Political Factors Research Articles

The use of Chat GPT for Obesity Management in Greece: A PESTEL Analysis

The treatment of obesity in Greece, which has undesired health, economic and social impacts, requires a holistic approach while the use of strategic management tools such as SWOT and PESTEL analysis can facilitate the fight against the pandemic. The use of Artificial Intelligence in several sectors has increasing applications nowadays. A PESTEL analysis has been realized using the Chat GPT instead of asking the opinion of experts and stakeholders of the healthcare industry. Chat GPT was asked to identify the main political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal factors affecting obesity management in Greece. It was found that its quick answers were satisfactory although some additional factors which were not identified by Chat GPT have been proposed. Taking into account that the use of Chat GPT has various limitations related with its training in recent scientific advancements and information it is suggested that it should be used combinedly with human analysis for the achievement of optimum results. Our findings could be used by policy makers, experts and several stakeholders of the obesity management industry in Greece for the improvement of the policies used for treating the contemporary pandemic of obesity.

Business relocation: economic nature and reasons

The article examines the economic nature and key reasons for business relocation in the context of globalization and technological changes. It explores the evolution of the concept of relocation, its impact on company operations, and the decision-making process regarding the relocation of production facilities or business processes. The article reviews the main scientific approaches to defining relocation and analyzes the factors that influence the relocation process, including economic, technological, and political factors. Particular attention is given to the risks associated with relocation and the methods of managing these. The article systematizes the scientific views on relocation from researchers such as Ronald Coase, Joseph Schumpeter, and Michael Porter, who have made significant contributions to the development of economic approaches to relocation. It highlights how globalization has facilitated business relocation by allowing companies to take advantage of new market opportunities and reduce labor costs. At the same time, modern challenges are also addressed, such as global supply chains, political conflicts, and the increasing competition in international markets, which create ne The article emphasizes the importance of further research into the effectiveness of relocation strategies in the context of economic transformations, as well as the need for adapting business models to enhance companies’ resilience to global challenges. Recommendations are proposed for businesses on risk management and strategies for adapting to changes in the global economy.

Girls’ Education, Social Constraints and State Policies in Northern Ghana, 1909–1960

ABSTRACT This article examines the complex socio-political factors that hindered the growth of girls’ education in northern Ghana during the colonial and early postcolonial periods. While previous research has focused on broader regional disparities between the North and the South, the gendered aspects of educational disparity within the North remain relatively unexplored. We demonstrate that colonial policies and local customs combined to create barriers to girls’ education. In the early colonial period, the imperial objective of producing native interpreters and administrators, combined with cultural resistance to girls’ education, discouraged the provision of educational facilities for girls. Additionally, Christian missions, unlike in the South, were restricted in their activities in the North. While African agency influenced girls’ education, colonial ideology and policies exerted a substantial impact on girls’ education in northern Ghana. This article supports Diana Barthel’s conclusion that cultural and political factors interacted to deprive girls of access to Western education.

Fundamental Rights Within the European Arrest Warrant

The mechanism of the surrender of wanted persons on the territory of the Europen Union experienced a natural evolution over time with the construction of European integration and the development of the area of freedom, security and justice. Starting from the traditional difficult extradition procedures in which the political factor was decisive, it was now established a judicial procedure under the jurisdiction of independent and impartial courts, in which only legal criteria are intended to be applicable, with the total exclusion of political decision-makers. Given that the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) is based on mutual trust between the judicial authorities of the member states, it works in the vast majority of cases. However, the principle of mutual trust between member states is not an absolute one and has encountered some limitations, allowing the refusal to execute the European arrest warrant in certain situations, in which the concrete violation of the right to a fair trial or the suffering of degrading and inhumane treatments would be found.

