Political Strategies Research Articles

Uttar Pradesh: BJP and the Mobilisation of Dalits and OBCs

The 2024 election result in Uttar Pradesh (UP) was a shock for the BJP. The party had expected to increase its vote share significantly but instead, its support fell, and it was beaten by the Samajwadi Party (SP)-Congress alliance when it came to parliamentary seats. This setback was particularly painful and humiliating as UP is the most populous state in India by far and it was also the epicentre of the party's rise to national prominence. The mass movement for tearing down the Babri Masjid mosque in Ayodhya in UP and building a Ram temple in its place propelled the BJP to power in the state in 1991, and the violent attack and demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992 enabled it to break through on the national stage. The article discusses the election results and the wider BJP strategy in UP. This leads to an analysis of longer-term political interests and strategies of different social groups, and how this matters for Hindutva in the long run. The main focus will be on Dalits and other oppressed social groups.

ANALYZING POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN ONLINE LEARNING INTERACTIONS AMONG ENGLISH EDUCATION STUDENTS

This research investigates the types and frequency of politeness strategies employed by English Education students during online academic interactions via WhatsApp, with a particular emphasis on how students uphold politeness and demonstrate respect toward lecturers within a virtual learning environment. Utilizing a descriptive qualitative approach, the study analyzed 200 utterances derived from constructed chat transcripts. The data were examined through the lens of Brown and Levinson’s (1987) politeness theory, encompassing positive politeness, negative politeness, bald on record, and off record strategies. Findings indicate that positive politeness strategies predominated (57.5%), followed by negative politeness strategies (30%), with bald on record and off record approaches appearing less frequently. This distribution highlights the students’ pragmatic awareness and the influence of cultural norms in sustaining courteous academic discourse. The study contributes to the fields of linguistics, pragmatics, and English language education by offering insights into students’ digital communicative behavior. It also informs educators and teacher preparation programs about the pragmatic competencies necessary for professional interaction in online academic spaces. The novelty of the study lies in its focus on the simulated digital exchanges of English Education students, bridging theoretical pragmatics with pedagogical application, and enriching the discourse on digital pragmatics within the Indonesian higher education landscape.

Review Symposium on Tariq Modood and Thomas Sealy, The New Governance of Religious Diversity (Polity, 2024)

This article engages critically with Modood and Sealy’s typology of the governance of religious diversity. While welcoming their redefinition of secularism(s) as a means of governing religious diversity, we argue that it is also important to differentiate types of majoritarian nationalism. Focusing on the way that non-core groups are treated, we develop a fourfold typology of religious majoritarianism: hierarchical, assimilationist, dominant, and eliminationist. Focusing on the examples of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, we argue that majoritarian nationalism is not monolithic but contextually differentiated, shaped by institutional legacies, political strategies, and socio-religious hierarchies. Our analysis contributes to broader debates on nationalism and ethnic politics by mapping the dynamic interplay between state-led nationalism, religious identity, and the governance of diversity. We call for greater attention to the lived costs of majoritarianism and the contextual limits of multicultural remedies in the absence of broader structural and geopolitical changes.

Realignment or pragmatic shifting? Corporate partisanship in response to changes in party control of congress

Abstract Political science literature suggests companies align with the Republican Party because of their shared interest in tax and regulations. However, attacks on companies by Republican elected officials and changes in party affiliation among key demographics suggest companies might move away from the Republicans and toward the Democrats. I use interviews with corporate government affairs staff and a novel dataset of corporate PAC contributions from the 2010 through 2022 election cycles to understand whether companies are realigning. Using companies’ Party Proximity Index, I find that contributions shift as Congress changes hands from Republicans to Democrats. Companies slightly favor Republicans during times of Republican control and split contributions equally between Democrats and Republicans when Democrats control Congress. While all companies studied follow similar patterns, shareholder-owned companies were more likely to move away from the Republican Party after January 6 compared to private companies, and very large companies were more likely to display a long-term move away from the Republican Party during the period studied compared to smaller companies. Findings illustrate that while companies maintain access-oriented political contribution strategies that emphasize contributions to lawmakers who can influence public policy priorities, some companies may be more sensitive to changes in the national political environment than others.

