Personal Politics Research Articles

The Effect of Elite Cues on Policy Attitudes through the Lens of Affective Polarization in Taiwan

The personalization of politics and elite polarization have attracted considerable scholarly attention. We conducted an online experimental survey on policy proposals and voters’ evaluations of candidates during the 2020 Taiwanese presidential election. We see an elite effect on voters’ policy attitudes when controlling for party-related factors. The effect shows up as a negative cue but not as a positive cue. Moreover, the negative effect varies by candidate. These findings suggest that in policy attitude formation, opposition to a candidate has a stronger effect than liking a candidate. Overall, this study extends our understanding of the elite effect from the perspective of personalized politics with evidence from the Taiwanese electoral context. This information is critical not only for understanding the political consequences of polarization but also for understanding how it relates to opinion formation among citizens.

Fast-Track Legislation: The Transformation of Law-Making Under Joko Widodo’s Administration

<div class="WordSection1"><p>Since the end of 2019, the President and the House of Representatives had performed different legislative functions. Since the Law on the Commission Eradication Commission was amended, legislation had dramatically been transformed. Several laws have been passed and amended quickly. This study discusses three legal issues. <em>First,</em> the conceptual limitation of fast-track legislation in Indonesia. <em>Second</em>, the rationale behind fast-track legislation under Joko Widodo's administration. <em>Third</em>, the impact of fast-track legislation under Joko Widodo's administration. In this <em>socio-legal</em> study, a qualitative analysis is conducted. This study has identified that (1) fast-track legislation in Indonesia can only be adopted through <em>Perpu</em> with all its exemptions and exceptions; (2) the transformation of law-making under Joko Widodo's administration is associated with political pragmatism, political personalization, the elimination of the opposition, and cartel parties; and (3) the transformation of law-making under Joko Widodo's administration is detrimental to the future of Indonesia's democracy. The transformation has degraded the quality of deliberation in law-making. Besides, it does not adhere to law-making procedures, resulting in elitist and conservative laws.<em></em></p></div><p><em><br clear="all" /></em></p>

On the Limitations of Michel Foucault’s Genealogy of Neoliberalism

Michel Foucault's genealogy of neoliberalism in Naissance de la biopolitique is surprisingly lacking in critical acumen vis-à-vis neoliberal rationality. Several interpretations explain Foucault's appreciative tone by hypothesising about Foucault's supposed conversion to neoliberalism. In this article, I argue that the problem lies not in Foucault's personal politics but in a disappointing application of the genealogical method. Compared to previous works, Foucault's lectures on neoliberalism focus exclusively on neoliberalism's self-presentation by the likes of Hayek, Becker, and Friedman. It does not explore the subjective effects of neoliberalism on the governed, which would have been impossible for Foucault in 1979. I argue that, by taking into consideration the negative effects of actually-existing neoliberalism, one reveals an immanent critique of neoliberalism at the heart of genealogy. Neoliberalism promises a post-disciplinary order conducive to subjective freedom, but actually requires subjects to adapt to the discipline of free market competition.

Twitter and the projection of political personalities in India

ABSTRACT By longitudinally tracing India’s top political Twitter trends for 2019, our study shows that discursive framing of political leaders is another approach to digital politics. We show that political discourse on digital platforms in India (a) revolved around personalities and (b) hashtags projected political personalities using discursive frames that allow personal subjective interpretations to emerge in resonance with an individual user’s worldview. This is interpreted as a form of political distortion enabled by digital platforms, shaping the perception of political leaders.

Beyond the Words – The Verbal Analysis of Political-Military Personalities’ Speeches

Within the article, I intend to approach politicians’ speeches from the point of view of word analysis, in order to discover what lies beyond the apparent message. Often, the information space is assimilated to a battlefield where words, like projectiles, fly to all sides to reach their target. The analysis of political discourses complements and validates the distant assessment of political leaders’ personality traits. Thus, we can determine whether or not the generated language patterns reflect their decisions. The neurolinguistic studies show that grammatical choices are not made consciously, thus we can discover important information about the personality of a political person. Moreover, it can be validated or not by comparison if the author of the speech is the same as the one who promotes it. This method of verbal communication analysis complements the remote psychological evaluation of political-military personalities on the ways in which they assume decisions.

