The Mystery of Political Stability in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan: Monarchy and the Crisis of State Governance in the Arab World

Author(s): Bartosz Wróblewski / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2016

Serious political crises observed in the Arab world since 2011 have resulted in the overthrow of or attacks on several dictatorships, but it is interesting to note that deep crises of state structures were observed in the Arab republics, while the monarchies retained political and social stability. The author observes that this is hardly a coincidence, as the monarchs rely on the traditional legitimacy of power, with the reigning dynasties depending either on their descent from Prophet Muhammad or on their contribution to the renewal of Islam. The authority of these monarchs is close to absolute, even in Jordan, where many European arrangements have been adopted (for example, a constitution, parliament, and elections). This text examines several decades in Jordan’s development, focusing on the crises of authority in 1951, 1956–1957, 1967–1970 and 1989–1991. In times of crisis, the Hashemites draw on their prerogatives as absolute rulers, and on the concept of the ruler in Islamic tradition, so Jordan’s history may be presented as an example of the stabilising role of monarchies in the Arab world.

Rozmowa z prezesem Fundacji Polskie Centrum Pomocy Międzynarodowej Wojciechem Wilkiem. Konwoje wyglądają lepiej w świetle kamer…

Author(s): Sławomir Dębski / Language(s): Polish Issue: 2/2017

How Do You Want Me to Address You? – The Macedonian Name Dispute Resolved

Author(s): Krisztián Manzinger / Language(s): English Issue: 17/2020

The Macedonian name dispute, a political debate between Greece and the current Republic of North Macedonia, arose after the break-up of the multi-ethnic Yugoslavia. The issue was overpoliticized for the societies of both countries. The international community followed the dispute, yet it did not exercise any pressure on Greece to cede in a debate seen by many as the stronger bullying the weaker. A breakthrough became achievable when political forces interested in the resolution came into power in both countries in the mid-2010s. The Prespa Agreement, signed in 2018, offered a mutually acceptable resolution and opened the way for North Macedonia to enter the NATO and to the opening of accession talks with the EU in March 2020.

The Chinese Space Program

Author(s): Boris Manov / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2021

The origins or the Chinese Space Program can be traced to the Cold War and the establishment of the missile program by Mao. The Chinese National Space Agency (CNSA) was established in 1993 to help China boost its civil and commercial use of the space sector. In broad terms, the Chinese Space Program is characterized by effective rapid improvement, concentration on transformation, optimization and automation of all digital aspects allowing China to become a leader in the Information Age, with the help of its recently established space structures. The effective investment in technology over the last thirty years has allowed the tech sector to grow exponentially and in turn help China develop a more advanced society, based on that same space technology. Ultimately the Chinese Space Program will continue to improve itself and enhance the stature of China in Space, whilst acknowledging the necessary common effort to conquer the final frontier and let humanity reach the stars.

EXPLORING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG TOURIST-BOUND ECONOMIES

Author(s): Glory Okwo / Language(s): English Issue: 3/2022

The study examines tourism development and economic performance of some selected African countries (Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania) from 1999 to 2021 using a panel Pool Mean Group/ Autoregressive distributed Lag (PMG/ARDL) model. Tourism development was represented by tourism receipt and number of tourists’ arrivals while GDP represented economic growth. The result reveals that tourism receipts (TR) of the selected developing countries is statistically significant in explaining the variation in the growth of their economies. Hence, the study accepted the alternative hypothesis of the study and concluded that: there is a significant relationship between tourism receipts and economic growth of the selected developing countries. Tourism arrivals (TAR) to the selected developing countries is statistically non-significant, implying that it does promote growth in the selected countries. The long-term effect of tourism development according to our analysis shows some degree of productivity with adequate funding and development to sustain the present state of the economy. Tourism should be encouraged as a development strategy of these economies.

