scholarly journals Plastics Waste Metabolism in a Petro-Island State: Towards Solving a “Wicked Problem” in Trinidad and Tobago

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 6580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shah ◽  
Niles ◽  
Ali ◽  
Surroop ◽  
Jaggeshar
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Trinidad And Tobago ◽  
Behavioral Change ◽  
Institutional Factors ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Island State ◽  
Human Health Impacts ◽  
Partnership Approach

Island systems have limited geographical, ecological, and social capacity to metabolize waste materials produced by the economic activities of their growing populations. Conceptualized as a ‘wicked problem’, the faults and weaknesses in waste management systems on islands continue to cause acute and cumulative ecological and human health impacts. Trinidad and Tobago is one such island jurisdiction grappling with this situation, particularly being a petroleum-dependent economy. Through the lens of neo-institutional theory, this case study of waste management in Trinidad and Tobago unpacks the efforts, reactions, drivers and circumstances that have led to various successes and failures but no definitive solutions over time, especially regarding plastics and packaging materials. We identify three temporal phases of policy evolution that have altered the waste metabolism trajectory to date: (1) government led patriarchal approach of traditional landfilling combined with behavioral change campaigns to reduce, reuse, and recycle, (2) to a more democratic, shared burden, public-private partnership approach combined with attempts at incentive-based regulations, (3) to the present, more private sector-led voluntary bans on production and use of plastics. This study contributes to our understanding of the institutional factors that shape the search for solutions to the wicked problem of island waste metabolism.

Anthropology and Theology

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas J. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Factors ◽  
Final Part ◽  
The Third

This tripartite chapter calls for a creative approach that engages diverse themes while striving for satisfying resolutions of disciplinary tensions between anthropology and theology. It calls for this even if these resolutions are not achieved. The first part, entitled “Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Dialogue,” is heavily autobiographical, and offers a case study of reflexivity, excusing its indulgence in biographical reflection on account of its intention to pinpoint the very particular and contextual nature of idea development. The second part, headed “Further Conversation Pieces,” picks up just such ideas open to anthropological–theological conversation, including a cautionary gloss on the over-easy use of anthropology and theology as discrete terms. The third and final part, described as “Disciplinary Quandaries,” takes some of these formal classifications of disciplines further and also brings together some personal and institutional factors surrounding both anthropological and theological practice.

Tax Amnesties in Tax Reform Policy: A Case Study from Pakistan and Lessons for Developing Economies

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-71
Author(s):  
Bahawal Shahryar
Keyword(s):  
Tax Reform ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Reform Process ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Reform Policy ◽  
Tax Base ◽  
Tax Amnesty ◽  
Targeted Enforcement ◽  
Underground Economies

Abstract An optimally designed tax amnesty scheme can serve as a strategic component in a larger tax reform process. Such a reform can particularly assist in the tax collection efforts of developing economies like Pakistan. Pakistan’s tax amnesty schemes in 2018 and 2019 helped grow the tax base substantially. India’s and Indonesia’s schemes in 2016 also showed promise. My study compares the recent tax amnesties adopted by these three countries (Pakistan, India and Indonesia). Based on these experiences, I propose improvements in the composition of Pakistan’s tax amnesty design. An optimal tax policy cannot rely only on wide-spread enforcement, particularly in countries with large underground economies--like Pakistan, India and Indonesia. Instead, it should focus more on the optimal amnesty design alongside targeted enforcement efforts, aimed especially at documenting and taxing large underground economic activities.

scholarly journals Solid Waste Management in Small Tourism Islands: An Evolutionary Governance Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 5896
Author(s):  
Kylie Ching Mun Wang ◽  
Khai Ern Lee ◽  
Mazlin Mokhtar
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Solid Waste Management ◽  
Small Islands ◽  
Geographic Isolation ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Governance Theory

In many regions and nations, solid waste management is deemed as critical, complicated, and multifaceted. The essence of solid waste management in each society can be influenced by a variety of economic activities and physical geographies. Small islands with their geographic isolation and a tourism-driven economy pose a great challenge in ensuring sustainability in respect to solid waste management. Beyond the issues of solid waste management on small islands, the governance of solid waste management particularly requires distinctive attention. This aspect is often disregarded as it is a tricky issue for many governments, especially on the territories of small islands. Through the lens of Evolutionary Governance Theory, this paper examines the rigidity in the governance of solid waste management, particularly on small islands, in how related issues are addressed. A range of aspects of governance of solid waste management are analyzed and gaps are identified to propose a way forward in approaching governance problems on small islands through the conceptualization of evolutionary governance.

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