Political Agenda Research Articles

Civil society, local government and rural health in an eastern Indian state

ABSTRACT This paper explores how civil society mobilization makes a difference in local government performance in delivering rural healthcare. The study was carried out during 2019–2020 in tribal-dominated Nilgiri and Daringbadi blocks of Odisha state in eastern India. Civil society activism is found to interject more programmatic priorities into local governance of health in Nilgiri than in Daringbadi. Success in Nilgiri is linked to its history of subaltern mobilization, the organizational efforts of a pro-poor political party and a comparatively mobilized civil society. Conversely, failure in Daringbadi is linked to a fractured community, little if any history of civil society mobilization and hegemony of the ruling party which uses local government to advance its own political agenda.

Media Coverage of Suicidal Behaviour in the Context of Slovenian independence

Slovenia was part of Yugoslavia and became independent in 1991 after a ten-day war. Slovenia had the highest suicide rate of all the member states of Yugoslavia. All young men in Yugoslavian states served the military out of their home state and some soldiers returned in a coffin because of suicide. This, among other factors, was the trigger for the discussion about independence, in which Slovenian newspapers played a part. Suicide rates tend to be lower in wartime, but soldiers also face an array of risk factors for suicidality. The aim of the study was to understand which stories about suicide were published in the Slovenian newspapers Delo and Večer. We analyzed the period before, during and after independence. We found three predominant themes: stories about Slovenian soldiers, political agenda and informative articles. Political agenda was in the foreground before independence, namely the desire for independence and later the consequences of independence. Stories about Slovenian soldiers were most common in the period of independence, with tales of actual suicides with the use of firearms as a method of suicide. In the post-independence period, we have mainly identified articles that give an insight into society's attitude towards suicide. This study sheds light on how suicide in the military was portrayed in the Slovenian media before, during and after independence.

Samomor kot slovenska metafora: k intelektualni zgodovini samomora kot metafore v socialistični Sloveniji

Between the 1960s and 1980s, suicide was frequently discussed as a major social issue in the Slovenian public sphere, leading to the establishment of the idea of Slovenians as a "suicide nation." In her book "Illness as Metaphor," Susan Sontag examines how society uses illness as a metaphor for moral, psychological, and political conditions, often resulting in the stigmatization of patients. This perspective is valuable for understanding the representations of suicide in socialist Slovenia. This paper analyses the influence of the metaphor of the "nation of suicides" on political thought and discourse in socialist Slovenia. It explores how intellectuals used or rejected this idea in their debates and how they adapted expert discussions and statistics to their political agendas. The concept of suicide as a "Slovenian problem" emerged in the late 1960s, supported by statistics and high-profile cases of suicide among young people from prominent cultural and political families.

An Analysis of the Religious Solidarity Discourses Regarding the Syrian Refugees in Türkiye

Following the outbreak of the civil war in Syria, a massive migration of Syrian nationals to Türkiye has been a significant phenomenon. This situation has become a problematic issue, as the massive presence of Syrian refugees in Türkiye has become an important part of the domestic political agenda. The politicization of the refugee issue has long since presented a duality of conflicting opinions among the Turkish society, whereas it has led to political debates between pro-government and opposition groups. In light of these developments, Turkish government elites have produced discourses of religious solidarity with the aim of providing tolerance and social acceptance for Syrian refugees and thus legitimizing the open door policy of the government toward these refugees. The aim of this study is to analyze and categorize the themes that constitute the basis of the discourses of religious solidarity regarding Syrian refugees in Türkiye. In this context, a second aim is to demonstrate how these themes have been welcomed in a positive manner by their adoption and recognition by Turkish society. To these aims, governmental discourses of religious solidarity and a sample consisting of 980 posts on the digital platform X have been analyzed by using the critical discourse analysis technique and have been categorized under two discursive themes, namely the ensar–muhacir analogy and the emphases on the Ottoman legacy. The conformity between these discourses and the government’s ideological orientation and the degree to which these discourses have been welcomed and adopted by the Turkish society have been discussed in detail.

