Number of results to display per page
Search Results
2162. Morocco's Experience With Poverty Reduction: Lessons for the Arab World
- Author:
- Lahcen Achy
- Publication Date:
- 12-2010
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Abstract:
- Morocco has made remarkable progress reducing poverty over the last decade. Today, less than 9 percent of its population is considered poor, compared with 162 percent a decade ago—a notable achievement for a country of 32 million people that lacks significant natural resources. This trend deserves closer examination to understand the reasons for the drop in poverty and identify policy lessons for other countries both in and outside the region.
- Topic:
- Poverty and Governance
- Political Geography:
- Middle East, Arabia, and North Africa
2163. Final Report: Limited Assessment Mission to the March 2010 Villagers Committee Elections in Yunnan Province, China
- Publication Date:
- 05-2010
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Carter Center
- Abstract:
- One of the most important democratic experiments of the last 25 years has been the movement in more than 600,000 villages across China toward open, competitive elections, allowing 75 percent of the nation's 1.3 billion people to elect their local leaders. For over a decade, at the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs and the National People's Congress, The Carter Center has worked to help standardize the vast array of electoral procedures taking place in this new democratic environment and foster better governance in local communities. Since 1996, The Carter Center has observed numerous village elections, provided training to local government officials on electoral procedures, and helped conduct a nation-wide survey on villager self-governance.
- Topic:
- Communism, Democratization, and Governance
- Political Geography:
- China and Asia
2164. Final Report : Observation Mission of the Bolivia Voter Registration 2009
- Publication Date:
- 11-2010
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Carter Center
- Abstract:
- The Dec. 6, 2009, presidential and legislative elections were the first elections held under the new constitution of the Plurinational State of Bolivia. The high rate of citizen participation in the voter registration process and the general elections confirmed that the Bolivian people have a strong commitment to democratic life and that elections are regarded as a legitimate means to settle differences. The Carter Center mission in Bolivia was targeted, focusing on long-term observation of the voter registration process. As such, the mission did not conduct a comprehensive assessment of the entire electoral process. The Carter Center opened a field office in La Paz that operated from Aug. 15 to Dec. 15. During this time, voter registration was assessed through direct observation, as well as technical and legal analysis. The mission also included a limited observation of the Dec. 6 general elections. The mission was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation. This report covers the findings of The Carter Center mission.
- Topic:
- Democratization and Governance
- Political Geography:
- Latin America and Bolivia
2165. The Constitutional History of U.S. Foreign Policy: 222 Years of Tension in the Twilight Zone
- Author:
- Walter A. McDougall
- Publication Date:
- 09-2010
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Foreign Policy Research Institute
- Abstract:
- In 1973, Congress passed the infamous War Powers Resolution (WPR), over Richard Nixon’s veto. It was perhaps the most ambitious Congressional effort to bridle the President since the battle with Andrew Johnson over Reconstruction. The WPR is worth reading—once—then forgetting, because its convoluted, contradictory, and doubtless unconstitutional mix of instructions, restrictions, and ticking clocks has never been honored by any administration or upheld by any court. Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush all dispatched U.S. forces into combat situations without paying more than lip service to the WPR. In 1990, following Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait, President Bush stationed 100,000 personnel in Saudi Arabia. He sought no authorization and, in fact, informed just one member of Congress: Senator Sam Nunn (D., Ga.). When he then prepared Operation Desert Storm to liberate Kuwait, 54 Congressmen led by the chairman of House Armed Services Committee, Berkeley radical Ron Dellums (D., Calif.), filed for an injunction to stop the war. U.S. District Judge Harold H. Greene ran for cover. Noting that 54 fell far short of a majority, he judged the case “not ripe for judicial determination.”
- Topic:
- Foreign Policy, War, Governance, Law, and Constitution
- Political Geography:
- United States
2166. The Chinese Defense Economy's Long March from Imitation to Innovation
- Author:
- Tai Ming Cheung
- Publication Date:
- 09-2010
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC)
- Abstract:
- Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, China's defense science, technology, and innovation (DSTI) system has been vigorously developing a comprehensive set of innovation capabilities that will eventually allow it to join the world's top tier of military technological powers. Ample access to financial, human, and research resources; strong political support; inflows of foreign technologies and know-how; and the introduction of advanced modes of governance, market competition, and management are producing significant progress, although from a low base. But long-term success is far from assured as daunting structural bottlenecks stand in the way, not the least of which is the struggle to overcome a long history of debilitating Socialist central planning.
