Third term bid will cloud Zambian funding prospects

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Presidential Elections ◽  
The United States ◽  
Financial Assistance ◽  
Considerable Progress ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Economic Decline ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Donors

Significance A recent IMF mission reported considerable progress towards agreement on a proposed 1.2-billion-dollar rescue package. However, the increasingly authoritarian bent of the Patriotic Front (PF) government is complicating prospects for wider financial assistance. International donors are wary of supporting President Edgar Lungu who stands accused of rigging the 2016 presidential elections, undermining civil society, and interfering with the judiciary to secure a controversial third, five-year term in office. Impacts Without a comprehensive economic recovery plan in place shortly, ratings agency downgrades could take place later this year. The removal of popular subsidies on food and electricity is likely to trigger popular protest and result in opposition gains. Rising demand for copper in the United States and China may result in a spike in prices, alleviating economic decline.

Indonesian cybersecurity faces geopolitical hurdles

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Data Protection ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
The United States ◽  
Digital Economy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Personal Data Protection ◽  
State Surveillance ◽  
Data Protection Law

Significance Such programmes contribute not only to Indonesia’s efforts to boost the cyber readiness of its booming digital economy, but are also designed to maintain China's friendly relations with South-east Asia’s largest economy amid the intensifying technology tensions between China and the United States. Impacts The Personal Data Protection Law would need to clarify key provisions and concepts to be effective. The BSSN’s extensive powers will fuel civil society concerns about excessive state surveillance. Turning down Chinese technology suppliers carries cost and wider economic ramifications for Jakarta.

‘Op proef doeltreffend gebleken, kunnen we spreken van een bereikt ideaal’

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-59
Author(s):  
Jacques Lemmink
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Presidential Elections ◽  
Electoral System ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dutch Version ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Religious Networks ◽  
Voting Machine

Abstract ‘Proved effective on trial, we can speak of an achieved ideal’ Abraham Kuyper and the mechanical voting machine, c. 1895-1905 During the latest presidential elections in the United States, unfounded conspiracy theories sprung up concerning alleged ballot box fraud by compromised voting machines. Although different voting machines had been used in the Netherlands since 1966, concerns over their reliability ended this in 2007. This article investigates the forgotten but ultimately failed attempt to introduce mechanical voting machines a century earlier. It focuses on the role played by prominent politician Abraham Kuyper, who personally visited the Standard Voting Machine Company in Rochester in 1898. The article illustrates how Kuyper’s transatlantic political and religious networks facilitated the voting machine’s transfer, rather than scientific connections. Paradoxically, the introduction of proportional representation in 1917 marked the end of tentative attempts to develop a Dutch version of the American mechanical voting machine. The implementation in the voting process turned out be too expensive, too early, and too complicated for the Dutch electoral system at the dawn of the twentieth century.

Trump may destabilise Korean Peninsula

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Korean Peninsula ◽  
Presidential Elections ◽  
The United States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Us ◽  
North And South ◽  
Trump Administration

Subject US relations with North and South Korea under the incoming Trump administration. Significance The period of transition to Donald Trump's presidency in the United States has displayed neglect and misunderstanding of Korean peninsula affairs, adding to risks for the region as it approaches a period of significant strategic challenge. Impacts Until Trump's team enunciates policy on the Koreas, responses to events will be unprepared and reactive. Trump's policy will influence presidential elections in South Korea, where left-of-centre candidates question the value of the US alliance. The Trump administration’s policy and communication via Twitter heightens risk of misunderstanding within the region.

Lobbying could increase US populism

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Campaign Finance ◽  
The United States ◽  
Law Reform ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Second Amendment ◽  
Reform Debate

Significance The pro-gun lobby is one of the most influential in the United States and resists attempts to curtail Second Amendment (“right to … bear arms”) freedoms. At the heart of the pending gun-law reform debate is the power that lobbyists and ‘big money’ have over US lawmakers and elections. Impacts Lobbying will increasingly benefit the economically wealthy, including businesses and well-funded civil society groups. The controversy over alleged nefarious Russian influence in US elections could lead to higher scrutiny of campaign finance sources. If the mismatch between voters and laws grows too large, this could drive more populist politics and candidates.