Dincolo de cuvinte – analiza verbală a discursurilor personalităților politico-militare

Within the article, I intend to approach politicians’ speeches from the point of view of word analysis, in order to discover what lies beyond the apparent message. Often, the information space is assimilated to a battlefield where words, like projectiles, fly to all sides to reach their target. The analysis of political discourses complements and validates the distant assessment of political leaders’ personality traits. Thus, we can determine whether or not the generated language patterns reflect their decisions. The neurolinguistic studies show that grammatical choices are not made consciously, thus we can discover important information about the personality of a political person. Moreover, it can be validated or not by comparison if the author of the speech is the same as the one who promotes it. This method of verbal communication analysis complements the remote psychological evaluation of political-military personalities on the ways in which they assume decisions.

中国共产党推进青年政治社会化的实践新样态——模拟政协提案活动

Abstract: Youth political socialization is the key work of the CPC to promote the socialist democratic political system, but it also faces multi-dimensional practical challenges. In the new era, the CPC must answer the issue of how to promote the multi-dimensional development of political socialization at the individual level of youth and internalize the universal norms of political socialization at the group level. In the path selection of youth political socialization, simulating the proposal activity of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference has become a new practice form of youth political socialization in China. As a new attempt of the CPC to promote the political socialization of youth, the simulated proposal activity of the CPPCC is aimed at shaping the political personality of young people through improving their political awareness, political participation and political consciousness to realize the political socialization of young individuals; At the same time, it also promotes the development of socialist democratic political system by consolidating consensus, building belonging, and enhancing identity, in order to achieve the political socialization of young people.

The impact of party competition on LGBTI+ rights: Evidence from Spanish autonomous regions (1990–2022)

AbstractPolitical competition accelerates the enactment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, and intersexual rights (LGBTI+) due to the dynamic, rational behavior of mainstream parties across the political aisle to adapt to the sociopolitical environment. We argue that LGBTI+ social movements capitalize on median voter shifts combined with the rising pressure of ideologically close challenger parties to enact legislation. To examine this argument, we employ quantitative event history analysis with a unique dataset with measures for social movement, institutional, political, and sociocultural dimensions across 33 years in Spanish subnational arenas. We find that rising leftist and liberal contenders challenging dominant center‐left and center‐right parties, respectively, widen the opportunity political structure of LGBTI+ organizations. Ultimately, rising political fragmentation in a multiparty, multidimensional party system turns both left and right mainstream parties into allies of LGBTI+ organizations, which propose new legislation, due to political platforms seeking to preserve and enhance their electoral base.Related ArticlesBurnett, Craig M., and Aaron S. King. 2015. “The Personal Politics of Same‐Sex Marriage.” Politics & Policy 43(4): 586–610. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12126.Lewis, Gregory B., Marc A. Rogers, and Kenneth Sherrill. 2011. “Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Voters in the 2000 US Presidential Election.” Politics & Policy 39(5): 655–77. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2011.00315.x.Skipworth, Sue Ann, Andrew Garner, and Bryan J. Dettrey. 2010. “Limitations of the Contact Hypothesis: Heterogeneity in the Contact Effect on Attitudes toward Gay Rights.” Politics & Policy 38(5): 887–906. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2010.00262.x.

What is political about a tree? Grappling with partisan divides in environmental education

Although popular discourse around environmental issues – including environmental education (EE) – is often dominated by the idea that politically progressive places are pro-environment and politically conservative places resist environmental protection, the reality is more complex. This research, which is grounded in interviews with 31 environmental educators in Kentucky, investigates: 1) how environmental educators in a state whose politics is often at odds with environmental protection navigate their work; and 2) how the ways these educators navigate their work illuminates the potential for EE to thrive in diverse places. By taking a stance toward EE that is ‘apolitical’ and oriented toward finding common ground with all participants regardless of their personal politics, Kentucky’s environmental educators offer an alternative to the seemingly intractable acrimony that can characterize discussions of many educational and environmental issues – including EE. Since our ability to develop and implement solutions to environmental problems hinges in part on political factors, it is imperative to develop a fuller understanding of how EE and politics intersect and how EE can help develop a citizenry capable of both making sound environmental decisions and bridging partisan divides.

