This paper analyses the strategic evolution of France and India in response to the intensification of Sino-American great power competition. The theoretical foundation is that the world order...Show moreThis paper analyses the strategic evolution of France and India in response to the intensification of Sino-American great power competition. The theoretical foundation is that the world order transitioned to multiplexity. A multiplex world order is defined by interaction capacity, which is a state’s capability to move ideas, goods, people, money, and armed forces across the system. A key observation is that emerging powers can more easily assume leadership positions in a multiplex world than during polarity. The case study of France and India demonstrates that both states recognise a changing world order. As an established middle power, France is concerned about a changing order. India, on the other hand, views it as a chance to gain power and influence. Both focus on diplomacy and capacity-building measures in their relationships with others, especially other middle powers. Additionally, both reject balancing and bandwagoning while instead building strategic autonomy. The study underscores how multiplexity empowers middle powers to strengthen their autonomy and actively shape global dynamics amid great power competition, contributing to a deeper understanding of contemporary international relations.Show less
While crises accumulate in the developing countries, major donors decrease their aid budget. Consequently, understanding determinants of aid effectiveness is crucial to improving health around the...Show moreWhile crises accumulate in the developing countries, major donors decrease their aid budget. Consequently, understanding determinants of aid effectiveness is crucial to improving health around the World. Previous research has put forward the positive influence of democratic regimes on health improvements. Nonetheless, little is known about the role of recipients' political regimes on the success of aid project implementation. This paper seeks to clarify this relationship by answering the question “What is the effect of regime type on the effective implementation of project-aid targeted to health?”. The study focuses on the World Bank projects in the health sector in Africa. An OLS approach is chosen to investigate democratic mechanisms, data is retrieved through the Independent Evaluation Group and Freedom House. The results show a positive but weak non-significant effect of democracy on aid effectiveness. Hence, findings do not provide evidence that democracies are better at implementing health aid projects. Using a larger sample is recommended for future studies.Show less
The Ottoman Empire grew increasingly accepting of European law of nations when it became clear that its survival was at stake. In a bid to appeal to their European counterparts, the Ottomans sought...Show moreThe Ottoman Empire grew increasingly accepting of European law of nations when it became clear that its survival was at stake. In a bid to appeal to their European counterparts, the Ottomans sought to reform their existing administrative practices and governmental institutions into a bureaucratic system based on the Western model. Inspired by the European state system, the Ottoman Empire broke its long and historical streak of militaristic statecraft in favor of changing its approach to foreign affairs.Show less
This article aims to shed new light on the legitimacy of peacebuilding processes in Libya. The article moves away from the liberal and “top-down” approach, as it aims to examine peacebuilding...Show moreThis article aims to shed new light on the legitimacy of peacebuilding processes in Libya. The article moves away from the liberal and “top-down” approach, as it aims to examine peacebuilding through the “Human Security” theory (HS). HS is a “bottom-up” approach and promotes local engagement in the peacebuilding consensus. This article aims to answer the research question: To what extent is the local engagement in Libya’s peacebuilding processes in line with the Human Security approach? The case study is conducted upon Libya, due to a recent political transition and instability since 2011, high levels of human insecurity and its under-researched nature. This research is built upon the framework of HS provided by the UNTFHS, which offered 7 types of human insecurities. To uncover the relationship between local engagement and the legitimacy of peacebuilding efforts, this article utilizes existing documents of international and local organisations and movements as empirical evidence of local inclusion. Conclusions drawn upon HS in the peacebuilding consensus in Libya will eventually also be based upon five fundamental pillars of HS.Show less
While natural disasters may be indiscriminate in their targets the subsequent damage is not divided equally across the different segments of society. Through studying trends of aid distribution we...Show moreWhile natural disasters may be indiscriminate in their targets the subsequent damage is not divided equally across the different segments of society. Through studying trends of aid distribution we find that the ability to mitigate and recover from the harms of a natural disaster is distributed according to existing socio-economic structures favouring the privileged. By applying relative deprivation theory this study explores how horizontal inequalities of aid increase economic inequalities. Subsequently, economic inequalities can be employed to mobilise organised violence, given there is a financial opportunity presented by international development aid. A sub-national empirical analysis is conducted that includes 171 first order administrative divisions across five South East Asian countries. Using data covering the World Bank’s aid distribution from 1995- 2009 an indicator is calculated that measures the level of inequality. The binary logistic regression finds that the more unequal the aid distribution, the less likely organised violence is to occur.Show less
