Anti-Semitic violence is rising in France

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Regional Inequality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Actors ◽  
Anti Semitism ◽  
Violent Acts ◽  
The Government ◽  
Muslim Communities ◽  
Careful Management

Subject Anti-Semitism in France. Significance French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner stated earlier this year that "anti-Semitism is spreading like poison", in the wake of violent acts and hardening xenophobic rhetoric. Upward trends in anti-Semitic violence are heightening pressure on the government to impose educational and punitive measures. At the same time, political actors are using the rise of anti-Semitic violence to discredit opponents. Impacts Action against anti-Semitism will need careful management to avoid resentment among other groups suffering from exclusion. The Israel-Palestine conflict will feed anti-Zionist narratives within anti-globalisation groups and Muslim communities. The inability to solve regional inequality in France will increase the level and diversity of extremism.

UK Labour’s anti-Semitism row will not abate soon

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Labour Party ◽  
Target Audience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political News ◽  
Opposition Party ◽  
Anti Semitism ◽  
The Government

Significance Corbyn's video appeal, directed at Jewish members of the Labour Party, followed a similar approach to Jewish groups the previous day. However, his attempts to address the anti-Semitism dispute that has engulfed his party are failing to convince either the target audience or his internal critics, with deputy leader Tom Watson warning the same day that the opposition party was failing to present itself as fit to lead the nation. Since parliament went into summer recess on July 24, political news has been dominated not by the Conservative Party’s evident difficulties with Brexit but by the Labour Party’s self-inflicted wounds over anti-Semitism. Impacts The anti-Semitism row limits Labour’s ability to provide effective opposition to the government, including on Brexit. The dispute is likely to alienate Jewish voters. Unaddressed, the issue makes it more likely that Labour MPs will break away from the party in 2019-20 once the Brexit terms are settled.

Israel’s Netanyahu will court Trump carefully

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Right Wing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Family Ties ◽  
Military Aid ◽  
Anti Semitism ◽  
Israeli Government ◽  
President Elect ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Military

Significance Netanyahu and his various right-wing coalition partners reacted with evident enthusiasm to Trump's election victory. However, the government fears a proliferation of messages, following several outspoken interviews by ministers. During his election campaign, Trump emphasised his positive attitude towards Israel, family ties to US Jews and Jewish advisers. Nevertheless, Israelis are doubtful over Trump’s enigmatic positions on Russia, Syria and Iran. Netanyahu may be worried about possible surprise moves by the unpredictable president-elect. Impacts Fears among US Jews of alleged anti-Semitism among Trump’s advisers could cause tension between that community and the Israeli government. If the new US president acts on his campaign promise to move the embassy to Jerusalem, Palestinian violence could spike. Trump could try to push Israel to give better value in exchange for US support, potentially threatening the military aid package.

Guinea-Bissau deadlock will threaten fragile growth

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Political Instability ◽  
Cape Verde ◽  
Military Coup ◽  
The Political ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Actors ◽  
Political Situation ◽  
Court Action ◽  
The Government ◽  
Ruling Party

Significance A month previously, the ECOWAS had reiterated its displeasure over the lack of progress in resolving the ongoing political impasse and issued an ultimatum to political actors to implement the 2016 Conakry Agreement or face sanctions. The UN has also threatened to initiate punitive measures if the political situation deteriorates further between President Jose Mario Vaz and his ruling party, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC). Impacts Given the risk of a military coup, ECOWAS is likely to retain some of its troops until after the 2018 legislative election. A court action by two banks against the government could endanger IMF loans and donors' budgetary support. Ongoing political instability could lead to increased activities by organised criminal and terrorist networks.