The Role of Postage Stamps in Palestinian National Identity and History

Abstract This article examines how the Palestinian Authority has used postage stamps as a tool to construct national identity, shape collective memory, and convey political messages during what it hoped would be a transition to statehood. The analysis focuses on three themes of stamps issued between 1994 and 2023: the struggle for independence and international recognition, the establishment of institutions and symbols as part of the state‐building process, and the glorification of martyrs and prisoners. These stamps served not only as instruments of mass communication and cultural preservation but also as reflections of the authority's evolving political strategies. During this period, the stamps promoted a dual narrative of engaging in sacrifice and resistance while also aspiring for sovereignty and legitimacy. The study shows how the themes evolved over time, as the emphasis on unity and statehood gave way to responses to political crises and regional tensions. The article highlights the importance of visual storytelling as part of the process of state building and suggests how the Gaza war could affect this symbolism.

‘I hope this email finds you well’: how synthetic affect circulates through MagicSchool AI

ABSTRACT This study examines how MagicSchool AI (MSAI), an educational technology platform, mediates affective dimensions of teacher-family communications through its Email Family Tool. Drawing on an algorithmic audit informed by politeness theory, the authors analyze how MSAI’s underlying language models structure and standardize emotional expression in teacher-family communications. The authors introduce the concept of synthetic affect to theorize how platforms algorithmically produce and circulate humanoid feeling through predetermined scripts of professional discourse. The analysis reveals how MSAI's consistent patterns of politeness strategies and selective filtering of certain affective registers reflect a form of governance that shapes which emotions are deemed appropriate for professional communication. While MSAI positions itself as addressing teacher burnout through automated efficiencies, the authors argue that this technological solution simultaneously responds to, reinforces, and profits from the structural conditions producing burnout, while transforming systemic challenges into problems of individual efficiency.

Dinamika Politik Lokal di Awal Orde Baru: Kemenangan Partai NU dalam Pemilu 1971 di Kabupaten Surabaya

This paper analyzes the victory of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Party in the 1971 General Election in Surabaya Regency as part of the local political dynamics during the early New Order period. Using a political history approach and a qualitative-descriptive method, the article examines the social, cultural, and political strategies that contributed to NU's success. Data were collected through literature review, archival documentation, and interviews with historical witnesses and community leaders. The findings indicate that the network of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) and traditional clerics (kiai) played a crucial role in consolidating grassroots support, while the post-G30S social climate and public distrust toward secular parties further strengthened NU’s position. These findings demonstrate that, despite the pressure of a New Order regime that supported Golkar, traditional Islamic cultural forces were still able to carve out political victories at the local level. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how local cultural power can persist and even triumph within a centralized political system.

The Rise of Fascism in 21st Century Democracies: A Case Study of Pakistan

The rebirth of fascism has reintroduced global discourse, especially throughout democratic societies. Previously assumed to have been wiped out subsequent World War II, fascism is currently re-emerging in modified and subtle forms. This research explores the renewal of fascism in modern democracies through case studies of East and west, finding commonalities with past fascist regimes like those of Hitler and Mussolini. The study looks into through what means populism, militarism, digital media and nationalism play a role in the propagation of fascist doctrine. It also probes the Deterioration of liberal democracy and constitutionalism, drawing attention to the influence of collective narcissism and authoritarian leadership through this procedure. The study adopts a qualitative methodology based secondary sources and content analysis to analyses the development and manifestation of modern fascism. By means of this research, a deeper perspective of the ideological shifts and political strategies that spark the revival of fascism is expanding, providing strategies to combat this challenge in contemporary political systems( especially Pakistan).

The Role of Caste Dynamics in Shaping Andhra Pradesh’s Political Landscape Post-2024 Elections

This study examines the influence of caste dynamics on the political landscape of Andhra Pradesh following the 2024 elections. Utilizing primary data collected from a sample of 921 respondents across diverse caste groups, the research investigates how caste affiliations shape voter behavior, candidate selection, and political party strategies. Statistical tools, including chi-square tests, logistic regression, and cluster analysis, were employed to analyze the data. Findings reveal that caste remains a significant determinant of electoral outcomes, with dominant castes like Kammas and Reddys continuing to hold substantial influence, despite efforts to mobilize Backward Classes (BCs) and Scheduled Castes (SCs). The study high- lights the interplay of caste with regional and economic factors, offering insights into the persistence of caste-based politics in Andhra Pradesh. These findings con- tribute to understanding the evolving role of caste in Indian democracy and its implications for inclusive governance. Keywords: Reddys, Kammas, Kapus, Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribe, TDP, YSRCP, JSP, BJP.

