Historical Context Research Articles

Caribbean Confederations as Relationalities

In this essay, I connect my work on Archipelago studies with Édouard Glissant’s notions of relationality and Caribbean confederations to formulate what I denominate as the erotics of archipelagic thinking. My main goal is to share my process of thinking with and through Glissant’s work to focus on a series of theoretical gestures that have allowed me to propose modes of reading literary depictions of Caribbean con/federations that go beyond the binary opposition between colonialism and nationalism. I am performing an exercise that I assign to my students when I teach the “Introduction to Critical Theory” course at the University of Miami. Instead of writing an essay with a short theoretical introduction followed by a detailed close reading of literary and cultural texts that illustrate a keyword or a theoretical insight, I conduct a methodological meditation in which I theorize the archipelagic as a form of relationality that configures an erotic imaginary beyond the nuclear family and towards affective networks. To think about the Caribbean as an archipelagic formation, I use my comparative work on the Antillean Confederation in the Hispanic Caribbean (1860-1898) and the West Indies Federation in the English Caribbean (1958-1962) as a historical context in which the region congealed as a network of locations “act[ing] in concert."

Named after Nelson: Tracing the threads of graphic heritage in Gauteng, South Africa

Places named after prominent figures like Nelson Mandela symbolise their legacies and shared values, offering an opportunity to learn about their lives and impact on society. In this article, we explore the concept of "graphic heritage" - a term that extends beyond physical markers to include theoretical understandings that enhance our knowledge of and experience with these places. Employing a "constructionist" perspective, we view the meanings associated with these places as constructed through individual interpretations. Working alongside the Nelson Mandela Foundation, our research focuses on six locations named after Nelson Mandela in Gauteng, South Africa. These sites are part of the Nelson Mandela Foundation's mission to promote a just society by preserving Mandela's legacy and fostering dialogue on social issues. Using photographic documentation inspired by Zeisel's "Design by Inquiry" framework, we examine the dynamic interplay between graphic heritage, toponymy (the study of place names), and topophilia (the emotional bond between people and places). The narrative weaves through the historical contexts and temporal dimensions of these places, enriching our understanding of Mandela's extensive influence. It identifies thematic threads that link graphic heritage with place names and emotional connections to places, concluding that an in-depth study of graphic heritage illuminates what is present and absent, revealing the profound layers of storytelling in design.

Teaching School Genetics in the 2020s: Why "Naive" Mendelian Genetics Has to Go.

Whereas Mendelian genetics is an important research program in the life sciences, its school version is problematic. On the one hand, it contains stereotypical representations of Gregor Mendel's work that misrepresent his findings and the historical context. This deprives students from gaining an authentic picture of how science is done. On the other hand, what most students end up learning in schools are extremely simplistic accounts of heredity, whereby alleles directly control traits and phenotypes, and thus exclusively depend on which allele an individual has. Such oversimplifications of Mendelian genetics as those that we still teach in schools were exploited by ideologues in the beginning of the twentieth century to provide the presumed "scientific" basis for eugenics. This paper addresses these problems of the school version of Mendelian genetics, which I call "naive" Mendelian genetics. It also proposes a shift in school education from teaching how the science of genetics is done using model systems to teaching the complexities of development through which heredity is materialized.

ANTHROPOLOGY OF THE FUTURE: HOW TECHNOLOGY WILL CHANGE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF HUMANITY IN 2025

As we venture into 2025, the intersection of anthropology and technology presents a fascinating frontier for understanding humanity. This article explores the transformative impact of emerging technologies on our perceptions and experiences of being human. Anthropology, traditionally focused on the study of human societies, cultures, and evolutionary development, is now increasingly intertwined with the rapid advancements in technology. (Lytvynova, L. V. 2004) The article delves into the evolution of anthropological studies in the context of technological innovation. Historically, anthropology has provided insights into the cultural and social dynamics of human societies. However, the advent of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology is reshaping these dynamics, prompting anthropologists to reconsider their frameworks and methodologies. The integration of big data analytics, for instance, allows for a more nuanced understanding of human behavior on a global scale, uncovering patterns and trends that were previously elusive. Next, the article examines how technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are revolutionizing anthropological research and education. These immersive technologies enable researchers to recreate and explore ancient civilizations, offering new perspectives on historical and cultural contexts. Moreover, VR and AR provide powerful tools for education, allowing students to engage with anthropological content in more interactive and impactful ways.