Bolivia’s Anez will struggle with authoritarian image

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
General Election ◽  
Economic Outcome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Actors ◽  
Death Toll ◽  
The Government

Subject Growing tensions. Significance Protests have occurred in various parts of Bolivia this month, amid anger with the government’s COVID-19 lockdown strategy and demands that a date be set for a fresh general election. Interim President Jeanine Anez has refused to accept a law passed by Congress scheduling elections by early August at the latest. Bolivia’s COVID-19 death toll is low compared to those of neighbouring countries, but it is creeping up and the health system is poorly placed to respond. Impacts Protests will sharpen the conflict between the government and the MAS, with other political actors mere bystanders. Internationally, Bolivia will face growing criticism for its apparent democratic backsliding. Limiting people to shopping only once a week arguably exacerbates contagion risks, encouraging people to congregate in marketplaces. Relaxing lockdown rules safely will be tricky; the country’s health system will struggle to cope with a spike in cases. The longer the lockdown lasts, the worse the economic outcome promises to be.

Honduras scandal may undermine Hernandez re-election

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Government Spending ◽  
Public Life ◽  
The United States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Actors ◽  
The Government ◽  
Run Up

Subject Outlook for the government of President Juan Orlando Hernandez. Significance On November 7, in a move that opposition figures claim is unconstitutional, President Juan Orlando Hernandez announced his intention to run for re-election in 2017. The announcement follows allegations relating to Hernandez's brother, that have highlighted links between senior figures in public life and a leading drug cartel. This risks undermining relations with the United States, and compounds controversy over the president's re-election bid. Impacts Hernandez may succeed in distancing himself from allegations of Cartel del Atlantico influence in public life. Presidential re-election may well be in the interests of a range of political actors. Increased government spending will drive higher growth in the run-up to next year's election.

Loyalty concerns mount for Ecuador’s Moreno

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Prices ◽  
Vice President ◽  
The Political ◽  
Education Spending ◽  
Budget Cuts ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Actors ◽  
The Government ◽  
External Borrowing

Subject Mounting political challenges. Significance Amid internal criticism over budget cuts and street protests over reductions in education spending, President Lenin Moreno on November 22 asked his whole cabinet to resign. The decision illustrates the difficulties facing Moreno in managing his government and party and in maintaining support, as he tries to pull his administration towards the political centre. Anti-corruption efforts have further complicated this task, with investigations opening political wounds and implicating members of the government, including Vice-President Maria Alejandra Vicuna. Impacts Dialogue with social and political actors may help ease resistance to budget cuts in the short term, but fiscal pressures will persist. Protests will increase as cuts start to bite and Correa supporters and other sociopolitical actors mobilise their bases. Lower oil prices would constrain the government, threatening its austerity programme and raising the need for external borrowing in 2019.

Political crisis crimps urgent reform hopes in Brazil

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Political Crisis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Actors ◽  
Economic News ◽  
First Case ◽  
The Government ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Policy Shifts

Subject Mounting political and economic crisis. Significance In the past year, the government has faced dismal economic news on almost all fronts, in the midst of an ever-deteriorating political scenario. However, even if the government successfully address the immediate causes behind the acute economic crisis -- the widening fiscal gap and rising government debt -- it is not clear that this would address the underlying structural and long-term problems behind Brazil's economic crisis. Impacts If forecasts are correct, 2015-16 will be the first case of two consecutive years of recession since 1930. Policy shifts will be urgently needed to address Brazil's loss of industrial competitiveness. Rousseff's survival in office will depend largely on how the constellation of political actors align for or against her.

Why do Indonesian Muslims donate through mosques?

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 663-679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahmatina Awaliah Kasri ◽  
Untung Handayani Ramli
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Muslim Country ◽  
Moral Norms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Voluntary Giving ◽  
The Government ◽  
Muslim Communities ◽  
Past Experiences ◽  
Charitable Activities

Purpose This study aims to determine the factors that influence the decisions of Muslims in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country and recently acknowledged as the world’s most generous country (CAF, 2017), to donate money through mosques. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the extended theory of planned behaviour to determine the above-mentioned factors. Primary data were obtained via a survey that generated 235 responses from respondents in Depok City, Indonesia. The primary data were analysed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling. Findings The findings suggest that stronger religious beliefs, a greater trust in mosques, ease of making donations, the influence of significant others and good past experiences of donating to mosques influence donations to mosques in Depok. Thus, most of the hypotheses tested are accepted. However, the relationships between attitude and intention and moral norms and intention are found to be insignificant, which the authors presume to be related to the collective culture of Muslims in Indonesia. Practical implications The managements of mosques need to build, maintain and increase the trust of their congregations in the institution. They also need to improve the services they provide to their congregations and endorse charitable activities through influential persons such as ulama and celebrities. Together with the other stakeholders, such as the government and Muslim communities, they should also improve access to donate and increase the impacts of the donations. Originality/value This study offers fresh and current insights into voluntary giving behaviour to a specific religious institution/channel in the world’s largest Muslim country, which has also recently been acknowledged as the world’s most generous country.

