Political Purposes Research Articles

Reflections on the Historiography of Post-War Justice and the Holocaust in Lithuania

Abstract The article gives a brief overview of the historiography of post-war justice in Lithuania. It begins with an introduction to post-Holocaust justice, outlining the functioning of the post-war war crimes trials in Soviet Lithuania, including the institutional framework, the retribution law, the nature of legal proceedings, and the procedural changes that took place over time. The article then presents the historiographical approaches historians have used to investigate these trials and depicts the current developments in this field of study. It shows that following the fall of the Soviet Union, the first works on post-war justice lacked an in-depth analysis and instead concentrated on how the Soviet regime had utilized these legal proceedings for political purposes. The article presents not only the micro-historical studies that historians have conducted on selected court cases in recent years, but also explores the ways in which the relationship between the Holocaust and the Soviet war crimes trials, as well as the visual representation and mediation of these trials, have been investigated. It then briefly discusses the missing categories of analysis that need to be integrated into the study of post-war justice in the case of Lithuania. The article finishes by presenting the debates and controversies surrounding this historical topic. It shows that the Soviet campaign of post-war retribution is embedded in the “narratives of doubt.” The credibility and reliability of the legal records compiled by KGB officials are constantly questioned not only by the legal and political authorities, but also by historians.

MODEL OF CABINET RELATIONSHIP WITH REGIONAL GOVERNMENT IN THE ERA OF REGIONAL AUTONOMY

Purpose: To propose a new model of relations between the central cabinet and local governments in the context of regional autonomy. Measures such as the formation of a linear presidential coalition party with coalition parties supporting regional heads, simplification of political parties, and improvement of the political system aim to create a more harmonious and effective relationship between the two entities in the implementation of public policies in the era of regional autonomy. Method: The method used in this research is a normative research method using a statutory approach Results and Conclusion: The relationship between the central cabinet and local governments in Indonesia is influenced by the suitability of supporting political parties. Nonconformity can lead to disharmony. Therefore, a new model of relations is needed that involves a coalition of political parties that are more in line between the cabinet and local governments. Measures such as increasing electoral thresholds, simplifying political parties, and institutional strengthening of political parties are proposed. This is expected to create clarity and enhance cooperation between the two entities for more effective implementation of public policies. Implications of research: The need for the establishment of a new model of relations between the central cabinet and local governments involving a more conformed coalition of political parties, simplification of political parties in every election, institutional strengthening of political parties, and a shift towards an ideology-based coalition. These measures are expected to enhance harmonization in relations between the two entities, strengthen the political system, and bring clarity in policy formation.

Psychiatric premises for abortion in Poland - ethical, legal and clinical issues

IntroductionAfter judgment of the Constitutional Tribunal of 22.10.2020, there are two premises for abortion: when pregnancy was caused by rape or pregnancy is the threat for health and life of a mother. Then some people indicated that the latter should be interpreted more broadly. So far, jurisprudence has interpreted health threats only in relation to physical health, currently – cases classified as mental health threats are included.Objectives The aim of this paper is first to analyze different aspects of this phenomenon: clinical, philosophical, including ethical and legal. The second goal is to point out the best actions for psychiatrists.MethodsThe methodology of this paper corresponds to the pastoral paradigm: diagnosis, reflection, action. At first, the arguments of opponents and proponents of the concept of psychiatric premises for abortion were extracted. Then they were assessed from a logical and essential point of view. Finally, some conclusions and guides were included to enable psychiatrists to act appropriately, including ethical, clinical and legal aspects.Results Statements and letters from various institutions and societies were analyzed, including the Presidium of the Supreme Medical Council, Polish Pediatrics Society, the Expert Team on Bioethics of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, the Bioethics Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Patient’s Rights Ombudsman, Commissioner for Human Rights. The key arguments for psychiatric premises are presented in the Table 1. Table 1.ArgumentDescriptionEtiologicalthe only cause of mental disorders during pregnancy is the pregnancy itself or fetal diseasesTherapeuticalabortion is a method of treating mental disorders during pregnancyPrognosticpossible long- and short-term complications after the abortion procedure do not pose a significant threat to the woman’s life and healthConsultation-Liaison the task of the consultant psychiatrist is to indicate what actions other doctors should takeEthicalthe value of the fetus’s life is negligible compared to values such as the mother’s mental state or well-being Politicalsuch conduct is beneficial to state policy and the good of societyLegalsuch procedures are legalAccording to opponents, using the premise of mental health risks to terminate a pregnancy would be an example of the psychiatrization of life and the abuse of psychiatry for political purposes. There would be a danger of associating psychiatry as a tool for performing abortions, which would perpetuate the phenomenon of stigmatization – of both doctors and patients. Each of the arguments for this has been negated.ConclusionsThis problem illustrates an attempt to replace the paradigm of traditional personalistic ethics with utilitarianism. The concept of psychiatric premises for abortion is contrary to the principles of double effect and proportionality. It is also against the Polish Code of Medical Ethics: art. 39 and art. 54.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

