Dangerous Harvest

2004 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Landscapes ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
External Demand ◽  
Military Conflicts ◽  
Global Problems ◽  
Foreign Policies ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Economic Ties

The global drug trade and its associated violence, corruption, and human suffering create global problems that include political and military conflicts, ethnic minority human rights violations, and stresses on economic development. Drug production and eradication affects the stability of many states, shaping and sometimes distorting their foreign policies. External demand for drugs has transformed many indigenous cultures from using local agricultural activity to being enmeshed in complex global problems. Dangerous Harvest presents a global overview of indigenous peoples' relations with drugs. It presents case studies from various cultural landscapes that are involved in drug plant production, trade, and use, and examines historical uses of illicit plant substances. It continues with coverage of eradication efforts, and the environmental impact of drug plant production. In its final chapter, it synthesizes the major points made and forecasts future directions of crop substitution programs, international eradication efforts, and changes in indigenous landscapes. The book helps unveil the farmer, not to glamorize those who grow drug plants but to show the deep historical, cultural, and economic ties between farmer and crop.

Structural and functional analysis of reconnaissance and fire system and decomposition of its functions and subsystems

2021 ◽  
pp. 38-48
Author(s):  
O. Maistrenko ◽  
O. Karavanov ◽  
A. Shcherba
Keyword(s):  
Functional Analysis ◽  
Fire Damage ◽  
Expert Group ◽  
Expert Evaluation ◽  
Military Conflicts ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
The Stability ◽  
The Impact

It is established that the role of reconnaissance and fire systems in the implementation of enemy fire damage in military conflicts occurring at the beginning of the XXI century. Increased  to 75%. However, it was found that the effectiveness of these systems depends on the quality of their equipment. The main factors that are often not taken into account in the acquisition are the possibility, interoperability, stability of each element, the impact of elements on the stability of each other and the functioning of the RVS as a whole. The analysis of recent research and publications has shown that as of today, the approaches to determining the composition of reconnaissance fire systems taking into account these factors are not justified. Given the above, it was decided to conduct a structural and functional analysis of the reconnaissance fire system and the decomposition of its functions and subsystems. To this end, based on the method of cluster analysis, an algorithm for combining a set of tasks performed by reconnaissance and fire systems into groups has been developed and substantiated. The method of expert evaluation was used to obtain substantiated data on the implementation of such a merger. According to the proposed algorithm, the main tasks were first identified, which involve reconnaissance and fire systems. Subsequently, an expert group was formed and the coefficient of relative competence of each member of the expert group was determined. The experts were then asked to combine the identified tasks according to their characteristics into an arbitrary number of groups. After processing the opinions of experts, 10 characteristic groups were identified. Finally, the experts were asked to combine the obtained groups in such a way that each association consisted of similar objects and the objects of different associations differed significantly. The results of the work revealed the functional interconnectedness of the tasks, processes and subsystems of the reconnaissance and fire system. It is also established that a typical reconnaissance fire system will consist of three subsystems (control, reconnaissance and fire influence), which perform specific functions for each of them.

Hong Kong’s Economy Treading on Slippery Ground

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
pp. 67-79
Author(s):  
Yang ZHANG ◽  
Sarah Y TONG
Keyword(s):  
Global Economy ◽  
Domestic Demand ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Robust Performance ◽  
Economic Relations ◽  
Steady Growth ◽  
External Demand ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
Economic Ties ◽  
New Infrastructure

Hong Kong’s economy is projected to have grown by 3.2% in 2018, a moderation from a buoyant 3.7% in 2017. This relatively robust performance was sustained by healthy domestic demand and a steady growth in external demand. Economic ties with the Mainland continued to strengthen, with completed and new infrastructure projects. For 2019, however, Hong Kong’s economy faces new challenges, related both to uncertainties in the global economy and possible deterioration in China-US economic relations.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Recent Agricultural Situation of Dakhla Oasis, Egypt, Using Meteorological and Satellite Data