A study of Indonesian community’s behaviour in paying zakat

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 961-976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Widiyanto bin Mislan Cokrohadisumarto ◽  
Zaenudin Zaenudin ◽  
Bejo Santoso ◽  
Siti Sumiati
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Complete Information ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Central Java ◽  
The Government ◽  
Muslim Communities

Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop a model of the Muslim community’s behaviour in paying zakat to contribute ideas on how to increase zakat recipients nationally, so as to improve the welfare of the wider community. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a quantitative (i.e. multiple regression analysis that involves moderating variables) and descriptive approach. Multiple regression analysis with the stepwise method is implemented to get the best regression model of community’s behaviour in paying zakat. This study takes a sample of Muslim communities in several regions (northern coast) of Central Java, Indonesia. Findings In the situation of the absence of government regulations relating to the obligation to pay zakat for Muslim communities, the community’s behaviour in paying zakat can be formed through two things, which are: increasing the zakat understanding and strengthening the credibility of zakat management institutions. Providing complete information to the community regarding the existence and what has been done and what will be done by the zakat management institution is very necessary. Research limitations/implications This study has not specifically discussed the various types of zakat paid, such as commercial zakat, agricultural zakat and professional zakat. Therefore, future research can be done more specifically to determine the behaviour of paying zakat based on the type of zakat as stated. Practical implications Increasing the target of collecting zakat funds from the community nationally needs: (i) educating the community about zakat more broadly and sustainably; (ii) strengthening the credibility of the zakat management institution; and (iii) strengthening the flow of information from the zakat management institution to the community. Originality/value Research on community’s behaviour in paying zakat has never been done before. This study analyses the behaviour of paying zakat comprehensively, namely, in terms of adherence to God and the government, awareness without coercion and the behaviour of choosing a place to pay zakat.

Socio-political goals and responses to the reconstruction of the Chilean city of Constitución

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Romero ◽  
Cristian Albornoz
Keyword(s):  
Good Governance ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
The Political ◽  
Complete Evaluation ◽  
Local Society ◽  
Reconstruction Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Actors ◽  
Time Period ◽  
The Government

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the political and economic objectives sought by the government of Chile to understand the characteristics of the reconstruction process for housing damaged by the earthquake and tsunami of 27 February 2010, contrasted with the opinions of the target communities, the instruments that were utilized and the generation of new vulnerabilities. Design/methodology/approach – The governmental objectives have been compiled from speeches publicized by the press and obtained from interviews with players from the public and community sectors. The areas of reconstruction in the city of Constitución have been represented in a geographical information system. The opinions of the community have been gathered through a survey conducted amongst the new residents. Findings – Case analysis shows that the political and economic efforts during the reconstruction process were focused on proving the success of the methods used: public-private alliances and consultation with the communities to precede reconstruction of housing and urban infrastructure. However, the results of the reconstruction process do neither reveal good governance nor functionality of the reconstructed areas. Research limitations/implications – The results cannot be applied to other localities devastated by the 2010 earthquake and tsunami in Chile, nor to other institutional or economic contexts. It is also necessary to observe the process of adaptation of the communities over a longer time period to verify the increase in vulnerability. Practical implications – The paper constitutes a complete evaluation of the reconstruction process that prompts institutional changes. Social implications – A contrast is offered between the objectives and actions of the diverse social and political actors, and the contradictions in their speeches and actions are shown. Originality/value – An unprecedented process is analysed in which a developing country uses its own resources to undertake a reconstruction under a political rhetoric that is not necessarily shared by the local society that must finally assume the additional costs.

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