Political Tensions Research Articles

The impact of western sanctions on the role and place of Russia in relations with Kazakhstan (political and economic aspect)

The paper is dedicated to the impact of anti-Russian sanctions on the investment activity of Russian companies in the post-Soviet space, in particular in Kazakhstan. After 2014, Russian capital was forced out of the Ukrainian economy and partially relocated to Kazakhstan, which today is a key place for foreign direct investment among the CIS countries. China, the USA, Turkey and EU countries also show high activity in the capital market of Kazakhstan. The conflict of commercial interests of these countries on the territory of Kazakhstan may become a significant factor of political tension in the post-Soviet space.

2.X.1. Sleep Health Disparities across the life-course: from research to public health policy

Abstract Poor sleep health is a recognized common problem across the life cycle, globally. Factors that contribute to this problem include the demands of a “Western” lifestyle (urgency, productivity), economic stressors, social and environmental determinants of health, and global crises including international conflicts, political tensions, and climate change. There is a growing consensus that optimizing sleep health should be a public health priority because poor sleep patterns are a modifiable risk factor for myriad health outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, cognitive decline, mental illness, and early mortality. In Canada, a nationwide sleep consortium funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) was recently formed with a mandate to generate new knowledge that will inform clinical practice and support public health initiatives to deliver resources where they are most needed. The proposed workshop organized by the Chronic Disease EPH section will start with a general overview of the impact of sleep health disparities across the life-course, from childhood to older age, as well as discuss evidence-based public health approaches to promote sleep hygiene and mitigate the risk of adverse health outcomes, including chronic disease (Saverio Stranges). It will be followed by three presentations to address the root causes of sleep health disparities and their impact on chronic disease (Dayna Johnson); participatory research with families and care providers on infant sleep intervention development (Elizabeth Keys), and strategies to address common sleep disorders among middle-aged and older adults (Tetyana Kendzerska). Key messages • Sleep health disparities are a neglected public health issue. • Optimizing sleep health is both a clinical and public health priority, as sleep patterns represent a modifiable risk factor for a range of adverse health outcomes.

I Kings 12:1-24 and The Challenge of Religion and Ethnicity in Nigeria

This paper examines the account of segregation in 1 Kings 12:1-24, where the Kingdom of Israel divides into two distinct entities due to political, religious, and ethnic tensions. By analysing this biblical narrative, the study highlights the destructive consequences of division based on cultural and religious differences. The paper draws parallels to the contemporary context of Nigeria, a nation marked by diverse ethnic and religious identities. It argues that the story serves as a cautionary tale for Nigeria, emphasizing the dangers of allowing cultural and religious differences to foster division and conflict. This is a qualitative study using the narrative method. Data was obtained from secondary sources and analysed using the content analysis method of analyzing qualitative secondary data. The impacts of the culture of religion and ethnicity reveal that it affects electoral politics, governance and representation, conflict and instability, social cohesion, education and socialisation, and economic inequality. Emerged themes include a) leadership and consultation, b) economic disparities and grievances, c) responses to grievances, d) secessionist movements, and e) the role of mediation and reconciliation. Nigerian leaders might draw a cue from Rehoboam's failures by encouraging communication, attending to the economic requirements of all areas, and using mediators to help settle disputes amicably.

Bifurcated Bolivia: Indigenous Governance and Land Struggles in the Eastern Lowlands

This paper analyzes Indigenous politics in Bolivia, the 2019 coup against President Evo Morales, and the return of the Movimiento al Socialismo (Movement for Socialism, MAS) with the inauguration of Luis Arce in 2020. Drawing on interviews with Indigenous community members in the lowlands of the Bolivian Amazon, this piece theoretically situates Indigenous autonomy struggles within world systems theory and insights from Max Weber’s ‘iron cage’ of institutional isomorphism to argue that political tensions in Bolivian Indigenous communities can be understood within a context of (1) increasingly strained relations between the MAS and civil society organizations; (2) Indigenous-NGO coalition efforts to protect Tierras Comunitarias de Orígen (Native Community Lands) and; (3) the development of competing parallel leadership organizations within Native communities that threaten democratic processes and cohesive responses to extractivism.