EU global regulatory influence faces rising challenges

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Political Values ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Recovery Plan ◽  
Democratic Candidate ◽  
Regulatory Influence ◽  
The Eu

Significance However, the economic and geopolitical environment which facilitated its global regulatory success is changing. Impacts The EU’s unprecedented economic recovery plan should strengthen unity and give it confidence to act stronger on the global stage. Political values will play an increasingly prominent role in shaping the bloc’s relationship with countries such as China. The election of Democratic candidate Joe Biden will not guarantee closer regulatory ties between the United States and the EU.

US-Cuba thaw will raise hopes of extractives boost

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Foreign Companies ◽  
Energy Projects ◽  
Operational Practices ◽  
Capital Injections

Subject Cuba extractive opportunities. Significance US President Barack Obama's recent visit to Cuba has increased hopes of an economic recovery in the isolated island nation. Cuba is said to have almost 250 mining and energy projects in need of investors and is experiencing a sudden, but modest, investment boost thanks to its rapprochement with the United States. Impacts The prospect of the embargo being lifted could encourage more foreign companies to invest now to beat a possible rush. The end of the embargo would be a boon for Canadian mining firms, facilitating investment, operations and sales. While some firms may sell their Cuban operations, others will see capital injections from US companies. Operational practices will face closer scrutiny, necessitating increased investment in raising standards.

Tarnished Kenyan poll will prolong crisis

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Presidential Election ◽  
The United States ◽  
Political Uncertainty ◽  
Content Type

Significance Kenyatta's determination to push on with the poll comes after one of the seven IEBC commissioners, Roselyn Akombe, admitted publicly on October 18 that the IEBC could not guarantee a credible presidential election and subsequently fled to the United States. Her public admission came a week after Raila Odinga, the main opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) candidate, withdrew from the poll for which Kenyatta is vigorously campaigning. Impacts Prolonged political uncertainty will confirm to neighbouring countries the risks of regional infrastructure routes going through Kenya. A new Jubilee government may take some measures to curb the independence of institutions such as the courts. Rising civil society pressure calling for postponement of the poll is unlikely to be listened to by the authorities.

Japan will engage steadfastly with South-east Asia

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
East Asia ◽  
North Korea ◽  
The United States ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Donald Trump ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Major Powers ◽  
Manufactured Goods

Significance Japan is viewed by ASEAN states as the most constructive player among the major powers. China is seen as aggressive and the United States as unreliable under President Donald Trump. Impacts Suga is unlikely to remain in office for more than a year. Post-pandemic economic recovery in Japan will be slow due to weak demand for its manufactured goods at home and abroad. China’s stance over the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands and the missile threat from North Korea will be Tokyo’s top security concerns.

Mexico’s auto industry faces dual challenges

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Auto Industry ◽  
The United States ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Economic Downturn ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Industry

Significance The USMCA represents continuity with NAFTA in most sectors, but introduces new rules governing the automotive trade, a key industry for Mexico’s economy. The challenges of USMCA implementation come on top of a severe economic downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Impacts The USMCA provides some commercial certainty for investors in Mexico, in a context of political and health risks. The new rules bring opportunities for new auto investment in Mexico, but these may come at the expense of higher overall production costs. The agreement’s immediate impact will depend on the pace of economic recovery in Mexico and the United States.

New laws pose threat to Kyrgyzstan's civil society

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
The United States ◽  
The West ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Activities ◽  
Civil Society Organisations ◽  
Eurasian Economic Union ◽  
Economic Union

Significance The dispute between the United States and Kyrgyzstan revolves around Washington giving imprisoned activist Azimjon Askarov the Human Rights Defender Award in 2014. As Bishkek moves closer to Russia through its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), Kyrgyzstan's civil society is under threat. Impacts Harassment, intimidation and attacks on civil society organisations will become more pervasive. A focus on NGOs which receive foreign funding and engage in vaguely defined political activities and on LGBT groups is increasing. Relations between Kyrgyzstan and the West will be increasingly strained.

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