- Topic:
- Defense Policy, Economics, Markets, Science and Technology, and Governance
- Political Geography:
- China and Asia
2167. Parliamentary War Powers Around the World, 1989-2004. A New Dataset
- Author:
- Dirk Peters, Wolfgang Wagner, and Cosima Glahn
- Publication Date:
- 12-2010
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)
- Abstract:
- War powers have been contested between governments and parliaments throughout the history of democratic politics and political theory. On the one hand, the authorisation of standing armies, of conscription and of taxes for the purpose of waging war has been the raison d'être of early modern parliamentarianism ever since the English nobility reached a constitutional settlement in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Moreover, as few decisions potentially have a more severe impact on the lives of citizens than decisions regarding military missions, one can argue that no meaningful notion of democracy could possibly exempt them from parliamentary control (see Lord, 2008). On the other hand, theorists of democratic politics have been concerned that parliamentary influence over military deployments would threaten to undermine executive flexibility and thus hamper the effectiveness of military operations. Machiavelli, Locke, Montesquieu and de Tocqueville all argued that the executive should be able to decide autonomously over the deployment of armed forces (see Damrosch, 2002: 43; Owens and Pelizzo, 2009). Both arguments have survived significant changes in the nature of armed conflict, with self-defence and peace-support missions replacing war as legal and legitimate forms of military force (Neff, 2005).
- Topic:
- Democratization, Political Theory, History, and Governance
- Political Geography:
- United States
2168. Parliamentary War Powers: A Survey of 25 European Parliaments
- Author:
- Sandra Dieterich, Hartwig Hummel, and Stefan Marschall
- Publication Date:
- 12-2010
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)
- Abstract:
- This paper presents a survey of parliamentary 'war powers' based on a comprehensive and detailed review of the degrees and institutional forms of parliamentary involvement in military security policy-making. As our original research project focused on the involvement of European Union (EU) states in the recent Iraq war, we present data for the then 25 member and accession states of the EU as of early 2003. This survey of parliamentary war powers covers the legislative, budgetary, control, communicationrelated and dismissal powers of the respective parliaments relating to the use of military force. Referring to this data, we distinguish five classes of democratic nation-states, ranging from those with 'very strong' to those with only 'very weak' war powers of the respective national parliament.
- Topic:
- Security, Defense Policy, Democratization, Governance, and Law
- Political Geography:
- Iraq and Europe
2169. Measuring Security Sector Governance – A Guide to Relevant Indicators
- Author:
- Ursula C. Schroeder
- Publication Date:
- 01-2010
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)
- Abstract:
- The growing frequency and scope of externally supported security sector reform processes has sparked demand for tools to assess changes in security sector governance in states around the world. This paper takes a first small step towards this goal. By mapping the diverse indicator sets relevant for security sector governance, it provides an overview of currently available data about the quality of security provision and security sector governance among states. In its first part, the paper specifies its understanding of security sector governance and discusses the uses and limits of qualitative and quantitative indicators to measure security sector governance. The paper then provides a comprehensive overview of existing security- and governance-related indexes and assesses their contribution to measuring change in security sector governance over time and across cases. Finally, the paper's extensive 'source guide for security sector governance indicators' provides brief profiles of the discussed indicators and their data sources, and outlines variations in the scope, coverage and methodology of the various indicators
- Topic:
- Conflict Prevention, Security, Defense Policy, and Governance
- Political Geography:
- United Nations
2170. The Role of Penal Reform in Security Sector Reform
- Author:
- Megan Bastick
- Publication Date:
- 01-2010
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)
- Abstract:
- Penal reform activities have been carried on in Europe and the United States since at least the late eighteenth century. Security sector reform (SSR), a much newer concept, is a governance-driven approach that looks to strengthen the roles of both state and non-state actors to deliver security to individuals and communities. As such, attention to the penal system is important in any comprehensive SSR process. However, much SSR programming overlooks penal elements, and lessons learnt through long experience in penal reform have not been applied to other SSR activities. There is limited discourse between the penal reform community of practice and the wider SSR community.