МОГУЋНОСТИ ДАЉЕГ РАЗВОЈА НАСТАЈУЋИХ ТРЖИШТА ОБВЕЗНИЦА

Author(s): Nermina R. Pobrić / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 19/2013

Since developed bond market is very important, it is indisputable that large force need to be directed to it’s further development in developing countries. In order to bond market be developed numerous barriers of development have to be disposed of. Namely, there are barriers on side of supply of capital, barriers on side of demand for capital as well as barriers in infrastructure development. Sequencing of bond market development depends on size of the economy, degree of competition in the financial sector, degree of the financial system complexity and investors’ structure development in some country and their interest in fixed income securities investment. In underdeveloped market priority should be development and strenghtening of market for short-term financial instruments. After solid basis for well operating of short-term financial instruments market is established, then follow the taking activities in order to improve financing by issuing of long-term financial instruments. In the latter phase of bond market development process active secondary market should ensure the basis for further bond standardization in the market.

Afganistan’da Gıda Krizi ve Açlık Döngüsü Riski

Author(s): Erdal Bayar / Language(s): Turkish Issue: 2/2022

The food crisis in Afghanistan, deepened by the Covid-19 Pandemic and intensified after the Taliban administration took power, has become a serious problem for the Afghan people. Struggling with the cycle of hunger caused by poverty and hunger, it is difficult for Afghanistan to break this cycle with its economic structure in need of foreign aid. Because in the last twenty years, it has been seen that an economic structure that cannot form and operate its own wheels cannot eliminate the problems indicated only by foreign aid. In this study, the food problem, which has been an economic and social problem in Afghanistan for years and has recently reached the crisis stage, will be analyzed.

Kierunki naukowej debaty nad systemem planowania przestrzennego w latach 1970–1989

Author(s): Maciej J. Nowak / Language(s): Polish Issue: 61/2022

The paper analyses key theses expressed in the academic discussion on the spatial planning system in the period of the People’s Republic of Poland. Three periods were distinguished, within which publications were selected that referred most extensively to issues related to the spatial planning system, including the legal context of spatial planning. The focus was to the greatest extent on publications issued by the Bulletins and Studies of the Committee for National Spatial Planning of the Polish Academy of Sciences. It was proposed to extract the most relevant opinions, from the perspective of today’s discussion (but also a synthetic look at the changes in the spatial planning system in Poland). The indicated scientific theses were referred to contemporary times, and an attempt was made to answer the question to what extent and in what way they have remained up-to-date, and whether they can constitute a broader point of reference for contemporary analyses. Significant values of the discussions carried out during the distinguished period of time included: attempts to define the legal role of spatial development plans, recognition of the inefficiency of selected public administration bodies responsible for spatial planning, as well as definition and classification of the role of spatial conflicts in the spatial planning system, also translated into a discussion of legal solutions. It should be recognized that, especially in the framework of the issues identified above, the

Türkiye’de ‘Afrika Algısı’ ve Afrika’ya Yönelik Bakış (21. Asrın İlk Çeyreği)

Author(s): Gökhan Kavak / Language(s): Turkish Issue: 1/2023

Africa has played a significant role in Türkiye’s foreign policy in recent years. Relationships that have historical depth and are maintained in different fields today have brought with them both the increase in the number of African students studying in Türkiye and the mistakes in some steps taken and some criticisms. In this study, the steps taken by Türkiye in African countries were discussed and the work of both official and civil institutions in the continent was examined, perspectives on the continent in Türkiye were discussed and the reasons for the “problematic” African perception were discussed

An Assessment of the Walkability of Square Corridors in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Saadatabad, Tehran, Iran

Author(s): Seyede Farzaneh Ehsani Oskooie,Samira Norouzi / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

Walkability is an interdisciplinary concept that is increasingly attracting researchers worldwide. With the advances in transportation technology and the resultant development of automobile-oriented cities, many urban areas have degraded significantly. In many developing countries like Iran, pedestrians often fail to meet international standards in terms of the level of service and spatial attributes. Tehran, the capital of Iran, is among the most polluted cities in the world, primarily because of its heavy vehicular traffic. Nonetheless, limited measures were taken to enhance the quality of pedestrian areas that would stimulate individuals to walk, that is, a green mode of transport. This novel approach is significant for increasing public awareness of the concept of walkability and addressing some issues to the city officials. This study assesses the quality of corridors of two squares in the Saadatabad district. The research methodology involves the combination of an agency policy survey, field observations using the objective method, and subjective analysis, including the direct interviews and the questionnaires filled in the sites. Data is collected using the Global Walkability Index (GWI), which provides a step-by-step guideline for data collection. The walkability score resulting from the objective analysis turned out to be 54, indicating a moderate walkability level, which was consistent with the convenience level, 2 out of 5, derived from the pilot study. Ultimately, the article offers some solutions regarding the identified shortcomings of the selected sites, which also apply to other areas.

