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41. Ocean Issues in Alaska: From Fisheries Management to Public Safety and Security

Author:
Fran Ulmer
Publication Date:
08-2023
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University
Abstract:
Alaska is an important region for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), given the Department’s statutory authority and responsibilities. This reality applies with particular force to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), with its jurisdiction over fisheries enforcement, drug interdiction, marine safety, oil spill response, search and rescue, and more. Challenges facing the USCG in its domains of operation around Alaska—the Arctic Ocean, the North Pacific Ocean, the Bering Sea, the Chukchi Sea, and the adjacent communities—include the following:
Topic:
Security, Science and Technology, Natural Resources, Oceans and Seas, Public Policy, Sustainability, Fishing, and Public Safety
Political Geography:
North America, Alaska, and United States of America

42. The Arctic Warning: Climate-Related Challenges for Community Health

Author:
N. Stuart Harris
Publication Date:
08-2023
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University
Abstract:
Health is the integrative function of biologic/ecologic systems, civil structures, economic forces, and health care capacity. While interactions are complex, there is a simple (if poorly recognized in policy) biological reality: health is an ecological phenomenon. Health depends on a functioning biosphere. As the biosphere is altered by anthropogenic climate change, the fundamental sources of human health are at risk. Climate change is a healthcare emergency. While this is true globally, the Arctic is warming four times faster than the global average which puts Arctic populations who are already at special risk, at further risk. Climate-related changes are impacting Arctic citizens’ health now. Arctic populations’ health is already negatively impacted by several pre-existing features: Existence of multiple adverse determinants of health (social, economic, educational, infrastructural factors that directly impact individual and population health). Distance from definitive medical care. Provision of care in rural environments faces inherent barriers (roadless areas, wide variations in EMS capacity, distance from urban tertiary care medical and trauma centers) that impact populations. Medical staffing considerations and demands. In communities already medically underserved, the burdens of high expense, frequent staff turnover, extraordinary demands on local providers, lack of training opportunities, and insufficient pipeline-building educational experiences impact health systems and their patients. Imposed economic forces which have had direct impact on subsistence cultures, increasing stressors on already underserved communities causing cultural disruption and increasing risk of negative social determinants of health (including substance use and suicidality). Alaska Native populations have responded to climate-related changes with leadership. Driven by the intimate knowledge of the environment that subsistence living requires, Alaska state and local tribal organizations detected, studied, and documented the impacts of climate change more than 10 years ago -- and yet few policy-based solutions have been enacted.1,2
Topic:
Climate Change, Environment, Health, Science and Technology, Natural Resources, and Public Policy
Political Geography:
Arctic

