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2501. Subnational State-Building in Afghanistan

Author:
Hamish Nixon
Publication Date:
04-2008
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU)
Abstract:
Since 2004, the Afghan government and its international partners have become increasingly aware that issues and challenges surrounding subnational governance in Afghanistan are crucial to national development, stability, and security. This period has also been a time of extraordinary change in subnational governance structures, with the election of Provincial Councils, the establishment of Provincial Development Committees (PDCs), increases in Public Administrative Reform (PAR) efforts, and the expansion of the National Solidarity Programme (NSP) into a large number of communities. To assess these changes, AREU conducted extensive field and policy research on subnational governance beginning in April 2005. This synthesis paper identifies and analyses key issues affecting state-building interventions at subnational levels, and their implications for current and future governance programming.
Topic:
Nationalism, Governance, State Building, and Subnationalism
Political Geography:
Afghanistan and Middle East

2502. Evaluating Iraq's Provincial Reconstruction Teams While Drawdown Looms: A USIP Trip Report

Author:
Sam Parker and Rusty Barber
Publication Date:
12-2008
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
United States Institute of Peace
Abstract:
Since their 2005 inception in Iraq, PRTs have struggled to fully define their mission, overcome structural problems, learn to work alongside their military counterparts and assist Iraqis down the path to self-governance and stability so that U.S. forces can withdraw. While the concept was born in the Afghan conflict, PRTs in Iraq bear little resemblance to their Afghan cousins, which are led and largely staffed by military officers. PRTs in Iraq are largely civilian-led and are required to address a host of issues including local governance, economic and women's development, health, agriculture, rule of law and education. In this respect, they resemble mini development task forces, harnessing civilian expertise sourced from the U.S. and augmented by military civil affairs officers.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, Security, Economics, Health, Terrorism, War, and Governance
Political Geography:
Afghanistan, United States, Iraq, and Middle East

2503. Institutional Interaction in Global Environmental Governance

Author:
John Martin Gillroy
Publication Date:
01-2008
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
The Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations
Institution:
School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Seton Hall University
Abstract:
John Stuart Mill wrote biographical pieces on both Jeremy Bentham and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Reflecting on these men, with the first establishing science as the key to social studies and the other reminding us that anything involving human beings must also be considered a subject of philosophical method, Mill argued that anyone considering themselves an intellectual must trace their ontology back to one of these giants. This insight marked the establishment of dividing the positive from the normative and the scientific from the human in social affairs - an insight which still impacts the professions of law and policy to this day.
Topic:
Governance

2504. Governance through Civil Society Engagement in Asia

Author:
Vesselin Popovski, G Shabbir Cheema, Cameron Lowry, and Mark Notaras
Publication Date:
10-2008
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
Scholars and development practitioners recognize the centrality of governance capacity to achieve sustainable peace and development objectives, including the eradication of extreme poverty, access to services and livelihoods, promotion of economic growth, environmental protection and gender equality among others. With these in view, developing countries are emphasizing the need to improve governance systems and processes to promote people-centered sustainability. The United Nations, development banks, bilateral donors and private sector foundations have been supporting these efforts through governance assistance programs.
Topic:
Civil Society, Politics, United Nations, Non State Actors, and Governance
Political Geography:
Asia

2505. Governance and Security Sector Reform

Author:
Emmanuel B. Osho Coker
Publication Date:
10-2008
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
The working paper series on Sierra Leone is part of the research programme 'Security System Transformation in Sierra Leone, 1997-2007'. These working papers present perspectives from both Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom regarding the implementation of activities broadly defined as security sector reform (SSR) in the period towards the end of and following the Sierra Leone war.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, and Governance
Political Geography:
Africa and Sierra Leone

2506. Restructuring the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces

Author:
Alfred Nelson-Williams
Publication Date:
10-2008
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
The working paper series on Sierra Leone is part of the research programme 'Security System Transformation in Sierra Leone, 1997-2007'. These working papers present perspectives from both Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom regarding the implementation of activities broadly defined as security sector reform (SSR) in the period towards the end of and following the Sierra Leone war.
Topic:
Defense Policy, Democratization, and Governance
Political Geography:
Africa, United Kingdom, and Sierra Leone

2507. Alternative to Silence: Whistleblower Protection in 10 European Countries

Author:
Craig Fagan and Anja Osterhaus
Publication Date:
11-2008
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Transparency International
Abstract:
Whistleblowers play a vital role in exposing corruption, fraud and mismanagement and in preventing disasters that arise from negligence or wrongdoing. Prominent whistleblowers revealed the cover-up of SARS and other dangerous diseases that threatened millions of people in China; they disclosed corruption and nepotism in the European Commission and helped to avoid environmental hazards in the US.
Topic:
Corruption, Governance, and Law
Political Geography:
United States, China, and Europe

2508. Bribe Payers Index 2008

Author:
Juanita Riaño and Robin Hodess
Publication Date:
12-2008
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Transparency International
Abstract:
Corruption and bribery are complex transactions that involve both someone who offers a benefit, often a bribe, and someone who accepts, as well as a variety of specialists or intermediaries to facilitate the transaction. By perpetuating the 'abuse of entrusted power for private gain' – Transparency International's (TI) definition of corruption – both the bribe payer and bribe taker cause damage in a number of ways. Ultimately, their corrupt dealings create extreme inequity – both in markets and in societies.
Topic:
Corruption, International Trade and Finance, International Affairs, and Governance

2509. Promoting Revenue Transparency: 2008 Report on Revenue Transparency of Oil and Gas Companies

Publication Date:
04-2008
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Transparency International
Abstract:
In this report, Transparency International (TI) evaluates 42 leading oil and gas companies on their current policies, management systems and performance in areas relevant to revenue transparency in their upstream operations. Revenue transparency in this report includes three areas of corporate action where disclosure can contribute to improved accountability in the management of extractive revenues: payments to host governments, operations and corporate anti-corruption programmes. The companies are evaluated in a total of 21 countries of operation. This report is a featured product of TI's Promoting Revenue Transparency Project and attempts to characterise current levels of company revenue transparency, to point to best practices, and to suggest areas for improvement.
Topic:
Corruption, International Trade and Finance, International Affairs, Natural Resources, and Governance

2510. Legitimacy and effectiveness in Thailand, 2003–2007: perceived quality of governance and its consequences on political beliefs

Author:
Takashi Inoguchi and Satoru Mikami
Publication Date:
09-2008
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
International Relations of the Asia-Pacific
Institution:
Japan Association of International Relations
Abstract:
On the night of September 19, 2006, the Thai military leaders, who were to call themselves 'the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy', staged a coup, interrupting the already started re-equilibration process toward democracy under the aegis of the Constitutional Court. At the time of writing (July 10, 2008) the general election set for December 23 under the military-drafted constitution is supposed to bring the country back into the camp of democracy.
Topic:
Governance