Political Culture Research Articles

Understanding literacy as human practice: exploring stories about (people like) us

ABSTRACT This paper examines literacy as a sociocultural, personal and human practice dependent on and derived through relationships between people, settings and culture. Drawing on a recent empirical research study that combines learner, teacher and author perspectives [Curtin (2023) Reading and Writing Pathways Through Children’s and Young Adult Literature: Exploring Literacy, Identity and Story with Authors and Readers. Routledge], I explore how children’s literature may be used to develop meaningful and authentic literacy pedagogies in the primary classroom. The research methodology for this study employed interviews with sixteen international and award-winning children’s literature authors. This paper presents one author's interview from the study in detail in an effort to illustrate the importance of identity and personal resonance in literacy learning. To this end, funds of knowledge [Moll, Amanti, Neff, and Gonzalez. (1992). “Funds of Knowledge for Teaching: Using a Qualitative Approach to Connect Homes and Classrooms.” Theory Into Practice 31 (2): 132–141. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405849209543534] and light and dark [Zipin (2009). “Dark Funds of Knowledge, Deep Funds of Pedagogy: Exploring Boundaries Between Lifeworlds and Schools.” Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education 30 (3): 317–331. https://doi.org/10.1080/01596300903037044] pedagogical approaches are applied in a discussion of genre study using (auto) biographical text in the primary classroom. Identity affirming and culturally resonant pedagogies developed seek to engage learners in literacy as a human practice. The paper concludes by considering key insights and ways forward.

Acoustics, Audibility and Political Culture in the House of Commons, 1800–34

AbstractHow easy was it to hear, and be heard, in the historic house of commons? Located in the former St Stephen's Chapel in the Palace of Westminster, the pre‐1834 Commons had not been designed as a place of debate, though its refurbishment by Christopher Wren may have taken acoustics into account. This article focuses on the chamber as re‐ordered by James Wyatt in 1800–1 to accommodate 100 members from Ireland following the Acts of Union. Employing acoustic simulation software and an interdisciplinary methodology, we explore the soundscape of the Commons as experienced both on the floor of the house and in the ventilator space where women gathered to listen to the debates below. Modelling for different scenarios, including speeches delivered from the front and back benches and the Speaker's chair, we present comparative data for their audibility in a fully‐ or half‐occupied house. Evidence for contemporary understanding of the acoustics of the chamber, for instance around the ‘elasticity of the atmospheric air’, is also reviewed in light of modern science. Results are interpreted for their impact on the political culture of the pre‐1834 house of commons including choice of seating, oratorical strategies, and the experience of reporters in the gallery.

The Black Gay Male Image under Siege

This essay discusses Isaac Julien's film Looking for Langston alongside 1980s Black British political culture, in which visual culture played a significant part. Focusing on the role of the image in that time and place, the article reads the embodied performances of waiting, use of the montage, and constructed scenes of Black queer lifeworlds, past and present, as challenging the linear modes of temporality that have confined Black politics to a perpetual state of deferment and the modern notion of vision under which the Black gay male image remains under siege.

Communal Intimacies

The reproduction of the American home hinges on a clear public/private distinction, wherein the private sphere is traditionally viewed as domestic — a space for interpersonal care and social reproduction, distinct from the abstract political culture of the public. Due to American legal and cultural norms maintaining this division, the mainstream LGBTQ rights movement has privileged privacy as a portal of legitimation, often to the detriment of poor, queer people of color without access to private property. Amid residential segregation, mass incarceration, and welfare reform, queer people of color must reshape and repurpose both public and commercial space to collectively affirm their erotic desires and care for each other through “communal intimacies,” the spatial-kinship practices that decouple care from the domestic, create a pathway for the transfer of libidinal pleasures, and act as a foundation for envisioning and enacting a world of belonging and transformation despite gentrification. Through cultural analysis of John Leguizamo's performance of the “Manny the Fanny” character from his 1991 show Mambo Mouth and Sean Baker's 2015 film Tangerine, this article illustrates novel forms of homemaking that blur the boundaries denoting the public/private spatial divide inherent in neoliberal property regimes.

The Carnation Revolution in the West German press

The revolution of 25 April aroused public interest in Portugal for the first time in West Germany. Compared to other countries, however, the interest was rather modest. None of the Federal Republic of Germany’s newspapers sent a correspondent to Lisbon to report on the day-to-day events of the revolution, as did some European newspapers and even Neues Deutschland, the official organ of the German Democratic Republic’s ruling party. Through the newspapers, the citizens of West Germany received a partial, superficial and biased view of the events in revolutionary Portugal. The treatment of Nelkenrevolution (the Carnation Revolution) in the West German press says almost as much about Portugal as it does about the peculiar political culture of the Bonn Republic, which the Cold War deeply influenced.

