Representative Democracy Research Articles

Districting in the 2023 Sejm Elections and the Principle of Equality of Representation — Selected Aspects

Abstract This scientific article examines the system of electoral districting in the 2023 Sejm elections and its impact on the principle of equality of representation. The main objectives of the study are to analyse the relationship between the principle of equality of representation and electoral districting in Sejm elections, evaluate the compliance of current constituency boundaries with this principle, and assess the potential consequences of any changes in districting in the 2023 Sejm elections in terms of electoral representation. The research questions guiding this study are as follows: (1) How should constituencies be determined for the 2023 Sejm elections and what legal criteria should be applied in electoral districting? (2) Does the current districting system align with the principle of equality of representation? (3) Are there disparities in the size or demographics of constituencies that could result in unequal representation in the Sejm? (4) What are the potential implications of the current districting system for the representation of different political parties? (5) How do alternative scenarios of districting affect the principle of equality of representation in the context of the 2023 Sejm elections? The research employs an institutional-legal analysis, along with statistical data analysis and simulations, to model alternative districting scenario and evaluate their effects on the principle of equality of representation. The findings of this study contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the implications of districting on the principle of equality of representation in the 2023 Sejm elections. The research emphasises the significance of fair districting for ensuring equal representation and provides valuable recommendations for policymakers.

Humour, politainment and fandom: A semiotic-narrative analysis of unofficial profiles of Spanish politicians

In today’s media landscape, concepts like Americanization and professionalization of politics are evolving, driven by technological advancements and social media usage. The internet has transformed political communication, emphasizing emotional appeal and user response, leading to a rise in politainment and celebrity politicians. This shift towards ‘pop politics’ blurs the line between entertainment and information, with virality and humour playing key roles. This study conducts a semiotic-narrative analysis of unofficial social media profiles of Spanish political representatives, examining their language, content, and usage patterns resembling fan communities. Parodic Twitter profiles of prominent figures like Pedro Sánchez, Yolanda Díaz and Isabel Díaz Ayuso, along with Ada Colau's Instagram account, are analyzed. The findings reveal a trend towards employing politainment strategies to engage social media users, fostering emotional connections akin to non-political fan communities.

Prospects for integration and Obstacles to democracy - EU’s role in the Albanian political crisis

Abstract More than three decades after the totalitarian regime collapse, Albania is still categorized as a hybrid democracy despite having made consistent strides toward becoming a liberal democracy. Most local political leaders have remained antagonistic towards liberal democratic principles. In 2019, relations between the European Union (EU) and Albania were at a special stage of development. After a difficult period and tensions in the EU, the European Council decided to postpone the decision to start membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia. Apart from this issue, Albania had other challenges in 2019, including institutional and political conflict, justice reform, the fight against corruption, and the consolidation of democratic structures. This article examines the intricate connections that Albanian political representatives and institutions maintain with foreign organizations and entities. It specifically highlights the role that the EU Delegation played in mediating the political and institutional crises of 2019. Although the external incentives models provide a useful foundation for understanding Albania’s Europeanization process, other factors that may be relevant and encourage the ongoing democratization and rule adoption are indicated by the country’s low membership credibility.

Rapid and non-destructive prediction of moisture content on intact gayo coffee beans using near infrared spectroscopy

Abstract Presented work explores the potential of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) as a rapid, non-destructive analytical method for predicting moisture content in intact Gayo coffee beans. The moisture content is an essential parameter affecting the quality, processing, and shelf life of coffee beans. While conventional moisture determination techniques involve invasive procedures and considerable time, NIRS emanates as an innovative technique offering non-invasive, swift analysis. Using a robust representative selection of Gayo coffee bean samples, we acquired numerous spectra and employed multivariate analysis to construct a calibration model correlating the spectral data with reference moisture values. The initial results exhibit a high correlation coefficient (r) of 0.93 and ratio prediction to deviation (RPD) index of 3, suggesting that the NIRS technique can effectively predict the moisture content within the beans. This research underpins the potential usage of NIRS which, if validated through further testing, could transform quality control operations in the coffee industry by offering a real-time, non-destructive approach for moisture content determination.

