Deplorable State Research Articles

Formation of an Industrial Sector Strategy Using the Ex-Ample of Machine Tool Production

The events occurring in the Russian economy after the start of the Special Military Operation have aggravated the task of accelerated and comprehensive industrial development of the country. In this regard, the presented article examines approaches to the formation of strategies for industrial sectors, management tools used by the state for these purposes, and their application in the context of sanctions pressure. At the same time, development priorities are shifting from integration into the global division of labor to work focused on own resources, inclusion in local markets, cooperation with friendly countries. As part of solving the designated problem, theoretical views on the formation of industry strategies, existing regulatory documents, and the practice of the work carried out are considered, which made it possible to record the generalized structure of the industry strategy, the composition of its main components (functional strategies), and the sequence of key actions for preparation. The practical part of the work considers measures to develop the machine tool industry, which has been in a deplorable state in recent years. The current steps for its development are reflected from the formation of the industry strategy in 2020, even before the start of the SVO, up to new initiatives reflected in the national project "Means of Production and Automation", prepared in 2024 and aimed at accelerated development. It is noted that the priorities should be not only and not so much the restoration of the lagging production base, re-equipment and modernization of production, expansion of competencies and personnel training, but also at the same time a significant strengthening of the technological and innovative level of developments. From this angle, the key areas of additional support for industry, the tools used by the state for these purposes are studied. In conclusion, possible pain points for further development are recorded and measures to mitigate them are proposed.

Peniaphobia as a Component of the Destructive Digital Media Discourse in the Asia-Pacific Region

Modern hybrid linguistic-mental and information warfare massively uses the promotion of destruction in the mass media as a tool of negative ‘soft power’ media discourse directed against China, Vietnam and Russia owing to their being the key players in the geopolitical arena of Southeast Asia. The discourse of Western geopolitical opponents promotes peniaphobia (fear of poverty), which is one of the basic human fears since it is associated with ensuring the efficient viability of man and human civilization as a whole. The authors attribute peniaphobia to one of the universal social stigmas that affect the social structure and culture of the community, recognizing that media discourse is actively using open public Internet communication to control public consciousness gently. Meanwhile, intense exploitation by the media of alleged financial insolvency, looming economic crises, food shortages and impending hunger, the adverse effects of international labor migration and the deplorable state of the labor markets rapidly generate protest moods in society, changing social perceptions of money, food and food consumption. Information intakes that enhance peniaphobia use scenario modeling the presentation of potentially dangerous themes in the mass media of Russia, Vietnam and China. The article assesses the manipulation of public consciousness in the context of the pandemic, complicated by the psychological and informational confrontation between East and West and Western socio-economic and political sanctions imposed in connection with the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Modern social culture has updated the features of presenting information using a digital format and subsequent decoding, which, in general, has influenced social dynamics. Based on analyzing the ethno- and sociocultural behavior of ‘digital aborigines’ on the Internet, the sociocultural approach to modern manipulation techniques of the public consciousness demonstrates the change in the use of methods of manipulation compared to representatives of the ‘pre-digital generation’.

PLASTIC AND IRON WASTE RECYCLING POLLUTION IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Lagos State has experienced adverse pollution as a result of lack of proper waste management and diverse industrial activities within its environs. The repercussion of this has consequently led to the deplorable state of the environment as well as the low quality of health amongst residents. Waste management has become a huge and intricate problem due to geometric population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation and the rising standard of living. This study investigated Plastic and Iron Waste Recycling Pollution in Lagos State, Nigeria. This study concluded that hazards of Plastic and Iron Waste Recycling Pollution in Lagos State; the drainage systems habitually blocked causing yearly flooding which usually lasted throughout the rainy seasons from April to October and displaced millions of residents. The clogged sewage systems became the perfect breeding environment for mosquitoes and flooding washed away footpaths caused people to move around in dirty water from overflowed gutters and polluted major sources of drinking water which led to the spread of cholera and typhoid fever. Also, higher levels of toxic heavy metals were observed among residents at close proximity to recycling iron factories. For environmental sustainability in Lagos State plastic and iron waste recycling pollution must be seriously cautioned in following; environmental impact assessment is necessary for any development in Lagos State, recycling programmes and waste to energy facilities can be reawaken with modernised and ecological friendly technologies. Keywords: Iron waste, Plastic waste, Pollution, Waste recycling, Waste management.

