Political history of modern Egypt

Author(s): Islam Islami / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2016

Under the Ottoman Empire, Egypt was granted some auto-nomy because as long as taxes were paid, the Ottomans were content to let the Egyptians administer them. Nevertheless, the 17th and 18th centuries were ones of economic decline for Egypt. In 1798, the French army led by Napoleon Bonaparte landed in Egypt and defeated the Egyptians on land at the battle of the Pyramids, but he was utterly defeated at sea by the British navy, which made him abandon his army and leave Egypt. Subsequently, British and Ottoman forces defeated the French army and forced them to surrender. In particular after the last quarter of 19th century, in Egypt began colonizing activities by Western European countries, while the reaction to such events occurred within “the Egyptian national movement.” With its history of five thousand years, Egypt is considered as the first modern state of the Arab world. Ottoman military representative Mehmet Ali Pasha takes a special place through his contribution to this process. He is seen as a statesman who carried important reforms, which can be compared even with the ones of Tanzimat. He managed to build Egypt as an independent state from the Ottoman Empire, standing on its own power. Gamal Abdel Nasser was the one who established the Republic of Egypt and ended the monarchy rule in Egypt following the Egyptian revolution in 1952. Egypt was ruled autocratically by three presidents over the following six decades, by Nasser from 1954 until his death in 1970, by Anwar Sadat from 1971 until his assassination 1981, and by Hosni Mubarak from 1981 until his resignation in the face of the 2011 Egyptian revolution.

How Theoretically Opposite Models of Interethnic Power‑Sharing Can Complement Each Other and Contribute to Political Stabilization: The Case of Nigeria

Author(s): Krzysztof Trzciński / Language(s): English Issue: 42/2016

The aim of this article is to demonstrate the thesis that the stabilization of Nigeria’s complicated political situation is furthered by the functioning in that country of institutions based on two models of interethnic power‑sharing2 – consociationalism and centripetalism – and that the two are to some extent complementary in Nigerian practice, despite the fact that political theory sees the two as opposites of each other. The article begins with a short analysis of the political situation in Nigeria. This is followed by a presentation of the problem of defining the notion of political stability and an assessment of the same in the Nigerian context. The article then goes on to discuss the nature of centripetalism and consociationalism and of specific centripetal and consociational institutions involved in the stabilization of the political situation in Nigeria. The article ends with the author’s conclusions about the initial thesis.

Peace Operations in the Activity of the Organisation of African Unity and the African Union

Author(s): Wiesław Lizak / Language(s): English Issue: 42/2016

The evolution of the regional system of cooperation for peace and security in Africa led to the formation of institutionalized methods and forms of cooperation within the framework of regional international organizations (Organization of African Unity, African Union) and the creation of the African Peace and Security Architecture. One of the important forms of activity within it became peacekeeping operations. Maintenance, building and peace enforcement missions have become part of the strategy to shape the international environment in which security is a prerequisite for the smooth implementation of development goals. African international forces heretofore have participated in stabilization operations in countries such as Chad, Rwanda, Burundi, the Comoros, Sudan, Somalia and the Central African Republic.

Education and Development in the Sino‑African Context of Relations. The Cases of Tanzania and Sudan

Author(s): István Tarrósy,Zoltán Vörös / Language(s): English Issue: 42/2016

This study focuses on the involvement of China in the above two African states, arguing that the development of the education sector, therefore the development via education is crucial for any of the states of the continent. It gives an overview of education as a significant aspect of human development in the context of opposing policies of the international financial institutions (IFIs) and the Chinese government. In the light of the FOCAC process, China’s involvement in the development of human resources on African soil will be looked at closely, also questioning whether or not China may present an ‘alternative’ to the IFIs in the field.

EPA as a Tool for the Development of Sub‑Saharan Countries. Does it Work ?

