bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reconsidering the Normative Power of European Human Security Agenda
Authors: Zabyelina Yulyia
Published: November 2019

Previously operationalized under the “soft” or “civilian”, “normative” has become one of the most commonly used titles of the European Union actorness in the world. Optimistic arguments have celebrated the uniqueness of the EU normative power, while critical approaches, on the contrary, questioned the effectiveness and consistency of such an agenda. In the context of the changing global security landscape, this paper seeks to explore the EU-led value-added discourse on human security and its significance. First, it analyzes the concept of human security within the abundance of diverse interpretations. Second, it examines how and why human security agenda was incorporated into the European Security Strategy (ESS). Finally, it explores whether human security agenda plays an important role in the formation of the ESS or it is merely a good-sounding label for political rhetoric.
The Dynamics of (Personalized) Party Identification in the Second Italian Republic
Authors: Garzia Diego
Published: November 2019

Previous literature (e.g., McAllister 2007) has plainly assumed that the ‘personalization of politics’ in Western democracies is in large part due to the widespread ‘partisan dealignment’ going on in these societies. This paper provides an assessment of the causal relationship between these two phenomena in the Second Italian Republic, attempting to demonstrate that partisan dealignment is caused by – and not a cause of – the personalization of politics. Alternative explanations for the rapid weakening of partisan ties in the period 1994-2008 will be evaluated; then, it will be shown the prominence of leaders’ image among the determinants of individual (de)alignment with political parties; finally, it will be revealed how a generalized decrease in the number of partisan is linked to the (equally generalized) deterioration of the overall image of political leaders.
The Decline and Fall of the LDP in Japan
Authors: Baldvinsson Hrannar
Published: November 2019

This article explores the reason why the LDP has stayed so long in power and why it ultimately fell out. It begins by giving an overview of the political situation in Japan in the past decades. It then proceeds to explain the main theories on why the LDP stayed so long in power and maintains that the main contributing factor has been a weak opposition. Finally it discusses how the new party has distinguished itself from former opposition parties and how and why the LDP had failed to meet that challenge. Keywords: Liberal Democratic Party, Democratic Party of Japan, Elections, New Komeito, Japan Communist Party, Japan socialist Party, Junichiro Koizumi, Shinzo Abe, Taro Aso.
China, Japan and Asean Energy Politics
Authors: Henzel John
Published: November 2019

Because China's demand for hydrocarbons is rapidly increasing and Japan remains dependent upon foreign sources, energy resources in the East Asia play a pivotal role in security policies of two of the largest energy consumers on the planet. While both nations are attempting to secure a steady supply of resources through cooperative "soft power" efforts, violent clashes in the South China Sea indicate that China's security policy may be more military focused than Beijing indicates.
Public Opinion Research in Political Science
Authors: Olmastroni Francesco
Published: November 2019

Since the late nineteenth century, the tension generated by the lumping of subjective and personal opinion with objective and common public as a single concept is matter that urged scholars to provide a comprehensive definition of public opinion. This article is intended to trace the history of the modern study of public opinion in political science. It begins with a description of the early theoretical works and their attempts to investigate the mass public through systematic and normative analyses, and then focuses on the individual and psychological dimension examined by contemporary empirical works. The article draws some conclusions on both the main achievements and the most manifested limitations that this branch of political analysis must overcome in order to better understand the relationship between public opinion and democratic governance.
Neoconservatism and American Foreign Policy
Authors: McGlinchey Stephen
Published: November 2019

Neoconservatism has been clearly visible in domestic American politics since the late 1960s, though it has only come to the fore internationally in recent years due to the heavily neoconservative influenced direction of the Bush administration in its formative years after 9/11, principally through its prosecution of its War on Terror and via the rhetoric of the President himself. As a much misunderstood term, subject to media jingoism and heated partisan rhetoric in every corner of the globe, this article establishes exactly what neoconservatism is in relation to foreign policy via a reading of key neoconservative literature and corresponding critiques. Subsequently, using the Bush administration as an example, the article evaluates how neoconservative foreign policy postulates are transferred into reality during the War on Terror. Finally the analysis reaches beyond the Bush administration establishing whether a neoconservative legacy remains active in the present day under the Obama administration.
East Asian Regionalism
Authors: Davis J. Ryan
Published: November 2019