Political Regimes, Religious Dominance, and Economic Preferences: Insights from the World Values Survey and Global State of Democracy Indices

ABSTRACTObjectiveThis research explores how political regimes, individual incomes, and religious dominance influence societies' attitudes toward freedom, equality, and income inequality. This work applies an empirical framework on political regimes and socio‐religious contexts to study the impacts of political regimes and socioeconomic variables on individual beliefs about freedom, equality, and income inequality.MethodsUtilizing data from the World Values Survey (WVS) along with the Global State of Democracy (GSoD) indices, the study employs a two‐stage regression model to control for issues of endogeneity. This approach helps to understand differences in preferences for freedom and equality under democratic, authoritarian, and hybrid regimes, along with the influence of income and religious dominance.FindingsThe results show that democratic regimes prioritize equality, especially among the poor and members of non‐dominant religious groups. Under authoritarian regimes, however, high‐income populations tend to favour freedom. Hybrid regimes exhibit varied tendencies, with both income status and religious dominance significantly influencing perceptions of equality.ConclusionThis research contributes to understanding how political, economic, and religious factors shape societal preferences. The results provide insights into the complex interplay between governance, socioeconomic conditions, and individual preferences.

What sways public opinion? An experimental study on moral vs. evidence-based arguments for drug harm reduction

Background: Unlike evidence-based approaches, public drug policies are shaped more by political factors, with public opinion playing a key role. We hypothesized that using moral arguments in favor of harm reduction would carry greater levels of support in public opinion over empirical evidence arguments in favor of harm reduction. Methods: Based on the experimental methodology embedded within an omnibus survey, we employed a convenience sample consisting of 635 observations, with the survey conducted in Mexico. Participants were presented with either a moral or empirical evidence argument in favor of harm reduction. They then answered questions regarding their support for harm reduction (Support), willingness to donate to a harm reduction NGO (Donation), and willingness to vote for a candidate who supports harm reduction (Vote). Results: Willingness to donate to harm reduction was associated with moral arguments’, and we found that conservatives showed greater support for harm reduction when presented with a moral argument. Conclusion: The use of moral arguments in favor of harm reduction is related to greater public support. These results have significant implications for attracting donations to harm reduction organizations and to improve the acceptance of conservatives of measures related to the model.

CHINA’S POLICY IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

The paper examines the policy of the People's Republic of China in the South Caucasus. The main task of the research is to highlight the political, economic and cultural factors that strongly affect the formation of China’s foreign policy in the region. China’s policy in the South Caucasus has become more active in the last decade, which is primarily due to the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative and China's growing interests in the region. The study of the South Caucasian vector of China's foreign policy is quite actual among the researchers of both Armenia and other countries of the region. However, we consider it necessary to explore official Beijing's regional policies in the context of a comparative analysis. The need to explore the issue has especially heightened after the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh, as it transformed Beijing's political interests and changed its behavior in the region. Though China's interests in the South Caucasus are primarily measured in the context of the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, in fact, it can be the most important, but only one aspect of China’s growing interests in the region. In the conditions of the Russian-Ukrainian military action, which started in 2022, the given topic becomes even more relevant. In the paper we have tried to observe the development process of China's South Caucasian policy in dynamics, as well as to highlight the factors that influence the formation of Beijing’s policy behavior. On the other hand, we have set a task to consider the possible scenarios of the development of relations between China and the countries of the the South Caucasus region as well as the possible scenarios for the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative in the South Caucasus.

El, Yahweh and the Emergence of Monotheism in Israel

This study explores the evolution of monotheism in ancient Israel, focusing on the names El and Yahweh as primary designations for the divine. It analyses how biblical texts reflect varying theological perspectives that emerged over time, indicating the coexistence of polytheistic traditions with the worship of Yahweh. The author argues that while the Hebrew Bible does not consistently present a monotheistic framework, specific passages point to an evolving belief system culminating in exclusive monotheism, particularly during the exile and post-exilic periods. The emergence of Yahweh as the singular God of Israel responds to sociocultural pressures and historical events, such as the conquest of the Promised Land and subsequent challenges from surrounding nations. The study synthesizes textual evidence from Ugaritic texts, prophetic writings, and archaeological findings to illustrate the gradual transition from a pantheon of gods to the centralized worship of Yahweh. It concludes that this process was characterized by a dynamic interplay of religious, cultural, and political factors, leading to a unified theological identity among the ancient Israelites.