Politeness Strategies in WhatsApp Cancellation Messages: A Socio-Pragmatic Analysis in the Central Java Tourism Industry

This study investigates the politeness strategies employed by Indonesian hotel and travel agent reservation staff in responding to reservation cancellations communicated via WhatsApp by prospective guests and tourists. Focusing on service providers’ responses, the study explores how politeness is pragmatically constructed in informal digital interactions within the Central Java tourism industry. Drawing on Brown and Levinson’s politeness theory, the research employs a qualitative descriptive method. Data were collected from authentic WhatsApp conversations between service staff and Indonesian clients, particularly concerning cancellation messages initiated by the clients. The analysis reveals the dominant use of both negative and positive politeness strategies, including indirect expressions, apologies, expressions of gratitude, empathy, and hedging. These strategies reflect culturally grounded efforts to maintain social harmony, express professionalism, and mitigate face-threatening acts. Linguistic features such as mohon maaf sebelumnya (“we apologize in advance”) and personalized honorifics like Pak, Bu, Mas, and Mbak, alongside informal tones, illustrate the hybrid nature of politeness in digital service discourse in Central Java. The study demonstrates that politeness functions as both a linguistic and strategic tool for managing client relationships and that it embodies the high-context communicative norms of Javanese culture. These findings contribute to a socio-pragmatic understanding of politeness in mediated tourism communication and offer practical insights for improving client engagement in digital service encounters.

El discurso de los partidos españoles en TikTok durante las elecciones generales de 2023

Electoral campaigns in Spain used to be characterised by their predominant focus on traditional media such as television, radio and the written press, through which political parties directed their messages towards a broad audience. However, the emergence of the Internet and social networks has introduced significant changes in political communication strategy. This study sets out to conduct an exploratory analysis of the discourses of the main Spanish political parties during the 2023 general elections on the social network TikTok. The discourse analysis has revealed that this platform emerged as a crucial channel for political participation and the dissemination of electoral messages in the most recent Spanish electoral context. Political parties and their candidates have taken advantage of its ability to reach a young and engaged audience. Campaign teams created creative and entertaining content designed specifically for TikTok, including short videos, challenges, political memes and parodies that captured users' attention and encouraged them to actively participate in the electoral process and political debates. The political discourses were varied and covered topics such as the post-pandemic economy, employment, health management versus COVID-19, social policies such as pensions and education, the territorial question, environmental sustainability and political ethics, including the fight against corruption. These issues reflect both the immediate concerns of citizens and the structural challenges facing Spain in the political, economic and social spheres.

Investigating Politeness Strategies Among Native Indonesian Speakers During Presidential Candidate Debate: A Cyberpragmatic Study

Politeness on social media is an important on speaking in the cyberspace. Language speech in cyberspace needs to receive attention so that the language used can be accepted among society, especially in Indonesia who are oriented towards Eastern culture with the politeness be the important issue to be discussed. Studies on media related to politeness strategies using the Cyberpragmatic approach in presidential candidate debates is still rarely to conduct especially the research that provided the role of context such as speaker cultural background and condition influencing the expression of utterance. To adress this gap, our research with a qualitative descriptive design seeks to see the impression of politeness strategies used by native Indonesian speaker in Twitter during the fourth of 2024 presidential candidate debate. Our findings revealed that the use of politeness strategies was found give the impression that the choice of politeness strategies in commenting on social media needs to be considered among the native Indonesian speaker when using social media so that the speech conveyed does not cause controversy and can be accepted by other language users involved in virtual communication which in return helps to build quality relationships and keeps them as Indonesian which have good at attitude, communicative competence, and beliefs.