East Asian regionalism is a dynamic process changing the political and economic environment of an increasingly important area of the world. The region has experienced a variety of cooperation mechanisms, including post-war American-led regionalism, the closed regionalism of the 1960s and 1970s, and the new regionalism of the 1980s and 1990s. Yet it was the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis that forced East Asia to embark on a deliberate and concerted effort to construct a regional architecture. Recent successes demonstrate the determination with which this task has been undertaken. The process has also attracted a considerable amount of attention. Despite some overly critical opinions, East Asian regionalism today should be recognized as a decidedly unique process with great deal of promise for the future.
Northern Ireland and Israel-Palestine: Spoilers and the Politics of Inclusion
Authors: Cheallacháin Orla Ní
Published: November 2019

This paper examines the extent to which lessons from the Northern Ireland peace process can be applied to Israel-Palestine. It argues that one of the principle reasons for the Northern Ireland peace process was the decision taken by the British government, in partnership with the Republic of Ireland, to include militant groups in negotiations, on the condition of ceasefire and the adoption of the Mitchell Principles. While noting that there are many unique structural aspects of the Northern Ireland case it is argued that the adoption of a similarly inclusive process may reignite the peace process in the Middle East. The analysis is organised through the framework of „spoilers‟ and the extent to which the concept is useful in understanding the dynamics of peace processes.
"Yes” or “no”: An analysis of the 2010 referendum in Turkey
Authors: Uluğ Özden Melis , Bilgen Arda
Published: November 2019

Referendums are used as last-ditch devices to resolve issues in certain contexts. This was the case in Turkey, as the current Justice and Development Party government decided to hold a constitutional referendum on September 12, 2010 to amend the current Constitution of 1982, ratified by the military junta of 1980- 1983. At the end, 58% of the voters voted “Yes”, as opposed to 42% of “No” votes. However, despite its enormous political and social impact, the subject remains under-researched and in need of explanation. This study gives a snapshot and evaluation of the 2010 referendum campaign according to relevant theories of psychology and political science. Accordingly, this study denotes eleven interrelated factors of crucial importance in similar referendums and discusses their representation in the context of referendum, thus, contributes to the literature in terms of explaining both psychological and political factors in the referendums.
Taoisigh & Prime Ministers’ policies towards extremists in Northern Ireland 1985-1996
Authors: Walsh Dawn
Published: November 2019

Several different explanations of policy change based on notions of learning have emerged in policy literature. These explanations can largely be divided into those that deal with policy learning and those relating to policy adaptation. Policy learning is a fundamental process that involves re-thinking primary values, altering the goals of policy and constructing complex cause and effect chains as the result of processing new knowledge in the policy area provided by epistemic communities. Policy adaptation, on the other hand, is an ad hoc process of change where fundamental values remain constant and only the means of achieving goals change not the goals themselves. This paper applies these possible explanations to the case of the policy change effected by the British and Irish governments in relation to negotiating with extremists in Northern Ireland 1985-1996; a policy change that has been cited as being pivotal to the success of that peace process.
Electoral Reform in a Post-Soviet Republic
Authors: Shavtvaladze Mikheil
Published: November 2019

The paper aims to contribute to the comparative electoral studies in post-soviet sphere, with particular focus on Georgia. Specifically, I tried to examine the major features of the recent electoral reform in Georgia in line with the "theory of post-soviet regime change" and analyzed the extent of the reform's trustworthiness in terms of holding free and fair competitive elections in Georgia. The summary of conclusions drawn from the analysis shows that this particular case of electoral reform can be adequately explained by the theory on post-soviet regime change.
Understanding Russian aggression towards Georgia
Authors: Langlois Michael J.
Published: November 2019

Did Russia initiate conflict with Georgia in an attempt to restrain Georgia from formally joining the Western coalition, or was the decision more complex? What did Russia hope to gain from initiating conflict? What value did Russia assign to maintaining an interest in regional oil trade routes, in which Georgia straddles an important route to the Caspian Sea region? How was the potential incorporation of Georgia into NATO factored into Russia’s decision? To answer these questions, I used the expected-utility model developed by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita. In this analysis, policy preferences and power measurements were considered to determine that Russia’s decision was rationally selected based on a positive expectedutility calculation. I attempted to explain whether this model’s explanatory and predictive capabilities could accurately elucidate Russia’s conflict decision. Furthermore, within the context of the expected-utility model, what can we expect about Russian-Georgian relations in the future?
Why corruption is perceived to be higher in poor countries than in richer countries?
Authors: Rodriguez Olivari Denisse
Published: November 2019

This article will critically examine why corruption is perceived to be higher in poor countries, than in richer countries. It will be argued that narratives corruption has an impact on its definition, perception and measurement of this phenomenon. This article will therefore assess the implications of these three dimensions in the construction of one of the most commonly consulted instrument on the subject, the Corruption Perception Index (CPI). A further analysis of such instrument will help to disaggregate the usual discourse on the subject and supporting ideas behind corruption as it is being measured nowadays.
Psychology, Political Psychology and International Relations
Authors: Hermann Isabella
Published: November 2019