An Assessment of How Polokwane Local Municipality Executes their Mandate in Water Supply to Matlou and Letsokoane Residents

The main aim of this study is to assess water supply in general and specifically to “assess on how the Polokwane municipality executes their mandate in terms of water supply to Matlou and Letsokoane Residents. This was done on a case study about Matlou and Letsokoane inhabitants were chosen as a setting for the study. A mixed method approach was used for the study combining structured questionnaires and open-ended interviews. The findings of the study have showed that there is poor water supply to two affected rural communities by the Polokwane local municipality . Amongst contributing factors the increase in population growth in that area is a major problem as well as residents tampering with infrastructure , theft and no interventions by political representatives when there is no water. This has resulted in inadequate provision of clean water resources . Water supply Value chain model has been proposed emanating from the findings of the research study to be implemented by the Polokwane local municipality to curb the problem of water supply to the rural communities. Lessons that can be learned from this study include the following: consultation with the communities through ward councilors which include educational aspect such as preservation of water as a source of human life, providing a compelling case for concertizing the community with an attempt to reduce illegal activities as cited in the study regarding the steeling of water taps.

Representative democracy under martial law

Representative democracy under martial law

Contributions of waterfall to poverty alleviation in rural communities

This research focused on the role of Arinta Waterfall in alleviating poverty in the rural community of Ipole Iloro, Ekiti State, Nigeria, and utilised a survey-based methodology that included data collection through questionnaires. The analysis of 285 questionnaires, cleaned and processed with SPSS, revealed positive economic and infrastructure impacts due to the waterfall presence, including increased government revenue, improved road networks, the establishment of a primary health centre, and the provision of essential community amenities. To fully harness Arinta Waterfall's tourism potential, it is recommended to prioritize local infrastructure enhancement, implement more effective marketing strategies, and actively engage the community. The study employed a multi-stage sampling process, involving three randomly selected quarters from Ipole Iloro with an initial sample size of 450 residents. Purposive sampling targeted youth and the elderly, reducing the sample to 315 respondents, and ensuring a representative selection of rural dwellers.

Election Campaigns in Government Facilities, Places of Worship, and Places of Education

The utilization of educational places is prohibited as a campaign implementation. In the application submitted by the Petitioner in Constitutional Court Decision Number 65/PUU-XXI/2023 explained that the Explanation of Article 280 paragraph (1) letter h, based on reasonable reasoning, will certainly result in constitutional losses to the Plaintiffs as voters and/or as candidates for DKI Jakarta Provincial DPRD members, namely the occurrence of legal uncertainty in the prohibition of campaigns using government facilities, places of worship, and places of education. The legal uncertainty occurs because of the contradiction between the Explanation of the Article and its subject matter (contradictio in terminis). The existence of contradictio in terminis can be seen where Article 280 paragraph (1) letter h has expressly prohibited without exception and without conditions campaigns using government facilities, places of worship and places of education, but in its Explanation it actually excludes it with the condition that it is invited by the person in charge and without campaign attributes The existence of 2 (two) provisions that regulate differently (although the Explanation of the Article is not a norm but contains the formulation of norms) has resulted in legal norms becoming uncertain. The research used in this study is a type of library research based on normative research. By examining legal materials contained in various sources such as laws and regulations, court decisions, books, journals, and other articles, it is hoped that it can produce concepts and ideas related to the prohibitions in the campaign based on the perspective of democratic elections. So that the sources of normative research come from literature data, as mentioned earlier.

Civic Subjecthood: The Hybridization and Reformulation of Subjecthood and Citizenship in Brunei

ABSTRACT This article examines Brunei’s state formation and development from 1906 until 2023 to demonstrate the hybridization and reformulation of subjecthood and citizenship within the last absolute monarchy in the Asia-Pacific region. The absence of active political parties and calls for a representative government has led most scholars to portray Bruneians as passive subjects of the Sultan. Such a portrayal is inaccurate; Bruneians are both citizens and subjects. The article thus introduces a new category of political membership based on synthesized ideas of subjecthood and citizenship, termed here, “civic subjecthood.” This coexistence is only possible as a result of the British residential system, which was established in the Bruneian Sultanate at the beginning of the twentieth century. The British resident initially created a dual-state apparatus – consisting of the traditional negara and the modern state – to keep the façade of indigenous rule in Brunei. However, the Sultan of Brunei and the traditional ruling class eventually took control of both apparatuses after abolishing the residential system in September 1959. Both apparatuses function to this day, allowing for the coexistence of subjecthood and citizenship in the country.