Delusions of Democracy: Fictionalizing State Failure, Political Schism in Riot and The Party Worker

State failure refers to a weak writ of the government where state institutions fail to provide fundamental rights to the people. It encompasses the welfare of the State, basic freedoms of the people, and strong footings of judiciary and law. The present research will explore the repercussions of state failure in Omar Shahid Hamid's The Party Worker and Shashi Tharoor's Riot. Both novels present the deplorable State of affairs in their respective cities, Karachi and Zaleelgarh. The study is conducted under the theoretical framework of Diamond (2015), where democracy fails, political schism is brazenly challenged, and social institutions are at the cusp of failure. Every institution is putting the life of the people at risk, be it the judiciary, human rights, liberty, freedom, and police. The political schism is not providing law and fundamental rights to the masses. The hawkish and fiendish approach of state writ causes collateral damage to the pillars of society. Corrupt practice by the top echelons of the State abounds lawlessness, causing its people to suffer.

Assessing the impact of Niger Delta Development Commission interventions on road construction and economic activities in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, Nigeria

Road construction and maintenance are key interventions that support economic potential in the country. However, the deplorable state of some roads in Nigeria, and in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states draws research concerns. This paper seeks to examine the impact of the Niger Delta Development Commission Intervention on road construction and economic activities in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, Nigeria. Using the Sustainable Development Framework, a survey research design was employed, gathering data from 400 respondents across both states. The chi-square statistical technique was used to test the hypothesis that the Niger Delta Development Commission Intervention has no significant impact on road construction in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States. The result of the data analysis showed the calculated value X2 = 1592 > 16.92. By this result, the null hypothesis was rejected (16.92) at 0.05 level of significance and 9 Degrees of Freedom, and the alternate was accepted. The study concludes that NDDC road projects have positively influenced economic activities and livelihoods in the states. However, it highlights the need for further improvements, particularly on the Calabar-Itu federal highway.

Bacteriological Quality of Beef Sold at different Retail Points in Owo Metropolis

The present study aimed to investigate the bacteriological characteristics of fresh beef sold in various retail centers within the Owo communities, located in Ondo State, Nigeria. Samples were collected from six different locations using a systematic random sampling method, with two samples collected from each location—one in the morning (M) and the other in the evening (E). The standard procedure for isolating microorganisms was followed. Morphological and biochemical characterization of isolates are presented in Table 1, while Table 2 displays bacterial counts on the fresh beef samples over a period of ten days. On the first day of analysis, the sample from Ikare Junction exhibited the highest bacterial counts (152 x 105cfu/g for the morning sample and 276 x 105cfu/g for the evening sample), which was statistically significant (p±>0.05). Conversely, the sample from Ehin-ogbe had the lowest bacterial count (36 x 105cfu/g) in the morning, while the sample from Ijebu had 116 x 105cfu/g in the evening. There was a noteworthy (p±>0.05) disparity between morning and evening samples across all locations, with the evening samples consistently showing higher bacterial counts. This discrepancy could be attributed to prolonged exposure to contamination over time. Table 1 also revealed the probable organisms according to the biochemical and morphological characterization of the isolates. The isolates were E. coli, Enterobacter spp., Serratia spp., Citrobacter spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidemidis, Bacillus subtilis, K. preumomiae, Lactobacillus spp., Leuconostoc spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Preteus mirabilis, Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. The presence of these organisms in fresh beef depicts a deplorable state of poor hygienic and sanitary practices employed in the slaughtering and processing of fresh beef. Their presence indicates a public health hazard and gives a warning signal for the possible occurrence of food-borne intoxication. Proper hygiene practices should be observed during handling, marketing, and calls for concerted efforts on the part of relevant authorities to check the trend since it is a public health challenge.

