Democratic Process Research Articles

Political Participation Behavior: Young People’s Enthusiasm for the 2024 Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections

Abstract The enthusiasm of the younger generation for presidential and vice-presidential elections has a significant impact on the political dynamics of a country. This study aims to explore the factors that influence the level of enthusiasm of the younger generation in the process of electing the head of state. The research method used is descriptive analysis using primary and secondary data. The findings show that factors such as political education, social media, participation in political activities, and the aspirations of the younger generation play an important role in shaping their level of enthusiasm for the presidential and vice-presidential elections. The results of this analysis provide valuable insights for policymakers, political stakeholders and educational institutions to design more effective strategies to strengthen young people’s engagement in the democratic process, as well as to sustain their political participation in the future.

Automatic Content Analysis Systems: Detecting Disinformation in Social Networks

In the 21st century, the rapid rise of disinformation and propaganda has become a significant global issue, undermining democratic processes and socio-political institutions. Disinformation, defined as intentionally false or misleading information, aims to manipulate public opinion and cause economic harm. This paper explores the use of computational linguistics and machine learning methods to detect disinformation. Techniques such as text preprocessing, feature extraction, and classification algorithms (e.g., SVM, naive Bayes) are adapted for identifying fake news. Recent studies demonstrate the effectiveness of these methods in social media and news platforms, highlighting the importance of advanced models like GPT-4 in improving detection accuracy and combating the spread of disinformation.

Semantic Verification in Large Language Model-based Retrieval Augmented Generation

This position paper presents a novel approach of semantic verification in Large Language Model-based Retrieval Augmented Generation (LLM-RAG) systems, focusing on the critical need for factually accurate information dissemination during public debates, especially prior to plebiscites e.g. in direct democracies, particularly in the context of Switzerland. Recognizing the unique challenges posed by the current generation of Large Language Models (LLMs) in maintaining factual integrity, this research proposes an innovative solution that integrates retrieval mechanisms with enhanced semantic verification processes. The paper outlines a comprehensive methodology following a Design Science Research approach, which includes defining user personas, designing conversational interfaces, and iteratively developing a hybrid dialogue system. Central to this system is a robust semantic verification framework that leverages a knowledge graph for fact-checking and validation, ensuring the correctness and consistency of information generated by LLMs. The paper discusses the significance of this research in the context of Swiss direct democracy, where informed decision-making is pivotal. By improving the accuracy and reliability of information provided to the public, the proposed system aims to support the democratic process, enabling citizens to make well-informed decisions on complex issues. The research contributes to advancing the field of natural language processing and information retrieval, demonstrating the potential of AI and LLMs in enhancing civic engagement and democratic participation.

Budget Deficits in Pakistan: A Time Series Analysis of The Impact of Economic Political and Institutional Factors

This article aims to provide a thorough empirical examination of the budget deficit of Pakistan, spanning a period of four decades from 1976 to 2023. In order to fulfill the objective of the study, a wide range of economic, political, and institutional variables have been extensively examined. The ARDL technique to cointegration has been employed due to the time series structure of the variables. The objective of this article is to examine the long-term correlation between the budget deficit and its several drivers, such as inflation, debt services, economic expansion, and government size. The study's findings offer important insight into the dynamic connections between the budget deficit and its different determining factors. In Pakistan, inflation has become a major and harmful factor contributing to the budget deficit. The data demonstrates that a continuous increase in prices has resulted in a higher budget deficit. Furthermore, empirical evidence indicates that a significant portion of the deficit that exists is attributed to debt servicing charges. This highlights the importance of implementing effective regulations to control debt. Economic development exerts a positive and major impact on the management of budget deficit. In the case of Pakistan, a higher growth rate is correlated with a lower budget deficit. Moreover, this size of government has an adverse impact on the budget deficit. This demonstrates the necessity for the effective management of public finances. Corruption has an insignificant impact on the increase of the budget deficit in Pakistan. Moreover, the relationship between the political variables and budget deficit is not significant. The study fails to identify the relationship between the elections and democratic processes. This finding is unanticipated and the cause of rejection of one of the main hypothesis of the study. This may be attributed to the fact that the concerns of the political factors may be comparatively minor as compared to the economic ones. Keeping in view the findings of the current study and the previously mentioned variables, therefore this study provides an important insight into the dynamic relationship between the budget deficit and others economic, institutional and political factors. The findings of this study has generated fresh avenues for the future research, especially for the examinations of the impact of political factors because, this hypothesis has been rejected in our study.

