Political Power Structures Research Articles

Consequences of Technology Path-Dependence and Lock-In for Latecomers in Economic Development

Economic development is generally understood to reflect an expansion of technological capability. Technological change is path dependent. Technology systems lock in on standards. These factors impose constraints on latecoming developing countries, where agents have to master processes that are compatible with established standards in order to integrate into a global technology system. Their integration, furthermore, tends to happen under a specific socio-economic umbrella, to wit the business, economic, and political power structures of the global north. The constraints on latecomers that path dependence and lock-in suggest in this context impose potential obstacles for an instrumental use of the potential that economic development offers for general human development. An integration into global production structures can result in a perpetuation of disadvantaged positions unless specific, for instance geopolitical, factors counter technological and institutional dynamics. This analysis of economic development processes complements results formulated under dependency theory and financialization frameworks.

Transformational Leadership As A Catalyst For Enhancing Gender Equality And Women's Representation In Public Administration: Opportunities For Increased Access And Involvement In South Sudan

The Gender Equality in Public Administration Study was carried at the National Transformational Leadership Institute (NTLI) of the University of Juba in partnership with the Ministry of Gender Child and Social Welfare and UNDP South Sudan. The Study employed UNDP’s global GEPA initiative framework and UNDP-OECD Toolkit for Mainstreaming and Implementing Gender Equality in Public Life. which consists of four pillars, namely,1) Institutional and governance frameworks for gender equality and mainstreaming; 2) Gender-sensitive practices in parliaments; 3) Gender-sensitive public employment systems; 4) Gender-sensitive practices in the judiciary. Based on South Sudan context and the systems alreadyestablished,some key aspects of the UNDP-OECD tool with particular emphasis on Pillars (1) and (3) were adopted. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection that include surveys, face-to-face interviews, consultation workshops and focus group discussions were used to reach out to gender focal persons from all government institutions (ministries, commissions and parastatal organizations), organized forces, Academia and Civic groups that include Faith Based Organizations, Civil Society Organizations and Disability Persons Organisations.The collated information was analysed using SPSS and interpretation provided. The studyfound the existence of considerable gender differentials in terms of genderrights, accessto humanrights and access to justice. Gender inequality and Sexual Gender-Based Violence are widespread and mostly intensified by cultural norms and insecurity caused by interstate and intracommunal conflicts. Gender equality and women’s access, involvement and representation in Public Administration are linked to multiple structural and functional constraints which differ across sectors in South Sudan. Analysis from this study, clearly underlines that participation and access to formal political power structures is impeded by inherent gender imbalance in institutionalstructures, unequal power sharing, socio-economic context, culture, ideological and psychologicalfactors, which remain sticky, normalized and increasingly accepted as part of life. From the foregoing, it is imperative that directed policy initiatives and legal framework be established to address the issues. The Government of the Republic of South Sudan should conduct a review of the legislative and policy framework to integrate the minimum of 35% quotas for womenin all public administration (National Gender Policy; National Strategic Plan Framework; LabourAct, Civil Service Act and Public Service Regulations);

Shamans and “Dark Agencies”: War, Magical Parasitism, and Re-Enchanted Spirits in Siberia

Alleged practices of magical assault and vampirism are a recurrent feature of popular explanations of misfortune in Tuva, South Siberia. Based on a field study of healing practices in an “Association of Shamans”, this article analyses rituals of redressing curse afflictions in the context of Russian political domination. A central purpose of this discussion is to foreground the centrality of kinds of parasitical worship and occult threat to structures of political power in—and beyond—the territory of Tuva. Focusing on a “cursescape”, which develops from the combative practices of shamans, occult specialists, and office-holders, the article probes a repertoire of shamanic healing symbols. It is argued that healing efficacy is constructed in the process of engaging with hunting symbols and animal spirits, which appear in Indigenous Siberian cosmologies. The analysis shows that ideas of ritual risk underpin the process of symbolic resolution. Whereas shamanic practices provide refuge to spirits evicted from their natural landscapes, Tibetan Buddhism—the unifying religion of Tuva—offers an alternative path of healing the effects of the shamans’ propagation of spirits. The article highlights indigenous perceptions of a “cursed” landscape as a space where the agencies of “darkness” and their political sponsors are confronted with an emancipating religious modality emerging from local Buddhist rituals. The analysis displays the unsolved drama of itinerant spirits and shamanic ancestral souls, whose agency is revealed through successive—yet inauspicious—forms of reincarnation.

