Corruption, Gender Equality and Feminist Strategies
by Bo Rothstein
Quality of Government Institute (University of Gothenburg, Sweden)
'Working Paper'
This paper interrogates four established factors: corruption in its various forms is a serious social ill; democracy is not a foolproof cure against corruption; increased gender equality seems to be one important factor in getting corruption under control; and impartiality in the exercise of public power has a powerful effect on lowering corruption. Like representative democracy, meritocracy may be a far from ideal solution for lowering corruption and thereby promoting human well-being, but it may be the least bad of existing alternatives.
Public Trust in Elections: The Role of Election Administration Autonomy and Media Freedom
by Nicholas Kerr, Anna Lührmann
'Working Paper'
As multiparty elections have become a global norm, scholars and policy experts regard public trust in elections as vital for regime legitimacy; however, very few cross-national studies have examined the consequences of electoral manipulation, including the manipulation of election administration and the media, on citizens' trust in elections. This paper addresses this gap by exploring how autonomy of election management bodies and media freedom individually and conjointly shape citizens' trust in elections.
Donald Trump and US-Russian Relations: Geopolitical Bromance or Business-as-usual?
by Flemming Splidsboel Hansen
Danish Institute for International Studies (Copenhagen, Denmark)
'Policy Brief'
The Russian regime is ready to re-set its troubled relationship with the USA. While hopes are high, specific expectations are lower and the Trump presidency may eventually offer Russia a smaller action space than suggested by the campaign statements. The 2016 US presidential election was unusually dramatic; part of the drama was allegedly provided by the Russian authorities as some of their state-sponsored hackers broke into servers of the Democratic National Committee and released compromising emails immediately prior to the July 2016 Democratic Party Convention.
State-led Nationalism in Today's Russia: Uniting the People with Conservative Values?
by Veera Laine
Finnish Institute of International Affairs (Helsinki, Finland)
'Working Paper'
This paper focuses on Russian state-led nationalism in the changing ideational environment between 2012 and 2016, and how it has been received by the general population. In this time, encompassing the Sochi Winter Olympics, the occupation of Crimea, the continuing war in Donbas, military engagement in Syria, and the state seeking new legitimacy during the deepening economic crisis, the way in which the Russian state leadership has used nationalism in order to achieve its political goals has included authoritarianism, conservatism, and even imperialism.
Brexit's Impact on the EU Institutions: Immediate Implications and
Possibilities for Reform
by Teija Tiilikainen
Finnish Institute of International Affairs (Helsinki, Finland)
'Policy Brief'
The direct implications of Brexit for the EU's political system will be less significant than the indirect consequences, opening up possibilities for reform. The treaty rules on a qualified majority in the Council might need to be reconsidered due to Brexit, which will also lead to a major reshuffle of the EU's critical political groups in the European Parliament after the 2019 EP elections. If the treaties are reopened, principled amendments to the institutions and decision-making of the common foreign and security policy as well as further steps within the common security and defence policy are very likely to occur.
A Radical Defence for Democracy: Allow Space for Anti-Democratic Speech
by Tobias Gemmerli
Danish Institute for International Studies (Copenhagen, Denmark)
'Policy Brief'
Freedom of expression is viewed to encourage the spread of radical idea and the formation of radical groups and communities; however, these democratic freedoms can also be part of the solution. This paper argues for a more democratic approach to those who challenge democracy, as such freedoms can generate public debate about the allegations and utopian ideas put forward by radical and anti-democratic movements; and can beckon these movements out into public space and uncover their counter-cultural modus operandi.
Media and Politics in the Wake of the Arab Uprisings
Center for International and Regional Studies, Georgetown University (Doha, Qatar)
'Special Report'
The historic events of the Arab uprisings have been accompanied by profound changes in the role of traditional and new media across the Middle East. Early in the revolts, printed and electronic media played critical roles in disseminating information within and across national boundaries. As the uprisings grew in both intensity and scale, new media joined satellite television in helping facilitate popular mobilization aimed at overthrowing authoritarian establishments. Today, satellite television and the internet have become consequential in countries where popular uprisings are being cast in a sectarian light by some national and international actors.
Navigating Complexity: Climate, Migration and Conflict in a Changing World
Wilson Center (Washington D.C., USA)
'Working Paper'
Climate change is expected to contribute to the movement of people through a variety of means; there is also significant concern climate change may influence violent conflict. But our understanding of these dynamics is evolving quickly and sometimes producing surprising results. This paper explores the controversial and consequential nexus of global trends. Building from a workshop held at the Wilson Center last year, it provides a background scan of relevant literature and an in-depth analysis of the high-profile cases of Darfur and Syria to discern policy-relevant lessons from the latest research.
The Outlook for Energy Under a Trump Administration: Major Volatility
Ahead
by David L. Goldwyn
Atlantic Council (Washington D.C., USA)
'Special Report'
Oil, gas, and renewable energy markets will face high levels of uncertainty and potentially extreme volatility under a Trump administration in 2017. Some of these uncertainties flow from questions about the new administration's yet-undefined policies on energy production, trade, and climate policy. Others flow from the basket of national security risks that a new US President was destined to inherit. Yet it is Mr. Trump's signaling of major shifts in US foreign policy priorities that may have the greatest near-term impact on energy supply and demand.
Reinvigorating U.S. Economic Strategy in the Asia Pacific
by Charlene Barshefsky, Evan G. Greenberg, Jon M. Hunstman Jr
Centre for Strategic and International Studies (Washington D.C., USA)
'Special Report'
Over the coming decades, no region of the world will shape U.S. economic fortunes more than the Asia Pacific. Today, mutually beneficial relations with the Asia Pacific are challenged by slowing growth, a rise in security tensions, and threats to the U.S.-led order. The rise of China is altering the landscape in profound ways and playing a critical role in the region's prosperity and perceived stability. These economic and security shifts offer opportunities for the United States to strengthen cooperation with emerging economies and reinforce partnerships with established allies.
Public Diplomacy and National Security in 2017
by Katherine A. Brown, Shannon N. Green
Centre for Strategic and International Studies (Washington D.C., USA)
'Special Report'
Expanded access to information, facilitated by new media and communication technologies, has greatly empowered non-state actors and strengthened their role in international politics, and allowed citizens to increasingly influence governments' decision-making on domestic and foreign affairs. The new global landscape requires foreign ministries and diplomats to go beyond traditional diplomacy and deepen relationships via public diplomacy through informational, educational, and cultural programs that develop relationships with influential leaders and opinion-makers in civil society, commerce, media, politics, and faith communities worldwide.
Top Risks and Ethical Decisions, 2017
A conversation with Ian Bremmer
Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs (Washington D.C., USA)
'Video'
Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, discusses his company's annual top political risks for 2017 and their ethical implications. Topics include the potential challenges from a Trump administration, the moral legacy of President Obama's foreign policy, human rights in the Middle East, the fate of liberalism in Europe and the world, and the dangers of populism.
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