Psychology and international relations theory (IR) share an ambivalent relationship. On the one side psychology is neglected within the theory building of IR, on the other side there exists a large history of psychological approaches within the discipline, as well as interdisciplinary research in the field of political psychology. However, leaving psychology out of IR is not understandable from a psychological point of view since the differentiation between “rationality” on the one side and “irrationality” as psychology on the other side is artificial and contra-empirical. Systematically and naturally incorporating psychology – as for example motives and emotions – in IR would mean to understand international phenomena more profoundly and closer to reality.
A Constant State of War Or A Dog Eat Dog System?
Authors: Andrews Nathan
Published: November 2019

It has become far too fashionable to adopt a (neo)realist approach to world affairs, especially since this approach purports to deal with the ‘here and now’ of international politics. While this perspective can be seductive and even dominating, it is imbued with certain shortfalls that cannot be left unchallenged. (Neo)realism often presents a world that is anarchic, bound by state power and self-interest. Although these are “real” features of world politics, an exclusive concentration on these aspects alone does not present a comprehensive understanding of what states do and why they do what they do. This paper investigates realism, particularly the realism of Hans Morgenthau and Kenneth Waltz, to ascertain the extent to which the assumptions these authors present explain the nature and scope of international relations. The contention is that (neo)realism’s perspective on world affairs is unprogressive, non-transformative, and deterministic of state behaviour, a feature that makes its analysis limited even in capturing the ‘here and now’.
Post Genocide Rwanda
Authors: De Donno Martina
Published: November 2019

M. D. Toft has argued that rebel military victories, that put an end to civil war, results in a higher likelihood of enduring peace and democratization. This research paper explains that, prima facie, this assumption could be the most desired outcome in order to stop violence, but in the long-term it is unlikely to be effective, specially in Rwanda. The 'Rwandan path to democracy', and the umpteenth construction of the identities in this country indeed could be the cause of possible future violence, and not the solution to it. A full respect of the logic of power-sharing and a genuine understanding of the identities instead represent the better alternative to construct a better Rwanda. Kaufmann (1996) stated that 'solutions to ethnic wars do not depend on their causes'. This paper will prove that he is wrong.
Security, Violence and the Sacred
Authors: Mireanu Manuel
Published: November 2019

This paper argues that the rise of anti-immigrant and anti-foreigners violence in Europe in the last years, and their consequential labelling as a threat to the citizens’ security, should be seen not only as effects of government practices. Rather, they should be seen as aspects of deeply embedded social phenomena, through which security and violence are generated and shaped from below, at the level of the society. Violence should be seen as a constitutive force of the community. This paper will then focus on the nexus between security, violence and the sacred. The sacred is able to situate the intrinsic violence of a community in a meaningful context, where its destructive force is converted into the generative force that reinforces the bonds between individuals. The work of Rene Girard on the ‘scapegoat’ will be used to interpret how violence and the sacred converge in the security demand of the population.
A Constructivist Analysis of Turkey- European Union Relations within the Context of Five Phase Spiral Model
Authors: Tezer Özgur
Published: November 2019

This article analyzes the European Union-Turkey relations with regard to human rights reforms in Turkey and particularly the European institutions’ impact on reformation process. It will be argued that the EU has been an active leverage especially after the post-Helsinki period. In this regard, this work will propose that in the absence of domestic forces the European Union promotes progressive steps in Turkey. By analyzing this process and correlation, on the theoretical basis this article will use the Constructivist approach and the Five Phase Spiral Model, which introduce sociological point of view to world politics, underline importance of normative structures. Basically, this work assesses the usefulness and validity of model and Constructivism as an explanation of the changes in the Turkish government’s human rights practices.
Challenges, Cooperation and Paradoxes in the Coca Cocaine Complex
Authors: De Los Ángeles Lasa Mariá
Published: November 2019

The coca-cocaine complex in South America is one of the most serious threats to the region’s political, economic and social institutions. It has infected the public and private sectors with the virus of corruption and violence, and it has brought about the intervention of extra-regional actors that have contributed to worsening the situation. In the fight against this threat since the 1970s, South American countries have had the support of the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) which, these being the world’s largest consumers of cocaine in the world, has become the source of a vicious paradox: the challenges for South American states arise not only from the coca-cocaine complex itself, but also from the cooperation of those world superpowers in the fight against it. This paper analyses both the cooperation among drug actors –an issue that has historically been overlooked–, and the previously mentioned paradox in the case of South American states and the EU.
Rituals in Conflict Resolution
Authors: Bilous Anna
Published: November 2019