Political discontent in Spain, diagnosis and solutions

The starting point is the presence of a widespread feeling of political confrontation and division among Spanish citizens. This is compounded by dissatisfaction with and distrust in a system that is perceived by many as elitist and out of touch with real needs. Several factors related to this perception of politics are explained and quantified. On the one hand, there are economic elements, such as the stagnation of GDP per capita, the persistence of a relatively high at-risk-of-poverty rate, and the rates of material deprivation. And in all these elements, a significant territorial inequality can be observed. There are significant differences between Spain, France and Germany over the period considered. On the other hand, political factors determine much of the public debate in Spain: Historical memory and the Spanish Civil War, as well as the terrorism of ETA and other terrorist groups. The emergence of new parties is analyzed, especially VOX. Finally, the enormous difficulty of finding a territorial structure of political power that would bring together the consensus of most political forces. It is necessary to find formulas for fiscal federalism that will make it possible to move away from the current decentralization of spending without the Autonomous Communities having their own tax capacity. This study concludes by pointing out the relevance of all these problems and the need to find solutions through democratic debate and deliberation with agreements.

From water source protection to future village: environmental prefigurative politics and technologies of the self in China’s Qingshan village

ABSTRACT A growing body of research focuses on individual environmental consciousness as an alternative and complement to regulatory and economic policy strategies for sustainable development. However, existing studies failed to explain the complex associations between individual environmental consciousness and conservation practices. This study constructs a framework of environmental prefigurative politics - technologies of the self (EPP-TS) to investigate how the mobilization of technologies of the self can lead to the subjectivization of individual environmental consciousness, thus enabling environmental prefigurative politics to shape specific conservation practices. First, this study argues that a range of technologies of the self, including discursive, incentive, and disciplinary technologies, are mobilized to subjectivize individual environmental consciousness. Second, the subjectivization of individual environmental consciousness prompts and institutionalizes the improvisation of environmental prefigurations, embodying the political imaginaries and power structures that environmental prefigurative politics aspire to realize in society. Third, environmental prefigurative politics also influence the development pathways and situated agency of nature conservation, thereby shaping specific conservation practices. Finally, this study also critiques the environmental prefigurative politics under authoritarian environmentalism, as it also reinforces authoritarian power in subjectivizing individual environmental consciousness.

Storying the world: Decolonizing classrooms

Storying the world: Decolonizing classrooms Geraldine Balzer, Associate Professor from the College of Education at the University of Saskatchewan, discusses the importance of decolonizing classrooms by telling stories about the world. Colonialism held great promise for the European world – access to land, resources, and wealth; for colonized peoples, it resulted in lost land, lost resources, enslavement, and poverty. The impacts of colonialism have shaped the 21st century through ongoing political conflicts, immigration and migration, and global climate change, forcing the Global North to face the resulting inequities and disrupt colonial structures perpetuating these inequities. One such societal structure, often seen as benign, is schooling. Kanu (2009) describes curriculum as a cultural practice that reinforces the hegemony of the existing political power structures, acting as an agent of the state as schools continue to:

Becoming Changemakers: How Social-Emotional Learning Can Enhance Civic Agency Development

To better prepare students for active and thoughtful participation in a democratic society, civic education should foster an array of civic competencies. Cultivating student civic agency—an under-studied civic competency—is of particular importance to equip students to authentically use their voice in their communities. But what does it look like to foster student civic agency in a classroom setting? This article leverages a social and emotional learning (SEL) framework to uncover the active curricular ingredients and educational mechanisms through which a student-led civics curriculum has fostered civic agency. In this multi-site case study, we analyze the implementation of an eighth grade student-led civics curriculum in a northeastern U.S. state. We outline how implicit SEL processes in these classrooms, stemming from a pedagogical focus on “changemakers,” supported development of civic agency. We found that the changemakers theme facilitated student exploration of their own civic identity and values, while prompting students to critically examine political power structures. Notably, the theme also helped students to develop a narrative of self as changemakers and to envision themselves actively engaged in civic spaces. This study adds insights to growing evidence on the multi-faceted benefits that civically-oriented SEL may offer to preparing young people to engage in democracy.

