Publish Your Scholarship!!

 What do we do with our PhD thesis, once we embark into a career in research or in academia?

In the course of our thesis work, we also come across a number of facts, data and observations which have the potential to grow into a research work in their own merit. But the complacency of having secured employment, together with the 'pressures' of the environment prevent us from re-visiting those notes.

Many of us do not even consider the option of converting our thesis into a book or at least the synopsis into a research paper which could ignite the academic curiosity of the larger research community around the world.

EJSSS believes that many a potential research ideas remain in the dusty volumes of our thesis and more in the volumes of notes/data we had collected. In order to reach those potential ideas into the world of emerging scholarship, EJSSS invites synopsis of completed thesis work in all the subjects of interest to our journal.

Please Note: Synopsis will be accepted only after at least the provisional degree has been awarded. Should you have queries, please mail: submission.ejss@gmail.com

Inaugural Issue EJSSS

We are happy to announce to announce that the 1st Issue of Electronic Journal of Social and Strategic Studies (EJSSS) with 06 papers on IR, Strategic Studies, History and Edn & Trg, one research opinion on Security  Studies and 02 Book Reviews on IR is online. EJSSS is an OA Journal committed to promote interdisciplinary research in Social Sciences/Strategic Studies. We are a member journal of CROSSREF. 

Visit us at www.ejsss.net.in

EJSSS specifically hopes to encourage young and emerging scholars to undertake interdisciplinary research and publication. We firmly believe that a knowledge driven society is the only hope for a promising and sustainable future that all of us aspire for.

The contents of our First Issue are as below:

 CONTENTS

 Articles

 1. Security-Development Nexus - China’s Policy Framework towards Africa  by 

    Dr Bertha Z. Osei-Hwedie and Napoleon Kurantin

 2. Reminiscing an African Connect: The Impregnable Janjira                                 

    Dr CS Anuradha 

 3. Bangladesh Playing Chinese checkers with India                                                    

    Group Captain AV Chandrasekaran (Retd)

 4. Covid-19 Lockdown: An Opportunity to Explore New Frontiers for                         

    Online-Training

    Dr DK Pandey

 5. India-ASEAN Cooperation in the Evolving Regional Mechanisms                             

    Dr M Prayaga

 6. Implications of Multitudinous Multilateral Institutions for Southeast Asia               

    Prof. Y. Yagama Reddy

 

Perspective/Commentary

 

7. Paradigm shift in Coastal Security in India                                                               

    Commodore RS Vasan IN (Retd)

 

Book Reviews

 

8. Rise of the Indo-Pacific: Perspectives, Dimensions and Challenges                               

    by Prof. Chintamani Mahapatra (Ed.)

    Farhat Jahan

 9. International Relations Today: Concepts and Applications                                            

    by Prof. Aneek Chatterjee 

    Masom Jan Masomy

COVID19 and Citizenship

COVID19: State Power and Citizenship[1]

Introduction

COVID19 has led to universal lockdown in various levels in over 185 countries. As of today over 2.6 million cases have been reported with over 50000 deaths in United States alone. While responsible governments are battling the pandemic with every possible means at their command, there are countries which are also being accused of using the opportunity to impose restrictions that serve their diabolical regimes.

We are witnessing mobilization through social media in developing countries like Algeria to help prevent aggravation of pandemic situation. We are also witnessing street level agitations in developed nations like USA against the preventive restrictions. A holistic view of both these phenomenon provide an interesting insight into citizenship by posing certain questions. The primary question that arises concerning citizenship is: Are governments within their right to restrain personal liberties in the prevailing condition?

The State and the Citizen

In the opinion of Thomas Hobbes, the concept of state power over citizens or “introduction of restraint upon themselves…is the foresight of their own preservation, and of a more contented life thereby; that is to say, of getting themselves out from that miserable condition of War, which is necessarily consequent to the natural passions of men, when there is no visible Power to keep them in awe, and tie them by fear of punishment to the performance of their covenants, and observation of those Laws of Nature . . .”^[i]. Arguing on the point of state control over citizen’s life, Rousseau said, “Each of us puts his person and all his power in common under the supreme direction of the general will, and, in our corporate capacity, we receive each member as an indivisible part of the whole.”^[ii].

