Mutual Suspicion Research Articles

Making of the marginal: gender in a new education city

ABSTRACT Global urban studies are undergoing a paradigm shift recognizing the link between urban and rural studies. In this sense, ‘agrarian urbanism’ has become the research focus, especially in the Global South. This paper analyses the changing social relations in Sonipat (Haryana, India) after it was developed as an ‘Education city’. The focus is gender relations with analysis under two categories: ‘locals’ and ‘outsiders’. While urbanization was thought of as a linear process where surplus production in the rural areas would naturally lead to cities, in the global south capitalist real estate-led development has meant that urbanization is often superimposed on existing rural societies, pushing them towards marginalization in favor of gated enclaved urban infrastructure. Employing qualitative interviews, I hypothesize that the private capital-driven urbanization in Sonipat not only geographically marginalizes the existing villages but also engenders dissonant experiences of local and outsider women. The fault lines between the two mean that interaction between them is defined by exploitation and mutual suspicion. Further, I argue that within this dichotomy, women bear the brunt of social control, restricted movement and potential violence.

Analyzing Post-2010 China-US Defense Expenditures: Uncovering the NewArmsRace

The New Arms Race encapsulates a dynamic geopolitical competition characterized by escalating military capabilities and strategic posturing between the U.S and China. Amidst the intensifying Sino-US arms race, the objective of this research is to examine the trends and patterns of Sino-USdefense spending’s (2010-2022) to analyze the evolving military competition's strategic, economic and social implications, contributing to the discourse on global security and stability. Data from reputable sources like SIPRI, IISS, plus official budget reports and defense White-Paper’s inform the analysis. Using a mix-method approach, quantitative data is descriptively presented to highlight trends, patterns, and significant changes over time. Plus, qualitative analysis is conducted to interpret the implications of these expenses, drawing on International Relation’s theories and expert opinions to assess how shifts in military spending influences power dynamics, alliances, and conflicts? The results show that, the global military expenditures surpassed $2240 billion. China's defense spending has seen a 29-year consecutive increase, while the US maintains its top spender status, propelled by ongoing modernization efforts and diverse geopolitical strategies. This study is Grounded in the "Security Dilemma" framework, assumes that potential enemies would viewa country's attempts to strengthen its security as a threat, setting off a cycle of action and reaction that deepens mutual suspicions and contributes to the potential for an arms race. Due to the Sino-US ongoing military modernization plans and diverse geopolitical strategies, it is suggested that this tendency will persist in the foreseeable future.

An Introduction to the Study of Impasse Handling Strategies in Business Negotiations

In the protracted business negotiations will often encounter such a situation, the negotiations into a substantive meaning of the consultation stage, the negotiating parties due to the temporary irreconcilable contradictions and the formation of the confrontation seems to have reached the point where the two sides can no longer concessions, and each other to form a serious disagreement and confrontation, the negotiations can not be carried out, the negotiation of such a situation that is referred to as the negotiation of impasse, resulting in situations such as mutual suspicion, differences of opinion, heated arguments, which is more common in the fight for the interests of the competition. This kind of negotiation is called "negotiation impasse", resulting in such situations as mutual suspicion, differences of opinion, heated arguments, which is more common in the fight for the interests of the competition. However, if these issues are not handled properly, the negotiating parties are unable to shorten the distance between them, which will directly hinder the negotiation work. This article mainly focuses on the reasons for the formation of deadlock, the principle of avoiding deadlock, and the methods and techniques of resolving deadlock.

