Revenue-sharing returns to Argentine political agenda

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Financial Aid ◽  
Federal Government ◽  
Revenue Sharing ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
Economic Downturn ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sharing Scheme ◽  
Fiscal Balance ◽  
Electoral Calendar

Significance In 2015 the economic downturn and the electoral calendar undermined provincial finances. The outlook is no better for 2016, forcing provincial governors to seek fresh funds. In this context, the discussion of a new revenue-sharing regime between the federal and provincial governments has re-emerged. Impacts Provincial adjustment measures would put governability at risk; convergence to fiscal balance is expected to be gradual. Governors will exploit their relative political strength to get financial aid from the federal government. Though reform of the revenue-sharing scheme is politically difficult, there is room to reduce discretionary bias in other federal transfers.

Kazakhstan poll will be about stability not succession

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Oil Prices ◽  
Economic Downturn ◽  
Social Stability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Local Assembly

Significance The vote comes amid an unprecedented economic downturn caused by a combination of factors: low oil prices, recession in Russia and slowdown in China. President Nursultan Nazarbayev called early elections in January in a bid to maintain social stability until oil prices stabilise or increase. His personal credibility is less at risk than that of government members directly in charge of the economy, and one way of deflecting criticism would be to get the new parliament to dismiss Prime Minister Karim Massimov. Impacts The Majilis will play a marginal role in decision-making, and despite its apparent dominance, Nur Otan will have little say. The few remaining opposition groups will be subjected to harassment and prosecution to prevent them mobilising public support. Nur Otan will win local assembly elections taking place simultaneously.

Predatory FDI during economic crises: insights from outbound FDI from China and host country responses

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arindam Das
Keyword(s):  
Developing Economies ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
Economic Downturn ◽  
Host Countries ◽  
Investment Policies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Policy Responses ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
And Control

Purpose This paper aims to analyze outbound investments from China at the time of economic crisis caused due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and how target valuation and the host country’s inbound investment policies influence the acquisition intents. As firms witness low valuations during an economic downturn, they become attractive targets for opportunistic buyers, who may be driven by motives beyond business and influenced by the home country’s political agenda. Such attempts are countered with the adoption of restrictive investment policies in host countries. Design/methodology/approach The study uses secondary data on cross-border acquisitions from China over the past year and compares the characteristics of these acquisitions with cross-border acquisitions of acquirers from other large developed and developing economies. Findings Statistical analyzes show that there are significant differences in the way acquirers from China pursue strategic asset seeking, creeping and control seeking acquisitions during the pandemic and the pre-pandemic period. This paper also observes that reduced valuation of the target, due to economic downturn or otherwise, result in greater propensity in strategic asset seeking acquisitions by Chinese acquirers. At the same time, adverse policies at host nations negatively influence the strategic asset seeking propensity of these acquirers. In addition, the premium in the valuation of target assets during the pandemic does not drop significantly when compared with that of the pre-pandemic period. Originality/value With the outbreak of COVID-19 and its concomitant economic impact across the globe, the study brings forwards insights on predatory foreign direct investment (FDI) and explores how policy responses in host countries can be comprehensive rather than disembedded and unilateral.

Russian regions' financing problems will grow

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Federal Government ◽  
Federal Budget ◽  
Economic Downturn ◽  
Russian Regions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Regional Authorities ◽  
Regional Budgets ◽  
Double Digit

Subject Russian regional finances. Significance The Russia economic downturn is hitting the budgets of regional and local authorities. On March 30, four regional governments announced that they planned to issue bonds. The federal government was reported to be restructuring regions' debts to the federal budget, with a long grace period and a refinancing rate of 0.1% at a time of double-digit inflation. On April 1, the federal government said it would be giving 16.9 billion rubles (about 290 million dollars) in small-business subsidies to the regional authorities and plans for mortgage subsidies to halt the 30-40% drop in the pace of construction in the regions. Impacts Federal transfers to sub-national budgets will be increased from 2014 levels. Soft loans from the federal budget to regional administrations will also have to be increased. Public sector pay that is financed from regional budgets will fall.

Migration may be a priority in Sweden's 2018 election

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Migration Policy ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
The Political ◽  
Housing Crisis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
International Reputation ◽  
A Priority ◽  
Immigration And Asylum

Subject Sweden's migration policy. Significance Sweden's welcoming approach to migration has been replaced with more restrictive policies over the past year. Although this has led to a drastic fall in the number of new arrivals, immigration and asylum policies continue to dominate the political agenda. Impacts The slowdown of arrivals has temporarily turned the political focus from immigration to integration. Sweden will need to boost investment to alleviate the housing crisis exacerbated by the need to provide accommodation to refugees. Sweden is at risk of losing its international reputation as a migrant-friendly and compassionate society.

