Political Scenario Research Articles

MycoTWIN Working Group Discussion: A Multi-Actor Perspective on Future Research Directions for Mycotoxins and Toxigenic Fungi Along the Food and Feed Chain.

Mycotoxin research is facing unprecedented challenges, starting from the urgent need to cope with the consequences of climate change, the global shortage of grain due to unstable political scenarios, and the major transformation of the supply chains after the COVID-19 pandemic. In this scenario, the mycotoxin contamination of human and animal foods is still unavoidable, thus representing a major challenge to global food security. Next to this, the shift to sustainable and circular food production might be accompanied by an increase in food safety issues involving mycotoxins, e.g., when new technologies are applied to reuse side streams from the food industry, it is not known if and how mycotoxins accumulate in these by-products. MycoTWIN is an EU-funded Horizon 2020 project which fosters knowledge transfer and scientific cooperation within the Mediterranean area, involving worldwide experts, decision makers, and stakeholders in the field of mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxins. The MycoTWIN project hosted working group meetings, whose aim was to propose operational plans and/or scientific strategic plans to shape the future research directions to better cope with these challenges. In the working group cycle "Future proof approaches for the management of toxigenic fungi and associated mycotoxins along the food chain", a multi-actor group was guided in co-creation exercises to elaborate on future research directions and propose relevant actions to be implemented for the present to long-term time periods. The discussion focused on three main topics relevant to the assessment and management of risks associated with mycotoxins and toxigenic fungi: (i) needs for the harmonization of molecular and chemical methods and data analysis, (ii) from lab research to marketable solutions: how to fill the gap, and (iii) gaps in data quality for risk assessment.

A decolonial approach to Brazilian environmental policy since 1972

The aim of this article is to discuss the neoliberal project as a colonial determinant of the environmental policy in Brazil since 1972. The 1972 Stockholm Conference is used as a milestone for analysis. The results show that, since the military regime in the 1970s and through successive elected governments, whether right- or left-wing, federal policies have consistently aimed to boost the country’s economic growth. Even the few socio-environmental advances identified during the first administrations of the Labour Party (2003–2010) resulted from processes focused on the ‘deterritorialisation’ of Indigenous peoples and traditional communities. The ultra-liberal project adopted by the Bolsonaro administration (2019–2022) accelerated these processes and promoted an aggressive denialist, anti-environmental and anti-Indigenous agenda. Given the current political scenario (Lula administration 2023–2026), this study makes the following main contributions: it offers a new orientation for the environmental and Indigenous agendas developed by the progressive sector in Brazil and advocates for a science orientated towards contributing to a new environmental and Indigenous agenda in the country.

Salt Trade and Trading centres of South West Bengal (18th century)

Salt is very important product of our daily life. Salt has been manufactured by solar evaporation from seawater brines since time immemorial. the extraction of salt from seawater consists of progressive evaporation of brine in large open khalaris using solar heat and wind.as the brine evaporates, its concentration rises and the constituent salts crystallize in a set order. South West Bengal was supposed to be an important zone of salt trading.so attempts have been made in research works to explore and access the authority and control of the rulers on salt manufacturing and trading during the pre-British phase in the context of South West Bengal. With the change of political scenario, the company enjoyed the monopoly over salt trading.