Workforce Diversity and Organisational Development: A Study of Federal Inland Revenue, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Organizations all over the world are facing many challenges in the management of their workforce. One of the challenges is workforce diversity. Thus, because they are recruiting people from different backgrounds. The paper sought to examine the effects of workforce diversity in the federal inland revenue service Abakaliki. The broad objective of the paper is to examine the effect of workforce diversity in organizational management. The specific objectives are to find out whether workforce diversity brings about industrial harmony or disharmony; to ascertain the effects of managing multicultural organization and to examine the impacts of workforce diversity in the organizational development of federal Inland Revenue Service Abakalliki. Content Analysis was used in the study. This is because the study relies mainly on secondary data. Situational theory propounded by Fieldler, A (1967) was used as the basis upon which the framework of the study is hinged. The paper after analyses found that workforce diversity is an inevitable organizational challenge if organizations are recruiting workforce from diverse environments etc. The study therefore recommended that management should brace up for the challenges of managing multi-cultural organizations among others. The study implies that as many people from different strata of society are employed in organizations, workforce diversity, and conflicts are inevitable. The only panacea for the problems is to develop an organizational culture to is attuned to relativism; the failure of which industrial disputes, chaos, and mutual suspicion are evident. Received: 23 March 2024 / Accepted: 30 April 2024 / Published: 5 May 2024

The Problem with Authoritarian Populists

We assume that even though voters prefer the policies of their favoured leader they value democracy more greatly. This means that voters on both sides of a polarised policy divide would be willing to sacrifice their preferred policy if it would mean preserving democracy. However voters on one side are unsure whether voters on the other side share this commitment to democracy. We show that in such a situation an autocratic populist leader can act in ways that will undermine opposing voters beliefs that the leader’s supporters continue to value democracy. If these beliefs become pessimistic enough, a self-reinforcing cycle of mutual suspicion between voters on opposing sides leads to the inexorable demise of democracy and its replacement by autocratic rule. Understanding this, an elected leader who aspires to rule via non-democratic means may follow such autocratic populist policies in order to entrench their rule. JEL Classifications: D72, P16, P17, P48

Diplomatic activities of M.M. Litvinov in the USA during the Great Patriotic War (1941–1943)

The Great Patriotic War is one of the highlights in the history of Soviet-American cooperation. The USSR and the United States managed to overcome the inertia of mutual mistrust that persisted throughout most of the interwarperiod, taking together the lead in the fight against the Axis powers. However, rapprochement between the two future superpowers was neither plain nor swift; rather was it constantly hampered by mutual suspicion, aggravated by differences in their political cultures. Under these conditions, the fate of their alliance depended on the willingness of the ‘Big Three’ leaders to respect each other’s interest and concerns, as well as on the personal initiative and determination of individual politicians and diplomats. In this regard, the figure of M.M. Litvinov, appointed ambassador of the USSR to the United States at the most alarming and dangerous moment of the Great Patriotic War, deserves particular attention. Having played a major role in the Soviet-American cooperation in 1941–1943, M.M. Litvinov has been then forgotten for many years in both Soviet and Russian historiography. On the basis of new archive materials, the authors reexamine the activities of M.M. Litvinov as an ambassador to the United States and the specifics of his relationship with J.V. Stalin and V.M. Molotov during the period under review. The first section covers the initial steps of M.M. Litvinov in his new position. Special attention is paid to his efforts aimed at clarifying the Soviet position on the most sensitive issues of bilateral relations and establishing contacts with various groups of the American political, economic and intellectual elites. The second section analyzes M.M. Litvinov’s activities in the context of increasing contradictions between the Allies with regard to the opening of the second front and disruption of supplies under lend-lease. The authors show that M.M. Litvinov used all the diplomatic tools available to defend the interests of the USSR, instantly reacting to any changes in the moods of the U.S. military and political establishment and immediately reporting them to Moscow. In this context, the authors question the widespread claims in historiography about the ambassador’s excessive independence and willfulness. On the contrary, M.M. Litvinov can be said to have consistently adhered to the official foreign policy line of the Soviet leadership in both his speeches and practical steps. This indicates the need for further study of the M.M. Litvinov’s figure in order to avoid oversimplified, cliched assessments of this personality.

The Role of the Byzantine Navy in the Actions of Emperor Louis II of Italy against Bari in 866–871. Louis II’s Letter of 871 to Emperor Basil I (867–886) – as a Source for Marine Military Studies?