Understanding Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations in a Multilateral Context

Author(s): Adem Çakir / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

The relations between two countries, in addition to issues such as history, culture, geography, population, identity, demography, trade, economic political system and ideology, are affected by the interests of other countries towards these countries. Afghanistan and Pakistan have been maintaining an unstable neighborly relationship for seventy-five years in a geography that has historically been the field of great power rivalry. The process, which started with the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, took place during a period when the international system had been undergoing transformation for a while. This period, in which the effects of the transition from a unipolar world to a multipolar world were felt to a great extent, has also been marked by challanges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war. In this regard, the aim of the study is to try to understand dynamics of Afghanistan-Pakistan relations in the context of emerging multi-polar international environment. The study mainly explores how the relations between the two countries might be affected by the emerging international environment and the interests and policies of other countries in the region. The study argues that relative pause in the great power rivalry in the region provides opportunity to focus on bilateral relations in order to solve persisting problems.

NATIONALITE ET CITOYENNETE : DU SYSTEME MINORITAIRE HONGROIS A L’ADOPTION DES RWANDOPHONES EN REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO

Author(s): Junior Misi Mungala / Language(s): French Issue: 1/2023

At the dawn of the third decade of inter-communal, inter-ethnic and inter-tribal wars opposing different armed groups to the exhaustion of the public form, the Democratic Republic of Congo has cried out on the roof of the world to denounce the pullers of the strings, without finding the slightest echo of its cries of distress. On the other hand, under the ashes of thousands of deaths and the rape of women and children, the appetites of politicians ready to do anything to satisfy their fantasies flourish. Perhaps it is time to come to our senses and understand that there is no lack of solutions. It is the choices and priorities that come first. We are convinced that peace as an option in the Great Lakes region can be reconciled with the interests of the various decision-makers. The study of the Hungarian minority system serves as a model for designing the conditions or possibilities for a lasting peace in the Congo. If Hungarian solutions have enabled Hungary to solve its internal problems, they could in one way or another be the basis for peace in the DRC. We rely on Hungary's recognition of the national and ethnic minorities existing within its nation and state, on the one hand, and on the other, on the responsibility clauses that commit the Hungarian government to the protection of its various nations outside the borders of the motherland. We must be aware of the national minorities living in the DRC and the need for agreements between their home state and the DRC on the limit of responsibility of the latter. Hoping to obtain results similar to our intentions, we dare to believe that it is possible to reproduce the Hungarian solutions in the Congo.

LA DEMOCRATIE ROTATIVE, UNE ALTERNATIVE AU POWER SHARING EN REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO

Author(s): Christophe Zagabe Katambwe / Language(s): French Issue: 1/2023

In this article, we outline the history and evolution of the Congolese people from their origins to independance with the State preceding the Nation. Concerning democracy accession to legislative power after independance, there is in DRC a curious rotation of political transition beyond various regime changes and arrangements of Power sharing occurred between community groups. However, there were noises, quarrels and or violences between linguistic socio-anthropological actors on the legitimacy of power, access to the presidential chair, which gave rise to inter group conflicts till the country is divided into three community groups : the Luba community of Félix Tshisekedi from CACH-USNA at the center of power, the Swahili community of Joseph Kabila from AMP-FCC who genially handed over power but also on its periphery, and the Kongo-Ngala community of Martin Fayulu from LAMUKA to the outskirts. The concept « Majority » has cleverly been exploited by those in power in order to subjugate and or exclude their protagonists. In the context of this article, we finally propose the model of Rotary Democratic called « Inculturated Democracy » by Isidore Ndaywel in « Congolese historiography, an essay of achievement ». An alternative model to « Power sharing method » generally presented as democracy model in which the group element constitutes an important criterium of participation in term of access to political power, mainly the legislative power and its executive.