谈判: Mega-games as Catalysts for Deep Experiential Learning in Higher Education

The study deepens into the transformative potential of mega-games as an innovative educational tool, offering profound and enriching learning experiences across diverse educational landscapes. Mega-games represent a fusion of various elements, including role-play, social interaction, simulations, rule-based systems, economic dynamics, political scenarios, and decision-making processes, all woven into an immersive narrative fabric. Through experiential learning, these games provide a unique platform for students to engage deeply with complex subject matter. This research centres on the application of mega-games within the context of sixth-semester students pursuing a degree in International Business at the Mexico State Campus of Tecnológico de Monterrey. Specifically, the study focuses on the simulation exercise titled 谈判 Tánpàn, which aims to immerse students in negotiation scenarios regarding the final price of a digital device manufactured in China. Drawing upon foundational principles outlined in Jesse Schell's book on game design, the exercise is meticulously designed to emulate real-world negotiation dynamics. The integration of game design principles, coupled with positive student feedback, underscores the efficacy of mega-games as potent educational instruments. Through rigorous analysis, the study unveils the profound impact of experiential learning on students' comprehension and application of negotiation techniques. By simulating authentic real-world scenarios, students are empowered to develop critical problem-solving acumen, hone their analytical thinking prowess, and refine their decision-making aptitude. Moreover, the immersive nature of mega-games fosters a dynamic learning environment that transcends traditional pedagogical approaches, fostering a holistic understanding of intricate subject matter. The success of the 谈判 Tánpàn simulation exercise serves as a testament to the potential of mega-games to revolutionize educational paradigms. It signals a burgeoning opportunity to expand the horizons of mega-games across various academic disciplines and participant cohorts. This study advocates for the widespread integration of mega-games as educational resources within Higher Education, championing their capacity to engender profound learning experiences and cultivate essential skills, heralding a new era of dynamic, immersive, and effective educational methodologies in diverse educational settings.

AFGHANISTAN'S POLITICAL CHANGE AND THE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE: AN OVERVIEW OF THE SITUATION

This article explores the intricate relationship between Afghanistan's evolving political landscape and the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Situated at the crossroads of geopolitical complexities, Afghanistan has undergone enduring political transformations, prompting a critical review of its international role. As the nation grapples with transformative political journeys, this study scrutinizes the interplay between internal changes and the broader goals of the BRI. Initiated by China, the BRI represents an unprecedented effort in global connectivity and economic cooperation. The article outlines the dynamics of Afghanistan's political scenario and its potential impact on the BRI, revealing the complex relationship between political changes and the future trajectory of this ambitious initiative within Afghanistan's borders. Central to this exploration is the Belt and Road Initiative, a historic initiative spanning continents with the aim to reshape global trade patterns and strengthen economic cooperation. Originating from China, the BRI vision goes beyond infrastructure development, encompassing diplomatic, economic, and cultural dimensions. Understanding the goals and mechanisms of the BRI is fundamental to assessing how Afghanistan's political transformation might align with this transformative initiative. This article aims to dissect the point where Afghanistan's political trajectory converges with the aspirations of the BRI. By detailing the complex interplay between these two dynamic forces, the study explores synergies, conflicts, and potential implications for Afghanistan's geopolitical position and the broader goals of the BRI. As a scholarly endeavor, it contributes nuanced insights to the ongoing discourse on global politics, international cooperation, and the transformative potential of large-scale infrastructure projects in regions undergoing significant political change. Keywords: Afghanistan, Political Change, Belt and Road Initiative, Geopolitics, Infrastructure Development, Economic Dynamics, Regional Cooperation.

РОЛЬ И МЕСТО ЖЕНЩИН ЭТНИЧЕСКИХ СООБЩЕСТВ В КОНСТРУИРОВАНИИ ИДЕНТИЧНОСТИ В КАЗАХСТАНЕ

This article explores the intricate relationship between Afghanistan's evolving political landscape and the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Situated at the crossroads of geopolitical complexities, Afghanistan has undergone enduring political transformations, prompting a critical review of its international role. As the nation grapples with transformative political journeys, this study scrutinizes the interplay between internal changes and the broader goals of the BRI. Initiated by China, the BRI represents an unprecedented effort in global connectivity and economic cooperation. The article outlines the dynamics of Afghanistan's political scenario and its potential impact on the BRI, revealing the complex relationship between political changes and the future trajectory of this ambitious initiative within Afghanistan's borders. Central to this exploration is the Belt and Road Initiative, a historic initiative spanning continents with the aim to reshape global trade patterns and strengthen economic cooperation. Originating from China, the BRI vision goes beyond infrastructure development, encompassing diplomatic, economic, and cultural dimensions. Understanding the goals and mechanisms of the BRI is fundamental to assessing how Afghanistan's political transformation might align with this transformative initiative. This article aims to dissect the point where Afghanistan's political trajectory converges with the aspirations of the BRI. By detailing the complex interplay between these two dynamic forces, the study explores synergies, conflicts, and potential implications for Afghanistan's geopolitical position and the broader goals of the BRI. As a scholarly endeavor, it contributes nuanced insights to the ongoing discourse on global politics, international cooperation, and the transformative potential of large-scale infrastructure projects in regions undergoing significant political change. Keywords: Afghanistan, Political Change, Belt and Road Initiative, Geopolitics, Infrastructure Development, Economic Dynamics, Regional Cooperation.

