Identity Politics Research Articles

Exploring Legal and Technical Challenges of Deep Fakes in India

The rapid advancement of deep fake technology has introduced significant challenges in the realms of data security, privacy, and intellectual property rights. Deep fakes, which involve the creation of highly realistic but manipulated digital content using artificial intelligence, have been misused for various malicious purposes, including political manipulation, identity theft, and defamation. This article examines the current state of deep fake regulation in India, highlighting the inadequacies of existing laws and the urgent need for specific legislation to address these issues. Despite the presence of broader laws under the Information Technology Act and the Indian Penal Code, there is a conspicuous absence of precise legal frameworks targeting the unique threats posed by deep fakes. Through an interdisciplinary approach that integrates legal analysis and technical insights, this study evaluates the effectiveness of current detection technologies and explores their limitations. The article also provides case studies illustrating the misuse of deep fakes in political and personal contexts, underscoring the real-world impact of this technology. In conclusion, the study advocates for comprehensive legal reforms and enhanced technological measures to mitigate the risks associated with deep fakes. By proposing targeted amendments to existing laws and recommending the development of advanced detection tools, this research aims to contribute to a more robust and effective regulatory environment for deep fakes in India.

Pecos Bill and the campaign against children’s Comics in Postwar Italy

ABSTRACT This essay studies the case of Pecos Bill: The Legendary Hero of Texas, a western comic published in Italy by Mondadori from 1949 to 1954. I analyze the series in the context of the widespread national campaign against comics and in relation to the cultural politics of Mondadori’s corporate partner Walt Disney. Both Catholic and Leftist critics condemned western fictions because of their violent and sexual content. Debates about children’s magazines and their educational purposes, on the other hand, were minimally concerned with how western narratives represented race, ethnicity, or gender. Pecos Bill was blacklisted,even though Mondadori’s cowboy is a wholesome hero who never fires a gun. Starting from this discrepancy, my analysis sheds light on the contradictions within the campaign against comics and explores issues of identity politics in Italian children’s readings. I demonstrate that representations of Mexican and African characters, as well as of whiteness and of American history, promoted the same anti-leftist and racist discourses of Disney’s western fictions at the time of the Cold War.

The lambs of sheepfoot lane: Oldham Athletic AFC 1960-2023; football, politics and identity.

The article focuses on an overview of the history, politics and cultural identity of Oldham Athletic AFC between 1960 and 2023. During this period the club, a founding member of the Football League, played across six divisions of the game's pyramid. My hometown club, the Latics faced an existential threat to its survival following relegation to the National League in 2022, before being rescued and brought back into local ownership on the long road back to its recapturing its former status. The successes of the Frizzell and Royle eras (1969-1994) contrast with the decline of the club in the 1960s, and its gradual meltdown since the mid-1990s. These are interwoven with the economic, geopolitical and cultural dynamics of the game. The study locates the history of a small club geographically positioned within the vortex of the of the two Manchester giants and Liverpool, in English football's traditional hinterland of the industrial north west. The article has four main themes. Firstly, it examines Oldham Athletic as custodian of local identity, fusing folkloric rituals within the club's historic and contemporary nexus. Secondly, it contextualises the interface between global, glocal and grobal forces impacting on tradition, modernity and post- modernity in the club's lexicon. It then considers the themes of ownership, commodification and globalisation, debating whether Oldham Athletic stands as a bastion of anti- globalisation, or reconfirms existing global patterns at the micro level, incorporating salient theoretical perspectives in this analysis. Finally, the review evaluates whether the political and social class cleavages of the club's roots in Oldham's late Victorian industrial landscape still resonate, or if they have been marginalised by socio- economic changes since 1960.

The new pluralism: interests, identity and social change

PurposeThe paper reviews Fox’s frames of reference against subsequent changes in the composition of the labour force, shifts in social values and the arrival of the politics of identity.Design/methodology/approachA close reading of the frames of reference is placed in the context of Fox’s writing on the search for managerial legitimacy. That search is then considered in relation to the subsequent revolution in equal opportunities and contemporary efforts to promote equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).FindingsAt the core of Fox’s frames lies the fundamental question of whether employers accept trade unions as a legitimate expression of employee interests. Changes in the composition of the labour force and the related arrival of identity politics has led to the emergence of a new set of interests based on social identity. These interests exist because of state legislation, social pressure from campaign groups and the awareness of the right to equal treatment regardless of gender, race, sexuality etc. It follows that the emergence of these identity-based interests means that employers are all pluralists now. This new pluralism has the ideological challenge of gaining approval not only from employees but also from the public in a world where errant employers are vulnerable to hashtag activism.Originality/valueBy revisiting Fox’s frames of reference, and emphasizing the role of employee interests, the paper shows that Fox's original insights on managerial authority and the need for “legitimising sentiments” are still relevant even if his frames are now outdated.

