Alexander N. Chumakov

THE ORIGINS OF GEOSPHERIC THINKING AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE FOR UNDERSTANDING THE GLOBAL WORLD

The article discusses one of the most pressing problems of man – his aggres-sive nature and the permanent state of war in which he resides, but effective counteraction to which, despite all possible attempts, has not yet been found in the entire history of mankind. In this regard, the author refers to the history of understanding both the nature of war and the possibility of establishing a stable peace, and globalization, which over the past four centuries has radically changed the position of man on the planet. In particular, attention is drawn to the fact that the current scale, quality and nature of military operations in the context of multidimensional globalization threaten the complete destruction of intelligent life on Earth. The article suggests that, although not an absolute, but an unconditional counteraction to this is the formation, at least, of a certain part of the inhabitants of the planet of geospheric thinking, which reflects the diversity and way of cognition of the multilayered global world. It is shown how geospheric consciousness and thinking arose and developed historically, which forms the basis of the global worldview. The analysis gives grounds to conclude that in the categories of global spheres, people began to think only since the 19th century, and at the verbal level, geospheric (planetary) thinking became a reality only by the end of the 20th century. As a result, it is concluded that, albeit slow, progress in the formation of geospheric thinking can contribute to the prevention of war and the maintenance of peaceful life on Earth.

Diakite

PERSPECTIVES OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES ON THE IMPACT OF CHINA'S AID: A CASE STUDY OF CHINA'S AID PROJECTS IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR IN GUINEA

China's re-emergence as aid donor has drawn the attention and criticism of western donors, academia, and the media. In contrast with traditional donors, China's aid has been portrayed as anti-poverty aid primarily due to its combination with other instruments, such as investment, and the absence of any political or economic conditions. This paper examines the impacts of China's aid projects in Guinea's education sector from the perspective of the beneficiaries.

In this regard, the author collected data from both primary (interviews) and secondary (document analysis) sources. This study concludes that China's aid projects in the education sector have received both positive and negative feedback, mainly because the recipients' needs have not been appropriately targeted. This study contributes to the clarification of the literature on China’s role in Africa. More specifically, it discusses the conditions for aid effectiveness in the field of education. Moreover, with the globalization of aid practices, the study proposes best practices for China to adopt with an aim to improve its aid delivery practices. The novelty of this study resides in the methodology (qualitative method) used to understand China’s aid from the perspective of the beneficiaries of its aid.

Mohamad Zreik

EXAMINING THE IMPLICATIONS OF CHINA'S BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE ON FOREIGN POLICY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China has garnered significant attention among political and economic scholars for its potential to transform the global order and consolidate China's position as a world power. The magnitude and scope of the BRI, encompassing numerous countries and economic blocs, as well as the substantial investments made by the Chinese government, make it one of the most consequential strategic endeavours in human history. This study examines the ramifications of the BRI on Chinese foreign policy and the evolving landscape of international relations. The BRI has proven to be a formidable tool for China to expand its influence and foster international partnerships, yet questions persist as to whether its ultimate goal is cooperation or domination. Through a comprehensive examination of the economic and political developments in China and the nature of its international relations, this paper sheds light on the significance and complexities of the BRI. By synthesizing the available literature and conducting original research, this study seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the Belt and Road Initiative and its impact on the global arena.

I. A. Safracnhuk and D. N. Chernov

ACTORNESS OF SMALL POWER: THE CASE OF QATAR

Historically, in the system of international relations, small states are the ob-ject of power, not its source. However, at present there is an increasing in-volvement of small states in international processes and a continuing redefinition of their role in international system. The foreign policy of Qatar is a perfect case for investigation of the mentioned processes and a test to the new theories. The article is devoted to the consideration of the tools of Qatar's foreign policy influence, which it successfully uses to protect and promote its own interests. Considering that this state is limited in terms of strategically important factors, such as area, population, variety of natural resources, it has managed to gain significant importance in international affairs in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East.

This is due to the successful combination of the following factors: wealth, the image of a stable, progressive, and investment-friendly country and active diplomacy, the combination of which forms its power potential.

