Democracy Research Articles

The Potentials and Limitations of Agent-Based Models for Urban Digital Twins: Insights From a Surveillance and Behavioral Nudging Simulation

Although urban digital twins are still at an embryonic stage of development, their use cases are multiple, ranging from big data aggregation to simulations. Additionally, predictions can be rendered and quickly implemented using actuators to transform physical environments and influence urban life. In this article, we investigate the potential of an agent-based model in a smart city setting to predict emergent behavior in relation to the suppression of civil violence by implementing crowd management practices. To this end, we designed a simulation environment that includes cameras in public spaces and wearable sensors, and considers nudging and self-nudging processes supported by a surveillance apparatus. Building on Epstein’s threshold-based model of civil violence, the proposed simulation is informed by surveillance theories and contemplates methods for crowd monitoring and social control. The experiments’ results provide insights into how specific measures and combined actions may influence the suppression of civil violence in public spaces and can be useful to inform crowd management activities and policymaking. Moreover, we use the simulation to reflect upon the potentials and limitations of integrating agent-based models into urban digital twins and emphasize the imminent risks for individuals and democratic societies of employing a ubiquitous surveillance apparatus endowed with the autonomy to trigger actuators.

ECONOMIC AND LEGAL TRENDS OF EUROPEANIZATION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW OF UKRAINE

Today, it is appropriate to talk about cooperation between Ukraine and EU member states in matters that are functional for their legal systems. The first is the protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens; providing asylum to refugees from other countries; adaptation of legislation on the regulation of relations in the field of migration, both legal and illegal; fight against illegal employment; and others. It was found that the administrative law of Ukraine is developing in complex political-economic and social-legal conditions. Therefore, the use of European experience in the field of administrative and legal regulation of social relations in Ukraine should not imply mindless copying, which can negatively affect society and the state. The topic of the research should be the creation of national methodological recommendations on quality indicators of individual branches of law in accordance with the quality standards of legislation and law of the countries of the European Union. The introduction of European approaches to the regulation of social relations at the administrative and legal level in Ukraine must be balanced and adapted so that there is no negative impact on the development of society and the process of state formation. At the same time, the comparative legal study and rational use of foreign experience in the development of administrative law allows to significantly expand the so-called "legal field", enriching it with the experience of foreign countries. The current conditions for the development of administrative law in Ukraine depend on globalization, which affects all spheres of life, affecting the development of unified legal values and democratic principles of European administrative law, and the national administrative law system of individual European countries. In fact, there are two parties of subjects endowed with the corresponding rights and obligations in the field of administrative-legal relations.

Direct democracy as a liberal political regime

This article is a theoretical contribution to the understanding of direct democracy (DD) and its properties. It departs from common definitions of DD by distinguishing between a hard meaning, according to which direct democracies are characterized by the fact that legislative initiative and veto rights are extended to the entire citizenry, and a soft meaning, according to which they are not. Building on previous findings, it argues that hard DD profoundly alters the balance of power in representative systems and reinforces the liberal features of democratic systems, such as the independence of checks and balances and the empowerment of minorities. This analysis invites us to understand direct democracies as systems in which representatives of political groups and independent institutions negotiate to find a consensual way to implement legislation, and a direct vote of the people only takes place if agreement is not reached.

Unveiling layers of inclusion in political spaces

This study explores the intricate dimensions of inclusion within political spaces in Zimbabwe. It examines representation and intersectionality to explore how diverse perspectives among different interest groups in society contribute to a more comprehensive and equitable political landscape in Zimbabwe. Additionally, it investigates the role of digital inclusion, and community empowerment in fostering genuine participation. The study dissects the layers of inclusion required for a strong democratic system with an emphasis on youth involvement and the value of civic education. Through emphasising transparency, accountability, and a global perspective, this research article provides a holistic understanding of how political spaces can evolve to embrace diversity and ensure the active engagement of all citizens. The study is informed by the theory of intersectionality and offers a deep understanding of how multiple dimensions of identity, such as race, gender, class, and sexuality, intersect to influence individuals' experiences of political representation and participation. Through applying the intersectionality theory, the study examines how individuals with intersecting identities face unique barriers and challenges when it comes to accessing and engaging with political spaces. It reveals how privilege and power systems interact and function within political frameworks, influencing the opportunities and experiences that various groups have. To achieve the main goal, the study employs a qualitative approach to examine the dimensions of inclusion within political spaces in Zimbabwe. The qualitative constituent involved in-depth interviews and focus groups with diverse stakeholders, including politicians, community leaders, and purported relegated groups, to gather insights into their experiences and perceptions of inclusion. Additionally, a survey was conducted among a representative sample of the population to gather data on their attitudes toward political inclusion and their level of engagement in political processes. This enabled a broader understanding of the overall landscape of inclusivity.

