Suchergebnisse

Hancock argues that there are three governance structures states can use when designing integration accords: plutocratic, supranational and intergovernmental. The first, in which states delegate to a wealthy state, has been largely ignored by scholars yet is both a logical choice and one that several states have chosen over the last 200 years.

AbstractLow access, unreliable supply, and high‐cost electricity have hampered many African states' ability to grow their economies. Even high‐income states, like South Africa, are increasingly challenged to provide reliable electricity. To help address this shortfall, African states belong to five regional power pools: organizations that link together electricity grids of member states and create markets to buy and sell electricity across borders. Scholar have given scant attention to these power pools, and none have explored the politics behind their creation and maintenance. The path dependence framework reveals that the configuration of the power pools is directly related to the end of colonialism and the subsequent creation of regional organizations formed in the 1960's. Applying the comparative regionalism framework, I find the principal drivers for adding electricity to pre‐existing organizations fall into three categories: development interests (donor states and development banks), mining companies, and some African states, especially South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Using organizations designed for other means might be hampering the region's ability to improve energy security, standards of living, and climate change goals. Donors and power pool members should consider investing more heavily in bilateral rather than regional organizations and in decentralized or distributed electricity systems.

Russia's vision of itself has largely coalesced around that of a unique regional power, with the natural resources, glorious history, and will power to be a major player in a future multipolar world. As seen by most Russians, under the guidance of Vladimir Putin, Russia has become an economically powerful actor with an important and independent voice on the international stage, including rebuilding historic economic alliances with states described as rogues by the United States and forming a strategic partnership with China. Some have seen the challenges to the West combined with Russia's close relationship with China as a threat to the United States; but this threat should not be overblown. As China continues to assert itself and eventually challenges Russia's declared dominance of Central Asian resources, the two states may well clash. (Asian Perspect/GIGA)