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2. On the Role of Local Government in Promoting Peace and Political-Environmental Sustainability
- Author:
- Kim Noach
- Publication Date:
- 01-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Mitvim: The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies
- Abstract:
- The paper discusses the rising power of local government and its ability to independently create and/or advance foreign relations in order to promote peace and good neighborly relations. One of the prominent areas in which local government engages and cooperates with others today is the environmental and climate field, notably in light of the foot-dragging of nation-states around these issues. Given this reality, the paper examines whether relationships and cooperation on the environment might be built between local authorities when their respective nation-states maintain no relations or only cold ones, or are in ongoing conflict. The paper analyses three theoretical axes: 1) the rising political power of local authorities vis-à-vis their nation-states, and as significant actors in global diplomacy; 2) growing local involvement with environmental problems; and 3) the promotion of environmental peacebuilding. The paper analyses the feasibility of joining these axes, and gives relevant examples, focussing on the Israeli-Palestinian-Jordanian space. The main argument arising from the analysis is that local government has the tools and the effective opportunity to advance environmental cooperation as a stimulus to making peace; and further, that processes of this sort are particularly important when there is no political horizon. While Israel and its region are indeed the focus of this paper’s examination of local government and its potential for building relationships, the general insights derived are applicable to other regions of conflict.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Environment, Politics, Peace, Sustainability, and Local Government
- Political Geography:
- Middle East, Israel, Palestine, and Jordan
3. Climate Change Act and the role of local government
- Author:
- Busisipho Siyobi
- Publication Date:
- 11-2024
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Good Governance Africa (GGA)
- Abstract:
- South Africa’s response to addressing climate change has come full circle with the passing of the Climate Change Act1 in July 2024. This breakthrough comes at a time when South Africa is warming by approximately 0.2°C per decade2 , contributing to climate impacts ranging from extreme heat and drought to sea level rise and flooding. The results of these extreme weather events have been devasting to livelihoods and, subsequently, socio-economic development, which have been worsening over the years. The Climate Change Act is a significant step, as it shows progression and commitment to advance South Africa’s climate resilience, and to see it through achieving a just energy transition. However, the success of the overall climate change response is only as strong as its implementation. This policy briefing will assess the Act and provide a roadmap on how it can be effectively operationalised to achieve its mandate.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Development, Resilience, and Local Government
- Political Geography:
- Africa and South Africa
4. Anti-corruption measures in German local government using the example of the city of Bremen
- Author:
- Piotr Zariczny
- Publication Date:
- 12-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
- Institution:
- Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
- Abstract:
- Germany, as one of the leading European countries, is also engaged in comprehensive anti-corruption efforts. It is worth taking a look at anti-corruption practices in German local government, and particularly focusing on the case of the city of Bremen. German local government is characterized by a high degree of autonomy, which gives local authorities a great deal of freedom in managing their affairs. However, with this autonomy comes challenges in preventing and combating corruption. The city of Bremen, as one of the 16 states of the Federal Republic of Germany, represents a compelling research case because of its approach to fighting corruption. Understood as a free Hanseatic city (Freie Hansestadt Bremen) and a federal state (Bundesland), the city of Bremen exhibits advanced anti-corruption structures. Central to this is the Anti-Corruption Commission, which focuses on monitoring and combating all forms of corruption at the local level. This commission works in close cooperation with police authorities and internal control bodies. Bremen is taking proactive measures to prevent corruption. One of the key instruments is training programs aimed at local government employees, which cover public service ethics, accountability, and rules of conduct. In addition, there is a clear and transparent code of conduct for local government employees that specifies expected ethical standards. The City of Bremen recognizes the important role of civil society in combating corruption. These efforts focus on working with NGOs, conducting educational campaigns, and establishing communication channels for citizens to report cases of corruption. Public trust in local government institutions is therefore crucial, which confirms the introduced effectiveness of the anti-corruption measures. The case of the city of Bremen shows that the fight against corruption in German local government requires an integrated approach, combining proactive measures, cooperation with civil society and monitoring structures.
- Topic:
- Corruption, Education, Bilateral Relations, and Local Government
- Political Geography:
- Europe, Poland, and Germany
5. The issue of anti-corruption prevention from the perspective of local government
- Author:
- Beata Tomaszewska-Hołub
- Publication Date:
- 12-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
- Institution:
- Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
- Abstract:
- Anti-corruption prevention is an important element in combating corruption crime. This prevention is a complex system, consisting of formal and legal rules and regulations, organizational procedures, rules of professional ethics for local government officials, and activities aimed at raising awareness of responsibility and corruption risks. Interesting solutions are “Codes of Ethics” and “Anti-corruption Policies” introduced in local government offices. It should be emphasized that anti-corruption prevention must be constantly adapted to the changing situation of corruption threats.