While the essay will be mostly concentrated on the role of rituals in resolution of conflicts and promoting negotiations and the impact ritual theory can have on conflict resolution as a discipline, it will also try to address these general questions on substantial issues of conflict resolution development. The essay defends that the study of rituals can substantially deepen the understanding of conflict and conflict resolution in world politics. Therefore, the paper argues that the body of ritual helps to uncover practical ways of tackling the contradiction between universalism and relativism in conflict settlement/transformation. As a unique tool of social order restoration, ritual studies open a new perspective on conflict resolution and, in accordance with a deep conviction of an author? Which one?, give an opportunity to address the critic posed towards conflict resolution as a discipline.
Russia’s position towards the missile shield project
Authors: Geluk’Ashvili Irakli
Published: November 2019

The Russian foreign policy (or the reaction of Russia on any phenomena) has been often analyzed only in terms of the balance of power, leaving aside the importance and scope of subjective and internal factors on its conduct. This article aims to demonstrate that Russia’s position towards the European missile shield reflects internal factors, as well as some subjective factors, which reflect the perceptions of Russian political leaders. More precisely, by analyzing Russia's position vis-à-vis the missile shield, we argue that subjective factors, such as leaders' perceptions, play a key role in the conduct of the Russian foreign and security policy. that the ontological and epistemological foundations of a neoclassical realist approach can help us to establish a logical and conscious process in our analysis. This can be explained in part by the fact that neoclassical realism focuses on internal factors to explain foreign policy.
Political Dogma Stroll’s non political moral decision making
Authors: Noorani Ibrahim , Shakir Khurram , Hussain Muddasir
Published: November 2019

Ethical enigma kernelling concerns about actions against concerns about consequences have been dealt by philosophers and psychologists to measure “universal” moral intuitions. Although these enigmas contain no evident political content, we decipher that liberals are more likely than conservatives to be concerned about consequences, whereas conservatives are more likely than liberals to be concerned about actions. This denouement is exhibited in two large, heterogeneous samples and across several different moral dilemmas. In addition, manipulations of dilemma averseness and order of presentation suggest that this political difference is due in part to different sensitivities to emotional reactions in moral decision-making: Conservatives are very much inclined to “go with the gut” and let affective responses guide moral judgments, while liberals are more likely to deliberate about optimal consequences. In this article, extracting a sample from Western Europe, we report evidence that political differences can be found in moral decisions about issues that have no evident political content. In particular, we find that conservatives are more likely than liberals to attend to the action itself when deciding whether something is right or wrong, whereas liberals are more likely than conservatives to attend to the consequences of the action. Further, we report preliminary evidence that this is partly explained by the kernel of truth from the parodies – conservatives are more likely than liberals to “go with the gut” by using their affective responses to guide moral judgment.
Political Cosmogony
Authors: Nunes Pereira Daniel
Published: November 2019

This essay intends to draw parallels between theories concerning the origins of the State and religion. The similarities are evident in three different matrices, namely, the Myth, the Domination and the Unconscious, studied, respectively, by Phenomenology, Sociology and Psychoanalysis, whereupon, from the perspective of Political Philosophy, the importance of rituals and signs is investigated. Furthermore, this essay undertakes to understand to what extent State and political organization can be parallelized to various cosmogonic and theogonic myths.
The Maguindanao Massacre
Authors: Sarmiento France Jeanne L
Published: November 2019

No previous outbreak of election-related violence in the Philippines could compare to the events that took place in the province of Maguindanao on 23 November 2009, resulting in the death of fiftyseven (57) people. This paper assesses the tragic events dubbed as the “Maguindanao Massacre” by the Philippine press in terms of its repercussions on human security in Maguindanao province, using the seven categories of human security as defined under the 1994 Human Development Report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Future developments to this on-going saga need to be closely monitored and analyzed as part of the citizenry's responsibility to be vigilant, to ensure that any further threats to human security in the Philippines could be promptly addressed.
Features of the International Regulation of Space Activities
Authors: Sidorova Elena
Published: November 2019

To identify key prerequisites for the formation of the international system of space activities regulation, there are analyzed the paper starts with the analysis of four distinctive space security theories. The author compares and contrasts special features relating to the international space activities regulation in the 20th century with the contemporary ones. Apart from the military side of the issue, there is tackled the problem of international private space activities regulation. Three development stages of private space activities are defined. The overall obsolescence of the present international legal system of space activities regulation is proven.
Justice and Democracy in Amartya Sen
Authors: Puggioni Antonio
Published: November 2019

