scholarly journals Do Catastrophes in Poor Countries Lead to Event-Related Policy Change?: The 2010 Earthquake in Haiti

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise D.P. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Policy Change ◽  
Development Policy ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Fundamental Question ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Poor Countries ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Focusing Event ◽  
Tools And Methods

Prompted by Birkland and Warnement’s (2014) findings that the earthquake was not a significant focusing event in Haiti, the author reassessed the issue. Using the 2010 earthquake as the starting point, a detailed content analysis of evaluation and strategy report and DRR and developmental plans to find the level of policy adopted and implemented after the earthquake. Using the criterion of event-related implementation as a proxy for event-related policy change the author judges whether and to what extent was the earthquake a focusing event. Among the findings are that not only were there event-related policy change inside and outside of Haiti. Many policy changes were significant in the way they shaped development policy, disaster risk reduction policy and practice as well as humanitarian policy and practices and the tools and methods used in planning for and responding to catastrophes. The more fundamental question is whether, once adopted and implemented, the policy changes can be sustained.  Findings show significant challenges in that regard. 

scholarly journals The killing of Cecil the Lion as an impetus for policy change

Oryx ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 698-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Carpenter ◽  
David M. Konisky
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Policy Change ◽  
Public Interest ◽  
Panthera Leo ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Public Attention ◽  
Limited Impact ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Trophy Hunting ◽  
Focusing Event

AbstractThe killing of Cecil the Lion in July 2015 generated considerable media attention worldwide. We measured public interest in Cecil's death to examine the degree to which this high-profile incident represented the type of focusing event that public policy scholars often emphasize as being important for triggering policy change. Finding that public interest in lion conservation spiked in the weeks immediately following the incident, we then analysed whether this focusing event led to policy changes to restrict trophy hunting in eight countries (USA, Spain, France, Russia, Canada, South Africa, Germany and Mexico) that most frequently import lion Panthera leo trophies. The surge in public attention seems to have had only a limited impact on the adoption of significant new policy, although it may have hastened changes in some countries.

Parties on the Left, Parties on the Right: Electoral Competition and Citizenship Policy Change in Europe

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
John Graeber
Keyword(s):  
Policy Change ◽  
Spatial Competition ◽  
Electoral Competition ◽  
Party Competition ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Far Right ◽  
Left Party ◽  
Political Spectrum ◽  
The Right ◽  
Restrictive Policy

Abstract In recent decades, citizenship policies in Europe have changed significantly: some governments have introduced restrictive new requirements for citizenship, while others have made citizenship more accessible. What explains this variation? Despite a burgeoning literature on both comparative citizenship and spatial competition among parties, scholarship on this question remains in its infancy and primarily focused on the influence of the far right. Expanding on this growing research, this article argues that citizenship policy change results from electoral competition on both sides of the political spectrum, in conjunction with governments’ ideological orientation. Using new data on citizenship policies across sixteen European countries from 1975 to 2014, the author demonstrates that left-of-center governments facing increasing levels of left party competition are associated with more accessible policy changes, while increasing levels of party competition from the far right yield more restrictive policy changes under not only right-of-center governments, but also centrist and left-of-center governments as well.

scholarly journals Navigating complexity through knowledge coproduction: Mainstreaming ecosystem services into disaster risk reduction

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (24) ◽  
pp. 7362-7368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda Reyers ◽  
Jeanne L. Nel ◽  
Patrick J. O’Farrell ◽  
Nadia Sitas ◽  
Deon C. Nel
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Shared Knowledge ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Storm Waves ◽  
Private And Public

Achieving the policy and practice shifts needed to secure ecosystem services is hampered by the inherent complexities of ecosystem services and their management. Methods for the participatory production and exchange of knowledge offer an avenue to navigate this complexity together with the beneficiaries and managers of ecosystem services. We develop and apply a knowledge coproduction approach based on social–ecological systems research and assess its utility in generating shared knowledge and action for ecosystem services. The approach was piloted in South Africa across four case studies aimed at reducing the risk of disasters associated with floods, wildfires, storm waves, and droughts. Different configurations of stakeholders (knowledge brokers, assessment teams, implementers, and bridging agents) were involved in collaboratively designing each study, generating and exchanging knowledge, and planning for implementation. The approach proved useful in the development of shared knowledge on the sizable contribution of ecosystem services to disaster risk reduction. This knowledge was used by stakeholders to design and implement several actions to enhance ecosystem services, including new investments in ecosystem restoration, institutional changes in the private and public sector, and innovative partnerships of science, practice, and policy. By bringing together multiple disciplines, sectors, and stakeholders to jointly produce the knowledge needed to understand and manage a complex system, knowledge coproduction approaches offer an effective avenue for the improved integration of ecosystem services into decision making.

