Realist Perspective Research Articles

Realist and Liberal Perspectives : A Critical Analysis of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in Nepal

Realist and Liberal Perspectives : A Critical Analysis of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in Nepal

Analysing the Effects of Cyber Security on National Security from a Realist Perspective: "Stuxnet" Example

In this study, the effects of providing cyber security on national security are examined from a realistic perspective using the example of the Stuxnet virus. It has been stated that the increasing complexity of cyber threats due to technological advances poses serious risks to states' national security. In the study, the critical role of cyber security in protecting national security is emphasized through the Stuxnet attack. The Stuxnet attack is a cyber-attack on the facilities where Iran carried out its nuclear enrichment program in 2010. As a result of this attack, it was revealed that Iran had both interruptions in its nuclear program and a weakness in cyber security. As such, it is underlined that cyber security can affect the international balance of power and the strategic interests of states. From a realist perspective, since ensuring national security requires a resilient defense against cyber threats and vulnerabilities, it has become necessary to consider cyber security as an important parameter in determining national security policies. This study reveals the interdependent relationship between cyber security and national security in this age when cyberspace has become a very important arena for power struggles. Considering these reasons, it has been recommended that states, which realists consider the main actor in the international system, should make investments that will support their cyber security to protect their national security.

Allied health new graduates’ voice behavior – new perspectives using realist synthesized narratives

PurposeEffective voice behavior in healthcare workers is critical for patient safety, quality improvement and workforce well-being. A review of the literature on voice behavior in healthcare highlights that little is known about the voice behaviors of new graduates in allied health and that current theory, from medical and nursing research, does not adequately apply to this sector. New knowledge about voice behavior for this sector of the workforce will support education and healthcare institutions in building and sustaining a healthy voice behavior culture.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reports on phase two of a two-phase study looking at the voice behavior experiences of new allied health graduates over one year. Using a realist perspective and narrative analysis, we uncover and illustrate what works, with whom and under what conditions.FindingsFour synthesized narratives outline the contexts and mechanisms that result in different voice behavior outcomes – speaking up effectively, speaking up with unmet expectations, not speaking up and a reduction in speaking up over time. Experiences of positive interprofessional collaboration and reflective supervision supported effective voice behavior.Research limitations/implicationsThis study used a case study approach, focusing on healthcare providers within a large New Zealand city and a cohort of 10 participants. Some researchers argue that small numbers limit the generalization of findings to different populations. Realists argue that, given the way in which knowledge is developed using realist methodologies, the resultant theory is portable. Interviews were conducted online during the COVID-19 pandemic. This may have impacted the connection between the interviewer and interviewee, causing the interviewees to not express their true thoughts. However, the interviewer did take time to connect with the interviewees and build trust over the three interviews over one year. Participants did not capture the diversity in the allied health workforce – most identified as female and none identified as Māori/Indigenous. And finally, participants could inhibit or exaggerate information due to the influence of social desirability. This does not appear to be a significant limitation in this study, given the many examples shared by the participants highlighted their challenges.Practical implicationsThis study provides an in-depth exploration of how new graduates in allied health experience speaking up. Our findings enrich the knowledge of speaking up by using synthesized narratives to provide insights into what factors can enable a healthy speaking up culture within the new graduate allied health workforce. This is new knowledge that will be of interest at the individual, team and organizational levels of healthcare. The findings will support curriculum design and new graduate support frameworks for the education and health sectors. Highlighted in this study are the importance of the following factors in supporting speaking up for allied health new graduates: the employment of reflective supervision, purposeful facilitation of team belonging and interprofessional collaboration and tailored speaking up training for allied health new graduates and leaders in healthcare.Originality/valueBy taking a realist perspective and using narrative analysis, we gain an understanding of the voice behavior experiences of new graduates in allied health and the contextual factors and mechanisms that activate effective voice behavior in sub-acute and rehabilitation settings. These findings differ from nursing and medicine and highlight the benefits of reflective supervision and interprofessional collaborative practice.

Germany as a Nuclear Power?: How Nuclear Taboo Shaped the Discourse on West German Nuclearization

A disinformation campaign by the Adenauer administration in the 1950s has led the public to believe that West Germany has never had any intentions on gaining nuclear capabilities. This interpretation is not accurate, as modern research shows and opens a new area of research to be explored. Modern literature on the topic however has mostly been dealing with the problem of German nuclearization from an historical background. While there has been some research on the topic from an international relations perspective, such research has been conducted mostly from a realist perspective. Although the realist perspective has some merits, it is lacking in explanatory power when it comes to the words and behavior of German policy makers and politicians. Constructivist theory of the ‘nuclear taboo’ offers a good supplementary explanation for inner political dynamics during the 1950s and early 1960s. This research examines debates in the Bundestag related to the nuclearization of West Germany during those periods and takes a closer look at what and how congresspeople discussed West Germany going nuclear. It proves that nuclear taboo embraced by the congresspeople discouraged West Germany’s nuclearization.