Public trust to institutions as a resource of interethnic consolidation in the regional community

The article is devoted to the phenomenon of trust in terms of the resource to achieve interethnic consolidation in the Russian regional community. The article indicates that trust allows developing a communication mechanism and defining how effectively social relations are built. Besides, the author uses traditional sociological research methods: structuralist and institutional approaches, social capital theory. Trust is one of the socio-psychological foundations of social harmony that determines the dynamics of basic social processes development, the integrity of society, its ability to overcome the arising difficulties. With the help of the array of secondary data analysis presented on the websites of domestic sociological centres, it is shown how in the Russian society the importance of national consolidation is clearly increasing. It is based on the increased trust at all levels of relationships: interpersonal, intergroup, institutional, and regional. This is due to the fact that Russia is one of the most multinational states in the world. If citizens do not share certain common goals and objectives, then this, as a rule, will negatively affect the interethnic consolidation of the regional or entire community of the country most. Undoubtedly, the phenomenon of trust is especially important in the transforming society. It exists in the multiethical environment of citizens and, first of all, directly at the regional level of the institutions, functioning in Russia. Trust is an indicator of values similarity and values systems of the Russian population. Today there are many examples of the decrease of trust to certain institutions, however, the approval rating regarding the activities of the President, the Government of the country, the Russian army is increasing. Thus, a positive attitude of Russians towards the political system and power structures is recorded. The same trends have begun to be noted more often in the field of interethnic consolidation and in relation to the institutions of the regional community.

History of the Conditions and Political Situation of Kingdoms in Indonesia

The aim of this research is to examine the political conditions and situations that influence the Indonesian government. This research aims to examine the political conditions and situations that influence the Indonesian government. With a focus on political science, organizational structure, and inter-organizational relationships, this research uses a multidimensional approach to understand the evolution of policy between countries in the area of political science, organizational structure, and inter-organizational relationships. This research uses a multidimensional approach to understand the evolution of policy between countries in area. Using historical analysis, this research examines political evolution from the past to the present, identifying significant changes and key factors that influence the political system in each country. Political evolution from the past to the present, identifying significant changes and factors which influences the political system in each country. A comparative approach is used to compare political systems, power structures, and interactions between kingdoms, possibly identifying differences and similarities that influence political stability in various kingdoms. In addition, learning studies will provide deeper knowledge about the political dynamics that influence and shape government in Indonesia, as well as their implications for the country's political development. More in-depth knowledge about the political dynamics that influence and shape the Indonesian government, as well as their implications for political development country.

Geopolitical Configurations in the Fictional Terrains of Elif Shafak

Geopolitical Configurations in the Fictional Terrains of Elif Shafak

PROFIT ABOVE ALL: AMOS AND THE DEFENSE OF THE POOR

The book of the prophet Amos calls attention to the defense of the poor and presents a political and religious power structure that did not measure any efforts to plan corrupt and violent methods in order to exploit and expropriate the weakest. The present article intends to address who these poor are, who the perpetrators of injustice are, and how the prophet Amos exercised his prophetism in denouncing the iniquities that were aimed at profit.

The Impact of Electoral Gender Quotas on Women’s Political Participation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract Although representing half of the world population, women remain largely excluded from political power and government structures. Various strategies have been introduced to increase women’s political representation, including electoral gender quotas. This paper explores the impact of electoral gender quotas on women’s quantitative participation in politics of Bosnia and Herzegovina, analysing quota impact in combination with other related factors, such as the quota design, implementation and broader political context. A diversity of techniques has been used to collect a combination of quantitative and qualitative data, including academic resources collection and analysis, desk research, statistical data analysis and online questionnaire. The paper argues that electoral gender quotas have generally had a positive impact on getting women elected in BiH, though their efficacy depends on their formulation and other aspects of electoral law. Still, quantitative representation of women is not sufficient to facilitate their agency in politics. Social attitudes also continue to affect the electoral success of women once they secure a spot on the candidate list. Therefore, quotas must be implemented within a broader democratic, accountable and gender-sensitive political context to deliver qualitative representation of women in politics. Finally, the paper offers concrete recommendations to promote women’s political participation in BiH.