Political Socialization of the Jakarta General Election Commission Through the KPU Goes to Car Free Day in Increasing Public Political Participation in the 2024 Presidential Election

This study aims to analyze the political socialization strategy implemented by The Jakarta General Election Commission (KPU) through the innovative program “KPU Goes to Car Free Day” in increasing public political participation in the 2024 presidential election. The background of the research is based on the urgency of increasing public awareness and involvement in elections, especially in socio-politically complex urban areas such as Jakarta. This study uses a qualitative approach with descriptive methods and data collection techniques through semi-structured interviews with three main informants, namely members of the DKI Jakarta KPU, researchers from Perludem, and community representatives. The results showed that this program is effective in shaping the political attitudes and behavior of citizens, transferring democratic values, and introducing political guidelines and principles in a communicative and participatory manner. However, the evaluation results also revealed the need for continuity and deepening of the substance of political education so that the values instilled are not superficial or temporary. This Program is considered successful in increasing community participation quantitatively, but its long-term effectiveness requires the support of a more reflective, inclusive, and sustainable political socialization strategy. This research provides an important contribution in strengthening the practice of electoral democracy through an interactive public space-based political socialization approach.

The Speech Act of Requests in Arabic Used by Saudi Facebook Users

This study investigates the direct and indirect strategies of the speech act of request in an academic online community. Grounded in speech act and politeness theory, it attempts to explore how Saudi digital interlocutors employ request strategies in terms of directness and indirectness, as well as gender differences in request formulation. While most previous studies focus on face-to-face communication, few have examined online requests. Data were collected from a public Facebook page for Saudi teaching assistants and lecturers, comprising 550 posts (300 from males, 250 from females). Quantitative content analysis revealed that direct strategies, particularly direct questioning, were predominant, supporting the preference for clarity in online discourse. Male users employed more direct strategies than females, reflecting subtle gender differences in politeness strategies. Although males also used indirect strategies more frequently, both genders equally employed query preparatory strategies. The preference for direct strategies does not indicate impoliteness but rather a need for clarity due to the lack of verbal and non-verbal cues in online discourse. Social media interactions are characterized by their informality and egalitarianism, lacking obligation statements and suggestory formulas. This study demonstrates that the use of digital platforms is revolutionizing the way Saudi users communicate, leading to greater directness while remaining attuned to politeness markers. This study enriches general perspectives on the social use of language in online environments, informing the understanding of cultural differences in language practices, providing implications for digital etiquette training, and highlighting shifts within the gendered nature of speech acts in virtual spaces.

COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE EUROPEAN UNION DURING THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

This article examines the cooperation between Turkey and the European Union during the Cold War (1947-1991), focusing on the key aspects of their political, economic, and military ties. In the context of the rivalry between two global systems, Turkey sought to enhance its security and international status by actively pursuing closer relations with the West. The analysis highlights significant agreements, such as the Mutual Assistance Agreement (1952) and Turkey's subsequent entry into NATO, which marked a crucial step towards integration into Western structures. The article investigates the factors that facilitated this cooperation, including Turkey's fear of Soviet expansion, the geopolitical importance of the region, and the West's desire to strengthen its position in the Middle East. Special attention is given to the role of the European Union, which, despite its initial economic focus, became a key player in shaping Turkey's military and political strategy. The consequences of this cooperation for Turkey's domestic politics and social structure are also explored. A comparative analysis of different periods during the Cold War allows for the identification of changes in the approaches of both parties toward cooperation and their impact on the current state of relations. In conclusion, it is emphasized that the interaction between Turkey and the EU during this period laid an important foundation for the development of their relationship, which remains relevant in the context of contemporary challenges. The article draws on a wide range of materials and publications, allowing for nuanced conclusions about the complexity and multi-layered nature of this cooperation. Keywords: Turkey, EU, cold war, westernization, the Ankara Agreement, Cyprus crisis.

Recontextualizing the Medina Charter: Consensus-Based Political Communication for Contemporary Plural Societies

This study explores the Constitution of Medina as an early model of prophetic political communication grounded in consensus, offering a relevant framework for managing diversity and fostering social cohesion in pluralistic societies. Utilizing a qualitative library research method, the study draws upon the primary source—the text of the Constitution of Medina—and integrates secondary literature from the field of political communication. The data were analyzed through content analysis to identify underlying communicative principles and political strategies within the Charter. The findings reveal that the Constitution operationalizes participatory dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms, aligning closely with contemporary consensus-based political communication theories. These principles served not only to manage inter-group tensions but also to build a cooperative and just social order. The study concludes that the Constitution of Medina is not merely a historical document but a normative model that offers practical insights into inclusive governance, interfaith cooperation, and the ethical foundations of political discourse. Its relevance is especially significant today, where polarized societies seek coexistence and constructive engagement frameworks. Thus, the Medina Charter is relevant as a prophetic guide for inclusive political communication in multicultural and multireligious contexts. This study contributes to Islamic political thought and communication by providing a normative and historically grounded model for inclusive governance. It bridges classical Islamic sources with contemporary political communication theory, offering a framework applicable to modern pluralistic societies seeking ethical and participatory governance models.