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1264
Author(s):  
Reiji Kimura ◽  
Erina Iwasaki ◽  
Nobuhiro Matsuoka
Keyword(s):  
Satellite Data ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Nile Delta ◽  
Meteorological Conditions ◽  
Groundwater Resource ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
Dakhla Oasis ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Index Value

Dakhla Oasis is the most highly populated oasis in Egypt. Although the groundwater resource is very large, there is essentially no rainfall and the aquifer from which the water is drawn is not recharged. Therefore, for the future development and sustainability of Dakhla Oasis, it is important to understand how land and water are used in the oasis and meteorological conditions there. In this study, meteorological and satellite data were used to examine the recent agricultural situation and water use. The results showed that the meteorological conditions are suitable for plant production, and the maximum vegetation index value was comparable to the Nile delta. The cultivated area increased between 2001 and 2019 by 13.8 km2 year−1, with most of the increase occurring after the 2011 revolution (21.2 km2 year−1). People living in Dakhla Oasis derive their income primarily from agricultural activity, which requires abundant water. Thus, the increasing demand for water is likely to put pressure on the groundwater resource and limit its sustainability.

scholarly journals The Role of Cultivation Systems in Quality Sugar Beet Production

2005 ◽  
pp. 134-138
Author(s):  
Kinga Diána Ungai ◽  
Zoltán Győri
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Beet ◽  
Production System ◽  
Plant Protection ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Saccharose Content

Producing sugar beet, as it is a demanding field crop, has contributed to the raising standard of plant production. It has an outstanding place among the plants that are cultivated in the intensive plant production system. Rentability of sugar manufacture is determined by the stability of yield and the quality (saccharose content) of sugar beet. In this way, the fundamental interest both of the producers and the processing industry is high yield and quality, year by year. The yield and the quality of the sugar beet are mainly determined by the plant production system, so we studied the effect of fertilization, irrigation and plant protection.

scholarly journals Need of Legal, Administrative and Judicial Reforms in Pakistan to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing: An Analytical Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-100
Author(s):  
Khalil Haider ◽  
Naureen Akhtar
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Analytical Study ◽  
Economic Prosperity ◽  
Financial Systems ◽  
Global Problems ◽  
Terrorism Financing ◽  
Financing Of Terrorism ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Combat Money Laundering

The main objective of this article is to discuss, review and analyze money laundering and terrorism financing simultaneously as both share common incentives, line of action and executing strategies. Money laundering and financing of terrorism are global problems which not only threaten security but also compromise the stability, transparency and efficiency of financial systems, thus undermining economic prosperity and peace of a country. This research defines and expounds the terms ‘money laundering’ and ‘terrorism financing’, and common strategies to execute both of these criminal activities. It also analyzes the current predicament of legal, administrative and judicial skeleton of Pakistan which makes the country more vulnerable to money laundering and terrorism financing. Furthermore, it would also provide its readers with the most needed reforms in the all-over blueprint of the country, and imperative amendments to make the Anti-money Laundering Act, 2010 and the Anti-terrorism Act, 1997 more efficacious to encounter money laundering and terrorism financing in one fell swoop.

scholarly journals Farmers empowerment level analysis in farming during the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on farm income

2021 ◽  
Vol 883 (1) ◽  
pp. 012034
Author(s):  
I P N Damanik ◽  
M E Tahitu ◽  
M Turukay ◽  
F P Adam
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Farmer Groups ◽  
The Government ◽  
Food Commodities ◽  
The Stability ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Production Facilities