The relationship between delivery fear and childbirth experience with the level of adherence to the WHO recommendations for a positive childbirth experience in Iranian women: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundChildbirth experience is a unique event that involves psychological and physiological aspects influenced by social, environmental, organizational, and political factors. In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced 56 recommendations for ensuring a positive childbirth experience at different stages of labor and delivery. Owing to the importance of implementing these guidelines, we have chosen to assess adherence to the WHO recommendations and their association with the fear and experience of childbirth.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on women hospitalized in the labor departments of the Al-Zahra and Taleghani Educational centers in Tabriz, Iran from 2023 to 2024. Sampling was performed via a convenience method, and data were collected via sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, childbirth experience questionnaire.2 (CEQ.2), delivery fear scale (DFS), and the WHO recommendation checklist. The data were analyzed via Pearson correlation, independent t tests, one-way analysis of variance, and a general linear model (GLM).ResultsThe average adherence score to the WHO recommendations among the women studied was 36.4 (SD 9.3), out of a range of 0–56. There was a significant negative correlation between adherence to the recommendations and delivery fear (r = − 0.249; p < 0.001) and a significant positive correlation with childbirth experience (r = 0.414; p < 0.001). The GLM results, after adjusting for sociodemographic variables, revealed a significant increase in positive childbirth experience with increasing adherence score (B = 0.01; 95% CI 0.005 to 0.02, p = 0.001) and a nonsignificant association between delivery fear and adherence score (B = − 0.1; 95% CI − 0.4 to 0.04, p = 0.114).ConclusionThis study highlights the need to improve the implementation of WHO recommendations in educational and therapeutic centers and to consider various factors that affect the experience and fear of childbirth. Policymakers and medical center managers should place greater emphasis on training, monitor the complete implementation of the recommendations, and provide psychological and social support to pregnant women. This approach can help improve the childbirth experience, reduce delivery fear, and increase the preference for natural childbirth.

International organisations and global security: Evaluating decision-making effectiveness amid military risks

The purpose of this publication is a comprehensive study of the legal analysis of the effectiveness of international organisations in ensuring global security, the identification of critical problems, and proposals to improve the effectiveness of their activities, particularly decision-making, taking into account the provisions of national and international legislation under conditions of military risks. The research methodology consists of scientific cognition methods, highlighting specific effective strategies for improving global security. These include the dialectical method within the framework of interconnection of opposites and unities in the study of critical issues of international organisations in ensuring global security under military risks; the system-structural method studying complex systems and their interaction in the context of global security, considering specific political, economic, and social factors; descriptive method for a thorough characterisation of international organisations and their primary areas of activity, considering military risks; modelling development of appropriate models for risk assessment and the development of security strategies. The article's scientific novelty and practical significance lie in the fact that it highlights the cooperation of international organisations with Ukraine for the benefit of global security, analyses individual international organisations, and identifies their critical tasks considering military risks. Significant attention is paid to specific provisions of legal acts regulating the activities of international organisations and legal cases from Ukrainian courts (criminal, civil, and commercial) in which specific provisions of international acts are applied, as well as the use of corresponding norms in Ukrainian legislation.Additionally, specific proposals and mechanisms for the participation of international organisations in preventing and resolving military conflicts are suggested. Based on the research findings, conclusions are drawn regarding the overall assessment of the effectiveness of international organisations in ensuring global security under military risks and the possibilities for further development.

Knowledge Extraction from LLMs for Scalable Historical Data Annotation

This paper introduces a novel approach to extract knowledge from large language models and generate structured historical datasets. We investigate the feasibility and limitations of this technique by comparing the generated data against two human-annotated historical datasets spanning from 10,000 BC to 2000 CE. Our findings demonstrate that generative AI can successfully produce historical annotations for a wide range of variables, including political, economic, and social factors. However, the model’s performance varies across different regions, influenced by factors such as data granularity, historical complexity, and model limitations. We highlight the importance of high-quality instructions and effective prompt engineering to mitigate issues like hallucinations and improve the accuracy of generated annotations. The successful application of this technique can significantly accelerate the development of reliable structured historical datasets, with a potentially high impact on comparative and computational history.