43. Morocco’s Social Protection Programs: Can the Country Overcome the Odds?

Author:
Othman Makhon
Publication Date:
09-2023
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Arab Reform Initiative (ARI)
Abstract:
During the 1980s, Moroccan governments adopted structural adjustment policies that inadvertently left deep-seated vulnerabilities across Moroccan society. The enduring consequences of these policies continue to marginalize a significant portion of Moroccans, depriving them of access to quality education, comprehensive healthcare, adequate housing, and decent employment opportunities. The state’s approach to addressing the societal challenges spanning decades has alternated between targeted measures aimed at rectifying the disparities stemming from the maldistribution of resources and services, on the one hand, and reactive strategies aimed at mitigating the adverse impacts of structural adjustments, on the other.1 The decreased government investments in critical social sectors, such as healthcare and education, have over time compelled this new departure from previous policies of neglect. Although such policies might have contributed to macroeconomic stability, they also adversely affected both social cohesion and the population’s social protection networks.2 Subsequent administrations embarked on a mission to address these predicaments, which have exacted a toll on Morocco and relegated the nation to the lower levels of the Human Development Index: As of the 2022 assessment, Morocco’s ranking was 123.3 These administrations were compelled to devise strategies encompassing both economic and social dimensions, aiming to free Morocco from the ramifications of stringent structural adjustment policies. Their goal was to transition the Moroccan economy from its reliance on agricultural and raw material exports to a more self-reliant model, characterized by high–value-added industries capable of absorbing the unemployed workforce into productive economic activities. Such a transformation was anticipated to pave the way for comprehensive social protection. However, the approach adopted by these administrations gravitated towards superficial and improvised remedies, dominated by an urgency-driven and philanthropic approach. These impromptu solutions fell short of propelling the vulnerable and poor segments out of the cycle of exclusion and marginalization. All initiatives within this context adhered to the neoliberal principles adopted by these governing bodies. These administrations gave paramount significance to a market-driven economy, as well as financial and macroeconomic equilibriums, oftentimes at the expense of the substantial sections of the population that experienced pervasive poverty and destitution. Consequently, social assistance endeavors proved to be misleadinag, exacerbating the disparities among Moroccans. This occurred within an environment lacking robust social and economic policies dedicated to achieving social equity and equitable distribution of resources. These programs were subject to criticism and unfavorable assessments from all corners of the state, including from the king himself, who remarked on their fragmentation across ministerial domains, inadequate coordination, and their inherent inability to accurately target deserving groups. As a result, they struggled to effectively address the needs of citizens, leaving only a faint impact on the lives they sought to improve.4 The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the existing economic and social vulnerabilities prevalent in Moroccan society. The pandemic exposed the inadequacies and fragility of the programs in safeguarding the dignity of the populace, which became particularly pronounced in the absence of a fair and robust social protection system. This reality led both the king and the political establishment to recognize the urgency of re-evaluating the fundamental underpinnings of this system. Their shared view materialized in a commitment to universal social protection for all Moroccans, with a deadline set for 2025. On the other hand, the rapid spread of the pandemic coincided with Morocco’s comprehensive assessment and recalibration of its development paradigm. Despite its aspirations, this model had failed to fully incorporate the Moroccan populace within development dynamics, instead focusing on financial equilibrium, often to the detriment of social and human equilibrium; this prompted the contemplation of a fresh development model. The newly envisaged model aimed to sever ties with the trajectory that had resulted in structural disparities, spanning domains such as education, skill development, healthcare, housing, employment, public services, and social protection.5
Topic:
Public Policy, Services, COVID-19, and Social Protection
Political Geography:
North Africa and Morocco

44. The Contribution of Private Health Insurance to the Financing of Healthcare in Cameroon

Author:
Jean Bruni Essono Oyono
Publication Date:
03-2023
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Nkafu Policy Institute
Abstract:
By definition, health insurance is part of personal insurance. The purpose of health insurance is to protect the insured against the risks associated with illness, or more precisely, against all events leading to medical intervention. Elsewhere, in the event that a medical intervention is necessary, the health expenditure linked to this intervention is shared between the patient and the social protection system. However, social security does not have the economic capacity to support and reimburse each individual for all the costs related to their personal consumption of medical care. It covers only a percentage of the medical expenses incurred. Health insurance has therefore been set up to allow people to take out a contract that will reimburse them for the share of treatment costs not covered by social security. It is therefore intended, as its name suggests, to insure people against the economic consequences of a state of health that requires treatment.
Topic:
Public Policy, Health Insurance, and Healthcare System
Political Geography:
Africa and Cameroon

45. Personas migrantes en España: Una aproximación a las políticas de acogida

Author:
Gemma Pinyol-Jiménez
Publication Date:
10-2023
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Fundación Alternativas
Abstract:
En este documento elaborado por Gemma Pinyol-Jiménez abordamos de nuevo las políticas públicas de gobernanza migratoria en España. Las agendas públicas y políticas se ocupan desde hace años de la gestión de los flujos migratorios que llegan a Europa, pero en mucha menor medida de los procesos de acogida para la inclusión de las personas migrantes. Las debilidades del sistema español de acogida no son menores, y se han puesto particularmente de manifiesto por la necesidad de acoger a un mayor número de personas refugiadas, los problemas en el accesos de las personas migrantes a determinados servicios públicos y los escollos en su participación activa en la sociedad española. Los efectos de la crisis de la COVID-19 y de la crisis de Ucrania, tratados ya en otras colaboraciones de Fundipax y Fundación Alternativas (2020 y 2022), han puesto el foco en las políticas de acogida como parte con- sustancial de la gobernanza migratoria. Este análisis pone de manifiesto el estado y la evolución de los mecanismos de acogida a la inmigración en el territorio español, claramente marcadas por la disparidad de actuaciones en las distintas CC AA y administraciones locales. Se plantea reformular las políticas de acogida con una mirada multinivel y una intención cohesiva, para facilitar el proceso de inclusión de las personas migrantes e impactar positivamente en la estabilidad y cohesión de nuestra sociedad.
Topic:
Migration, Refugees, Public Policy, and Integration
Political Geography:
Europe