АНАЛИЗ ПОЛИТИК ВЗАИМОДЕЙСТВИЯ С ДИАСПОРОЙ ЗА РУБЕЖОМ: ОПЫТ ДЛЯ КАЗАХСТАНА

Abstract. This article explores the intricate relationship between Afghanistan's evolving political landscape and the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Situated at the crossroads of geopolitical complexities, Afghanistan has undergone enduring political transformations, prompting a critical review of its international role. As the nation grapples with transformative political journeys, this study scrutinizes the interplay between internal changes and the broader goals of the BRI. Initiated by China, the BRI represents an unprecedented effort in global connectivity and economic cooperation. The article outlines the dynamics of Afghanistan's political scenario and its potential impact on the BRI, revealing the complex relationship between political changes and the future trajectory of this ambitious initiative within Afghanistan's borders. Central to this exploration is the Belt and Road Initiative, a historic initiative spanning continents with the aim to reshape global trade patterns and strengthen economic cooperation. Originating from China, the BRI vision goes beyond infrastructure development, encompassing diplomatic, economic, and cultural dimensions. Understanding the goals and mechanisms of the BRI is fundamental to assessing how Afghanistan's political transformation might align with this transformative initiative. This article aims to dissect the point where Afghanistan's political trajectory converges with the aspirations of the BRI. By detailing the complex interplay between these two dynamic forces, the study explores synergies, conflicts, and potential implications for Afghanistan's geopolitical position and the broader goals of the BRI. As a scholarly endeavor, it contributes nuanced insights to the ongoing discourse on global politics, international cooperation, and the transformative potential of large-scale infrastructure projects in regions undergoing significant political change. Keywords: Afghanistan, Political Change, Belt and Road Initiative, Geopolitics, Infrastructure Development, Economic Dynamics, Regional Cooperation.

Major Factors Contributing to the Failure of Digitalization in the Public Sector Organizations: An Analysis of the Federal Government of Pakistan

Pakistan is a developing country with rather traditional and outdated models of governance that does not effectively correspond to the postmodern practices of electronic and digitalized governance. A majority of initiatives aimed towards incorporation of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in the public sector are not satisfactorily implemented and do not bear positive impacts for improving public service. The purpose of this paper to analyze and understand the factors the contribute to the failure in implementation of the initiatives and projects aimed to incorporate ICT and digitalization in the public sector of Pakistan. The paper scrutinizes this state of affairs through interviews and survey questionnaires targeted towards high ranking officials of the public sector and associated government departments and authorities. This paper is of quantitative nature and has been facilitated through interviews, surveys and questionnaires. The findings demonstrate that despite considerable continued efforts, prevailing predicaments of inflexible red tape, paucity of financial resources, incompetence of public sector staff and unstable political scenario are factors that hinder the progress of digitalization. This is a major gap identified in this paper. Furthermore, the paper also suggests and recommends practical solutions to cope with these problems, including political solutions and recommendations for financial problems.