Sentiment Analysis of the MK Decision Trial of the Result of the 2024 President and Vice President General Election on Social Media X Using the Support Vector Machine Method

Support Vector Machine (SVM) is a method of machine learning often used in classification and regression issues, especially in the classification of commentary reviews on social media such as Twitter. The Constitutional Court (MK) has the authority to resolve disputes resulting from the general election, including the 2024 presidential election. As an institution that maintains fairness and transparency in the democratic process, the Constitutional Court's decisions are often at the center of public attention and debate, especially on social media. In the 2024 general election, various allegations of fraud led to protests from several parties who felt aggrieved. The final and binding Constitutional Court's decision is expected to resolve the conflict that arises, but it often does not satisfy all parties, causing political and social tensions. This conflict can be reflected through public opinion expressed on social media, such as Twitter, where various responses and sentiments to the decision are essential analysis materials. This Research uses the Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm with a dataset of 1383 review comments divided by an 80:20 ratio for training and testing. The system was implemented using the Python programming language, with evaluations showing the highest accuracy at 61.00%, precision at 61.00%, and recall at 62.00%. This study aims to analyze public sentiment regarding the Constitutional Court's decision using the SVM method and identify the tendency of public opinion as positive, negative, or neutral. Through this study, it is expected that a deeper understanding of the public's perception of the Constitutional Court's decision is obtained. In addition, this Research is likely to contribute to developing sentiment analysis methods in the future and provide a basis for recommendations for the Constitutional Court in handling election result disputes better.

From Convention to Contention: La Famille de Saltimbanques and Les Demoiselles d'Avignon

In 1905 and 1907 Pablo Picasso worked on two large canvases for which multiple preparatory studies exist. These paintings marked quite different stages in the Spaniard's career. If the first one symbolized his final acceptance into the French modernist establishment, which is usually known as his Rose Period; the second was meant to be a radical break from those conventions, and a determined push to distance himself from established practices. More specifically, what took place between the two canvases was a transition from a fusion of realism and metaphor/allegory to a neo-primitive (and modern) perspective leading to quasi-abstraction. Not surprisingly, the first painting was auction for a record-breaking price in March of 1914, despite the growing political tensions between the great powers, particularly France and Germany, caused by colonial competition and old territorial grievances. Conversely, the second painting sold for much less in 1923, even though France was experiencing a period of rapid economic growth and social change: the so-called "Roaring 20s."

The Economic and Geopolitical Significance of the Brics Nations: A Comparative Analysis of Their Global Influence in the 21st Century

The research investigates how BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) influence global economics and political leadership while noting the opportunities and obstacles the alliance encounters. As a powerful influence in finance and trade globally, BRICS confronts the Western institutions that used to dominate. The collective has challenges from its members' vast economic and political variation, even with important milestones like the setup of the New Development Bank. In addition, outside influences from political tensions, mainly with the G7 and global competition, obstruct detailed cooperation. This research examines how the future of BRICS might develop, especially with the BRICS+ initiative, which is designed to include members from the Global South. The growth shows BRICS's purpose to shape global governance more strongly. The study recognizes a requirement for better political and economic integration among BRICS and points out that greater collaboration within the group may promote sustainable growth and financial strength. Limitations in methodology and data quality are recognized along with time constraints relating to the trustworthiness of macroeconomic information from the BRICS countries. This study ends by suggesting ways to enhance BRICS collaboration and identifies new research inquiries regarding the alliance's future direction and its impact on a more diverse world order

For Every Book Their Reader: Book Challenges and Library Trauma

Since 2021, public and school libraries have become the frontlines of a cultural war. Regardless of the political tendency of the local area, material challenges have been submitted against libraries nationwide. When library workers handle material challenges, under the principle of intellectual freedom, they have often faced retaliatory actions from political groups, such as online attacks on them organized by political groups and budget cuts targeting the libraries. These challenges may create stress and trauma for library workers, both in the action of the banning, and the anticipation of it. For librarians experiencing trauma or at higher risk of exposure to traumatic events, this poster aims to illustrate a library trauma cycle within the context of material challenges. It highlights how library workers face an increased likelihood of trauma when material challenges are prevailing in the nation and how the internalization of trauma occurs within the context of the library and its community. The poster then suggests possible interventions to halt the library trauma cycle, calling for action from library administrators and board members.