On Beirut: Art in Search of a Means to a Commons

Abstract This conversation brings together four figures based in Lebanon—two artists (Vartan Avakian and Walid Sadek), a curator and museum director (Reem Shahid), and a visual anthropologist (Kirsten Scheid)—in conversation with the author about the ways in which art in Lebanon is, or has been, at risk as a result of the nation's multiple precarities: social, political, and economic. These precarities are discussed in relation to both the present crises that Lebanon faces during an extended period of protracted war on two borders and in the aftermath of the 2019 uprising and the 2020 Port Blast, which damaged important galleries and museums including Marfa Projects, Galerie Sfeir Semmler, and the Sursock Museum. More importantly, however, these precarities come to frame the longer history of debate about what art is and who it should serve that has taken place in the region since the end of the Ottoman Empire. While the conversation attends to the kinds of risk associated with censorship and sectarian strife, including the assassination of Lokman Slim, the proposed censorship of Mashrou’ Leila, and the intimidation of Bilal Khbeiz, more attention is given to the risk that arts communities face as a result of the expectation that art serve a dedicated political purpose articulated through descriptive or activist content rather than through form or the imaginative processes that it might inspire to cohere new social realities.

Social Media Usage for Gratifying Information Need by University Students in Sindh Province, Pakistan

People use social media to gratify their informational needs in various fields like health, education, sports. Due to its great utility in politics, political communication on social media is studied by many scholars around the globe. However, very limited studies are carried out in Sindh province of Pakistan in this regard. This study fills the gap by providing research data about the use of social media among university students to seek political information. It employs a quantitative research design to collect data from 387 respondents from four general discipline universities of Sindh. The results revealed that university students in the majority use social media for political purposes. They seek political information about national matters more as compared to international ones and prefer news stories as they provide them with verified and updated political content. Moreover, Facebook is used more as compared to other networks for seeking political information.

The purposes of historical canons in multicultural history education

ABSTRACT National canons of history sparked intense debate among historians over the last years, history educators have regularly shown concerns regarding these canons. The main arguments are that history is instrumentalized for political purposes, and that canons are incompatible with multiculturality. In this study, the cases of the Netherlands and Belgium (Flanders) are used to discuss these concerns. The aim of this article is to gain a more complex understanding of the use of canonical discourse in the setting of history education. The current study actualizes and reconsiders Banks’ typologies of knowledge, and applies them to multicultural history education. Hence, the canon debates in the low countries are contextualized from an international perspective of debates on canon and history teaching. It is argued that both national canons specifically intend to confront popular knowledges and historical myths with academic historiographic discourses. More particularly both canons seek to include discourses on minority groups and multiculturality, which may benefit the use of transformative knowledge in history education. The use of canonical discourses however must not be reduced to transmission. Beside qualification history education also strives towards socialization and subjectivation. It is discussed how a thoughtful use of canonical discourse may add to realizing these purposes of education.

A Historical Introduction to Continental Pedagogics from a North American Perspective

AbstractThis article aims to serve as an introductory discussion of the European Continental tradition of pedagogics, specifically from a North American perspective. It begins with an overview of the Continental tradition and its main figures. Here, we find a philosophical and, thus, language‐sensitive attitude toward the human, the child; and a specific pedagogical terminology, i.e., descriptions and interpretations about the reality of education, such as educational practices, goals, norms, and organizational forms of educational institutions. John Dewey's educational theories exemplify the North American perspective on Continental pedagogics and its study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. Dewey's writings diverge notably from this tradition, as he integrated into his work American pragmatism and an interest in the scientific method, an interest that plays a role in today's policy trends in the United States and elsewhere. Then again, Dewey took a critical stand toward instrumentalizing pedagogics for political aims. On this point, the German‐born political philosopher Hannah Arendt agreed with him. As Arendt can be seen as an example of a Continental perspective on philosophy that includes a strong warning to separate politics and education, she relates to Dewey's argument against instrumentalization. Thus, this article also features some of her work. The overall intention is to contribute to a renewal of a language for pedagogics by delineating a historical‐philosophical perspective on this specific field of professional practice.

