scholarly journals Togo – 2019 : Domestic politics, foreign affairs, socio-economic development

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Kohnert
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Politics ◽  
Foreign Affairs ◽  
Local Elections ◽  
Institutional Reforms ◽  
Water Port ◽  
Head Of State ◽  
Frontier Region ◽  
Secteur Informel ◽  
Ruling Party ◽  
The Eu

ABSTRACT: Controversial constitutional and institutional reforms voted in May in parliament opened the way for President Gnassingbé to stand for a fourth and fifth term (2020 and 2030) because the law does not apply retroactively. The first local elections since more than 30 years resulted in the victory of the ruling party. Grand expectations of the opposition which had hoped for a fundamental change at least at the grassroots were again dashed. The human rights situation sharply deteriorated due to growing political and social tensions related to the prospects of the head of state running for a fourth term. Islamist terrorist violence spread from Mali to the northern frontier region of Togo. The autonomous deep-water port of Lomé developed as a growth pole and hub for the sub-region. China became the major partner beside the established partners the EU, France and Germany. The informal sector still dominated the economy. Economic freedom remained with the overall status 'mostly unfree'. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ RÉSUMÉ: Des réformes constitutionnelles et institutionnelles controversées votées en mai au Parlement ont ouvert la voie au président Gnassingbé pour se présenter aux quatrième et cinquième mandats (2020 et 2030) car la loi ne s'applique pas rétroactivement. Les premières élections locales depuis plus de 30 ans ont abouti à la victoire du parti au pouvoir. Les grandes attentes de l'opposition qui avait espéré un changement fondamental au moins à la base ont de nouveau été déçues. La situation des droits de l'homme s'est fortement détériorée en raison des tensions politiques et sociales croissantes, liées aux perspectives d'un quatrième mandat du chef de l'État. La violence terroriste islamiste s'est propagée du Mali à la région frontalière nord du Togo. Le port autonome en eau profonde de Lomé s'est développé comme un pôle de croissance et un hub pour la sous-région. La Chine est devenue le principal partenaire aux côtés des partenaires établis, l'UE, la France et l'Allemagne. Le secteur informel dominait toujours l'économie. La liberté économique est restée avec le statut global «pour la plupart non libre».

Democratic and Market Governance in Romania: Between Domestic Politics and EU Accession

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia T. Young
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Domestic Politics ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Eu Accession ◽  
Institutional Reforms ◽  
Regulatory Frameworks ◽  
Market Governance ◽  
Accession Countries ◽  
Political Governance ◽  
The Eu

Institutional reforms to regulate the market environment and the proper functioning of democracy have been mandated by the European Union to accession countries. In spite of the uniform creation of such regulatory frameworks, governance problems persist, especially in the newest members of the EU. I analyze the institution al reform record in both market and political governance, as well as the effectiveness of these institutions, in the case of Romania, one of the laggards of reform. I argue that the EU did significantly support reform efforts, but insufficient domestic commitment to reform has resulted in ineffective institutions.   Full text available at: https://doi.org/10.22215/rera.v4i1.194

scholarly journals Democratic and Market Governance in Romania: Between Domestic Politics and EU Accession

1970 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia T Young
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Domestic Politics ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Eu Accession ◽  
Institutional Reforms ◽  
Regulatory Frameworks ◽  
Market Governance ◽  
Accession Countries ◽  
Political Governance ◽  
The Eu

Institutional reforms to regulate the market environment and the proper functioning of democracy have been mandated by the European Union to accession countries. In spite of the uniform creation of such regulatory frameworks, governance problems persist, especially in the newest members of the EU. I analyze the institution al reform record in both market and political governance, as well as the effectiveness of these institutions, in the case of Romania, one of the laggards of reform. I argue that the EU did significantly support reform efforts, but insufficient domestic commitment to reform has resulted in ineffective institutions.

scholarly journals Togo 2020: Domestic politics, foreign affairs, socio-economic development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Kohnert
Keyword(s):  
Presidential Elections ◽  
Domestic Politics ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Foreign Affairs ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Institutional Reforms ◽  
Regional Stability ◽  
Security Services ◽  
Laissez Faire ◽  
The Government

