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21. Australians Vote for the Steady Center

Author:
Anthony Bubalo
Publication Date:
05-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Asia Society
Abstract:
On May 3, the Australian Labor Party, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, returned to power. It was a remarkable result. First-term governments in Australia usually get a second term, but typically with a reduced majority. Not only did Labor increase its majority, but the size of its victory has probably consigned their main political rivals — a Coalition of the Liberal Party and the rural-based National Party — to Opposition for at least the next two terms of government. The result has been so politically traumatic that the two Opposition parties have torn up their Coalition agreement for the first time since 1987. Foreign and defense policy did not really feature in the election campaign. The result suggests there will not be too much change in Australia’s approach to the world. But the election also hints at the challenge the government will face balancing domestic and international priorities. By highlighting U.S. President Donald Trump’s unpopularity in Australia, it also points to how managing the alliance may become a little trickier in Albanese’s new term.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Defense Policy, Government, Elections, Domestic Politics, and Political Parties
Political Geography:
Australia and Australia/Pacific

22. Will the New Government Safely Navigate Belgium through Turbulent International Waters?

Author:
Wannes Verstraete
Publication Date:
04-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
Abstract:
“Yes, our country is vulnerable”, said Belgian Major-General Phaleg Bernard during a hearing in the Defence Commission from the Chamber of Representatives in October 2024. The remarks by him and other senior officers stressed the urgent necessity of accelerating the modernisation of Belgium’s military forces at a moment when the government negotiations were ongoing. By the end of January 2025, these negotiations proved to be successful. The new De Wever Government released its coalition agreement and was sworn in on 3 February 2025. As is often the case in Belgium, the coalition is made up of different ideological parties, namely the N-VA (conservative Flemish nationalist); MR (Francophone liberals); cd&v (Flemish Christian democrats); Les Engagés (Francophone centrists); and Vooruit (Flemish social democrats). The national security sections of the new coalition agreement are spread throughout the document and can be found in the parts on foreign affairs, defence, and elsewhere. In comparison with former governments, the new coalition agreement showcases an increased ambition and formulates some of the minimum necessary adjustments. The previous 2020 coalition agreement was 97 pages long in total and contained 2 pages on defence, 5 pages on foreign affairs, and 2 on development. The new 2025 agreement is 199 pages long and contains 8 pages on defence and 11 pages on foreign affairs and development.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Defense Policy, Government, and European Union
Political Geography:
Europe and Belgium

23. Finding a Way Out of Festering Conflict in India’s Manipur

Author:
International Crisis Group
Publication Date:
02-2025
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
International Crisis Group
Abstract:
What’s new? After close to two years of violence, the Indian government has imposed President’s Rule in Manipur, putting it directly in charge of the troubled north-eastern state’s affairs. New Delhi should seize the opportunity to quell an ethnic conflict that has killed more than 260 people and displaced some 60,000. Why does it matter? Insurgent groups have resurfaced in Manipur over the past year. Failure to resolve the conflict could not just lead to more bloodshed and displacement, but also derail dialogue with the militants. It also risks destabilising other parts of north-eastern India, upsetting the hard-earned peace in neighbouring states. What should be done? Now that it has imposed President’s Rule, the central government should disarm the two sides and re-establish law and order. Finding a sustainable way out of the crisis will be difficult, but New Delhi should initiate negotiations by urgently creating a peace committee acceptable to both communities.
Topic:
Ethnic Conflict, Government, Insurgency, and Civil Violence
Political Geography:
South Asia and India

