Microplanning and Language Policy in Morocco

Language policy and planning (LPP) has undergone an epistemological turn. Early LPP works approached linguistic diversity as a problem; especially for the newly independent states, but in today’s globalized world, multilingualism is the norm. A major issue that characterizes contemporary LPP in Morocco and needs further investigation is the interaction between macro-policies and local practices. Most top down language policies face resistance from speech communities. The purpose of this paper is to illuminate the role of micro-planning and local agents in implementing a workable language policy. The aim is to reduce the gap between LPP research and local practices by using an ethnographic approach. Ruiz orientational model and Spolsky’s management theory provide a rich theoretical framework. Micro-planning can translate central policies into local practices.

Cross-sectional study on the characteristics of unrecorded alcohol consumption in nine newly independent states between 2013 and 2017

ObjectivesAs unrecorded alcohol use contributes to a substantial burden of disease, this study characterises this phenomenon in newly independent states (NIS) of the former Soviet Union with regard to the sources of unrecorded alcohol, and the proportion of unrecorded of total alcohol consumption. We also investigate associated sociodemographic characteristics and drinking patterns.DesignCross-sectional data on overall and unrecorded alcohol use in the past 7 days from WHO STEPwise Approach to NCD Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPS) surveys. Descriptive statistics were calculated at the country level, hierarchical logistic and linear regression models were used to investigate sociodemographic characteristics and drinking patterns associated with using unrecorded alcohol.SettingNine NIS (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) in the years 2013–2017.ParticipantsNationally representative samples including a total of 36 259 participants.ResultsA total of 6251 participants (19.7%; 95% CI 7.9% to 31.5%) reported alcohol consumption in the past 7 days, 2185 of which (35.1%; 95% CI 8.2% to 62.0%) reported unrecorded alcohol consumption with pronounced differences between countries. The population-weighted average proportion of unrecorded consumption in nine NIS was 8.7% (95% CI 5.9% to 12.4%). The most common type of unrecorded alcohol was home-made spirits, followed by home-made beer and wine. Older (45–69 vs 25–44 years) and unemployed (vs employed) participants had higher odds of using unrecorded alcohol. More nuanced sociodemographic differences were observed for specific types of unrecorded alcohol.ConclusionsThis contribution is the first to highlight both, prevalence and composition of unrecorded alcohol consumption in nine NIS. The observed proportions and sources of unrecorded alcohol are discussed in light of local challenges in policy implementation, especially in regard to the newly formed Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), as some but not all NIS are in the EAEU.

Stratification processes in Uzbek society

The stratification processes taking place in the newly independent states of the post-Soviet space have both common starting principles and special tendencies. Under the conditions of market reforms, stratification processes are deepening. Based on a comparative analysis of various approaches, the author identified nine types of stratification systems and their general historical nature. A summary description of the specifics of each of them is provided. As a special feature, the article shows the division of Uzbek society into various social strata and strata according to their status indicators.

Mechanisms of public administration in post-soviet societies

This article focuses on the problem of public administration in the countries of the former Soviet Union. It reveals the economic development issues of the states of the post-Soviet space, considers the main common and distinctive features for the newly independent states. The central problem raised in the article is the determination of the current state of the modernization process in post-Soviet societies. The author assumes the presence of demodernization and presents an argument in confirming his opinion. In addition, the article reveals the issues of the modern political state of such countries of the former USSR as Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. The author traces the process of demodernization and dependence of political and social development on the governing elitist groups, leading to authoritarianism as opposed to the supposed democracy and modernization.

Constitutional Negotations: Dynamics, Deadlicks and Solutions

Countries often amend their constitutions or enact new ones following major political events, such as the founding of newly independent states, the fall of an authoritarian regime or the end of violent conflict. Significant constitutional reform at a crucial moment is often a high-stakes process because a constitution regulates access to public power and resources among different groups. While disagreements over divisive topics are likely and even inherent to constitution-making, they may also result in a serious deadlock when stakeholders are unable to reach agreement. A prolonged deadlock can delay or even derail the whole reform process. In this context, it may be advisable to create incentives that can help parties to the negotiations overcome divergence and resolve deadlocks should they occur. This Constitution Brief focuses on strategies and mechanisms for breaking a deadlock in constitutional negotiations conducted in an environment of competitive democratic politics.

We Owe You Nothing

This chapter analyses how the context of decolonization gave rise to a new discourse in international public law on the legitimacy and legality of sovereign debts contracted during the colonial times. It focuses on the international doctrine of state succession created by ‘third-world’ legal scholars within the context of the United Nations (UN), at the UN General Assembly (UNGA), and the International Law Commission (ILC). This chapter focuses in particular on the twenty-year-long effort started in the 1960s by the ILC to codify the doctrine on the law of State Succession in respect to State Property, Archives and Debts, which led to the adoption of the so-named Convention by a majority of newly independent states in 1983. In doing so, it highlights the tools that international public law gave to the global movement in favour of the cancellation of sovereign debts contracted during colonial times. The chapter is based on archival research as well as extensive interviews with the concerned lawyers, in particular, with foremost foreign policy architect and prominent international law scholar Mohamed Bedjaoui (1929–) who opposed the continuity in sovereign debt obligations that former empires wanted to impose on newly independent states.

The Commonwealth of Independent States and the Eurasian Economic Union

This chapter examines two Eurasian international organizations in comparison, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the more recent Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), a project of more advanced economic integration. It starts with the puzzling observation that the CIS established an IPI, whereas the EAEU did not, in spite of higher authority. The CIS International Parliamentary Assembly is best explained by international diffusion, as an attempt to strengthen the international legitimacy of newly independent states. By contrast, international diffusion backfired in the EAEU case. The adoption of the European Parliament model in the Russian proposal for a Eurasian Parliament was opposed by the smaller member states, who feared that it would put EAEU on a track towards a general-purpose international organization, which would undermine their sovereignty in a Russia-dominated political union.