Water contamination of the dam of Hammam Boughrara in the North-West of Algeria, as sustainable development falters

The main objective of this study is to examine one of the most critical environmental issues in Algeria, namely the pollution of water dams caused by urban waste generated by urban areas and the lack of environmental awareness. The study is based on a digital and geospatial database, and after analyzing it, we were able to define the study area and calculate surfaces and altitudes. On the ecological side, we collected data from accredited organizations and some specialized studies. The results showed that the Hamam Boughrara dam has reached a deplorable state of pollution, and some figures even indicate that the pollution has spread to neighboring areas, contaminating agricultural land with heavy metals, which poses a serious threat to human health. Moreover, Algeria's focus on the foundations of the state has delayed the development of environmental legislation for several years. Historically, the water issue has been a matter of bilateral and collective agreements between conflicting parties, resulting in solutions satisfactory to all. Pollution control is a collective responsibility, and all parties, whether local or international, must join forces to find a sustainable solution, taking into account the potential of the people. Keywords: Environment, Sustainable development, Hammam Boughrara dam, Water pollution

Exploring the State of Municipal Water Supply Infrastructure

This paper explores the state of water infrastructure, concerning the obligation of the government municipal water supply agency (Plateau State Water Board) responsible for urban water supply. The study employs the qualitative method; a structured closed-ended questionnaire was prepared, and face-to-face interview was conducted with eight management staff of the board, thereafter interviews were transcribed verbatim and then analyzed using NVivo 12 software. Results from the analyses show that water infrastructures are in a deplorable state characterized by; bad condition of dams and water treatment plants, lack of stable electricity, lack of metering of customers as well as frequent cases of pipe bursts said to be connected to illegal connection by the residents of informal/slum settlements. The novelty of this study is anchored on the reality that infrastructure challenges negating the efficiency of PSWB were unveiled, and strategies that could improve and promote sustainability of water provision such as the ‘smart city’ concept that uses modern technology and ‘stakeholder’s involvement’ in the water governance process was suggested.

Land and the rise of Sabaot Land Defence Force from 1991 to 2010

This research sought to assess the connection between land and the rise of the Sabaot Land Defence Force. This research was conducted in Mount Elgon Sub-county in Kapsokwony, Kaptama, Kopsiro, and Cheptais. This research utilised primary as well as secondary sources of data. Secondary data was procured from Kenyatta University Library, among other libraries. Primary data was gathered from the Kenya National Archives as well as from oral sources through interviewing the identified respondents in the field. Data instruments that were used include questionnaires and question guides. The procedures employed in collecting primary data included in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions. The primary oral data was analysed by first translating oral interviews from the Sabaot language to English, grouping data according to the objectives, and verifying any possible contradicting information. After that, the data was corroborated with archival and secondary data and then presented through descriptive narratives. The study identified the causes of SLDF as land scarcity, land as a birth right, leadership structure of SLDF for land claims, injustice on land leading to a sentiment of marginalisation and deplorable state presence in the region, the proliferation of weapons aiding in land protection, and finally collusion of politicians as well as government officials who had an interest in land. In conclusion, the research identified factors such as land scarcity, marginalisation, and inter-clan conflicts as the main reasons for the Sabaot Land Defence Force's emergence and rise among the people of Mount Elgon. This study recommends that the government should play a key role in dealing with land conflicts before they become a major issue leading to militia groups' formation in the future.

THE PREFACES OF METROPOLITAN VENIAMIN COSTACHI – ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE IN THE AGE OF “NATIONAL REGEN-ERATION” AND “EUROPEAN SENTIMENT”

A special role in the work of Metropolitan Veniamin Costachi is played by the prefaces to works translated and printed by him, or published with his blessing and through his care. Their importance, primarily pastoral and cultu­ral, also stems from the need to identify and recommend the most appropriate solutions to meet the challenges of his age, designated as one of “national regene­­ra­­tion” and “European sentiment”. Thus, responses and recommendations can be made to remove the causes of the deplorable state of affairs that legitimized, nourished and enabled the regeneration effort, such as political and social instability, the corruption of morals and the “non-development of culture”.

After Business Ethics

Lamenting the deplorable state of business ethics is, itself, a staple of the deplorable state of business ethics. But if, as its many critics claim, business ethics continuously fails to deliver on its promise, what could take its place in management education? After business ethics—How else can we integrate ethics into the curriculum? This article argues that an ethical grounding of business theory and corporate practice requires a critique of conventional economics, replacing the mechanistic paradigm that predominated economics over the last 200 years with a humanistic alternative.