Empowering Digital Democracy

This article examines the role of digital technology in enabling and enhancing democratic practices and forms of governance. It contributes to emerging debates on democratic innovations by proposing a novel theoretical account of decentralized participatory democracy. To develop our account, we draw on the experience of two EU-funded projects, D-CENT and DECODE, which produced innovative citizen participation platforms and digital public infrastructure. Bringing democratic theory into conversation with critical data studies and the new municipalism movement, we theorize how these projects advanced three political aims: organizing political communities to build collective power, empowering citizens through direct participation in decision making, and transforming political institutions. The article then analyzes the strengths and limitations of these projects to draw lessons for policy makers and practitioners for future digital democratic experiments.

Overcoming barriers to integrate more justice into climate change policies. Lessons from adaptation policies and flood risk management in Flanders and France

The paper aims to improve the general and practical understanding of justice in climate change policies, both in terms of how policymakers integrate justice elements in political intentions and policy implementation. The paper is based on social scientific and qualitative research on justice in climate change policies, with a focus on both the study of climate adaptation policies and, more concretely, the study of flood risk management. The main objective is to identify obstacles to the definition and implementation of justice in policies. The article offers a cross-national analysis of the issue of justice in Flanders and France, between 2000 and 2020, of the issue of justice in climate adaptation policies, with a particular focus on flood management. Based on policy documents’ analysis, the study helps to clarify barriers to pragmatically embed justice in policies’ decision making, at the formulation stage through four cross-cutting issues: leadership, resources, information and values.

Donors’ Participation the Health System: A Double-Edged Sword

The presence of donors in health system, despite its positive results, can also have weaknesses that sometimes act as a double-edged sword in achieving health priorities. In some cases, the needs are considered by donors as unnecessarily the real ones in health system. On the other hand; sometimes, benevolent actions are involved in political intentions and pressures.
 In order to eliminate deficiencies, it is necessary to comply with standards, priorities, and real needs of health system in any field. What helps this alignment and action towards goals is using the capacity of scientific evidence. With the help of scientific evidence, the real needs of health sector can be identified and prioritized, and the capacity of donors can be used to meet those needs. Moreover, reforming and re-engineering the processes of benefactors' activities in the field of health, directing benefactors' aid, developing rules and standards, and creating transparency in costs for inter-sectoral coordination are solutions that will help to improve the conditions about this issue.

Journalist, Spy, Propagandist: About Vándory Lajos and His Activity in Romania (1876–1885)

Towards the end of the 19th century, the relations between Austria-Hungary and Romania experienced several delicate episodes, caused by the diametrically opposed interests of the two sides regarding the specific realities of South-Eastern Europe. The rulers in Vienna and especially those in Budapest could only see the Romanian state as an obstacle to their plans, and therefore tried to quickly learn and decipher the diplomatic and political intentions and initiatives of the Romanian decision-makers. On different occasions, in order to obtain the necessary information, they resorted to setting up and supporting networks of influencers, propagandists and spies, both in Transylvania and across the Carpathians. The present article aims to add details to the depiction of an interesting figure, Vándory Lajos, who, according to the press of the time and several archival documents, was one of those who operated within the territory of the Romanian state as a spy, under the cover of working as a journalist. At various times, by his actions, he contributed to the further straining of the already problematic Romanian-Hungarian relations. Keywords: Vándory Lajos, Romanian-Hungarian relations, press, propaganda, espionage