Etatization of the Latvian song festival

ABSTRACT Based on Szymon Chodak’s macro-sociological theory of etatization, the article explores the dynamics of the etatization of the Latvian Song Festival across four historiographical periods: Russian Empire, the Republic of Latvia, the USSR, and the restored Republic of Latvia. The findings confirm Chodak’s argument that the increasing intervention of the state in a wide range of socio-economic processes is a general trend in Western civilization, showing that the most complete etatization of the Song Festival is taking place now, under democratic regimes, rather than under totalitarian and authoritarian regimes. For the descriptive analysis, a model of the three production fields (symbolic, practical, economic) of the Song Festival was created, which could be used to conduct more detailed empirical research in the future.

Dying for What? Secular Transformations of Martyrdom

This article studies different forms of martyrdom in secular contexts, tracing their roots back to Western European Christian traditions. The article argues that distinct trajectories of martyrdom have emerged: (a) the more passive martyr, who refuses to acknowledge sovereign power and dies for a transcendent truth, and (b) the more assertive martyr, who sacrifices their life fighting for God and the sovereign. In secular contexts, this assertive martyr fights for secular ideals such as ‘freedom’ or ‘nation’ and represents the symbolic body of the sovereign. The historical distinction between divine truth and state falsehood has been turned into differentiations between democratic rule and threats like terrorism. To further study this transition, this article studies discourses following the deaths of Pim Fortuyn and Jaques Hamel, as both were strongly labeled as martyrs. This results in the final part of the article that examines the cult of commemoration surrounding soldiers in the US and the Netherlands. It argues that the assertive martyr has reached its fully secularized form in these contexts. The transcendent imagery of state sovereignty is evident in the sacrificial discourses around fallen soldiers. At this point of death, the state’s power is reinforced as a transcendent norm and reveals itself in those who ‘sacrifice’ their lives for the freedom of many.

Harnessing big data for national security: A review of information systems and emerging technologies in the U.S

The rapid growth of big data and emerging technologies has fundamentally transformed the national security landscape, enabling governments to leverage vast amounts of information for decision-making, threat detection, and operational effectiveness. This review explores the integration of big data analytics into U.S. national security systems, focusing on the technological innovations that facilitate real-time data processing, secure communications, and predictive analytics. Key emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things, are evaluated for their role in enhancing intelligence gathering, cybersecurity, and surveillance operations. Furthermore, the paper examines the foundational principles of big data in national security, detailing its data sources, types, and uses in both structured and unstructured forms. While these advancements present significant opportunities, they also pose challenges related to privacy, ethics, policy, and legal frameworks, which are critical for ensuring that the implementation of such technologies aligns with democratic values and security objectives. The paper concludes by highlighting future research directions, emphasizing the need for continued development in big data infrastructure, governance, and ethical considerations to fully harness its potential in protecting national interests.

Young people’s civic engagement in Italy: evidence on grade 8 students from the international civic and citizenship education study (ICCS) 2016

Civic engagement represents a key aspect of a democratic society and is itself a multidimensional construct. Research has shown that the promotion of civic engagement is an important component of civic and citizenship education intended in a broad sense, pertaining to formal, non-formal and informal learning situations. Within a national scenario characterised by increasing levels of general institutional disaffection and a lack of electoral and political involvement, the recent reform in the area of civic and citizenship education (Law 92/2019) has led to lively debates on the status of its implementation in Italian schools and recent research at the national level has highlighted the lack of activities to promote students’ engagement. This study further investigates the ICCS 2016 findings on civic engagement of Italian students with two objectives: to identify possible groups of Italian eighth-grade students on the basis of their level of civic engagement and to examine the associations among these groups and some key factors reflecting school contexts and students’ attitudes and behaviours. To reach these goals, the data analyses encompassed a latent profile analysis and a logistic regression model. The latent profile analysis allowed the identification of three groups of Italian students: disengaged, moderately engaged and engaged students. The results of the regression model showed that engaged students were characterised by a higher level of citizenship self-efficacy. These findings confirm those of previous research on the key role of internal self-efficacy in promoting students’ civic engagement.