Relations Between the Holy See and Lithuania: a 100-Year History

The Article provides the analysis of the relations of the Holy See and the Republic of Lithuania from the beginning of the State’s independence until the current period. At the outset, the authors give an overview of different stages and key legal issues of the development of the said relations. Further, the research deals with typical provisions and specific features of a concordat as an international agreement. The following part of the article is devoted to the analysis of the provisions of current four agreements between the Holy See and Lithuania, adding comparison with the treaties concluded by the Holy See with other two Baltic States, namely Latvia and Estonia. The research focuses on key legal issues of the cooperation between the Holy See and Lithuania with minor aspects of the intersection of the historical, political, international, and religious context. The authors conclude that in the complex international political landscape, the Holy See has remained one of the most credible partners for Lithuania and a moral authority for the nation, dominated by Catholics. The recognition of Lithuania as a State shortly after its Independence Declaration of 1918 as well as non-recognition of its 50-year occupation significantly contributed to the restoration of the State’s independence in 1990. Although the reestablishment of the independent State of Lithuania being based on the continuation of the State’s identity opened door for securing the validity of the Concordat concluded by the Holy See and the Republic of Lithuania in 1927, it was no longer capable of reflecting new realities, and new fundamental changes required the conclusion of new treaties between the parties. In 2000, the Agreement concerning Juridical Aspects of the Relations between the Catholic Church and the State, the Agreement on Cooperation in Education and Culture, and the Agreement concerning the Pastoral Care of Catholics Serving in the Army were concluded between the Holy See and the Republic of Lithuania, while in 2012, the Agreement on the Recognition of Qualifications Concerning Higher Education occurred. These bilateral agreements reflect typical provisions of concordats arising from their unique nature of combining both political (legal) and ecclesiastical matters and securing autonomy of both parties: they regulate the legal status of the Catholic Church and numerous issues, encompassing institutional matters, religious freedom, religious education, family life, cultural heritage, pastoral care, and many others. These provisions are also similar in the agreements concluded by the Holy See and other two Baltic States, all having no state religion. However, the treaties of the Holy See concluded with Lithuania and Latvia have more common and more elaborated provisions than the agreement with Estonia, while some issues are relevant and, therefore, regulated in respect of merely a particular state.

Geopolitical Competition Between India and China in the Indian Ocean Region: The Case of Myanmar

The 21st century has witnessed an intensification of the strategic rivalry between India and China, particularly in the Indian Ocean region, stemming from long-standing historical contradictions over border disputes and the competition for control over vital maritime trade routes crisscrossing the ocean. This rivalry has profoundly impacted the political and security landscape of countries within the region. Myanmar, being a pivotal geo-strategic location bordering both these powers, has emerged as a crucible for this competitive dynamic, wherein India and China are vying for influence and strategic leverage. This paper seeks to elucidate the nuanced position, role, and extent of competition between India and China in Myanmar. It delves into the multifaceted nature of this rivalry, encompassing not only geopolitical considerations but also economic interests and ideological underpinnings. The analysis underscores how the contradictions, conflicts, and divergent political-economic calculations of these two influential powers in the Indian Ocean region have manifested in a complex web of geopolitical competition within Myanmar. Through a rigorous examination of the historical context, contemporary developments, and the interplay of various factors shaping this dynamic, the paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the underlying drivers, strategies, and potential implications of India and China's competitive engagement in Myanmar. Ultimately, it concludes that the persistent tensions and power projections by these two major powers in the Indian Ocean have inevitably spilled over into the realm of Myanmar, rendering it a pivotal battleground for their strategic aspirations and regional influence. Received: 18 June 2024 / Accepted: 31 October 2024 / Published: 05 November 2024

‘The pinnacle of our era’: comedy in Stan Lai’s realism play ‘The Village’

In 2008, Chinese playwright, director Stan Lai, and producer Wang Weizhong created the play ‘The Village’ based on over a hundred oral history stories. This play is a work of realist theatre that incorporates many comedic elements and has been hailed by the Beijing News as the ‘pinnacle of our era’. However, current academic attention to this play is primarily limited to studies focusing on nostalgia and historical context, with insufficient emphasis on its comedic aspects. This study aims to analyze the comedy in ‘The Village’ using Kant’s comedic theory and Chekhov’s comedic techniques, examining the comedic aspects through the play’s comedy plots. It intends to confirm its comedic nature and fill a gap in the existing comedy research on this work. This study also explores Stan Lai’s unique comedic style in ‘The Village’, enhancing the understanding of its comedic elements. Furthermore, the findings will contribute to the existing body of knowledge on Stan Lai’s work and expand the application of Kant’s Theory of Comedy.

