‘It all does not matter that much in the European Union’—Migrant Transnationalism and the Transformation of Post-Communist Citizenship Discourse

Observing a case of transnational migration between Estonia and Finland, this article investigates how the experience of living in a Western democracy alters discourses of citizenship amongst people who have been socialised into the concept while living in a post-communist country. Through a discursive approach, the article demonstrates that, notwithstanding 25 years of democratic transformation, the norms of post-communist citizenship remain different from the Western liberal and republican norms. However, European Union citizenship plays an important transforming role on the discursive level.     

A ‘Greater Chinese Union’

Lasting peace across the Taiwan Strait cannot be reached before the leaders in Beijing and Taipei agree on the framework within which a political settlement can be discussed. This article examines one possible end goal for lasting peace in the Strait, a ‘Greater Chinese Union’. This model is founded on principles guiding the unique relationship between Finland and the Åland Islands as well as centuries old Chinese practices of governance. The article intentionally distances itself from the present, day-to-day antagonistic politics of the Taiwan Strait and instead describes the framework within which a peaceful settlement could be negotiated.

     

Trust and punitive attitudes

The aim of the study reported in this article was to identify how trust influences punitive attitudes, and to find out whether this differs in respect of thieves and corruption offenders. The respondents surveyed in the study reported sentencing preferences that were harsher in the case of corruption offenders than in the case of common thieves. The study demonstrates that punitive attitudes towards thieves and corruption offenders are triggered by different mechanisms: most socio-demographic variables can explain punitive attitudes towards corruption offenders while trust in politicians can explain punitive attitudes towards thieves, but not towards corruption offenders. The study indicates that an examination of general punitive attitudes is not sufficient for understanding the punitive attitudes concerning a particular type of offence. The study also suggests that penal populism regarding non-violent street criminals is unlikely to boost politicians’ approval ratings if trust in politicians is high.     

China and the Worldwide Search for Oil Security

The notion of oil security on a global scale is problematic because of the diverging perspectives with which oil-importing countries and oil-exporting countries view energy security. Oil-importing countries are interested in “oil supply” while oil-exporting countries focus on “oil demand.” This leaves ample space for major powers to maneuver within the complex political-economic dynamics associated with oil trade. China has been no exception.

This commentary addresses the international debate that has emerged concerning the geo-strategic and geo-economic motivations behind China's pursuit of offshore oil supply. By examining China's oil-related overseas investments in Sudan we shed light on some of the business and political complexities associated with the China-Sudan relationship. In the view of many Chinese observers, Sudan has in terms of oil exploration been a Chinese success story while in the view of many foreign observers, China's dealings in Sudan are the very reason why China has faced harsh international criticism of its overseas oil operations.

Instead of debating whether or not China has the right, just as all oil-importing countries do, to pursue its own route to oil security we encourage oil-importing countries to re-examine the existing mechanisms of oil trade. It is in the interest of China as well as the established economies to collaborate in shaping a new global structure for oil trade.