Articles

Authoritarian Donor States and Their Engagement in Africa

A Focus on Strategic Power and Exporting Political Systems?

As the world shifts into a new geopolitical phase, Africa is gaining importance – as a trading partner and investment destination, a contender in addressing global challenges, but also as an arena for external actors to flex their military and strategic muscles. These actors include China, Russia, and Turkey, three authoritarian regimes with regional and great power ambitions. From a European perspective, their activities in Africa are viewed with scepticism and concern. Not only because they are economic competitors, but because they also embody competing values and social models.

Editorial der Ausgabe: "Neue Ansätze in der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit"

September 2021 will mark precisely 60 years since the group of Western industrialised nations formed the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In 1961, the OECD also established its Development Assistance Committee to coordinate its members’ development aid (as it was generally known at the time). This autumn, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) will also commemorate its 60th anniversary.

Political Conditionality

The EU’s Attempt to Align Democratic Norms and ­Foreign Policy Priorities in Ethiopia’s Tigray Conflict

Deteriorating levels of democracy worldwide are once again intensifying calls for increased political conditionality in European Union development policy. Against the background of violent conflicts and human rights abuses in Ethiopia, the EU’s diplomatic approach to tackle democratic backsliding is being put to the test. Criteria for financial support and suspension must be better communicated to send coherent signals to both recipient countries and domestic audiences alike.

Pragmatic Giants

On the Development Policy of the Gulf States: Motives, Priorities, and the Potential for Collaboration

It is many years since the Gulf states were the “newcomers” to development policy. However, their motives and approach to development assistance differ from those of their Western counterparts. Despite this, there are areas of common interest that make it possible to collaborate with the “giants” of the Gulf.

Ten Years After the “Arab Spring” – What Does the Region Think Today?

A Survey of Public Opinion in the Middle East and North Africa

Ten years after the start of the uprisings that swept through the Arab world, the region’s socio-economic disparities remain a key challenge. Trust in political parties and parliaments is low, but civil society organisations are highly respected. A proper civil society of engaged citizens seems to be emerging in many countries. While traditional external actors, such as the US and France, are losing influence in the region, China, Turkey, and Russia are assuming a more important role. Meanwhile, Germany enjoys high standing in the region.

The ­­BMZ 2030 Reform Strategy

A Cornerstone for Increasing the Strategic Effectiveness of Germany’s Development Cooperation?

German development cooperation finds itself faced with fresh challenges due to the increasingly complex requirements for sustainable development and shifts in the international donor landscape. In light of this, can the ­­BMZ 2030 reform strategy enhance its effectiveness? And what strategic dimensions are needed to ensure the future viability of German development cooperation?

All That Glitters Is Not Gold

The Chinese Communist Party’s Influence on the Political Elite in Southeast Asia

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) knows how to interweave the economy and politics with each other. In Southeast Asia, Beijing finds fertile ground. The reasons for this are manifold, but the links have concrete consequences for Germany and the EU.

„Amerika ist wieder im Aufbruch!“

Bilanz und Ausblick nach 100 Tagen Biden-Regierung

Die Gräben zwischen Republikanern und Demokraten sind immer noch tief. US-Präsident Joe Biden lässt sich davon nicht aufhalten. Im Kampf gegen die Pandemie und für neue ­Arbeitsplätze, beim Klimaschutz und in der Außenpolitik will er zeigen, wozu eine schlagkräftige Demokratie mit moralischem Führungs­anspruch in der Lage ist. Eine Herkulesaufgabe.

Nach der Krise ist vor der Krise

In Tunesien fehlt nach wie vor ein gesellschaftlicher ­Konsens über das Gemeinwesen in der Demokratie

In Tunesien jagt seit zehn Jahren eine Krise die andere. Immer mehr Tunesier verbinden diese Abwärtsspirale mit der parlamentarischen Demokratie. Die Verschlechterung ihrer Situation liegt allerdings vor allem am fehlenden gesellschaftlichen Konsens über das Gemeinwesen und an der ungeklärten Frage, was es bedeutet, auch als Gesellschaft politische Verantwortung zu übernehmen. Eine verstärkte Dezentralisierung könnte helfen, diesen für die Demokratie essenziellen Wert zu schaffen.

Editorial of the issue "Global Power Shifts"

Power shifts are a fundamental phenomenon underpinning global politics. In 1990, as the bipolar world order finally unravelled, US political scientist Joseph S. Nye wrote: “Just as farmers and meteorologists try to forecast storms, so do leaders and analysts try to understand the dynamics of major changes in the distribution of power among nations.”