Author(s): Katarzyna Kołodziejczyk / Language(s): English Issue: 42/2016

The article discusses Economic Partnership Agreements, which have become a tool for transforming trade relations between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), including the countries of Sub‑Saharan Africa. The agreements combine trade and development into a single whole, and as envisaged by the European Union, they are to become an instrument for achieving the development goals of the ACP states. Their common characteristic is free access to markets under the principle of reciprocity. Given the development asymmetry between the European Union and the ACP states, there arises a question of whether EPAs will be an instrument serving their development, and this article is an attempt at providing an answer to this question.

Ethiopian foreign policy in the Horn of Africa: Informal relations with Somaliland and their possible future development

Author(s): Kateřina Rudincová / Language(s): English Issue: 42/2016

The paper deals with the foreign policy of Ethiopia toward Somalia and issues connected to the informal relations with Somaliland and its possible international recognition in particular. Somaliland is de facto state which declared its independence unilaterally as a response to the outbreak of the Somali civil war in 1991. Even though it managed to promote peace and stability in its territory, it has not been recognized by any state of international community yet. However, it has developed strategic partnerships and relations with European and African countries. The most important ally or partner of Somaliland in the Horn of Africa is Ethiopia. It cooperates with Somaliland in the field of economy, politics and security. However, due to certain political and geopolitical factors, Ethiopia is not willing to recognize Somaliland de iure and is dedicated to the idea of united Somalia. Therefore, the strategies Ethiopia uses when dealing with this de facto state and also the geopolitical factors why Ethiopia is still not willing to recognize Somaliland de jure will be analysed in this paper. The possibilities of future development of Ethiopia‑Somaliland relations will be evaluated considering geopolitical and political factors.

Dad dad buu dugsadaa dugaagna geed – the Somali diaspora in the United States and their impact on the American domestic, social and security situation

Author(s): Marta Antosz / Language(s): English Issue: 42/2016

The paper is dedicated to the Somali diaspora in the United States and its influence on the American domestic, social and security situation in relation to: 1) Somali cultural, historical and religious background, 2) history and patterns of U.S. Somali immigration, 3) analysis of the Somali cultural adaptation to American society, 4) analysis of the remittances sent from diaspora back home and certain associated patterns 5) potential among Somalis, especially young Somalis, when it comes to the Islamic radicalization, 6) analysis of the Somalis as part of Black African immigration. However, Somalis are not even close to being the largest migration group from Sub‑Saharan Africa, for sure they are a significant one. Settled mostly in Minnesota (mostly the Minneapolis urban area), Columbus (Ohio), Seattle (Washington), Virginia, Washington D.C. metropolitan area, New York City metropolitan area, San Diego and Georgia, they created a unique minority with significant impact on the whole picture of American society and the American domestic and security situation.

Is the state necessary? The case of Somali Economy

Author(s): Piotr Szafruga / Language(s): English Issue: 42/2016

The state is often considered a necessary condition for the existence of social order and economic development. However, except for the group of developed countries, most states are incapable of providing services which are commonly attributed to them. In this paper an approach, according to which the state is the best possible form of political organisation, is confronted with the case of stateless Somalia. Without government since 1991 this country provides an opportunity to investigate the emergence of institutions and supply of public goods in a stateless society. Using the comparative institutional approach the situation in Somalia is compared with the period before the collapse of the state as well as with the situation in other countries of the Horn of Africa region, showing a relative economic improvement after 1991. Considering economic development as an essential indicator describing the stability of social institutions, this corroborates the argument according to which a hierarchical form of political organisation not only may destabilise social order, but also that anarchy can be more successful than the state in providing stabilisation and economic development.

The influenc e of the crisis in the Republic of Mali on the political situation of the Sahel

Author(s): Olga Kwiatkowska / Language(s): English Issue: 42/2016

The aim of this article is to present the crisis in the Republic of Mali, a country with the largest democratic advances in West Africa in the nineties. However, in 2012 and 2013 Mali experienced a crisis which had led to a military coup. The collapse of state institutions in Mali destabilized the entire region. The author of article devoted particular attention to the process of decentralization of power in the nineties. A series of reforms that gave hope to alleviate the Tuareg issue. The author tried to describe the origins of the crisis in Mali in 2012/2013. She focused on the issue of the Tuareg returning from Libya and an accurate description of the course of events. The declarations of independence of Azawad, the military coup, Tuareg denial by the Islamists or the entry of the French army to Mali are the key points of these events. The author mentioned also the presidential elections that bring a chance for stabilization in Mali. As the events in the Sahel have an impact on other countries in the region the author would like to present the effects of the crisis on the situation in Niger, Mali and Libya. The author’s aim was to present a forecast of opportunities and threats for Mali and the region. This topic is very dynamic, the situation in Mali seemed to stabilize but the violence erupted further in the northern part of the country.