The rivalry between the Carolingians and the Byzantines in Italy during the second half of the 9th century faced a new threat – the rise of Islam. Despite the need to unite against the common enemy, mutual suspicion between these two centres of imperial power persisted. This is evident in their joint efforts to confront the Muslim outpost in Apulia, the Emirate of Bari. This article aims to examine the role of the Byzantine fleet in the actions of Emperor Louis II (825–875) during the campaign to eliminate the Emirate of Bari – a task in which the Carolingian ruler was successful. The primary source for this investigation is Louis II’s letter of 871 to Emperor Basil I (867–886). In the letter, the author identifies the links between the activities of Muslims in the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas and their strongholds in Sicily and Africa. Consequently, the author outlines a logical plan to expel the Saracens from Italy, particularly from Campania (Naples) and Calabria, with a crucial role assigned to the Byzantine fleet. The Franks intended to coordinate land operations with the Byzantines in Sicily, aiming to reclaim Palermo – a city, according to the letter, closely linked to the Muslim piracy. However, this plan was based on wishful thinking, as it failed to consider the dispersion of the Byzantine navy, which was simultaneously engaged in conflicts against the forces of the Abbasids, the emirate of Crete, and the Slavic pirates in the Adriatic Sea. These factors, coupled with a growing aversion between the Franks and the Byzantines, ultimately led to the collapse of the alliance and their plans. Despite later successes, the Byzantine fleet was unable to provide timely aid to Sicily and actively counter the advance of Islam on the island.

PROBLEM AND PROSPECTS OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN PURULIA DISTRICT OF WESTBENGAL

Panchayat systems have been playing an important role in order to monitor these rural development programmes. These institutions have been helpful in identifying real beneficiaries in order to get maximum benefits out of these schemes. Under these schemes priority has been given to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, women, weaker sections and the upliftment of backward areas. A number of hurdles and constraints and deficiencies are also responsible for failure of these rural development programmes. In this paper, an attempt has been made to examine various issues, aspects and dimensions related to Panchayat system in Purulia district of West Bengal. It has been sought to analyze changes in the rural society and its impact on socio-economic transformation due to panchayat, political participation, and political mobilization etc. There are number of factors responsible for created hurdles in performing the role of PRIs. These are castism, groupism and factionalism, which resulting to bitter infightings, allegations and counter-allegations, mutual suspicions and rivalries etc.

Vietnam’s Current Perceptions and Policies Regarding Its Relations with China

Despite having same political ideologies, Vietnam and China share mutual suspicion and contradictions in their bilateral interactions. Since the normalization of Sino-Vietnamese relations in 1991, In the post-Cold War era, Vietnam-China relations could be called as a mature asymmetry. These have affected strategic considerations in Vietnam’s policy towards China. I argue that Vietnam’s cooperation strategy with China encompasses ‘both cooperation and struggle’. In other words, unlike conditions of mature asymmetry, where both countries attempt to maintain peaceful relations, in the case of Vietnam and China, the responsibility has been placed more in the former rather than the latter. In addition, I argue that though the relations are perceived to be driven by ideological affinity and growing economic interdependence, the ‘trust deficit’ is a determining factor that obstructs the development of the two countries’ relations.

Resolving Conflict and Building Peace Through Re-Thinking Community Relationship

Abstract This study aims at appraising the nature of two major community relationships (I-Thou and I-It) in Ethiopia and analyse how these types of relationships play a corresponding role in resolving or exacerbating conflict and building/deteriorating peace. This study adopted an exploratory research design and primary data is collected from different social and mainstream media. The I-Thou relationship is a genuine societal relationship that led to a genuine dialogue between groups, which, in turn, creates mutual understanding, enrichment, reciprocity, and enlightenment. The I-It relationship, on the other hand, is characterised by mutual suspicion, prejudice, misunderstanding, wearing masks, and keeping secrets where there is no genuine dialogue. The study explores that the type of relationship that best characterise the Ethiopian society is mainly the I-It relationship. Since the society is polarised mainly based on ethnic and linguistic lines, the relationship has resulted in conflict, mass killing, displacement, and gross human right violations.