Perhaps TH Marshall’s statement that citizenship is "a status bestowed on those who are full members of a community. All who possess the status are equal with respect to the rights and duties with which the status is endowed"^[iii], should merit consideration at this juncture.

If citizenship bestows equal status with respect to the rights and duties, then our next point of consideration should be on “duties”. In Arizona, Colorado, Montana and Washington State, people have taken to streets proclaiming that the lockdown conditions are impinging on their individual rights and freedoms[iv]. What does the duty of a citizen entail then, in conditions of such pandemic?

The concept of citizenship has undergone tremendous change from the time the industrial revolution set in. Earlier, serfs had only subsistence rights at the pleasure of their masters in the western hemisphere. In the East, though the concept of slavery was not unknown, larger cultural precepts like compassion and charity together with the duties of kings to provide for the desolate somewhat offset the impact of slavery. However, decolonization (which by itself we must credit as the biggest event in history towards empowerment and human rights) and the shocks to human conscience by the events in Nazi concentration camps, brought up the issue of human rights and freedoms to the fore front.

Commencing from UDHR to the innumerable international instruments, rights and freedoms have been handed down and even enforced through collective action (as in former Yugoslavia). Human Rights and freedoms todays are the bedrock of all dialogues on democracy everywhere. With the onset of human rights as a non-derogable condition, the concept of citizenship has also undergone sea change. Individual citizens everywhere are vested with political, civil and social rights that are enforceable by law.

To presume therefore that individual rights are inviolable would however be against the very concept of human rights itself. The concept of human rights does not rest on one individual by himself/herself. It rests on the principle of membership of a community or society. Nor does it rest on the power of a sovereign to give it to an individual, for, as the UDHR says in the opening stanza of its Pramble, “Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world”, human rights are inherent to every human being.

An individual’s right to freedom however, cannot be the basis for endangering another human being’s right to good health. For, the whole argument in favor of human rights rest but on a single pillar called equality. What every individual in the society cannot be allowed to indulge, no single human can claim it as his freedom and right.

Looking Beyond State Control

We are neither the first to think so, nor will we ever be the last to state this as a wish. Equality before law is a principle enshrined in every constitution of every country and upheld by every court of law as sanctimonious. Be it the Supreme Court of India (Indra Sawhney v Union of India[v] ) or the Supreme Court of USA (Brown v Board of Education), equality and equal treatment are fundamental to democracy. However, the constitutions do not merely envisage equality as a standalone principle. Right to equality is contingent upon a more important right – the Right to Life. No individual citizen by himself or in conjunction with one or more number of people can indulge in any activity that will endanger the right to life of other citizens. For without the Right to Life, there can never be any meaning in other rights and freedoms. The Supreme Court of India in fact gave substantial meaning to this statement in Sunil Batra v. Delhi Administration, when it said, “the “right to life” included the right to lead a healthy life so as to enjoy all faculties of the human body in their prime conditions”[vi].

Conclusion

The discussion above highlights dimensions in the concept of citizenship in a world that is fighting a pandemic threatening to engulf humanity. Good citizenship, as the provisos of the constitutions and contents of the case law show, incorporates the sense of responsibility and duty towards fellow citizens, without which it would be rendered hollow.

Sociologists and political scientists need to engage in deeper studies that would enrich citizenship in the post-COVID19 world for democracy and human rights everywhere.

