Public Sphere Research Articles

Gender differences in homicides. A comparative analysis of 106 fatalities in forensic autopsy data.

While most homicides worldwide are committed against men, women and girls are disproportionately affected by domestic violence and its fatal consequences. The Istanbul Convention mandates the prevention of gender-based violence, particularly against women. This study analyzes the characteristics of male and female victims of homicides to provide a comprehensive understanding of the different situations and ways in which men and women are killed. Files of 106 forensic autopsies of homicide victims aged 14 years and older (51.9% males, 48.1% females) from 2012 to 2019 were reviewed. Demographic data, previous history with a focus on the perpetrator-victim relationship, substance influence, type of violence and law enforcement data were recorded. A gender-separated statistical analysis was carried out. Male victims were killed most often outside their own home (63.6%) by acquaintances or friends (54.5%). They were frequently under the influence of substances (56.4%). The perpetrators suffered from addictive diseases in 49.1%, and 52.7% had prior convictions. In both groups, stab/cut injuries were the most common causes of death, but stab/cut and gunshot injuries occurred more frequently in male victims. Female victims were killed most often in their own homes (76.5%) by intimate partners (62.7%). Compared to male victims, violent asphyxiation and blunt force trauma were more common causes of death. Furthermore, there was a higher frequency of multiple injuries (33.3%). The prevalence of a guilty verdict of the perpetrators was nearly equal in both groups. Gender-specific aspects should be considered when investigating homicides and establishing prevention and intervention strategies for interpersonal violence. Protective concepts are easier to establish in the public sphere than in private homes, which is why homicides against women require special attention in society, law enforcement, and legislation. Significant gender differences were found in the circumstances and the perpetrator-victim relationships of homicides. Gender-specific aspects should be taken into account when investigating homicides and developing prevention and intervention strategies. Homicides against women require special attention in society, law enforcement and legislation.

A new model of distilling religion: culturalization as marginality

ABSTRACT The culturalization of religion has received considerable scholarly attention in recent years as a compelling restatement of religion in the secular public sphere. Existing research has focused primarily on Western contexts where Christianity, as the dominant religion, is relabelled as culture in order to sanction its continued presence in the secular and multi-religious public sphere. Building on the treatment of non-majority religions in postcolonial contexts, particularly in contemporary Ghana, the article proposes a second model of culturalization in which non-dominant religions undergo culturalization as a sign of marginalisation, restriction, and exclusion. The model of culturalization adopted, the article argues, is determined by the presumed compatibility of the given religious tradition with a specific understanding of ‘modernity’. Looking at culturalization as a form of marginality adds much-needed regional and thematic breadth to the ongoing discussion, as it allows for moving beyond the mostly Western Christian framework to include post-colonial and post-imperial contexts.

Misunderstanding the harms of online misinformation.

The controversy over online misinformation and social media has opened a gap between public discourse and scientific research. Public intellectuals and journalists frequently make sweeping claims about the effects of exposure to false content online that are inconsistent with much of the current empirical evidence. Here we identify three common misperceptions: that average exposure to problematic content is high, that algorithms are largely responsible for this exposure and that social media is a primary cause of broader social problems such as polarization. In our review of behavioural science research on online misinformation, we document a pattern of low exposure to false and inflammatory content that is concentrated among a narrow fringe with strong motivations to seek out such information. In response, we recommend holding platforms accountable for facilitating exposure to false and extreme content in the tails of the distribution, where consumption is highest and the risk of real-world harm is greatest. We also call for increased platform transparency, including collaborations with outside researchers, to better evaluate the effects of online misinformation and the most effective responses to it. Taking these steps is especially important outside the USA and Western Europe, where research and data are scant and harms may be more severe.

Talk show - public sphere of media and culture

Talk show - public sphere of media and culture

Post-January 6th deplatforming reduced the reach of misinformation on Twitter.

The social media platforms of the twenty-first century have an enormous role in regulating speech in the USA and worldwide1. However, there has been little research on platform-wide interventions on speech2,3. Here we evaluate the effect of the decision by Twitter to suddenly deplatform 70,000 misinformation traffickers in response to the violence at the US Capitol on 6 January 2021 (a series of events commonly known as and referred to here as 'January 6th'). Using a panel of more than 500,000 active Twitter users4,5 and natural experimental designs6,7, we evaluate the effects of this intervention on the circulation of misinformation on Twitter. We show that the intervention reduced circulation of misinformation by the deplatformed users as well as by those who followed the deplatformed users, though we cannot identify the magnitude of the causal estimates owing to the co-occurrence of the deplatforming intervention with the events surrounding January 6th. We also find that many of the misinformation traffickers who were not deplatformed left Twitter following the intervention. The results inform the historical record surrounding the insurrection, a momentous event in US history, and indicate the capacity of social media platforms to control the circulation of misinformation, and more generally to regulate public discourse.