Reassessing ayahuasca regulation in Brazil: strategic framing and cumulative gains

Background In the early twentieth century, ayahuasca gained popularity in northern Brazil, causing political tension due to moral hostility. However, over the course of the century, despite the proscription of DMT and the intensification of the ‘War on Drugs’, three phases of cumulative political gains eventually led to the full regulation of ayahuasca, in 2010. How was this achieved? Methods This paper provides a comprehensive reassessment of the existing literature on ayahuasca in Brazil, utilizing social movement theory. Emphasis is placed on framing methods, or how movements strategically present their aims to particular audiences, in order to effect political change. Results First, ayahuasca churches constructed a religious frame that emphasized their Christian pedigree. Second, when harassment intensified, ayahuasca was reframed as a charitable endeavour. Finally, in the transition to democracy, the religions added a scientific frame, collaborating with the state to review scientific evidence and establish policy parameters for regulation. Conclusion Framing ayahuasca as Christian and focusing on charity and science were neither straightforward nor unproblematic, but did allow ayahuasca groups to successfully avoid persecution, establish relationships with powerful actors, and eventually achieve full regulation. This case study provides unique insights into the role of social movements in successful drug policy reform, especially how movements can strategically adapt to and influence prevailing moral codes, resulting in concrete political victories.

Identity development of Arab drama therapists: The role of ethnic boundary work

Previous studies have suggested that creative arts therapists who work in conservative societies must adapt their Western therapeutic ideologies to collectivist and traditional norms. Less is known about how these creative arts therapists construct and maintain their professional identity in diverse sociocultural contexts. Building on the literature that emphasizes the role of ethnic boundary work in professional identity processes, we examined how Arab drama therapists maintain, challenge, and negotiate ethnic boundaries in the process of professional identity construction.Participants were 38 Israeli-Arab drama therapists (36 female) working in Israeli-Arab schools. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews (27 participants) and playback theater groups (12 participants). Thematic analysis revealed three different forms of ethnic boundary work: "Distinguishing Arab identity from drama therapy", "Drama therapy as an act of challenging ethnic and gender boundaries", and "Negotiating ethnic boundaries within the context of drama therapy".The current study emphasizes the sociocultural context of boundary work by illustrating how Israeli-Arab drama therapists define their professional identity across ethnic, gender, and political tensions. We conclude with implications for research and practice.

La formación inicial del profesor para la ciudadanía en una universidad pública del Perú

Being a teacher today has regained new importance in the formation of citizens. On one hand, we want individuals who are critical and committed to their time, and for this, it is essential to understand the world we live in, to position ourselves within these new contexts of change and regulations. We are participants in the global and national crises, migration and its integration issues, as well as the political, economic, social, and cultural tensions of each region—factors that should enable us to provide responses in educational settings through critical reflection and participatory action. This academic work presents a qualitative and descriptive approach, arising from the analysis of documents related to the educational policy of our country: the General Education Law of Peru, the National Education Project, curricular plans, as well as the syllabus of the History and Geography degree program at a public university, with the aim of identifying, categorizing, and analyzing the subjects where citizenship-related issues are addressed, either explicitly or implicitly. Finally, after conducting a documentary analysis of the syllabus from the History and Geography degree program at a public university in Lima, we present a discussion of the findings and the respective conclusions. It is important to mention that, regarding teacher training for citizenship, there are various Peruvian studies that provide a complementary perspective on the gaps between the teacher training intended to be provided at universities and the development of social science subjects in schools.

Leveraging feminist approaches to care

The work of thinking about, with, and through care is not the prerogative of any single discipline or positionality, as this Special Issue vividly illustrates. Rather, its wide-ranging and enduring force as empirical reality, conceptual approach and political disposition are best grappled with through a multidisciplinary lens, bringing into meaningful conversation and careful comparison different subjects, sites and scales of care. In the process, care emerges as a contested terrain, an object of debate and difference, as well as an ongoing central dimension to life as lived across the realms of the individual to the collective and the institutional. It is thus our hope that the offerings in this Special Issue invite further attention to care's role in shaping social and political life, in Australia and beyond, and for humans and non-humans. We intend for this Issue to stimulate the kinds of coalitional thinking and acting that care demands of scholars across fields and also across differently situated communities of ‘we’.