Foundations and Applications in Political Theory: An Analytical Study

This study explores the practical applications of political theory, focusing on how fundamental principles are translated into real political actions within governance and decision-making contexts. The first section addresses the identification of core principles such as democracy, justice, equality, sovereignty, legitimacy, and rights, which serve as a theoretical framework for political systems and policy formulation. Each principle is examined in depth, highlighting its significance in shaping governance and social order. For instance, democracy emphasizes citizen participation and accountability, while justice relates to fairness and equitable distribution of resources. Various political scenarios where these principles are applied are discussed, including legislative debates, policy-making processes, electoral campaigns, diplomatic negotiations, and judicial rulings. Each scenario illustrates the practical implications of political theories, demonstrating how lawmakers, policymakers, and diplomats engage with these concepts to address societal issues, Furthermore, the study emphasizes the necessity of considering stakeholders' perspectives, including government officials, political parties, civil society organizations, interest groups, and citizens, in evaluating the effectiveness of political actions. Through a critical analysis of these applications, the study assesses the outcomes of political decisions and governance practices, focusing on their alignment with democratic values and the protection of individual rights. It also addresses challenges such as institutional barriers, conflicting interests, and resource constraints that hinder the realization of political ideals. Ultimately, the study offers recommendations to enhance the significance of political theory in contemporary political discourse, advocating for collaborative efforts between theorists and practitioners to ensure that theoretical ideas inform practical policymaking. This study underscores the vital role of political theory in understanding and addressing current political challenges, contributing to enlightened governance and social progress.

THE PERSONAL AND THE COLLECTIVE: A STUDY OF THE EXILE OF KASHMIRI PANDITS THROUGH MULTIPLE GENRES

This paper will probe the meaning of “home” as a subjective category for healing through a comparative examination of selected poems by Lalita Pandit Hogan (1950- ) and two documentaries Tell them: ‘The Tree they had planted has now Grown’ and The Lost Paradise : A documentary on plight of Kashmiri Pandits by Ajay Raina and Akshay Labroo respectively. Both the poems and the documentaries summon the notion of Home as a potential “end”, with the latter deliberately invested in the double meaning of loss and purpose. In identifying the “end” of return to home, the two genres fuse the personal with the trans-personal, blend the concrete with the political, mix the haunting memory of past with a confusing present and an uncertain future. The welding of diverse poles in each evokes the tragedy of the unending conflict in modern Kashmir. While the erasure of hope in the “end” of home is strongly present in Lalita Pandit’s poems, the documentaries appeal to the political establishment to rend the wall between the despair of present and the free home of the future. For Raina and Labroo, as with Pandit, the present is rife with desolation and fear. However, while documentaries hint at the transience of the Now, Pandit, rooted in the fear of the radical other in the altered political scenario, evokes the permanent migration of the Self from the healing home. Both cautiously present the past as far more adjusting and accommodative than the insularly exclusivist perceptions of the present saturated with the growing cries of liberation from a country with which her Hindu community has deep cultural connections. In all, personal expression transcends the individual limits to acquire a putative representative voice for their respective cultural configurations. Neither is dedicated to a narrow essentialist rendering of those configurations.

LAS CONFIGURACIONES DE LA MEMORIA EN LA NOVELA INDIGENISTA LA SERPIENTE DE ORO

The present work has the purpose of planting the configurations of memory in the novel La Serpiente de Oro, by the Peruvian author Ciro Alegría, considering the Latin American indigenist movement, its context and importance, especially in Peru, seeking to highlight primarily the changes in the political scenario and social development of Latinoamérica, and the more active participation of indigenous peoples in Latin American society during the 19th century. In this way, with the aim of understanding the field of the literary production of the indigenist movement, Indigenism, the investigation is based on conjectures of anthropologists and historians such as Menezes (2015), who in the light of Baud (2003) support the conjecture of that Indigenism was a political and literary movement. In addition, this investigation analyzes the memorialistic questions in the previously mentioned narrative, considering, for example, the assumptions of Maurice Halbwachs in “A Memoria Coletiva” (2006). The literary critic manifests the idea that memory, when at a certain moment it is lost in new societies, the only way to keep them safe is through a narrative. In this sense, the indigenist soap operas, as well as the (authentic) indigenist movement, had the function of keeping indigenous memories safe, because it considers the reality of the indigenous person, as a man of the land.