Beyond ‘Infodemic’: Complexity, Knowledge and Populism in COVID-19 Crisis Governance

ABSTRACT The concept of the ‘infodemic’ has become a popular explanation for the rejection of anti-COVID-19 crisis governance measures. In this paper, we argue that infodemic is an inherent property of society under free institutions misused to pursue an epistemically vicious political epistemology. Furthermore, we provide an alternative account of political epistemology of COVID-19 governance and popular resistance to it. Namely, we argue that 1) pandemics represent a complex problem, and some level of resistance to governance which restricts liberties while informed by ongoing scientific and political learning processes is inevitable, and 2) the resistance is exacerbated by the history of technocratization of governance and the exclusionary socio-economic inequalities which condition political and epistemic deficiencies easily exploitable by the political entrepreneurs of right-wing populism, particularly under the conditions of social media which gamifies public discourse. Thus, we argue, the correct response to the cultures of rejection of anti-COVID-19 measures is to change the underlying political and economic conditions and not to limit speech or restrict franchise as the infodemic diagnosis suggests.

Fenomena penyimpangan penggunaan kata serapan di Kota Kolaka

Inappropriate use of foreign words in the public sphere often occurs for several reasons, including ignorance of the original meaning of the word, influence from the surrounding environment, or unintentional use. In Indonesian, sometimes foreign words are used inappropriately or not in accordance with the rules. One of the foreign languages absorbed into Indonesian is Arabic. The research method uses qualitative research. Qualitative descriptive research to analyze data in the form of foreign language absorption words whose absorption is not in accordance with the standard language rules of Indonesian. The research was conducted during the month of Ramadan 1445 H/2024 M so that the phenomenon of deviation of absorption words that appeared in the public domain of Kolaka City focused on Arabic foreign absorption words. The data were collected by observing, interview, documenting, and document review the absorption vocabulary contained in the data sources in the form of notice boards, posters, banners, pamphlets, billboards, billboards, and others. The results showed that the most common mistakes found in the public domain of Kolaka City are the words ramadan, salat, prayer, musholah, ummat, muslimah, sholawat, dzuhur, and wudu which should use the words ramadan, prayer, musala, ummah, muslimat, salawat, zuhur, and wudu. The findings of this study are expected to have a good impact on society about the importance of paying attention to the context and original meaning of the absorbing words used in communication. A good understanding of the language of origin of an absorbed word in the appropriate context. Thus, errors in the use of absorbing words can be minimized and effective communication can be maintained. Keywords: Phenomenon, Deviation, Adapted Words, Public Space

Experimental study of aerosol behavior in ambient electric and magnetic fields at low indoor relative humidity

The tendency of aerosols to carry viral particles featured significantly in public discourse during the SARS Covid-19 pandemic. In this research, the potential significance of the aerosol electric charge, especially as it relates to indoor relative humidity (RH) is considered. While electrostatic interactions may occur at any level of humidity, the level of humidity has a strong influence on these interactions. Above 55 % RH, there is sufficient moisture in the air to facilitate neutralization of the electric charges of particles and surfaces, whereas, at lower humidity levels, less moisture and higher surface resistivities enable increasingly stronger electrostatic interactions. Experiments were designed and conducted to study the behavior of electrically charged aerosols in fields emanating from capacitive touchscreens and permanent magnets. These preliminary experimental results suggest that operating indoor environments closer to the 55–60 % RH range could reduce interactions between these charged aerosols and capacitive touchscreens. This relative humidity range is within the acceptable ranges of humidity recommended by ASHRAE standard 55 which defines thermal environmental conditions for human occupancy.