An Olympic Fairytale: The Zimbabwean Women’s Field Hockey Victory at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games

In July 1980, an all-white Zimbabwean women’s hockey team made history by unexpectedly winning gold at the Olympic Games in Moscow. The 1980 games had been overshadowed by cold war political tensions which manifested in the boycott by several western countries in protest over the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. This politicization of the Olympics set the stage for Zimbabwe’s participation and the eventual politicization of the women’s field hockey victory. This victory was unexpected partially because the Zimbabwean women’s field hockey team had very little time to prepare for the tournament. The ramifications of the victory extended beyond the playing field as it became intertwined with racial and gender discourses that dominated the post-independence political narrative. Therefore, the events connected with this 1980 Olympic victory by the Zimbabwean women’s hockey team demonstrate how the victory transformed women’s field hockey from being a relatively obscure white minority sport, into a critical social space where political rhetoric was enunciated. This effectively increased the standing of the sport in the eyes of the ruling ZANU PF regime as demonstrated by investment in hockey infrastructure as well as attempts to continue its association with the 1980 Olympic victory.

Decolonizing Minds and Education: Critical Pedagogy and Epistemic Disobedience in Kurdistan

This article examines the intricacies involved in the process of decolonizing education. It draws on the author's first-hand teaching experiences and observations as an activist scholar and a critical pedagogue at Bingöl University in Turkey from 2013 to 2016, during a period marked by intense political tension between security forces and Kurdish insurgencies. It elucidates a transformative pedagogical endeavor aimed at decolonizing education, with a particular focus on Kurdish students who endure colonial domination and oppression. Grounded in critical pedagogy, border thinking, and the principles of epistemic disobedience, this intervention represents a deliberate departure from traditional educational paradigms. It endeavors to cultivate a more inclusive and liberatory learning environment by drawing on theoretical frameworks articulated by renowned scholars such as Freire, Fanon, Mignolo, and Illich. At its core, this endeavor seeks to transcend the conventional boundaries of education by fostering critical consciousness, agency, and alternative worldviews among marginalized communities. Through prioritizing interactive dialogue, problem-posing educational models, and participatory learning practices, the initiative empowers students to critically engage with their social, historical, and cultural contexts. Employing innovative pedagogical strategies like the marketplace of ideas and extracurricular reading groups, students are encouraged to reclaim their own forms of knowledge and challenge hegemonic narratives perpetuated by colonial structures. This initiative underscores the transformative potential of education in dismantling oppressive structures and fostering alternative visions of social change. By amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, the intervention not only challenges the status quo but also lays the groundwork for a more equitable and emancipatory educational landscape.

The Role of Language in Forming Identity Crisis in Belgaum District of India

The Belgaum District in India provides a unique case study of phonetic and identity challenges. This area, characterized by its diverse linguistic landscape, is marked by significant cultural and political tensions rooted in language differences. The Marathi-Kannada linguistic divide has been a central issue, affecting the socio-political dynamics and identity of its residents. This paper explores the historical, cultural, and political factors contributing to the ongoing conflict and investigates the pivotal role of language in shaping the identity crisis in Belgaum District. By analysing the relationship between language, regional identity, and socio-political movements, the study highlights the broader implications for regional unity and identity development, emphasizing the role of language in forming group identities and the challenges posed by linguistic diversity in building a cohesive regional identity.

Market restructuring of agribusiness in Russia as a trigger for rapid economic growth

Abstract In the period of political tension and instability of the international economic system, the agricultural sector of Russia continues to demonstrate progressive growth and is characterized by a favorable investment climate. In many respects, this circumstance in modern conditions is facilitated by scientific research and development of an innovative and technological nature, stimulating the accelerated development of domestic agriculture, due to which there is a favorable impact on the growth of the competitive component of the industry. Modern Russian agribusiness is one of the most intensive and highly promising points for the integration of digital innovations. For the steady growth of this sphere, it is essential to provide it with high-quality material, technical, infrastructural and innovative resources for its functioning. The studied sphere of economic activity of the country conservatively includes the primary function of ensuring national food security and independence, as a result of which the state actively attaches great importance due to the influence of a set of certain factors that make agriculture unstable and extremely vulnerable. The main goal of the digital modernization of agribusiness in Russia is to provide agricultural producers with state-of-the-art technologies, as well as to digitalize management, marketing and sales activities. The digital transformation of the agricultural sector should be carried out on a comprehensive, targeted and systematic basis based on target indicators and indicators, as well as be directed to core and secondary areas of the sphere. The integration of digital innovations into agribusiness in Russia will contribute to the active and breakthrough development of not only the agro-industrial complex, but also related industries.