Toward a holistic vision on the nature of science in science curricula: an investigation of primary and middle school curricula in Turkey

ABSTRACT Background Nature of Science (NOS) is a significant research area as well as a curriculum theme in science education. Although many analyses of science curricula and their coverage of NOS exist, there are limited accounts of science curricula that take a broad and holistic vision on NOS. A recent framework called the ‘Reconceptualised Family Resemblance Approach to Nature of Science (RFN)’ provides such a broad account and covers the cognitive-epistemic and social-institutional systems of science. The cognitive-epistemic system consists of ‘aims and values’, ‘methods and methodological rules’, ‘scientific practices’, and ‘scientific knowledge’ while the social-institutional system consists of ‘professional activities’, ‘social certification and dissemination’, ‘social values’, ‘scientific ethos’, ‘social organizations and interactions’, ‘financial systems’, and ‘political power structures’. Purpose The empirical study reported in the paper aims to investigate the inclusion of NOS in the Turkish science curriculum by using the RFN. Design and Methods Turkish science curriculum used at primary and middle school levels were analyzed by content analysis. Findings The results suggest that the Turkish science curriculum emphasizes the cognitive-epistemic categories more than the social-institutional categories. The dominating RFN category in the science curriculum is scientific practices while the reference to political power structures is limited. Conclusion The paper contributes to understanding of how Turkish science curriculum covers NOS, and it has implications for international science curricula reform for an inclusive account of NOS that is likely to enhance science learning.

Virtual Linguistic Landscapes of Power and Ideology: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Twitter Posts on Kuwaiti Politics

This study examines Twitter's role as a platform for political discourse in Kuwait. The advent of Twitter as a dominant platform for political discourse deserves scholarly investigation, especially in linguistically diverse settings such as Kuwait. This research aims to fill a crucial gap in the existing literature on Virtual Linguistic Landscapes (VLL) by focusing on the interplay of language, power, and ideology within Kuwait's Twitter discourse on politics. Employing a mixed-method approach that integrates Critical Discourse Analysis with qualitative and quantitative data analysis, the study scrutinizes a sample of 116 posts concerning Kuwaiti politics. The results reveal that Arabic remains the predominant language, used primarily in discussions of local political issues and power structures. In contrast, English gains prominence in global and modernity-themed conversations. Additionally, bilingualism and code-switching emerge as significant practices, reflecting the complex ideological landscape of Kuwaiti politics. The study contributes to the academic discourse on VLLs by offering nuanced insights specific to Kuwait's sociopolitical and linguistic context. It also has broader policy implications for fostering an inclusive digital public sphere. Keywords: Sociolinguistics, Virtual linguistic landscape, Discourse analysis, Twitter, Kuwait, Ideology.

Digital Governance in China: Dispute Settlement and Stability Maintenance in the Digital Age

ABSTRACT Drawing on intensive fieldwork conducted in China from 2019 to 2022, this article argues that the Chinese Communist Party is now widely applying a mode of digital governance to contain social grievances and strengthen social stability. Although digital technology itself does help facilitate dispute resolution and stability maintenance by more effectively defusing collective actions and preventing/settling social disputes, the political system and power structure under authoritarianism, to a larger extent, shapes and affects the operation and outcome of digital governance. Even though the party-state is committed to rule by law and promoting a digital governance ‘by law and policy’, the ‘state of exception’ is invoked when it has to rely on digital governance ‘beyond law and policy’ in order to serve the necessity of consolidating its political power and ruling base when social stability is threatened. However, this approach not only fails to construct an accountable state image but may also lead to counterproductive outcomes. The study of digital governance in China adds new elements to the explanation of the condition for a ‘state of exception’ under authoritarianism and also answers why the Chinese government tries to prevent and settle disputes while keeping creating them in the digital age.

Analisis Hubungan Antara Teknologi dan Politik: Studi Kasus Mengenai Pengaruh Teknik Komunikasi Digital Terhadap Partisipasi Politik

This study aims to analyze the relationship between technology and politics, focusing on the influence of digital communication techniques on political participation. In the digital era, information and communication technology has changed the political landscape significantly. This study uses qualitative and quantitative approaches to gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of technology on people's political participation. The methods used in this research are interviews with respondents who are involved in political activities and a survey of a representative population. The collected qualitative and quantitative data will be analyzed using content analysis techniques and descriptive statistics. This research also involves case studies to illustrate how digital communication technologies have affected political participation at individual and collective levels. The results of this study are expected to provide a better understanding of how digital communication technology influences people's political participation. In addition, this research is also expected to provide insights on changes in political and communication power structures as a result of the adoption of new technologies. In the ever-evolving digital era, information and communication technology has changed the way we interact, including in the political context. Developments in digital communication technology, such as the internet, social media, and instant messaging applications, have provided easier and faster access to political information and facilitated more active political participation. Therefore, it is important to understand the relationship between technology and politics and its impact on people's political participation. In this context, an analysis of the influence of digital communication techniques on political participation is relevant. Digital communication techniques, such as the use of social media to share political information, participate in online political discussions, and engage in political campaigns through digital platforms, can provide new opportunities for individuals and groups to participate in political activities. However, the effects of using communication technology digital impact on political participation is not always positive.
 Keywords: technology, politics, communication