24. The dangerous watchdog: How corruption shapes support for media scrutiny in Africa

Author:
Nnaemeka Ohamadike
Publication Date:
12-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Afrobarometer
Abstract:
“Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants,” U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis famously said, referring to the belief that vigorous reporting on corruption helps citizens hold their leaders accountable and punish wrongdoers. Yet the politics of exposure is rarely so simple, especially where corruption is entrenched, and rulers have incentives and/or power to manage what the public sees. South Africa offers a textbook example supporting the view that the press should act as a watchdog: Years of media investigations and independent ombud reporting helped publicise state-capture abuses and contributed to President Jacob Zuma’s eventual resignation in 2018 (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, n.d.). However, when sunlight burns, exposure can feel perilous rather than purifying. Across the continent, many citizens view the negative reporting of government wrongdoing as harmful rather than beneficial to their country. One possible explanation for this is that when corruption is high, governments may take more stringent measures to suppress reporting that might be embarrassing to them, such as framing critical journalism as divisive, unpatriotic, and a threat to the public good (Teplyashina & Golubev, 2019). Citizens may internalise these cues, expressing concern about the harm of reporting on corruption or political failure. This possibility motivates this paper’s central hypothesis that where corruption is high, citizens are more likely to view reporting on government mistakes and corruption as harmful to the country. Put differently, corruption may shape not only the supply of news (through censorship or self-censorship) but also the demand for scrutiny – public support for watchdog journalism itself. Accordingly, the paper addresses two core questions: (1) What do Africans think about media involvement in investigating and reporting government wrongdoing? (2) How is corruption related to citizens’ views on media reporting of government wrongdoing? I test the hypothesis and address the questions by conducting a multilevel logistic regression analysis based on Afrobarometer Round 9 (2021/2023) data from 39 African countries. The aim is to bring citizens’ attitudes into a discussion that often focuses on institutions, newsroom practices, and content framing (Stapenhurst, 2000; Solis & Antenangeli, 2017; Fadairo, Fadairo, & Aminu, 2014; Quayle & West, 2025). The results show that most Africans want the press to investigate and report on government mistakes and corruption. However, the relationship between corruption and support for media scrutiny is nuanced. At the country level, citizens in countries with weaker corruption control are more likely to say that reporting on government wrongdoing harms the country. If corruption can erode support for investigative reporting, it weakens an important accountability mechanism precisely where it is most needed. However, a very different outcome emerges when we examine perceptions of corruption at the individual level: Those who perceive corruption as widespread are more likely to support media reporting on the issue, indicating that they are less likely to share concerns about potential detrimental effects of media exposure of corruption on the country’s image.
Topic:
Corruption, Government, Democracy, and Media
Political Geography:
Africa

25. Digitalization and the politics of tax in low-income states

Author:
Alex Yeandle
Publication Date:
11-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
The digitalization of low-income economies has made it easier for governments to collect tax, yet many still fail to raise adequate revenues. Why would policy makers in urgent need of resources not fully leverage these new tools? I argue that governments remain constrained by public opinion: digital taxes are perceived as unfair, unaccountable, and lacking tangible benefit among the large groups of voters they affect. As a result, public support for digital taxes depends heavily on how they are designed. I test this argument with a conjoint experiment in Malawi focused on mobile transaction levies, a common form of digital tax introduced across Africa that has provoked strong backlash. Specific design choices, like earmarking revenues for local services or exempting small-scale users, can significantly affect support. This underscores broader political constraints on building fiscal capacity, even as technical limits on the state recede.
Topic:
Government, Public Opinion, Tax Systems, Digitalization, and Fiscal Capacity
Political Geography:
Global Focus

26. Strengthening Open Government Data for Digital Cooperation in ASEAN

Author:
Hilmy Prilliadi and Mahirah Mahusin
Publication Date:
08-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Abstract:
Open Government Data (OGD) can play a pivotal role in advancing data-driven policymaking and fostering innovation, particularly in addressing complex challenges such as climate change, inequality, and urbanisation. Despite progress in several ASEAN Member States, however, OGD development across the region remains fragmented and constrained by regulatory, cultural, technical, and institutional gaps. The absence of regional standardisation and a clear sectoral lead continues to limit cross-border co-operation and the realisation of shared economic and social benefits. Integrating OGD frameworks and provisions into trade and digital economy agreements – most notably the forthcoming ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) – offers a strategic opportunity to establish a common foundation for data accessibility, usability, and protection. Drawing on lessons from international agreements and global open data initiatives, this policy brief provides practical recommendations to strengthen OGD ecosystems in ASEAN, including targeted capacity building, sector-specific applications, and collaborative mechanisms to align national initiatives with regional priorities.
Topic:
Government, Science and Technology, ASEAN, Data, and Data Governance
Political Geography:
Asia