From Voting Bloc to Fragmentation: The Chinese Opposition Votes in the 2021 Sarawak State Election

This study analyses the voting patterns among the Sarawakian Chinese and their pro-opposition inclination in the 2021 Sarawak State Election (SSE21). It begins by recounting how the national opposition alliances, former Pakatan Harapan (PH) alliances—Barisan Alternatif (BA) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR)—gained popularity among the Chinese voters in Sarawak since the 2006 state elections. The voting trends reveal changes in Chinese voting patterns, from a voting bloc to fragmented votes, and their openness to local opposition parties in the recent state elections. In order to examine the plurality voting pattern and the extent of fragmentation, this research studies two Chinese-majority urban constituencies, Batu Lintang and Bukit Assek in Sarawak. It contends that the Chinese political leanings, including their tendency to embrace regionalism, are profoundly shaped by local and national political developments. In the past two decades, ethnopatronage politics and prevalent corruption practices partly explain the Chinese’s quest for regime change. The Sarawak government’s emphasis on regional identity and multiculturalism in its official narrative nurtures a sense of belonging, which also impacts Chinese identity politics. This article argues that the decision to support minor parties advocating for separatism can be read as strategic voting of the regional minority who feel deprived of their equal rights. It also contends that political fragmentation among the Chinese might persist if PH fails to consolidate its previous support. Otherwise, it spells the decline of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK). The sustainability of local opposition parties depends on the internal reform of parties. The parties should reduce the influences of personal politics as it tends to breed party-hopping, which places parties’ future or institutional development at risk of uncertainty.

The radical left and its political communication. An examination of the campaign activities of radical left candidates in sixteen Europe countries

In this paper we focus on the political communication activities of the candidates of the radical left parties (RLPs), emphasizing their campaign activities during electioneering. We aim to address three key questions. First, we seek to understand what type of political communication activities RLP candidates use. Second, we undertake a comparative analysis, contrasting these activities with those employed by candidates and MPs from other party families in order to identify any notable distinctions. Third, we explore the thematic emphasis of their campaign activities and whether it aligns with the commonly held perception of RLPs as less individualistic, particularly in light of the prevailing trend towards increased personalization in politics. Our data come from the Comparative Candidates Survey (CCS) and cover 16 European countries over the years spanning from 2005 to 2017. In sum, the findings present a nuanced perspective and do not conclusively demonstrate a distinctly unique type of candidate of the radical left.

The Rhetoric of Innovation in Non-Tech Personal Branding: Utilizing Tech Buzzwords as a Strategy for Political Messaging

The use of innovation rhetoric by non-tech individuals reinforces their personal branding. Studying four non-tech political personalities, this study provides evidence of how and why non-tech politicians are trying to present themselves as tech-savvy. As the article describes, innovation buzzwords, stories, narratives, and metaphors add value to any non-tech brand, enhancing promotional presence and marketing effectiveness. It is apparent from the findings that innovation rhetoric has the aim of creating a positive public image, which contributes to the public perception of an individual.

Is Donald Trump a Modern-Day Catiline?

Could the story of a failed Roman politician who organized a plot to seize the Roman republic in 63 BCE be a metaphor for Donald Trump’s political persona—his initial presidential run against the establishment, his rhetorical effort to overthrow the status quo and the natural order of things in national politics, the love affair Trump has always had with the struggling working-class voters (with the “forgotten” Americans), his constant testing the constitutional limits of our republican system of government? Could both figures be symptoms of times when a republic is in crisis and reminders of the perils that political divisiveness and civil disunion bring to a democracy?