Reclaiming the Secular Glory: A Critical Study of Ayaz Rasool Nazki’s Satisar: The Valley of Demons

Kashmir is known for diverse facets and elements, from its picturesque beauty to its age-old values and traditions passed down to generations. ‘Kashmiriyat’- a term often echoed to reverberate and reiterate the ethnic, nationalistic, and social consciousness of Kashmiris has been debated and discussed in different social, cultural, and literary circles. Ayaz Rasool Nazki’s maiden novel, Satisar: The Valley of Demons (2018), is a literary foray into the rich and glorious past of Kashmir with the undertones of repressive forces of anarchy, highlighting the destabilization of social and political equilibrium. It sheds light on the age-old cultural harmony and religious syncretism that once defined the geographical locale. The paper aims to present how literary output appeals to reclaim the secular glory lost to multiple political power structures over the years. Moreover, it will highlight the erosion of the rich cultural heritage that once delineated the essence of Kashmiriyat. The research objectives would be supported by a relevant theoretical framework to signify the importance of secularism in maintaining peace and stability in a pluralistic society like Kashmir.

Examining How Art Reflects and Challenges Political Ideologies and Power Structures in Lebanon

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine how art reflects and challenges political ideologies and power structures in Lebanon.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low-cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Findings: The findings revealed that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to how art reflects and challenges political ideologies and power structures in Lebanon. Preliminary empirical review revealed the impact of politically charged artworks on public attitudes and political participation is enormous. The researchers conducted a survey with a diverse sample of participants who viewed politically themed artworks and measured their attitudes and behavioral intentions. The study found that exposure to politically charged artworks led to more critical attitudes towards existing political ideologies and increased participants' willingness to engage in political activities.
 Recommendations: The Cultural Hegemony, Critical Theory and Visual Culture Theory may be used to anchor future studies on how art reflects and challenges political ideologies and power structures in Lebanon. Governments, institutions, and societies should actively encourage artistic freedom and support a diverse range of artistic expressions. This will ensure that different political ideologies and perspectives are represented in the artistic landscape, fostering a more inclusive and nuanced discourse. Additionally, public institutions, galleries, and museums should strive to create accessible and engaging experiences for the public to interact with political art. This can include exhibitions, workshops, and public discussions that stimulate dialogue and promote critical thinking about the relationships between art, politics, and power.

Perceptions of equity in conservation scenarios: Half Earth and Sharing the Planet

The Half Earth (HE) and Sharing the Planet (SP) scenario narratives are two distinctly different scenarios on how to restore and conserve biodiversity while accounting for the need for agricultural production. Yet, the equity implications of both scenarios are not clear. We conducted a questionnaire to better understand what experts with various backgrounds perceive as the main equity implications of these scenarios. We find that, overall, distributive, recognitional, and procedural equity barriers are perceived as higher in the HE scenario, as is the possibility of reaching equity. Especially people depending on local biodiversity to sustain their livelihoods are perceived to face challenges due to inequities. Although equity risks are perceived to be lower in the SP scenario, the measures needed to achieve this scenario are seen as hard to implement, since existing economic and political power structures need to change. Some respondents perceive the SP scenario as anthropocentric, and therefore not equitable to non-humans. The equity perceptions are linked to the respondents’ attitudes to nature, their professional focus, and their view on equity in nature conservation and agriculture discussions and agreements today. These results indicate that it is important to recognise the different equity implications of the different scenarios and the challenge to provide equity implications for such scenarios. Explicitly recognising different equity understandings in scenario development and science-policy interfaces could lead to more inclusive policies.

Voice of Resistance: Exploring Apartheid, Power, and Race in Nadine Gordimer’s Selected Novels

This research article interprets Gordimer's novels as an expression of resistance against black oppression in pre-apartheid South Africa. Looking at her insightful and evocative depictions of some of the major political issues in selected works, the present work discusses their relevance and importance in the contemporary world. The current paper uses a qualitative approach to examine the impact of the apartheid regime on individuals and communities in South Africa, as well as the impact of political events on individuals, the author's preoccupation with power and its impact on people's lives as well as her treatment of race and related issues. Gordimer highlights how political events and power structures can influence and disrupt the lives of individuals and communities through her characters and their experiences. Her works offer a vivid and insightful critique of how apartheid regimes and other political systems are used to control and manipulate individuals and communities.