WeAreEurope SD – A playful Sustainable Development Education Approach for Primary School Level

Sustainable Development (SD) has been in the EU’s political Agenda for the past decades. In 2001, the EU established a SD Strategy and more recently contributed to the UN’s 2030 Agenda for SD, reaffirming the political importance it attributes to this pressing matter. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) plays a vital role in pushing forward the Agenda for SD. The WAE-SD project has been designed so as to offer a variety of complementary learning solutions that use active learning, game-based learning, and storytelling, among others. These solutions have the potential to engage children, address more complex concepts in a comprehensive manner, contribute to the development of other XXI century and basic competencies, like literacy, teamwork, social competences, ICT skills, among others. The WAE-SD project addresses the educational needs of children (6-10 years old) at 3 levels: a) Envision the future: depict what might happen if we don’t change our lifestyles, so that they better understand what’s at stake, b) What needs to change: learn about the UN’s SD Goals, so that they better understand what should be addressed/emended to create a more sustainable world, and c) Call to Action: learn what we can do as individuals and as part of a community to reach the UN’s SD Goals, and act. To this purpose, the project delivers three results: a) an eBook to illustrate a future scenario for the Planet if we keep up with our lifestyle, b) A Game Add-on to the pre-existing WeAreEurope Digital Game, to introduce and explore the UN’s SD Goals, thus presenting children with what needs to be changed for a more sustainable Planet, and c) an Action Kit, consisting of guidelines for the implementation of SD projects/activities for schools and other settings, thus promoting real change in behaviours and attitudes. This paper focuses on the designed material and the proposed ways of utilizing them in classroom settings

Empowering the periphery: regional planning perspective to left-behind places

Left-behind places, characterized by population decline, economic stagnation, and social decay, present complex challenges that demand regional and place-based plan- ning solutions. Distinguishing the importance of peripheral areas in this perspective is highly crucial, despite their absence from decision-makers’ political agendas as in the case of ne- glecting them due to physical or mental barriers prolongs these disparities. This exploration underlines the regional planning perspective aimed at empowering the periphery, focusing on possible strategies to revive left-behind areas and foster local development. Providing insights from urban planning and regional development, this work discusses the dynamics of decline in the regions and unfolds key principles and approaches for regional level intervention. By emphasizing place-based strategies, this exploration offers input for policymakers, planners, and practitioners seeking to address the spatial disparities and promote different perspec- tives on left-behind places. There are several strategies to employ local resources, and start transformative change, consequently expected to result in advancing the agenda of regional development. Planners must prioritize social infrastructure changes to address diverse needs and promote the well-being of communities within left-behind places, ensuring inclusive local development.

State-led smart city with Chinese characteristics: the case of Xiong’an New Area, China

ABSTRACT Smart cities have emerged as either a technical fix to challenges of urbanized accumulation or an adaptable governance strategy under neoliberal, entrepreneurial, and austerity politics worldwide. Utilizing Xiong'an New Area, the most ambitious experimentation in China, as an empirical case, we present a distinct smart city model under the governance framework of state entrepreneurialism. This paper examines the salient and proactive role of the state in the ongoing smartification and digitalization in Xiong’an New Area. We highlight the plural (geo)political agendas parallel to capital accumulation in this state project. Based on in-depth interviews and documentary analysis, we illustrate how the state steered experimental practices through innovating institutional settings and financing strategy, legitimizing ‘digital twin’ experimentation in urban management, and co-opting non-state actors, including technical professional organizations and domestic technology enterprises. Its success rests more on its demonstration effects nationwide than the ‘actually existing’ smart city/urbanism within the territory of Xiong’an. This ‘state-led smart city with Chinese Characteristics’ shows unique features of smart governance shaped by political economic dynamics in China, compared to typical smart city models in Western capitalist countries and Asian developmental countries. The findings further the nuanced understanding of smart initiatives and projects in different contexts and the role of the government through the perspective of entrepreneurialism.

Current climate action trends in party‐political manifestos: A content analysis provides hints to move forward

AbstractParty manifestos offer valuable insights into evolving climate political agendas, warranting relevant content to understand parties' priorities and approaches to climate resilience. Through a content analysis of Portuguese party manifestos from the 2019, 2022, and 2024 elections, this study aims to address key research questions regarding SDG 13 targets. The results demonstrate a positive trend within SDG 13, albeit predominantly focused on targets 13.1 and 13.2. Left‐wing parties exhibit stronger commitment compared to their right‐wing counterparts, with variations observed based on European affiliations. Across all SDG 13 targets, left‐wing party manifestos consistently covered a broader spectrum of themes compared to their right‐wing counterparts. Green parties exhibit a partial higher commitment relative to the dominant governance parties in Portugal, which is recently governed by a right‐wing coalition. Findings aim to inform and potentiate refinement of climate policy agendas, contributing to future sustainability initiatives in Portugal and beyond.

