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Author Archives: JDierkes
New to Ulaanbaatar June 2019
By Julian Dierkes I’ve been keeping lists of things that are arriving to/disappearing from central Ulaanbaatar: April 2019 | December 2018 | August 2018 | October 2017 | June 2017 | May 2016 | December 2015 | May 2015 | May 2014 | October 2013 | October 2011. More informal versions of these … Continue reading
Constitutional Amendments
By Julian Dierkes and Mendee Jargalsaikhan Constitutional change has been discussed in Mongolia for some time. Despite the super-majority that the MPP holds in parliament at the moment, we were not expecting amendments to actually be proposed, but now they … Continue reading
Posted in Constitution, Governance, JD Democratization, Judiciary, Law, Politics
Tagged Julian Dierkes; Mendee Jargalsaikhan
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Security Cameras Everywhere
By Julian Dierkes Maybe this will turn out to be a longterm series of posts on “contemporary Mongolia dissertations I wish someone was working on”. On visits to Mongolia, I see the streets and hills paved with dissertation topics, so … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Dissertation Ideas, Morals, Research on Mongolia, Social Change, Social Issues
Tagged Julian Dierkes
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Roadmap for New Parties
By Julian Dierkes Let’s imagine scenarios that could lead to real political change, not only a change in leadership and possibly the party landscape, but a re-orientation of Mongolian democracy, a change of political culture, that gives Mongolians more of … Continue reading
Addressing Meat Prices through Policy not Populism
By Julian Dierkes A very curious spectacle recently to see meat warehouses raided by the General Intelligence Agency. I have seen little discussion of the legality of such raids which look a bit like the action taken against a mining … Continue reading
Posted in Agriculture, Countryside, Diversification, Employment, Herding, Public Policy
Tagged Julian Dierkes
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Dr. Bloggers
Our blog has always been rooted in academic research and in the training that regular bloggers have received. We are all delighted that two of our regular crew (more or less active, at this point), have recently graduated to become … Continue reading
Mine Aesthetics and OT as National Symbol
By Julian Dierkes {This post continues a series of posts based on a visit to Oyu Tolgoi at the invitation of the company.} I think it’s fair to say that Mongolians have had an ambivalent relationship with Oyu Tolgoi ever … Continue reading
Posted in Art, JD Mining Governance, Nationalism, Oyu Tolgoi, Society and Culture
Tagged Julian Dierkes
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Guest Post: Smart Air
By Nathan Hsieh The Problem The air quality of Ulaanbaatar has been a highly politicized topic that millions of aid dollars and institutions have deliberated on. Yet, if one were to approach any random Ulaanbaatarite and state that the air … Continue reading
Posted in Air Pollution, Nathaniel Hsieh, Ulaanbaatar
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Biased How?
By Julian Dierkes In 2016 I came back from a trip to Mongolia slightly puzzled and concerned. It seemed to me during meetings on that trip that there was a real concern with some interlocutors that I was some kind … Continue reading
A Very Premature Outlook on the 2020 Parliamentary Election
By Julian Dierkes Yes, the 2020 election is more than a year away, and, yes, many observers lament the fact that politics seems beholden to electoral cycles. But, discussions in Mongolia have started to revolve around the 2020 election, and … Continue reading
OT Data Applications
By Julian Dierkes {Disclosure: As previously mentioned, I was delighted to be invited to Oyu Tolgoi by the company’s communications department.} In addition to the pervasive focus on safety, the utilization of data is visible throughout Oyu Tolgoi. The kind … Continue reading
New to Ulaanbaatar April 2019
By Julian Dierkes I’ve been keeping lists of things that are arriving to/disappearing from central Ulaanbaatar: December 2018 | August 2018 | October 2017 | June 2017 | May 2016 | December 2015 | May 2015 | May 2014 | October 2013 | October 2011. More informal versions of these observations also appear … Continue reading
Guest Post: Cybersecurity or Cybercensorship?
By Otgonpurev M According to an article by ikon.mn policymakers in the Mongolian parliament perceive fake news that appear on social networks as a cyber attack. Officials have responded to the demand to combat cyber harassment and the spread of … Continue reading
The Likelihood of Political Renewal
By Julian Dierkes Why I am generally optimistic about Mongolian developments, Mongolian politics presents a lot of challenges and the current state of affairs causes more despair than it has in the previous 12+ years that I’ve been paying attention. … Continue reading
Posted in Constitution, Corruption, Democracy, Democratic Party, Foreign Policy, Human Rights, Ikh Khural 2020, Inequality, JD Democratization, Judiciary, Mining Governance, Mongolian People's Party, Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party, Nationalism, Party Politics, Policy, Politics, Populism, Presidential 2021, Social Movements
Tagged Julian Dierkes
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Not the end of Democracy?
By Julian Dierkes On March 27 2019, the Mongolian parliament passed legislation giving the National Security Council greater authority over judicial appointments and dismissals. This very sudden decision has caused a great deal concern among international observers of Mongolia and … Continue reading
Posted in Constitution, Governance, JD Democratization, Judiciary, Law, Public Service
Tagged Julian Dierkes
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