46. Consumption of New and Emerging Tobacco and Nicotine Products in Zambia: Implications for Policy

Author:
Shimukunki Manchishi, Edna Kabala, and Mulenga Chonzi Mulenga
Publication Date:
04-2022
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR)
Abstract:
The global economy has in recent years observed a rapid increase in the consumption of New and Emerging Tobacco and Nicotine Products (NETNPs). Consumers of the NETNPs in Zambia and elsewhere justify consumption of these products on grounds that they are less harmful and expose them to fewer health risks compared to traditional tobacco smoke. However, studies have shown that these NETNPs do not entirely filter out harmful chemicals from tobacco as presumed by many people, and in some cases may even expose smokers to more smoke over longer periods of time as is the case of water pipe (shisha). This study investigated the consumption and taxation of NETNPs in Zambia to generate knowledge and come up with evidence-based policy recommendations aimed at informing appropriate stakeholders on the consumption and taxation of NETNPs. The study employed a mixed methodology encompassing a desk review, a survey of 400 respondents and key informant interviews. In terms of the consumption of NETNPs, the study revealed that a majority of those surveyed consume water pipe, which ranked highest among the NETNPs consumed in Zambia. Other NETNPs commonly consumed include bidis, e-cigarettes and dry snuff (nsunko). The consumption of these products varied according to the economic status of the consumers, with products such as snus and e-cigarettes being much more preferred and consumed by those in employment because they can afford more costly products. Meanwhile, products such as water pipe and bidis were the products of choice among those not employed and this could also be attributed to the relatively lower cost of the products. Regarding the socio-demographic characteristics of the surveyed sample, the study established that most of the consumers of NETNPs were young, unmarried males. A notable finding in the study was that those who had attained tertiary level of education were the biggest consumers of NETNPs. With regards to taxation of NETNPs, the study has found that there is potential to increase taxes substantially based on consumers’ willingness to pay which would require very high tax levels to deter consumption. This would require the government to considerably increase excise taxes on these products which would ultimately increase their price and hence curtail their consumption. The study has established that the taxation of all tobacco products in Zambia is the sole responsibility of the ZRA which draws its mandate from various provisions of the Zambian law. Broadly there are eight categories used to classify tobacco and nicotine products based on the HS codes. This broad classification forms the basis for taxation of tobacco and nicotine products in Zambia. The study has established that there are four main taxes applied on tobacco products in Zambia, these include: a 25% customs duty levied on the value of the product imported; a VAT of 16% on the value of the product; a 5% surtax; and excise duty of 145% of the value for duty purposes (VDP) or K355 per kg for all tobacco products.
Topic:
Health, Digital Economy, Business, Tax Systems, Public Policy, Tobacco, Public Health, and Gender
Political Geography:
Africa and Zambia

47. Levelling up: what England thinks

Author:
Suzanne Hall, Will Jennings, Lawrence McKay, Sophie Stowers, Paula Surridge, and Alan Wager
Publication Date:
10-2022
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
UK in a Changing Europe, King's College London
Abstract:
For all the discussion there has been about ‘levelling up’ and the problem of regional inequality in the UK, little energy has been expended in finding out how people feel about their areas, what could and should be done to improve them, and who they trust to actually do it. The following report aims to fill this gap. UK in a Changing Europe partnered with YouGov to carry out a survey of over 20,000 people from across England. This was the first survey of its kind on levelling up and regional inequality, and the first to assess the impact of changes to how England is governed, including the effect of the introduction of Metro Mayors. This survey was accompanied by a series of focus groups conducted by NatCen and King’s College London’s Policy Institute in Barking and Dagenham, Blackpool, Nottingham, Blyth and Barnsley – designed to capture the views of metropolitan boroughs, rural towns and coastal communities. The aim was to find out how people in England feel about their local communities, what policies they feel would be most effective when it comes to ‘levelling up’ the country, how they would like these policies to be delivered, and who they trust to deliver them.
Topic:
Public Opinion, Inequality, Economy, and Public Policy
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

