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.

I’m Still Thinking Run-Off…

Posted on June 3, 2013 by JDierkes

Mendee has posted some very good reasons why he thinks a run-off following the June 26 presidential election is unlikely. At least until we see another Sant Maral poll (I’m hoping there will be one more before the June 19 … Continue reading →

Posted in Democratic Party, Elections, JD Democratization, Mongolian People's Party, Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party, Party Politics, Politics, Presidential 2013 | Tagged | Leave a comment

New Book: Does Everyone Want Democracy? Insights from Mongolia

Posted on May 28, 2013 by JDierkes

Does Everyone Want Democracy? Insights from Mongolia by Paula L.W. Sabloff. Left Coast Press 2013. 266 pp., 282 pp. / 6.00 x 9.00 / Apr, 2013, eBook (978-1-61132-719-9), Hardback (978-1-59874-565-8) Do all people desire democracy? For over a century, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Elections, Governance, Politics, Publications, Research on Mongolia, Society and Culture | Tagged | Leave a comment

Udval Candidacy

Posted on May 21, 2013 by JDierkes

It appears that the MPRP is pressing on with the nomination of Health Minister N Udval for the presidential election. There had been some doubts about the sincerity of the nomination and speculation that the MPRP was merely trying to … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections, Gender, Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party, Party Politics, Politics, Presidential 2013 | Tagged | 2 Comments

Book Chapter: Democracy and Risk

Posted on May 14, 2013 by JDierkes

Democracy and Risk: Mongolians’ Perspective Paula Sabloff in J. Dierkes, ed. Change in Democratic Mongolia – Social Relations, Health, Mobile Pastoralism, and Mining Leiden: Brill. “Democracy and Risk” uses statistical analysis to suggest correlation between Mongolians’ evaluation of democracy and their concerns … Continue reading →

Posted in Book: Change in Democratic Mongolia, Democracy, Governance, Public Opinion, Research on Mongolia, Social Issues | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Mongolian Presidency

Posted on May 13, 2013 by JDierkes

As three parties in the Ikh Khural have now nominated candidates for the presidential election to be held on June 26 (DP: Ts Elbegdorj; MPP: B Bat-Erdene; MPRP: N Udval), it might be useful to review the role of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Foreign Policy, Governance, JD Democratization, Judiciary, Law, Politics, Presidential 2013, Public Service | Tagged | 3 Comments

Electing a President in Mongolia

Posted on May 10, 2013 by JDierkes

Campaigning Parties cannot spend more than T5bil (approx. C$3.5mil), candidates no more than T3bil. Individuals may donate up to T10mil (approx. C$7,000), corporations up to T50mil. The public broadcaster provides free of charge time slots to candidates for election messages. … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Elections, Governance, Party Politics, Politics, Presidential 2013 | Tagged | 1 Comment

Mongolian Cashmere on Kickstarter

Posted on May 7, 2013 by JDierkes

I recently came across an announcement of the first Mongolia-linked Kickstarter project (at least as far as I’m aware). Kickstarter, of course, is the website that offers entrepreneurs and others an opportunity to crowd-source funding for projects and business ideas. … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Cashmere, Fashion, Nomadism | Tagged | Leave a comment

Deepening Canada-Mongolia Relations

Posted on May 6, 2013 by JDierkes

On April 25, just ahead of the ministerial conference of the Community of Democracies that was attended by Canadian Parliamentary Secretary to the Foreign Minister Deepak Obhrai, I published the following comment in Embassy – Canada’s Foreign Policy Newspaper. How … Continue reading →

Posted in Bilateral Aid, Canada, Democracy, Development, Foreign Policy, Julian Dierkes | Tagged | Leave a comment

PolitBarometer Ahead of Presidential Election

Posted on May 3, 2013 by JDierkes

The Sant Maral Foundation released its PolitBarometer April survey of voters. Going by their strategy ahead of the parliamentary election in 2012, this will be the penultimate survey of public opinion. While polling is underdeveloped in Mongolia and hampered by … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Democratic Party, Elections, Mongolian People's Party, Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party, Party Politics, Politics, Presidential 2013, Public Opinion | Tagged | 2 Comments

Presidential Election Timetable

Posted on April 29, 2013 by JDierkes

April 22: Announcement of election date (June 26, 2013) April 22: suspension of transfer of citizens’ residential registration May 3-12: nomination of candidates May 5-29: citizen notification May 13-17: submission of candidates’ documents May 18-20: decision on candidate registration May … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections, Party Politics, Politics, Presidential 2013 | Tagged | 5 Comments

Mongolian Bling

Posted on April 28, 2013 by JDierkes

On April 27, the Projecting Change Film Festival screened Mongolian Bling, an award-winning documentary about Mongolian hip hop. Benj Binks, the Australian director of the film, happens to be in town for a couple more days, so I’ve invited him … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Pop Culture, Social Issues, Society and Culture, Ulaanbaatar, Youth | Tagged | Leave a comment

Community of Democracies

Posted on April 26, 2013 by JDierkes

Canadian engagement and Mongolian democracy on the eve of the ministerial conference of the Community of Democracies. Continue reading →

Posted in Bilateral Aid, Canada, Democracy, Development, Foreign Policy, International Relations, Ulaanbaatar | Tagged | Leave a comment

Presidential Election Observation

Posted on April 24, 2013 by JDierkes

I am very much hoping to be in Ulaanbaatar again to serve as an election observer for the presidential election, what would be my fourth national election in Mongolia. The election is scheduled for June 26 and President Elbegdorj will … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Elections, Party Politics, Politics, Presidential 2013 | Tagged | Leave a comment

Seeking New Name for our Blog

Posted on April 23, 2013 by JDierkes

Searching for a new, more permanent name for our blog… Continue reading →

Posted in Research on Mongolia, Social Media | Tagged | 8 Comments

Guest Post: Musical Mobility and Continued Dialogues Between City and Countryside in Urtyn duu

Posted on April 19, 2013 by JDierkes

Sunmin Yoon’s guest post on Mongolian long-song. Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Pop Culture, Research on Mongolia, Society and Culture, Sunmin Yoon | Tagged | Leave a comment