Sustainable UAO: Paving the Way Forward in the Rise of Sustainability as Institutional Ethos

In response to the pressing global environmental crisis precipitated by the transgression of planetary boundaries due to human activity, the Universidad Autónoma de Occidente (UAO) has made a steadfast commitment to the development of theories, strategies, and practices concerning sustainability since the late 1990s. Through the establishment of both undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as research projects and the Sustainable Campus initiative, UAO has laid the groundwork for national and international recognition in addressing sustainability. Acknowledging the progress made and the historical context, UAO recognizes that the time has come to take a significant quality step towards a more comprehensive and dedicated commitment. This step involves elevating sustainability to the status of institutional ethos. This entails ensuring that the principles of sustainability are prominently and explicitly integrated into the core functions of the university, including teaching, research, and social outreach. This work looks at the journey thus far and, more importantly, charts the course for the future in the elevation of sustainability as institutional ethos. It highlights the key milestones achieved over the past two decades while identifying the most significant challenges and barriers that the university must confront and overcome in the near future to fully embody this ethos. By doing so, UAO aims to realize its ambitious goal of becoming a truly sustainable institution.

Racial Capitalism in an Ethnic Minority Border Region

Abstract In the social, historical, and political context of Xi Jinping’s China, particular forms of racialization and racial capitalism have emerged in Altay Prefecture, the homeland of ethnic Kazakhs on China’s northwest border. This study examines the husbandry industry in Altay Prefecture to elucidate how Xi’s China has built a mode of racial capitalism through the management of Kazakh land, ethnicity, and culture. Within the framework of a case study, I employ document collection and participant observation methods to gather data that are then interpreted through critical policy analysis. The research shows that Kazakhs have been racialized based on their mobile pastoral traditions, enslaved in the “debt economy,” and exploited through husbandry policies and programs. The particular ways in which husbandry has been restructured and assimilated into Chinese industrial production chains exploit and reproduce the Kazakh-Han hierarchy and segregation. This close look at racial capitalism in Altay sheds light on the operations of Xi’s ecological civilization and war on poverty policies in an ethnic minority border region and discusses how they align with the broader geopolitics of the Belt and Road Initiative in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

Mainland China's 2021 restrictions on under-18s' video game time were imposed when older 2019 restrictions already applied: Omitting the historical regulatory context is misleading.

Investigating the impacts of addiction policymaking following implementation is important. Effective policies should be considered for emulation elsewhere, whilst ineffective policies should be repealed. Zhou etal. (2024) reported how Mainland Chinese under-18s responded to the 2021 restrictions on their online videogame playtime, which were intended to curb online gaming addiction. However, Zhou etal. failed to mention that Mainland China had previously tried to achieve the same regulatory aim by imposing rules in 2019 that were more lenient than the 2021 rules but nonetheless restricted under-18s' gameplay time. These 2019 restrictions were neither acknowledged as crucial background in the introduction section nor accounted for by Zhou etal. when interpreting their results, thus giving readers the incorrect impression that the 2021 rules were the first ones introduced and that under-18s' gameplay time was not restricted at all prior to 2021. Importantly, Zhou etal.'s entire sample of young people therefore consisted not merely of 'heavy gamers' as they euphemistically described them as, but'counterplayers' who actively contravened the 2019 rules. The misleading omission of this context is a major limitation and misrepresentation. The results should be interpreted accordingly and not overgeneralised.

The Structural Complexity and Evolutionary Patterns of German Grammar

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the complexities inherent in German grammar, focusing on key features such as the case system, verb conjugation patterns, and syntactic structures. The research explores the diachronic evolution of German grammar, tracing its development from Old High German through Middle High German, and examines how historical linguistic changes continue to influence modern usage. Additionally, the study addresses the cognitive and pedagogical challenges that learners face, offering targeted strategies for effective grammar instruction, including contrastive analysis and contextualized practice. By situating German grammar within a broader linguistic and historical context, this research contributes to our understanding of language complexity and the interplay between grammatical structure and language learning.