The Discourse of the 14 May 2023 Election Songs in Turkey: The Case of the Nation Alliance and the People’s Alliance

This article explores the role of music as a political communication strategy in the presidential and parliamentary elections in Turkey, 14 May 2023. It acknowledges the lack of existing research analyzing the discourse of election songs in these elections and aims to fill that gap. Using a qualitative research approach and Van Dijk's critical discourse analysis framework, the study focuses on songs from the Republican People's Party, the Good Party, and the Justice and Development Party within the Nation Alliance and the People's Alliance. Music, as used in films and advertising, has the power to evoke emotions and influence voters on an emotional level. I argue that if music can educate, it can also mobilize people to support political movements to a level beyond intellectual and emotional empathy. The research methodology involves collecting data from YouTube by listening to election campaign songs, while discourse analysis is applied to examine the ideological and social implications of the discourse. My aim is to explicate how political parties convey their campaigns and construct their identities through songs. In terms of thematic analysis, the names and content of the songs are consistent. There is no use of complex words or complex syntax. While the Justice and Development Party tried to reach voters with different musical tastes by using different melodies and tempos in its election songs, the Nation Alliance preferred to reach voters by way of a melancholic tone and a harmony of medium-fast and fast tempos.

The Impact of Constitutional Vacuum on the Effectiveness of Decentralization: The Case of the Republic of Mali

In Africa, constitutions are often seen as fragile. Mali serves as a notable example of both constitutional crisis and resilience. Its recent history illustrates a constitutional weakness stemming from the military coup in 2012. This situation indicates that the provisions of the 1992 Constitution are under threat after a different transitional period. Our study aims to contribute to the discussion on governance challenges and political organization strategies in the context of institutional shortcomings epitomized by Mali's ongoing constitutional vacuum. The research will examine the impact of this constitutional vacuum on the functioning of local authorities in Mali, taking into account the changes that have taken place in the state since the onset of political unrest in 2012.

Strategi Komunikasi Politik Partai Gerindra Di Kota Palangka Raya Dalam Pemilu 2024 Dan Pilkada 2025

This study aims to examine the Gerindra Party's political communication strategy in conveying its political message to the people of Palangka Raya in the 2024 General Election and the 2025 Regional Election. Through interviews with party cadres, this study found that Gerindra's political communication in Palangka Raya relies heavily on two main aspects: the use of social media and direct meetings. Social media was chosen because of its efficiency in reaching a wider audience, especially young voters, while direct meetings were emphasized more to reach community groups in areas that are not yet fully accessible by the internet. The Gerindra Party also faces challenges in dealing with hoaxes and inaccurate information and adapting to differences in communication at the central and regional levels. These findings are expected to provide insight into political communication strategies in more effective campaigns in the future.

PELATIHAN BAHASA INDONESIA BERBASIS PRAGMATIK UNTUK MENINGKATKAN EFEKTIVITAS KOMUNIKASI TRANSAKSIONAL DI PASAR BADUNG.

Effective transactional communication is a key factor in the success of market interactions, particularly in traditional markets such as Pasar Badung, Denpasar. However, various linguistic and pragmatic challenges are still encountered in the speech acts of traders, leading to unclear messages, misunderstandings, and reduced quality of service to customers. This community service project aims to enhance traders’ pragmatic competence in using the Indonesian language through contextually designed training tailored to real market transaction situations. The method employed is participatory training using a pragmatics-based approach, covering speech act analysis, implicature, and politeness in language use. The program was conducted in three stages: needs assessment, training implementation, and evaluation of the impact on communicative behavior. The training results indicate an improvement in participants’ understanding and application of more effective and polite communication strategies during commercial interactions. The conclusion of this activity highlights that pragmatic training positively contributes to the improvement of traders’ communicative literacy, while also fostering more productive and human-centered transactional environments at Pasar Badung..