Representation of migrant accents in media discourse

Abstract This study looks at how migrants’ accents are portrayed, labelled, and constructed in media discourse, investigating media coverage of migrants’ accents in the Australian press from 2007 to 2017, a period highlighted by changes in Australian citizenship policies and public discourse. While language has been extensively discussed in policy discourse, there has been a notable dearth of research on the coexistence of dialects and accents within official languages as portrayed in media platforms. Using a corpus-assisted critical discourse analysis of 2,657,016 words from Australian newspaper articles, the study applies raciolinguistic ideologies to show how the press justifies and legitimizes migrant accent-related issues. The results suggest that speakers of Inner Circle English variants are positioned differently from non-white/Outer and Expanding Circle speakers. Speakers of the Inner Circle were far more likely than other speakers to have their accents described as ‘broad’ or ‘thick’, and they were more likely to have the national variation they spoke specifically named. Others, in contrast, regularly described racialized speakers as simply having a ‘foreign’ accent, and many of them frequently claimed trying to ‘change’ their accent or ‘fake’ an Australian accent in an effort to gain access to employment and broader social acceptance. These results emphasize the subtle and not-so-subtle ways that non-white migrant speakers are positioned as incompetent speakers and demonstrate how raciolinguistic ideologies, linguistic racism, and accent laboring concerns are widespread in Australian society. These findings highlight the significance of corpus approaches for studying language related issues and provide insight into accent biases produced by the media in Australian society.

Microfinance and Entrepreneurial Empowerment of Women: The Case of Women’s Microfinance Initiative in Uganda

Purpose: Women have always been underestimated and discriminated in social, economic and political spheres of life. Moreover, the traditional household chores create hindrances in their social and economic empowerment. Entrepreneurship development among women largely focuses on the empowerment of women through developing skills in Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and business ventures by taking risk of making investment decisions. Over the years, various efforts have been made by Government and Non-Government Organisations to promote women empowerment in Uganda and one such effort is through the micro-finance intervention. This Paper attempts to explore the impact of micro finance on the women’s entrepreneurial empowerment with specific reference to Women’s Micro-finance Initiative (WMI) in Buyobo in North Eastern Uganda. Materials and Methods: The study adopted an exploratory cross sectional research design. The target population comprised women’s microfinance Initiative Laon beneficiaries. A study Sample of 1,380 Respondents were purposively selected. The main Instrument for data collection was a structured Questionnaire and was complemented by Interviews and Focus Group Discussions. The study findings were presented in form of Tables, Graphs, Pie charts and where appropriate and where necessary, quotes or excerpts were used to strengthen the interpretation. Findings: The study findings reveal that the Micro-finance has a positive impact in terms of improvement in Business Operations; Diversification of Businesses; Business Skills Improvement; Improvement in Household livelihoods and living standards. The study findings will act as a basis for policy formulation as it will provide empirical evidence for policy makers to formulate relevant policies geared towards enabling environment for enhancing women Entrepreneurial Empowerment in Uganda. The study will further contribute to the struggle to eliminate gender inequality in Entrepreneurial empowerment. The study will further add value to existing scholarship which the future scholars may use to generate further research in the area of Microfinance and Entrepreneurial Empowerment of Women. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends strengthening and expansion of micro-finance support to resource poor and vulnerable women in other parts of the country through entrepreneurial education and training, provision of access to credit and financial services as well as markets. The study will contribute to critical debates and raise awareness on issues pertaining to Microfinance and Entrepreneurial Empowerment of Women at community level which will help to build initiatives for effective women Entrepreneurial empowerment in Uganda.

Young families’ space adaptation in subsidized housing case study: Mataram city, West Nusa Tenggara Indonesia

ABSTRACT Indonesia’s 2020 census shows that 25.87% of the population comprises productive working-age millennials in the family-forming phase and demand affordable housing. To aid the low-income class in accessing the housing market, the government provides the Rumah Inti Tumbuh (RIT) or “growing core house” programme. This study examines the young families’ adaptation to utilize the available rooms, using mixed methods of observations, interviews, and architectural records. Study analyses employ the six layers’ theory of [Brand, Stewart. 1994. How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They are Built. New York, NY: Viking] to trace back the incremental process from the early home-making, motivation development, and adaptation strategy of the spatial usages in the post-reconstruction. The study concludes that young families needed to incrementally outmode the forms of provision even in the early occupation. The adaptive solutions gradually blurred the initial design idea provided by the developer. The home-making practices also accommodate daily activities connected with Islamic cultural, social, and intimate spheres.

Voice Lessons

Abstract This paper reflects on the national referendum for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament that took place in Australia in mid-October 2023. At the time of writing, the aftershocks from the failure of the referendum to gain the necessary majorities were still being felt keenly by many of the Voice advocates and supporters. The hurt and grief of many First Nations people were shared by millions of non-Indigenous “Yes” voters, while much reckoning continued in the subsequent weeks and months. The author here explores what might have been gained if more attention had been given to what an Indigenous Voice to Parliament might “sound like,” instead of the excessive focus on, and public discourse around what it might “look like.” Resources from the philosophies and physiology of voice, communication ethics, cultural studies, critical anthropology, Australian Indigenous writing and scholarship, and psychoanalytic politics are utilised to explore the connections between the human voice, vocal expression, hearing and listening, silence and song.