27. Mainstreaming Transitional Justice in Syria: A Proposal for Ministerial Integration

Author:
Mansour Omari
Publication Date:
09-2025
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Arab Reform Initiative (ARI)
Abstract:
The establishment of Syria's National Commission for Transitional Justice (NCTJ) on 17 May 2025 marks a crucial step in the country’s pursuit of transitional justice. However, given the immense scope of past violations, the widespread destruction and damage across the country, and the large number of affected individuals, a singular, centralized commission is insufficient. To better address the legacy of systemic abuses, it is imperative to integrate transitional justice operations directly into the fabric of governance. This paper argues for a whole-of-government approach by establishing a dedicated transitional justice (TJ) office or focal point within every relevant ministry. This approach transcends traditional, centralized mechanisms, aiming to embed accountability, reconciliation, and victim-centered processes directly into policy-making and service delivery. This paper outlines the potential functions of these ministerial units, details the necessary conditions for their success, and argues that this transformative stride is essential for effective transitional justice implementation. The rationale for a whole-of-government approach is multifaceted. Firstly, abuses during the conflict were not confined to specific security forces but permeated various state apparatuses, including those responsible for healthcare, education, and property. Addressing these, therefore, requires a sector-specific understanding and response. Secondly, it fosters a culture of accountability and human rights within the bureaucracy itself, thereby preventing future abuses. Thirdly, it ensures that policy-making and service delivery are inherently informed by the imperative of non-repetition of violations and victim redress. It also makes a case for why this integrated approach is essential to rebuilding citizen trust in the state apparatus and preventing the recurrence of abuses. Nearly every ministry, irrespective of its primary function, has a role to play in transitional justice. Consequently, a Transitional Justice Integration Unit (TJIU), or a designated focal point, should be established within each ministry, reporting directly to and coordinating with the Minister or Deputy Minister, as well as the NCTJ. These units would ideally be staffed by individuals possessing expertise in human rights, law, social sciences, and crucially, a nuanced understanding of the specific ministry's operations and its historical context within the conflict. The establishment of these units should be mandated by a legal framework from the government in consultation with the NCTJ and other experts, which would also lead the training and capacity building for the TJIU staff to ensure a consistent approach across all ministries.
Topic:
Government, Transitional Justice, Syrian War, and Post-Conflict
Political Geography:
Middle East and Syria

28. The 2023 Nevada Budget: Record Surpluses, Cautious Optimism, and Bipartisan Support for K-12 Education and State Employees

Author:
Brad Johnson and David Damore
Publication Date:
01-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
California Journal of Politics and Policy
Institution:
Institute of Governmental Studies, UC Berkeley
Abstract:
In June of 2023, the Nevada Legislature passed the state’s 2023-2025 budget. Buoyed by continued increases in the state’s share of the sales taxes and revenue tied to gaming, entertainment, and tourism as well as business activity, the $10.9 billion general fund budget was the largest in Nevada’s history. After four years of unified Democratic control of state government, the 2023 session was the first budget passed under divided government since 2017. While partisan and interbranch tensions were ever present as evidenced by a record 75 vetoed bills, Nevada’s Republican governor and Democratic-controlled legislature supported substantial investments in K-12 education and state employees. Enthusiasm for long-term spending obligations, however, was tempered by the fact that the general fund budget’s two largest revenue drivers—sales and gaming taxes—fluctuate with macroeconomic conditions. The continued reliance on these revenue sources perpetuates Nevada’s history of booms and busts and undermines the state’s ability to make long-term investments in its human capital and physical infrastructure. Consequently, the budget choices adopted by the governor and legislature reflected broad compromises and investments, while other areas, including costly but much needed reforms to state government, went unaddressed.
Topic:
Education, Government, Budget, and State Legislature
Political Geography:
North America, United States of America, and Nevada

29. Into the Unknown: The 2024 Washington State Legislative Session & Beyond

Author:
Michael Artime, Erin Richards, and Francis Benjamin
Publication Date:
01-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
California Journal of Politics and Policy
Institution:
Institute of Governmental Studies, UC Berkeley
Abstract:
In this paper, we discuss the political and budgetary landscape of Washington State. With consistent Democratic leadership—in the governor’s mansion and with respect to legislative priorities—the state has been able to advance a more liberal policy agenda than states without Democratic majorities. In this session, the legislature voted to invest in the development of affordable housing, behavioral health initiatives, and policies designed to curb climate change. However, ballot initiatives in November might serve as a significant impediment to these policy pursuits. Voters will decide whether to keep the cap-and-trade climate policy, the capital gains tax, and the long-term care program for the state. The cap-and-trade policy, as well as the capital gains tax, serves as a means of revenue generation and the elimination of these resources would upend the budget in important ways moving forward.
Topic:
Government, Budget, Democratic Party, and State Legislature
Political Geography:
Washington, North America, and United States of America

30. Should Newsom Stay or Should He LAO? California’s 2024-2025 Budget

Author:
Brian DiSarro and Wesley Hussey
Publication Date:
01-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
California Journal of Politics and Policy
Institution:
Institute of Governmental Studies, UC Berkeley
Abstract:
The FY 2024-25 budgeting cycle in California was far less chaotic than the previous year, when a record $100 billion budget surplus morphed into a widening deficit. This time, Democratic Gavin Newsom and the Democratic controlled legislature had to tackle that mounting deficit as the state’s economy stalled, specifically among the wealthiest Californians, who fund a large portion of the state’s government. Neither Newsom nor the two new Democratic legislative leaders had experienced a budget deficit in office, which made coordination additionally tricky. The state is in much better shape than previous deficits, however, with a large reserve and strong budget resilience among its leaders. One problem- the governor increasingly reports different budget numbers than the state’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst Office (LAO), which assesses the administration’s budget for the legislature.
Topic:
Government, Budget, Democratic Party, State Legislature, and Gavin Newsom
Political Geography:
California, North America, and United States of America