Explaining Deviant Voting in Subnational Elections: The Case of Local Council Elections in Germany

Elections in multi-level systems are challenging for voters because they are supposed to hold political representatives accountable in a complex system of responsibilities. Therefore, when casting their votes in elections at different levels of government, level-specific factors should be of relevance for voters when making voting decisions. We compare deviant voting behaviour in two specific types of local democracy, namely those where institutional and political factors cluster differently. While local candidate-oriented democracies are characterised by candidate-centred voting systems and local party systems with low degrees of nationalisation, local party-oriented democracies are characterised by closed list systems and local party systems that show high degrees of nationalisation. Using individual and aggregate data on local elections in Germany from 2014, we show that voters in local candidate-oriented democracies seem to be more affected by local factors when casting their votes. However, we also show that our results depend on the respective measurement strategies for deviant voting, as local vote intention in free list systems may be measured in alternative ways. The paper makes a significant contribution to the understanding of deviant and local voting behaviour in multi-level democracies with different voting systems.

Comparisons of Different Representative Species Selection Schemes for Reduced-Order Modeling and Chemistry Acceleration of Complex Hydrocarbon Fuels

The simulation of engine combustion processes, such as autoignition, an important process in the co-optimization of fuel-engine design, can be computationally expensive due to the large number of thermo-chemical scalars needed to describe the full chemical system. Yet, the inherent correlations between the different chemical species during oxidation can significantly reduce the complexity of representing this system. One strategy is to select a subset of representative species that accurately captures the combustion process at a fraction of the computational cost of the full system. In this study, we compare the performance of four different techniques to select these species. They include the two-step principal component analysis (PCA) approach, directed relation graphs (DRGs), the global pathway selection (GPS) approach, and the manifold-informed species selection method. A parametric study of the representative species selection is carried out on data from the simulation of homogeneous and perfectly stirred reactors by investigating seven cumulative variances and 47 different cut-off percentages for the two-step PCA, and 65 and 51 thresholds for the DRGs and GPS, respectively. Results show that these selection methods capture key important species that can accurately describe the chemical system and track each stage of oxidation. The two-step PCA is sensitive to the cumulative variance, and DRGs and GPS are sensitive to the choice of target variables. By selecting key representative species and reducing the number of thermo-chemical scalars, these three methods can be used to develop computationally efficient hybrid chemistry schemes.

Is science to be trusted? How environmentally active youths relate to science in social media.

Research has shown a great distrust among youths toward political representatives, who they demand should "listen to the science." However, less research has been done on youths' own trust in science. This study explores and explains how youths who are environmentally active in two different environmental youth organizations relate to science in social media, whether they trust science, and how youths' relation to science creates a discursive context in which they may develop their identity. The study uses the approach of discourse analysis to examine social media content published on Facebook by Fridays for Future Sweden and Fältbiologerna (the Swedish Field Biologists). The study shows (i) how subject positions for scientists and youth are created in relation to one another based on different expressions of youths' trust in science and (ii) how environmental youth organizations, by identifying with science, make youths important actors in the discourse on climate change.

Modern Life-Building as a Biopower Strategy: Developing Sports Spaces in Urban, Rural and Industrial Areas in Turkey

In the early Republican period of Turkey (1923–1945), the newly established state provided a biopolitical agenda for developing modern and secular life in order to break the Ottoman heritage religious-traditional social structure. Thereupon, sports, as an indicator of modernization, took an important place in the biopolitics of the regime. Sports spaces were instrumentalized as a medium where biopower infiltrated to build a modern life. In order to effectively accomplish the modern life-building project, the Republican Regime invited international modernist architects to insert sports spaces into the social realm in urban, rural, and industrial areas. Accordingly, this paper explores sports-related spaces as a biopolitical agenda of the Republican Regime in the discourse of planning the city of Ankara and rural and industrial areas. Exploring history through the lens of sports reveals how the city of Ankara and rural and industrial areas formed a spatialized approach to the Republican Regime as a biopower to develop modern life.