Political and Intercultural Communication in Determining Presidential Candidates in the Indonesian Elections 2024

This study explores the dynamics of political communication in Indonesia, focusing on the 2024 presidential elections. As the country prepares for the presidential election in February 2024, since the general election is a form of post-reformation democratic process implementation that began in 1998, the process of forming political coalitions has become a significant aspect of the political landscape. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, the research examines the interplay between three distinct political cultures—parochial, subject, and participant—and their influence on voter engagement and candidate selection. Through in-depth interviews and participatory observation, the study reveals how political parties can tailor their communication strategies to resonate with diverse voter segments, thereby enhancing electoral participation and fostering a more inclusive democratic process. The findings highlight significant implications for political actors and scholars alike. By recognizing the unique characteristics and needs of each political culture, parties can develop effective coalition-building strategies that bridge cultural divides and mobilize support across Indonesia's heterogeneous electorate. This research not only fills existing gaps in the literature regarding the role of intercultural communication in Indonesian politics but also provides practical recommendations for political parties aiming to improve their engagement with voters. Ultimately, the study underscores the critical importance of adaptive communication strategies in promoting a more informed, engaged, and representative democratic system in Indonesia. Keywords: Elections, intercultural communication, political communication, political parties, presidential candidate.

The origins of Russophobia: on the issue of social and political culture of interstate relations

The article examines the concept and implementation of the principle of «Russophobia» as a type of socio-cultural intolerance. The relevance of addressing this topic is justified by the modern realities of the socio-political confrontation of Western countries in relation to Russia. Particular attention is paid to the causes of Russophobia and the main trends in its manifestation in the modern world. The research was carried out using the method of socio-historical analysis, the epistemological method of analyzing literary, journalistic and scientific sources. The research examines concepts formed in different periods of history that comprehend this phenomenon. Based on reflections on Russophobia by authoritative Russian philosophers, writers and publicists, it has been proved that the Russophobic narrative, starting from the 16th century, became a stable ideological trend reflecting the expansionist interests of Western elites. As Russia strengthened on the world stage, Russophobia intensified. The ideological «crusade» against Orthodox Rus' was launched by European travelers of the 17th-19th centuries, who created a negative image of our country in the Western world. Currently, the countries of the united West have declared a «sacred war» against Russia. A powerful propaganda campaign was launched, directed against Russia and everything Russian. The authors of the article give a moral and ethical assessment of the sociopolitical processes of a new surge of Russophobia in modern conditions. It is suggested that in the current conditions it is necessary to carry out an open international fight against Russophobia and create a system of our own channels of influence in the Western information space, as well as counteract internal Russophobia using cultural and educational methods.

Impact of digitalisation on the structure of youth political leadership

At the present stage, youth political leadership is in the focus of attention of researchers due to the fact that youth policy is an important part of public policy. The concept of the youth political leadership is relatively new and interdisciplinary, integrating politological, sociological, psychopolitical, and managerial approaches. To analyse the phenomenon, the systematisation of scientific approaches to the study of political leadership is conducted, 6 stages of the development of scientific thought from the second half of the XIX century to the beginning of the XXI one are highlighted. The classical and modern theories of leadership are considered. The article substantiates the mediation of methodological approaches to the political leadership by the historical and political context and the level of development of the political culture of society. They are the basis for studying the structure of the phenomenon in question. It is proved that under the influence of digitalisation as the most important aspect of reality, as an attribute of politics and the socio-economic sphere, the structure of the youth political leadership is undergoing a change. Digitalisation makes adjustments to the existing scientific and methodological basis of the political leadership. The analysis of available leadership concepts has shown a movement from its personal aspect to the socio-interactive one, however, in the context of digital transformation, it is necessary to introduce a digital component of leadership. Based on empirical data, the modern structure of the youth political leadership is derived, consisting of three components: personal, socio-interactive, and digital.

Features of the application of methods for assessing the influence of political culture on electoral preferences

Features of the application of methods for assessing the influence of political culture on electoral preferences

Decolonising] the Contentious Politics of Seeing: Reading Visual Cultures

Art and imagery consumed globally through digital and social media are increasingly intertwined with everyday life and politics. This article discusses the often contentious politics of seeing art and imagery, and the problematique that surrounds it. It inverts the lens to look at visual cultures by contextualising it within larger cultural politics and examines the process of visual meaning-making in the public sphere. We seek to disrupt disciplinary and methodological boundaries and employ a transdisciplinary approach to deconstructing meaning-making in the public sphere. We focus on how continued hegemonic discourses are problematised in the production and representation of artworks, especially in the context of the Global South, and how these contribute to decolonising visual cultures and knowledge production. We argue that seeing as a conscious act of engagement differs from casual consumption and spectatorship, and an engaged position alters the viewer’s receptivity. We conclude that through participatory engagement with art and an ongoing dialogue a more inclusive public sphere is possible, enabling education and disrupting a multitude of power hierarchies.