II. MUSTAFA’NIN MÜCEDDİD İLAN EDİLMESİ VE TECDİD HADİSİNİN SİYASİ AMAÇLI KULLANIMI

Tecdid ya da müceddid hadisi olarak meşhur olmuş bir hadisinde Peygamber Efendimiz, Allah’ın her yüzyılda bir kişiyi dini yenilemek üzere göndereceğini buyurmuştur. Peygamberimizden sonraki yüzyıllarda bu kişinin kim olacağına dair çeşitli isimler ortaya çıkmıştır. Osmanlı devletinde Şeyhülislâm Feyzullah Efendi, kendi dönemindeki müceddidin Padişah II. Mustafa olduğunu iddia etmiş ve bu konuda Arapça bir risale yazmıştır. Risalede öncelikle bulunulan dönemin hicri on ikinci yüzyılın başı olduğunu ifade ederek, zaman açısından II. Mustafa’yı hadisin kapsamına sokmuştur. Ayrıca belagatı yüksek cümlelerle II. Mustafa’nın adaletin yer yüzündeki yegane temsilcisi olduğunu, onun ahlakının yüksek bir karakteri işaret ettiğini belirtmiştir. Bunlarla birlikte ismen açıkça onu o devrin müceddidi ilan etmiştir. Kaynaklar Feyzullah Efendi’nin Padişah II. Mustafa’nın şehzade hocası olup onun yetişmesinde etkili olduğunu zikrederler. II. Mustafa tahta çıkınca ilk işlerinden birisi Feyzullah Efendi’yi Şeyhülislâm olarak atamak olmuştur. Yapacağı işlerde, gideceği seferlerde ve atayacağı devlet ricalinde Feyzullah Efendi’nin II. Mustafa üzerinde oldukça büyük etkisi olmuştur. Feyzullah Efendi açısından durum böyle olmakla birlikte II. Mustafa’nın padişahlık icraatları açısından durumu bir müceddid olarak ilan edilmeyi gerektirmemektedir. Kendisi yirmi ikinci Osmanlı Sultanı ve seksen yedinci İslam Halifesidir. Her ne kadar Feyzullah Efendi’nin risalesini yazdığı dönem II. Mustafa’nın başarılarının olduğu dönem olsa da bir müceddid olarak nitelendirilmeyi hak edecek faaliyetler olarak görülmemektedir. Dolayısıyla Feyzullah Efendi, II. Mustafa’yı yapıp ettiklerinden çok kendisine sağladığı imtiyazlar nedeniyle müceddid ilan ettiği izlenimi akla gelmektedir. Netice de II. Mustafa dönemi, Edirne Vakası olarak bilinen II. Mustafa’nın tahttan azline ve Feyzullah Efendi’nin de öldürülmesine yol açan bir ayaklanma ile son bulmuştur. Bu olaylarda kimsenin II. Mustafa’ya müceddid gözüyle bakmadığı, onun icraatlarını eleştirdikleri ortadadır. Tarih boyunca Sünnete ittiba ve bid’atlerden uzak durma âlimlerce üzerinde çokça durulmuşken “müceddid” meselesi üzerinde âlimlerin ittifak ettiği ortak kurallar bulunmamaktadır. Çoğu zaman ilim adamlarının bu makama layık görüldüğü durumlar olmakla birlikte yöneticilerin de bu halkaya dahil edildiği dönemler olmuştur. Kendini müceddid ilan eden isimler de genelde bu görevin kendilerine Allah tarafından verildiğine dair söylemlerde bulunmaktadırlar.

Gender aspect in the ideology and practice of Iranian nationalism in the early 20th c.

Iranian history is one of those rare cases when the topic of women’s social status was raised by the ruling regimes twice - in the1920-1930s and 1970s. This fact shows firm connection of nationalist and gender discourses. Since gender issues were not only declared on behalf of the state, but were also widely discussed in the public sphere, the study uses sources of an artistic and journalistic origin, that traditionally in Iran play the role of ideological indicators. These include materials from the Iranian, mainly women’s press as well as the works of the literary corpus. The examples of poster genre, which propagandizes for the position of the state and visualizes the ideology, also serve as a valuable source for the research. The undertaken study shows that, starting from the end of the 19th century, Iranian nationalism has been intensively exploiting gender issue to proclaim its own positions, using family metaphors and a system of female symbols for political purposes. As an ideology of a modernizing society, nationalism in Iran actively used the image of the “progressive Iranian woman” as a link between the present day and the great pre-Islamic past.

