development

18. Mar 2022

Afghanistan: The Other Perspective

Afghanistan, conflict studies, democracy, development, InFocus, Nation-building, regional relations

The on-going war in Ukraine may serve as a grim reminder of history- how rivalry between major powers for global political advantage pushes a country – the theatre of rivalry – towards an inevitable crisis situation, and a bleak, grim future remains the only possibility. Afghanistan of today bears the testimony of such a scenario, after the experience of a long era of political insecurity and instability. This article attempts to focus on the other perspective of security, the people-centric approach of human security scenario in Afghanistan, to search how a prolonged situation of uncertainty fails the country of its basic necessities of today, and even betrays its past potentials.  

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24. Feb 2014

Being a tourist in Myanmar

Burma, development, InFocus, politics, regional relations

By Kristina Jönsson, Associate Professor Department of Political Science, Lund University The political changes currently seen in Myanmar (former Burma) were for most observers unthinkable only a few years ago. I am not a specialist on Burmese politics, but have over the years followed the developments in the country from a regional perspective in relation […]

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22. Jan 2014

Farming is Ugly: Reform, Friction and Bishan Commune

China, culture, development, InFocus, politics, Rural development, Tourism

From 2014, Anhui Province will pilot a reform of the residential land market in China, thus integrating rural Anhui in the national housing market. On the opposite note, artist and activist Ou Ning has proposed the Bishan time money currency, intending to establish an alternative economic circuit in Bishan Village.     Bishan Village, Yi […]

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4. Dec 2013

Developing Vietnam with whom?

development, economy, InFocus, Market economy, socialism, Vietnam

Restoration 2.0 for the Resurgence of Modern Vietnam   By Mia Ji Sørensen ”Wouldn’t you define Vietnam as a middle-income country?” I was asked this rhetorical question last week. Despite its emerging economy status, with a growth rate of approximately 7 per cent during the past two decades, it is still one of the poorest […]

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24. Jan 2013

The gunslinger state of Laos

development, economy, environment, Human rights, InFocus, Laos

On December 15, on his way back from work, the Laotian director, activist and award winner, Sombath Somphone, mysteriously disappeared. The last people to see him, according to leaked surveillance footage, were the Laotian authorities at a police control post, where he was pulled over, and then driven away in a different car. Despite that, […]

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21. Dec 2012

Myanmar – a country opening up?

Burma, democracy, development, Field work, Human rights, InFocus, Myanmar, politics

After 50 years of isolation Myanmar, formerly named Burma, is finally opening up to the outside world. According to the media the country is now welcoming tourists, foreign investment and development aid. But exactly what does the picture of openness look like in reality?   Photo taken in a small village in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta: […]

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28. Aug 2012

Incredible India Designs by Ravinder Kaur

culture, development, Globalization, India, InFocus, marketing, politics

In 2002, the government of India embarked upon a highly ambitious image campaign to create a new brand identity for the nation. The idea was to transform India into “a global brand, with worldwide brand recognition and strong brand equity” that will bring high end tourists and investors to the country. But how does one […]

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12. Jun 2012

Myanmar open for business, not its people

Burma, democracy, development, InFocus, International relations, Myanmar, refugees

by Gerhard Hoffstaedter, School of Social Science at the University of Queensland Aung San Suu Kyi has just left Myanmar (Burma) for the first time in 24 years visiting Thailand and Europe and calling for more foreign investment in Myanmar. Meanwhile, ethnic tensions in Myanmar continue to erupt to the surface in a country that […]

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23. May 2011

Elections but no “flower revolution” in Laos

China, democracy, development, environment, government, green energy, InFocus, Laos, politics, renewable energy

By Kristina Jönsson Senior Lecturer, Department of Political Science, Lund University. Elections tend to receive a lot of media attention these days—Laos being an obvious exception. Still, in recent months two elections have taken place in Laos, one to the National Assembly (NA) and one to the Party Congress. Even if they by nature do […]

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4. Oct 2009

En anderledes fattigdom

China, development, InFocus, poverty

 

De økonomiske reformer udrydder en del af landets fattigdom, men skaber samtidig
nye grupper af fattige.

Af Kjeld A. Larsen

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