Understanding the Cultural Politics Experience of Indonesian Male Domestic Helpers in Malaysia

This research explores the cultural-politics dynamics of Indonesian male domestic workers in Malaysia as they confront and challenge societal prejudices while taking on fatherhood-associated responsibilities. It delves into the obstacles these men face due to ingrained gender stereotypes that question their suitability for domestic roles, particularly in a foreign cultural context. The primary objective is to understand how these men redefine their identities and assert their roles as nurturers and providers, challenging traditional masculine ideals. This study uses a qualitative research design and a narrativization approach to explore the experiences of Indonesian male domestic helpers. Through in-depth interviews and personal narratives, the research reveals how these men navigate their roles as caregivers and fathers, challenging traditional gender norms and gaining recognition within their households and communities. The study also highlights the importance of upholding cultural ties and personal resilience in their experiences as migrant domestic workers.

How Does Topical Diversity Affect Source Credibility? Fact-Checking Coverage of Politics, Science, and Popular Culture

How Does Topical Diversity Affect Source Credibility? Fact-Checking Coverage of Politics, Science, and Popular Culture

Present Scenario of Post-poll Alliance in India

India is one of the greatest democracies in the World, however, the 2021 Economic Intelligence Unit ranked India at 46th position on Democracy Index with a score of 6.91. Such low ranking of in Democracy Index shows the mirror to changing opportunistic political culture prevailing in India. Free and fair election is the basis of any democracy where the government is formed as per the mandate of the voters. However, recent years in Indian polity has seen the increase in the trend of post poll alliance which provides the opportunity to form government by bypassing the public mandate. This left voters in a state of confusion where they are left uncertain of their role in democracy. The increasing trend of post poll alliances is a severe challenge to democracy which cannot be dealt with existing election laws. The present scenario of Indian politics demands the formulation of new laws to put a stop to this unethical practice of opportunistic politics

Why Are so Many Remote Workers Reluctant to Endure the Politics of Organizational Culture?

A recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article dated May 31, 2023, titled “Why Workers Aren’t Coming Back to the Office Full-Time” (Smith & Carpenter, 2023), examines reasons employees prefer remote work, such as rising childcare costs, avoidance of micro-management, low interpersonal conflict, wardrobe requirements, food costs, commute time, and parking expenses. The WSJ has recently published multiple articles on remote work, including one on January 11, 2024, stating “Remote Workers Are Losing Out on Promotions, New Data Shows” (Chen, 2024), which claims remote workers were promoted 31% less frequently than office workers. Understanding the politics of organizational culture related to remote work preferences is crucial. We conducted a literature review using Google Scholar with key terms “remote work” and “office” OR “politics” OR “culture” from 2019 to 2023, including the COVID-19 pandemic period. There is a pressing need for a cultural shift within organizations to adopt remote and hybrid work models, driven by professionals' increasing demand for remote work options.

War as a game: the pleasurable and playful aspects of the Italian Arditi’s military experiences in the First World War

This article proposes that several First World War Italian shock troops known as Arditi were strongly influenced in their wartime combat activities by fun and play. Even before becoming stormtroopers, various soldiers were guided by a tendency to see the Great War as ludic or athletic event. Such proclivity stemmed from these servicemen’s distinctive political cultures and ideologies. As a result of their viewpoints, these servicemen had already fought intensely in the initial stages of their military service. Additionally, the Italian army vastly increased the combat effectiveness and violent tendencies of recruits to the Arditi corps by making recourse to fun and play while training these prospective stormtroopers. An intense sports-based drilling regimen improved soldiers’ physical agility, while also nurturing their instinctive hostile behaviour. This article shows how Italian soldiers’ cultural and ideological milieus and military drilling increased their fighting power, including their propensity to enact violence against enemies.

