Rebuilding health systems to improve health and promote statebuilding in post-conflict countries: A theoretical framework and research agenda

This chapter introduces the concept of extralegal groups and a theoretical framework for analyzing them—how they emerge, develop, and become entrenched over time. It explores their dual nature as threats to the state and as local statebuilders. Formally, an extralegal group is defined as a set of individuals with a proven capacity for violence who work outside the law for profit and provide basic governance functions to sustain its business interests. This framing shows how political authority can develop as a by-product of the commercial environment, even where the state has little or no presence. In post-conflict societies, the predatory nature and historical abuses of citizens conducted in the name of the state means that government is not always more trusted or better able to look after the interests of local populations than an extralegal group. Ultimately, extralegal groups blur the lines between the formal and informal; the licit and illicit.

Download Full-text

Life stage, lifespan, and life course perspectives on vocational behavior and development: A theoretical framework, review, and research agenda

Journal of Vocational Behavior ◽

10.1016/j.jvb.2020.103476 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 126 ◽

pp. 103476

Author(s):

Hannes Zacher ◽

Ariane Froidevaux

Keyword(s):

Life Course ◽

Research Agenda ◽

Life Stage ◽

Theoretical Framework ◽

Vocational Behavior

Download Full-text

Conflict affected, parallel health systems: challenges to collaboration between ethnic and government health systems in Kayin State, Myanmar

Conflict and Health ◽

10.1186/s13031-021-00396-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Colette Pang Biesty ◽

Aung Ja Brang ◽

Barry Munslow

Keyword(s):

Health System ◽

Health Systems ◽

Health Workers ◽

Health Providers ◽

Peace Accord ◽

Government Health ◽

Peace Processes ◽

Post Conflict ◽

Observation Methods ◽

Minority Ethnic Groups

Abstract Background Myanmar has had a long history of civil wars with its minority ethnic groups and is yet to see a sustainable peace accord. The conflicts have had a significant impact on health in Myanmar, with ethnic populations experiencing inequitable health outcomes. Consequently, to meet the health needs of ethnic people, Ethnic Health Organisations and Community-Based Health Organisations (EHO/CBHOs) created their own health system. The EHO/CBHO and Government health systems, provided by the Myanmar Ministry of Health and Sports (MoHS), remain parallel, despite both stakeholders discussing unification of the health systems within the context of ongoing but unresolved peace processes. EHO/CBHOs discuss the ‘convergence’ of health systems, whilst the MoHS discuss the integration of health providers under their National Health Plan. Methods A qualitative study design was used to explore the challenges to collaboration between EHO/CBHOs and the MoHS in Kayin state, Myanmar. Twelve health workers from different levels of the Karen EHO/CBHO health system were interviewed. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and coded. Data was analysed thematically using the Framework method. Topic guides evolved in an iterative process, as themes emerged inductively from the transcripts. A literature review and observation methods were also utilised to increase validity of the data. Results The challenges to collaboration were identified in the following five themes: (1) the current situation is not ‘post conflict’ (2) a lack of trust (3) centralised nature of the MoHS (4) lack of EHO/CBHO health worker accreditation (5) the NHP is not implemented in some ethnic areas. Conclusions Ultimately, all five challenges to collaboration stem from the lack of peace in Myanmar. The health systems cannot be ‘converged or ‘integrated’ until there is a peace accord which is acceptable to all actors. EHO/CBHOs want a federal political system, where the health system is devolved, equitable and accessible to all ethnic people. External donors should understand this context and remain neutral by supporting all health actors in a conflict sensitive manner.

Download Full-text

EIMECA: A Proposal for a Model of Collective Environmental Actions

10.20944/preprints202102.0561.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Beatriz Carmona-Moya ◽

Antonia Calvo-Salguero ◽

M.Carmen Aguilar-Luzón

Keyword(s):

Collective Action ◽

Psychosocial Factors ◽

Research Agenda ◽

Theoretical Framework ◽

Environmental Action ◽

Environmental Identity ◽

Group Efficacy ◽

Negative Affects ◽

Environmental Actions

The deterioration and destruction of the environment is becoming more and more considerable and greater efforts are needed to stop it. To accomplish this feat, all members of society must identify with environmental problems, with collective environmental action being one of the most relevant means of doing so. From this perspective, the analysis of the psychosocial factors that lead to participation in environmental collective action emerges as a priority objective in the research agenda. Thus, the aim of this study is to examine the role of "environmental identity" as conceptualized by Clayton, as a central axis for explaining environmental collective action. The inclusion of the latter in the theoretical framework of the SIMCA model gives rise to the model that we have called EIMECA. Two studies were conducted, and the results reveal that environmental identity, a variety of negative affects, as well as group efficacy accompanied by hope for a simultaneous additive effect, are critical when it comes to predicting environmental collective action.

Download Full-text

Defining a relationship between transitional justice and jus post bellum: A call and an opportunity for post-conflict justice

Journal of International Political Theory ◽

10.1177/1755088218814038 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 287-304

Author(s):

Kirsten J Fisher

Keyword(s):

Transitional Justice ◽

Research Agenda ◽

Clear Relationship ◽

Practical Reasons ◽

Jus Post Bellum ◽

Post Conflict ◽

Mass Atrocity

While there is an acknowledged overlap of transitional justice and jus post bellum, there has been no real attention to delineating a clear relationship between the two or addressing the significant differences regarding aims, scope and audience. These differences must be acknowledged and a clear relationship between the two fields needs to be demarcated for both intellectual clarity and practical reasons. It seems right to question not only where these fields of inquiry fall in relation to each other but how the two can co-exist and inform each other in a meaningful way that works to the benefit of victims of conflict and mass atrocity. Done correctly, this overlap can be ushered into a coherent research agenda where the two perspectives can be brought together in a careful and concise manner. This article aims to start to address this gap.

Download Full-text