Vol. 6, No.1, March 2022, 7-15
Received: 22.01.2022, Revised: 13.02.2022, Accepted: 03.03.2022
Can cryptocurrencies be the future of money? The role of democracy
Author: Mehmet Baha KARAN
Discussion paper for ISINI 2022 conference
Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
Aim: The purpose of this article is to evaluate if cryptocurrencies that have robust technology and anonymous features can be the money of the future. In this study, the transition phases of paper money, which started to be used at the beginning of the 17th century, to bank money, then banknotes and fiat money are examined. It is pointed out that the fiat money system has developed within the conditions of humanity’s search for democracy and freedom. Fiat money can only be successful in democratic systems where institutions operate freely, and therefore it is an instrument of democracy. Authoritarian tendencies, which have started in the world since the 21st century due to nationalism, migration, and climate change, are an important factor in the widespread use of cryptocurrencies however. It has been concluded that the spread of cryptocurrencies is directly dependent on the democratic practices of countries and if authoritarianism rises, the use of cryptocurrencies will inevitably grow.
Keywords: cryptocurrencies, democracy monetary policy.
JEL: E50, D02
Vol. 6, No.1, March 2022, 17-44
Received: 20.11.2021, Revised: 07.02.2022, Accepted: 24.02.2022
Feasibility and potential of renewable and non-renewable energy investments in Tanzania
Authors: Bernard MNZAVA, Institute of Finance Management (IFM), Tanzania
Bartjan PENNINK, University of Groningen, Netherlands
Erick MWAMBULI, Institute of Finance Management (IFM), TanzaniaWSB University in Wroclaw, Poland
Aim: In the context of renewable and non-renewable energy, this paper aims to explore a range of renewable energy resources in Tanzania that are primarily expected to play a leading role in the supply of energy services in the country. Tanzania, like other countries in the world is striving to invest in renewable energy for sustainable development goals accomplishment.
Research methods: The data used for analysis was collected from 45 businesses/organizations which are operating in the energy sector within the United Republic of Tanzania. The reason was to find out stakeholder’s response towards investment in the energy sector. We used purposive sampling to select our sample and asked the stakeholders to fill in the short questionnaire.
Findings: This paper found that there are several opportunities toward investments in renewable energy such as hydropower and geothermal energy; however, an investment in gas as a non-renewable energy source is a good option for Tanzanians.
Value of the paper: This study concludes that Tanzania is facing several challenges on the implementation of energy investments such as institutional, regulatory and legal, lack of human capital as well as economic and financial problems.
Limitations: We have not compared the practices of Tanzania with other countries especially those within sub Saharan African.
Keywords: Renewable Energy, Non-Renewable Energy, Investments, Tanzania.
JEL: D81; P40
Vol. 6, No.1, March 2022, 45-65
Received: 21.05.2021, Revised: 20.11.2021, Accepted: 03.12.2021
Health sector and application of big data: A case study of India
Author: Roma Mitra DEBNATH, Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), India
Apaar DHINGRA, Research Scholar, India
Aim: The paper aims to study and present the case study of the health sector of India. The paper also aims to identify the opportunities for the application of Big data in the health sector. The major stakeholders of the system viz. doctors, hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, research, and development organizations, industries manufacturing medical instruments, laboratories, medical data analysts, and many more are utilizing big data and predictive analytics in their critical decision making. The predicted revenue was expected to reach 280 billion by 2020 as per the statistics given by the Indian Brand Equity Foundation.
Research methods: A critical review has been conducted using electronic sources between 2015 and 2020, limited to English language articles and reports published from 2015 onwards. The reviews will be classified to identify the opportunities for future application of Big Data.
Conclusions: The paper presents a trend in the use of Big Data Analysis in the health sector. The paper also explores and identifies the areas of future application of big data to increase the efficacy of the system.
Originality/value of the article: This is an original piece of article in the context of India in terms of documenting the big data applications in the health sector and identifying the opportunities for the future application of the same.
Implications of the research: This research holds a significant contribution towards the implications of the application of Big Data in the health sector. The newly identified areas of the health sector, which can be improved by using the big data analytics, are important for the policy makers of the organizations, including the Government.
Limitations of the research: The research has been conducted based on the secondary data, which area available in the public domain. However, due to COVID 19, there could have been more innovations in the health sector in terms of using the big data, which may not have been published or are available in the public domain. Also, collection of the primary data in terms of an interview with the administrators/management can be explored in the future study.
Keywords: health care, big data, India
JEL: I00, I15
Vol. 6, No.1, March 2022, 67-93
Received: 12.11.2021, Revised: 12.12.2021, Revised: 03.03.2022, Accepted: 03.03.2022
Make me dictator and I will save humankind. A rational approach to the emergency of the 21st century
Author: Laurenc L. DE VITA, Independent Researcher, USA
Aim: This paper is on purpose provocative, in order to trigger off discussion on the future of human society. Humankind finds itself in a dire situation. Solutions have been put forth, but none has made a significant impact on carbon release or resources depletion. I add my proposal, the literary device of the dictator, as a possible scenario for dealing with the current crisis..
Design / Research methods: This paper is part of a larger project which uses micro- and macro-sociology and cliodynamics, archaeology, evolutionary biology, and dissipative systems theory to describe both our global system, and its implications for our species. I briefly critique three other approaches regarding their likelihood of success.
Conclusions / findings: The self-organized dissipative system drives population, population density, and the exploitation and depletion of natural resources. The system is the interface between humans and the environment. It is unlikely any approach which is not 1. dramatic, 2. inclusive, and 3. determinedly focused on disarming the global system will prevent the complete depletion of the natural world, and the continued mass extinction.
Originality / value of the article: The paper challenges commonly held assumptions regarding the system and human participation in it. The paper should be of interest to anyone concerned about humankind, given the breadth of our crisis; that is, the number of systems involved, from the climate, to the ocean, to the very nature of the global complex system itself.
Implications of the research: The paper has strong implications for policy. It describes how perpetuating ideas like “sustainable growth” can only ensure the collapse of the global system, and perhaps the collapse of the natural systems as well. The consequence of applying the research would be desperate, frighteningly objective, but will allow, perhaps, Homo to continue.
Limitations of the research: Future research could focus on re-interpreting data gathered by previous paradigms. Cliodynamics provides insight into the future by considering complex relationships. The limitations to the implications of the research lie in the fact that it is difficult to distinguish between “humankind” and the system.
Keywords: energy, limits to growth, system theory, ecological crisis
JEL: O13, P18, Q40