Domestic Constraints on Foreign Policy Change in Belarus

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-55
Author(s):  
Paul Hansbury
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Policy Change ◽  
Interest Group ◽  
International Affairs ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Group Competition ◽  
Domestic Constraints ◽  
Foreign Policy Change ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Policy Shifts

Abstract After 2014 the relationship between Russia and its ally Belarus was strained. Russia was dissatisfied with Belarus’s foreign policy and sought to influence the latter’s international affairs. This article considers the extent of change and continuity in Belarus’s foreign policy, and thus whether Russia’s criticisms reflect consequential shifts, covering the period 2016–2019. The analysis begins with the removal of EU sanctions, which afforded Belarus new opportunities, and ends before the protest movement that emerged ahead of the election in 2020. The study considers three policy areas: international trade; diplomacy more broadly; and foreign policy concerns for prestige. The article argues that Belarus made appreciable policy changes in response to structural pressures in the period 2016–2019, but the parameters of these foreign policy shifts were necessarily highly constrained by domestic interest group competition which prevents Belarus distancing itself from Russia. It concludes with a brief reflection on how the 2020 election protests and repressions affect the dynamics described.

Financial incentives and psychiatric services in Australia: an empirical analysis of three policy changes

2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. P. Doessel ◽  
Roman W. Scheurer ◽  
David C. Chant ◽  
Harvey Whiteford
Keyword(s):  
Policy Change ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Psychiatric Services ◽  
Separate Determination ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Special Cases ◽  
Medicare Benefit ◽  
Commonwealth Government ◽  
The Government ◽  
New Item

Australia has a national, compulsory and universal health insurance scheme, called Medicare. In 1996 the Government changed the Medicare Benefit Schedule Book in such a way as to create different financial incentives for consumers or producers of out-of-hospital private psychiatric services, once an individual consumer had received 50 such services in a 12-month period. The Australian Government introduced a new Item (319) to cover some special cases that were affected by the policy change. At the same time, the Commonwealth introduced a ‘fee-freeze’ for all medical services. The purpose of this study is two-fold. First, it is necessary to describe the three policy interventions (the constraints on utilization, the operation of the new Item and the general ‘fee-freeze’.) The new Item policy was essentially a mechanism to ‘dampen’ the effect of the ‘constraint’ policy, and these two policy changes will be consequently analysed as a single intervention. The second objective is to evaluate the policy intervention in terms of the (stated) Australian purpose of reducing utilization of psychiatric services, and thus reducing financial outlays. Thus, it is important to separate out the different effects of the three policies that were introduced at much the same time in November 1996 and January 1997. The econometric results indicate that the composite policy change (constraining services and the new 319 Item) had a statistically significant effect. The analysis of the Medicare Benefit (in constant prices) indicates that the ‘fee-freeze’ policy also had a statistically significant effect. This enables separate determination of the several policy changes. In fact, the empirical results indicate that the Commonwealth Government underestimated the ‘savings’ that would arise from the ‘constraint’ policy.

scholarly journals A rights-based analysis of disaster risk reduction framework in Zimbabwe and its implications for policy and practice

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pathias P. Bongo ◽  
Paul Chipangura ◽  
Mkhokheli Sithole ◽  
Funa Moyo
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Institutional Arrangements ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Civil Protection ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Potential Benefits