Carlos Asensio and the dawn of molecular microbial ecology.

At near 50years of the discovery of microcins, this article highlights the pivotal-but under-recognised-influence of Spanish biochemist Carlos Asensio (1925-1982) in contemporary microbiology, featuring the epistemological, sociological, and cultural impact of his scientific achievements. At a time when the intestinal microbiome is central to current biomedical research, it is due to emphasise his role in the establishment of new scientific fields that are now considered fundamental. Despite his premature death at the peak of his conceptual and experimental creativity, many of his ideas about microbial communication in complex communities inspired a generation of researchers and opened new topics reach to this day. Asensio was also a trailblazer in Spain, advocating for fundamental research within the socio-economic context of his time. He foresaw the shift towards what is now termed the knowledge-based bioeconomy, recognised the need for multidisciplinary research teams, and advocated integration science into societal and political agendas. These facets became evident during his research on microcins, low molecular weight bioactive compounds produced by enterobacteria. These molecules were hypothesised as mediators of microbial interactions in the human gut and were considered potential new antibiotics and even antitumoral agents. His research mobilised young talent and attracted unprecedented resources in Spain during the late 1970s-early 1980s. It underscored the medical value of microbial ecology and exemplified the benefits of collaboration between academia and industry. Asensio played a pivotal role in the emergence of molecular microbial ecology as a research discipline and its foundational and applied significance in biotechnology.

Life cycle assessment of common urban trees - The environmental performance of three Mediterranean cities

Given the increasing pressure from extreme events due to climate change, the planting of new trees has become a priority in the political agendas of cities. However, the rush to plant trees often fails to account for the reduced performance and lifespan of trees in heavily urbanized areas and the environmental impact of their production, maintenance, and eventual disposal. By means of the Life Cycle Analysis, this study aims to investigate the potential environmental benefit and impact of trees planted in three European cities located in Mediterranean areas (Perugia, Thessaloniki, and Cascais), that have adhered to the management guidelines of the LIFE Clivut project. The environmental performance of each tree is mainly affected by the tree management operations performed, by the climatic conditions, and by the tree performance in carbon dioxide (CO2) uptake and Particulate matter (PM) capture. The impact assessment obtained by ReCiPe 2016 Endpoint (H) methodology evidenced that the trees' beneficial effects widely overcome the impact of the operations carried out during the tree management. Broadleaved species showed an average environmental performance higher than conifers. The best results have been obtained by Tilia cordata Mill., Quercus ilex L., Populus spp. and Celtis australis L. in the case of broadleaved trees, and by Calocedrus decurrens (Torr.) Florin and Cedrus spp. for Conifers. The results of the Environmental Footprint (EF 3.1) method highlighted the urban trees' potentiality to mitigate Human Health problems and to improve Ecosystem Quality. Future studies may explore other management scenarios to optimize energy and materials use, reduce emissions, hence obtaining an increase of the environmental benefit for the urban areas.

Centering Racial Health Equity in Systematic Reviews Paper 5: A Methodological Overview of methods and interventions

We aim to 1) evaluate the methods used in systematic reviews of interventions focused on racialized populations to improve racial health equity, and 2) examine the types of interventions evaluated for advancing racial health equity in systematic reviews. We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane and Campbell databases for reviews evaluating interventions focused on racialized populations to mitigate racial health inequities, published from January 2020 to January 2023. We analyzed 157 reviews on racialized populations. Only 22 (14%) reviews addressed racism's role in driving racial health inequities related to the review question. Eleven percent (7) of reviews considered intersectionality when conceptualizing racial inequities. Two-thirds (105, 67%) provided descriptive summaries of included studies rather than synthesizing them. Among those that quantified effect sizes, 54% (21) used biased synthesis methods like vote counting. The most common method assessed was tailoring interventions to meet the needs of racialized populations. Reviews mainly focused on assessing interventions to reduce racial disparities rather than enhancing structural opportunities for racialized populations. Reviews for racial health equity could be improved by enhancing methodologic quality, defining the role of racism in the question, usingreliable analytical methods, and assessing process and implementation outcomes. More focus is needed on assessing structural interventions to improve opportunities for racialized populations and prioritize these issues in political and social agendas.

