Author Archives: JDierkes

About JDierkes

Research on Mongolia for over 20 years, particular focus on mining policy and democratization. Princeton-trained sociologist. Dean, School of Social Sciences, Univ of Mannheim.

Early Presidential Election Speculation

Posted on November 18, 2016 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes Nearly half a year after the parliamentary election, some discussions are turning to the presidential election in late June 2017. One of the aspects that will make this election interesting is that incumbent Pres. Elbegdorj has served … Continue reading →

Posted in Democratic Party, Elections, Mongolian People's Party, Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party, Politics, Presidential 2017 | Tagged | Leave a comment

Mongolia – Rich in Governance Models

Posted on November 2, 2016 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes These days, the optimism regarding Mongolia’s development (economic, political, social) has turned into a disappointed consternation, “how could things go so wrong?”. Of course, the answer is mostly a domestic political one, but is also linked to … Continue reading →

Posted in Development, JD Mining Governance, Kyrgyz Republic, Mining Governance | Tagged | Leave a comment

Bishkek ICF-CIRDI Workshop “Sound Management of Natural Resources: The State’s Role in the Resource Sector”

Posted on November 1, 2016 by JDierkes

Co-Organized, Funded, and Hosted by: International Cooperation Fund (ICF), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, Global Affairs Canada through the Canadian International Resources and Development Institute, Oslo Governance Centre for Peace, Democracy and Human Rights, and University of Central Asia … Continue reading →

Posted in CIRDI, Development, EITI, International Cooperation Fund, JD Mining Governance, Kyrgyz Republic, Mining, Mining Governance, Mongolia and ..., Myanmar, Timor Leste | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Diplomat Podcast on Mongolia as Asia’s Hidden Geopolitical Player

Posted on October 14, 2016 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes I’m finally getting around to listening to The Diplomat’s podcast episode focused on Mongolia, “Northeast Asia’s Hidden Geopolitical Player“. Ankit Panda, one of the editors of The Diplomat, speaks to Peter Bittner who spent some time in … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Foreign Policy, Japan, Mongolia and ..., North Korea, Podcast, Social Media, South Korea | Tagged | Leave a comment

Speculation Surrounding Erdenet Sale

Posted on October 7, 2016 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes A Massive Privatization Coup Right Before an Election? It seemed odd that there was an announcement just before the June 29 election that the 49% portion of the longtime engine of Mongolian development, Erdenet mine, that was … Continue reading →

Posted in Corruption, Erdenet, Ikh Khural 2016, Mining, Mining Governance, Policy | Tagged | 7 Comments

Let’s Imagine a Rosy MPP Future

Posted on September 25, 2016 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes Just a quick reminder that I don’t dabble in Mongolian (party) politics, I just try to analyze political development, including parties and elections. In these analyses I try to stay as neutral and detached as I can. … Continue reading →

Posted in Corruption, Ikh Khural 2016, Inequality, JD Democratization, Mongolian People's Party, Party Politics, Policy, Politics, Public Policy, Public Service, Younger Mongolians | Tagged | 2 Comments

Election Impressions Germany vs Mongolia

Posted on September 18, 2016 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes I was an international election observer in 2008, 2009, 2012, and 2013. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to travel to Mongolia for the most recent election. But, I’ve never observed any aspects of elections in my home country, … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Elections, Germany, Politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

Future of the DP?

Posted on September 12, 2016 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes A crushing defeat like the one that the DP suffered on June 29 should lead to some party-soul searching. More than two months after the election, I can only imagine that questions about the future of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Democratic Party, Foreign Policy, Ikh Khural 2016, Inequality, JD Democratization, Party Politics, Policy, Politics, Presidential 2017, Public Policy, Ulaanbaatar | Tagged | Leave a comment

Navigating by Fibreoptic Cable

Posted on August 9, 2016 by JDierkes

[Somehow this post got stuck in the drafts folder on the blog dashboard in July 2013 and lingered there for quite some time until I found it again in summer 2016.] Pardon the very general and somewhat cranky, er, excursion here… … Continue reading →

Posted in Countryside, Nomadism, Social Issues, Tourism | Tagged | Leave a comment

Erdenebat Cabinet

Posted on August 2, 2016 by JDierkes

By Bulgan B & Julian Dierkes Contrary to usual practice to wait to form a new government after a June election until September, the newly-elected Mongolian parliament met in July already to elect a Prime Minister and a cabinet. Given … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, Ikh Khural 2016, Mongolian People's Party, Politics, Public Policy, Public Service | Tagged | 2 Comments

Five Years of Mongolia Focus

Posted on July 30, 2016 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes We posted our first blog on July 29, 2011. The idea to blog grew out of discussions that Mendee, Byamba and I were having almost every day at the office. Social developments in Mongolia, current politics, curious … Continue reading →

Posted in Research on Mongolia, Social Media | Tagged | 2 Comments

Did (Any of) My Saikhanbileg Wishes Come True?

Posted on July 20, 2016 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes In December 2014 when the first Saikhanbileg cabinet had been formed, I wrote a personal wishlist of actions I was hoping that cabinet might take. J Erdenebat was the finance minister in that cabinet. All the more … Continue reading →

Posted in Corruption, Democracy, Democratic Party, Education, Foreign Policy, Ikh Khural 2016, Mining, Party Politics, Policy, Policy, Politics, Public Policy, Public Service | Tagged | Leave a comment

Cabinet Appointment: Dumbledorj for Foreign Minister

Posted on July 6, 2016 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes Things are moving very fast with the new MPP government, it seems like now is the time to make my pitch for a cabinet appointment… Beware of a feeble attempt at humour… This is the newsflash I’m hoping … Continue reading →

Posted in Curios, Humor, Ikh Khural 2016 | Tagged | 1 Comment

Guest Post: Questions about Purchase of Erdenet Mining

Posted on July 4, 2016 by JDierkes

Note: I am unable to corroborate what Lkhagva is reporting here, but a) I know him to be a committed investigative journalist, and b) this is a potentially important story given the significance of the Erdenet mine to Mongolia, not … Continue reading →

Posted in Erdenet, Ikh Khural 2016, Lkhagva Erdene, Mining, Mining Governance, Russia | Tagged | Leave a comment

Not a Social Media Election

Posted on July 4, 2016 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes I was surprised that the election campaign for the June 29 election did not unfold on social media more. Yes, there was some activity, but I did not see any clever or comprehensive campaigns by candidates or parties, … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections, Ikh Khural 2016, JD Democratization, Politics, Social Media | Tagged | Leave a comment