Sergey Shulgin, Andrey Shulgin, and Julia Zinkina

DEMOGRAPHIC GLOBALIZATION: CONTRIBUTION TO GLOBAL ECONOMIC GROWTH IN LONG-TERM PERSPECTIVE

Demography is one of the important factors of the Great Convergence. We estimate the contribution of the demographic factor to the perspective GDP dynamics for all countries of the world up to 2100. We use a long-term economic growth model that is based on estimates of labor productivity growth rates and incorporates the demographic forecast for both population and life expectancy. Globally, our model estimates long-term economic growth of world GDP at an average annual rate of 1.7 %, of which the demographic factor provides 0.54 percentage points, i.e. about one-third (31.8 %) of the projected world economic development in the 21st century. In our forecasts, we have relied on the logic of the previous research on convergence that regarded a sufficiently high level of the human capital development and a sufficient degree of economic openness as necessary conditions for convergence that have now been largely achieved across the world precisely through the globalization processes (especially in the core and the semi-periphery of the World System). However, the inclusion of the demographic projections in our forecasts allows us to emphasize an important feature of the perspective convergence – it is not the semi-periphery, but rather the periphery of the World System, or the “bottom billion” according to Collier, that is likely to be converging particularly fast to both the core and the semi-periphery (such as the BRICS countries) thanks to favorable demographic structure. The paper has been prepared within the framework of RANEPA state assignment in 2023.

Iqtidar Hussain

INDO-US STRATEGIC NEXUS: POLICY OPTIONS FOR PAKISTAN

The Indo-US strategic nexus is one of the most notable geostrategic developments after the cold war. This research examines the main factors behind the Indo-US strategic nexus and reveals the key policy options for Pakistan. The objectives of the Indo-US strategic nexus are geared towards achieving their strategic and economic interests. However, the key efforts are aimed at containing the evolving Chinese role globally. To achieve such goals, India and US have signed various agreements on strategic, nuclear, technological and economic fronts and agreed to deepen their strategic nexus further. The Indo-US strategic nexus has created some strategic and economic challenges for Pakistan and disturbed the balance of power in South Asia and beyond. Pakistan could prudently react through reorientation of its foreign policy in response to the strategic partnership of the Indo-US. Developing a strengthened relationship with evolving China, resurging Russia and energy-rich Iran are some of the options for Pakistan to safeguard its strategic interests and overcome its energy crisis and economic stagnation. This study gives some key recommendations for the balance of power in South Asia through developing a strong relationship on the geo-economic and geostrategic grounds with China, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, and CARs.

Dr. Mohammad Taslim Uddin, Md. Nezum Uddin, and Hasina Akter

FACTORS INFLUENCING PRIVATE PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS: THE SOUTH ASIAN EXPERIENCE IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT

This paper takes a global look at the main reasons why both public and private entities wish to collaborate on infrastructure projects as public-private partnerships. A cross-country panel regression for five South Asian nations between 1997 and 2018 is used for this aim. The study finds that PPPs tend to be more common in countries with higher per capita GDP and larger market size. The study suggests that countries with rising exchange rate and countries where governments suffer from heavy external debt burdens are less likely to have PPPs. Countries having substantial foreign exchange reserve and development assistances are found to be less eager to pursue PPPs. The study provides evidence of the importance of rule of law and control of corruption. Finally, financial crisis of 2007–2008 is not proved to have negative effect on PPP flows to South Asian countries, manifesting strong resilience of these countries to financial crisis shocks.

Endre Kiss

THE REAL EXISTING REAL REALITY 2022. ARTICLE ONE. FROM THE VICTORY OF NEO-LIBERALISM TO THE SELF-DESTRUCTIVE WORLD SOCIETY

The present study “The Real Existing Real Reality 2022” consisting of two related articles. These are reflections on societies and perhaps the world way towards self-destruction. The author wanted to add a sub-title to the article “The three-quarter time waltz of self-destructive society, the new social structure of Three Societies and a war, where good can at least fight against evil”.

In this work we discuss the currently urgent issue of how one should interpret the rapidly increasing peaceful and non-peaceful transformations in the definitive global world. We point out common features of the current events. Our title (The Real Existing Real Reality 2022) goes back to Boris Ponomarjov’s sentence about the “real existing socialism”, which should have been higher than all “utopian” concepts. All references to the “reality” have evidently two different directions. In the first case “reality” is more valuable that utopies (like by Ponomarjov). In the second case reality is poor and negative compared to the ideas. We have however to do actually with a third case. “Reality” becomes for as the highest value, because the possession of the definition of Reality becomes the real goal of the present war.

In the first article “From the Victory of Neo-Liberalism to the Self-Destructive World Society” we show the “real” process and till now even not reflected of the political and social transformations. The triumphant neoliberalism appeared in every point and as a personification of every value in the current discussions.