Dismissed or Acclaimed for Breaking Norms: The Discursive Positioning of Young Active Citizens in Czech Online Media

Despite new affordances available since the mainstreaming of digital media in countries with high levels of internet connectivity, young actors in teenage years are a group whose involvement in social and political affairs remains constrained by prevailing stereotypes regarding the social role of youth and acceptable forms of civic engagement. This paper explores the discourse on youths’ active citizenship found in Czech online media outlets, conceptualised as adult-governed spaces. Considering age as a significant exclusionary category in approaches to citizenship, the discursive construction of young active Czech citizens is studied on six concrete local actors and analysed via two types of relational positioning: (1) intra-generational (youth-to-youth) and (2) inter-generational (youth-to-adult). Media representations reveal normative expectations of youth as political actors that range from a refusal to recognise their participation to acclaiming them for it. Depending on the intersection of the actors’ agendas, their personal profiles, and the political orientation of the media outlets, the media depict the actors either negatively as deviant or positively as exceptional, reflecting contemporary ideo-political conflicts in Czechia. The paper concludes that the young age of the actors serves as an amplification factor for discreditation of a counter-attitudinal political agenda.

Politics without Presence? The Symbolic Representation of Trans People in Germany and the Netherlands

Abstract Historically, trans people have been excluded from politics. Despite political under representation, trans interests increasingly appear on the political agenda in the Netherlands and Germany. In 2021, trans women were elected to the Dutch and German parliaments for the first time. However, increased trans visibility is accompanied by backlash and transphobia. The political representation of trans people does not follow a familiar pattern from elected descriptive representatives to increased substantive representation of interests. What mechanisms shape the political representation of trans people? We argue that symbolic representation shapes possibilities for descriptive and substantive representation of trans people. The analysis of symbolic representation of transpeople draws on a combination of 1) qualitative text analysis of Dutch and German parliamentary documents, research reports, and trans activists’ publications and 2) in-depth interviews with trans andcisgender representatives, candidates, and activists. The findings demonstrate how political spaces are not only gendered, but also cisgendered and heteronormative.

Nigerian Audience Views on Mainstream Media and Moulding of Public Opinion in the 21st Century

The mass media have been long known to shape and mould public opinion in every human society. However, with the influence of web 2.0 technologies that have affected mainstream journalism practice in the 21st century, this study investigated the extent to which mainstream media still mould public opinion in Nigeria. The paper was anchored on agenda-setting and media dependency theories as it investigated journalism’s ability to mould the views of people on issues of public concern. The survey research design was used where the multi-stage sampling technique was adopted and an online Australian Calculator was used to draw the sample size of 371, the questionnaire was deployed as the instrument for data collection. The results among other things revealed that, though social media and blogs’ usage have influenced mass media and public communication generally, mainstream journalism still moulds public opinion in Nigeria. This was revealed as respondents disclosed that in making decisions, they believe and use more information they obtained from mainstream media platforms than information they got from blogs and social media sites. Keywords: blogs, information, mainstream media, public opinion, public agenda, social media

Profiling Astroturfers on Facebook: A Complete Framework for Labeling, Feature Extraction, and Classification

The practice of online astroturfing has become increasingly pervasive in recent years, with the growth in popularity of social media. Astroturfing consists of promoting social, political, or other agendas in a non-transparent or deceitful way, where the promoters masquerade as normative users while acting behind a mask that conceals their true identity, and at times that they are not human. In politics, astroturfing is currently considered one of the most severe online threats to democracy. The ability to automatically identify astroturfers thus constitutes a first step in eradicating this threat. We present a complete framework for handling a dataset of profiles, from data collection and efficient labeling, through feature extraction, and finally, to the identification of astroturfers lurking in the dataset. The data were collected over a period of 15 months, during which three consecutive elections were held in Israel. These raw data are unique in scope and size, consisting of several million public comments and reactions to posts on political candidates’ pages. For the manual labeling stage, we present a technique that can zoom in on a sufficiently large subset of astroturfer profiles, thus making the procedure highly efficient. The feature extraction stage consists of a temporal layer of features, which proves useful for identifying astroturfers. We then applied and compared several algorithms in the classification stage, and achieved improved results, with an F1 score of 77% and accuracy of 92%.