More Conflicts, More Deaths—Everyone Talks about Winning the War, but No One Talks About Achieving Peace

This article examines the multifaceted challenges posed by the current global conflict landscape, emphasizing the interconnectedness of development, security, and peace. Firstly, the article highlights the increase in both state and non state conflicts, with fatalities nearly doubling from 2021 to 2022. This escalation is marked by significant conflicts like the Russia–Ukraine war and the Tigray conflict in Ethiopia, contributing to the deterioration of global security. The analysis also touches on the failure of regional and international organizations such as the African Union, ASEAN, and the United Nations in effectively managing these conflicts and maintaining peace. Secondly, the article delves into the evolving nature of warfare, including the rise of digital attacks and hybrid warfare, which blend conventional and unconventional tactics. This section underscores the need for a new, comprehensive peace architecture to address the array of modern threats, including climate change and pandemics, which extend beyond traditional military concerns. Finally, the article discusses the concerning decline of anti-war movements in the West, particularly in light of recent conflicts like the Ukraine war. This decline is attributed to various factors, including the perception of Western military actions as inherently benevolent and the shift in activism focus to issues like climate change and social justice. The article argues that this decline has profound implications for democratic processes and the global pursuit of peace.

Metamorfoses de uma universidade: os estudantes da USP entre 2000 e 2020

Following the end of the authoritarian regime and the increase in elementary and secondaryeducation in the 1990s, there was a rise in demands for broader access to higher education and for public universities to become more inclusive to historically underrepresented groups. This article explores how USP responded to them by discussing the expansion of recruitment and the adoption of affirmative actions and retention policies. Furthermore, we examine the changes in the composition of the student body. Our analysis highlights the gains, contradictions, and asymmetries that have emerged during this university’s recent democratization process.

Fenomena Politk Uang Dalam Pemilihan Umum Legistlatif

Elections are a democratic process used to elect government leaders and represent the community in government institutions. Money politics is a phenomenon that often occurs in general elections. Money political campaigns are carried out by individuals or groups who use money to influence people's behavior in elections. The aim of this article focuses on the phenomenon of money politics that occurs in society during the campaign period for legislative candidates in the 2024 elections at the neighborhood level and to find out the factors that cause money politics to occur. The form of money politics carried out includes providing basic necessities, money and health services to voters to win votes in legislative elections. This research was conducted using a qualitative research approach, collecting data through interviews and literature reviews. The results of this research show that not all people are influenced by political choices through money politics.

Democracy and Autocracy in Africa

Contrary to the widespread claims of democratic regression in sub-Saharan Africa, our research on democratic processes reveals a different reality. We have found that the region's democratic journey over the past two decades has largely remained stagnant, with no significant advancements or setbacks in terms of political and civil liberties since the initial transitions in the early 1990s. However, this apparent lack of progress in African democratization masks the active efforts of incumbent leaders to undermine key actors, such as civil society, and structural conditions, such as urbanization, that could potentially lead to greater liberalization. To explain the uneven progress in democratization, despite increased political participation across the region, we argue that Africa's incumbent leaders have employed two often overlooked processes: legal institutions and international relationships. Firstly, these leaders have utilized the law and courts to restrict the ability of domestic actors to mobilize against them. By strategically using the law to consolidate their power and strengthen executive authority, they have undermined other institutional checks and balances. Secondly, incumbent leaders have effectively manipulated their international relationships to counteract the democratizing influence of external actors, including foreign donors and transnational civil society. This manipulation includes employing claims of sovereignty to resist external intervention in domestic politics.