Октябрьская революция 1917 года как культурный перелом в публицистике М. Горького и И.С. Шмелева

The October Revolution marked the beginning of colossal changes in the Russian state, which could not by pass the cultural life of the people. The role of writers at that time acquired some specific features, for example, a move a way from artistic activity towards more realistic works. That is why this article is devoted to the journalistic work of writers of that time who stood on opposite sides of the civil war after the October Revolution of 1917: the future emigrant I.S. Shmelev and the first chair man of the Union of Soviet Writers M. Gorky. The author of the article analyzed their journalistic texts, in which both writers reacted vividly to there volutionary events, put forward hypotheses for the further development of events and identified those responsible for the deplorable state of the country. Analysis of the journalistic texts of both writers reveals a number of common positions, but also differences due to their opposite world views. Comparison of common and opposing points of view is the main core of the article and allows the author to identify the views of writers, which at that time were partly either desire or just personal hypotheses. Correctness can only be determined today with a time delay of more than a hundred years. As a result of the analysis, it was revealed that both writers understood the need for changes in Russian society, but they perceived the process it self and the desired result (i.e., the salvation of the Motherland) in completely different realities.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SHĀHNĀMIH-YI ḤAQĪQAT FOR THE AHL-I ḤAQQ TRADITION

Several centuries of secrecy and the continuation of oral tradition, accompanied by unfavorable social and religious circumstances, such as the deplorable state of Iran’s communication and transportation infrastructure that limited the religious exchange among Ahl-i Ḥaqq in remoted areas, political instability of the region and periodic changes in geographical borders and as a result change of the official religion, accompanied by or resulting in several tribal and religious wars, the appearance of new Ahl-i Ḥaqq theophanies followed by the establishment of new leading families (khāndān), and a number of other social and cultural factors including differences in language and tribal traditions led to a heterogeneity in Ahl-i Ḥaqq groups in the 19th century. The composition of the Shāhnāmih-yi Ḥaqīqat emerged within this complex social context characterized by both interreligious and intrareligious discourses. Shāhnāmih-yi Ḥaqīqat is well-suited for exploring the tradition of Ahl-i Ḥaqq and the religious collective identity of this heterogeneous community as it seeks to compile the entire oral tradition of Ahl-i Ḥaqq and present it publicly. The objective of this research is to review the Ahl-i Ḥaqq tradition in the mirror of Shāhnāmihyi Ḥaqīqat and explore the various elements, patterns, topics, or concepts that demonstrate the religious collective identity of Ahl-i Ḥaqq.

Infrastructural development and development administration: A retrospective

Background: No nation can achieve any meaningful development without adequate infrastructure. National development in Nigeria is predicated on adequate modern infrastructure. But, the situation in Nigeria seemed to be that of an infrastructure deficit.Aim: The study examined the state of infrastructure in Nigeria and the efforts put in place to meet the infrastructure deficit in the country.Method: The study was a descriptive qualitative research and secondary data was used. The data was analysed using content analysis. The study covers the entire country, Nigeria.Result: The study showed that the various infrastructures in Nigeria are in a deplorable state and efforts at building modern infrastructure are still very insignificant. The major reasons for the deplorable state of infrastructure in Nigeria can be attributed to inadequate funds, a high rate of corruption in the public domain among others.Conclusion: The study suggested a rigorous revenue-generating strategy by the government to fill the deficit gap, reduce corruption in the public institutions in Nigeria, among others.Contribution: The paper no doubt revealed the ineptitude of the Nigerian leaders to understand the vital role of infrastructure in National development. Leaders with foresight will embark on infrastructure development, not only to enhance economic growth but to attract foreign investors. Unfortunately, the findings of the study showed that the Nigerian government has failed and lacked the political will to develop the relevant infrastructure required for economic development and enhancing the overall welfare of the citizens.

An evaluation of small-scale irrigation schemes infrastructure

The development and management of irrigation in many developing countries have been characterized by many challenges, which have led to irrigation capacity utilization on some existing schemes being very low. This study assesses small-scale irrigation scheme infrastructure in the Upper West Region of Ghana, using Yeleyiri irrigation scheme in the Wa West District and Pulima irrigation scheme in the Sissala West District as case studies. The focus of the assessment was on the status and an analysis of the rehabilitation requirements of the two schemes. In conducting the evaluation, transect walks, topographic surveys, field observation, field measurement, interviews, focused group discussions, and questionnaire surveys were the approaches and methodology adopted. The results showed that the head works, slopes, inlet and outlet structures, water distribution systems, and drainage in both schemes were in a deplorable state and thus, required maintenance to ensure the optimization of the utilization of both schemes. In addition, the absence of a farmhouse and storage facilities in both schemes made the effective management of the schemes a major challenge. The study, therefore, proposes some interventions for the rehabilitation and efficient optimization of the two small-scale irrigation schemes.

