Neoliberalism with Scandinavian characteristics: The slow formation of neoliberal common sense in Denmark

This article describes the ascension of neoliberal economic ideas in the macroeconomic establishment in Denmark. Based on a systematic analysis of documents from the Danish government and the Economic Council from the 1970s to the early 2000s, the article traces the development of the economic ideas and policy instrument that dominate the analytical process of the Danish macroeconomic establishment. The article applies a Gramscian-inspired framework to track the gradual and uneven process under which neoliberal economic ideas became common sense in the Danish context. This framework challenges some of the assumptions of the ideational focus of much constructivist literature, and offers an alternative analysis focused on the legitimating role of economic ideas. As much of the ideational change took place after policy adaptions to international economic developments, the Danish case provides little support for the theory of the causal power of ideas. Rather, it seems as though economic models and ideas are imported as ‘after the fact’ legitimations of changes in policy.

The Role of the Arctic Economic Council in the International Legal Framework of the Arctic Ocean Environmental Governing

INTRODUCTION. The article covers the legal aspects of the establishment of a new international forum – the Arctic Economic Council – and its role in the existing international legal framework for governing the Arctic Ocean, including the Arctic seas. The status and the functioning of the said international forum, particularly with regard to the activities within its Working Groups, have been examined based on the analysis of the documents adopted by the forum since its establishment. Special attention has been paid to the legal analysis of the coordination of the newly established forum with the Arctic Council and the prospects of such institutional cooperation.MATERIALS AND METHODS. The research done by the authors on the relevant documents released by the Artic Council, in the context of legal and scientific sources on the topic of the Arctic Ocean and its seas, as well as on the Reports of the Arctic Economic Council submitted to the Senior Officials of the Arctic Council, underlies this article. The article also takes into consideration political and legal research of the Arctic Council’s work, aimed at the sustainable development of the economic activities in the region, as well as respective archive documents from the electronic database of the Arctic Council, including relevant press releases.RESEARCH RESULTS. The Arctic Economic Council (AEC), established upon the initiative of the Arctic Council in 2014, is a new circumpolar business-forum, which aims at fostering the sustainable development of the Arctic region by substantive cooperation with the entrepreneurs, carrying out economic activities in the region or planning to do so. The new international organization has the potential to become an effective international legal mechanism to promote greener economies in the Arctic; meanwhile, the organization is yet to become a constructive platform for dialogue on fostering the economic activities in the region.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. The AEC foundational documents determine the structure and the course of action of the organization. The article, nevertheless, suggests that the executives and the Secretary of this newly established international forum ensure that the business representatives, committed to conduct activities in the Arctic, seek to comply with the international environmental standards, applicable to the Arctic; particularly that, subject to the unique vulnerability of the Arctic environment, an exchange of best practices takes place. Moreover, in view of the increased shipping and growth of other marine activities in the region, the Arctic business standards not only need to be more environmentally oriented, but also take into account the possibility of diversifying the Arctic economy. The AEC could focus its efforts on enhancing the quality of the regional regulation of the economic activities in the Arctic, paying particular attention to the coordinated self-regulative measures of the legal entities in different countries. In this case, its activities may prove to be more relevant and effective.

Power and business in the first years of NEP: The paraffin case

The article discusses the relationship between authorities and business in 19211922 using the example of the litigation at the end of March 1922 at the Supreme Tribunal of All-Russian Central Executive Committee (VTsIK) accusing a group of employees of the People’s Commissariat of Foreign Trade, Supreme Economic Council and private intermediaries in the sale and resale of imported paraffin at speculative prices. The uniqueness of this case was that the harsh sentence was quashed by the Presidium of VTsIK, and the case was dismissed. The deal lasted two weeks and was investigated by the Cheka and the Supreme Tribunal by denunciation of one of the customers who was dissatisfied with the growth in paraffin prices during this time. The process went in accordance with Lenin’s directive to combat the abuse of NEP, although the defendants did not break the laws. Investigations and the court attributed normal trading practice to those abuses. It is shown that Lenin’s instruction contradicted the principle of raising the productive forces at all costs previously put forward by himself. The article shows controversy between the leaders of economic departments, who spoke out in defense of the accused and for the development of NEP, and law enforcement officials who tried to limit NEP. The reasons for the cancellation of a severe conviction are analyzed. It is proposed how to use the lessons of the paraffin case to improve present relationships between business and authorities.

The Eurasian Economic Union: Problems and Prospects

On 29 May 2014, during the meeting of Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, the Presidents of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan signed the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Presently, the EAEU consists of the Russian Federation, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and the Kyrgyz Republic. Nonetheless, the EAEU is lobbying for an ambitious plan of enlargement and is aiming to expand across the entire Eurasian region. The EAEU claims to be the second union after the European Union with the deepest integration aspirations, containing similar institutions and decision-making approaches. This article argues that there are a number of challenges for the effective functioning of EAEU and that its Member States are not yet fully committed to liberalization in practice, contrary to the aspirations they are advocating.

Health in All Policies: From rhetoric to implementation and evaluation – the Finnish experience

The principles of the Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach are not new. Their international roots can be traced back to 1978 and the Alma-Ata Declaration and the 1986 Ottawa Charter. In Finland, the roots of HiAP go back to 1972 when the Economic Council of Finland, chaired by the Prime Minister, launched the ‘Report of the working group exploring the goals of health’. The paper discusses the history, rationale, and implementation of the principles underlying the umbrella concept of HiAP. A rationale for implementing a new concept – HiAP in 2006 during the Finnish European Union presidency – is given. The focus here will be on implementation of HiAP. International material supporting the implementation is introduced and practical examples from Finland presented. The Benchmarking System for Health Promotion Capacity Building is introduced, since it has been used as a primary source of information for monitoring and evaluating HiAP in Finland at the local level. The experience from Finland clearly indicates that HiAP as an approach and as a way of working requires long-term commitment and vision. For working across sectors it is crucial to have data on health and health determinants and analyses of the links between health outcomes, health determinants, and policies across sectors and levels of governance. Intersectoral structures, processes, and tools for the identification of problems and solutions, decisions, and implementation across sectors are prerequisites of HiAP. Legislative backing has proven to be useful, especially in providing continuation and sustainability.

Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaigns may falter

Subject Nigeria's anti-corruption efforts. Significance President Muhammadu Buhari announced on December 20 that the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) would be reorganised after a corruption scandal involving its former head. The announcement follows multiple reports of alleged corruption and illegal operations, the latest sign of increasing setbacks to Buhari's ostensible anti-corruption drive. Many of the assets recovered by the state’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are currently unaccounted for, while numerous allegations of corruption have been levelled against officials close to Buhari. Impacts The government's attempts to reform the NIA may not increase the agency’s cooperativeness with other security and anti-corruption bodies. A 1-billion-dollar fund recently approved by the National Economic Council to counter Boko Haram has raised concerns of possible diversion. Efforts to promote national judicial reform have slowed and could lose further momentum before 2019.