ASSESSMENT OF THE OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF FARMERS' COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN SOUTH EAST NIGERIA

To uncover the constraints and entry points for improving the operational performance of farmers' cooperative societies in southeast Nigeria forms the motivation for this study. Farmers' cooperatives have enormous potential to support economic growth at the rural and regional levels, building on the spirit of teamwork that is already common among the rural people. A decent number of qualities differentiate cooperative associations from other different entities. These comprise open and voluntary enrollment. Cooperative social orders are available to all citizenry with common interests. This study analyzed responses from two hundred and forty respondents selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure. Frequency, mean, Likert scale and ordered logit regression model were used for the analysis. The perception of members of farmers' cooperative societies on their operational performance showed that the cooperatives in the area performed well in terms of members' access to training, participation during decision-making, voting during elections, and leaders' emergence through the democratic process. The ordered logit regression result of the socioeconomic factors to the operational performance of the farmers' cooperatives showed that membership strength, Age of the cooperatives, access to free input, access to training, and access to infrastructural facilities were statistically significant and positively related to farmers' cooperatives level of operational performance. Thus, the study recommends that Cooperative societies supply their members' goods and services for improved income and savings investment, improved productivity, and bargaining power through maximum utilization of economies of scale and cost and risk sharing.

Electoral Systems in Sudan: In Quest for an Appropriate Type

This article reviews the types of electoral systems applied in Sudan since independence – in both democratic and military rules. It goes beyond that to touch on the general features of electoral behavior as well. It employs historical and descriptive approaches to examine some facts pertaining to the reality of elections and hindrances to democracy in the Sudan: <i>First</i>, the democratic process has been obstructed several times by military coups and regimes. <i>Second,</i> children who grew up under al-Bashir's Militant Islamic Regime (MIR) were deprived form exercising democracy or know anything about voting. <i>Third,</i> the lack of continual political participation hindered the process of accumulating political awareness that could enrich the formation of political culture. <i>Fourth,</i> the tribal influence in the socio-political life in many parts of the country, had negatively affected the political behavior of the ordinary people as well as the politicians. This political reality shatters any hope for proper democracy to work in the country. This essay argues that for such pluralism and ethno-cultural multiplicity entails the adoption of consensual democracy. However, it believes that this consociationalism should be supported by the Proportional Representation type of elections –along with federalism and presidential system.

Cyber democracy in the digital age: Characterizing hate networks in the 2022 US midterm elections

Social media has become integral to societal discourse and play a role in shaping public engagement, particularly in democratic electoral processes. This paper addresses the pressing issue of hate speech on social media during the 2022 US midterm elections. Unlike previous research, which often relies on limited datasets and classic methodologies, we leverage Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to analyze Twitter data through advanced models of entity recognition, sentiment analysis, and community extraction, having persistence in Knowledge Graphs for consuming the intelligence efficiently. Results indicate that in the US midterm elections 2022, Arizona was the state that provided more content (507,551 tweets) related to a Chief Electoral Official, with 31.58% of them identified in the most aggressive cluster due to its mean attribute values of “attack on commenter” (0.7), “inflammatory” (∼0.3), “attack on author” (∼0.2), and “toxicity” (∼0.2). The name entity recognition model also identified an association between those aggressive tweets and the previous 2020 US Presidential campaign, characterized by attacks on election officials based on conspiracy theories campaigns. Knowledge graphs contributed to understanding the concentration of attacks and connectivity between topics commonly mentioned in hate speech content. Thus, our results offer detailed insights into the actors and dynamics of online harassment in electoral contexts, illuminating the challenges posed by harassment and proposing preventive mechanisms applicable to diverse electoral processes worldwide.

E-motions and participation in technopopulist movement-parties. Enthusiasm and technopolitical disillusion

Social movements (SMs) protesting against the consequences of the austerity produced by the 2008 great recession leveraged collective participation as a paradigmatic way of revamping democratic institutions and processes. In southern Europe, participation was harnessed by technopolitical movement-parties (MPs) such as the Five Star Movement (M5S) in Italy and Podemos in Spain. These are political forces combining SM characteristics with a technopolitical narrative to induce ‘e-motions’: emotional arousal of the membership produced by idealising the potential of digital technologies to enact unprecedented popular participation to renew democracy. Combining technocracy (popular competence via technopolitics) with populism (people vs elite rhetoric) the M5S and Podemos built a technopopulist discourse able to generate emotional engagement of the membership and high expectations for collective participation. However, the centralism of the leadership and its control over technopolitics produced an individualised model of engagement which led to disillusion. The article firstly elaborates a narrative literature review on participation, technopolitics, movement-parties, populism, and emotions to frame the affective relationship between participation and technopopulism. Secondly it uses qualitative methods to scrutinise the constituent process of M5S and Podemos technopolitics – when the digital process and infrastructures were created within both MPs – outlining the emotions elicited by technopolitical technopopulism.