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[1] The author is an independent researcher with abiding interest in developing young scholarship through Electronic Journal of Social and Strategic Studies at www.ejsss.net . Should any reader wish to use the content for his/her research, they are free to do so. A reference to this Blog will be appreciated. APA style reference for this entry is:

Srinivasan, R. (2020, May 09). COVID19 and Citizenship [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://ejournalofsocialandstrategicstudies.blogspot.com/2020/05/covid19-and-citizenship.html

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[i] T Hobbes, (1651). Leviathan. London. Chapter XVII, p 1651.

[ii] Rousseau, Jean Jacques (1913). The Social Contract or Principles of Political Right. Book I. Chapter VI. New York: E. P. Dutton & Co

[iii] TH Marshall, (1950). Citizenship and Social Class, and Other Essays. Cambridge (UK): The University Press.

[iv] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52348288

[v] Indra Sawhney v Union of India Air 1993 SC 447

[vi] AIR 1978 SC 1675

Indo-Pak Relations: A Timeline

One of the prime objectives of Electronic Journal of Social and Strategic Studies is to enable young scholars to undertake analysis of issues in International Relations with well researched perspectives. Towards this purpose, a timeline of Indo-Pak relations published by Al Jazeera on 01 March 2019 was found to be quite comprehensive. The link is shared below:

https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/spotlight/kashmirtheforgottenconflict/2011/06/2011615113058224115.html

Note: Scholars advised to seek prior written permission from Al Jazzera should they desire to reproduce a part or the full article published by them.

Understanding the Evolution of India's Foreign Policy: Pragmatic Purpose to Polemic Principle

Dr Dattesh D. Parulekar delivered a lecture on Tedx on the topic "Understanding the Evolution of India's Foreign Policy: Pragmatic Purpose to Polemic Principle".

Dr Parulekar is an Assistant Professor of International Relations & Strategic Studies at the Department of IR, School of International and Area Studies, Goa University. He specializes in India's Foreign Policy & Diplomacy, Chinese Political Economy, Sino Indian Affairs in the Indo Pacific, African Affairs and Political Economy of Latin America.

The link to his talk is given below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NGyeXI5InL60PqcxdX1zl5iZzEjwBLy1/view?usp=sharing

COVID-19: Universities are filling the void in International Cooperation

COVID-19: Universities are filling the void in International Cooperation[1]

Anushka Saraswat[2]

The COVID-19 pandemic is not only a trial for health systems and public infrastructures but also a test of global cooperation and forbearance. When international organizations like the United Nations, the G20, and the G7 are struggling to carve out a role for themselves in the global response to the deadly pandemic, the global universities are fighting on the frontlines against the deadly virus. Although the universities are far below the haute politique of international relations, they are within the trough wrestling to seek out a vaccine, develop therapeutics, and expedite mass production to effectively dispense the treatments as widely and as fairly as possible.

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has pleaded for a unified global response as nations turn inwards and seal each other off to combat the pandemic. The silence of the Security Council has sent a signal of shambolic disunity, which is resonating quite widely. Universities, on the other hand, are charged with highly qualified teams of researchers who are working tirelessly to find a cure and mitigate the impact of COVID-19.During the time of dire straits, the scientists and scholars have become increasingly connected and interdependent, disregarding concerns such as academic credit. The universities and research centres are sharing data and collaborating across national borders in extraordinary new ways.

Doctors, engineers, scientists, researchers and university students across the world have shifted gears and are applying their skills and knowledge to fight the virus. The Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume has partnered with the US-based biotech drug research company Codagenix. The two partners have been working together with the utmost diligence and meticulous efforts to develop a preventive vaccine against the novel coronavirus.

At Oxford’s Jenner Institute, one of the most reputed academic centers for vaccine research in the world, a team led by Sarah Gilbert has identified a nonreplicating viral vaccine candidate and is aiming for success in humans by June. The university has recruited volunteers with human trials already going underway. The human test is set to begin by April 22. The development of a vaccine is a glaringly slow process, however, with the support of the international community the academicians, researchers, and scientists are producing viable candidates and lab research speedily. The vaccine is being simultaneously tested in animal models by laboratories in the United States and Australia. There are plans for large scale productions in China, India, and Italy.