Present-Day Religious Practices of Tajiks from Headwaters of Zeravshan River

The article presents the expedition materials of the author, collected in the upper reaches of the Zeravshan River. The valley was distinguished by both harsh climatic and landscape conditions, and isolation for most of the year. Nevertheless, Mountain Matcha is included in the religious life of the Republic of Tajikistan. In villages with more than forty households, new standard mosques have built. Signifi cant assistance in their construction was provided by the state and investors from Iran. Local residents, Matcha Tajiks, also provide all possible assistance in the construction of mosques, some of which have features of local traditional architecture, such as a veranda with carved support columns and wooden ceiling beams decorated with fl oral and geometric patterns. The mosque is the spiritual center of the village, and the mullah is not only engaged in the performance of religious rites, rituals of the life cycle, but also engaged in Muslim education for children and adults, and also organize material and physical assistance to poor families, widows, orphans. Unfortunately, the buildings of the ancient mosques that have been preserved in Matcha are in a deplorable state. On the one hand, they suff ered greatly in Soviet times, as they have used as shops, warehouses, houses of culture, on the other hand, no eff orts are made by the local population to conserve and restore religious buildings. On the contrary, holy places ˗ mazars are the places of special attention of the Matcha Tajiks. Keepers of mazars monitor their careful preservation and cleanliness, local residents participate in their restoration and improvement. At present, the Muslim spiritual tradition is experiencing an upsurge against the backdrop of the moral and moral demands of the Matcha Tajik society.

Winner-takes-all Majoritarian System and Irregularities in Six Election Cycles in Nigeria, 1999 – 2019

The argument that Nigerian elections are characterized by electoral irregularities since the commencement of present democratic engagement in 1999 has not been sufficiently subjected to an analytical procedure to embrace the six Nigerian election cycles. The unsettled question of irregularities that have consistently dominated elections in Nigeria is interrogated in this study. The study situates the problem within the context of winner-takes-all majoritarian electoral system (MES) and queries the implementation of the MES-driven model in an environment of do-or-die politics, weak electoral institution, and 'glorification' of clandestine electoral strategies. It further argues that the model reinforces politicians’ use of subtle strategies to increase their odds of victory and pay less or not attention to their detrimental consequences on democratic development. The study is underpinned on personal experience as active participants in Nigerian elections and available textual documents. The analysis of data supports the argument that MES-model is poorly implemented in Nigeria and promotes the crude perception of politics as a zero-sum do-or-die contest. The present deplorable state of democracy in Nigeria is a function of irregularities and their consequential composites: life-taking elections, election disputes, and voter apathy, which has been in a downward fall since 2003. These findings suggest the need for voter-driven electoral reform that will reduce tension during elections and encourage inclusivity in Nigeria. The reform should be able to institutionalize Nigeria’s electoral body and check government interference in its activities, reduce the present huge election spending, ensure proportionate distribution of votes/positions, and make public offices less financially attractive.

The Basic Law of Human Stupidity: Unraveling the Dark Force Hindering Human Welfare and Happiness

"The Basic Law of Human Stupidity" explores the deplorable state of human affairs throughout history and identifies a powerful yet unorganized group within the human race that perpetuates unnecessary troubles and miseries. This group, operating without leadership or regulations, functions in perfect unison, amplifying the detrimental effects of each member's actions. This book seeks to understand the nature, character, and behavior of this group, providing insights to neutralize its impact on human welfare and happiness. It is important to note that this work is not an exercise in cynicism or defeatism, but rather a constructive effort to shed light on and address a significant obstacle to human progress.

Trooping the (School) Colour

Trooping the (School) Colour

Scholasticism and aesthetic enchantment: notes on a perplexing quest for the Pouvoir Constituant

AbstractThe Article offers a summary of some of the major themes of Emilios Christodoulidis’s The Redress of Law. In addition, it engages critically with social systems theory by calling into question whether it provides us with an adequate perspective on constitutional law. The concluding observations address the deplorable state of the left-wing project at the beginning of the twenty-first century.