Publications

Editorial of the issue "Nationalism"

“It is very important to us that together we find a strong response to the coronavirus. It knows no borders, it knows no nationalities.” These are the words of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, with regard to the coronavirus crisis. The outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent sustained pandemic have created a new level of global emergency in early 2020. This includes the closure of borders and introduction of border controls within the European Union.

Indigenous Identity in Latin America

Cultural Riches and Social Dynamite

Indigenous identity in Latin America is fundamentally different from post-materialist identity politics in the West, but could benefit from the latter’s rise. Deep-seated deficits in representation make the issue of indigenous policy-relevant in almost all countries in the region, however, to greatly varying degrees. Indigenous identity is a further manifestation of social inequality in the region’s societies and a challenge to politics.

National Identity Against External Pressure

Will Belarus Reconcile Its Contradicting Narratives?

Viewed dispassionately, the pro-Russian and pro-European poles of the Belarusian national identity, however much they disagree in questions of content, are both part of Belarus in its modern form. From the identity politics perspective, this realisation represents an opportunity to reconcile internal narratives and resolve internal tensions. This insight can ultimately lead to the heightening of the country’s profile at the international level – especially in the West, where Belarus is still often perceived as a mere Russian appendage because of the way it has positioned itself for years.

Religious Nationalism in South Asia

Building Nations, Breaking Communities?

A recent series of violent acts raises the question of a relation between the rise of religious nationalism and communal violence in South Asia. Here, we will shed some light on the roots and development of religious nationalism in South Asia and its impact on social cohesion.

Simple Explanations

Why Nationalists in Europe Grow Stronger

Yielding resentments against the European Union as well as alleged threats: Nationalist parties gained increased electoral success throughout the last years in many member states of the European Union, while challenging their democratic underpinnings and developments. The underlying causes are manifold and vary regionally. How could a promising political response be shaped?

The Situation in the Sahel

Consequences for International Engagement in the Region

For many years, the Sahel region has been a focus of foreign, security, and development policy in Germany and the EU. Despite significant engagement on the part of the international community in the wake of Operation Serval, France’s successful military intervention against terrorist groups in Mali in January 2013, the security situation has continued to deteriorate year-on-year. Not only is this instability caused by jihadist organisations such as ­GSIM and ­EIGS, but also fuelled by local, often ethnic conflicts, armed militias, and organised crime. What is the background of the worsening situation and what are the consequences for Europe and Germany’s support for the Sahel states?

UNITED NATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY AFTER COVID-19

Contribution to the series "The World HandCov'd"

The largest intergovernmental organization that solemnly celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2020 was definitely not in its best shape as it approached the new landmark. The organization was established by the countries that were victorious in WWII and literally immediately found itself divided into two opposed blocks — capitalist and socialist — with the Group of 77 seeking neutrality in between. That confrontation was overcome for a short period in the 1990s after the disintegration of the USSR and the global socialist system.

A new Agenda for Trade and Investment

Fostering Europe’s Strategic Autonomy

With a view to growing protectionism and geo-economic competition, compounded by economic recession and geopolitical tensions following the COVID-19 crisis, the EU should foster its capacity to act more strategically and more autonomously. Fostering strategic autonomy is essential to advancing Europe’s interests and reinforcing European sovereignty. As part of this effort, the EU should make more active use of its trade and investment policies. That requires bracing for trade shocks and unfair trade practices, empowering Europe by leveraging its Single Market, and engaging internationally to uphold rules-based trade and a stable international order.

NEW ZEALAND - Run up to the election

by Eva Wagner, Programme Coordinator Rule of Law, Energy and Development Policy

This is the latest edition of KAS Australia's Digital Snapshot - a potpourri of current affairs from Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. The weekly digital snapshot provides an analysis of selected media and think tank articles, intended to offer an overview of the debate in these countries. The original version includes hyperlinks and links for further reading.

Russlands neue Verfassung

Wähler stimmen für Verfassungsänderung

Am 1. Juli fand in Russland ein Volksentscheid über eine umfassend geänderte Verfassung statt. Eine vorzeitige Stimmabgabe war bereits seit dem 25. Juni möglich. Bei einer Wahlbeteiligung von ca. 65 Prozent der Stimmberechtigten votierten knapp 78 Prozent für und mehr als 21 Prozent gegen die Verfassungsänderungen. Während sich Vertreter der Regierungspartei und anderer in der Staats-Duma vertretenen Parteien zufrieden mit dem Ergebnis zeigen, kritisieren Gegner der Verfassungsänderungen deren Inhalt sowie die Vorbereitung und Durchführung des Referendums. Die Verfassungsreform wurde im Januar dieses Jahres von Präsident Wladimir Putin angeregt. In einem nur wenige Monate dauernden Prozess kam es zur Ausarbeitung weitgehender Verfassungsänderungen. Neben der so genannten Nullsetzung der bisherigen Amtszeiten des Präsidenten, durch die der amtierende Präsident 2024 und theoretisch auch 2030 zwei weitere Male kandidieren darf, wird das staatliche Selbstverständnis der Russischen Föderation in vielen Bereichen neu definiert. Der neue Verfassungstext beinhaltet deutlich sozialere und konservativere Inhalte als die Ursprungsverfassung aus dem Jahre 1993.