The present paper aims at delivering a critical view of the links between justice and democracy as set by Amartya Sen’s paramount work on these themes, “The Idea of Justice”, by considering the constitutional and political experience of India. A central role will thus be given to the importance of public discussion and reasoning as the basis of democratic thought throughout the world, as Sen postulates. Nevertheless, an analysis of the Indian constitutional process shows how the mere reliance on reason and justice is not sufficient for a successful democratic tradition: the role of liberal values and of the underlying institutional developments is indeed capital for a wider understanding of the democratization process of India. The intertwining of these two aspects, the former socio-philosophical, the latter institutional, will help in reviewing the Indian experience as a demonstration of the maintenance of traditions within a clear framework, and in further expanding the notion to other contexts.
Criminalizing Rape Within Marriage
Authors: Megha
Published: November 2019

The paper is an attempt to bring marital rape under the purview of legal discourse in India with substantive equality approach to problematize the existing defined structure of Indian Rape Law. This paper takes up the challenge to create a legal language on the issue of rape within marriage which is till now absent from the legal and social scenario. The equal treatment of women before and under the law within the context of marital rape is critical to ensuring the recognition of women as full citizens, and ensuring their freedom from violence. This paper examines the following questions: how marital rape contributes to and results from women‘s inequality; how the discriminatory roots of the historical- cultural rationales contributes to the exemption of marital rape from the Indian legal system; how the issue of marital rape has been debated in personal-political scenario from the feminist viewpoint; how equality jurisprudence can support the case for the legal treatment of marital rape claims. This paper questions the socio-legal passivity about the suppression of married women; cultivate the knowledge that helps women to generate their own thinking and to apply that in creating the new subjects, to make the women able to express their disagreements about the consent and to make them aware of their active sexuality to provide them bodily integrity. The paper is, thus, an attempt to emphasise the need to transform the prevailing masochistic heterosexual socio- legal matrix. The paper underlines the need to bring the issue of marital rape in the political sphere by bringing this to the purview of Indian law in both formal and substantive manner.
Legislative Representation and Governability in Brazil
Authors: De Souza Lima Lívia , Desenzi Thiago Henrique
Published: November 2019

Democracy is, ideally, an equality fostering tool in face of different demands present in any given society and that currently is put in practice by a representative democratic model. Nevertheless, several modern thinkers are pointing to an unmeasured scale of interests within the representation spheres, in which the most powerful society’s sectors overcome the less influential social and economical groups, turning democratic representation into an uneven scheme. By having this in mind, this reflection is aimed to make an analysis of the Brazilian democratic representation model, specifically in relation to its majoritarian government composition, that, in this country, is part of a unique legislative model named as “Coalition Presidentialism”. At the composition idealized by the Brazilian National Constitution, the federal parliamentary ministers have the responsibility for the formulation of laws as well as monitoring the executive power in consonance with the will of the society’s sectors that has got them elected by the voting system. The conflict is established though, when the actual governmental practices leave aside the constitutional principle of a plural representation in consequence of economic and power interests that act independently from the diverse interests and needs of other groups belonging to the Brazilian society. It can be argued that the establishment of governmental practices better aligned to the concept of global justice, in the Brazilian case, can be achieved by a better quality democracy, through adequate governance mechanisms and plural representation practices that are capable of attending the distinct demands of diverse society layers. Thus, this article is aimed to present how the Brazilian democratic representation works, exploring its conflicts and deployments and mainly its divergences in relation to the democratic morality that presupposes the existence of gradated ways to the reaching of higher social and political equality levels, closer to the general global justice ideas.
Violence Against Native American Women in the United States
Authors: Di Paolo Jennifer
Published: November 2019

In response to the topic of Global Justice and Human Rights: Country Case Studies, I will discuss the origin and continuation of violence against Native American women in the United States. In a report named Maze of Injustice: The Failure to Protect Indigenous Women from Violence by Amnesty International, the organization deemed the current status of violence against indigenous women one of the most pervasive yet hidden human rights abuses. The U.S Department of Justice has found that Native American and Native Alaskan women are 2.5 times more likely to be raped or sexually assaulted. During an International Expert Group Meeting discussing Combatting Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs declared it a human rights issue of epidemic proportions. One in three Native American women are raped and three in five are physically assaulted. In reference to interracial violence, four out of five Native American victims of sexual assault reported that the perpetrator was white. Unfortunately due to the shame and stigma surrounding topics such as sexual assault and rape it is estimated that in reality these numbers are far higher. Scholars and historians of pre-colonial Native societies have found that during this period women held prominent positions and violence against women was rare. With colonization came a radical change to the role of women in Native society. Gender based violence and the exclusion of women in important positions was a powerful tool used by British settlers to dismantle the structures of native society and ultimately conquer it. Presently, due to the inadequate legal power given to Indian nations the crisis is not being dealt with efficiently. For example, Indian nations are unable to prosecute non-Indian offenders. In my discussion of violence against Native women in the United States I will begin by analyzing its colonial origins. Next I will discuss why this violence persists today with reference to laws and judicial processes. Finally, I will discuss what must be done to end these human rights abuses.
Feeding Truffles to Porcupines
Authors: Tlolka Jakub
Published: November 2019

