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The Choice of Candidate-Centered Electoral Systems In New Democracies (2017.03)
- Author : Jae Hyeok Shin
- Journal : Party Politics
- Publisher : Sage Publishing
- Volume : 23(2)
- Publication Date : March, 2017
- Abstract : Most studies of candidate-centered electoral systems, that encourage politicians to seek personal votes, have focused on the impact of such institutions. This paper focuses instead on their origins in new democracies. It hypothesizes that voter demands for local and individual benefits and party access to government resources for such benefits are likely to lead politicians to choose a candidate-centered electoral rule during a transition to democracy. Cross-national quantitative studies of 97 new democracies from 1950 to 2008 support these claims, revealing that (1) the poorer the average voter, the more likely a candidate-centered electoral institution will be adopted and (2) where incumbent governing parties are more influential in selecting new rules, candidate-centered electoral systems are more likely to be selected. Nonetheless, (3) in highly developed countries even those governing party members tend to opt for a party-centered system; conversely, (4) in extremely less-developed countries even opposition politicians, who would otherwise select a party-centered electoral system, are likely to choose a candidate-centered system if they are dominant at the time of writing the new institution. These findings shed light on the endogeneity of electoral systems and suggest a powerful impact of social context on institutional choice. The paper also contributes more generally to theories of electoral system choice.
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Complex Geopolitics and Security Dynamics of Population, Migration, and Refugee: Implications for the Korean Peninsula (2017.03)
- Author : Shin-wha Lee
- Journal : The Journal of Asiatic Studies
- Publisher : Asiatic Research Institute, Korea University
- Volume : 60(1)
- Publication Date : March, 2017
- Abstract : Non-military “new security” issues such as climate change, terrorism, cyber attacks, and humanitarian crisis has emerged as a serious security threats in the international relations of the 21st century. Furthermore, the interaction between such emerging security threats and traditional military/political security is increasingly becoming noticeable. For instance, global warming, trade disputes, and refugee flows causes armed conflicts within a state and/or inter-state conflicts. The Korean peninsula where geopolitical and military issues are have been the foremost concerns, is no longer an exception of such trends, but non-traditional, emerging security remains as a secondary concern to the Korean policy community. It should be noted that the complicated and unstable geopolitical security situations surrounding the Peninsula cannot be dealt with unless we examine the interaction of traditional-nontraditional security from the view of “complex geopolitics.” In this context, this paper examines what emerging security issues could become threats to social and national security through certain types of complex processes. The paper also discusses conditions for emerging security issues that link to military and political issues and generate inter-state conflicts. With particular emphasis upon issues related to population, migration and refugees, the paper identifies why these issues could be serious challenges for Korea’s security and diplomacy, as well as assesses the implications of these challenges for inter-Korean relations. The paper also highlights the significance of comprehensive security perspectives when coping with the international relations and security of Northeast Asia.
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Dynamics of Conflicts and Refugees: African Refugees as Humanitarian Crisis and Security Threats (2017.03)
- Author : Shin-wha Lee
- Journal : The 21st Century Political Science Review
- Publisher : 21st Century Political Science Association
- Volume : 27(1)
- Publication Date : March, 2017
- Abstract : Global refugee crisis requires academic and policy approaches by which refugees are not only regarded as helpless victims but also as agents who cause economic, social, and ecological instability, and even inter-state conflicts. Although Europe faces the biggest refugee crisis since World War II, which are perceived as the greatest regional security challenge, more than 85% of global refugees reside in neighboring undeveloped countries where there are civil war, famine, poverty, and other problems similar to those of refugee-producing countries. If advanced countries attempt to tighten border security for their own national interest, they may secure stability in the short run, but ultimately bring about more serious consequences. Still, more states and local peoples tend to “securitize” refugee issues, remaining very passive about or rejecting refugee inflows. This paper intends not to agree with these trend by emphasizing the possibility of refugees becoming security threats. Rather, the paper criticizes those who politically use refugee crisis and seek sustainable realistic responses to refugee crisis by examining it both from humanitarian and security perspectives. Citing the complex dynamics of violent conflicts and refugee flows in sub-Saharan Africa, the paper intends to seek two-way analysis of refugee problems as victims and (intended or unintended) agents of conflicts.
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Economic Transition and Inequality in Vietnam: Political Economy of Privatization and Inequality (2017.03)
- Authors : Yangho Rhee, Hyeok Yong Kwon, and Eunju Chi
- Journal : East and West Studies
- Publisher : Institute of East and West Studies, Yonsei University
- Volume : 29(1)
- Publication Date : March, 2017
- Abstract : In 1986, Vietnam introduced capitalism through the Doi Moi reforms. Generally, socialism turns to capitalism, economic recession and inequality follows. However, transition economy in Vietnam produced high rate of economic growth without the aggravation of inequality. In addition, the poverty rate reduced rapidly during the reforms. These performances are different features from other transition economies such as post-communist countries and China. Contrary to Vietnamese case, the post-communist countries in the Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia experienced long economic recession and the aggravation of inequality. And China has been suffering from high level of inequality after economic reforms. This article examines the process of economic reforms in Vietnam, and then tries to figure out the reason which makes the difference between them. Focusing on the role of Communist Party of Vietnam in reform process, this article shows that flexible and responsible leadership was the main reason of its economic growth without the aggravation of inequality.
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