48. Contested Deployment

Author:
Bert B. Tussing, John Eric Powell, and Benjamin C. Leitzel
Publication Date:
04-2022
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
The Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College
Abstract:
As indicated in the 2018 National Defense Strategy and evolving Multi-Domain Operations doctrine, the assumption the homeland will provide a secure space for mobilization and deployment is no longer valid. This integrated research project goes beyond affirming this assumption and contributes to efforts to mitigate the concerns a contested deployment entails. Following the introductory chapter, Chapter 2, “Army Deployments in a Contested Homeland: A Framework for Protection,” explores how current coordination and cooperation mechanisms between the DoD and state and local government may need realignment, with civil authorities preparing themselves to support military mobilization. Chapter 3, “Strategic Seaports and National Defense in a Contested Environment,” examines the 22 strategic seaports across the United States, identifying issues with throughput, structural integrity, security, readiness, funding, and authorities. Chapter 4, “Single Point of Failure,” identifies how strict adherence to a business efficiency model for munition production and distribution may jeopardize the successful employment of military forces. Chapter 5, “The Interstate Highway System: Reinvestment Needed before a Contested Deployment,” provides the status of the deteriorating road network and explains how associated vulnerabilities could be exploited by an adversary. The two appendices provide points for consideration on cyberattacks and defense and the impacts a full mobilization of reserve forces would have on the homeland.
Topic:
Defense Policy, National Security, Military Affairs, Crisis Management, Public Policy, Army, and Troop Deployment
Political Geography:
North America and United States of America

49. Social Policy Expansion and Retrenchment After Latin America’s Commodity Boom

Author:
Sara Niedzwiecki and Jennifer Pribble
Publication Date:
05-2022
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Kellogg Institute for International Studies
Abstract:
The literature on social policy expansion and retrenchment in Latin America is vast, but scholars differ in how they explain the outcomes, arriving at different conclusions about the role of democracy, left parties, favorable economic conditions, and social movements in shaping reform. What can welfare state developments since the end of the commodity boom teach us about the theoretical power of these arguments? This paper engages this question, seeking to explain recent incidents of social policy reform in 10 presidential administrations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. Using a combination of crisp-set qualitative comparative analysis (csQCA) and case studies, we identify multiple paths toward social policy expansion and retrenchment that involve the absence and presence of electoral competition, economic resources, party ideology and linkage mechanism, social movement pressure, international pressure, and legacies. The results show that while both parties of the left and right expanded social programs, only the right engaged in retrenchment, yet partisanship alone is insufficient for explaining reform outcomes, as the variable must appear in combination with other factors depending on the party’s linkage mechanism. The results provide new insight into the politics of social policy reform in Latin America, showing the relevance of complex forms of causality.
Topic:
Health, Poverty, Social Movement, Democracy, Inequality, Public Policy, and Political Parties
Political Geography:
Brazil, Argentina, South America, Uruguay, Latin America, and Chile

50. The National Flood Insurance Program: Solving Congress’s Samaritan’s Dilemma

Author:
Peter Van Doren
Publication Date:
03-2022
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
The Cato Institute
Abstract:
Who should pay for the damages caused by natural disaster? The American ethos has long called on personal responsibility and private charity, rather than broad public aid, to secure people’s welfare. Although public emergency services play a vital role during and immediately after a catastrophe, this ethos looks to private insurance and disaster‐​oriented organizations, such as the Red Cross, to be the main modes of recovery from a flood or storm, as well as prior care in siting and constructing buildings to blunt the effects of wind and rain.
Topic:
Government, Natural Disasters, Public Policy, and Insurance
Political Geography:
North America and United States of America