Exploring Political Socialization through the Lens of Giddens' Structuration Theory

Socialization is a fundamental process for the dissemination and comprehension of ideas, essential for maintaining and strengthening societal structures. It involves the exchange of values, beliefs, and perspectives, ensuring that these ideas are understood and valued within a community. This process also integrates individuals into social groups, fostering familiarity and acceptance among members. This study explores political socialization through the lens of Anthony Giddens’ Structuration Theory, which emphasizes the duality of structure and agency. By examining the interplay between social structures and individual actions, this research aims to provide a deeper understanding of how political norms and practices are produced and reproduced. This research employed a descriptive qualitative method, specifically the Literature Study Method, to trace theoretical details and provide an analytical focus on political socialization and Structuration Theory. The findings highlight that political socialization is a complex process influenced by various agents such as family, education systems, media, and political institutions, which shape individuals' political identities and behaviors. Moreover, Giddens’ Structuration Theory elucidates that social structures both constrain and enable political actions, emphasizing the reciprocal relationship between individuals and their social contexts. This study contributes to our understanding of how political socialization mechanisms contribute to societal stability and change by elucidating how individuals navigate and negotiate political structures through their everyday practices and interactions.

Towards cyber-cooperatives: Studying the sharing economy of the tourism industry through an evolutionary approach to organizational cybernetics

Purpose: The lodging industry is transitioning to the online collaborative economy, with digital platforms mediating between hosts and guests. However, this has created significant inequalities between the platform management and the service providers. Objective. The paper proposes (a) to contribute to organisational cybernetics through evolutionary theory, (b) to analyse the emergence of platform cooperativism, and (c) to propose a platform cooperative based on the VSM, which we have called a cyber-cooperative. Design: Applying cybernetic evolutionary epistemology and the VSM, the article analyses the current state of the platform lodging industry and proposes the core characteristics of the cyber-cooperative. Findings: The article finds: a) it contributes to the theory of viable systems by integrating evolutionary theory; b) it uses the proposed theory to explain the developments in the collaborative economy of the lodging industry; c) it relates meme theory with the identity of the system and identifies the political ideas in cooperative organisations; d) it proposes the idea of the cyber-cooperative for developing the lodging industry. Originality: Evolutionary epistemology in organisational cybernetics, and the politics of identity in cooperativism are both novel approaches in the VSM. Type of paper: Research paper.

Developing College Students’ Jewish Appreciation: A Four-year Mixed-methods Study

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to understand the climates and contexts that promote college students’ development of appreciative attitudes toward Jews over four college years. Drawing on an established theoretical framework and a comprehensive literature foundation, we approached this question through an integrative mixed-methods perspective. We recruited a longitunidal sample of 9,470 students from 122 campuses in the United States and generated qualitative focus group data from 268 students at 18 campuses. Findings demonstrated that a host of student characteristics (e.g., political identification), psychological perceptions (e.g., space for support, negative engagement) and participation in formal and informal interfaith activities were associated with the development of Jewish appreciation. Meta-inferences are discussed, future directions offered, and initial conclusions provided.

A Critical Study on the Rise of Regional Party and Weakening of National Party in Tamil Nadu with Special Reference to Chennai

The political landscape of Tamil Nadu has witnessed a significant transformation characterised by the ascendancy of regional parties and the concurrent weakening of national parties. This research delves into the underlying factors contributing to this phenomenon and its implications for the state's political trajectory.Drawing on a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, this study examines historical trends, electoral data, party manifestos, and socio-political dynamics to elucidate the rise of regional parties such as the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), alongside the diminishing influence of national parties like the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).Key drivers identified include linguistic identity politics, regional pride, historical grievances, charismatic leadership, and effective mobilization strategies. Additionally, socio-economic factors such as caste dynamics, welfare policies, and regional disparities play a crucial role in shaping voter preferences and party allegiances.The ramifications of this shift extend beyond electoral outcomes to governance, policy formulation, and federal dynamics. The dominance of regional parties has led to the prioritization of state-centric issues and the articulation of Tamil Nadu's distinct socio-cultural identity within the Indian federal framework.By offering a comprehensive analysis of the rise of regional parties and the decline of national parties in Tamil Nadu, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of sub-nationalism, federalism, and political decentralisation within the Indian context.This research follows a empirical research method and a total of 202 samples have been collected through questionnaire.

