Author Archives: Julian Dierkes

About Julian Dierkes

Julian Dierkes is a sociologist by training (PhD Princeton Univ) and a Mongolist by choice and passion since around 2005. He teaches in the Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. He toots @jdierkes@sciences.social.

Balance of Power in Expanded Parliament

Posted on May 6, 2024 by Julian Dierkes

By Julian Dierkes The 2019 constitutional amendments were partly aimed at shifting the balance of power toward parliament and cabinet, away from the presidency. For example, the prohibition on the double deel was intended to strengthen the prime minister by … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Democratic Party, Governance, Ikh Khural 2024, JD Democratization, KhUN, Mongolian People's Party, Party Politics, Politics | Tagged Julian Dierkes | Leave a comment

Guest Post: Will the parties consider what the electorate wants to see on the ballots? There is a TV show for that.

Posted on April 22, 2024 by Julian Dierkes

By E Lkhagva As far as I can remember I don’t think there has been election coverage in Mongolian democratic history where the public felt there has been enough debates between candidates, real interviews or fair coverage in general. When … Continue reading →

Posted in Democratic Party, Ikh Khural 2024, KhUN, Lkhagva Erdene, Media and Press, Mongolian People's Party, Party Politics, Politics, Younger Mongolians | Leave a comment

Expectations of Coming Election

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Julian Dierkes

By Julian Dierkes With Marissa Smith and D Enkhtsetseg, I have set the stage for the coming parliamentary election in terms of the changes to the electoral system. I have previously offered some thoughts of what these changes might imply … Continue reading →

Posted in Corruption, Democratic Party, Elections, Foreign Policy, Governance, Ikh Khural 2024, JD Democratization, KhUN, Mining Governance, Mongolian People's Party, Party Politics, Policy, Politics, Public Policy, Social Issues, Ulaanbaatar | Tagged Julian Dierkes | Leave a comment

Self-Guided Travel to Mongolia

Posted on April 3, 2024 by Julian Dierkes

By Julian Dierkes Despite my many visits to Mongolia, I usually do not come for vacation. But, in late July 2023 I spent a week with my brother touring the countryside. Perhaps some of these observations will inform others planning … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Countryside, Cuisine, Curios, Tourism | Tagged Julian Dierkes | Leave a comment

The ONE Challenge

Posted on February 12, 2024 by Julian Dierkes

By Julian Dierkes Because few other people focus much of their attention on Mongolia, I often get asked questions that are more fundamental then I might be on other topics. In a conversation recently, sparked by the state visit of … Continue reading →

Posted in Corruption, Countryside, Democracy, Demography, Development, Diversification, Economics, Environment, Foreign Policy, Ikh Khural 2024, JD Mining Governance, Mining, Mining Governance, Policy, Politics, Public Policy, Reflection, Social Issues | Tagged Julian Dierkes | Leave a comment

Party Strategies under a Mixed Electoral System in 2024

Posted on December 27, 2023 by Julian Dierkes

By Julian Dierkes Recent constitutional amendments will have a profound impact on the 2024 parliamentary election especially as they will change candidates’ calculus about their nomination. Individuals seeking office or re-election will have the option of attempting to win one … Continue reading →

Posted in Democratic Party, Ikh Khural 2024, JD Democratization, Mongolian People's Party, National Labor Party, Party Politics, Politics | Tagged Julian Dierkes | Leave a comment

Friendship Medal

Posted on November 26, 2023 by Julian Dierkes

By Julian Dierkes I was awarded a Friendship Medal by Foreign Minister B Battsetseg at a reception commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Mongolia, and also the announcement of an upgrade of the bilateral relationship to … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Reflection, Research on Mongolia | Leave a comment

Change in the Countryside August 2023

Posted on November 14, 2023 by Julian Dierkes

By Julian Dierkes For some years, I have now traced visible changes in Ulaanbaatar on my periodic visits. I’ve kept a similar list for countryside changes, somewhat less regular as extended visits to the countryside don’t come nearly often enough … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Countryside, Curios | Tagged Julian Dierkes | Leave a comment

Mongolian Studies vs Research on Mongolia: XII Congress of Mongolists

Posted on October 14, 2023 by Julian Dierkes

By Julian Dierkes The International Association of Mongol Studies meets every five years. Actually pretty cool that the association based in Mongolia exists and has a regular, if rare meeting. I previously wrote about the 2011 Xth Congress, some indication … Continue reading →

Posted in Conferences, Congress of Mongolists, Research on Mongolia | Tagged Julian Dierkes | Leave a comment

New to Ulaanbaatar August 2023

Posted on September 1, 2023 by Julian Dierkes

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

Guest Post: The Future of Livestock Herding in Mongolia

Posted on August 18, 2023 by Julian Dierkes

By Daniel Miller Will nomadism become extinct in Mongolia? A Mongolian journalist recently asked me, “Do you think that it’s possible for nomadism to become extinct?” My answer was: Mongolia has a long history of nomadic pastoralism, with herders raising … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Countryside, Daniel Miller, Environment, Grassland, Herding | Leave a comment

Comparative Impressions Kyrgyzstan-Mongolia

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Julian Dierkes

By Julian Dierkes Some posts this summer are taking on a bit of a travelogue character, simply because I’ve been travelling. But the Mongolia-Kyrgyzstan comparison has always been of some interest, as Kyrgyzstan is the most likely comparison country for … Continue reading →

Posted in Countryside, Curios, Development, Kyrgyz Republic | Tagged Julian Dierkes | Leave a comment

Orange Turquoise Paint

Posted on August 6, 2023 by Julian Dierkes

By Julian Dierkes and Munkh-Erdene G If you’ve ever visited or live in Mongolia, you regularly encounter bright turquoise and orange floors. These are very prevalent in all older public buildings, but also in temples (well, the orange anyway) with … Continue reading →

Posted in Curios, Munkherdene Gantulga | Tagged Julian Dierkes | Leave a comment

Change in the Countryside July 2023

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Julian Dierkes

Posted in Change, Countryside, Curios | Tagged Julian Dierkes | Leave a comment

Party Landscape and Constitutional Amendments in Summer 2023

Posted on June 27, 2023 by Julian Dierkes

By Julian Dierkes and Marissa J. Smith While the MPP has now had a supermajority in parliament since 2016, the 2024 election is beginning to loom and the newly adopted constitutional amendment and amended Law on Elections with their shift to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitution, Democracy, Democratic Party, Elections, Ikh Khural 2024, JD Democratization, Mongolian People's Party, National Labor Party, Party Politics, Politics | Tagged Julian Dierkes; Marissa Smith | Leave a comment

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