Utopian Science Fiction and Ethnic Future Imagination in Chinese Contemporary Science Fiction

Utopian science fiction, as a fusion of science fiction literature and utopian literature, integrates the construction of imagined interactions between people, technology, society, and the environment in future narratives. In doing so, it deepens the aesthetic value and social significance of science fiction literature. Chinese science fiction utopian future narratives use technological imagination to construct three models of expression. First, they re-examine the symbiotic patterns of technology, humanity, and time within the multiple dimensions of human subjectivity. Second, within the transformation of social structures, they reassess the subject and emotions, recognizing that the acceleration of social change has transformed human nostalgia into a series of rehearsals seeking future possibilities in the past. Third, within the dissolution of cultural politics, they reconsider space and the environment, reconstructing planetary existence through a model of deterritorialization. The imagined technological developments constitute the internal logic of Chinese science fiction utopian future narratives, suggesting that the future is an uncertain movement entangled with technology, time, space, and human nature. The confluence of technology, time, and humanity gives rise to people’s expectations and yearnings for eternal life. However, these three modes of narrating the future also lead us to return to Earth as the central theme, highlighting the planetary nature and reflecting on the meaning of existence.

The role of national heritage in shaping Germany’s public health and data governance

Abstract Aim This paper aims to explain how political culture has influenced the scope of prevention measures, disease surveillance, and health data integration strategies in the German health system to date. Subject and methods Political culture is a major determinant of national health policies in countries, defining the means and scope of governmental authority for ensuring population health. This paper explains the role of political culture in shaping prevention and health promotion measures in the German health system, based on a public policy theory. Results During the post-war period, the structure of the German health system was (re-)designed to focus on curative medicine at the expense of public health. Current prevention and health promotion measures, often characterised as ‘too little, too late’, lead to medical treatments that are ‘too costly, too risky’. Linking data sources in Germany today is much more challenging than in other European countries, with health-relevant data often remaining in isolated silos that could be used for population health. Conclusion The analysis suggests that the national heritage shaping the political culture in Germany had a great influence on the limited role of government intervention, the interpretation of public health, and the state’s role in collecting and processing health data of citizens for research and policymaking.

Countering Democratic Decay Judicially: Is Resistance Futile?

Abstract With democratic decay advancing around the globe, scholars deeply disagree about courts’ ability to protect democracy. I argue that this divergence is influenced by conceptual and theoretical deficiencies of the debate. The existing approaches to judicial responses to democratic decay often do not pay sufficient attention to the differences among courts and the environments in which they operate. To tackle these issues, this article introduces the judicial countering capacity frame as an analytical tool to guide further empirical analysis. The framework recognizes courts’ agency but emphasizes the constraints and resources stemming from the environment in which a court operates. Moving away from single-factor explanations, I make a case for a multicausal understanding of judicial countering of democratic decay. I argue that the extent of a court’s countering capacity rests on three pillars: institutional design, the level of political pluralism, and political culture towards courts. The judicial countering capacity frame invites an empirically oriented agenda focusing on micro-mechanisms of judicial countering, their effectiveness, structural preconditions, and the plausibility of available judicial strategies. The article demonstrates the new frame on case studies of Colombia, South Africa and Poland.

The WARFUN taboo

The WARFUN taboo rules out the association of war with fun. This article explains why the taboo is particularly entrenched in Germany and demonstrates its effects: the taboo forms part of an anti-militarist political culture and has created soldier models that omit any soldierly qualities that contradict this culture. Oriented towards these models, German soldiers have internalised the taboo as well. However, this contradicts their experience of humour as an integral part of soldier culture. Consequently, soldiers cautiously control what they share with outsiders. Thereby the WARFUN taboo alienates soldiers from the society into which they are supposed to fit.

Tunnels of power: The cultural politics of the Beijing subway

Abstract This article investigates the cultural politics of the Beijing subway. Drawing on diverse sources, we trace the evolution of the subway over the last half-century to reveal that it transcends its fluctuating, time-specific practicalities to serve as a potent conduit through which the Chinese state consistently shapes subjecthood. The article begins with the subway’s Cold War inception as a military enterprise, spotlighting its deliberate concealment to safeguard the echelons of power and obscure both international and domestic tensions. The second section delves into the subway’s rebirth in the wake of China’s opening-up reform and rapid economic rise, as it transforms into a mobile gallery of political aesthetics that extols China’s cultural heritage and triumphs, cultivating national pride under siege from unleashed market and social forces. The final section dissects the subway’s orchestration of undesirable passengers, sculpting a socioeconomic hierarchy in the city’s commuting system. As a multifaceted prism, the Beijing subway encapsulates a range of covert and overt, pragmatic and aesthetic, and inclusive and exclusive elements in the cultural politics of Chinese infrastructure at large; and it illustrates the sustained centrality of state power in shaping individual subjectivities and defining the cultural and representational significance of Chinese infrastructure, albeit amid growing contestation.