Traditionally, the West has promoted the commendable cause of human rights because it was here that its contours were eloquently outlined by the champions of early liberalism. We uphold the western societal model because it results from our cumulative efforts to introduce into practice the noble standards conceptualised by John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Thomas Paine, and other influential contractualists. Naturally, we are eager to share its fruits with the world. However, in the process of attempting to export western values we tend to disregard completely the fact that they took centuries to solidify into their present form. Furthermore, we fail to take into account the political and cultural climates which facilitated the advent of democracy and human rights. Further still, although our eagerness to market the products of our civilisation borders on intrusive advertising, we are yet to appreciate completely the qualities they entail. In this paper I shall argue that, in spite of being established theoretical concepts, from a practical perspective, democracy and human rights are novelties. I shall argue that the sociocultural evolutionary process cannot be expedited; that historically, piecemeal reform has taken pragmatic precedence over political adventurism. I shall argue that insofar as the West continues to recklessly impose its cultural ethos upon exotic civilisations, the ideals it espouses will become utterly devoid of authenticity.
Addressing Political Corruption In India
Authors: Kumar Pawan
Published: November 2019

The debate on the relationship between corruption and democracy involves the fundamental issue of the nature of corruption and that of democracy. Both these concepts can be understood in quite different manners. This paper tries to bring corruption into the realm of democratic theory by focusing on the nature of the problem and its effects on democracy. It begins by discussing the various ways in which theorists and thinkers have conceptualized political corruption, making it a complex phenomenon. This explores how political corruption takes root in and thrives in a democracy. The paper also highlights the importance of focusing more on the effects of corruption so that the systemic nature of the problem can be explored. The intention in this paper is not to come up with any grand theory of corruption but it only seeks to problematize the conventional and prevalent understanding of political corruption. Conventionally, corruption has been considered as a moral, individual or social problem but recent approaches to study corruption have tried to establish link between corruption and democracy by focusing on the effects of corruption on democratic institutions and processes. These different understandings have made corruption a contested field of research as it affects economic, social, and political aspects of a political system almost equally. This exercise insists the need of looking at it from institutional perspective as it is engulfed in social, economic and political fields. The paper presents its arguments by acknowledging the link between reducing corruption and broader process of democratization.
Do Democratisation and Global Justice go hand in hand?
Authors: Luís Carla
Published: November 2019

Peace missions often focus on statebuilding policies, being statebuilding a key aspect in these interventions. However, beyond or parallel to the democratisation process, questions regarding global justice arise. In this paper we are going to analyse the situation in Timor-Leste. We are going to argue that, beyond the classic democratisation approach, there are a number of factors that still have to be addressed, and these can be intrinsically related to democracy. We will conclude that the focus of the international interventions, especially within multi-dimensional missions and, therefore, the priorities of the host state, should go beyond the formal democratisation aspect. Social and economic factors, much related to the idea of global justice, should also be present and be a key aspect and result of these interventions.
The Impact of Foreign Aid on Human Rights Violations
Authors: Cebulla Natalie Sophie
Published: November 2019

Despite the vast amount of literature on the effects of foreign aid on democratic and economic structures in the recipient countries, there is a lack of studies focusing on the effect of aid on human rights violations. I consider democracy and human rights as two related concepts and thus any such effects should also be taken into account. This paper aims at finding out whether there is a relationship at all between aid and human rights. I will finish by concluding that there is a slight correlation at the macro level and politics needs to consider this when distributing aid.
Responsibility To Protect: What For?
Authors: Rivera Adelaida
Published: November 2019