Abstract This study aims to analyze the level of farmer empowerment in carrying out farming activities as the main livelihood and its impact on farm income during the Covid-19 pandemic. The research was conducted online by distributing questionnaires in the form of google form in various affordable areas. There were 113 responses obtained by returning the google form on time. The three regions that sent the most responses were farmers in Ambon City, West Seram Regency, and Central Maluku Regency. After analyzing using qualitative descriptive analysis, the results showed that the level of farmer empowerment during the Covid-19 pandemic decreased, especially in terms of marketing of crop products for fruit and vegetable commodities, while for food commodities such as rice tended to be stable. This has an impact on farm productivity and income. The main factor causing a decrease in the level of farmer empowerment is the decreasing purchasing power of the community during the Covid pandemic19; Accessibility of farmers to markets is difficult, there are even times when farmers cannot go to the market due to large-scale social restrictions, the frequency of presence of collectors is reduced, access to plant production facilities is hampered unlike before the Covid pandemic19. This condition requires serious attention from the government so that farmers do not experience difficulties in marketing agricultural products and can maintain the stability of farm income. The solution at the farmer level is to form farmer groups so that the marketing of farm products and the fulfillment of plant production facilities can be done through farmer groups.

scholarly journals Lebanon: An Ordinary “Consociational Democracy” in the Regional Context

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 89-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. Sarabiev
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Civil War ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
World Politics ◽  
State Institutions ◽  
Consociational Democracy ◽  
Direct Pressure ◽  
Democratic Systems ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Economic Ties

Lebanon has a number of features that determine its special position in the region and its importance in the system of relations between the Middle East states. An important role in this is played by the ideological and strategic aspects of world politics in the region in which Lebanon is organically inscribed in both the historical and geopolitical plans. The stability of a country that has passed through a long civil war makes it stand out from a number of states in the region. The author's hypothesis is that the reason for the extraordinary stability — of Lebanese society, the system of state power, political elites, economic ties and foreign policy contacts, despite all the negative regional factors — can be rooted in the consociational principle of making key decisions based, paradoxically, on the notorious political confessionalism. The peculiarities of the Lebanese political model (although they are subject to well-deserved criticism) distinguish it from the multitude of “customary” democracies, bringing together with examples of the unique democratic systems of Europe and other continents. The motley confessional composition of society, along with the historically determined foreign policy guidelines of individual communities, suggested a special informal decision-making mechanism throughout the country — not on the basis of majority power, but on a contractual, compromise principle. Leading theorists of consociationalism often had in mind the Lebanese pattern of democracy in their political studies, and many of their developments are still well applicable for analyzing the functioning of the main state institutions of Lebanon. A theoretical study, along with an analysis of the current regional situation, convince the author of the correctness of the hypothesis put forward. Both in Lebanese history and now, it is the inveterate forms of external influences that forced Lebanese society to balance on the verge of aggravated intercommunal clashes. The combination of external factors served as the beginning and further warmed up the civil war. Heightened relations with Syria by 2005, the Israeli attack in 2006, the gravest threat from jihadi-caliphatists – all these factors have negatively affected intra-civil and inter-group relations. Stereotypical forms of use of religious communities (Shiites, Sunnis, Christians of different denominations, etc.) from the outside and even direct pressure from abroad continue to confront them, imposing ideas on social relations and political participation that are alien to Lebanese. Diversification of political and business contacts of Russia with representatives of different Lebanese communities can serve as a good example of Lebanon’s perception of all the features of its political system as a full subject of international relations.

Domestic Constraints on Foreign Policy in Authoritarian Systems

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica L. P. Weeks ◽  
Cody Crunkilton
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Trade Agreements ◽  
The Public ◽  
Domestic Constraints ◽  
Military Conflicts ◽  
Foreign Policies ◽  
The Will ◽  
The Military ◽  
Floating Exchange Rates ◽  
Policy Failures