Low Literacy Levels Among U.S. Adults and Difficult Ballot Propositions

High-level literacy skills are required for full participation in the democratic process through voting. Consequently, adults with low-level literacy skills are at a disadvantage. This work investigated the disparity between the readability of U.S. ballot propositions for year 2022 state elections and grade level reading estimates (≤eighth grade) for adults. Educational attainment was also examined. Propositions (n = 140) from 38 states were included. Mean readability was 18 (range 7.0-64.0). Only four measures (3%) fell within range of national estimates for adult reading ability. Thirty-nine percent of adults completed high school or less, yet 74% of ballots were written well above a high school reading level. There is a discrepancy between the literacy skills of the average voter and the readability of most propositions. The findings of this study have important implications for individuals with learning disabilities. Policy changes and educational support efforts should be initiated.

Exploring the Impact of Social Media on Political Participation: A Review of Empirical Studies

Politicians around the world are increasingly using social media platforms as a means to engage with the public and conduct election campaigns. However, the true impact of social media campaigns on political outcomes remains untested and empirical evidence is scant. This research aims to review the existing literature on this issue to explore the impact of social media on political participation. The widespread use of social media by the public has attracted the attention of politicians as a platform for election campaigns. This type of research is a literature review by analyzing previous research qualitatively. The results show that social media has a significant impact on political participation. Social media platforms provide powerful new tools for individuals to engage in the political process and make their voices heard. However, it is important to be aware of the potential challenges of using social media for political participation and to use it responsibly and ethically. Social media has a significant role in expanding access to political information, mobilizing public participation, and reaching marginalized voters. Social media provides an inclusive platform for individuals to participate in political discussions, organize political movements, and strengthen democracy by ensuring the voices of all citizens are heard. However, challenges such as the digital divide and imbalances in social media use also need to be addressed so that the full potential of social media in democracy can be realized. Therefore, joint efforts from governments, NGOs, social media platform providers and the general public are needed to ensure that social media is used responsibly and inclusively in supporting democratic political processes.

Eksistensi Bawaslu Kabupaten Sukoharjo dalam Pengawasan Pemilihan Umum

The purpose of this study is to examine the role and authority of Bawaslu in Sukoharjo Regency in supervising the 2024 General Elections to ensure a democratic and fraud-free election process. This study employs an empirical juridical method, focusing on the application or implementation of normative legal provisions in legal events occurring within Bawaslu Sukoharjo Regency. The results indicate that Bawaslu Sukoharjo Regency plays a strategic role in overseeing all stages of the election process, from planning, implementation, to post-election stages. This authority is governed by Law No. 7 of 2017 on General Elections, Law No. 22 of 2007 on Election Organizers, and Bawaslu Regulation No. 13 of 2022 on Procedures for Election Supervision. In conclusion, Bawaslu Sukoharjo Regency plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and transparency of the election process. Through effective supervision, Bawaslu can prevent and address violations and fraud, thereby supporting the realization of a democratic and fair government.

Navigating multilingual identities: The role of languages in shaping social belonging and political participation

This paper explores the complex interplay between multilingual identities, social belonging, and political participation. It delves into how individuals navigate their multilingual identities within different social and political contexts and how they influence their sense of belonging and engagement in civic life. The research aims to shed light on how languages serve as bridges and barriers in social integration and political activism. Multilingualism is a complex phenomenon that plays a crucial role in shaping individuals' identities, social interactions, and political engagement. This Review explores the role of languages in shaping social belonging and political participation, highlighting how multilingual individuals navigate their identities in diverse linguistic and cultural contexts. Multilingual individuals often develop multifaceted identities shaped by their proficiency in multiple languages and experiences in multilingual environments. These identities are dynamic and fluid, influenced by language use, cultural background, and social context. Multilingualism allows individuals to express different aspects of their identity, negotiate cultural differences, and navigate complex social landscapes. Languages play a crucial role in shaping social belonging by providing individuals with a sense of connection to their communities and cultures. Multilingual individuals often use different languages to communicate with different social groups, reinforcing their sense of belonging and cultural identity. Additionally, languages can serve as markers of cultural heritage, allowing individuals to maintain and celebrate their linguistic and cultural diversity. Furthermore, languages also play a significant role in shaping political participation. Multilingual individuals often use their language skills to engage in political discourse, advocate for their rights, and participate in democratic processes. Language can serve as a tool for empowerment, enabling individuals to voice their opinions, mobilize communities, and influence political outcomes. In conclusion, multilingualism is a dynamic and multifaceted phenomenon that shapes individuals' social belonging and political participation. By exploring the role of languages in shaping identities and facilitating social and political engagement, this Review provides insights into the complex interplay between language, identity, and society. Understanding the role of languages in shaping social belonging and political participation can inform policies and practices that promote linguistic diversity, cultural inclusivity, and democratic participation in diverse societies. Keywords: Multilingual, Social, Identity, Political.

