Political Debate Research Articles

Nationalism in the Judicialization and Culturalization of Religion: The Case of Religious Education in Greece

Religious education (RE) is frequently a topic of intense political debate and a focal point of party politics in the Greek context. This article presents the latest chapter in political contestation over the teaching of religion in Greek public schools, one which entails a new dimension—that of intense judicialization. Since 2015, the issue of religious education in Greek public schools has been the subject of multiple court cases addressed by the Greek high court, the Council of State, with one case addressed by and one case pending before the European Court of Human Rights. Beyond teasing out links between Greek Orthodoxy and nationalism underpinning each of these cases, this article also seeks to locate this example of judicialization of politics and religion in a broader theoretical context. It engages with another phenomenon at play in the Greek case as in many other cases globally, the culturalization of religion. Through the example of the Greek legal battles over religious education, we see how the judicialization of a particular political question on religion (policy on RE) rests on a culturalization of religion, which, in the legal domain, entails a rebranding of ‘religion’ as ‘culture’ so as to protect ‘religion’ from limitations placed on it by expectations of liberal state neutrality. The inherent difficulties in defining religion and culture, both individually and in relation to one another, are fundamental to both the theoretical and the practical, socio-legal challenges arising from such developments.

TRIPS and the right to human health: A case study on Brazil's health policies and its implications

AbstractThe incorporation of intellectual property laws in Brazil, by drafting or amending laws, as a result of the Trade‐Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, has been a subject of political and social debate. The ambiguity of the Agreement's effects explains the Brazilian government's reluctance to address the issue, particularly concerning public health policies, as it presents a conflict between healthcare rights and intellectual property protection. The country had utilized compulsory licensing of an antiretroviral drug for AIDS treatment under Decree No. 6,108/2007. This precedent has sparked discussions about future cases of selective incorporation of compulsory licensing as a national prerogative, aiming to ensure that the patent system upholds the country's right to protect public health and promote access to medicines, in accordance with The Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement. Nevertheless, such a pattern could undermine innovation and discourage private‐sector investment and research, which is predominantly conducted by developed countries.

Do Blasphemy Restrictions Restrict Terrorism?

ABSTRACT Although several countries have repealed their laws banning blasphemy in recent years, a majority of the world’s countries still ban some forms of blasphemous expressions. It is often argued in political debate that such legislation is necessary to prevent conflicts and terrorism. The empirical literature on the topic nevertheless remains tiny and it is an open question if blasphemy bans ‘work’ in this way. In this paper, we therefore explore the association between types of blasphemy legislation and terrorist events. We do so using a large cross-country panel dataset of up to 162 countries observed between 1970 and 2016. Exploring determinants of terrorist attacks, we find that while blasphemy legislation in general is not associated with terrorism, countries with constitutionalised blasphemy bans experience a higher terrorism risk.

The coevolution of technology, markets, and culture: the challenging case of AI

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI) is at the center of economic, social, political, and ethical debate. For the first time in human history, since the appearance of writing, a new type of “intelligence” is impacting the very nature of social relationships. New technologies are not only changing the operating model of markets and value chains in an accelerated way but also in how information is generated and processed, how labor, social relations, and culture evolve, etc. In this paper, we pursue two main goals. First, to set up an analytical framework in which cognitive, technical, and cultural dynamics are intertwined with the processes of deployment of economic action. Secondly, we utilize this framework to explore some key features and challenges of AI and its impact on coevolutionary processes at the cognitive, market, and cultural levels. We devote special attention to the consequences that AI may have for the concept of (economic) rationality and the formation of action plans. We conclude that AI will massively enhance agents’ spaces of action by improving efficiency and exploring new possibilities. However, AI will not change the nature of human action and the structure of the evolution of the economic system.

New Approaches to Political Catholicism and Women’s Activism in Twentieth-Century Mexico

Authors from a transnational research group analyze Catholic women’s political mobilizations, acknowledging Catholic women’s heritage of organization to maintain their religious practice in their communities from the colonial era onward. These activities afforded women opportunities for civic experience and leadership roles that continued through Mexico’s nineteenth-century political and social debates. This special issue focuses on how twentieth-century women developed new approaches to address revolutionary policies and projects, radical mobilizations, technological changes, and transformations within the Church following the Second Vatican Council. The authors argue that Catholic women have continued to envision themselves as political actors within the framework of their religion, expanding goals to transform religious and civic practices.