The question of how domestic institutions influence foreign policy decisions has a long history in the study of international relations. However, until recently most of this research has compared the foreign policies of democracies and autocracies, with little attention to the differences within autocracies. In recent years, a small but growing body of literature has examined constraints within autocracies, taking issue with the widespread image of authoritarian leaders as unconstrained and unaccountable. Although existing research on this topic is limited, it focuses on two general sources of constraint on authoritarian leaders: constraints imposed by regime insiders and constraints at the hands of the public. In regimes with a powerful domestic audience, insiders often have both the will and the means to punish their leader for foreign policy failures. Consequently, such regimes sometimes behave quite similarly to democracies. In general, regimes with powerful selectorates or domestic audiences appear more likely to pursue peaceful security policies, to win the military conflicts they do enter, to lose office in the aftermath of defeat in war, to sign trade agreements, to adopt floating exchange rates, and to cooperate internationally, compared to regimes lacking such elite constraints. Scholars remain divided, however, about the extent to which the backgrounds of members of the domestic audience (e.g., whether they stem from a military or civilian ranks) matter. Less research studies whether the public can constrain authoritarian leaders. However, research indicates that the public can sometimes exert constraints through elections or the threat of revolt, if to a lesser extent than regime insiders. For example, the threat of revolution can make leaders who fear violent removal less likely to make concessions to end a conflict. Furthermore, antiforeign protest can tie a regime’s hands, with both peaceful and violent consequences. In the economic realm, some research suggests that the threat of inequality-driven revolutions spurs autocrats to pursue free-trade agreements. Overall, the study of domestic constraints on foreign policy in authoritarian regimes is an emerging area of research, with numerous areas for future study.

AGRICULTURE IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHALLENGES – THE PROBLEM OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

2019 ◽  
Vol XXI (2) ◽  
pp. 246-255
Author(s):  
Hanna Pondel
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Local Conditions

Changes in seasonal weather cycles, a growing number of extreme phenomena, an upward trend in temperature and changes in the distribution of rainfall, significantly affect the functioning and effectiveness of agriculture. However, agriculture plays a major role in the emergence and intensification of these phenomena. The aim of the article is to present, analyse and evaluate the relations between agriculture and climate, with particular emphasis on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture in these relations. A cause-and-effect analysis was conducted based on literature studies, using the descriptive statistics method and analysis of the development trend. The basis for analysis were data on GHG emissions in the European Union (EU-28). The contribution of agriculture to the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions, albeit slightly but still increasing in recent years. The level of this emission is determined primarily by the type of agricultural activity conducted – animal production is definitely responsible for higher emissions than plant production. It is difficult to present a universal model of agricultural adaptation to climate change and a set of actions limiting the negative impact of agricultural production on climate. This is hindered by both the specificity of the agricultural sector and the large diversity of local conditions and applied farming practices. The opportunity to increase the effectiveness of actions taken may be a better connection between the implementation of objectives including the reduction of the causes and negative consequences of climate change and the objectives of sustainable agricultural development.

Public Diplomacy in Strengthening India–Vietnam Relations

2021 ◽  
pp. 097492842110050
Author(s):  
Le Thi Hang Nga ◽  
Trieu Hong Quang
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
Public Diplomacy ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Regional Environment ◽  
Bilateral Relations ◽  
Foreign Policies ◽  
Current Context ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Stability

It is noticeable that India–Vietnam relations have remained stable and had signs of development despite the new challenges in the global and regional environment due to COVID-19 pandemic. The authors of this article are of the view that one of the factors that help maintain the stability and development of bilateral relations in the current context is public diplomacy. Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, India has invested a huge amount of resources in public diplomacy to leverage India’s soft power. A dedicated public diplomacy division within the Ministry of External Affairs was set up in May 2006, many new schemes were designed to engage domestic and foreign public opinion and a series of high-profile dialogues with foreign think tanks were organised. By utilising both traditional and new approaches of public diplomacy, India is actively seeking new audiences within and outside India. India’s foreign policy-making process has become more open and democratic with the contribution of communities outside New Delhi political and diplomatic elite. New media has also been utilised to reach its various target audiences. Vietnam considers public diplomacy an important pillar of the comprehensive diplomacy of the country. Public diplomacy helps Vietnam succeed in implementing comprehensive and effective foreign policies. It contributes important part in building cooperative, peaceful and friendly relations between Vietnam and international partners. The importance that both India and Vietnam attach to public diplomacy has many implications for strengthening Vietnam–India relations in the current context. This article focuses on India and Vietnam public diplomacy as an instrument of strengthening bilateral relations and thereby proposes suggestions for both sides to enhance cooperation in the future.

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