Human rights in international law, state responsibilities and accountability mechanisms: a case study of Iran

ABSTRACT This research presents a critical theoretical and practical re-examination of the link between human rights' issues and politics at national and international levels. The study of human rights is an inherently multidisciplinary enterprise. The paper provides an insight into the relations between diplomacy and human rights and discusses how the latter are exploited for political and commercial aims. This study focuses on the case and constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI), and the problem of hostage taking. An internationally-oriented study and based on theoretical arguments and an empirical research approach-notably by using several real cases of ordinary individuals of foreign and dual nationalities who became hostages and the subject of political games and financial conflicts between Iran and the Western countries-the paper highlights the issue of hostage taking of individuals by a state as a political policy and prisoner swaps involving financial and commercial deals. The paper provides evidence of the substantial suffering of the hostages and their families. The paper makes an academic contribution to the literature-the unlawful act of hostage taking involving a state has rarely been discussed -and addresses the legal vacuum in international law and human rights conventions regarding the topic.

Ästhetische Autonomie zwischen Ethik und Ästhetik

Ästhetische Autonomie zwischen Ethik und Ästhetik

Понятие «правда» в трудах российских юристов XIX в.

Through the category “truth” there is an integration into the Russian language of borrowed legal concepts, in particular, the concepts of law. An analysis of various interpretations of the content of the concept of “truth” at the beginning, in the first quarter and the second half of the 19th century shows the dynamics of socio-political relations and the development of public consciousness, including the development of legal thought. The concept of “truth” in a theoretical way is used to reveal the essence of law, in practical terms it serves as a means of limiting power in the interpretation and use of law for political purposes.

The Dangers of Hoaxes and Efforts to Overcome them in the 2024 Indonesian Presidential Election

Hoaxes are often the dominant element in every electoral process, whether in regional or presidential elections. The spread of fake news or false information through hoaxes can be done for a variety of purposes, ranging from jokes to serious political purposes. Incomprehension of political education and misuse of social media have become fertile fields for spreading hoaxes, especially in every election. In maintaining vigilance and facing the wave of hoaxes in the 2024 presidential election, research methods that can be used are content analysis and social network analysis. The purpose of this study is to detail the causes and consequences of the spread of hoaxes in the General Election, as well as present recommendations related to effective political education strategies to prevent and overcome the spread of hoaxes in the context of elections. This research is expected to contribute conceptually and practically to minimize the negative impact of spreading hoaxes on elections and increase public understanding of elections through the application of political education. To achieve this goal, this research will involve literature analysis and case studies of the spread of hoaxes in elections.

Election-day market reactions to tax proposals: Evidence from a close vote

We ask whether stock markets react to political leaders' intentions to tax shareholders immediately following their election. Our natural laboratory is the surprising outcome of the September 2021 Japanese Prime Ministerial election. Using an event study approach, we find firms that are vulnerable to a potential tax increase, such as those paying or receiving dividends, demonstrate lower stock returns compared to their counterparts. In contrast, our analysis does not show differences in stock returns between firms earning interest income and those that do not. Moreover, among high dividend yield firms, a striking contrast emerges: those with substantial individual ownership show a decline in stock returns, while those with significant foreign ownership exhibit an increase. These results highlight the targeted impact of shareholder taxation on domestic shareholders, distinguishing them from debt holders or foreign investors, right from Election Day.

The instrumentalization of post-truth politics in Turkey: the case of the 2023 elections

ABSTRACT The global rise of populism has led to efforts to create an ‘alternative truth’ to support populist political aims. This is recently seen in Turkey in the use of post-truth political discourse by the AKP as a primary election campaign strategy. This study investigates how the AKP used post-truth politics to create an alternative truth about the opposition. The main argument of the article is that the AKP used instrumentalization of post-truth politics as a tool to reproduce biases and opinions about the opposition, which contributed to its entire strategy of winning the ballot box in the 2023 Turkish elections.

Understanding Florida’s HB7: A Policy of Intimidation by Confusion

“Divisive Concepts” laws have sprung up around the nation as a backlash to the widespread commitments to anti-racist education that emerged in summer 2020. This critical policy analysis examines the concepts central to Florida’s “Individual Freedom Act” [HB7] of 2022, to determine its intent and impact in ameliorating or exacerbating persistent educational inequities. Through an analysis of the language of the law for what is and is not banned as well as the discrepancies between language of the legal text juxtaposed with the “Anti-Woke” political rhetoric accompanying HB7, this study reveals the law’s ideological underpinnings and political intent. The law’s concepts serve as a manufactured pretext to villainize teachers, misrepresent Critical Race Theory, cause confusion and fear, thereby chilling educator practice. The analysis also reveals how, despite the law’s intent, the concepts can be reframed to support educational equity. Implications for equity-minded practitioners within K-20 education contexts are explored.