The Role Of Civic Education In The Formation Of A Democratic Society (Udin Sarifudin Winataputra's Perspective)

This article has the aim of providing a theoretical review of the role of Citizenship Education in the formation of a democratic society through the views or perspective of Prof. Dr. Udin Sarifudin Winataputra, M.A., This research tries to build and obtain results from the theoretical and empirical foundations of Citizenship Education both among the public as well as students and teachers in the world of education, which aims to be able to develop a concept of the role of Citizenship Education in forming a democratic society. In this article, it can be concluded that Citizenship Education has three main roles or functions in the formation of a democratic society, namely developing civic intelligence, cultivating civic responsibility, and encouraging citizen participation both among the community and among education. The three functions or roles of civics education are also in line with the three components of civics education, namely citizenship knowledge, civic values and attitudes, and citizenship skills.

Representing Animals: Moral and Epistemic Limits for Protection Against Cruelty.

Some philosophers argue that animals should be included in the democratic system, with people acting as their representatives in voting on issues that concern them. This article contends that, while animals' rights are fundamentally important, granting people rights to represent animals in democratic processes may lead to the opposite of what we want. Or worse, it may put animals' interests and rights at significant risk. If animals' rights are basic and straightforward, as proponents of this proposal assume, then deliberation is either redundant or dangerous in safeguarding the interests of animals.

The Inevitable Danger of Faction in James Madison’s Formulation of Society

This study based on the Federalist No.10, one of the most significant political papers of American history written by James Madison, discusses about the cause of factions, which was seen as an unavoidable threat of democratic society. Madison believed that the diversity and liberty of democratic society allowed citizens to follow their different interests, and the majority rule pushed people who had a mutual goal together for a bigger voice to influence the government decision. The three elements were essential and necessary to the democracy, so the factions derived from them were inevitable.

Citizens’ Free Access to Information. The Case of Local Institutions from Rural Areas of the North-Western Region from Romania

This study examines the extent to which local authorities in rural North-West Romania adhere to the requirements set forth in Law no. 544 of 2001, which mandates the ex officio public information disclosure online. The findings suggest a relatively low level of transparency, with notable discrepancies observed across communes. While larger communes exhibited slightly elevated levels of compliance, population size exerted a limited influence on transparency. Additionally, the study revealed no statistically significant correlation between the gender of mayors and transparency. This may be attributed to the limited representation of female mayors in the sample. Similarly, while the presence of businesses demonstrated some influence on transparency, it was not a robust predictor. These findings underscore the necessity for more robust enforcement mechanisms, including penalties for non-compliance, to guarantee compliance with transparency laws. Furthermore, the study highlights the necessity of considering a broader array of factors, including local governance practices, institutional capacity, and citizen engagement, when evaluating transparency outcomes. It would be beneficial for future research to expand to other regions and consider a longitudinal approach to monitor changes over time. The study underscores the pivotal role of transparency in cultivating public trust, curbing corruption, and strengthening democratic governance.

DEMOCRATIC EDUCATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR TEACHING WORK

The school curriculum plays a fundamental role in the civic education of students, directly influencing their skills and social values. Through formal education, the curriculum contributes to the development of critical, reflective and participatory skills, necessary for conscious action in society. Civic education involves not only theoretical knowledge, but also the construction of practices and attitudes that promote democratic coexistence and respect for diversity. Thus, education focused on citizenship must consider cultural, ethical and political aspects, promoting the active engagement of students. The general objective of this article is to analyze how the school curriculum contributes to the civic education of students. The specific objectives are: - to identify the pedagogical practices present in the curriculum that foster citizenship; - to verify the presence of content that encourages critical thinking and social participation; - to evaluate the importance of interdisciplinarity in the construction of a civic education. The research problem that guides this study is: In what way does the school curriculum contribute to the civic education of students? The methodology used was bibliographic, based on a literature review of works that address the relationship between school curriculum and citizenship. The results indicate that a curriculum that integrates democratic principles, social values, and practices of mutual respect favors the development of critical and participatory citizens. The discussion reinforces the need for an interdisciplinary approach that takes into account the diversity and multiple realities of students. It is concluded that the school curriculum must be constantly reviewed and adapted to meet social demands and to educate individuals capable of acting ethically and responsibly in society, fully exercising their rights and duties as citizens.

EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL E A SUA IMPORTÂNCIA NO DESENVOLVIMENTO DAS CRIANÇAS

Early childhood education is an essential phase in children's development, which covers the first years of life, generally up to the age of five. This period is crucial for children's cognitive, emotional, social and physical development, providing the foundation for future learning. Early childhood education is not limited to teaching academic content, but also focuses on stimulating children's curiosity, creativity, autonomy and socio-emotional skills. Through playful, interactive activities focused on sensory experience, children explore the world around them, develop their language, motor coordination and social skills. In addition, early childhood education plays an essential role in promoting equal opportunities, social inclusion and preparing them for life in society. Therefore, investing in the quality and universal access to early childhood education is important to ensure the healthy and equitable development of children and to build a more just and democratic society in the future.

Narratives, expectations, and policy criteria for a democratic and socially engaging energy transition

Energy transition policies can be translated into narratives about how energy systems should change (e.g., towards a centralised or decentralised system). These narratives tend to reflect expectations, priorities, and perceptions on feasibility and the social acceptability of different policy options, as well as long-term goals and trade-offs, all of which influence policy criteria. Taking as its case study Portugal and the implementation of European directives there, this study aims to characterise energy transition narratives (e.g. a swift transformation to renewables) and interrelated policy criteria (e.g., participation of local communities), focusing on expectations for a socially engaging and democratic energy transition. The analysis builds on the results of a Delphi survey with 10 expert stakeholders, a citizens’ survey (n=500), and a workshop with 19 participants. It identifies the most relevant criteria to stakeholders, as well as the importance of different underlying expectations, meanings, and attitudes shaping narratives about energy system futures. The findings indicate that criteria interrelated to narratives which highlight a promise of democratic energy governance may be less important for energy transition policies, and therefore undermine energy democracy goals. The conclusion highlights suggestions for policy and future research more likely to foster sociopolitical acceptance.

The Impact of Political Interference on the Judiciary: India Vs. Pakistan

This paper investigates the significant effects of political interference on the judiciary in India and Pakistan, two countries with a common colonial history but differing paths since gaining independence. The judiciary serves as a fundamental pillar of democratic governance, designed to function independently while protecting the rule of law and upholding constitutional rights. Nevertheless, in both nations, political influences have notably affected judicial operations, compromised judicial independence and eroding public confidence. Through a comparative examination, this study highlights important historical moments, landmark rulings, and constitutional frameworks that demonstrate the degree and nature of political interference within both judicial systems. In India, such interference has emerged through executive control over judicial appointments and crises, notably during the Emergency period from 1975 to 1977. In contrast, Pakistan's judiciary has experienced direct meddling from military governments and political authorities, frequently rationalized by the contentious Doctrine of Necessity. Additionally, the paper investigates how the judiciary has responded to these interferences, including instances of judicial activism and civil society initiatives that promote judicial independence, such as the Lawyers' Movement in Pakistan. Ultimately, this research emphasizes the urgent need for strong protections to ensure judicial independence, bolster public trust in the judiciary, and maintain democratic principles in both countries. By highlighting the comparative experiences of India and Pakistan, this study aims to enrich the broader discussion on judicial independence in South Asia.

Mapping the Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Costs for Terminal Cancer Patients across Europe

Abstract Background In many countries, including those with universal health insurance, cost-sharing for healthcare is prevalent, resulting in out-of-pocket expenses for cancer patients. However, the proportion of government contribution to national healthcare expenditure varies across countries. This study aims to determine the prevalence and magnitude of out-of-pocket expenditure among cancer decedents in their final year of life and to assess whether decedents’ characteristics or their country’s welfare regime have a greater impact on out-of-pocket expenditure. Methods SHARE data was analyzed for individuals aged 50 and above from seven European countries (including Israel) who passed away from cancer. Interviews were conducted with the decedents’ family members to gather information about out-of-pocket expenditure on behalf of their deceased relatives. Results The study identified 1,950 cancer decedents with an average age of 74.4 (S.D.=9.39), of which 58.0 percent were male. In their last year of life, 58 percent of the decedents incurred out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare services. The welfare regime is found to be the primary factor influencing the likelihood of out-of-pocket expenditure, while patients’ characteristics have minimal impact. The proportion of out-of-pocket expenditure varies significantly across welfare regimes, with the highest probability observed in the Continental and Social Democratic regimes and the lowest in the Mediterranean and East European regimes. Conclusions A country’s welfare regime plays a crucial role in determining the generosity of its public healthcare spending and its ability to alleviate the financial burden on the households of cancer patients. Increasing public funding for cancer care may reduce patients’ out-of-pocket expenditure in all countries, particularly in those where out-of-pocket expenditure is the highest. Key messages • A country’s welfare regime significantly impacts the likelihood and magnitude of out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure for cancer patients in their last year of life. • Increasing public funding for cancer care may help reduce the financial burden on patients and their families, particularly in countries with high out-of-pocket expenditure.

