Regional Science Inquiry

Ioannis Th. MAZIS

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Turkish Studies and Modern Asian studies

mazis@her.forthnet.gr

Michalis SARLIS

RSI Journal

info@rsijournal.eu

Abstract

This paper identifies and analyses the geopolitical impact that the Syrian crisis has on Lebanon. This impact is manifested in two forms: a subsystemic one (within the Syria-Lebanon subsystem) and a systemic one (exerted from the system of the wider Middle East). The first refers to the direct repercussions that the increasing instability of the Syrian part has on the Lebanese part of the subsystem. More specifically, the impact that have some factors of the Syrian crisis –namely, increasing sectarianism and Islamic radicalism- on the internal political and religious power relations of Lebanon.

The second form of impact refers to the indirect yet critical repercussions that the instability at the centre of the Middle Eastern system has on Lebanon. As a state of proxy actors through which the regional powers project power and as an integral part of the Syria-Lebanon subsystem, Lebanon is the primary point on which the systemic pressure is applied. As a result of this systemic impact, the internal politico-religious power relations of Lebanon become a micro-level representation of the regional power relations of the wider Middle Eastern system.

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Yuzuru MIYATA

Graduate School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology

miyata@ace.tut.ac.jp

Hiroyuki SHIBUSAWA

Graduate School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology

hiro-shibu@tut.jp

Shamsunnahar KHANAM

Graduate School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Toyohashi University of Technology

shamsunnahar_khanam@yahoo.com

Abstract:

In this paper we explore economic impact of promotion and realization of an electric vehicle society (EVS). More concretely, this paper emphasizes on a computable general equilibrium (CGE) modelling approach to evaluate the following issues: economic impacts of subsidies for promotion of an EVS, the possibility of prices reduction, industrial structure change towards an EVS,  and model shift occurs towards an EVS.

Our simulation results demonstrate that after applying 20% subsidies to five industries, such as electric vehicles (EVs) manufacturing and transhipment, solar, cogeneration, and other transhipment the total industrial output and city GDP increase. A large growth rate is found in industries where subsidies are introduced alone with non-ferrous metal industry. However, it is motivating that decreasing proportions are found in oil, coal product, mining, heat supply and gasoline vehicles (GVs) transhipment industries.

Moreover, all the commodity prices decrease though in industries where subsidies are presented prices shrink appreciably. Hence, Toyohashi City’s economy shows a direction where the demand for conventional vehicles and energy use are decreased, conversely, the demand for EVs and renewable energy are increased that displays different lifestyles from the current.

Thus, introducing 20% subsidies to EVs manufacturing and transhipment, solar, cogeneration, and other transhipment can really represent a realistic alternative society to EVS, both in terms of economic development and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions reduction.  In this study therefore it is clear that model shift occurs to EVS, and thus we suggest for promotion of new industrial structure to introduce an EVS in Toyohashi city, Japan. The proposed model even can be expanded to the other cities in Japan and other countries in the world which are similar to this area.

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Elpianna EMMANOUILIDI

Athens University of Economics and Business, Dept. of Economic Science, Athens, Greece

elpemman@aueb.gr

Abstract

This paper presents an environmental application, investigating land use changes of forests and semi-natural areas in the Greek region of Western Attica. Its objective is to estimate the spatial equilibrium distribution of individual deforestation actions and determine the degree of coordination in individual behaviour. For this purpose, the paper starts by creating a virtual economic network of 156 agents, by laying an ad hoc square grid over the region. Next, the dominant forest land use changes have been determined for each land parcel, using CORINE land cover maps for the years 1990 and 2000. The economic model used is a discrete choice model, with endogenous spatial interactions. Even though spatial interactions produce multiple equilibria, the present research proposes a two-stage fixed point estimator, yielding a unique solution. Empirical findings suggest that equilibrium deforestation actions are strategic substitutes for the environment and complements for agriculture, and are characterized by a relative lack of coordination in individual behaviour.

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