Conversation: Potential for Inclusive Populist Masculinities

Abstract This conversation text responds to Larry A. Swatuk’s thoughtful review of our book The Culture and Politics of Populist Masculinities (Hakola, Salminen, Turpeinen & Winberg, 2021). Swatuk inspired us to consider what inclusive populist masculinity could look like. In our conversation, we argue that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offers us a case, where the evolution of Zelenskyy’s political persona from his roots in entertainment to his presidency brings forward an inclusive gender potential. Initially challenging traditional gender norms, Zelenskyy’s early presidency sought to deconstruct hierarchical political cultures and gender assumptions. However, with the onset of the Russian invasion in 2022, his gender performances evolved towards more conventional masculinity, yet leaving room for inclusive interpretations. Zelenskyy, along with other figures, has redefined masculine archetypes in intersections of popular culture and politics, which shows that any deterministic categories to understand populist masculinities downplay the cultural complexity and varied contexts of the phenomenon.

An Overview of The Role of Media and Social Networks on Politics

In the current era, with the increasing growth of technology and communication, media and social networks have not had an impact on the evolution of social and political life, especially in developed societies. The development of media communication, in addition to being the basis for the consolidation of communication between citizens, has also led to the socialization of politics. On the one hand, social media has played an important role in the political personality development and election campaigns of politicians, and on the other hand, it has been important in the discussion of the political development of societies.
 Governments have used media and social networks to manage and influence public opinion. Nowadays, government agencies attach importance to the use of mass media in order to gain the satisfaction of the people and to inform the public about their functions and services through social media. In addition to providing good facilities for social and political life, social media has also brought consequences and concerns. Research shows that the role of media and social networks on politics increases with the passage of time and the number of its users also increases. The library method was used in the preparation and research of this article.

Pemahaman Hadis Kontemporer Yusuf Al-Qardhawi Dan Muhammad Al- Ghazali

Hadith is anything in the form of words, actions, tacit approval, or characteristics (self-description) that is attributed to the Prophet Muhammad. What is meant by the nature (self-description) of the Prophet in this definition is the physical description and morals of the Prophet as reported by the narrators, such as his body being strong, his chest broad, he was a polite person and so on. Muhammad al-Ghazali was a famous scholar who was born in al-Buhairah, Egypt, precisely in Nakla Inab, a village which gave birth to many prominent Islamic figures of his time such as Muhammad 'Abduh, Mahmud Syaltut, Hasan alBana and Muhammad al-Madani, Yusuf Al -Qardhawi. He was born in the village of Shaft Turab in the middle of the Nile River Delta, Mahallah al-Kubra area, he already memorized the Koran. Completing his education at Ma'had Thantha and Ma'had Tsanawi, Qaradawi continued on to al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt, at the Ushuluddin Faculty, majoring in religious studies and graduating in 1952 where he received the shahadah 'aliyah. Then he continued his Arabic language studies for two years and graduated with the best achievement among five hundred students. These people have an understanding of hadith, then in this research we discuss the Understanding of Contemporary Hadith According to Yusuf Al-Qardhawi and Al-Ghazali. In this research, the qualitative approach used by researchers is library research, namely. activities related to library data collection methods. In terms of Hadith material, according to Yusuf Al-Qardhawi and Muhammad Ghazali: Related to current problems. As an effort to reinterpret the hadith in accordance with the current context.

The art of effective oversight: unravelling the success of Israel's Cabel Inquiry Committee

ABSTRACT Legislative oversight of the executive branch is a fundamental mechanism for ensuring government accountability, good governance, and enhancing democracy. However, formal oversight powers alone are insufficient, and the practical application eventually determines effectiveness. In contemporary times, a distinct set of political phenomena exists, notably the emergence of populism and polarisation, a deep-seated crisis of representation, and a systematic decline in public trust regarding diverse branches of government, coupled with the personalisation of politics and the weakening of political parties. In light of these developments, it is essential to engage in a meticulous examination of the means by which legislatures can enhance their capacity to effectively oversee governments. This article examines the parliamentary committee of inquiry led by Knesset Member Eitan Cabel in Israel from 2017 to 2019, which focused on credit arrangements for large business borrowers. This committee's rigorous investigation into financial system failures makes it an exemplary case of robust oversight in action. The article analyses the Committee establishment, composition, mandate, systematic meeting-planning and questioning process, unique physical setting, report publishing, and other details. The analysis of the Committee's work reveals important insights regarding effective oversight, and isolates the practices which made its work such an augmented performance of legislative oversight. Factors such as the committee's activeness, cooperation, independence, preparation, respectful yet critical approach, transparency, accurate use of media, and precise procedure, created an exceptional performance of legislative oversight. The article concludes that while legislative oversight relies partly on formal mechanisms, it is primarily driven by how political actors apply them, and reveals the importance and centrality of the human factor. This single case analysis, focusing on the committee's oversight practices can inform comparative learning on delivering robust oversight beyond Israel's context, and derive widely applicable insights into key practices for effective legislative supervision of the executive branch.