Sanction intensity and labor force participation

PurposeThis study examines the impact of sanction intensity on labor force participation rate in 30 sanctioned countries from 1990 to 2019.Design/methodology/approachWe apply different dynamic threshold panel models using the generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation.FindingsOur findings reveal a non-linear relationship between sanction intensity and labor force participation rate. Milder sanctions are associated with higher labor force participation rate, while intense sanctions lead to reduced participation, largely due to the damaging effects of sanctions on domestic economies.Originality/valueWhile several studies have examined the impact of sanctions on various economic, social and political factors, only a few have specifically investigated the role of sanctions on labor force participation across countries and over time.

The impact of politics and COVID-19 on graduate STEM international students of color

Political factors and the COVID-19 pandemic have had profound impacts on international students in the U.S. These factors include anti-immigration rhetoric, the policies of the executive branch, and the additional COVID-19 restrictions placed on international students in 2020. In this study, we interviewed international students in graduate STEM programs and asked them about their political opinions and experiences during the pandemic. This article also provides a brief historical overview of immigration policy and how these policies relate to and impact international students. Many of our participants expressed negative emotions regarding President Trump for reasons ranging from his racist rhetoric to his administration’s policies before and during the pandemic.

Early career occupational therapists’ perceptions of occupational justice in practice in Singapore

Introduction: Occupational justice addresses social, political and economic factors influencing occupational participation as a human right. Implementing occupational justice is challenging due to institutional, personal, environmental and cultural barriers, and may be further complicated in non-Western contexts. Early career occupational therapists often struggle to apply these principles while transitioning from education to practice, despite their desire to advocate for justice-focused practices. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study, grounded in social constructivism, explored the experiences of early career occupational therapists applying occupational justice in Singapore. Using snowball sampling of 2020 and 2021 graduates, participants engaged in one-time semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Findings: Of 140 potential participants, 10 responded and completed the study. Four themes were developed: (1) Feeling uncertain about occupational justice, (2) Perceived relevance in the Singaporean context, (3) Early career challenges and (4) Aspiration to be agents of change. Conclusion: Early career occupational therapists expressed uncertainty in applying occupational justice concepts, often confusing them with occupation-centred practice. Despite recognising individual influences, they felt ill-prepared to tackle systemic barriers and advocate for broader social change. However, participants were aware and willing to support occupational justice ideals, suggesting a need for more guidance to integrate individual therapeutic goals with societal advocacy.

Иррациональные начала политики в зеркале общественнополитической мысли (От Древней Греции к современности и дальше)

This article attempts to study the problem of the influence of irrational factors on politics and its reflection in the space of socio-political thought. Having started by identifying theoretical models of understanding the irrational in politics, the author fixes the theoretical and methodological framework, which is used by default when mastering the subject, and subsequently wonders: how else can the irrational be included in the sphere of political analysis and modelling? The author uses the texts of ancient Greek thinkers as the starting point. On their basis she reconstructs the basic set of approaches that form a conventional model to understand the role of the irrational in politics, and then highlights several features of the ancient discourse about the irrational. Firstly, this is the generative and teleological function of the irrational in connection with political reality: ancient thinkers primarily associated with irrational principles such matters as the origin of wars, power, law and the state, as well as the goals of political development. Secondly, the irrational factor limits the space of political subjectivity and, more specifically, free choice for a person and a citizen, because it is in the irrational field that the “last argument” is located. Thirdly, this is the trend towards the transition from metaphysics to psychology. Further analysis shows that this theoretical trajectory is preserved and consolidated within the framework of Western European political science discourse. Having established that the ancient Greek model of understanding the irrational is reproduced not only in discourse but also in practice, the author formulates an important question for political science: how productive are reflections that derive recommendations for socio-political coexistence from certain psychological human qualities or arbitrarily interpreted divine revelations? — and thereby invites the scientific community to revise classical approaches and to have an active dialogue within the topic. She proposes the concept of parallel discourses — verbal and non-verbal — as an alternative theoretical and methodological framework for the scientific study of irrational factors in politics.