ЕФЕКТИВНЕ ДЕРЖАВНЕ УПРАВЛІННЯ І НАЦІОНАЛЬНА БЕЗПЕКА В КОНТЕКСТІ DEEP STATE

The article explores the concept of the «deep state» as a key element of ensuring sustainable public administration and national security in war and peace. The author examines global and regional development trends that affect the formation of national security and analyses the mechanisms of power and governance in different countries. Particular attention is paid to the role of informal and closed networks in influencing official policy, which allows for a deeper understanding of the sources of information wars and manipulation of public opinion. The relevance of the study is driven by the need to build a transparent, fair and democratic society, as well as to strengthen democratic institutions and protect the rights and freedoms of citizens. The analysis of the deep state allows us to identify the interconnections between state institutions, the military, intelligence services and big business, which often remain outside democratic control. The author notes that the study of the deep state is important for the protection of democratic values, increasing transparency, accountability and efficiency of governance. Particular attention is paid to the influence of the deep state on the information space and the mechanisms of manipulating public opinion through the media. Understanding these processes contributes to the development of critical thinking and the protection of citizens' rights and freedoms. In the context of globalisation, the concept of the deep state is seen as an important factor influencing international relations, trade policies and economic alliances. The study of this phenomenon helps to predict changes in global politics and the economy, which is important for the development of long-term national security strategies. The term «deep state» is used to describe a network of influential individuals or organisations that can exert significant influence on public policy beyond democratic control. This concept is actively discussed in political debates, causing controversy over its role and influence on political processes.

Treading the Narrow Path – Rethinking Democratic Education in Times of Polarization

Abstract This essay examines the relationship between knowledge, politics, and education in the context of the global crisis of democracy and the growing prevalence of political polarization. Focusing on the issue of vaccine hesitancy, I explore how citizens’ reference to knowledge and values shapes their political judgements and argue for the importance of education in facilitating informed and reasoned decision-making. Drawing on Hannah Arendt’s dialectical account of politics and knowledge, I highlight the limitations of reducing political debates to a quest for ‘right knowledge’, arguing that it neglects the coordination of diverse values and interpretations that is essential to democratic processes. To do so, I discuss ‘educationalization’ of the political during the COVID-19 pandemic, wherein the dissemination of empirically grounded information became a strategy to generate public consent. However, my essay cautions against the hegemony of empirical knowledge, which can lead to despotic politics and the proliferation of misinformation. To ensure differentiated and reasonable judgements in uncertain situations and conflicts, I turn to Arendt’s concept of reflective and political judgement, emphasizing the ability to imagine others’ perspectives and construct general principles. The educational task, therefore, encompasses not only conveying factual knowledge but also nurturing reflective judgement that strikes a balance between factual truth and divergent interpretations, values, and interests.

The need to design a nocturnal 15-min city

ABSTRACT Ever since Carlos Moreno's speech at the COP21 conference in Paris in 2015 on the need for a new urban design and planning paradigm based on the 15-minute city, the scientific literature and political debate on this topic have expanded exponentially across Europe. However, scholars, governments and citizen associations campaigning for more sustainable cities continue to ignore the debate around the role of nocturnal cities in the ongoing urban ecological transition in Europe. This text aims to advance the debate and discussion around the role that nocturnal 15-minute cities should play in fostering more socially inclusive, egalitarian, environmentally sustainable, resilient and fair European cities.

Discourse of The Presidential Debate of The Republic of Indonesia in The 2024 Elections (Analysis of Presidential Candidates' Discourse in The First, Third, and Fifth Debates)

This study analyzes presidential candidate debates using Halliday's discourse analysis approach, focusing on three main aspects: field of discourse, actor of discourse, and mode of discourse. The primary aim of this research is to explore how the discourse presented by candidates in the first, third, and fifth debates reflects the visions and missions they promote. Through qualitative analysis, this research finds that each debate has unique characteristics in message delivery. In the first debate, candidates emphasize the introduction of their visions and missions, while in the third debate, there is a more intense dynamic of interaction focusing on argumentation. The fifth debate showcases a more emotional and persuasive mode of discourse, highlighting the connection between the messages and the aspirations of the audience. The findings indicate that the discourse conveyed by presidential candidates is consistently aligned with the visions and missions they advocate, suggesting that the communication strategies employed play a crucial role in shaping their image and garnering support. This study aims to provide new insights into political communication research and serves as a reference for future studies in the context of political debates in Indonesia.

