Is the Estonian e-residency program a digital fairytale?

November 5, 2022

Estonia is considered a role model for digital public administration. The Estonian e-residency program is the most recent e-government initiative, which promises entrepreneurs worldwide access to its public administration 24/7. In its current state, the program cannot achieve its ambitious goal due to structural misconceptions that have caused issues around its efficiency and inclusiveness.

Anna Mayer

School Choice in the United States

August 16, 2022

School choice encompasses a variety of programs run by the U.S. government that allows parents to choose a school other than their local publicly funded school. Wealthy parents have been able to afford choices in education for a very long time. Now it is time that we allow poorer citizens to choose an education that best fits the needs of their children. School choice will allow this to happen.

Jaireet Chahal

Inflation During the Pandemic: Is ‘Transitory’ a Myth?

July 19, 2022

Caused by pent-up demand and intense supply disruptions, inflation has risen to its highest level in decades. As the specter of “entrenched inflation” looms, central banks must use monetary policy sensibly without overreacting. Central banks should allow time for overheated demand and supply disruptions to ease, lest the world’s advanced economies face their hardest landing yet.

Joshua Rajendran

U.S. vs. China? Cooperation in Telecommunications in East Africa

May 3, 2022

Some Western political strategists suggest a “Tech Cold War” is playing out in Africa between China and the U.S. Based on case studies from Ethiopia and Kenya, this perspective neglects the actual state of affairs. Instead of searching for “China-free” actors, the West should take the rationale of each project as a yardstick to stay engaged and relevant in the emerging African information and communications technology sector.

Jonas Pauly

“What is to Be Done” about Russia?

September 23, 2018 European Policy

To counter Russian actions of destabilization and deter future incursion into Eastern Europe, NATO should enhance its eastern flank military capabilities and increase the presence of conventional troops in the Baltics. The EU should simultaneously expand and extend its sanctions on Russia for illegal actions in Ukraine in 2014.

Leanne Iorio

The EU Emissions Trading System: A Sleeping Giant

September 17, 2018 European Policy

The EU Emissions Trading System is failing at incentivizing low-carbon innovation needed to reach decarbonization by mid-century. Current research suggests that regulatory uncertainty of the EU ETS keeps its market participants from considering the long-term goals behind the emissions trading system. Different reform options are at hand to enhance long-term regulatory credibility and revive the world’s largest climate policy instrument.

Rafael Postpischil

In Limbo: Protecting Syrian Refugees in Lebanon

September 12, 2018 Human Rights and International Law

In the wake of the first few hundred Syrian refugees voluntarily returning from Lebanon to war-torn Syria, it is imperative that Lebanon reassesses its obligations as a host country. Whilst it is unlikely that Lebanon will become party to the refugee convention, an updated Memorandum of Understanding with the UNHCR could be the solution.

Charlotte Massey

Getting It Right With Oil

August 2, 2018 Development and Global Health

Ghana is losing revenue from its oil resources due to ineffective taxation, bad contracts and institutional weakness. It requires contract renegotiation and implementation of a wind-fall profit tax in order to maximize revenue from the country’s oil.

Isaac Newton Bortey

To Succeed, Cap-and-trade Must Be Revamped

July 14, 2018 Energy and Environment

At first glance, climate change seems an intractable problem. Cap-and-trade could provide the solution. But first, it needs reforms and better communication.

Luke Sherman

Diaspora Politics and the Growing Influence of Sharp Powers

July 9, 2018 Politics and Society

In recent years, authoritarian and semi-authoritarian states have used technological advancements to extend influence or control over “their” diaspora for political purposes. Recent examples of this are troubling: as the long arms of authoritarian states increasingly undermine social cohesion and democratic values, the need for adequate policy responses in democratic states has become urgent.

Laura Meijer