A New Sanctified British Era of Architecture and Supremacy at Rawalpindi, Punjab Pakistan

This article defines the ‘Church Architecture’ with its genera which was introduced by the British government to the Subcontinent. This architecture is a significant part of the cultural heritage and British Archaeology of Pakistan. ‘Church Architecture’ is still a center of attention for the general public and the Christian community in Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan. These “churches” were not only religious buildings of the British era but have always been the political and religious epicenters of British authorities. When the British East India Company was expanding its trading activities all over the subcontinent before 1849, simultaneously, ‘Company’ was trying to achieve the political and religious agenda of the British authorities. With combat skills, this trading company was able to meet the existing Sikh ruling powers on the battlefield, and the ‘Regime Change Operation’ ended, and the ‘British Era’ of architecture and supremacy emerged in Rawalpindi, Punjab Pakistan.

Building Resilience, Agility, and Trust: The Neo-Weberian State as a Referential Model for Brazilian Public Administration

The paper explores the challenges and potential solutions for enhancing Brazilian public administration through the lens of the Neo-Weberian State (NWS) model. It discusses the historical context of Brazil’s public administration, highlighting the coexistence of different administrative mechanisms and the need for a stable, resilient, and agile bureaucracy to address contemporary societal challenges effectively. The article advocates for a paradigmatic shift toward a more coordinated, inclusive, and socially driven public sector, emphasizing the importance of hierarchical mechanisms and public service ethos in safeguarding democracy and resisting illiberal political agendas. By analyzing the trajectory of public administration reforms in Brazil and comparing them to global challenges, the essay underscores the NWS’s potential to bring legitimacy and effectiveness to state actions, ultimately aiming to restore trust in public administration and strengthen democratic governance in Brazil.

Unearthing Identity: the Role of Archaeology in Shaping English National Identity and Heritage Interpretation

ABSTRACT This study examines the significant impact of archaeology on English national identity and heritage interpretation, focusing on key sites like Stonehenge, Sutton Hoo, and Hadrian’s Wall. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we analyze how archaeological discoveries shape national narratives, emphasizing continuity, rootedness, and cultural uniqueness. Through qualitative methods, including interviews and focus groups, we find that public perceptions of these sites highlight themes of engagement, inclusivity, and the need for more comprehensive interpretations. Our results reveal that archaeological interpretations evolve with societal values and political agendas, often reinforcing or challenging notions of national identity. This study underscores the dynamic relationship between archaeology, nationalism, and cultural memory, advocating for a more inclusive and nuanced approach to heritage management and public engagement.

Faith and Governance: A Study of Mawlid in Contemporary Morocco

ABSTRACT The Mawlid, a sacred holiday commemorating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, holds immense power in Morocco as a communal prayer event that animates citizens, transcending its religious significance to become a potent sociopolitical tool. This article delves into the multifaceted nature of Mawlid, examining its dynamic role as both a collective expression of faith and a means of governmental control. Through the example of the Qadiri Boutchichiyya Sufi order’s annual Mawlid programming, it explores how the Moroccan government has skillfully harnessed Mawlid’s enlivening energy to further its political agendas, utilizing it as a vector to transmit the kingdom’s particular brand of Islam. However, while the government may seek to manipulate Mawlid for political gains, Moroccans are not mere pawns in this dynamic. On the contrary, the Mawlid’s animating quality extends well beyond the public sphere and resonates deeply within the private lives of individuals. By delving into this intricate web of interactions, we can better grasp the vibrant and multivalent nature of religious expression in Morocco and its implications for the broader dynamics of faith-based governance in the country today.

From Speech to Feed: How Parliamentary Debates Shape Party Agendas on Social Media‌

AbstractSocial media has become an increasingly important tool for parties to set issues on the political agenda. However, its rapid rise raises questions about the role of traditional venues such as parliaments. This study hypothesizes that parties strategically choose to initiate issues in parliamentary debates instead of on social media to establish dominance through real‐time discussions. Consequently, only after these issues are introduced and debated in parliament do parties use digital platforms like social media to reinforce them on the political agenda. Analyzing over 430,000 parliamentary speeches and 240,000 Facebook posts by parties in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, and the UK, from 2010 to 2022, the study reveals that issues discussed in parliamentary debates—primarily those raised by opposition parties—typically do not initially emerge on social media but only attract online attention after being introduced in parliament. These findings offer new insights into the strategic decisions of parties in agenda‐setting.