ABSTRACT & RÉSUMÉ & ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Controversial constitutional and institutional reforms voted in May 2019 in parliament opened the way for President Gnassingbé to stand for a fourth and fifth term because the law does not apply retroactively. In February 2020, the President won again the disputed presidential elections and thus consolidated his power, assisted by the loyal army and security services. The outbreak of the Corona epidemic in Togo in March and the subsequent economic recession may have contributed to limit popular protest against the Gnassingbé regime. The human rights record of the government has improved, but remains poor. Yet, the international community followed a 'laissez faire' approach in the interests of regional stability. The economy dropped into recession due to the worldwide economic negative effects of the corona-crisis. The democracy index of the Economic Intelligence Unit, London, still rated Togo as an 'authoritarian regime'. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RÉSUMÉ: Les réformes constitutionnelles et institutionnelles controversées votées en mai 2019 au Parlement ont ouvert la voie au président Gnassingbé pour se présenter pour un quatrième et un cinquième mandat parce que la loi ne s'applique pas rétroactivement. En février 2020, le président a remporté à nouveau les élections présidentielles disputées et a ainsi consolidé son pouvoir, assisté par l'armée fidèle et les services de sécurité. Le déclenchement de l'épidémie de Corona au Togo en mars et la récession économique qui a suivi a peut-être contribué à limiter les protestations populaires contre le régime de Gnassingbé. Le bilan du gouvernement en matière de droits de l'homme s'est amélioré, mais reste médiocre. Pourtant, la communauté internationale a suivi une approche de «laissez-faire» dans l'intérêt de la stabilité régionale. L'économie est entrée en récession en raison des effets négatifs économiques mondiaux de la crise corona. L'indice de démocratie de l'Economic Intelligence Unit, à Londres, classait toujours le Togo comme un «régime autoritaire». -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Umstrittene verfassungsrechtliche und institutionelle Reformen, die im Mai 2019 im Parlament verabschiedet wurden, eröffneten Präsident Gnassingbé den Weg für eine vierte und fünfte Amtszeit, da das Gesetz nicht rückwirkend gilt. Im Februar 2020 gewann der Präsident erneut die umstrittenen Präsidentschaftswahlen und festigte damit seine Macht, unterstützt von der loyalen Armee und den Sicherheitsdiensten. Der Ausbruch der Corona-Epidemie in Togo im März und die anschließende wirtschaftliche Rezession trugen dazu bei, den Protest der Bevölkerung gegen das Gnassingbé-Regime zu begrenzen. Die Menschenrechtsbilanz der Regierung hat sich verbessert, bleibt aber defizitär. Die internationale Gemeinschaft verfolgte trotzdem im Interesse der regionalen Stabilität einen Laissez-Faire-Ansatz. Die Wirtschaft geriet aufgrund der weltweiten wirtschaftlichen negativen Auswirkungen der Coronakrise in eine Rezession. Der Demokratieindex der Economic Intelligence Unit in London bewertete Togo weiterhin als "autoritäres Regime".

scholarly journals Togo – 2018 Domestic politics, foreign affairs, socio-economic development

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Kohnert
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Domestic Politics ◽  
Public Investment ◽  
Foreign Affairs ◽  
Constitutional Amendment ◽  
Local Elections ◽  
Legislative Elections ◽  
Grass Roots ◽  
Money Transfers ◽  
Export Crops

ABSTRACT: Throughout the year the controversial legislative elections dominated the political landscape. Huge anti-government demonstrations that called in vain for political alternance. The legislative elections of 20 December 2018, boycotted by the major opposition parties, resulted in an easy victory of the ruling party, however without the expected constitutional amendment majority. Therefore, the prime minister and his cabinet were replaced. The local elections, crucial for democratization at the grass-roots, but postponed time and again since 1987, were again postponed in December 2018 sine die. Economic growth remained stable at about 5% per annum. Public investment in infrastructure (e. g. roads, harbour) and increases in agricultural productivity, notably of export crops, had been the key drivers of economic growth. Moreover, money-laundering, illegal money transfers and trafficking grew alarmingly. Unemployment and lacking political change caused increasing migration. ------ RÉSUMÉ: Tout au long de l'année, les élections législatives controversées ont dominé le paysage politique. D'énormes manifestations antigouvernementales réclamaient en vain une alternance politique. Les élections législatives du 20 décembre 2018, boycottées par les principaux partis de l'opposition, ont permis une victoire facile du parti au pouvoir, sans toutefois obtenir la majorité requise pour un amendement constitutionnel. Par conséquent, le premier ministre et son cabinet ont été remplacés. Les élections locales, cruciales pour la démocratisation à la base, mais reportées à plusieurs reprises depuis 1987, ont été à nouveau reportées en décembre 2018 sine die. La croissance économique est restée stable à environ 5% par an. Les investissements publics dans les infrastructures (routes, ports, etc.) et l'augmentation de la productivité agricole, notamment des cultures d'exportation, ont été les principaux moteurs de la croissance économique. En outre, le blanchiment d’argent, les transferts d’argent illégal et le trafic se sont multipliés de manière alarmante. Le chômage et l'absence de changement politique ont provoqué une migration croissante.

Europe, the EU and foreign affairs

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (468-469) ◽  
pp. 111-140
Author(s):  
Sarah Raine
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Affairs ◽  
The Eu

scholarly journals A Transatlantic Secular Divide? The Representation of Religion in EU and US Foreign Policy

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Jenichen
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Foreign Policy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Us Foreign Policy ◽  
Foreign Affairs ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Foreign Policies ◽  
Eu And Us ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Eu

AbstractIt is a common—often stereotypical—presumption that Europe is secular and America religious. Differences in international religious freedom and religious engagement policies on both sides of the Atlantic seem to confirm this “cliché.” This article argues that to understand why it has been easier for American supporters to institutionalize these policies than for advocates in the EU, it is important to consider the discursive structures of EU and US foreign policies, which enable and constrain political language and behavior. Based on the analysis of foreign policy documents, produced by the EU and the United States in their relationship with six religiously diverse African and Asian states, the article compares how both international actors represent religion in their foreign affairs. The analysis reveals similarities in the relatively low importance that they attribute to religion and major differences in how they represent the contribution of religion to creating and solving problems in other states. In sum, the foreign policies of both international actors are based on a secular discursive structure, but that of the United States is much more accommodative toward religion, including Islam, than that of the EU.

The Intergovernmental Constitution of the EU's Foreign, Security & Defence Executive

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 453-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Thym
Keyword(s):  
Security Policy ◽  
External Action ◽  
Foreign Affairs ◽  
Executive Order ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Defence Policy ◽  
Foreign And Security Policy ◽  
Pillar Structure ◽  
The Eu

European Union – Common Foreign and Security Policy – Changes with the abolition of the pillar structure by the Lisbon Treaty – Common Security and Defence Policy – Executive order of the EU – Between supranationalism and intergovernmentalism – The role of the High Representative – Joint political leadership – The European External Action Service as an administrative infrastructure – Constitutionalisation of foreign affairs

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