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.

Canadian State Visit

Posted on October 13, 2013 by JDierkes

2013 marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Mongolia. Earlier this year, this anniversary was marked by a visit of the chairman of the Ikh Khural, Z Enkhbold, to Canada. Now, it has been announced that the Canadian … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, International Relations, Mongolia and ... | Tagged | 2 Comments

If not an SWF then what?

Posted on October 10, 2013 by JDierkes

At the recent World Economic Forum’s “Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Mongolia” I heard a lot of talk about the need for the Mongolian government to shed its direct involvement in the economy, but also the recommendation to rely … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Development, Diversification, Economics, Foreign Investment, JD Mining Governance, Sovereign Wealth Fund | Tagged | 5 Comments

Solutions to the Current Economic Crisis?

Posted on October 8, 2013 by JDierkes

Previously, I have written about economic and political aspects of the challenges currently facing Mongolia. Right now, the economic situation seems a bit like a “wicked problem” or a quagmire, and I see relatively little cause for short-term optimism, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Development, Economics, Foreign Investment, Governance, Inflation, JD Mining Governance, Mining, Policy, Politics | Tagged | 2 Comments

Summer 2014 History Events with Mongolia Focus

Posted on October 8, 2013 by JDierkes

A 5-week faculty summer institute on “The Mongols and the Eurasian Nexus of Global History” and a conference on “Changing Patterns of Power in Historical and Modern Central and Inner Asia” have been announced recently. While these include a focus … Continue reading →

Posted in Conferences, History, Inner Asia, Research on Mongolia, Teaching in Mongolian Studies | Tagged | Leave a comment

Study in Canada Education Fair, Oct 27-29, Ulaanbaatar

Posted on October 6, 2013 by JDierkes

The Canadian embassy in Ulaanbaatar is hosting its first Canadian Education Fair later this month. Over 20 education institutions from Canada will be represented at the fair, reflecting a commitment to education as a key to success and prosperity of … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Education, Higher Education | Tagged | Leave a comment

Politics During the Current Economic Crisis

Posted on September 26, 2013 by JDierkes

There is no political crisis in the sense of any conflict within parliament or between parliament and the president. Nor are there major scandals at the moment. However, there does appear to be a crisis in the sense of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Development, Economics, Foreign Investment, Governance, Inflation, Mining, Oyu Tolgoi, Party Politics, Policy, Politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

Anatomy of the Current Economic Crisis

Posted on September 26, 2013 by JDierkes

Having spent last week in Ulaanbaatar, it is clear to me that the current crisis is a) more severe than I had thought, and b) more real/less perceived than I had thought. Below, I try to list elements in this … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, China, Corruption, Development, Economics, Foreign Investment, Governance, Inflation, JD Mining Governance, Mining, Oyu Tolgoi, Policy, Politics | Tagged | 3 Comments

Moving with the Seasons: A Photography book on Mongolian Nomads

Posted on September 25, 2013 by JDierkes

Liza F. Carter traveled five times to Mongolia over four years to document the daily life of a modern nomadic family and to photograph a way of life that is fast disappearing. Moving with the Seasons: Portrait of a Mongolian Family is a stunning book … Continue reading →

Posted in Countryside, Nomadism | Leave a comment

ACMS Scholar’s Corner Sept 19 2013

Posted on September 19, 2013 by JDierkes

Last night I was very pleased to join the American Center for Mongolian Studies “Scholar’s Corner” at the Blue Sky Hotel. The events are intended as an informal way for scholars and others interested in research on Mongolia to gather … Continue reading →

Posted in American Center for Mongolian Studies, Research on Mongolia, Social Change, Ulaanbaatar | Tagged | Leave a comment

Let’s Call them Sumo Bonds

Posted on September 16, 2013 by JDierkes

In a great conversation with a fellow long-time Mongolia watcher, we were contemplating what to call a ¥-denominated Mongolian bond. This follows Prime Minister Altankhuyag’s trip to Japan last week. It appears that a ¥-denominated Mongolian bond with a volume … Continue reading →

Posted in Curios | Tagged | 3 Comments

Back in the UB

Posted on September 14, 2013 by JDierkes

By Julian Dierkes It’s become a bit of a tradition for me to post about my first impressions back in Ulaanbaatar after an absence. This time, my absence was not very long, i.e. from the presidential election in late June … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Curios, Ulaanbaatar | Tagged | Leave a comment

Mongolia Buffeted by Global Winds

Posted on September 11, 2013 by JDierkes

[For another version of  observations of the current situation in Mongolia, see my piece in the Wall Street Journal Asia on September 13. This piece has been  posted on the World Economic Forum blog as well.] For most of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Development, Foreign Investment, Governance, JD Mining Governance, Mining, Oyu Tolgoi, Policy | Tagged | Leave a comment

UBC Job in Asian Public Policy

Posted on September 5, 2013 by JDierkes

The Institute of Asian Research is hiring an assistant professor (tenure-track) in Asian Public Policy. I would personally be thrilled to see applications of junior scholars who focus some or all of their work on Mongolia. Here’s the job ad: … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Research on Mongolia | Tagged | Leave a comment

Guest Post: Documenting Buddhist Past

Posted on August 29, 2013 by JDierkes

There has been a very worthwhile project aiming to document Mongolia’s Buddhist history going on for some years. This is an effort led by scholars, but with a very impressive cultural footprint and organized under the auspices of the competent … Continue reading →

Posted in Buddhism, History, Research on Mongolia | Leave a comment

Guest Post: Christopher Carter on the Role of Bag Governors

Posted on August 27, 2013 by JDierkes

This post features a new community character from Bag 4, Abu the bag governor. This summer alongside this community I experimented with a participatory planning tool that I hope to refine over the upcoming years at UBC.  Participating clans were … Continue reading →

Posted in Christopher Carter, Countryside, Kazakhs, Nomadism, Research on Mongolia, Water | 1 Comment