Welfare regimes and socioeconomic inequalities in edentulism: A multilevel analysis of 40 countries

Abstract Aim To evaluate the association between welfare regimes with edentulism and to investigate if it modifies the magnitude of socioeconomic inequalities in edentulism. Methods We analysed data from 40 high-, middle- and low-income countries collected between 2007 and 2018, encompassing 117397 individuals 20 years or older. The main outcome was edentulism and welfare regimes were the main exposure and effect modifier. Individual level variables were sex, age and quintiles of the wealth score. Multilevel logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of being edentulous and cross-level interaction terms between individual wealth and country factors were tested. Findings Individuals at the lowest wealth quintile had a consistently higher prevalence of edentulism. The highest age-sex standardised prevalence of edentulism was found in Eastern European countries (9.9%) followed by Informal Security (9.4%), while the lowest was among the Insecurity regime (1.4%) followed by the Social Democratic regime (4.7%). Liberal countries presented the highest magnitude of absolute and relative inequalities, where the lowest quintile had OR = 16.7 (95%CI: 10.5-26.5) times more chances of being edentulous and 14.4 percentage points higher prevalence. Low-income countries in the Insecurity Regime in social and labour market presented the lowest level of inequalities. Among HIC and upper-middle income countries, Social Democratic regime had the lowest absolute inequalities (4.0 percentage points difference between highest and lowest quintiles) and the Informal Security regime had the lowest relative differences between the highest and lowest quintiles (OR = 3.21, 95%CI: 2.83-3.63). Interpretation Our findings suggest that policies in some welfare regimes might improve oral health while reducing inequalities. High and upper-middle-income countries presented a high level of edentulism and inequalities. Key messages • Larger socioeconomic inequalities in edentulism were found in high-income countries with liberal policies. • A possible benefit of welfare policies on prevalence and inequalities in edentulism may be only evident among industrialised countries.

Trust the People? Populism, Trust, and Support for Direct Democracy

Populism is commonly understood as a response to frustrations with the functioning of modern democracy, while the use of direct democratic mechanisms has been hailed as a remedy for the ailing of representative democracies. Indeed, populism’s emphasis on direct citizen participation in decision-making is tightly linked to its distrust of representative institutions and the political elite as the cornerstone of mediated representation. Trust, however, matters for any functioning democratic institutional arrangement, and we contend that its role warrants more attention when considering the viability of alternative modes of decision-making such as referendums, particularly in the nexus of populism–democracy. Using original public opinion surveys implemented in Argentina, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, we distinguish among different objects of trust—elites, institutions, “the people,” or the society at large. We also explore citizens’ levels of trust in these objects and their association with institutional designs of direct democracy. Our results offer preliminary insights into the importance of horizontal and vertical trust relationships in shaping procedural preferences for different configurations of direct democracy.

Left, right or something else? José Ortega y Gasset’s intellectual influence in the ideological realm

The Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset has influenced several thinkers of the twentieth century, among whom Julius Evola, Ayn Rand, and Pierre Bourdieu specifically have been examined in this article. The selection of thinkers indicates that Ortega has influenced both those on the left and those on the various strands of the right. In relation to Evola, Ortega’s critique of the emergent masses in the age of modern democracy has been emphasized, although they do not share the same overarching social philosophy as Ortega is essentially a proponent of liberalism which Evola fiercely opposes. Regarding Rand, there are striking affinities between Ortega’s major work Revolt of the Masses and Rand’s The Virtue of Selfishness in relation to personal responsibility and the state’s role in providing welfare. Bourdieu, on his behalf, has manifestly linked his reasoning in his major work Distinction to Ortega’s work The Dehumanization of Art. Overall, this shows that Ortega’s philosophy has an impact on both the left and the right.