Mind the Doxastic Space: Examining the Social Epistemology of the Ethiopian Wax and Gold Tradition

The wax and gold tradition is mainly known as an Ethiopian literary system that plays with layers of meanings. It has also established itself as a system of knowledge and/or belief production and validation. However, its social ramifications have presented scholars with conundrums that divide their views. For some, it is an Ethiopian traditional society’s crowning achievement of erudition—a poetic form that infiltrated communication, psychology, and social interaction. For others, it is a breeding ground for social vices, i.e., mutual suspicion, deception, duplicity, etc., because its autochthonous nature means it is inept in terms of modernizing and unifying the society. In this essay, I aim to argue that there is one critical historical element that holds the key to the conflicting social ramifications of the wax and gold system and, yet, is neglected by both sides of the debate: the original doxastic space of qine (poetry) and sem ena werq (wax and gold system)—a hermeneutic tool that deciphers the meaning of poems. This literary system was born in the space of worship and liturgy. I will contend, therefore, that a shift of doxastic space from sacred to saeculum (the world) is the reason not only for the behavior of doxastic agents but also for the social outcome of the knowledge they create.

The rhetoric of political science in parliament. A study of Westminster debates after the Second World War

ABSTRACT A parliamentary perspective on the politics of the academic political science connects my former interest in the history of the discipline with parliamentary studies. This article continues the discussion in a previous article of mine on the German Bundestag. The conceptual point lies in a mutual suspicion between parliamentarians and academics regarding politics. In this present study I analyse Westminster debates on the concept of ‘political science’. Possible similarities between British and (West-)German debates appear in how this applies to academic authorities, in the increasing number of parliamentarians having studied political science at university, as well as in the distance towards academic political scientists. However, in the Bundestag political science is understood in academic and disciplinary terms and references to it serve for the members’ politicking. In Westminster a concept of political science frequently refers to a intellectual tradition persisting also in the late twentieth century and it emphasizes analysing political changes as challenged to political science.

The Role of Organizations in Taking Care Life Harmonization Between Religious Communities

Research has been conducted on community interactions that can produce tolerance to create harmony in diversity in Banyumas Regency. The specific objectives of this study are: first to find patterns of interaction that occur in the heterogeneous Banyumas community. The second objective is to explore the concept of community views on diversity. Third, it reveals the involvement of organizations and or communities that intersect with issues of tolerance in creating a conducive religious atmosphere in Banyumas Regency. This research was conducted by gathering information and analyzing the harmony of the community in Banyumas Regency. This research is qualitative and analytic descriptive. This method is carried out to solve actual problems by collecting data, compiling or classifying, analyzing and interpreting it using multicultural education theory and then drawing conclusions. This research focuses on the embodiment of the harmony pattern of Banyumas community diversity through FKUB, SMLI and FORSA. These three organizations have a real contribution in the formation of a harmony society in diversity in Banyumas Regency. The results of this study show that the harmony of religions in Banyumas regency has been successfully carried out because there is no mutual suspicion of interfaith leaders and have the same understanding of "never being different in harmony" which forms the basis of religious and social life. In addition, the community togetherness is based on the sincerity of the characters causing religious harmony in Banyumas Regency.