Loneliness in daily life: A comparison between youths with autism spectrum disorders and 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS).

Loneliness is a negative emotional experience that can stem from a gap between desires and the reality of social relationships. It is also a predictor of mental health. Loneliness is therefore important to investigate in neurodevelopmental populations known for having difficulties in the social sphere. This co-registered study involved 48 youths with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), 54 youths with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) and 65 typically developing youths (TD) aged 12-30. State loneliness was assessed with an ecological momentary assessment. Paper-pencil questionnaires assessing attitude toward aloneness, trait loneliness, and mental health, were completed by the youths and their caregivers. A comparable level of state loneliness between clinical groups and TD were found, with greater loneliness when alone than in a social context. Clinical groups showed a greater intra-individual variability. Both individuals with ASD and 22q11DS revealed a greater affinity toward being alone than TD, but only individuals with ASD reported greater trait loneliness. However, no significant association was found between attitude toward aloneness, trait and state loneliness. Emotional reactivity to loneliness was different between the clinical groups. Self-reported mental health only was associated with loneliness in the clinical groups. These results provide new insights into the understanding of loneliness in these clinical populations and have an impact on clinical care by highlighting the need to remain vigilant when encountering youths who report feeling lonely, and that these youths need to be supported in developing their social network, which appears to be a protective factor against loneliness.

Thematic Analysis and Poetic Inquiry of Educators' Meaning-Making and Sense-Making of Social Justice

This paper presents a qualitative study that explores how educators in higher education construct their meaning of social justice. The data consists of transcripts of personal stories shared by three subjects in a public panel discussion. The data analysis employs two complementary methods: thematic analysis and poetic inquiry and analysis. The thematic analysis identifies two main themes: reflection from life events and heightened self-awareness, which illustrate how the subjects' life experiences and perceptions have shaped their understanding of social justice. The poetic inquiry and analysis transform the subjects' voices into narrative and lyrical poems that evoke the emotional and experiential aspects of their stories. The paper explores the consequences of the findings for campus programming and social justice education. This paper also reflects on the benefits and challenges of using thematic analysis and poetic inquiry as qualitative research methods.

Have agricultural and applied economists lost sight of the land‐grant mission? A textual analysis of Presidential Addresses and Invited Papers from 1919–2022

AbstractAgricultural and applied economists have maintained a public discourse at the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA) meetings and subsequently published papers discussing the mission of land‐grant institutions and the role of AAEA members in that mission. With a content analysis of 4001 Invited Papers and Presidential Speeches, we find agricultural and applied economists questioned their profession's purpose and role within the land‐grant system. The reflective questions still apply to land‐grant institutions and the agricultural and applied economics profession. We argue that AAEA members are crucial in addressing the food and agricultural challenges connected to society's deepest needs today and into the future.

Civil society elites: managers of civic capital

AbstractThe article takes the first steps towards a general theory of civil society elites, a concept not fully developed in either elite or civil society research. This conceptual gap hampers academic and public understanding of the dynamics at the top of civil society. To address this, the authors rely on the theoretical framework of Pierre Bourdieu to build a theory of civil society elites as managers of civic capital. This role is illustrated through examples from the differently institutionalised UK and Nordic civil societies. The first part of the article introduces the notion of civic capital and its emergence during the 19th century. The second part focuses on elite positions in civil society fields, demonstrating how civil society elites, as managers of civic capital, navigate between their constituents and other elite groups. These elites wield the power to consecrate social relations while misrecognising their own symbolic and economic gains. Recent scandals in the climate movement and UK and Nordic civil societies shed light on the symbolic aspects of the positions of civil society elites. This comprehensive analysis contributes to elite and civil society research and enriches public discussions about the role of civil society leaders in society.

International Political Dynamics and Islamic Jurisprudence: Understanding the Roots of Terrorism