Moldova’s great disillusionment

Author(s): Mihai Popșoi / Language(s): English Issue: 01 (20)/2016

Moldova is currently in a state of political and economic crisis. After a huge banking scandal which saw the disappearance of one billion dollars, thousands have organised to protest against the corrupt, pro-European elite. As Moldovans grow increasingly disillusioned, a real danger now exists that the country will slide into greater authoritarianism.

DIPLOMACY IN CHINA–NIGERIA POLITICAL-ECONOMIC RELATIONS

Author(s): James Okoro,Richard Ingwe,Mathew Ojong / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2011

Współpraca rozwojowa a równość płci

Author(s): Bartosz Jankowski / Language(s): Polish Issue: 2/2016

The paper presents the problem of gender equality in development cooperation, defining the most important theoretical questions and outlining the work of the international community and the state of research in this field. Examined are the documents and materials of international organisations and NGOs as well as selected literature. The article presents the position of women in developing countries along with the main concepts of supporting gender equality through development assistance; it also reviews the efficiency of development assistance in overcoming gender inequality.

Globalization challenges in a globalized world

Author(s): Gjon Boriçi / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2016

Globalization is an ongoing phenomenon trying to redefine the economic, social, cultural and political dynamics of contemporary societies. The communication among countries and not only them, has been increased expanding political ties, making possible greater economic integration and wider cultural relations combined with augmented global wealth across the world. But, the process of globalization is in wider terms considered a beneficial one, but also viewed by some countries as a menace to national sovereignty and national culture. This paper tries to explain the obstacles to the process of globalization and its attendant benefits. Although globalization has arisen as a result of a more stable world, the factors that had contributed to its rise also help the factions interested to bring destabilization. In an academic approach in this article, between the research and comparative methods, I have been trying to get the maxims between economy, politics and diplomacy in their efforts of affecting the global era.

WYBRANE ASPEKTY TEORETYCZNE MIĘDZYNARODOWEJ INTEGRACJI GOSPODARCZEJ KRAJÓW SŁABO ROZWINIĘTYCH

Author(s): Joanna Garlińska-Bielawska / Language(s): Polish Issue: 41/1/2015

The key theoretical problem related to integration of less developed countries is the possibility of legitimate application of the existing theoretical framework of international economic integration to the developed as well as developing countries (the question of its universality). The article aims at presenting selected theoretical approaches to the economic integration of less developed countries in the context of the general theory of international integration. With the use of historical approach to descriptive analytical method the relevant international and Polish writings on the topic spanning from the mid of the past century until the beginning of the 21st century were thoroughly analysed.

UWAGI O TERMS OF TRADE WE WSPÓŁCZESNYM HANDLU MIĘDZYNARODOWYM

Author(s): Jerzy Dudziński / Language(s): Polish Issue: 41/1/2015

In contemporary international trade, commodity terms of trade do not provide an appropriate reflection of the benefits and competitiveness of foreign trade of individual countries and world regions. It is income terms of trade, i.e. the export purchasing power, which offer a much more accurate measurement of benefits yielded by foreign trade and criterion of its profitability. The latter indicator – unlike commodity terms of trade – takes into account also the impact of another important factor, i.e. export volume. Commodity terms of trade provide a considerably accurate reflection of the benefits and competitiveness of foreign trade for primary commodities. The role of these commodities in contemporary international trade, however, has considerably decreased over the years. At the same time, the share of manufactured goods has been rising in the last decades also in the exports of developing countries (particularly China and the so-called new industrialised economies).

