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.

Corruption in India: Lessons for Mongolia?

Posted on June 16, 2015 by JDierkes

A Conversation With Asim Arun One of the things I really like about the broad variety of disciplinary academic perspectives on Mongolia that I come in contact with (for example, a lot of the discussions at the recent Oxford Deserts … Continue reading →

Posted in Asim Arun, Corruption, Governance, India, Party Politics, Politics, Social Movements | Tagged | Leave a comment

Guest Post: National Labour Party – Хөдөлмөрийн Үндэсний Нам

Posted on June 10, 2015 by JDierkes

Bulgan Batdorj Since their first forum “National Development – Mongol Person” in February this year, the Development Hun (ХҮН/Hun = person, individual) club expressed its intent of becoming a political force, but had not settled on both type (political movement, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bulgan Batdorj, Ikh Khural 2016, Party Politics, Politics, Social Movements | Tagged | Leave a comment

Planning for 2016 УИХ Election

Posted on June 8, 2015 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes In June 2016, Mongolians will be voting for a new parliament, the Улсын Их Хурал. Having served as an election observer in the last four national elections, I’m thinking about what activities could be undertaken now to prepare … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Elections, Ikh Khural 2016, JD Democratization, Media and Press, Party Politics | Tagged | 5 Comments

Oyu Tolgoi on Track Again

Posted on May 19, 2015 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes Last week, this is what I tweeted AUS article abt possible progress on #OyuTolgoi negotiatons (http://t.co/ARV73N2xS6) got me thinking abt analysis for day after agreement. — Julian Dierkes (@jdierkes) May 14, 2015 It looks like the day … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Foreign Investment, JD Mining Governance, Mining, Oyu Tolgoi, Party Politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

New to Ulaanbaatar in 2015

Posted on May 7, 2015 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes I’ve been keeping a list of things that are arriving to/disappearing from central Ulaanbaatar: May 2014 | October 2013. I’ve copied the 2014 list here and am adding to it. New items since 2014 that I’m adding in italics. … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Curios, Ulaanbaatar | Tagged | 3 Comments

FOC Comes to Mongolia

Posted on May 6, 2015 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes Thanks to support from the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, I was able to participate in the Freedom Online Coalition conference in Ulaanbaatar. Below, I want to highlight some of the discussions and presentations that were … Continue reading →

Posted in International Relations, JD Democratization, Media and Press, Mongolia and ..., Protest, Social Change, Social Issues, Social Media | Tagged | 2 Comments

Initial Observations in Ulaanbaatar, Again

Posted on May 2, 2015 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes On previous visits to Mongolia, I’ve taken notes on my initial quick observations about changes (and the lack thereof) in the Ulaanbaatar cityscape: November 2014 | May 2014 | November 2013. So, here it goes for May 2015. … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Social Change, Ulaanbaatar | Tagged | 6 Comments

Outlook: Freedom Online Coalition Conference in Ulaanbaatar

Posted on May 1, 2015 by JDierkes

[For my impressions from the Conference, see https://mongoliafocus.com/2015/freedom-online-coalition-mongolia/] Next week (May 4-5) the Mongolian government hosts the annual conference of the Freedom Online Coalition, a club of 26 countries dedicated to the promotion of, er, freedom online. This is yet another … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Civil Society, Foreign Policy, International Relations, Law, Media and Press, Mongolia and ..., Social Media | Tagged | Leave a comment

Guest Post: Assessing Khan Resources Arbitration

Posted on April 23, 2015 by JDierkes

Matthew Levine Following expropriation of Dornod uranium investment, Khan Resources announces conclusion of arbitration with Mongolian government Intro Khan, a mining company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange’s venture board, its holding company, and its erstwhile joint-venture partner, recently announced … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Canada, Foreign Investment, International Agreements, International Relations | 1 Comment

Guest Post: Mongols on the International Film Stage

Posted on April 11, 2015 by JDierkes

Marissa Smith Mongols on the International Film Stage: Negotiating the International Relations of Mongolia By Means of Their Understanding by Others During a press conference in Berlin March 3rd with Chancellor Merkel, President Elbegdorj quipped, “Die Mongolen sind wieder da, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, Marissa Smith, Mongolia and ..., Pop Culture | 1 Comment

Arbitration Award to Khan Resources

Posted on March 2, 2015 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes On Mar 2 2015 it was announced that erstwhile Canadian uranium miner Khan Resources was awarded US$100mio in arbitration proceedings administered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague (Netherlands). The proceedings were rooted in … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Foreign Investment, International Agreements, International Relations, JD Mining Governance, Mining | Tagged | Leave a comment

Feeling (Politically) Pessimistic for Coming Year

Posted on February 18, 2015 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes It is Tsagaan Sar, so happy new year to all of Mongolia and to Mongolians! Сар шинэдээ сайхан шинэлээрэй What will the year of the sheep bring? The sheep Gestalt (зурхай) seems to expect a windy Spring and … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitution, Democracy, Democratic Party, Economics, Elections, Foreign Investment, Governance, Ikh Khural 2016, Inflation, JD Democratization, JD Mining Governance, Mongolian People's Party, Oyu Tolgoi, Party Politics, Policy, Politics, Populism, Security Apparatus | Tagged | 2 Comments

Poll Results – Direct and Indirect

Posted on February 4, 2015 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes PM Saikhanbileg has announced the results of the mega-projects vs austerity SMS poll. This announcement is important because we learn about this particular direct democracy initiative, but also because it included an announcement of proposals to revise … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Foreign Investment, Governance, JD Democratization, JD Mining Governance, Mining, Oyu Tolgoi, Policy, Politics, Public Opinion | Tagged | 2 Comments

Digital Democracy: PM Saikhanbileg’s Policy Choice SMS Poll

Posted on January 30, 2015 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes This week Prime Minister Ch Saikhanbileg has posed a question to Mongolians on television and he is asking them to reply by SMS. There are examples of direct involvement by the electorate in political decisions, of course … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Governance, JD Democratization, JD Mining Governance, Mining, Oyu Tolgoi, Party Politics, Public Opinion, Social Media, Ulaanbaatar | Tagged | 9 Comments

Saikhanbileg Cabinet Nominations

Posted on December 5, 2014 by JDierkes

After about a month of self-inflicted turmoil, the government of Mongolia is heading for some stability again. With a supercoalition of all parties seemingly in place, PM Saikhanbileg has now nominated the following individuals for cabinet positions: [On Dec 8, … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, Party Politics, Politics | Tagged , | Leave a comment