Electoral contestation in recent Indonesian election periods is faced with the challenge of polarization linked to identity politics, where initially assigned identity is leveraged as tools for political competition. This is a qualitative research, using interviews, observations, and direct group discussion methods to collect data from five different regions in Indonesia. The research focused on the presence of governing regulations and how they develop in complex dynamics. The results showed that identity politics was prevalent in all regions due to mobilization through identity manipulation to gain electoral political advantage. Furthermore, electoral characteristics showed a growing tendency toward polarization, primarily in terms of religion and ethnicity, with some issues related to regionalism, gender, religious affiliations, and family history networks. It was also found that weak regulations on identity manipulation led to increasing permissiveness among political actors, the state, and voters. This made identity issues become natural electoral problems, despite weakening the developing democracy in Indonesia. In this context, future contests in Indonesia are expected to consistently intensify identity politics, with the lack of regulations, permissiveness, and social media serving as the main driving factors.

The formation and implementation of migration policy cannot avoid being influenced by political elements, particularly political actors who have a direct or indirect interest in migration issues. Previous studies show that the influence on the administration and migration policy of a country has created the concept of ‘client politics’, that is, employers have a certain influence on the administration of foreign workers, especially in western countries. This situation has also created two groups which are pro-migrants consisting of employers, fundamental rights groups and trade unions; and anti-migrants are often associated with bureaucrats, nationalists and others. This study has used qualitative methods and has interviewed the informants consisting of government agencies, academics, employers, trade unions and NGOs. The results of the study show that those actors have a certain influence on the management of foreign workers including in the aspects of policy making and implementation. The concept of ‘client politics’ is seen to only apply to certain sectors, especially the manufacturing sector. Therefore, practically in Malaysia it is considered as ‘sectoral client politics’. In conclusion, the influence of both groups is not pursuing the interests of the country but rather on the interests of their respective sectors and entities.

The convergence of multifaceted global challenges encompassing the rise of populism, Brexit, the climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine has catalyzed a profound reassessment of international trade policies. This article critically examines the intricate linkages between these challenges and their profound implications for the contemporary international trading system. Traditionally, globalization debates in the 1990s underscored the social and environmental dimensions of trade, yet the current landscape reveals an undeniable entwining of societal implications with trade policies. This article delves into the interconnectedness of these global challenges with trade, evaluating how each phenomenon influences and reshapes policy discourse. In particular, the rise of populism and its attendant protectionist sentiments have engendered a reevaluation of trade relationships and multilateral agreements. The seismic geopolitical event of Brexit has disrupted regional trade dynamics, signaling a paradigm shift in established trade blocs. Simultaneously, the imperatives of addressing the escalating climate crisis have spotlighted the necessity for trade policies to align with environmental sustainability goals. The COVID-19 pandemic, acting as a disruptor on a global scale, has accentuated vulnerabilities within supply chains, emphasizing the need for resilience and adaptability in trade frameworks. Additionally, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has introduced geopolitical tensions that further complicate the trade-policy landscape. By critically evaluating these intersecting challenges, this article delineates the evolving nature of trade policies and their inextricable relationship with societal and geopolitical realities. It underscores the imperative for a holistic approach in policy formulation that integrates social, environmental, and geopolitical considerations, acknowledging the integral role of trade policies in addressing contemporary global challenges.

This research aims to analyze the strategic role of the Islamic organizations Muhammadiyah and Al-Washliyah in the electoral dynamics of North Sumatra. The background for this study stems from the significant influence these organizations hold in the social, educational, and political spheres of the region, leveraging their extensive membership base and organizational structure. The urgency of this research arises from the need to understand how religious organizations shape political outcomes, which is crucial for developing more inclusive governance strategies. Employing a qualitative descriptive methodology, this study explores how these organizations mobilize support during elections and influence policies through their educational and social programs. Findings reveal that Muhammadiyah and Al-Washliyah effectively utilize mass mobilization and social movement theories to maintain their influence in the political landscape of North Sumatra, subtly navigating and shaping local politics through strategic engagement and advocacy.

The study is focusing on cyberspace—a new type of space mastered by humans with the help of digital technologies. This systematic review uses SPAR-4-SLR protocol to analyze over 30 years of scholarly research indexed in Scopus database, highlighting five time periods: before 1995, 1996–2008, 2009–2012, 2013–2019, and after 2020. A final sample of 6645 publications in social sciences, Business, management and accounting (BMA), and Economics, econometrics and finance (EEF) was analyzed across multiple parameters, including: chronology, types of documents, sources, countries, institutions, authors, topics, and most cited publications. The review has systematized information about the most influential organizations and individuals involved in cyberspace research. First of all, these are researchers from the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. Key journals that publish research on the topic have been identified, and a ranked list of funding organizations supporting research on the social and economic aspects of cyberspace are identified. The study provides insights into the achievements of the social and economic sciences in cyberspace over the past 30 years. The results will be useful to scholars who seek for a general overview on the topic of cyberspace, as well as experts and policymakers developing mechanisms and tools for regulating cyberspace as a mixture of the virtual and real worlds.