Theology of migration: From division to reconciliation

As the next US presidential election approaches, immigration once again emerges as one of the most heated issues in US political debates. While ideological differences over immigration are not new, the existence of such differing positions between and within parties highlights the deep-seated divisions within US society. Even more problematic is the current predominant narrative of immigration, which tends to foster further division while ignoring the diversity of immigration patterns and immigrants’ experiences that require holistic approaches. The dominance of a monolithic interpretation of immigration, focusing on a specific pattern and accompanied by the reproduction of provocative images and rhetoric in the media, exacerbates societal divisions and reinforces a single narrative of immigration characterized by hate and fear. In the face of societal division over immigration, this article argues that immigration can be a source of reconciliation rather than division when its inherent diversity is recognized, and its humanness is reclaimed through the concept of imago Dei, the primary definition of all human identity.

Ordinary defensive medicine: in the shadows of general practitioners’ postures toward (over-)medicalisation

This paper draws on qualitative research using focus groups involving 38 general practitioners (GPs). It explores their attitudes and feelings about (over-)medicalisation. Our main findings were that GPs had a complex representation of (over-)medicalisation, composed of many professional, social, technological, economic and relational issues. This representation led GPs to feel uncomfortable. They felt pressure from all sides, which led them to question their social roles and responsibilities. We identified four main GP-driven proposals to deal with (over-)medicalisation: (1) focusing on the communication in doctor–patient relationships; (2) grounding practices in evidence-based medicine; (3) relying on clinical skills, experience and intuition; and (4) promoting training, leadership bodies and social movements. Drawing on these proposals, we identify and discuss five paradigms that underpin GPs’ attitudes toward (over-)medicalisation: underlying social factors, preventing medicalisation, managing uncertainties, sharing medical decision-making and thinking about care as a rationale. We suggest that these paradigms constitute a defensive posture against GPs’ uncomfortable feelings. All five defensive paradigms were identified in our focus groups, echoing contemporary political debates on public health. This non-exhaustive framework forms the outline of what we call ordinary defensive medicine. GPs’ uncomfortable feelings are the origin of their defensive solutions and the manifestation of their vulnerability. This professional vulnerability can be shared with the patient’s vulnerability. In our view, this creates an opportunity to rediscover patient–doctor relationships and examine patients’ and doctors’ vulnerabilities together.“There are many cases in which—though the signs of a confusion of tongues between the patient and his doctor are painfully present—there is apparently no open controversy. Some of these cases demonstrate the working of two other, often interlinked, factors. One is the patient’s increasing anxiety and despair, resulting in more and more fervently clamouring demands for help. Often the doctor’s response is guilt feelings and despair that his most conscientious, most carefully devised examinations do not seem to throw real light on the patient’s “illness”, that his most erudite, most modern, most circumspect therapy does not bring real relief.” (Balint M. The Doctor, His Patient and the Illness. New York: International Universities; 2005. [1957].)“Theories about care put an unprecedented emphasis on vulnerability—taking up that challenge to transform what really counts in today’s hospitals implies letting colleagues inside previously closely guarded professional boundaries” (2, our translation).

