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This paper explores the mitigating effect of democratic institutions in the nexus of tourism and pandemic‐induced uncertainty in 24 Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) countries. Utilizing dynamic panel data analysis in the modeling process, the findings reveal that increased pandemic‐related uncertainty in the target market negatively affects the tourism demand. However, the presence of democratic institutions in the destination country positively affects the tourism demand. Finally, democratic institutions help mitigate the negative effects of pandemic uncertainty on tourism demand. The research highlights that a democratic destination can provide a more favorable environment for tourism development amid pandemic uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Turkey's politically induced 'curricular modernization initiative' intended a philosophical change and a system‐level transformation from behaviouristic to constructivist‐inspired pedagogies in the early 2000s. Science curriculum has been one of the curricula that has taken precedence. It has changed four times since then. The latest science curriculum for grades 3–8 – age group 9–13 – is issued in 2018. This study examines these curricula and discusses curriculum making at the macro site. Whether or to what extent the tools of state‐based curriculum making (ToSBCM) are used is also investigated. Directed content analysis and thematic analysis are used to address the research questions. Findings revealed that Turkey's latest science curriculum is a reformulation of its predecessors' goals, learning outcomes and content. ToSBCM are effectively used in introducing the new emphases of curriculum, managing discourse communities and granting the executive responsibility to teachers. Considering Turkey's curricular experiences as a country which has one of the most centralized education systems among OECD countries, and a very large hierarchical national administration with schools having the lowest levels of autonomy in determining curriculum and assessment policies among countries participating in PISA, findings offer opportunities to compare and discuss processes of curriculum making with an international perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Question/Issue: This study investigates the relationship between financial literacy and the survival profile of the security‐based crowdfunding platforms. Security‐based crowdfunding has recently emerged as a novel market that allows small investors to engage directly in financing entrepreneurial ventures. However, a certain level of financial literacy is required to understand and manage these digital finance tools. A better understanding of the impact of financial literacy is, therefore, central to the development of these markets and the achievement of their inclusive potential. Research Findings/Insights: Using data of the universe of 432 security‐based crowdfunding platforms in 37 OECD countries from 2007 to 2019, we find higher platforms' survival profiles where the level of financial literacy is high. Financial literacy, however, needs to combine with specific platform characteristics to take full effect, as it matters more to those platforms that deliver voting rights and that provide poorer value‐added services to crowdfunding investors. Theoretical/Academic Implications: This study provides empirical support to the role of governance mechanisms at the platform level for differences in the level of financial literacy across countries. As such, it contributes to literature both on financial literacy and corporate governance. Additionally, it extends previous research in crowdfunding to the platform level. Practitioner/Policy Implications: This study calls for the attention of policymakers interested in the development of crowdfunding markets. The importance of financial literacy varies with the presence of governance mechanisms and information production at the platform‐level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article re‐examines residues of theocracy in contemporary western and related democracies such as OECD countries. It outlines a model of theocracy composed of four elements. These elements are, first, extreme religiosity and religious fanaticism and closure; second, suppression of knowledge and scientific progress and perpetuation of anti‐science, irrationalism; third, a state‐favoured Church as the agent of political power, coercion, repression, war; and fourth, accumulation and redistribution of economic resources to support religion. The model is represented in the format of the functionalist AGIL scheme. Considering evidence, the model of theocracy is found to fit reasonably well for certain, primarily highly religious and conservative, countries. Conversely, it does not fit many other countries, especially less religious and more liberal societies. The article aims to contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between religion and politics in contemporary societies, and outlines directions for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]