Conjuration and Conspiracy. The Controversy over the German Covid Policy as a Mediumistic Trial, or: The Medium is the Mess

Based on anthropological fieldwork among protesters against the Covid policy in Germany, this paper elaborates the symmetry of accusations made against each other by proponents and opponents of the state-imposed protection measures against the backdrop of an asymmetrical distribution of power. The social dynamics that emerged during the pandemic are often understood as the result of a knowledge controversy that most participants thus categorize as a media problem. A key finding of my research on protests against the German Covid policy is that, as in my research on the controversy over mediumism, the controversy is about the agency of human and nonhuman actors and carried out to a great extent based on the same values on both sides, which at the same time accuse each other of not conforming to these values. The protesters are part of a heterogeneous minority that in large parts embodies the values of the majority and, in a way, exceeds them, i.e., a minority that is hypercritical and has extreme expectations about the values of the majority society – in this case: of solidarity, science, transparency, rationality, and coherence. From its marginal position, the minority develops a canny eye for the unfulfilled promises of the majority: its contradictions and conscious or unconscious double standards are perceived as bigotry against the backdrop of the aspiration to absence of contradiction. Therefore, this minority suspects that the motivations and goals behind the measures taken are other than just the protection of health, while the majority in turn see the minority’s commitment to society and democracy as (self-)deception and also suspect hidden motives and actors behind it. This mutual suspicion leads to a hysterical state of doubt and distrust, which is rooted in the nature of mediality.

Evaluasi Pembelajaran Berbasis Pendidikan Karakter di Sekolah Dasar

In the current condition where there is an increase in violence among teenagers/society, the use of bad language and words by students, the low respect for parents and teachers, the low sense of individual and group responsibility, the culture of lies/dishonesty, and the existence of Mutual suspicion and hatred between people make character education a priority that must always be strengthened. This study used the library research method. Library research is a type of qualitative research which is generally carried out by not going into the field in searching for data sources. Library research collects data and information through the help of various materials found in the library room. Evaluation of basic education learning based on character education, by instilling character values that are included in the learning process in each subject related to norms or values in the context of everyday life through various real examples. Hopefully by always strengthening character education will produce students who not only have good academic knowledge but also have quality character.

Nuclear armament and its impact on the security of South Asia "India and Pakistan as a model

India and Pakistan are one of those countries that sought to possess nuclear weapons in order to be a deterrent factor and achieve the desired balance required from their hearts. Pakistan and neighboring rival India detonated nuclear explosions just days apart in May 1998. Since then, the two South Asian countries have been developing the fastest growing stockpiles of nuclear warheads and missile launch systems. Retired Indian Navy Admiral Arun Prakash noted, “India and Pakistan are perilously close to the point of ever-growing nuclear arsenals. This could turn into an unreasonable race driven by mutual suspicion rather than the actual needs of deterrence and maintenance of stability.” .
 Notably, in recent years, the two countries have already tested a wide range of ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, including tactical systems. At the same time, India adopts a policy (not to pre-empt the use of nuclear weapons) at a time when Pakistan was more showcasing its nuclear power. Therefore, we will study in this research the impact of the Indian-Pakistani nuclear armament on the security of South Asia

The Politics of Integration: The Opportunities, Challenges and Successes of Embedding Academic Skills and Literacies Development into an Interdisciplinary, ‘Integrated’ Foundation Year Programme

Foundation Years (FY) have proliferated within UK Higher Education in recent years, and their benefits and successes have been well documented (e.g. the enhancement of opportunities for underrepresented students, second-chance education, skills and confidence enhancement, and a pipeline into STEM. However, when managed centrally, their implementation can be a contentious site of interdisciplinary unease and ‘mutual suspicion’ and as much as a fruitful avenue for innovative collaboration. One of the key issues is the question of how to embed academic skills / literacies development within a meaningful, ‘integrated’, interdisciplinary context effectively whilst utilising expertise from both academic departments and learning development / skills teams, and thus navigating disparate disciplinary agendas, communities of practice and strategic priorities. This paper reports on how this complex terrain was navigated at Royal Holloway, University of London, to successfully embed academic skills (using Universal Design for Learning pedagogy) into an academically authentic, inclusive, interdisciplinary ‘Global Perspectives and Academic Practice’ unit that facilitated student integration into academic departments. Whilst we report on how the programme led to higher than sector average attainment, retention and progression (the EE described it as a ‘TEF Gold offering’), we critically analyse the challenges of embedding and aligning such provision within the communities of practice of a research-intensive institution. Throughout, we suggest ways forward at both practical and strategic levels to ensure the immense potential of integrated academic literacies development within FYs can be realised.

