon’s work engages heavily with French philosophers, his career began in France, and his work for the FLN included both diplomatic missions to the Sahel and West Africa.
Topic:
Post Colonialism, Sociology, Political Science, Decolonization, Revolution, Frantz Fanon, Social Psychology, Psychiatry, Ali Shariati, and Mahdi Amil
Political Geography:
Iran, Middle East, Algeria, North Africa, Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia

15. Internationalising Indian Education: Work Visas for Foreign Students

Author:
Sifra Lentin
Publication Date:
11-2023
Content Type:
Research Paper
Institution:
Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations
Abstract:
This paper recommends amending India’s student visa policy to allow foreign students to work in India on paid internships while studying at Indian colleges and universities, and in jobs for pre-determined periods after they graduate. This modification to India’s ‘S’ Visa provisions would be an important step towards internationalising Indian higher education institutes (IHEIs) – a pivotal objective of India’s New Education Policy (NEP 2020), which advocates attracting more foreign students to study in Indian colleges but does not address changes in student visa rules, even though they would align India’s student visa practices with global norms. The paper supports its argument with five key findings: First, authorising foreign students to work in India surely would attract many more than the estimated 50,000 foreign students currently studying in Indian colleges either at their own cost or on scholarships. Second, India’s accredited new private and regional or state universities and colleges would benefit greatly from an increase in overseas students. New Indian universities have been seeking to build culturally and globally diverse student bodies, enrich classrooms, expand student networks and bring in foreign-exchange revenues. Allowing foreign students to work during or immediately after their time on campus will support their pursuit of all these goals, in particular by attracting students from beyond India’s neighbourhood. The success of overseas Indian doctors and engineers in these countries will encourage students from developed countries to enrol in Indian institutions, and students from established source countries in Africa and South Asia will see the opportunity to get field experience in India as a key value addition to Indian degrees. Third, work visas for foreign students would be important for Indian companies that are internationalising. Through on-campus recruitment and hiring of foreign talent on Indian campuses and hiring alumni of Indian colleges and universities who return to their home countries, Indian companies should be able to develop a natural talent cohort that is culturally acclimatised to India. Fourth, alumni of Indian institutions of higher learning who return to their countries of origin can serve as a valuable “cultural bridge” between India and other countries. Finally, for India’s foreign policy, student work visas would reinforce an important plank of bilateral relations: reciprocity. An estimated 65% of Indian students who study abroad – 7,50,000 Indian students in 2022 – avail themselves of overseas work experience. Offering one-to-three-year work visas to foreign students who graduate from Indian universities can only strengthen India’s international relationships. A student work visa policy can be implemented in a two-year phased and regulated manner. Such an implementation period will help all stakeholders – universities and colleges, companies, and ministries of education, external affairs, home, finance, and commerce – to develop and hone systems, processes, policy, regulations and coordination structures.
Topic:
Education, Students, Visa, and Internationalization
Political Geography:
South Asia and India

16. The Great Supply Chain Shift from China to South Asia?

Author:
Ganeshan Wignaraja
Publication Date:
07-2023
Content Type:
Research Paper
Institution:
Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations
Abstract:
Global supply chains connect world industry and international trade in manufactures. East Asia’s dominance with China as the preferred assembly hub in global supply chains has brought unprecedented regional prosperity, but South Asia remains a latecomer. However, pandemic-related and post-pandemic continuing disruptions to supply chains and slowing growth are being keenly felt, dampening China’s attractiveness. In an uncertain global economy, increasingly footloose foreign investors are looking for alternative production locations. Is it South Asia’s turn to prosper through supply chains in this uncertain world? This is the topical public policy question facing India and the others in South Asia. This paper discusses the concept of global supply chains, the industrial rise of East Asia, drivers of supply chain relocation from China, South Asia’s prospects, India as a complementary hub and policy lessons from East Asia’s industrial success. For the purposes of this paper, South Asia is broadly defined as the India and its contiguous countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Topic:
Industrial Policy, Monetary Policy, Foreign Direct Investment, Industrialization, COVID-19, Supply Chains, and Geoeconomics
Political Geography:
China, South Asia, Asia, Southeast Asia, and United States of America

17. Café Evropa: The future of energy in the Czech Republic - how to further reduce dependence on fossil fuels?

Author:
Barbora Kociánová
Publication Date:
05-2023
Content Type:
Research Paper
Institution:
Europeum Institute for European Policy
Abstract:
As part of the Café Evropa debate series, a debate was held on the topic The future of energy in the Czech Republic - how to further reduce dependence on fossil fuels? Is the Czech Republic succeeding in diversifying its resources and reducing its dependence on fossil fuels? Will the Czech Republic be energy independent from other countries if it moves away from coal? You can read a summary of the outputs of each guest in the report written by our intern Barbora Kociánová.
Topic:
Fossil Fuels, Coal, Energy, and Debates
Political Geography:
Europe and Czech Republic