Black Canadian university football players’ perspectives on the coach-athlete relationship

To develop positive coach-athlete relationships, coaches can acknowledge and support their players’ sociocultural backgrounds (e.g., ethnicities, genders, races). This is particularly important in connecting with marginalized athletes as the history of sport is intertwined with identity politics, racism, and exclusion. To date, little is known about the role of race in coach-athlete relationships from the perspectives of marginalized individuals. The purpose of the current study was to explore the coach-athlete relationships of Black, Canadian university football players and their coaches from the players’ perspectives. We conducted semi-structured interviews with nine Black football players from five Canadian universities coached by individuals of different racial backgrounds. Using a reflexive thematic analysis, we co-created two overarching themes addressing participants’ racialized experiences inside and outside of sport, including their understanding of Blackness, as well as perceptions on how to improve coaches’ cultural literacies. From our findings, we understood that most Black athletes developed strong connections with their Black coaches compared to White or non-Black coaches of color that were characterized by feelings of trust and the ability to express their cultural identity freely. Athletes highlighted the importance of coaches acquiring or strengthening their cultural competency, and provided examples, advice, and descriptions of what they believed constituted an effective coach. By exploring racial aspects of coach-athlete relationships, this study contributes to coaching science literature and cultural sport psychology by emphasizing the need for coaches to develop cultural competency aptitudes when working with diverse athletes.

Russia’s War in Ukraine as a “War for Identity” and Appropriation of Cultural Tradition

The article analyzes Russia’s current war in Ukraine through the perspective of Francis Fukuyama’s concept of identity politics based on Samuel Huntington’s civilization approach. We argue that Russia’s war against Ukraine is a new type of war – a “war for identity” – a war that is waged primarily for the appropriation of Ukrainian cultural identity and historical heritage, rather than for political or economic resources. We believe that an effective explanatory framework for its consideration is provided by Huntington’s civilizational concept of the world order, in which the most widespread and dangerous conflicts will be between peoples belonging to different civilizations (and cultures). The article emphasizes that the Russian war in Ukraine is a direct consequence of two factors: on the one hand, Russia is not satisfied with its own cultural tradition and seeks to appropriate Ukrainian cultural identity and historical heritage in order to restore the “lost empire”; on the other hand, Russia is historically a region of civilizational fault line between the countries of Western civilization and the countries of Eastern civilizations, it is a “torn” state in terms of cultural identity and has maintained its integrity for centuries only due to its authoritarian political regime, but constantly produces numerous conflicts around its borders.

Specific features of constructing the memory and identity politics in modern Kyrgyzstan

Objectives. The relevance of studying this topic is that memory and identity politics, or historical politics, affect the awareness of the national, cultural, civic identity of the population, which is an important factor in the consolidation of society. The purpose of this study is the analysis of political activity which is aimed at the development of national identity. Methods. When writing the paper, the following methods were used: structural and functional, dialectical, and logical. Results: As a result of the study, it was found that at present the Kyrgyz political elite needs to create a political programme for long-term memory, since there is no specific national policy regarding this. Such a programme should be created in the form of a single political and legal document at the state level. It will be able to ensure systematic, progressive growth based on an understanding of common goals, assuming spiritual unity, which will contribute to the development of a sense of national identity. Conclusions. Due attention should be paid to the development of the museum sphere. It is also important to investigate interethnic relations and the development of terminology of ethno-national identity. The practical significance of this study lies in the fact that all theoretical provisions, conclusions, and recommendations can be used to create a programme that will be aimed at developing collective memory and a sense of national identity

Introduction to the Special Edition: Tupac Shakur: 25 Years Later: Explorations of a Hip Hop Icon and Identity Politics

Tupac Shakur is remembered for many things. Rapper. Actor. Poet. Thug. Scholar. Moreover, while Shakur was “one of hip-hop’s most successful and influential artists, with more than 75 million records sold worldwide (Hess, 2007), he was also remembered as a contradiction. Known for his anthem to black womanhood, Dear Momma, Shakur was found guilty of sexual assault. As the son of Black Panther, the late Afeni Shakur, Tupac spoke out against gun violence, and yet songs such as Death Around the Corner promoted the use of violence. Beyond his enigmatic persona, his body of work, 25 years after his untimely death, still leaves questions for exploration.