On March 17th 2011, the United Nations Security Council approved the Resolution 1973 which authorized the use of force in Libya in order to protect civilians from the attacks performed by the state armed forces. The military action by NATO in Libya has resulted in diverse and divided opinions. The recourse of Responsibility to protect appeared later as a measure intended to be implemented in the ongoing conflict in Syria, but after two failed resolutions, it became clear that some UN Security Council members are not willing to repeat the Libyan scenario. This text aims to examine some basic notions of the R2P concept, its application in Libya and the implications of the results after the Libyan case on its possible application in Syria. Should the discussed objectives behind the application of Responsibility to Protect in the Libyan case and its results be determinant on the decision whether this doctrine can be applied in Syria? Is it possible that the mistakes committed in Libya, the atrocities now experienced in Syria and the non-response by the international community could mark the end of the whole concept of Responsibility to Protect? These questions are intended to be discussed in this paper.
Effects of Democratic Citizenship on Pursuing Global Justice
Authors: Shavtvaladze Mikhail
Published: November 2019

Throughout the world history one particular pattern is obvious that people in all nations desperately strive towards justice. What justice really means and what it entails can have many definitions and explanations ranging from liberty to equal distribution of opportunities, however it often can be also associated with such concepts as democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Although, significant progress have been made in this direction, notably abolishment of slavery, introduction of universal suffrage in most countries, alleviation of poverty, adoption of universal declaration of human rights, severe problems such as authoritarian regimes, conflicts, terrorism, inequality, environmental hazards, human trafficking, inadequate living standards and widespread poverty still largely persists and haunt us. Despite significant differences in attitudes towards global justice from country to country, based on its size, economic power and political influence across the globe, the above mentioned positive steps has been still made, yet plenty of problems still largely remain. Hence, it is interesting to find out how this progress has been achieved, was it global democratic process, economic development or something else. Looking from the perspective of the post-Soviet country such as Georgia, in this paper, firstly, I would like to explore what the concepts of global justice and democratic citizenship mean and how they can be related to each other. Secondly, I would like to find out what is the current state of democracy in Georgia and to what extent active political participation along with strong civil society can influence on pursuing justice not only domestically but also globally. Finally, I would like to examine what are those domestic and global factors that might inhibit the people's aspiration to global justice.
The Limits of Kantianism Towards A Project Of Global Justice
Authors: Nunes Pereira Daniel
Published: November 2019

Western societies believe they can improve human settlements all around the world by universal standards of justice, concerning mainly the distribution of wealth and sound democratic institutions. Such concern arises from the reflections regarding the hodiernal world condition, which is, at large, vile and unjust. These two ways of improving human condition have their mains ideas established on the work of Immanuel Kant. This paper intends, therefore, to understand and foresee the limits and boundaries of these ideas specifically on the contemporary world – plural, polysemic and filled with theoretical uncertainties.
A Boundedly Rational Analysis of Global Distributive Justice
Authors: Volacu Alexandru , Golopenta Iris-Patricia
Published: November 2019

In the present paper we analyze two prominent global distributive justice theories, i.e. Pogge’s Global Resource Dividend theory (1994) and Dorsey’s maxificing welfarism (2005) under an assumption of bounded rationality. We consider that the agencies responsible for distributing resources are informationally constrained in regard to the assessment of economic positions in society and cognitively constrained in regard to the decision making process within the agency. We argue that under these conditions the distributive patterns prescribed by both theories can be severely distorted. Further, in Dorsey’s case bounded rationality can even lead to a complete failure of the theory, since not only are the resulting distributions sub-optimal if we introduce the possibility for a single mistake in the identification process, but they can also be completely redundant by prescribing distributions which are not capable of lifting a single citizen to the minimum level required for the fulfillment of basic needs. We further show that for both theories the identification problem becomes more severe and that the agencies are more susceptible to make mistakes in circumstances of extreme poverty, i.e. the circumstances primarily targeted by the theories. Aside from this main result, we also obtain three secondary results: 1. we extend the ongoing debates in political philosophy between ideal and non-ideal theories and in particular between fact-insensitivity and fact-sensitivity, 2. we provide a preliminary defense of a proportional distributive principle for global justice and 3. we provide a new starting point for the construction of arguments regarding the nature of the agency (e.g. global government, national governments, UN institutions, international NGOs) entitled to distribute resources in global justice theories.
When nationalism meets electoral schemes
Authors: Delcea Sergiu
Published: November 2019

The resurgence of ethno-centered, exclusionary types of nationalisms in Eastern Europe after the fall of the communist regimes in 1989 represents a multi-layered phenomenon with complex ramifications. The aim of this paper is to delve into an extremely complicated case surrounding a very peculiar minority -the Aromanians living in Romania. This analysis aims to show that although Romania's approach to minority representation is a non-essentialist one on paper, the reserved seat system is sometimes still laced with nationalistic overtones. As a minority with a highly debated historical legacy, the Aromanians lack legal recognition and are subjected to an assimilation process that is not always as soft as it might seem. If Romania is to continue its already protracted democratic transition solving the puzzle surrounding the Aromanians seems to be a key stepping stone.
American policy on the Balkans
Authors: Doninovska Frosina
Published: November 2019