The team of researchers in Harvard’s Precision Vaccines Program is aiming to develop a COVID-19 vaccine for the older population. Many institutes in the U.S. such as Tufts University, Middleburg College and New York University are preparing to convert campus dormitories to temporary hospitals to provide beds for COVID-19 patients displaced from existing hospitals.

The Global Institute on Innovation Districts engaged innovation districts across the world. The institute effectively responded to what extent their research institutions, R&D labs, companies, and other actors are advancing in the development of a vaccine. The institute is focusing on the broad sector of life sciences to include all research specializations that have been tapped to address the pandemic.

The universities are also collaborating with companies and volunteers who are developing new solutions for creating and ramping the production of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). A few universities like North Western University, University of New Hampshire and Michigan State University are developing 3-D printed face shield projects.

Manu Prakash, who is an Associate Professor of Bioengineering at Stanford University, focused largely on low-cost medical devices. In March, he returned from Europe where the pandemic was taking a toll. After returning he started an open-source project to modify full-face snorkel masks into reusable Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for health care workers.

Pandemics like COVID-19 eventually generate opportunities for global cooperation. The United States and China should have put aside their differences and tackled the pandemic together. When the COVID-19 threatened the world and WHO stumbled, the two countries could have united for coordinating a global response to the pandemic. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) based in the United States should have assisted China in investigating the origin and nature of the “mysterious virus” when Chinese counterparts were inordinate and required more expertise assistance in the research. As China leads in the manufacturing and exporting of active pharmaceutical ingredients, she could have cooperated with the United States to mitigate the disruption of the drug supply chain. The COVID-19 pandemic is a reflection of the incompetency of international institutions and national leaders and their governments.

Nations eschewed Multilateralism. After inequality persisted for decades, disaffected voters in numerous countries have elected populist leaders in recent years. In authoritarian positions, these leaders turned to nationalist norms and shrugged off the international responsibilities and constraints imposed by international organizations. Defeating the COVID-19 pandemic demands international cooperation on all levels, however, the reinforcement of nationalist trends makes the mechanism of delivery substantially weak.

When health organizations and institutes continue to work on solutions for the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is reminded that this type of global and real-time coordination doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s through communication networks of small geographic innovation in areas of advanced research, rapid prototyping and commercialization that success is achieved.

Many experts in the world warned of humanity’s vulnerability to a pandemic before the coronavirus outbreak. In the famous 2015 TED talk, Bill Gates highlighted the vast financial resources that are employed for nuclear deterrence instead of funding for pandemic preparedness. Contrarily, governments continued to see national security in military and warfare terms, and the production of essential pharmaceuticals was outsourced to the less expensive providers in the name of private profit and public economy. Only strong international universities and institutions can effectively respond to the deadly pandemic. It’s pertinent to exacerbate global inequities and marshal the resources required to effectively contain the future global crisis of this kind. COVID-19 will not be the last pandemic. With more robust global institutions, developed and underdeveloped countries alike can ensure that the next one is less disastrous.

Note: The article was originally published in Geopolitics Magazine on 16^th April 2020. Opinions expressed are those of the Author and republished here with the permission of the Author.

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[1] The article was originally published on the Geopolitics Magazine on 16^th April 2020.

[2] Ms. Saraswat is pursuing her Bachelors in Global Affairs (Hons.) at the Jindal School of International Affairs, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India. She can be reached at 19jsia-anushka.s@jgu.edu.in.

Imagining Post-COVID19 World: Forestry, Fishery and Wildlife

Imagining Post-COVID World:

Forestry, Natural Resources and Pollution Control

Dr N Krishnakumar[1]

The Post-COVID19 world will present challenges that have been compounded by existing environmental issues as well as those that will emerge during this phase when the world is battling to control the pandemic. Some concerns in the mentioned dimensions are briefly mentioned below.