Effective Teaching Methods in Physical Education Classes: A pilot study implementing a new survey for teachers

Physical education (PE) classes for children play a crucial role in promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyle. The PE in the Kosovo primary schools, together with its teaching and organizational issues have long been a key topic of political, sport and scientific debate. However, the various actions carried out so far have not been enough to recognize contents and methods of PE correctly oriented in an educational way. The aim of the study is to highlight the latest method and strategies of the teachers, and the new curriculum used in the field of PE for better learning and developing health among children through physical activity. The research involved (n = 100) PE teachers from Kosovo public schools. All teachers are from Kosovo primary schools, classes VI-IX, with an average of 16 years of work experience. Data was collected using questionnaire by an online survey. The learning methods mostly applied are: practical learning method (96%), teaching through lectures (79%), interactive method (72%), effective teaching method (66%), learning through certain goals (47%). The factors that influence the effective use of teaching strategies are: infrastructure and equipment (94%), teacher skills (89%), competitive activities among children (57%), and children’s desire for physical and sports activities (46%). The factors that can influence the increase in the effectiveness of teaching strategies are: the addition of teaching hours (92%) teacher trainings (84%) and curricular improvements (78%). Teaching methods help teachers to have an effective communication with students, clear instructions, demonstrations, and techniques being taught.

ESG & Executive Remuneration in Europe

Executive remuneration has traditionally attracted the attention of scholars, regulators, and public opinion. In recent years, especially after epochal corporate scandals and financial crises, executive remuneration has polarized the political debate, leading to consequences for the way it was theorized, structured, and ultimately quantified within corporations. This article specifically examines the relationship between executive compensation and sustainability, with a focus on the influence of Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) metrics in the context of European companies. The article provides a qualitative analysis of the historical debate on executive remuneration and considers the different theories informing corporate law. Furthermore, it offers a qualitative and empirical analysis of how executive compensation policies of the 300 largest companies by target capitalization in Europe – listed in the FTSE EuroFirst300 – take ESG parameters into account. Lastly, this article presents some policy considerations, particularly questioning whether executive remuneration is the right incentive for ESG compliance, and emphasizing the importance of a shift in corporate culture to effectively make corporate practices more sustainable.

Tensions in Finland’s ex ante constitutional review: The interplay of politics, law, and media

Abstract Constitutional review has become increasingly subject to heated political debates and struggles. While the constitutionality of laws is often reviewed after the laws have entered into force (ex post), this article examines an ex ante constitutional review assessing the political tensions and struggles typical of it. We examine the Finnish experience, drawing on forty-nine semi-structured interviews among key actors involved in the work of the Constitutional Law Committee (CLC) of the Finnish Parliament, which controls the constitutionality of laws before they enter into force. We find that tensions between law and politics are an important element of the ex ante constitutional review and show how they emerge in the work of the CLC and how the key actors involved in the review seek to control and manage them. We also suggest that the political tensions surrounding the ex ante review have intensified in recent decades and find three main reasons for this development. First, as constitutional and human rights have found their way into an increasingly wide range of political matters, political tensions in constitutional assessment have been aggravated. Second, external legal experts have begun to play a more prominent and public role in the review process, adding to the public tensions relating to constitutional interpretation. Third, the media and journalists have become increasingly interested in constitutional questions, which further inflames tensions. As a result, we suggest that scholars should increasingly explore and make transparent these de facto practices in constitutional review.

German Claims for Leadership: From a Federalist to a Geopolitical Leadership Master Narrative

ABSTRACT Ever since the beginning of the European integration process, Germany’s role within the EU has been a contentious topic in political and intellectual debate. Following German unification, this has been further exacerbated by various crises. On the one hand, many have expressed concerns about power politics aimed at establishing a ‘German Europe’ or a ‘European Germany’, as Thomas Mann declared in 1953. On the other hand, voices across Europe have criticised Germany for its lack of more forceful power politics. At the same time, German leaders have repeatedly pledged to assume greater responsibility after being accused of showing insufficient commitment, no doubt borne out of pacifist sentiments, reflecting the dark shadow of Germany’s history. In this paper, we examine not only how the coalition government under Chancellor Olaf Scholz that came into office in 2021 has articulated a tacit and increasingly explicit claim for leadership, but also how the Chancellor has transformed his narrative in line with the ‘Zeitenwende’ following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We argue that the key to understanding Germany as a driving force is its remarkable shift from a federalist narrative to an adapted geopolitical, security-driven master narrative covering a broad set of policy fields.