Religious Moderation Realizes Harmonization of The Malay Islamic Community in South Sumatra

This study aims to examine the perspective of the Malay Islamic community on religious moderation in South Sumatra. In the context of increasing globalization, religious moderation is becoming an important and relevant issue, especially in the South Sumatra region which has a significant Malay Islamic population. This research uses quantitative methods with survey methods with stakeholders from various walks of life, including religious leaders, youth, and Malay communities. The results of the study show First, that there is general agreement that religious moderation in South Sumatra is expected to increase tolerance and unity among religious communities. However, there are also different perceptions, where some feel that religious moderation can threaten their traditional values and cultural identity. Second, the results of this study also found that the understanding of religious moderation in South Sumatra is strongly influenced by the local social, economic, and political context. The contribution of this research lies in a deeper understanding of the Malay Islamic community's perspective on religious moderation in South Sumatra. Third, the results of this study show the importance of strengthening strong local identities to support community participation in stable democratic processes and efforts to create a harmonious and inclusive environment in the region. Fourth, the results of this study also show that dialogue between religious communities and religious groups, can build better understanding between each other, reduce tensions, and create more solid conditions for democratic stability.

Brazilian reconstitutionalization in the second wave: a competition of democracies

ABSTRACT In the decade and a half following World War II, processes of democratization took place across the globe in what political scientists frequently refer to as the second wave of democracy. This democratization was defined by a series of debates about the true meaning and correct form of democracy. This article examines the drafting of the 1946 Constitution of Brazil within this context. Specifically, this text reviews the ways competing definitions of democracy fueled the debates at the constitutional convention and informed the creation of political institutions. In contrast to previous scholarship on the drafting of the 1946 Constitution that depicts the proceedings as a competition between reactionary conservative and pro-democracy factions, this article finds that this Constitution constitutes a reconciliation of the competing definitions of democracy that existed among the Brazilian political class at that time. This contradicts the commonly held view that the 1946 regime was a muted democratic experiment. Furthermore, the article highlights some of the ways in which the democratization process in Brazil mirrored transitions elsewhere and how it was unique.

The Inertia of All Flesh

This article builds on Eric Santner’s reflections on The Weight of All Flesh and in particular his interpretation of the king’s two bodies (Royal Remains). Within the context of Protestant theology, the theopolitical consequences of the democratization of the political body described by Santner are of particular interest. In this respect, I argue for two theses: first, this process of democratization finds its parallel in the Protestant critique of the representational function of the church – and perhaps even a crucial precondition. Second, in terms of a theological critique of ideology, this observation allows us insights into some accompanying symptoms of this process. From a theological perspective the weight of all flesh can then be precisely analyzed as the inertia of the flesh – and of all flesh at that.

Promoting Social Solidarity Economy in Tunisia: Neoliberal Assumptions and Missed Opportunities Within the Triple Nexus Discourse

ABSTRACT Formally launched by the United Nations (UN) in 2016, the so-called Triple Nexus has been adopted by several international donors that have intervened in Tunisia since the fall of its authoritarian regime. Faced with the state's limited capacity to address critical post-revolutionary challenges such as escalating poverty and radicalisation, external actors – spanning multilateral, bilateral and non-governmental organisations – have endeavoured to tackle humanitarian, development and security issues to promote stability and support the fragile democratisation process in the country. In this context, Social Solidarity Economy (SSE) initiatives have gained prominence as a means to concurrently address diverse challenges associated with the ‘lack of social development’, including marginalisation and the absence of social cohesion – identified as catalysts for radicalisation and instability. In contrast with these stated objectives, fieldwork spanning 2015 to 2019 across various regions of Tunisia reveals that the international donor discourse on SSE, entrenched in a neoliberal approach and government securitisation strategies, exacerbates economic insecurity and amplifies marginalisation.