Shift in Priorities: Natural Resources Management

Post Covid19, a lot of shifts in priorities and shifts in sectoral approaches would be needed. Natural resources management should get enough attention like conservation of forest resources, conventional forestry, agriculture, Animal husbandry and allied sectors. There is a need to strictly implement policies relating to use of natural resources in the most prudent way possible.

Investments for NRM has also to be stepped up, though finding financial resources for this may pose challenges. Investments to natural resources management may even shrink further as the priorities now will be in health sector and allied services. There is no doubt that health sector has to get primary attention. Fear looms large that mutated version of corona viruses may surface again, and unless human beings get the herd immunity we may have to face the situation till the situation tapers through a disciplined lockdown.

Diversion of Forest Land for Development

We should put a halt to diversion of forest lands for non-forestry purposes. Every diversion of natural resources have to stop. Doing so may actually help reordering of nature as the lockdown itself has shown recovery of Ozone layer and other such indications.  

Pollution Control and Urban Landscape

Urban sprawls have to be regulated. Pollution regulation through strict monitoring of industries is a must. It is heartening to hear that water bodies like ponds, pools, lakes and rivers are improving in the period of lockdown. Taking a leaf out of the lessons in diminishing rate of air pollution, air traffic and road traffic have to be regulated. Pooling of vehicles to decrease pollution have to be encouraged.

Working from homes have to be encouraged. Perceptive analysis of work-from-home experience that is being gained may help in this dimension. However, this should not adversely affect employment rate as it would affect productivity.

Zoos, Wildlife and COVID19

One theory on the origin of Corona suggests that it came from animals and bats to humans. The probability that it could spread back into animal kingdom can therefore be not discounted. Two major concerns in this aspect are:

·         Zoonotic diseases remain a serious threat. Bronx zoo had reported corona in a tiger. This calls for extensive screening and testing for corona in zoo and safari animals.

·         Impact of corona on free ranging larger wildlife and their habitats required. At least keystone species in important PAs to be covered under a rapid assessment.

Forestry and Fishery

In the forestry and fisheries sector, below mentioned aspects need serious consideration:

·         An ecosystem assessment across forest types, in forest soils, pollen and seeds, flowers as carriers to be studied.

·         Impact of corona virus after the lock down period, in terms of species recovery, species fluxes and density diversity increases including invasives, due to minimal human interference to be studied, to support management decisions. Impact of hands off forestry in small forest patches and plantations need assessment.

·         Impact of stray cattle as vectors ,transmitting diseases in wild life area need study for fine tuning the grazing policy in forests

·         Research to confirm status of urban parks ,as green lungs and health zones ,for Covid recovery patients

·         Creation of new knowledge base in forests for pests and diseases ,and viruses in particular

·         Research  on social issues with reference to tribal and fringe villagers ,to asses corona impact in tribal hamlets and schools

·         Forest road expansions and extensions to stop.

·         Research on forest river and stream fauna,particularly fishes due to corona !!.

·         Scale the veterinary research and support staff for management of zoonotics.

·         Regulated tourism and  ecotourism  policy in PAs and forest zones

·         Research into medicinal plant based research to support viruses controls

·         Existing forest and wild life Acts to be strengthened to safe guard natural ecosystems

Agro, Farm and Homestead Forests

Agroforestry, Farm forestry, homestead forest to be given renewed impetus to prevent urban migration. Rural youth should be discouraged from migrating to urban areas in search of jobs. Rural youth can be engaged as fire watchers, wild life trackers and NTFP based vale addition enterprises initiated in rural areas particularly forest villages.

It is hoped that these aspects will generate a healthy debate in scientific circles to help embark upon a world that would be healthier, greener and more sustainable than the point that we had reached before the pandemic visited the Earth.

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[1] Dr N Krishnakumar is a former Indian Forest Service officer who headed the Forest Force in Tamil Nadu as PCCF. The views expressed are his own.