Publications

Democracy and Human Rights Program

Asahi World Forum 2022: We Can Make this World a Better Place [in Japanese]

DateOctober 17, 2022

AbstractProfessor Maiko Ichihara, GGR Researcher and member of the Graduate School of Law, participated in the “Asahi World Forum 2022,” which launched online on October 16, 2022. At the conference, Professor Ichihara mainly pointed out the changes in Asian democracies caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the actions that Japan should take in the future. In a discussion with other speakers, she emphasized the increasing concentration of power in governments during the pandemic and the need to refer to history in order to overcome recent complex social situations. Finally, she stated that as new values emerge in the modern world, it is important for Japan to proactively promote democracy rather than to rely on allies such as the United States to do so. The article also includes other discussions from the Asahi World Forum 2022.

Democracy and Human Rights Program

Is It Useless to Refer to History? In the Era of Social Networking Information Overload, the Past Is Turning into a Database [in Japanese]

DateOctober 16, 2022

AbstractProfessor Maiko Ichihara, GGR Researcher and a faculty member of the Graduate School of Law, participated in the Asahi World Forum 2022, which launched online on October 16, 2022. Based on interviews with French and German experts on the post-COVID period, Professor Ichihara discussed democracy and its future with other participants. Taking the Russian claim of annexation of the four Ukrainian provinces as an example, she further argued that in many regions there has been a trend of repressing freedom through the use of the legitimacy of elections. Moreover, she pointed out that it is important to learn from the past in order to understand the complexities of the modern world. Finally, Professor Ichihara stated that as new values emerge in the modern world, it is important for Japan to proactively promote democracy rather than to rely on allies such as the United States to do so.

Democracy and Human Rights Program

The Current Situation and Protection of the LGBTQ+ Population in Poland

AuthorMichał Skubisz
DateOctober 7, 2022

AbstractThe following paper deals with the situation of the LGBTQ+ population in Poland from the perspective of human security in order to debate possible future policies. The final goal is to give a policy recommendation that improves the situation and solves problems the LGBTQ+ community in Poland is facing, and that at the same time seems bearable and even desirable to the two actors concerned, i.e., the LGBTQ+ community and the current Polish government. To do so, this paper first explains the current situation of the LGBTQ+ community in Poland by analysing its current legal status, the currently implemented policies, and the behaviour of government politicians. Additionally, the impact of the current situation on LGBTQ+ people is examined to gain a better understanding of the issue to be solved. In the next step, three different policy options are introduced together with their positive and negative consequences as well as an estimation on how likely each of them is to be implemented as can be expected from the probable reaction of each actor. In the last step, the author gives his policy recommendation that is beneficial and practicable at the same time for both actors: namely, the compromise of protecting LGBTQ+ people legally from hate crimes and promoting tolerance as fellow citizens, without granting them full equality. Although this might not be the desired effect for the LGBTQ+ community, it would mean an increase in personal security for LGBTQ+ people and a possible double victory for the conservative current Polish government.

Democracy and Human Rights Program

Is Myanmar a Dystopia?

AuthorAUNG Hnin Htet Htet
DateAugust 31, 2022

AbstractThis article overviews the Myanmar political transition a­nd the role the military has played in enforcing authoritarian a­nd even “dystopian” measures to remain in power, in spite of the numerous attempts to establish a functional democracy. Dystopian fiction, such as Orwell’s 1984 novel or movies li­ke Outbreak, often portrays the loss of human dignity a­nd political repression. Parallels can be established between these fiction pieces a­nd current affairs regarding the Burmese regime in areas such as information o­r state control. One of the measures most often mentioned as “dystopian” is the use of disinformation tools a­nd campaigns to shift public opinion. The article assesses the current economic crisis a­nd how the junta is projecting its plans to counter the shrinking effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy, a­nd the impact this will have on average citizens.

Democracy and Human Rights Program

Beijing’s Global Media Influence 2022: Chile

AuthorBC Han and Sascha Hannig Nuñez
DateSeptember 2022

AbstractIn September 2022, the American institution Freedom House, known for its Freedom in the World Index, published a special issue on Beijing’s Global Media Influence 2022. GGR assistant Sascha Hannig Nuñez co-authored a section of the report which analyzes the disinformation a­nd the degree of influence that the Chinese media have had on Chile. The report explores Chinese influence efforts in digital, press, a­nd audiovisual media across dozens of countries in the world, identifying unfair responses against Chinese citizens (as overreaction) a­nd resilience mechanisms to protect freedom of expression a­nd democracy. Common practices were identified for all PRC state media, public officials, a­nd diplomats. In Chile, the researchers found that these attempts to change narratives appeared especially through inserts a­nd co-publications in traditional media, with the objective of countering the negative image of the PRC during the pandemic a­nd creating a parallel concept of democracy. Interestingly, the main supportive group of Beijing’s narratives was the Chilean elites. Still, journalists a­nd civil society have kept this influence attempts exposed. The report was also cited by media outlets such as Voice of America (in English a­nd Chinese) a­nd the independent Chilean media Ex Ante.

Democracy and Human Rights Program

People from the Hopeless Land in the Midst of Endless Conflict

AuthorAUNG Hnin Htet Htet
DateAugust 29, 2022

AbstractMyanmar's 70-year civil war has resulted in a large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and the number has been increasing rapidly since 2021. The author interviewed IDPs and their supporters, and reports that many people who were displaced from their normal lives by the war face extreme difficulties in terms of housing, food, infrastructure, education, and many other aspects.

Democracy and Human Rights Program

From a Discussion Panel Member: The Use of Legitimacy to Shake Up the Order [in Japanese]

AuthorICHIHARA, Maiko
DateJuly 20, 2022

AbstractProfessor Maiko Ichihara points out that Russia attempts to violate the international order by using the highly legitimate norm of religion in its aggression against Ukraine.

Democracy and Human Rights Program

Proactive Diplomacy is Needed for the Formation of International Order [in Japanese]

AuthorMaiko Ichihara
DateJune 26, 2022

AbstractProfessor Maiko Ichihara discusses the implications that foreign affairs have on the Upper House elections on July 10. While diplomacy is not a top election agenda normally, she explains how this election is particularly different, along with the diplomatic stance presented by each party.

Democracy and Human Rights Program

An International Relations Theory Guide to the War in Ukraine [in Burmese]

AuthorAUNG, Hnin Htet Htet
DateApril 30, 2022

AbstractThis article is a Burmese translation of “An International Relations Theory Guide to the War in Ukraine” published by Foreign Policy.

Democracy and Human Rights Program

Now that norms are wavering, essential measures must be taken

AuthorICHIHARA, Maiko
DateMay 26, 2022

AbstractWhat is important in preventing the normalization of normative violations in the future is to maintain a posture of not making concessions to Russia, but to take care not to alienate non-Western countries and to gain their understanding and participation on an aligned footing.