The Effectiveness of Dynamic Monetary Policy Practices in Leading African Economies

Author(s): Mbongeni Zwelakhe Ngubane,Irrshad Kaseeram,Brian T. Mazorodze / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

The effectiveness of the monetary policy in leading African economies categorized as inflation-targeting markets (SA and Ghana) and non-targeting markets (Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt) in the post-Global financial crisis era is compared in this study. The sampling period stretched from 2007Q1 to 2020Q4. The study estimated the augmented Taylor rule for a small open economy using the autoregressive distributed lags (ARDL) model necessitated by the mixed integration of variables. The results indicate that there is heterogeneity among the inflation-targeting economies because only the South African monetary system could be explained using the Augmented Taylor rule. Contrarily, Ghana’s results move with the motion that inflation targeting is not for the lower income countries. Secondly, the policy rates react to exchange rates directly in the short-run for all economies, except South Africa. This indication shows that most emerging markets in Africa show fear of float when it comes to exchange rates system which denotes a lack of a vibrant monetary policy system. Selected emerging market economies regarded as non-inflation targeting markets are fit to adopt inflation targeting but still require a sophisticated financial system. Again they (including Ghana) should move away from the fear of floating phenomena to avoid issues of conflict of interest.

IMPACT OF DIGITALISATION AND FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT ON ECONOMIC GROWTH: LEARNING FROM DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

Author(s): Suhal Kusairi,Zun Yuan Wong,Ratri Wahyuningtyas,Muhammad Najit Sukemi / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

In recent years, progress in digitalisation and foreign direct investment has caused many structural changes, reorganisation in economics, rising productivity, globalisation, and increasing trade or international investment flows, which have led to increased capital flows and information availability. Therefore, this research investigated the impact of digitalisation and foreign direct investment on economic growth in developed countries. Panel data analysis was applied to data of 16 developed countries, from 2006 until 2019. The findings show that digitalisation - presented by mobile cellular and internet users - and foreign direct investment positively impacted economic growth, thus they strongly contribute to advancing the economy and increasing welfare. Therefore, developed countries have been learning about the critical role of technology and capital, as stated by economists over several decades, and developing countries can copy their policies into their own economic strategies.

EVALUATION OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IMPORTANCE IN PROMOTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Author(s): Halima Huseynova / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

This insight paper examines the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic development in developing countries. The paper begins with an introduction that provides a brief overview of the research topic. The research methodology is then discussed, followed by an exploration of the theoretical approaches to FDI and economic development. Case studies of FDI in developing countries are presented and analyzed, providing into the impact of FDI on economic development. The analysis section of the paper examines the data collected from the case studies and discusses the findings. Singapore is taken as a case study to measure for better understanding of the impact of FDI on economic development in developing countries. Foreign direct investment and gross domestic product variables were used to measure this relationship. Gross domestic product is dependent and foreign direct investment is independent variable in the study. In conclusion, the paper provides a summary of the key points. The references section provides a list of sources used in the paper.

MODELLING THE ECONOMIC INFLUENCE OF TRANSPORT SYSTEM ON TOURISM PERFORMANCE. THE EXPERIENCE FROM LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Author(s): Samuel Gbadebo ODEWUMI,Umar Obafemi Salisu,Forson Ibraheem ABDUL-AZEEZ / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2023

Globally, travel and tourism opportunities are highly sought-after by most nations, but very few developing nations, including Nigeria, play good supporting roles to benefit from the profitable and lucrative industry. The reasons for this are not unconnected to the poor investment in tourism infrastructure, especially transport, to support tourism activities and sustain tourism performance. It is against this background that this study modeled the economic influence of the transport system on tourism performance using Nigeria’s Lagos State experience. This study is anchored on an ex-post facto research design and relies on quantitative data from the relevant ministries of the Lagos State Government. Both descriptive (charts and graphs) and inferential (multiple linear regression analysis) statistics were methods of data analysis. Major findings revealed that only the annual revenue from transport system services out of the nine (9) evaluated performance indicators showed internal consistency and a positively increasing growth pattern.