This paper examines closely the institutional arrangements for disaster risk reduction from a rights-based perspective. In Zimbabwe, the disaster risk reduction framework and the ensuing practice have not yet accommodated some of the most vulnerable and excluded groups, especially the terminally ill, people with disabilities and the very poor. Top-down approaches to disaster management have largely been blamed for lack of resilience and poor preparedness on the part of sections of society that are hard hit by disasters. Often, disaster risk reduction has also been modeled along the needs and priorities of able-bodied people, whilst largely excluding those with various forms of impairments. Against this background, this paper is based on field research on people’s disaster risk experiences in four districts of Zimbabwe, with a special emphasis on the disaster risk reduction framework. It provides a critical analysis of the disaster risk reduction framework in Zimbabwe, focusing on the various forms of disadvantages to different categories of people that the current framework has tended to generate. The paper thus examines the current disaster risk reduction framework as largely informed by the Civil Protection Act and the Disaster Risk Management Policy Draft as revised in 2011. Crucial at this stage is the need to interrogate the disaster risk reduction framework, right from formulation processes with regard to participation and stakeholders, particularly the grassroots people who bear the greatest brunt of vulnerability, shocks, stresses and trends. In conclusion, the paper stresses the potential benefits of adopting an inclusive, rights-based thrust to disaster risk reduction in Zimbabwe.

scholarly journals Managing Borders During Public Health Emergencies of International Concern: A Proposed Typology of Cross-border Health Measures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelley Lee ◽  
Karen A Grépin ◽  
Catherine Worsnop ◽  
Summer Marion ◽  
Julianne Piper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
World Health ◽  
Border Health ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Starting Point

Abstract BackgroundThe near universal adoption of cross-border health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide has prompted significant debate about their effectiveness and compliance with international law. The number of measures used, and the range of measures applied, have far exceeded previous public health emergencies of international concern. However, efforts to advance research, policy and practice to support their effective use has been hindered by a lack of clear and consistent definition. ResultsBased on a review of existing datasets for cross-border health measures, such as the Oxford Coronavirus Government Response Tracker and World Health Organization Public Health and Social Measures, along with analysis of secondary and grey literature, we propose six categories to define measures more clearly and consistently – type of movement (travel and trade), policy goal, level of jurisdiction, use by public versus private sector, stage of journey, and degree of restrictiveness. These categories are then be brought together into a proposed typology that can support research with generalizable findings and comparative analyses across jurisdictions. The typology facilitates evidence-informed decision-making which takes account of policy complexity including trade-offs and externalities. Finally, the typology can support efforts to strengthen coordinated global responses to outbreaks and inform future efforts to revise the WHO International Health Regulations (2005). ConclusionsThe widespread use of cross-border health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted significant reflection on available evidence, previous practice and existing legal frameworks. The typology put forth in this paper aims to provide a starting point for strengthening research, policy and practice.

scholarly journals Corporate Donations as a Source of Financing an Innovative Strategic Economic Plan to Strengthen the National Economy in More Than One Axis in Developing and Poor Countries: A Justified View

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-61
Author(s):  
Younis A. Battal Saleh
Keyword(s):  
National Economy ◽  
Social Problems ◽  
Corporate Philanthropy ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Financial Policies ◽  
Economic Plan ◽  
Poor Countries ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Comprehensive Development ◽  
Practical Level

In developing and poor countries, corporate donations, which are one of the sources of financing available in those countries, are not being used effectively ″in a correct and ideal way.″ As a result, this theoretical study presented an idea about how to manage and invest this resource in a fruitful way that contributes to strengthening the national economy in more than one axis and addressing many social problems and negative phenomena resulting from the deterioration of economic conditions in those countries, through a strategic economic plan was designed for this purpose. To a large extent, the structure of this study, the formulation of its idea and the formation of its conceptual framework depended on personal diligence, rational thinking and the researcher's imagination, supported by logical justifications. Corporate donations can be used according to the innovative strategic plan to boost the national economy in more than one axis in those countries ″doubling the number of companies - strengthening the infrastructure - enhancing the state's tax revenues - contributing to solving the unemployment problem, etc. ″.Also, this plan will contribute to solving many social problems resulting from the deterioration of the economic conditions in these countries. This is on the practical level, but on the theoretical level, in the field of CSR thought, this study indicated the need to adopt the concept of priority "most important" and the idea of ​​addressing the causes of the problem, not its symptoms, as much as possible, to be included in the list of principles of CSR. Also, this study defined what is meant by the CER at the level of the country's economy as a whole, and fruitful corporate philanthropy "multi-purpose". As well as, this study explained the real interaction between the CER and the CPR at the level of the country's economy as a whole and at the level of the corporation's economy. The researcher expects that this study will receive sufficient attention from the governments of these countries and to benefit from its content in developing their financial policies and laws related to the management and investment of corporate donations in bringing about a real comprehensive development. Also, this study may be the starting point and the cornerstone of many studies and research in this field.  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document