Face Threatening-Acts In Indonesia Fourth Vice Presidential Candidate Election Debate (2024): Pragmatics Study

The research investigates face-threatening acts (FTAs) in the fourth vice-presidential election debate in Indonesia, applying a pragmatic approach to analyze how strategies and acts used impact the candidates’ electability and credibility. This study also focused on the word choices during the debate that can be considered rude or put the other candidates in an uncomfortable situation and how this affects the flow of debate. Qualitative procedures including display data, quoting, and authentication were used in the data analysis process. By applying the politeness theory of Brown and Levinson, the study classifies and divides the FTAs into positive and negative faces. According to the study, the three candidates regularly use strategies meant to harm the public perceptions of their opponents in order to influence voter opinions and affect election results. The research offers insights into the purpose of communication tactics in political debates and their broader impact on political discourse and election outcomes by comprehending the dynamics of FTAs in this high-stakes environment.

On being an “oil and gas worker”: dominant discourse, self-representation, and Canada’s energy future

ABSTRACT Political wrangling over the future of oil and gas in the context of climate change dominates national debates about Canada’s energy future. These debates frequently rhetorically center around the needs and desires of oil and gas workers. Who, though, do politicians and pundits imagine these workers to be, and how do these imaginations measure up against how these workers imagine themselves and their futures? I answer these questions using the sociology of knowledge approach to discourse analysis to examine media and political debates as well as interviews with oil and gas workers. I find that oil and gas workers’ self-representation is considerably more versatile and adaptable to different energy pathways than media and politicians’ representations of them. I use this finding to argue for disaggregating workers’ agency from the dominant stories told about them. Doing so has the potential to open new pathways for energy transition.

Environmental impacts of food packaging: Is it all a matter of raw materials?

The packaging sector and the environmental impacts stemming from its various materials and applications are currently at the forefront of scientific and political debate. To estimate the environmental impacts associated with raw materials and identify the role of industrial processes, this study presents a cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment applied to two distinct packaging formulations for chocolate bars, namely oriented polypropylene-based and paper-based packaging. The product systems related to the two alternatives were compared by focusing on the contribution of each resource input and emission of the production phase, to identify respective environmental trade-offs and potentials for future improvements throughout the life cycle. Our study also proposes a laboratory-based approach to develop robust assumptions concerning the modeling of end-of-life material treatment and provide support to decision-making toward environmentally sustainable waste management practices. From the outcomes, a relative preference emerges for paper-based packaging, from a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 16 out of 18 environmental categories, depending on the evaluated scenario. The hotspot analysis highlighted a significant influence of the processing phases, with raw materials being generally characterized by lower percentage contributions to the final impact. In conclusion, the findings underscore the importance of considering the entire life cycle when assessing packaging sustainability. Moreover, the proposed laboratory approach offers valuable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders to optimize end-of-life strategies and minimize the overall environmental footprint of packaging materials.

Schuldenbremse und öffentliche Investitionen: Erwiderung auf Mühlenweg et al. (2024)

Abstract The political debate regarding the consequences of the German “debt brake” continues. The arguments against its current design are similar to the arguments brought forward in 2009, when the rule was first introduced. One hot-button issue has always been whether the German debt brake constrains public investment. A recent study by Feld et al. (2024) applies the synthetic control method to address this question. Mühlenweg et al. (2024) criticise their approach, building on well-known arguments against the German debt brake. This article counters their arguments.

Poland’s Raison d’etat in the European Union: Enlargement Policy as a Case Study

The different views on EU–Polish relations articulated by different political actors in Poland illustrate two opposite approaches toward the shape of the integration process. The ongoing political debate on Poland’s raison d’état (reason of state) in the European Union calls for the necessity to define this notion in the current geopolitical context. In light of recent challenges and declared plans of the European Commission to transform the EU’s foreign policy it seems particularly reasonable to analyze Poland’s raison d’état in reference to the EU’s enlargement policy. Therefore, the major purpose of the article is to define and explain the essence and evolution of Poland’s position on the issue of EU enlargement. To be precise, the case study is concentrated on the developments caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine as a trigger for the reconsideration of the EU’s foreign policy. By doing so, the author makes an attempt to answer the research question on the essence of Poland’s raison d’état as regards further EU enlargement and Polish structural potential to promote its interests and shape the EU’s foreign policy overall.