- Topic:
- Security, Governance, Law, and Prisons/Penal Systems
- Political Geography:
- United States and Europe
2171. Pakistan in the Danger Zone
- Author:
- Shuja Nawaz
- Publication Date:
- 06-2010
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Atlantic Council
- Abstract:
- The Afghanistan war may be lost on the battlefields of Pakistan, where a vicious conflict is now being fought by Pakistan against a homegrown insurgency spawned by the war across its Western frontier. A year after we at the Atlantic Council raised a warning flag about the effects of failure in Afghanistan and the need to meet Pakistan's urgent needs in its existential war against militancy and terrorism, the situation in Pakistan remains on edge. Domestic politics remain in a constant state of flux, with some progress toward a democratic polity overshadowed by periodic upheavals and conflicts between the ruling coalition and the emerging judiciary. The military's actions against the Taliban insurgency appear to have succeeded in dislocating the homegrown terrorists but the necessary civilian effort to complement military action is still not evident. The government does not appear to have the will or the ability to muster support for longer-term reform or sustainable policies. The economy appears to have stabilized somewhat; but security, governance, and energy shortages are major challenges that require strong, consistent, incorruptible leadership rather than political brinkmanship, cronyism, and corruption that remains endemic nationwide. Recent constitutional developments offer a glimmer of hope that may allow the civilian government to restore confidence in its ability to deliver both on the domestic and external front. But the government needs to stop relying on external actors to bail it out and take matters into its own hands.
- Topic:
- Security, Development, Economics, Government, Governance, and Reform
- Political Geography:
- Afghanistan and Southeast Asia
2172. The Moscow metro bombings and terrorism in Russia
- Author:
- Andrew Monaghan
- Publication Date:
- 06-2010
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- NATO Defense College
- Abstract:
- The terrorist attacks in Moscow on 29 March that killed 40 and injured over 100, and the subsequent attacks in Dagestan and Ingushetia highlight a serious problem in Russia. The Russian authorities, led by President Medvedev, quickly responded by promising the swift pursuit and the destruction of the terrorists, the review and improvement of anti-terrorism procedures and enhancement of social and economic measures to address the causes of terrorism in the North Caucasus. Two criminal cases were opened with the charges of terrorism, and an operational and investigation group established, initially comprised of 30 people drawn from the Investigative Committee of the General Procurators Office (SK) and Federal Security Service (FSB). Moscow also linked the attacks to the international context, noting both the international training and preparation of the terrorists and thus the need for international cooperation to address the issue.
- Topic:
- International Cooperation, Terrorism, Governance, and Reform
- Political Geography:
- Russia, Moscow, and North Caucasus
2173. El Presupuesto y el Gasto Público en Paraguay: aportes para un mejor entendimiento 2000 – 2009
- Author:
- Walter A. Zárate
- Publication Date:
- 12-2010
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Centro de Análisis y Difusión de la Economía Paraguaya (CADEP)
- Abstract:
- Los Estudios sobre Finanzas Públicas son preparados en el marco del proyecto Observatorio Fiscal y Presupuestario (OFIP), iniciativa del Centro de Análisis y Difusión de la Economía Paraguaya (CADEP), con el apoyo de la Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID).
- Topic:
- Governance, Economy, Fiscal Policy, and Public Spending
- Political Geography:
- South America and Paraguay
2174. Multiculturalism in the Governance of the European Union and Contributions of Turkey's Accession
- Author:
- Cansu Arisoy
- Publication Date:
- 09-2010
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- BILGESAM (Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies)
- Abstract:
- Since 1920s Turkey and Europe have been in a continuous interaction. This active relationship has become more dynamic with the beginning of the accession process in the early 1990s. In this modern world where national borders are almost abolished with the impact of rising globalism the EU must show its authority as a consolidative power. In this respect EU can benefit from Turkey in many ways. In this article these benefits are discussed in terms of Turkey’s Muslim identity, population, energy and security. The benefits that will be provided by Turkey if it enters into the Union are handled on a socio-cultural basis.