Regulatory offsetting in advanced democracies

AbstractThe growth of rules in modern democracies burdens citizens, businesses, and administrative bodies. To address this, many governments have implemented so‐called “regulatory offsetting schemes,” requiring the removal of existing rules and regulations for each new one introduced. However, systematic knowledge on which countries have adopted these schemes and their specific designs remains lacking. Our study maps regulatory offsetting initiatives across OECD states and offers a first theoretical framework for understanding government adoption. While political and ideational factors influence the adoption of offsetting schemes, they do not explain their specific design. Offsetting schemes thus reflect the political tensions between advocates for an activist state and supporters of a more restrained government, with design being of secondary importance. These findings enhance our understanding of how governments and public administrations manage rule growth.

Medicaid's Political Development Since 1965: How a Fragmented and Unequal Program Has Expanded.

The Medicaid program has changed enormously over the past 60 years from a very restrictive program primarily attached to recipients on public assistance in 1965 to a much more expansive program allowing coverage for persons regardless of marital, parental or employment status. Incorporating the 'medically needy'-an ambiguous concept from the start-allowed states to include many different groups in Medicaid who are not traditionally thought of as poor. In addition, three structural features illuminate why the program has expanded and changed dramatically over time: federalism and intergovernmental financing, the dominance of the private sector, and fragmentation. Unequal treatment among Medicaid covered groups alongside partisan politics create a political discourse that often reveals Medicaid as a public subsidy for stigmatized groups, while hiding Medicaid's reach into the middle-class. This central political ideological tension collides with programmatic realities such that Medicaid strangely often suffers from a residual, retrenchment politics while at the same time benefiting from embeddedness making it extremely difficult to truly turn back the clock on Medicaid's expansion.

Desirable and disposable: Tracing the racialization of Chinese students in American higher education

This article dissects the current conjuncture facing Chinese international students in the U.S. higher education, situating their experiences within the history of Asian racialization. By examining key moments of the racialization of Chinese students in the US – 1949–1959, 2006–2017, and the period following 2018 – it illuminates how the intricate interplay of domestic racial politics and geopolitics have contributed to the paradoxical portrayal of Chinese students as both desirable and disposable within American racial capitalism. As they navigate their multifaceted roles as knowledge workers and prime consumers of educational services, these students encounter the challenges of an evolving neoliberal multiculturalism and fluctuating U.S.-China relations, placing them at the center of America’s ongoing political tensions. This exploration enhances our understanding of international student mobility, bridges discussions between critical race studies and geography of race, and introduces a fresh racial perspective to the field of education geography.

“The Brunt of the Colonial Yoke Continues to Weigh on Us”: Understanding Africa’s Geopolitics as a Decolonial Struggle

ABSTRACT The escalation of tensions in the global political arena is hardly a recent development. Presently, there’s a notable shift toward acknowledging the enduring impact of historical traumas such as slavery, World Wars, and colonialism on humans and nations. Colonialism dealt a significant blow to Africa, with the effects manifesting as trauma. Despite its colonial tragedy, a substantial body of literature recognizes the increasing agency of Africa. Thus, this study examines Africa’s evolving economic, political, and security tensions in light of its colonial history. It applies Postcolonial Theory and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as theoretical and analytical lenses to examine the speeches of twelve (12) African leaders who participated in the 2023 Russia-Africa Summit. I explore the pattern of issues discussed by these leaders in terms of their indicative nature of postcolonial trauma and examine how the speeches demonstrate Africa’s agency within the international political landscape. The findings reveal that African leaders tie their current political, economic, and security situations in their country to the remnants of colonialism and imperialism. Fueled with resentments, these leaders are more inclined to distrust the West but maintain trust in Russia and its “strategic” partnership. Therefore, in asserting to their agency, the analysis indicates a shift toward Africa’s interdependency and desired participation in big power politics with “sincere” support from Russia. This study highlights a significant trend in Africa’s geopolitical landscape, examining how colonialism has shaped the region’s political dynamics and impacted its diplomatic aspirations in today’s multipolar world.