This paper critically examines the intricate challenges involved in defining terrorism, emphasizing the political instrumentalization of Islam as a perceived threat. It delves into the multifaceted nature of terrorism by exploring various definitions and the underlying political motivations. The study then transitions to an in-depth analysis of Islamic jurisprudence's unequivocal stance against violence and terrorism, highlighting the consistent and unanimous condemnation by Islamic scholars. By scrutinizing the ethical principles that govern warfare in Islam, including the protection of non-combatants and the conditions under which violence is permissible, the paper offers a nuanced and comprehensive perspective on how Islamic teachings fundamentally oppose terrorism. This analysis is supported by references to primary Islamic texts (Quran and Hadith) and classical jurisprudential sources, ensuring a thorough understanding of Islamic legal principles. Furthermore, the paper addresses the broader socio-political implications of framing Islam as synonymous with terrorism. It examines the impact of this narrative on public perceptions, policy-making, and the rise of Islamophobia. The study also considers the strategic motivations behind this framing, particularly in the context of post-9/11 geopolitical dynamics and the subsequent "War on Terror." This paper aims to explore Islamic teachings that prohibit violence and terrorism, the debates among Islamic scholars regarding the punishment for such acts, and the geopolitical motivations behind portraying Islam as a threat. By doing so, it seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of this framing on international relations, public perceptions, and counter-terrorism strategies. The paper concludes with a set of strategic recommendations aimed at promoting accurate representations of Islam. These recommendations emphasize the importance of nuanced and informed public discourse, the role of educational initiatives in dispelling myths and stereotypes, and the need for collaborative international efforts to enhance global counter-terrorism strategies. Additionally, the paper calls for fostering international cooperation to address the root causes of terrorism, such as political repression, socio-economic inequalities, and foreign interventions, thereby promoting a more just and peaceful global order.

The Public Sphere Is “Too Darn Hot”: Social Identity Complexity as a Basis for Authentic Communication

A growing body of research suggests that the contemporary media environment enables motivated reasoning, which intensifies affective polarization. This is especially the case in the U.S., where elections are capital-intensive and media are largely commercially owned. From a normative perspective, these commercial forces may interfere with authentic communication by hijacking the “lifeworld” and thus undermining the sincerity of our speech. From a psychological and empirical perspective, this means we are an affective public steeping in “hot cognitions” that unconsciously motivate us toward processing (mis)information in biased and distorted ways. This kind of cognitive limitation intensifies as current affairs heat up, but starts well before, as a function of media market boundaries aligning with human psychology. Through a synthetic literature review of theory and empirical research, this essay argues that “social identity complexity” may help to overcome some of the worst outcomes of motivated reasoning, pointing toward a developmental basis for more authentic communication in the public sphere.

“No longer the haven of tolerance”? The press and discursive shifts on immigration in Sweden 2010–2022

ABSTRACT The article explores key trajectories of Swedish press discourse on immigration in the period 2010–2022 which covers a variety of socio-economic and political developments including parliamentary entry and growth of the immigration-critical Swedish far-right. Analysing the press across its key variants (liberal/conservative, nationwide/regional, broadsheet/tabloid), the article points to how dynamics of the press discourse on immigration locates within the key “discursive shifts” in the wider Swedish public sphere, including those related to regular political events such as national-parliamentary elections (of 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022) as well as those marked by other, pivotal contextual factors such as the 2015–2016 European “Refugee Crisis.” Deploying a systematic, multi-method approach from within critical discourse studies, the article leads to a number of findings, including on the gradual change and the apparent negativisation of the analysed press discourse over time. It highlights that the increasing hybridity and ambivalence of discursive constructions of immigration in the press are among the key factors underlying their alignment with the wider logic of the public sphere in Sweden, and especially with developments in Swedish political discourse in recent years.

Incursions, incisions, omissions: liberal imperialism, violence and British Southeast Asia in Francis Leggatt Chantrey, Major General Robert Rollo Gillespie , and Joseph Edgar Boehm, Richard Southwell Bourke, sixth earl of Mayo

This article considers the sculpted monuments in St Paul’s Cathedral to nineteenth-century protagonists in Britain’s invasion and rule of Southeast Asian territories (including Burma (Myanmar), Indonesia and the Andaman Islands). It focuses on two works in particular: Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey’s monument to Major General Robert Rollo Gillespie, and the monument to Richard Southwell Bourke, sixth earl of Mayo and viceroy of India, attributed to Joseph Edgar Boehm. The first commemorates the man considered by his supporters to be the hero of the British East Indies after smashing a hole in the Indigenous power structures of the Indonesian archipelago so that it could be claimed for British India. The second remembers a man who was one of the British East Indies’ many victims, even as he ran the place. His story and his monument indicate the extent to which Southeast Asia became a region to which British India despatched its problems – and in which the liberal ideology used to justify nineteenth-century British imperialism met its limits. These two men’s imperial histories and sculpted memorials are read in turn as distinct and divergent instances of liberal imperialism’s simultaneous dependence upon, and denial of, its own capacity for brutal violence. The article argues that, viewed up close and in context, both monuments bear traces of that violence, its consequences, and the alibis, omissions and occlusions with which it was – and, in the neoliberal present, continues to be – cloaked in public discourse.