Challenges in Influenza Control and Surveillance in the Republic of Kazakhstan

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the circulation of influenza viruses in Kazakhstan, highlighting the vulnerabilities in the country’s public health infrastructure. This review critically examines the challenges faced in infiltrating and controlling influenza in Kazakhstan, particularly in light of the shifting epidemiological landscape post-pandemic. Key issues include the decline in influenza cases during the pandemic, which complicates the assessment of influenza epidemiology, vaccine effectiveness, and planning of vaccination campaigns. Although part of the Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network (GIHSN), Kazakhstan's surveillance systems face data collection, coordination, and public awareness gaps. The review discusses the prevalence of various influenza strains, the impact of zoonotic infections, and the necessity for improved monitoring frameworks. Additionally, the historical context of infectious disease control in Kazakhstan is explored, emphasising the need for enhanced international collaboration and targeted public health strategies. The findings underscore the importance of vaccination and robust surveillance to mitigate the risks of seasonal and pandemic influenza, advocating for a comprehensive approach to safeguard public health in Kazakhstan.

Anticolonial co-design: a methodology for including agricultural workers in the development of new AgTech

ABSTRACT Collaborative design (co-design) is becoming a popular method for including end-users in the design process of technologies which may affect them. The research in this paper emerges from an agricultural technology (AgTech) co-design project located in settler colonial state of Aotearoa New Zealand. Inspired by methodological insights from anticolonial science and technology studies (STS), the paper details the authors’ experiences with attempting to include local and migrant agricultural workers within the AgTech co-design project in a way that did not perpetuate colonialism (i.e. was anticolonial). Based on these experiences, the authors identify four practices that can support other researchers wanting to engage in anticolonial co-design: (1) understand the historical context of your research; (2) create a place –and community-based guidelines for technology development; (3) build and maintain strong relationships with collaborators; and (4) be prepared to slow-down or to stop innovation. These practices offer methodological insights into how to do anticolonial co-design within the uneven power relations of settler colonialism and within projects not necessarily designed to engage in anticolonial co-design.

The human rights act and the community nurse.

Iwan Dowie talks about the Human Rights Act, a controversial piece of statutory legislation. The article emphasises the critical role of community nurses in upholding human rights within their practice and outlines the historical context of human rights protections in the UK. The article also addresses the legal implications of resource constraints in healthcare decisions.

Participant Diversity in Stroke‐Related Medical Device Trials: Historical Context and Ongoing Challenges

Despite an acknowledgment of the ethical and clinical importance of recruiting diverse populations into clinical trials, there is a continued underenrollment of patients with diverse demographic characteristics within the field of neurology and more specifically, in stroke‐related device trials. Efforts on the part of the US Congress, the National Institutes of Health, the US Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services over the past several decades have attempted to increase trial participant diversity with varying success. This historical context provides an important lens for analyzing diversity proposals and their bearing on device trials in the field of stroke neurology. Despite economic and logistical challenges, recruitment of appropriately diverse clinical trial populations through policy change and community engagement is critical to continuing to advance health equity goals.

Embodied Spaces in Digital Times: Exploring the Role of Instagram in Shaping Temporal Dimensions and Perceptions of Architecture

This study explores Instagram’s influence on sensory and experiential engagement with architecture in the digital age. Using a phenomenological approach, we studied the impact of Instagram’s visual features, such as filters, geotagging, and hashtags, on user interactions and perceptions of architectural spaces. The research demonstrates that Instagram transforms traditional architectural experiences into dynamic visual narratives that integrate real and virtual elements, altering our understanding of space and time. While acknowledging that architectural experience encompasses form, function, and historical context, this paper specifically focuses on Instagram’s role in mediating perceptual experiences. By analyzing user engagement patterns and content trends, the study highlights how Instagram shapes architectural design practices and the creation of spaces tailored for digital interaction. This study offers a comprehensive view of the complex relationship between digital media and architectural perception, identifying both the opportunities and challenges presented by the platform in influencing our understanding of architectural spaces.

Study of the Framework and Attributes of Ethical Standards in Journalism

It has always been difficult to create fair evaluation criteria for journalists, especially when it comes to judging morality and ethical conduct in news reporting. These guidelines function as yardsticks for gauging the ethics of news topics and the objectivity of journalistic techniques. These criteria are becoming more and more difficult as journalism changes, especially in the digital age. Fostering ethical journalism requires an understanding of its categorization and internal structure. This analysis employs a conceptual framework to explore the evaluation standards of news ethics. The method involves: Literature Review: Examining existing academic literature, ethical codes, and industry guidelines to outline the prevailing evaluation standards in journalism. Thematic Analysis: Identifying and categorizing the components of evaluation standards into normative and quality standards, assessing their relevance to different aspects of journalistic practice. Case Studies: Analyzing specific instances where journalistic ethics were put to the test, allowing for a practical understanding of how these standards function in real-world scenarios. The primary objective of this study is to clarify the internal structure of journalistic ethics evaluation standards and highlight the distinctions between normative and quality standards. By doing so, the analysis aims to provide insights into how these standards can be effectively applied to evaluate news behaviors and moral character in journalism. What is deemed ethical in one context may not hold the same weight in another. This relativity underscores the importance of understanding the specific circumstances surrounding journalistic practices. Historical Context: The evolution of journalistic ethics is tied to historical events and societal changes. Standards that once sufficed may need reevaluation to address contemporary challenges, particularly with the rise of digital media and misinformation. Complex Internal Structure: The internal structure of evaluation standards can be multi-layered, with different levels of criteria applied depending on the context and specific ethical dilemmas faced by journalists. This complexity requires continuous dialogue and adjustment as new ethical challenges arise. Practical Implications: Journalists and media organizations must engage with these standards actively, incorporating them into training and policy development. By fostering an understanding of both normative and quality standards, the industry can promote a more ethical and accountable journalism practice.