A new paradigm for sharing transition experience within the EU’s contested democracy support?

Author(s): Miriam Lexmann / Language(s): English Issue: 3-4/2016

More than a decade after the completion of the democratic transition of the Visegrad Four countries, crowned by their membership of the EU, it is legitimate to ask whether the concept of “transition experience sharing” is still relevant to either the EU’s democracy support programs or the Visegrad Four ODA1 programs. This paper seeks to provide a basic empirical account of some of the fundamental processes of transition sharing while describing its core trends. It also makes recommendations, addressed partly at the V4 governments, but mainly at the respective EU institutions, on how features of “transition experience sharing” could be incorporated into democracy support schemes, thereby tailoring them in response to actual needs.

Impacts of Czech cancer-fighting projects in Georgia and Serbia: lessons for the Visegrad Four

Author(s): Inka Píbilová / Language(s): English Issue: 3-4/2016

The goal of the article is to offer lessons learned on how to share what can be considered “transition experience” with countries in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership among others, in order to have a real impact on people’s lives. The author concludes that the Czech Republic, and other Visegrad countries, should share transition experience in areas where they have achieved evident progress and gained significant know-how which they are able to share. At the same time, such experience sharing has to be needs-based and complementary to other development efforts in partner countries. Based on the international recognition of the progress of the Czech Republic and on the evidence from two evaluations discussed in the article, women’s cancer prevention and treatment seem to be a great example of a well-chosen transition experience shared with the Czech partner countries of Georgia and Serbia. Yet, for similar projects in the future, it is necessary to reflect on the key local influencing factors; to understand exactly how each project will work and remain flexible throughout the project cycle; to focus on actual impacts and to accept accountability, and finally to practice evidence-based, consistent, long-term advocacy to achieve systemic changes.

Hungarian transition assistance: a look behind the narrative

Author(s): Zsuzsanna Végh / Language(s): English Issue: 3-4/2016

The present paper identifies the key recipients of Hungary’s transition assistance, the main actors and sectoral areas of knowledge transfer. Due to the limited publicly available data, the paper cannot fill the gap created by the complete lack of evaluations and re-channeling of lessons, but it analyzes how transition assistance was aligned with the realities of the target countries and to what extent Hungary coordinated its efforts in the period studied. It finds that, should transition assistance – in a non-intrusive form – remain on the international development cooperation agenda of Hungary, there will be much room for improvement in the field.

Evaluation program for Polish development aid: a means of deducing tangible results in recipient countries?

Author(s): Katarzyna Zalas–Kamińska / Language(s): English Issue: 3-4/2016

The outcomes of Polish foreign aid activity are supposed to correspond to the priorities set out in the official multiannual development cooperation programs. Since 2012 an evaluation program has been implemented, and over one hundred projects – mainly concerning Polish activities in the Eastern Partnership countries – have been reviewed. Most of the outcomes could be described as soft, but in some case studies there have been more substantial effects. The main aim of this paper is to analyze this review process, including Polish NGO attitudes to the evaluation program.

ROLA KANAŁU HANDLOWEGO I FINANSOWEGO W ZARAŻENIU PAŃSTW ROZWINIĘTYCH I ROZWIJAJĄCYCH SIĘ

Author(s): Piotr Gabrielczak / Language(s): Polish Issue: 41/3/2015

The article presents the definition of the contagion phenomenon and an outline of its theory. The aim of the article was to empirically confirm the actual occurrence of contagion and to indicate the differences between the developed and the developing countries in terms of the impact of the trade and financial channels of contagion. A logit estimation was incorporated in order to verify the previously stated hypotheses. The estimation allowed positive verification of the hypotheses. The occurrence of contagion was confirmed and it was proved, that the financial channel is the main channel of contagion. The trade channel had more of an impact on the developed countries. Originality, value – the results presented in the text are the effect of the author’s fully original work. A large sample (both, in terms of the number of countries and research period) and the division between the developed and developing countries seem to be the main added value of the article.