The United States of America is a country which left a significant mark and still has a strong influence on the world political scene and the changes in the international relations especially in building the strategy of worldwide foreign policy. The paper will try to give an overview of the events that marked the 1990’s of the last century, with an accent on the breakup of Yugoslavia and the role of U.S. foreign policy in this period. The paper will especially focus on the process of the dissolution of Yugoslavia as well as the role of the United States in the Dayton Agreement and the ways of implementing the peace through the assets of diplomacy. Dayton differed from the traditional methods of negotiation in a way that included the U.S. leadership and its implementation depended on the will of the international community, especially the United States who led the efforts.
Rentier state as an obstacle to development in the Middle East
Authors: Guzowski Andrzej
Published: November 2019

Many Middle Eastern countries, especially the ones in Arabian Peninsula, are well-known for being rich with oil and gas. While it could be considered a blessing by many, it is becoming more and more apparent that the abundance of natural resources in the region is a double-edged sword and a form of a natural resource trap. Many countries have become so-called “rentier states”, funding their operations and their very structures by renting their resources to external actors. While it may seem like a profitable political move at first, said overreliance conserved the structure of economies in the Middle Eastern, never forcing the countries to develop effectively, thus making most of the produced goods, other than oil and gas, uncompetitive on the international market. Long term, it may prove disastrous for the Middle East as eventually the resources are going to get exhausted and said countries will be left with nothing but an economic structure unadjusted to the 21stcentury.
From Yeltsin to Putin
Authors: Lee Wonhee
Published: November 2019

Russia has developed multipolar paradigm in its effort to reobtain the position of the Great Power since it realized that it could not exert influence strong enough to stake its claim in the world politics. The advocacy of a multipolar world order, referred to as the “Primakov Doctrine,” shifted Moscow’s attitude toward the two Koreas as well. In its pursuit of multipolarity in East Asia, Russia has designed its strategy toward Korea’s nuclear crisis and unification to best suit its national interest. Considering the competition among the Great Powers in East Asia, Russia’s Korea policy can better be understood under such a multilateral framework.
Introduction to Objectives of the United States Foreign Policy
Authors: Nagar Chander Busham , Helberg Per , Potkin Fanny
Published: November 2019

Foreign policy of any country is not simply an assemblage of the policy statements of a country, but it also refers to the commitments, the current form of interests, aims and objectives of a government. Thus, in order to understand the foreign policy of any government it becomes vital to understand the country’s national interests and the strategies adopted to achieve it. It has already been proved several times that no government is able to formulate its foreign policy on a clean slate, its policy is always conditioned by its past circumstances. [from the introduction]
African and Latin American Political Regimes in Perspective
Authors: Negrón Wilneida , Peňa Payano Jean , Urrego Sandoval Carolina , Capra Vieira Pedro
Published: November 2019

This year’s IAPSS Africa and Latin American Think Tank Team will examine current socio-economic trends and their impact on political regimes in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. [from the introduction]
From Mere Presence to “Actorness” in International Affairs
Authors: Puigserver Josep Gomilla , Nasieniak Magdalena , Petillo Rachel , Romaniuk Scott Nicholas
Published: November 2019

The European Union (EU), with its 504 million citizens, forms one of the largest markets worldwide accounting for approximately 25% of the world economy. Its (global) role, to a large extent, has been based on its ability to act as a standard-setter through the promotion of its normative foundations, such as democracy and human rights, liberal-market economies, and multilateral governance, making it one of the major development assistance donors. The actual performance of the EU presents an ambiguous assessment of the EU’s “actorness.” [from the introduction]
Terrorist Attacks & Presidential Approval Rating
Authors: Bennett Elizabeth
Published: November 2019

After the attacks of September 11th the U.S. focused much of its foreign policy efforts on the War on Terror and prevention of another attack on U.S. soil. This paper will look at terrorist attacks dating back to 1970 in order to fully understand the impact of terrorist attacks on U.S. presidential approval ratings and the existence of the ‘rally around the flag’ effect during different administrations. Location, lethality, style, and political affiliation of the president will be variables focused on in a pre and post 9/11 context. This paper will give special consideration to 9/11, excluding the attacks in many cases, in order to view if there is a significant stable impact on approval ratings from terrorist attacks over time.