- Topic:
- Corruption, Regulation, Ethics, and Local Government
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
6. Corruption in local government units in Poland – sources and causes
- Author:
- Magdalena Filipek
- Publication Date:
- 12-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
- Institution:
- Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
- Abstract:
- The aim of this paper is to present the problem of corruption in local government entities. It addresses the sources and causes, as well as attempts to completely eliminate corruption from public life. The article serves as a review and introduction to the issues related to corruption in local government, its sources, and causes.
- Topic:
- Corruption, Crime, and Local Government
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Poland
7. The problem of corruption and its consequences in local government units
- Author:
- Kazimierz Pierzchala
- Publication Date:
- 12-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
- Institution:
- Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
- Abstract:
- The article aims at presenting the problem of corruption and outlining its consequences. The work is an overview and an introduction to the subject of corruption in local government units. The problem of corruption has existed for many years and is gaining significance. According to analyses, Poland is one of the most corrupt countries in Europe. Corruption is encroaching on local government units despite its many consequences, which will be a subject of analysis.
- Topic:
- Corruption, Crime, Governance, and Local Government
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Poland
8. Corruption at the level of local and central government in view of the country’s resilience system
- Author:
- Maciej Pietrusiński
- Publication Date:
- 12-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
- Institution:
- Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
- Abstract:
- Corruption regardless of its form and the stage at which it occurs has a pathological character. It has a destructive impact on the functioning mechanisms of public at state level, at local level and private institutions, as well as causing dysfunctions in economic systems. In addition, corruption causes security threats on a national, regional and global scale. There is no country in the world that has managed to fully solve the problem of corruption. The mechanisms and guidelines being put in place for offices and organisations countering this issue only limit the scale and narrow the area of impact. Even institutions concerned with ensuring security inside the state and protecting its interests beyond its borders are not free from this practice. This article will describe the impact of bribery on the functioning of key areas affecting the entire state and international security system.
- Topic:
- Defense Policy, Corruption, Resilience, Military, Local Government, and Public Administration
- Political Geography:
- Poland and Global Focus
9. Manifestations of corruption in local government elections in Albania. Implications for the process of its accession to the European Union
- Author:
- Renata Podgórzańska
- Publication Date:
- 12-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
- Institution:
- Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
- Abstract:
- One of the key values on which the European Union is based is the rule of law that also includes efficient mechanisms for counteracting and combating corruption. What is more, it is a key condition for countries aspiring to membership in the European Union. An example here comes from Albania’s accession aspirations. Their progress is determined by the dynamic changes in the transformation processes of this country, including progress in counteracting and eliminating corruption in the political and economic space. Explanation of the specific characteristics of Albanian reality and the exegesis of the impact of corruption on the process of the country’s closer EU cooperation are the aims of the research taken up here. Special focus will be given to electoral corruption in local government elections that took place on 14 May 2023. At the same time, these elections are only a background to a broader discussion on the essence of corruption in the Albanian reality as a factor that determines its accession process.
- Topic:
- Corruption, Elections, European Union, Rule of Law, and Local Government
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Albania
10. Flaws of anti-corruption law. Selected aspects against the evolution of the rule of law in Poland
- Author:
- Jarosław Piątek
- Publication Date:
- 12-2024
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
- Institution:
- Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
- Abstract:
- The phenomenon of corruption is becoming more and more common in Poland as much as it is throughout the world. The topic returns and it is still relevant. For the average person, this issue is often not entirely clear and requires a moment of reflection and analysis. Historical events often prevail when carefully assessing corruption. Many people do not understand that the abuse of public figures’ positions to achieve private gains, both financial and personal, is a crime. We deal with many types of corruption in today’s world. Corruption is present not only in central administration, but also in local government, where conflicts of interest deeply rooted in local economic, political, or official activities, are a frequent occurrence. The desire to improve one’s social or economic status often leads to committing crimes. The problem should worry and motivate us to take extensive actions to combat its mechanisms. It is worth emphasizing that public awareness of corruption activities, especially among the generation who lived in the times of the Polish People’s Republic, is low. Assessments and attitudes towards corruption change with age. The younger generation sees a connection between corruption and the actions of local government officials in many aspects. As a result, they associate corruption with a threat to their own security.
- Topic:
- Security, Corruption, Rule of Law, and Local Government
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Poland