Factors Influencing Voting Decisions: Comprehensive Study in Badhan, Eyl, and Qardho Districts of Puntland State of Somalia

This study assessed the factors influencing voting decisions in the Puntland state of Somalia. A quantitative research approach was used in this study. The study was guided by three objectives, which included, a) To find out factors influencing voting decisions in Puntland democratic elections, b) To assess the role of clan elders in the voting decisions in Puntland democratic elections, and c) To assess if there are significant relationships between money and voting decisions in Puntland democratic elections. A detailed literature review and a standardized questionnaire were used in data collection. The study contacted 382 respondents who consisted of registered voters in the Qardho, Badhan, and Eyl districts, the data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The study assesses different variables to determine the factors affecting voting decisions including personality traits, political ideology, tribe, media, political parties, and candidate characteristics. A significant majority of respondents (88.48%), acknowledged that a candidate’s personality traits played a role in influencing their voting decision. Similarly, when queried about the role of political ideology in their voting decisions, most respondents (88.40%) agreed. Regarding the influence of tribal affiliations on voting decisions, a considerable proportion of respondents (72.51%) admitted that tribe played a significant role. Respondents were also asked about the involvement of clan elders in directing their voting choices, with a noteworthy 88.74% stating that their clan elders did not instruct them to support a specific political party. Furthermore, all respondents (100%) affirmed that they had not accepted money in exchange for their votes. This suggests that financial factors did not directly influence the voting decisions of respondents. However, a majority (60.99%) reported that they had either witnessed or heard of instances where money was exchanged for votes during elections in Puntland. This indicates that while respondents themselves were not personally affected by vote buying, they were aware of its prevalence in the electoral process. The study recommends that transparency in political funding, strengthening independency media, enhancing civil engagement, combating vote buying, and promoting inclusivity and diversity are necessary for shaping the democratic process in Puntland as well as improving voting decisions

Mandi Lok Sabha Showdown: Royal King Vs Bollywood Queen

The southern states of Kerala and Karnataka will be the centre of attention as India’s massive parliamentary elections enter their second of seven phases on April 26. On April 19, India’s general election for the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, began. On June 4, the outcomes of the biggest democratic election in history will be made public. The two main alliances, aside from a number of regional and national contenders, are the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), led by the main opposition Indian National Congress, and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which is led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). India’s political scene frequently features captivating contests characterised by the coming together of disparate identities and backgrounds. This phenomenon is best exemplified by the upcoming election between two strong candidates, Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut and Royal scion Vikramaditya Singh, for the Mandi Lok Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh. Through shedding light on the complex issues involved in the conflict between the conventional aristocracy, represented by Vikramaditya Singh, and the magnetism of Bollywood fame, personified by Kangana Ranaut, this research adds to a deeper understanding of the changing landscape of Indian politics, where identity politics and personality cults collide with the established power system.

Prospects For Integration and Obstacles to Democracy. Eu’s Role in The Albanian Political Crises

More than three decades after the totalitarian regime collapse, Albania is still categorized as a hybrid democracy despite having made consistent strides toward becoming a liberal democracy. Most local political leaders have remained antagonistic towards liberal democratic principles. In 2019, relations between the European Union (EU) and Albania were at a special stage of development. After a difficult period and tensions in the EU, the European Council decided to postpone the decision to start membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia. Apart from this issue, Albania had other challenges in 2019, including institutional and political conflict, justice reform, the fight against corruption, and the consolidation of democratic structures. This article examines the intricate connections that Albanian political representatives and institutions maintain with foreign organizations and entities. It specifically highlights the role that the EU Delegation played in mediating the political and institutional crises of 2019. Although the external incentives models provide a useful foundation for understanding Albania's Europeanization process, other factors that may be relevant and encourage the ongoing democratization and rule adoption are indicated by the country's low membership credibility.

The Parliamentary Democracy in Pakistan: 2002-2018

Democracy is widely acknowledged as the preeminent political system in contemporary society. Countries that have successfully implemented a robust democratic system and demonstrate a high regard for their parliamentary institutions are thriving globally. The fundamental components of a democratic system encompass a legislative body, a judiciary that operates autonomously, and an effective executive branch. It is imperative that these three institutions operate within their designated spheres of authority and adhere to the principles outlined in the constitution. In addition, elections that are free from manipulation serve as the fundamental mechanism for guaranteeing the adequate representation of the populace. The democratic system ensures the protection of the well-being of individuals during the legislative process. Pakistan adopted a democratic system of governance within its borders. The Pakistani populace and its political representatives have significantly contributed to the process of democratization. The constitutional history of Pakistan has been marked by the interference of both military and civilian dictators, which has hindered the development of the country's democratic and parliamentary culture. Indeed, it is evident that the prevailing consensus has consistently exhibited a favorable disposition towards military governance, while concurrently acknowledging the recurrent interference of the military in impeding the advancement of civilian-led administrations. This research aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the performance of the Pakistan parliament between 2002 and 2018, with the objective of enhancing democratic processes. This thesis examines the role of democracy and assesses the various factors that have undermined the essence of democracy in Pakistan. Additionally, it provides several recommendations to enhance parliamentary democracy in the country.