- Topic:
- Globalization, Governance, Multiculturalism, and European Union
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Turkey
2175. Means to What End? Policymaking and State-Building in Afghanistan
- Author:
- Sarah Parkinson
- Publication Date:
- 11-2010
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU)
- Abstract:
- Afghanistan has been in “state-building” mode since 2001, and formal policymaking has been an important tool for focusing and coordinating the efforts of the Afghan government and its international supporters. This synthesis paper considers the role that high-level policymaking has actually played, through a comparative analysis of five different recent examples of policymaking including the drafting of the Afghan National Development Strategy and the controversial Shiite personal status law. It highlights both the high level of donor influence on shaping policy, and the limited effectiveness of policies themselves.
- Topic:
- Development, Nationalism, Governance, State Building, and Domestic Policy
- Political Geography:
- Afghanistan and Middle East
2176. Capacity-Building Through Policymaking: Developing Afghanistan’s National Education Strategic Plan
- Author:
- Dana Holland
- Publication Date:
- 10-2010
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU)
- Abstract:
- This briefing paper examines the capacity-building and policymaking nexus through an examination of the National Education Strategic Plan and its revision. It finds that while clear strides have been made in developing the capacity of the Ministry of Education to plan for itself, building all the necessary capacities across such a large and dispersed organisation is a daunting and complex task.
- Topic:
- Security, Education, Governance, and Bureaucracy
- Political Geography:
- Afghanistan and Middle East
2177. Governance and Transformative Leadership in Africa: Progress, Prospects and Challenges
- Author:
- Sten Rylander
- Publication Date:
- 09-2010
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)
- Abstract:
- Sten Rylander, in the development memoir entitled “Governance and Transformative Leadership in Africa: Progress, prospects and challenges” discusses the aspect of peace and security that remains critical development factor for Africa. This calls for transformative leadership that can sets visions, provide selfless and capable leadership to turn the fortunes of the continent around. Africa is viewed as has the potential to become a powerful global player and this can be possible if the continent can transform from aid dependent to self sufficient if the question of leadership is addressed
- Topic:
- Security, Governance, Leadership, and Peace
- Political Geography:
- Africa
2178. Mirage or Reality? Asia’s Emerging Human Rights and Democracy Architecture
- Author:
- Kelley Currie
- Publication Date:
- 12-2010
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Project 2049 Institute
- Abstract:
- The report examines the history, current status and future trends of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), the Bali Democracy Forum (BDF), and the Asia Pacific Democracy Partnership (APDP). The report also looks at the role that key countries in and around the region are playing in the development of these mechanisms, as well as in shaping the broader context for improved human rights and democratic governance.
- Topic:
- Human Rights, Governance, Democracy, and ASEAN
- Political Geography:
- Asia
2179. Macroeconomic Surveillance Within the EU
- Author:
- Marek Dabrowski
- Publication Date:
- 11-2010
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
- Abstract:
- The new European Union (EU) economic governance package released by the European Commission on September 29, 2010 includes two major components, i.e., changes and amendments to the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) and new regulation on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances within the EU and European Monetary Union (EMU). While the first piece offers a certain improvement in the EU fiscal surveillance rules the second one looks deeply flawed and operationally unenforceable.
- Topic:
- Debt, Financial Crisis, Governance, European Union, Macroeconomics, and European Monetary Union
- Political Geography:
- Europe
2180. Causes for Participation in hegemonic Governance
- Author:
- Cornelia Beyer
- Publication Date:
- 04-2009
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Alternatives: Turkish Journal of International Relations
- Institution:
- Center for International Conflict Resolution at Yalova University
- Abstract:
- This article argues that the causes for participation in Global Governance are to be found in part in the mere structure of it. In the debate about Global Governance, largely, the issue of power is neglected. However, we certainly deal with a hegemonic constellation. Therefore, the power is present and exerted in Global Governance. It is argued here, that the exertion of power in Global Governance by the United States is causal for participation in it. The study looks at the Global Governance of Counterterrorism, i.e. the Global War on Terrorism, and the regional organizations of ASEAN and the EU.
- Topic:
- Terrorism, War, and Governance
- Political Geography:
- United States and Asia