“Is It Legit, To You?”. An Exploration of Players’ Perceptions of Cheating in a Multiplayer Video Game: Making Sense of Uncertainty

Cheating is a major concern for any gaming environment, but effective solutions are still far from being found. Previous research has overlooked the social complexity of current video games and the role that technology may have in determining the cheating practices. In this article, we explore how cheating unfolds within Call of Duty: Warzone through a digital ethnography, analyzing the perspectives of both amateur players and video game streamers and how technology shapes the cheating phenomenon. We highlight that players’ perception of cheating depends on the “social role” of the cheater. Moreover, the technological sophistication of cheats makes them uncertain in the players’ eyes, contributing to the spreading of mutual suspicion and surveillance practices. Based on these findings, we offer a novel understanding of cheating as a sort of black box that only a few individuals are able to decipher, and several design considerations addressing the cheating practices in contemporary games.

CIVIL SOCIETY PEACE EDUCATION: A PORTRAITOFTHE SUKOHARJO INTERFAITH COMMUNITYIN CENTRAL JAVA

The presence of intolerant religious groups in MojolabanSukoharjo encourages civil society to voice harmony and peace. This research is a descriptive qualitative research with a sociology of religion approach. Data collection through direct observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. Its data analysis uses interactive analysis models including data reduction, data delivery, and conclusions. PSAP together with the interfaith communities of Pelita, Purwakanthi, and WaskithaSukoharjo as part of the civil society socio-religious movement that actively develops a culture of peace through continuous life dialogue with various activities. First, PSAP through the interfaith community actively builds communication and dialogue among religious people and advocates for humanitarian and religious issues at the lower levels of society. Second, PSAP becomes a space for interfaith community encounters with activities in it inserted discussions about religious, social, and cultural themes as a form of life dialogue. Third, PSAP and interfaith communities empower the community with the aim of building a peaceful and respectful life between religious people in Sukoharjo. Fourth, through peace education, it is hoped that the people of Sukoharjo can have a dialogue and experience firsthand the religious life of each religion. This peaceful education is expected to give them new experiences about religious life so that there is no prejudice and mutual suspicion. Peace education through the dialogue model developed by PSAP is a sustainable life dialogue by emphasizing an inclusive and even pluralist perspective towards peace in society. This perspective emphasizes religion as a social ethic and spirit for the transformation of society in the midst of the diversity that exists in Sukoharjo

The Language of Propaganda in Governance: The Nigerian Situation

Language is a unique gift to humanity by the Omniscient God. By means of language, we build or end a relationship, forge alliance, build bridges of unity and cooperation among peoples and groups. By means of language, also, we find a viable instrument to achieve participation and exclusion in political and diplomatic maneuvering. Formal or informal discourse may be achieved through vocal utterance, written medium or even paralinguistic features. Language, in effect, plays inestimable role in all aspects of life. This paper, in a special way, examines the impact of language in governance. Since English is Nigeria’s official language, the essay has, by purposeful random sampling, chosen the meta language of English, of all the myriads of languages spoken in Nigeria, to engage our discourse and to ascertain the impact of language in governance. Again, since charity, they say, begins at home (but should not end there), the essay has chosen Nigeria to query the impact of the English language in (political) governance. The paper upholds the platitude which holds that much is expected from the one to whom much is given. In view of this, the study asserts that political governance in Nigeria is hard work for the fact that Nigeria is a conglomerate of peoples, national groups and tongues yoked together by the Lugardian amalgamation of January 1, 1914. The salient index that wields the fragile nation state together is diversity, amidst mutual suspicion among the diverse ethnic groups. The essay uses literary or library research to probe into the recesses of language and language theories for recommending to the political leaders in governance how they should manage language so that our beloved nation is not set ablaze as a result of language mismanagement.