Nigerian states' debt could endanger national recovery

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Federal Government ◽  
State Level ◽  
Economic Downturn ◽  
Federal System ◽  
Result State ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current Period ◽  
Earning Power ◽  
Government Bailouts ◽  
Debt Levels

Subject Nigeria's state debts. Significance An increasing number of the 36 states that make up Nigeria’s federal system are seriously indebted. At the same time, the earning power of states has stagnated in the current period of economic downturn. As a result, state governors are finding it increasingly difficult to finance their debt obligations. A federal government bailout in July 2015 staved off disaster, but debt levels remain unsustainable. In turn, this has led to a greater focus on boosting states’ internally generated revenue (IGR). Impacts High corruption and the limited legitimacy of many state-level governments complicate the task of raising taxes to generate revenue. Growing indebtedness has left state-level governments increasingly dependent on federal government bailouts, disempowering state leaders. High sub-national debt levels in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa makes financial devolution look unsustainable regionally.

Somali oil and gas potential faces institutional gaps

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Federal Government ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Revenue Sharing ◽  
Regulatory Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gas Potential ◽  
The Way

Subject Somalia's oil ambitions. Significance In February, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) launched a licensing round for 15 offshore energy blocks at a conference in London. Somalia’s oil potential is significant -- some estimates suggest around 100 billion barrels of oil waiting to be discovered -- but serious institutional hurdles stand in the way. Impacts Trust between the FGS and regional administrations will erode further if the FGS continues unilaterally to market energy blocks. Signs that security may be worsening rather than improving may curb investor curiosity. Kenya’s recent steps to revamp the regulatory environment and formalise revenue-sharing make it a more attractive investment prospect.

‘Victory’ against poverty cements Xi’s legitimacy

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Private Sector ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
The Political ◽  
Economic Downturn ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Household Registration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Remote Areas ◽  
Working Families ◽  
The Government

Significance The campaign has improved living conditions for tens of millions of people in remote areas, but diverted resources away from working families struggling under the economic downturn and the COVID-19 pandemic. It has also exposed deep-seated failings of China’s bureaucracy and its top-down command structure. Impacts Reform of China’s household registration (hukou) system is once again on the political agenda. Improving healthcare for people living outside the major cities -- the majority of the population -- is a now a government priority. The government will encourage the private sector to provide wider childcare and eldercare services for working families.

Designing a Cultural Heritage Articulated Warning System (CHAWS) strategy to improve disaster risk preparedness in Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-85
Author(s):  
Victor Marchezini ◽  
Allan Yu Iwama ◽  
Danilo Celso Pereira ◽  
Rodrigo Silva da Conceição ◽  
Rachel Trajber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Civil Defense ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Scientific Challenge ◽  
Risk Preparedness

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study an articulated warning system that provides information about the heritage at risk and encourages a dialogue between the heritage sector, civil defense agencies and local communities. Design/methodology/approach The databases from the National Heritage Institute, National Civil Defense, National Geological Service and National Early Warning System were investigated and the local community provided input which helped form a participatory risk mapping strategy for a warning system in the heritage sector. Findings There is little knowledge of the Brazilian heritage that is at risk and a lack of coordination between the cultural heritage and DRR sectors. This means that there is a need to organize the geo-referenced databases so that information can be shared and the public provided with broader access. As a result, there can be a greater production, dissemination and application of knowledge to help protect the cultural heritage. Practical implications The findings can be included in the debate about the importance of framing disaster risk management (DRM) policies in the Brazilian heritage sector. Social implications The findings and maps of the case study in the town of São Luiz do Paraitinga involve the heritage sector, civil defense agencies and local people and can be used for disaster risk preparedness. Originality/value A DRM program is being formulated in Brazil. However, the kind of strategy needed to incorporate the heritage sector in this program stills needs to be planned, and the knowledge of the cultural heritage at risk is a key factor when faced with this new social and scientific challenge.

scholarly journals A sociology for other animals: analysis, advocacy, intervention

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 242-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Cudworth
Keyword(s):  
Animal Studies ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
Political Strategy ◽  
Advocacy Groups ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Central Argument ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to map the field of sociological animal studies through some examples of critical and mainstream approaches and considers their relation to advocacy. It makes the argument that while all these initiatives have made important contributions to the project of “animalising sociology” and suggest a need for change in species relations, the link between analysis and political strategy is uncertain. Design/methodology/approach – The paper develops its argument by using secondary sources, reviewing sociological positions and offering illustrations of possible interventions. Findings – Sociological interventions in the field of animal studies have been informed by critical perspectives, such as feminism and Marxism, or taken less critical routes deploying actor-network theory and symbolic interactionism. Whilst those working in critical traditions may appear to have a more certain political agenda, an analysis of “how things are” does not always lead to a clear position on “what is to be done” in terms of social movement agendas or policy intervention. In addition, concepts deployed in advocacy such as “liberation”, “quality of life” or “care” are problematic when applied beyond the human. Despite this, there are possibilities for coalition and solidarity around certain claims for change. Research limitations/implications – If the central argument of the paper were taken seriously by general sociologists, then sociology may be more open to “animal studies”. In implications for exisitng sociological animal studies scholarship is to trouble some of the certainties around advocacy. Practical implications – If the central argument of the paper were taken seriously by advocacy groups, then the hiatus between “welfarism” and “liberation” might be overcome. Originality/value – There have been recent attempts to map the field of scholarship in animal studies, but surprisingly little consideration of how different emergent positions inform questions of advocacy and the possibilities for political intervention.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document