Film Industry at the Service of EU Identity Politics

Mass cinema can act as a powerful tool for influencing public opinion by appealing to shared values and collective historical memory, while simultaneously constructing and guiding these elements in alignment with policy objectives. This article explores the thesis that national cinema, as an element of a common cultural code, plays a significant role in the formation and reinforcement of collective (socio-cultural) identity. Specifically, it examines the significance of Brussels' efforts to cultivate a robust film industry as part of the European Union's strategy for constructing a collective identity.The authors test the hypothesis that cinema serves as a medium for fostering a sense of belonging and emotional connection among EU citizens. To this end, the study aims to uncover the specific mechanisms by which common historical and social narratives are conveyed through European Union cinema. The research methodology is grounded in a structuralist perspective on cinema (P. Wallen, C. Metz).The article analyzes how the EU has intensified its institutional support and promotion of European cinema, particularly in response to the «crisis of ideas» in Hollywood, which has left a void in the global film market. This analysis is contextualized within the broader sociopolitical landscape, including the rising popularity of mass cinema during the pandemic and the heightened urgency for strengthening EU collective identity amid the Ukrainian crisis and the initiation of a special military operation.The findings indicate that the EU is increasingly leveraging the film industry to disseminate narratives, ideas, and values critical for both situational objectives – such as consolidating public opinion on specific political issues (illustrated by the «militarization» of the film market in response to the 2022 military operation) – and long-term goals of fortifying the EU's collective identity. However, the long-term efficacy of cinema in shaping public opinion is constrained by its susceptibility to rapid trend shifts driven by audience preferences.

‘Loyalism’ as masculinist identity politics: navigating the use of symbolic discourse in the Syrian war

ABSTRACT The question of how Syria’s Baathist regime has managed to maintain its domination or hegemony over much of the country’s populace under conditions of extended violence is an ongoing one. Its influence is evident in the apparently uncoerced public demonstrations of support for Bashar al-Assad that have regularly occurred over the decade since the outbreak of the conflict in 2011. In this article I focus on the ideological aspects of this loyalist support and present an analysis that emphasises masculinism as a central aspect of the regime’s strategy to consolidate and maintain political power. While other analyses have described the influence of sectarianism, regional rivalries, patronage networks and securitisation as contributing factors in authoritarian survival in Syria, the gendered dimensions of Bashar al-Assad’s hold on power have received less scrutiny. The broader study of links between militarisation, nationalism and masculinism has much to offer in expanding our understanding of the persistence of Syrian Baathist loyalism.

Political Identity and Political Parties: Infrastructure Superstructure Nexus

The present research paper attempts to manifest the way to ensure economic growth and import substitution through political parties though the ultimate aim of political parties is to capture political power and keep control of the government. Paper identified the matrix of Vision, Man, Muscle and Money to win the election in national and local level. Economic production-oriented programs utilizing party member contributes political parties to achieve success. Thus, the production of goods and expansion of services grasping symbols can transform the economic condition and ensure solidarity of the party members. Marx rightly mentioned infrastructure determines the superstructure of the nation/state. Mishra (2007) consider aims of the CPNM is to ensure equal citizenship, equity, inclusion, social justice and progress. However, roadmap towards economic progressed is overlooked. Bhattachan (2003) presents political model to restructure political sphere of Nepal and regards the Panchayat political system as exclusionary political system. Realizing these aspect present paper attempts to show how intra economic prosperity and eventual sustainability is possible through concentration on symbolic political identity. Furthermore, research found charismatic leaders within every political party influence and motivate party members to contribute their time and attention in productive activities for the election symbols.

