Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity to refocus scholarly attention on the politics of crisis. Crises that abruptly upend political and economic relations are important increasing in frequency. However, division international into economy (IPE) security has contributed relative neglect non-militarized crises like pandemics. defined by threat, uncertainty, time pressure: understanding them requires a careful examination how these variables affect outcomes. Drawing often...

The politics of energy is reemerging as a major area inquiry for political science after two decades relative quiet. We survey the theoretical and empirical literature on energy, well recent developments that have revived interest in topic—renewed oil price volatility, rise China, concern over global climate change. also outline several avenues future research, arguing there are ample opportunities scholars economy to apply insights developed other fields study energy.

I propose and test a theoretical framework that explains institutional change in international relations. Like firms markets, institutions are affected by the underlying characteristics of their policy areas. Some areas prone to produce facing relatively little competition, limiting outside options member states impeding redistributive change. In comparison, severe competition will quickly reflect changes state interests power. To theory empirically, exploit common features Bretton Woods...

We consider the vulnerability of nuclear power plants to a disaster like one that occurred at Fukushima Daiichi. Examination Japanese affected by earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011 shows three variables were crucial early stages crisis: plant elevation, sea wall location status backup generators. Higher elevations for these variables, or waterproof protection generators, could have mitigated prevented disaster. collected information along with historical data run-up heights, 89 coastal...

Policy-driven change hinges on institutions that support insulation or compensation.

In 2009, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) brought an end to long reign Liberal (LDP). However, despite high expectations, this politically transformative event has not unleashed significant policy change in Japan. We highlight five electoral factors that have acted as important constraints on under DPJ rule. First, majoritarian rules led a convergence positions two major political parties. Second, parties' become more similar, voters increasingly cast ballots based “valence” (i.e.,...

Under what we call Abenergynomics, Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzō has used energy policy to support the growth objectives of Abenomics, even when associated policies are publicly unpopular, opposed by utility companies, or harmful environment. We show how Abenergynomics shaped on nuclear power, electricity deregulation, renewable energy, and climate change.

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) came to power in 2009 promising significant transportation sector reform, but it has struggled implement its proposals. I argue that the DPJ's initiatives faltered due legacy “efficiency clientelism.” Historically, Japanese policy combined two imperatives: (1) encourage efficiency by raising cost energy-inefficient transportation, and (2) redistribute benefits supporters incumbent Liberal (LDP). Because clientelism, DPJ campaign pledges—designed appeal...

Abstract A large literature has established that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is heavily politicized. We argue this politicization important consequences for international reserve accumulation and financial crises. The IMF generates moral hazard asymmetrically, reducing expected costs of risky lending policies states are politically influential vis-à-vis institution. Using a panel data set covering 1980 to 2010, we show proxies political influence over associated with outcomes...

Abstract Existing scholarship attributes various political and economic advantages to democratic governance. These may make more countries prone financial crises. Democracy is characterized by constraints on executive authority, accountability through free fair elections, protections for civil liberties, large winning coalitions. characteristics bring important benefits, but they can also have unintended consequences that increase the likelihood of instability Using data covering past two...

Abstract We examine the politics of financial crisis response in Japan and United States. Many existing accounts Japan's ‘lost decade’ 1990s have emphasized Japan-specific factors, such as structural problems, policy errors, political dysfunction. argue that may been subject to a form first-mover disadvantage . Like innovation private sector, developing effective solutions novel problems requires messy process discovery, experimentation, repeated failure. Much late-industrializing countries...

What are the determinants and consequences of regime complexity? We argue that characteristics international issue areas – network effects entry barriers affect degree feasible competition, with important for authority relations, institutional differentiation, substantive outcomes. Competition tends to erode dominance status quo institutions, diminishing hierarchy. Differentiation under competition varies according power material resources: Powerful states seek shift by introducing...

Abstract How does quantifying and ranking national performance influence state behavior? Cross-national assessments in education, such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) promoted by Organisation Economic Co-operation Development (OECD), have become increasingly prominent recent years. However, cross-national are politically contentious, their impact remains underexplored. We argue that assessment participation has a meaningful, positive on education outcomes...

Existing scholarship has attributed various political and economic advantages to democratic governance. I argue that these may make more countries prone financial crises. Democracy is characterized by constraints on executive authority, accountability through free fair elections, protections for civil liberties, large winning coalitions. These characteristics bring important benefits, but they can also have unintended consequences increase the likelihood of instability Using data covering...

In recent years, an increasing number of countries have participated in cross-national assessments education (CNAs), but their impact remains underexplored. We argue that CNA participation increases the capacity and motivation policymakers to implement improvements through mechanisms at elite, domestic, transnational levels. find evidence consistent with our propositions using a mixed-method approach, utilizing: 1. panel dataset covering all CNAs international system; 2. original survey 77...