Towards Poverty Alleviation for the Base of Pyramid: Social Business Model in Urban Low-Cost Housings

Author(s): Mohammed Ali Berawi,Perdana Miraj / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

Purpose – this study investigates alternative a small-scale social business model that potentially generate sustainable income for households at the base of the pyramid. A comparison of two low-cost housings that have a different geographical condition and local characteristics is examined. Research methodology – this research adopted two-stage approach to address the research objective. A pairwise comparison was employed to evaluate alternatives based on selected criteria for decision-making. In the second stage, the proposed business model was assessed by taking into account investment, processing cost, and revenue. Findings – the findings of this research suggest suitable business model that combine profit orientation and facilitates social mission in urban settings. The business model offers attractive financial feasibility from the investor viewpoint and simultaneously engages low-income households to improve their prosperity level leaving the base of the pyramid (BOP) status. Research limitations – this paper is not involving division of responsibility between stakeholders in low-cost housing and BOP sector. This study also not discussed how social entrepreneurs play a role in the social business model. There is a need to further investigate how the impact of social entrepreneurs on this model and engage collaboration with interest parties to engage community development. Practical implications – the findings recommend strategies that can be used by policy-makers and other related stakeholders to scale-up the business model, empower more low-income households, and create new job opportunities for urban poor. The findings of this research also indicate social business model that enables households at the BOP to earn sustainable income and release their current poverty status. Originality/Value – the research is one of the few studies that explored alternatives to social business models available for urban poor by taking into account project feasibility. No previous research has been attempted to consider both pairwise comparison and life cycle cost approach in the development of social business models. This research can be found useful for those with similar issues not only in emerging economies but also in developed countries.

Trzy dekady kształtowania polskiej polityki regionalnej – refleksje, wnioski i rekomendacje

Author(s): Paweł Churski / Language(s): Polish Issue: 65/2023

This study is an essay expressing the author’s opinions on the formation of Poland’s re-gional policy over the last three decades. As any essay, it presents subjective views, not taking intoaccount very complex circumstances and sometimes different standpoints. Consequently, it givesneither a full account of all the facts nor does it complete all the sources, limiting them only to theanalysed acts of law and debate with other authors. The reader’s attention is focused on the author’ssubjective arguments, opinions and conclusions, as well as recommendations, important from hisperspective to the present and future functioning of Poland’s regional policy.

Interest Rate Volatility, Monetary Policy and Financial Sector in Developing Countries

Author(s): David Umoru,Fabius Oshiotse Imimole,Benjamin O. Abere / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2023

The study investigated the effects of interest rate volatility and changes in money supply policy on the financial sector of selected African countries. The dynamic panel model and GARCH model were used for estimation. A secondary data collection instrument was used. A sample of ten countries in the African Union was used for analysis. In terms of policy findings, the results revealed that interest volatility and money supply were stationary, and co-integrated with long-run equilibrium relationships among African Union member countries within the study periods. Interest rate volatility negatively impacted the financial sector stability in African Union countries. A percentage increase in the volatility in interest rate accounted for 0.19 percent instability in the financial system of the African Union economies while a similar proportion of variation in money growth stabilized the financial sector by 0.18 percent. Negative spikes or trends of interest rate variability in the financial sector were found for all the African Union member states considered in this study. Specifically, the financial sectors of developing nations are at risk in the presence of volatility in the interest rate. With the fixed effect model, financial sector stability had its impact at lag 1 and it was extensively significant. The originality of the research derives from the fact that the methodologies of the dynamic panel model and GARCH model were deployed in evaluating the effects of variations in interest rate and money growth on the financial sectors of African countries. Interest rate volatility had a Granger causality effect on the financial sector stability of African Union member states in the short run. The study accordingly recommends the need for the governments of the countries covered by the study to intensify efforts to enhance robust financial sector stability by implementing a friendly interest rate policy. Policymakers of the African Union should be guided by the sensitivity of the financial sector of the AU economies to variations in interest rates. Taken together, a stable monetary system is a considerable tool for sustaining the stability of the financial system.