From The Diplomat:
Powering the Powerless in Pakistan
This acute energy crisis is a result of flawed energy policies pursued for decades, the high cost of generation, and aging and inadequate transmission, among other causes. In addition to transmission losses and distribution thefts, an entrenched bureaucratic culture marked by poor organization, planning, and project implementation among Pakistan’s power operating companies only compounds the problem… I promote an alternative approach of energy productivity policy that not only redefines energy efficiency, but also includes it along with an emphasis on renewable sources to address energy crises in Pakistan. Concerned ministries would have to be cognizant of the conditions in the energy productivity policy that would ameliorate power blackouts. For successful implementation of the policy, the government would have to ensure that regulatory agencies coordinate their efforts with power companies to improve energy distribution, generation, and transmission.
PhD Public Policy Candidate and GRA Muhammad Salar Khan
From The Washington Post:
Why the First World War Lasted So Long
Accordingly, when identity faces an external threat, actors feel an intense psychological need to salvage their honor. To restore besmirched honor, either the transgressor apologizes or the victim punishes. The longer the transgressor refuses to apologize and resists punishment, the more the victim will dig in and perhaps even risk dying for honor’s sake.
Threats to honor can thus undermine rational behavior and make wars longer. Rationality means that an actor objectively assesses available information, selects which goals it will pursue and picks the most efficient and risk averse way to do so. However, when honor is at stake, leaders might begin to ignore disconfirming evidence, prioritize honor over survival and adopt strategies based on hope, not efficiency.
Assistant Professor Michael A. Hunzeker and Alexander Lanoszka (University of Waterloo)
From NBC News:
What the Midterms Taught Democrats—and How Those Lessons Can Help Beat Trump in 2020
The wealthier you are, the more likely you are to vote Republican. That's interests. But the better educated you are, the more likely you are to vote Democratic. That's values. What happens to people who are both wealthy and well-educated? They are, to use a sociological term, “cross-pressured.” If they vote their economic interests, they vote Republican. If they vote their cultural values, they vote Democratic.
Professor of Policy, Government, and International Affairs Bill Schneider
From CapX:
China Still Needs to Learn One of the Great Lessons of Economic History
The Party has made some progress toward creating internal accountability. But outside the Party, accountability systems and self-monitoring among civic associations are virtually nonexistent. This central control over information and communication weakens civil society, leaving no independent institutions to serve as a buffer to monitor either the state or private actors.
From China-US Focus:
China’s Growing Arctic Presence
China has been clear that it intends to pursue an Arctic presence for economic, scientific, and strategic interest. Climate change is a catalyst not only for melting Arctic ice, but for China’s entry into Arctic geopolitics. It is imperative for the US to step up its leadership role in the changing climate geopolitics of the Arctic during this unique window of opportunity. A failure to do so will have long term detrimental impacts on US strategic interests in the region.
Master’s International Security Student Marisol Maddox and Sherri Goodman (Wilson Center)
From GovLoop:
The Inevitable Momentum Toward Government Financial Transparency
Everyday people work hard to make ends meet and pay a portion of those wages to their government for vital products and services. They cannot and should not be taken for granted, as they are ultimately the sources of government resources. Will it be hard? Yes. Will it mean change in current practices and procedures? Of course. Will it ensure a government that works better, achieves more, and can do it at a lower cost? Very likely. Will people get more engaged and trust their government more? Absolutely.
Professor of Public Policy David Rehr
From the Richmond Times-Dispatch:
Virginia GOP Can Thank Trump for Blue Tsunami 2.0
But before we get to 2020, there are elections in Virginia in 2019 for the General Assembly and a very big prize is at stake: The members elected in 2019 will re-draw state legislative and congressional district boundaries that will have a profound impact on elections here for the next decade. Republicans have one advantage at least: They are generally more disciplined than Democrats about voting in off-year elections, amplifying their impact in those low-turnout cycles. But Trump may still dominate the political climate, substantially complicating the party’s efforts. The question is: Will the GOP learn its lesson by 2019, or will there be a Blue Tsunami 3.0.
From The Hill:
For Our Divider-in-Chief, It’s All About the Ratings
Trump does not seem to understand the constitutional role of the press. Constitutional? Yes, because the press is the only private institution mentioned in the U.S. Constitution. It's right there in the First Amendment, next to freedom of speech. The Constitution makes no mention of political parties, but it does make the press the official watchdog on government. It is part of our institutional order for the press to act as a check on government power. That does not sit well with Trump, who does not want to be watched. He treats press criticism as partisan disloyalty. Melania Trump warned during the 2016 campaign, “When you punch him, he will punch back ten times harder.”
Professor of Policy, Government, and International Affairs Bill Schneider