Transnational flows of living cultural heritage: African screen media in the world

Transnational flows of living cultural heritage: African screen media in the world Dr. Sheila Petty, FRSC, Professor of Media Studies and SaskPower Research Chair in Cultural Heritage, at the University of Regina, explores transnational movements of living cultural heritage in African screen media. My research program investigates transnational methodologies in the expression and safeguarding of intangible and tangible cultural heritage (screen media). It proposes a reflection on current debates around identity politics in globalizing cultures, political and cultural sovereignty, control of representation in image production, and modes of resistance to colonialism in African screen media.

Pendidikan Politik Sebagai Upaya untuk Mengantisipasi Maraknya Politik Identitas pada Pemilihan Umum

This study aims to analyze strategies for anticipating identity politics in general elections, the role and objectives of political education, as well as the implications of political education for social harmony. This study uses a qualitative approach with a library research type of research. The results of the study show that the strategy that can be used to anticipate identity politics in general elections is through political education. Political education has a role in forming a politically literate society. The aim of political education is to provide knowledge about politics to the public so that they are able to participate actively in the political system. Political education has implications for social harmony because it is carried out by upholding human values without discrimination

Party affiliation predicts homeowners’ decisions to install solar PV, but partisan gap wanes with improved economics of solar

The perceived risk of climate change and the sense of urgency for an energy transition are both politically polarized, especially in the United States. Yet, we know relatively little about how political polarization affects consumer energy preferences and behaviors. Here, we use the case of residential solar photovoltaics (PV) in New York State to 1) measure the partisan gap in solar adoption rates and 2) test whether more favorable economics of solar PV mute the effect of political identity. Using household-level, longitudinal data that include nearly 63,000 completed residential PV projects, we find evidence of a partisan gap in PV adoption. Democratic homeowners are approximately 1.45 times as likely to adopt solar PV as Republican homeowners. Republicans' rate of adoption is the lowest of all measured groups, behind Independents, unaffiliated voters, and homeowners not registered to vote. Crucially, however, Republicans in our sample appear to be the most attuned to the changing economics and financing options of solar PV. Our estimates suggest that 1) as homeowners' electricity rate increases relative to its long-run average, the adoption gap between Democ-rats and Republicans narrows, 2) that Republican PV adopters obtain systems with higher expected economic value, and 3) Republicans take greater advantage of alternative financing models, like leases and power purchase agreements, especially when the upfront costs of solar are high. The results demonstrate that political identity affects consumers' participation in the energy transition, but local context, including the local economics of solar, may mitigate the effect of personal politics.

Regional youth policy tools to enhance youth civic and political participation of “risk group” (using the example of the Republic of Bashkortostan)

The relevance of the article is due to the trends of modern society, in which close attention is paid to the processes of formation of the civic and political identity of young people. The very interest in youth, as a subject of regional history, is associated with a special type of perception of time and progress, which is inherent in a constantly changing post-industrial society. The goal is to consider what tools can be used to enhance the participation of at-risk youth in shaping the public history of their region. Research results. Challenges associated with civic and political engagement among at-risk youth include alienation of youth from their communities and institutions, limitations in opportunities and resources, formal rather than substantive participation, and challenges to involvement in shaping the sociopolitical history of the region. The author clarified the instrumental nature of regional youth policy to enhance the civic and political participation of at-risk youth, which includes youth work, deliberative forums, volunteering, art, sports and media, technology and social networks. The theoretical significance of the article lies in expanding the understanding of the role of civic identity of urban youth in the formation of the socio-political history of the region, as well as the study of socio-political processes in the context of social and political philosophy. The practical significance of the study is that the results obtained can be used to develop specific activities to develop the civic identity of youth at risk.

The Politics of Vulnerability and the School for Peace

This paper uses the School for Peace in Israel-Palestine as an example of what it might look like to develop a global community rooted in a recognition of shared human vulnerability. Part I offers a phenomenological account of vulnerability, putting Butler’s work into dialogue with Merleau-Ponty’s concept of “intercorporeality” and phenomenology of perception. Part II argues that family systems theory offers a framework through which to articulate the nature of our shared vulnerability, allowing us to see the manners in which problems reside not “in” individuals, but within the dynamic systems of which they are a part. Part III analyzes School for Peace “encounters” in order to explore the ways in which liberatory political change occurs through shifts in the behavioral dynamics at play in the political status quo. I conclude by arguing that our political identities are most fully realized through, rather than in spite of, our inherent vulnerability.