18. Will the poverty-related SDGs be met? Global projections for 2030

Author:
Arief Anshory Yusuf, Zuzy Anna, Ahmad Komarulzaman, and Andy Sumner
Publication Date:
10-2023
Content Type:
Research Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
The 1980s are sometimes referred to as the ‘lost decade’ for development. Many countries in the Global South experienced weak or no improvement in poverty indicators. Our projections are equally dire for the current decade and prospects for the SDGs unless action is taken.
Topic:
Poverty, Sustainable Development Goals, and Economic Development
Political Geography:
Global Focus

19. The rise of social protection in the Global South – the role of foreign aid

Author:
Miguel Niño-Zarazúa, Ana Horigoshi, and Alma Santillán Hernández
Publication Date:
10-2023
Content Type:
Research Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
Despite the rapid expansion of social protection across the Global South in recent decades, the ILO (2021: 19) estimates that more than half of the global population still have no access to any form of protection against poverty vulnerability and social exclusion.
Topic:
Poverty, Foreign Aid, and Protection
Political Geography:
Global Focus and Global South

20. Beyond Compliance: A Performance Assessment of Statutory Boards and Commissions in Uganda’s Local Governments FY 2021/2022

Author:
Arthur Bainomugisha, Wilson Winstons Muhwezi, Walter Akena, Jonas Mbabazi, and Rebecca N. Mukwaya
Publication Date:
01-2023
Content Type:
Research Paper
Institution:
Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE)
Abstract:
This report presents findings from the first assessment of Statutory Boards and Commissions comprising the District Service Commissions (DSC), District Land Boards (DLB), and LG Public Accounts Committees (LGPAC) in 26 District Local Governments. This cutting-edge Assessment was the first of its kind and provided a ground-breaking opportunity to examine these important structures designed to provide regulation, oversight and additional citizen representation and voice, within the ambit of Uganda’s Decentralisation Policy. The report offers interesting and intriguing insights into the operations of the Statutory Boards and Commissions which point to an urgent need to revitalise and strengthen them as critical pillars of Local Governance in Uganda. Uganda’s Decentralisation Policy devolved powers to the Local Governments. These powers rest on three key pillars, namely the Local Council (including the Executive), the Technical Staff and the Statutory Bodies. As such, Uganda’s Decentralisation Policy is both a political and a technical process. At the political level it involves leadership, participation, inclusion, representation, decision-making, and power relations between Central and Local Governments, and between Higher and Lower Local Governments. On the technical level, it involves administration, planning, budgeting, financial management, human resources management and development, monitoring and evaluation, supervision and mentoring. Thus, the success of Decentralisation is highly contingent on the careful and effective synchronization of political and technical elements and functions. At the commencement of the decentralisation policy, the government, through several legal instruments, created an elaborate institutional framework for support and oversight at the local government level. These institutions include the District Service Commission, District Land Board, Local Government Public Accounts Committees, and the District Tender Boards (now contracts committee) which later morphed into the District Contracts Committees (Mushemeza, 2019). The assessment of these statutory boards and commissions was underpinned by a series of ACODE’s scorecard findings that consistently revealed that the functionality of committees and statutory boards and commissions have a bearing on the general performance of district local government councils and subsequently the quality-of-service delivery in local governments. Furthermore, a number of studies indicated structural and operational gaps in the functionality of various accountability organs at the Local Government level1 . Given the importance of this tripartite relationship highlighted above, the functionality and strength of the Statutory Boards and Commissions is an important yardstick and litmus test for the overall functionality of a given Local Government. It is against this background that the assessment sought to examine the performance of the statutory boards and commissions. Specifically, the assessment sought to; (i) Explore the extent to which statutory boards and commissions have complied with their roles and responsibilities; (ii) Analyse how statutory boards and commissions are accountable to council and citizens; and (iii) Explore key issues impeding and or facilitating Statutory Boards and Commissions in delivering on their statutory roles and responsibilities and make appropriate recommendations. The assessment largely drew from the methodology of the Local Government Scorecard Assessment (Tumushabe, Mushemeza, Tamale, Lukwago, & Ssemakula, 2010). The assessment is further grounded in rigorous methodological approaches that adhere to scientific rigour. This assessment focused on FY 2021/2022 and was carried out in the 26 districts of Agago, Amuria, Amuru, Arua, Buliisa, Hoima, Gulu, Jinja, Kanungu, Kabarole, Kamuli, Lira, Luwero, Mbale, Mbarara, Moroto, Mpigi, Mukono, Nakapiripirit, Nebbi, Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Sheema, Soroti, Tororo and Wakiso. The overall finding of the Assessment was that the Statutory Boards and Commissions exist at the Local Government level and are attempting to discharge their duties and functions, in spite of the stiff challenges that their face. Notwithstanding their regulatory import and function, their role as an added citizen representation and voice, the Statutory Bodies were noted to have declining visibility and significance – across all the 26 districts assessed. Different Boards and Commissions in the different districts exhibit varying levels of resilience and functionality. Overall, there seemed to be a general “neglect” of the Statutory Bodies, across the Board.
Topic:
Regulation, Decentralization, Compliance, Assessment, and Local Government
Political Geography:
Uganda and Africa