The Socioecology of Sexual Minority Stigma: Advancing Theory on Stigma-Based Mechanisms Underlying Sexual Orientation-Based Disparities in Health

Research in public health and psychology has identified sexual minority stigma-related risk factors that contribute to sexual orientation-based health disparities across settings and societies worldwide. Existing scholarship, however, has predominantly focused on these factors as independent, stand-alone risk factors, neglecting their interconnected nature across different levels. This article theoretically explores how sexual minority stigma may function as a multilevel socioecological system, by building on prevailing theories and emphasizing the interplay between structural, interpersonal, and intrapersonal stigma-related factors. Drawing on the minority stress and socioecological theories, three central tenets are proposed, namely 1) chronosystem with immediate, accumulating, or lasting effects across spatiotemporal contexts, 2) nested multilevel system with cross-level effects, and 3) mechanistic pathways linking stigma exposure to health. By providing a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of how sexual minority stigma may operate as a multilevel socioecological system, this article aims to contribute by reflecting on the novel implications of this interpretation for future research and to guide conceptualizations and studies, acknowledging the complexity of sexual minority stigma exposure across historical contexts, societies, and the individual life course in shaping physical and mental health of sexual minorities. Limitations of current research and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Pentecostal Eschatology, Public Discourse and Political Engagement in Chile

This article explores the intricate evolution of Chilean Pentecostals from apolitical and socially detached citizens to ardent supporters of the country’s dictatorship. The aim is to challenge prevailing historical assumptions that explain the transformation through factors exogenous to the movement as well as long-held interpretations of their eschatological dispositions. It looks to revisit their early theological commitments and millennial concerns, complicating scholarly claims that the movement reflected a clear premillennialist orientation which has been held up to explain their enduring reluctance to enter the political sphere prior to the 1973 military coup. By examining early Pentecostal publications, this article reveals a religious movement shaped by pneumatological expressions, Methodist beliefs and local autonomy. Contrary to normative interpretations, it argues that Chilean Pentecostals’ longstanding unwillingness to engage in political change was not a forgone conclusion rooted in their theological commitments. Political engagement was always a possibility rather than a clear deviation. This research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of Chilean Pentecostalism, shedding light on the complex interplay of theology, historical context and scholarly interpretations that have shaped our understanding of the movement’s political trajectory.

AT THE BORDER OF TWO WORLDS Role options of the “distantiated spectator” in Vadoma by Anna Vörös

The debut volume of Anna Vörös is a unique and solitary voice in contemporary Hungarian literature referring to the representation of refugees. The author is actively practicing psychology and worked as a volunteer in hot zones of the migrant crisis, so she had the chance to learn about different aspects of the crisis from the inside. By collecting experiences, she built out a literary universe with an authentic voice. Her narrative can be defined as close to the triple structure of distant suffering theory by Luc Boltanski. The model of Boltanski features three categories of which the third is the “distantiated spectator”: who instead of playing the role of furious and delivering justice, rather interprets and experiences mediatized suffering in its historical context and process. The cycle of prose featuring the Syrian heroine in its metaphors and symbols avoids the traps of topoi and common places of storytelling based on “contentless pathos” and “colonizing, colonial and postcolonial point of view”. Anna Vörös in a revealing and documentarist tone approaches the arrival experience of masses coming to Europe – this experience may be described by sociological, cultural anthropological, and spatial theories while using various topics and situations. In her model motifs like the moment of spotting the sea or land, crossing them, and winning the battle over physical barriers, are melted into contemporary European refugee literature as well as tendencies in film, fine art, as well as media representations of the topic. The paper is an attempt to discover this question in its complexity.