The Personalization of Politics in Türkiye During the Rule of the Justice and Development Party (2002–2023)

The Personalization of Politics in Türkiye During the Rule of the Justice and Development Party (2002–2023)

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ЕТИКЕТУ У СФЕРІ БІЗНЕСУ

The article analyzes etiquette in the context of social relations and its role in society. In the business sphere, ethics and etiquette complement each other. The issue of business etiquette is an important component of the professional behavior of entrepreneurs and businesspeople. Etiquette is a system of behavioral rules that regulates the external manifestations of human relationships. Most etiquette norms arise from the moral and aesthetic needs formed by humanity. The norms of ethics and aesthetics require the development of communication rules between people, which is also necessary in the business sphere. Etiquette primarily concerns behavioral categories, while ethics refers to moral categories. This means that a polite person is not always moral, but a moral person must be well-mannered and polite. Thus, the norms of etiquette and morality that have developed in society are mechanisms for regulating the long process of forming relationships between people. Without adherence to ethical norms, neither economic, political, nor business relations can exist. The article explores the concept of etiquette, specifically focusing on its significance within social relations and its broader role in shaping societal interactions. In the realm of business, etiquette and ethics are interdependent and serve as vital tools that help businesspeople navigate the complexities of professional conduct. Etiquette, being a structured set of behavioral guidelines, plays a crucial role in regulating how individuals present themselves and interact with others, ensuring that professional exchanges occur smoothly and respectfully. This concept stems largely from the moral and aesthetic frameworks that have evolved over centuries, reflecting the innate human need for order, decency, and civility in all forms of communication. In the business environment, the lines between ethical and etiquette-related behavior often intertwine. While ethics addresses deeper moral obligations, etiquette focuses on outward actions and mannerisms. It is important to note that these two concepts, while distinct, are mutually reinforcing. For instance, a polite individual may not necessarily exhibit ethical integrity, but a person grounded in strong moral principles will likely adhere to courteous behavior. The long-standing traditions of etiquette offer a system through which professionals can cultivate trust, foster cooperation, and create a foundation for sustainable relationships – whether in business or politics. Without these codes of conduct, the structure of professional interaction would falter, leading to a breakdown in both economic and political engagements. Therefore, the implementation of etiquette is not just an option but a necessity for the functioning of modern business practices.

Historiographic Metafiction: A Study of Susan Abulhawa’s The Blue Between Sky and Water

This article aims to show the application of historiographic metafiction in Susan Abulhawa’s The Blue Between Sky and Water (2016), highlighting the embodiment of historiographic metafictional characteristics in rewriting Palestinian history, exactly the Nakba (1948). Since Linda Hutcheon calls for revision of the past in order to rewrite history, Abulhawa’s work has granted her a place among postmodern literary authors since she does so. Such an aesthetic and resisting act aims at acknowledging falsity and prejudice practiced by both ends responsible of historical documentation: the winner and the looser. This study argues that metafictional techniques allow the author to re-visit the Nakba (1948), re-present the events and eventually allow readers to re-pen history. Simultaneously, the novel’s historiographic metafictional characteristics will be underscored including challenging one historical truth, blending history and fiction, using self-reflexive narration, narrating through an openly controlling narrator, and importing real and famous historical and political personalities. The findings show that historiographic metafiction is applicable in Abulhawa’s novel. Interestingly, this paper demonstrates how the author enlarges her scope of writing, by adding postmodern dimension to the political and historical issues she depicts.