Publications

New Realities of Multilateralism

Panorama Insights into Asian and European Affairs

The prevailing view globally is that the challenges of the 21st century, such as increasing security threats, climate change or global health emergencies require collaborative multilateral action and solutions. Multilateral initiatives have been established as a response to these challenges, as exemplified by the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) or the Covax Vaccine Initiative to name some of the most recent ones. However, there is rising criticism of multilateral cooperation as being neither effective nor sufficient in generating sustainable solutions. In some cases, multilateral engagements have failed to prevent humanitarian crises as the world is currently witnessing in Afghanistan. In an interconnected world, it has also become increasingly difficult for regional organisations to pursue their integration goals amidst interfering intra- and extra-regional developments. Even though some experts proclaim the “death” of the multilateral system and at times countries retreat to unilateral or bilateral formats, the situation is more complex. Some multilateral institutions have come to a standstill, new ones have emerged while others have re-gained influence. 

Data Security, Privacy and Innovation Capability in Asia

Case Studies

This report surveys seven different Asian territories to deepen understandings of innovation and data policies, and contribute to debates about data governance and data protection. The study was carried out in collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS). We selected Hong Kong SAR, India, Japan, the People‘s Republic of China, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan as the contexts to be examined. We looked at the areas of transport, finance, administration, health and smart cities to understand how innovation and data policies are driven in the context of relationships among key stakeholders such as citizens, civil societies, government agencies, private sectors and research institutions.

Substantive Representation of Women in Asian Parliaments

Combining data from nearly 100 interviews with national parliamentarians from ten Asian countries, the contributors to this book analyze and evaluate the advancement of gender equality in Asia.

The Next Digital Decade: Case Studies from Asia

Volume 2 - Spaces and Futures

The Next Digital Decade: Case Studies from Asia, jointly published by KAS and Digital Asia Hub, contains two volumes of case studies written by a mixture of established and early career scholars from the region. The series focuses on diverse topics including digital public infrastructure, future of work, AI ethics, social media, cybersecurity, surveillance, e-commerce and much more.

Sri Lanka – An assessment of the Gotabaya Rajapaksa presidency

The autocratic structure is swaying

In November 2019, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected president of Sri Lanka. He comes from an influential family clan that has been in politics for decades. When running as candidate, Rajapaksa made three major promises: first, he promised to strengthen national security and fight terrorism. Second, he presented a proposal for a sustainable economic development and tax cuts in order to boost the economy. Third, he promised to strengthen unitary state – a long standing demand of the Sinhala-Buddhist majority population. Although the government enjoyed a honeymoon period in its initial months, there has been a drastic turnaround of support. Meanwhile, the public’s confidence in the government has eroded due to unpopular and ill-advised policies that has further plunged the economy. Not even three years following the commencement of the government´s term, the public´s confidence in the government has eroded due to unpopular and ill-advised policies leaving the country Sri Lanka in a desolated state. On May 9, then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the brother of the incumbent president, resigned to make way for a unity government amid a violent wave that left several people dead and wounded. With his resignation the current cabinet was automatically dissolved. However, Rajapaksa has announced he will not resign under any circumstances. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan parliament has appointed 73-year-old Ranil Wickremesinghe to head the interim government before early elections are held. (The information in this report is relevant as of 26 May 2022.)

Political Parties Shape Democracy

Their role, performance, and organisation from a global perspective

Dr. Wilhelm Hofmeister

The Next Digital Decade: Case Studies from Asia

Volume 1 - Traces and Divides

The Next Digital Decade: Case Studies from Asia, jointly published by KAS and Digital Asia Hub, contains two volumes of case studies written by a mixture of established and early career scholars from the region. The series focuses on diverse topics including digital public infrastructure, future of work, AI ethics, social media, cybersecurity, surveillance, e-commerce and much more.

European Strategic Approaches to the Indo-Pacific

Panorama Insights into Asian and European Affairs

The Indo-Pacific region has seen a palpable increase in attention over the past years. By the end of September 2021, three EU member states France, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as the EU itself, had published respective strategies or guidelines on the Indo-Pacific region. This issue of Panorama: Insights into Asian and European Affairs reflects on these strategies, and crucially, their perception in the region. It covers questions from what constitutes likeminded partnerships, to assumed and perceived added value of European engagement, and potential for specific areas of cooperation amidst ongoing great power rivalry.

Accelerating Progress and Equity in Education

Konrad Adenauer Sharing Political and Civic Engagements Spaces(KASpaces)

The goal 4 of Ensuring inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning of Agenda 2030 is not only a key for the achievements of many other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but also the bedrock of any society. In order to reduce inequalities and reach gender equality and to also have sustainable communities, it is imperative that education is made available to all and that no one is left behind.

Data Security, Privacy and Innovation Capability in Asia

Findings from a representative survey in Japan, Singapore and Taiwan

Data fuels digital change. With this first country comparison on data culture in Asia, we aim to investigate the ambiguous and not-at-all-clear connection between the use of digital data and the innovative capacity of economic and social systems.