ANALISIS PENGELOLAAN LOGISTIK PEMILU 2024 KPU PROVINSI JAWA TIMUR

Indonesia is a democratic country that uses an electoral system for every change of president. High quality general elections are very important to realize people's sovereignty in a democratic state government based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia. To hold democratic elections, professional election organizers are needed who have integrity, capacity and accountability. The General Election Commission is an example. In this research, the author uses a descriptive approach as a qualitative research method. Qualitative research is a type of research that describes and analyzes events, phenomena, social activities, attitudes, beliefs, perceptions and thoughts of individuals and groups. Data was collected from interviews with three informants from the General Election Commission, which is responsible for logistics management for the 2024 election. As shown by the distribution of logistics for the 2024 election, the results show that the East Java Province General Election Commission manages state property well, including logistics election. However, several improvements and strengthening are needed in the human resources sector as well as warehouse and other logistics infrastructure so that the upcoming General Election can take place optimally and according to planning. Our common goal is successful simultaneous elections in 2024 with transparent financial administration and accountability. Keywords: Management; Elections; KPU

FOUNDATION OF THE EAST INDEPENDENCE COURT, ACTION AND ADJUDICATORY PROCEDURES

The Independence Courts, which carried out trials within the framework of ensuring the authority of the Turkish Grand National Assembly during the years of the War of Independence, continued their activities to ensure the establishment of the Turkish Revolution after the adoption of the Republican regime. As a matter of fact, in an environment where disagreements about developments such as the abolition of the Sultanate, the proclamation of the Republic and the abolition of the Caliphate deepened, the Sheikh Said Rebellion, which led to the establishment of the Eastern Independence Court, broke out. Fethi (Okyar) Bey, who was criticized for being passive in taking measures against the rebellion, resigned and İsmet (İnönü) Pasha was appointed to form the new government. On March 4, 1925, when the new government was formed, the Law on Recognition of Sukuk, which gave extraordinary powers to the government, was passed by the Parliament. After the approval of the Takrir-i Sükûn Law, the government's proposal to establish two separate Independence Courts, one in Ankara and the other in the rebellion zone, was also accepted. On March 7, 1925, the election of the president, prosecutor and member was held for both Independence Courts by the Turkish Grand National Assembly. As a result of the election, Hacim Muhiddin (Çarıklı) became the President of the Eastern Independence Court, Ahmed Süreyya Örgeevren became the Prosecutor, Ali Saib (Ursavaş) Bey, Avni (Doğan) Bey and Lütfi Müfid (Özdeş) Bey set off to Diyarbakır on 12 April 1925 and started their work. The court, according to the Law of Takrir-i Sükûn, was going to make judgments about reaction, rebellion, movements and publications that wanted to disrupt the peace and security of the country. The Eastern Independence Court, which continued its duty by traveling around the region, especially in Diyarbakır, Elazığ, Malatya and Urfa, had the authority to implement its decisions. The task of the Eastern Independence Court, which continued its activities for around two years with six-month extensions, was terminated with the Assembly Decision dated March 7, 1927.

Democratic “Fall,” China’s Rise, and the Limits of Illiberal Realignment in East Asia

Like much of the rest of the world, East Asia (Northeast and Southeast Asia) has recently experienced a democratic “fall” in which several electoral democracies have undergone autocratization. This synchronized with China’s rise through what can be called illiberal realignment as autocratizing regimes in the region have sought increasing material and ideological support from Beijing in the face of Western human rights criticism and occasional (although usually only the threat of ) sanctions. China has viewed this regress as a rejection of “Western-style democracy.” Yet a democratic “spring” which preceded the fall left a legacy of democratic normativity in the region as backsliding regimes continued to seek legitimacy through (however unfair and unfree) elections and (partial) liberalization. Residual democratic normativity combined with geopolitical insecurities have limited the region’s illiberal realignment toward China during this democratic fall.