Methodological Proposal for Sustainable Territorial Communication—The Case of Castilla y León

The proximity television model adopted by Castilla y León since 1999 is based on promoting territorial identity and closeness to citizens, in line with the principles of identity and proximity in regional television, albeit with the particularity in the Spanish context of being a regional television system managed by a private concessionaire. In response to the current challenges of the television sector, a consultancy project is implemented with a methodological approach based on a SWOT analysis and the participation of multiple actors. This work details the methodology followed during the different phases of this interdisciplinary consultancy work: definition of bases, development of a base document, and concretion of actions, until reaching the elaboration of a detailed guide that establishes strategic objectives and specific actions. This strategic approach translates into a proposal to improve the performance of regional television and its contribution to the economic and social development of the region; however, the difficulty for its effective implementation due to an uncertain political scenario is pointed out.

China’s Efforts to Bring Political Stability and Economic Prosperity in the Middle East: The Case of Mending the Saudi-Iran Ties

The history of international relations reveals that the security of the geostrategic interests of major powers had been associated with the stability of the concerned region. Almost the whole current political scenario of the world reflects the same views. However, the case of the United States (US) is quite the opposite as it seems to secure its interests but not pay attention to the welfare of the concerned regions. This research presents an innovative model in this connection in which an attempt has been made to explore the strategies of one of the major powers i.e. China that has strived to restore political stability to gain economic prosperity in the Middle East. The research emphasizes China’s strategy for mending the Saudi-Iran ties that have widened its opportunities to build cordial relations with the regional states, especially concerning ensuring peace activities in the region. It has elaborated on China’s strategic partnership initiative through which it has minimized the non-productive US influence in the Middle East and has cashed countless opportunities to enhance its economic and political support. Specifically, after the recent Saudi-Iran rapprochement, China can now build diplomatic capitals on both sides of the Persian Gulf. Anyhow, after ensuring a peaceful environment in the Middle East, China has emerged as the most influential power that can guarantee regional security along with the security of its geostrategic interests as well. The research suggests that the deal will be helpful for the regional states to get themselves out of the longer period of instability and economic exploitation at the hands of the United States (US).

Revocation of Article 370; Restoration of Peace & Sharp Decline of Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir

The focus of this research work is on the transformative impacts of the abrogation of article 370 and 35A of the Indian constitution and how for the peace has been restored by introducing political reforms and how far the sharp decline in militancy related incidents has witnessed after August 5, 2019. The political truth actualized by the Modi led central government, by abrogating the ingredients like article 370 and 35A and the way government architected the state into two union territories-Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh for bringing stability based on four components-modernity, rule of law, accountability and peace. With changing political scenario, new social and political thoughts are emerging under the umbrella of liberal democracy and the people’s positive political participation is showing huge improvement.

Challenging Liberal Principles: Understanding of Democracy among Populist Radical Right Youth Leaders in Austria and Germany

ABSTRACT Responding to the growing political success of populist radical right parties, scholars have increasingly examined those parties relationship to democracy. While some consider these parties as a democratic corrective to a crisis of political representation, others point to their ideological conflict with the principles of liberal democracy. We contribute to this debate by exploring the understanding of democracy of populist radical right youth leaders. Specifically, we conducted nine qualitative semi-structured expert interviews with leaders and executive members of the populist radical right youth wings in Austria (Ring Freiheitlicher Jugend/RFJ) and Germany (Junge Alternative/JA). To determine their understanding of democracy, we utilised a vignette technique to simulate governmental decision-making in resolving specific political scenarios. The findings indicate that although the youth leaders recognise democracy as such, their understanding of democracy contains majoritarian and anti-egalitarian aspects that might indirectly curtail liberal principles of democracy. This study thus provides an in-depth analysis of the motivations underlying the intentions of populist radical right youth leaders toward potential transformations of democratic institutions.