News about the economy: a literature survey and methodological guidelines

Abstract This article surveys the economic literature on the role of mass media and social media for the dissemination of news about GDP, inflation, unemployment, and the economy at large. Focusing on studies that use media content data, two key insights emerge. First, identical macroeconomic facts may receive different levels of attention and can be framed in different ways, depending on political and psychological factors. Second, information spread by mass media and on social media may affect economic outcomes independent of the facts on the ground. These and other findings in the literature have helped to refine various theories in behavioral economics, finance, macroeconomics, and other fields. The article also identifies untapped research potential and formulates specific recommendations for future studies, especially in terms of underutilized sources of media content data, the application of computational methods (e.g. large language models, image classification, emotion recognition), and econometric designs supporting causal inference.

GLOBAL RESEARCH DYNAMICS ABOUT PUBLIC DEBT: RISING PUBLIC DEBT AND THE EUROPEAN FISCAL UNION

This paper aims to bring Romanian research on public debt into the international spotlight, contextualizing it within the rising global debt levels caused by recent economic crises, such as the global financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. The main goal is to highlight the importance of local research, often overlooked, while analyzing public debt through both global and local lenses. The first part of the paper analyzes the intensifying effects of globalization, accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the shift in how public debt is perceived, with a growing focus on investments and budget deficits. It also examines the challenges faced by decision-makers in managing debt sustainability, particularly the tension between political priorities and fiscal realities. The second part provides an empirical analysis of recent studies on the rise of global public debt, political economy factors, and credit cycles. The third section outlines the difficulties in governing public debt in the European Union due to the absence of a fiscal union and explores the concept of an optimal monetary zone. One of the central political issues raised is the tendency of politicians, especially in advanced economies, to exploit public debt for short-term electoral gains.

Mobility patterns along the Eastern Silk Roads (tenth to fourteenth centuries): a global-microhistorical perspective

Abstract This study investigates the importance of interregional mobility along the Eastern Silk Roads during the Mongol period, highlighting the interconnectedness of postal and pilgrim networks in eastern Central Asia, with a particular focus on mid-fourteenth-century changes in the multifaceted dynamics of overland mobility under Mongol rule. By referencing an extensive corpus of Old Uyghur and Middle Mongolian administrative texts, as well as pilgrim inscriptions, the research provides a nuanced understanding of the relationship between the Mongol administration and the postal system within it, and how they were connected with pilgrim activities. The article uncovers valuable insights into how mobility patterns changed over time. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of the geographical aspects of these networks reveals enduring links between the Eastern Tianshan Region and the Gansu Corridor, whilst also underlining the expansion of pilgrim networks during the Mongol period. The research also explores the societal implications of these mobility networks, highlighting the importance of religious affiliation and social status in overland mobility. This comprehensive analysis illuminates the Eastern Silk Roads and presents a unique perspective on the interplay of political, religious, and socio-economic factors that shaped the history of the region during Mongol rule.

NATO Cohesion in Global Power Competition: A Quantitative Cluster Analysis

This study examines NATO's cohesion amid global power competition, focusing on the alliance's internal and external determinants from 2002 to 2023. Using cluster analysis, it evaluates 19 variables across political, military, security, and economic factors to identify divergences among traditional and new member states. The findings reveal a heterogeneous alliance influenced by economic disparities, divergent threat perceptions, and unequal military spending. However, external threats, particularly Russia's aggression, have fostered temporary solidarity. The study highlights the strategic implications of NATO's cohesion for its deterrence and defence roles, emphasizing the need for equitable burden-sharing and synchronized policies to mitigate fragmentation. The research offers policy recommendations to strengthen NATO’s relevance and adaptability in a contested global landscape.

A Study on the Development of Modern Chinese Medical Education

The development of modern Chinese medical education represents a profound transformation in the history of Chinese medicine, undergoing a process of transition from tradition to modernity and from a closed system to an open one. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the development of modern Chinese medical education, analyzing its characteristics, influencing factors, and implications for contemporary medical education. It offers historical insights for current reforms and the development of medical education. Through in-depth analysis of the introduction and initial development of Western medical education in the late Qing period, the coexistence and integration of Chinese and Western medical education in the Republic of China, and the profound impact of political, economic, and cultural factors on medical education, this paper explores how these changes shaped the evolution of Chinese medical education. Finally, it concludes by summarizing the insights of modern Chinese medical education for contemporary medical education and proposes suggestions for enhancing international cooperation and exchanges, focusing on practical and innovative education, and promoting diversified development.