“Lula 3.0”: problems, contradictions and challenges of the internal political scenario

“Lula 3.0”: problems, contradictions and challenges of the internal political scenario

Intellectuals and democracy: the Argentine magazine Contorno (1953–1959)

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the relationship between Argentine intellectuals and democracy between 1958 and 1962. In the Argentine magazine Contorno (1953-1959), renowned figures such as Ismael and David Viñas, Noé Jitrik, and León Rozitchner aimed to rethink the role of intellectuals in the face of democratization. Contorno initially supported Arturo Frondizi’s presidency (1958–1962), as they regarded it as a valuable political experience distanced from Peronism (1946–1955) and Revolución Libertadora (1955–1958). While the magazine published a series of essays regarding the post-Peronist cultural and political scenario, some of its members were also part of Frondizi’s campaign and administration. However, Contorno finally contested this democratic experience. They deeply critiqued the traición Frondizi, as the government’s political and economic policies radically differed from its initial election promises. Studying Contorno allows us not only to review an oscillatory period of Argentine politics but also to reconsider the always-problematic links between intellectuals and democracy.

THE PROBLEM OF GREENLANDIC AND FAROESE SEPARATISM IN THE FOREIGN POLICY OF THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK

Over the recent decades the problem of Faroese and Greenland’s secessionism has become immensely pressing both for Denmark and the whole world, particularly in the face of growing geopolitical and military political instability. The authors intend to assess the probability of the dissolution of the Danish Commonwealth of the Realm and, as a consequence, to anticipate eventual international political scenarios. Firstly, the current legal statuses of the autonomous territories and their historical evolution were analyzed. Secondly, the phenomenon of metropolis’ transfers as an instrument of neocolonial policy was studied, demonstrating the relationship between the level of dependence of a self-governing territory on economic aid from the core and the desire and/or willingness to pursue independence. Thirdly, the economic and politico-military factors determining the rise of separatism in the islands were investigated. Despite the steps taken by Copenhagen to contain secession, the situation is developing in an evolutionary way, which allows authors to make a prediction about the modification of the Danish Commonwealth of the Realm into a «free association».

Racialized control policies in the south American border regime: The intensification of “transit migration” in times of COVID-19

This article analyzes the intensification of Haitians’ “transit migration” from South America to the United States during 2021 in the framework of disputes between the migration movements and control policies that reconfigured the South American border regime during the COVID-19 pandemic. I argue that racialized control policies are a constitutive dimension of the border negotiations that Haitian migrant engage with diverses actors in contexts of illegalization exacerbated by COVID-19 and reinforced by the expansion of North-South “transit migration” as a matrix of political intervention. Through a qualitative methodological approach based on document analysis and online interviews with Haitian migrants, this article synchronously and asynchronously reconstructs the collective travel strategies of four groups of Haitians that left the Southern Cone heading toward the United States and the political scenarios being restructured around the activation, facilitation, diversion, or obstruction of their mobility. The analysis reveals the racialized character of the control policies inscribed in institutional frameworks of “transit migration” based on the new velocity and magnitude of South-North migration and their institutional construction in terms of a “migration crisis” on the Colombia-Panama border between July and September 2021. Similarly, it proposes that the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to strengthening the Southern Cone-Andean Region interface as a by-product of the amplification and diversification of South-North routes and a constitutive dimension of the infrastructures of violence and resistance that spatially and temporally connect the migratory and border dynamics of South, Central, and North America.

Polarisation in Venezuelan presidential tweets

Abstract The Venezuelan Presidential Crisis emerged as a unique polarising political scenario in January 2019, when Juan Guaidó, president of the National Assembly, proclaimed himself interim president of the country, despite the victory obtained by Nicolás Maduro in the May 2018 presidential elections. Considering this context and the role of social media in the spread of polarisation, the present manuscript examines how metaphors and social actor representations act as divisive discursive tools in the tweets of Maduro and Guaidó. To do so, a corpus of tweets posted by these politicians during the first year of the conflict (2019–2020) is analysed, adopting a target-based approach (Stefanowitsch and Gries 2006) to identify the polarising metaphors and a socio-cognitive framework (Darics and Koller 2019; van Leeuwen 2008) to study the social actor representations. The results reveal that these discursive devices help both leaders to construct their social identities, legitimise themselves, delegitimise the other and reproduce their polarising ideological schemas.