Classical realism and the challenge of global economic governance

Abstract This paper considers the prospects for global economic governance from the perspective of classical realism. It explains why, from this perspective, the American-led liberal international order, is over—and is not coming back. Classical realism anticipates a US renunciation of the orchestration of global governance, one rooted principally in shifts in its purpose, rather than by changes to its relative capabilities. This transformation of American purpose is a consequence of its domestic politics—in particular, the rise in economic inequality, the emergence of plutocracy, and the dysfunctional political polarization stimulated by those trends—a predictable result of a tectonic shift in the culture of capitalism from one associated with the ‘compromise of embedded liberalism’ towards the exaltation of ‘shareholder value’. This yields pessimistic conclusions not only about American foreign policy, which is likely to be more short-sighted, mercurial, and transactionalist, but also regarding the prospects for global economic governance. Realism sees international cooperation as challenging to establish and maintain, given the consequences of anarchy. In the coming years, episodes of cooperation will surely emerge, but they will likely be ad-hoc, mini-lateral, and fragile. Orchestrating ambitious schemes of global economic governance is less likely when a predominant power has lost interest in such things.

Is Moore’s Moral Objectivist Argument Sufficient Against Moral Relativism?

This study aims to expose certain weaknesses in Moore’s moral objectivist argument against moral relativism and subjectivism. It suggests that a moral objectivist argument has to explain moral diversity against moral relativism. Moral relativism is one of the most critical debates in metaethics, and it can be interpreted in two different ways: one as moral realism and the other as moral anti-realism. Moral realism, when reduced to moral objectivism, excludes moral relativism and subjectivism beyond moral realism. I will refer to this interpretation as narrowed moral realism. But moral realism can be extended in an inclusive way such as moral subjectivism and relativism. I will refer to this as extended moral realism. Due to the focus of the study, I will introduce both extended moral realism and narrowed moral realism in the introduction section. Then, I will address G. E. Moore's narrowed moral realism. I will criticize his arguments for their failure to explain the diversity of moral codes. Finally, I suggest that moral subjectivism and moral relativism can be appropriately addressed within extended moral realism. Contrary to Moore's claims, I contend that moral relativism and moral subjectivism would be claims within moral realism. I also evaluate the two main claims from a moral realist perspective. Moral subjectivism claims that moral reality is constructed by an individual’s mental state. Moral relativism argues that social codes of human conduct completely determine moral reality. In the first section of the study, I discussed moral relativism from a Moorean perspective, which asserts that there are self-evident and indefinable truths at the foundation of objective morality. The second section contends that if Moore is correct, however, it necessitates an explanation for why different cultures accept different moral codes. The third section argues the fact that Moore fails to provide any explanation for this. In the conclusion part, I claim that moral relativism and moral subjectivism can be viewed as moral realist theories based on the failure of Moore's arguments.

Magical Realism in Contemporary Indonesian Literature: An Exploration of the Value of Education in a Fantasy World

The purpose of this study is as an effort to interpret the short story Peminspin Gelap by Intan Pramataditha in the perspective of magical realism. The value of education is also present as one of the aspects studied because it can provide new knowledge for readers and is considered important to learn. The approach used is to use qualitative methods that focus on semiotics, content analysis, and hermeneutics. The source of the data was obtained from the main object of this study, namely the short story book Peminspin Gelap by Intan Paramaditha. Other data used to support this research relate to magical realism such as book references, some relevant research and electronic journals taken from the internet. Data collection is carried out by reading and recording techniques. The results of this research can be found data from the representation of magical realism in the short story Dark Spinner by Intan Paramadhita. First, magical realism data was found based on the meanings and symbols of images on the cover of the short story anthology book Female Magic, and the cover of the short story Dark Spinner pen. Then, data were obtained from the analysis of story texts based on Wendy B. Faris's theory, namely: (1) irreducible elements were found two data; (2) the phenomenal world (Phenomenal World) found two data; (3) Unsettling doubt found four data; (4) Merging realms found one data. Then, the value of education was found in the short story Dark Spinner by Intan Paramadhita, namely the value of religious education

JOHN MEARSHEIMER’S REALISM AND THE UKRAINIAN CRISIS

The paper sheds light on the ongoing debate around the Ukrainian war in American and Western scholarship, the focus is especially on John Mearsheimer’s views on the Western perception and attitudes towards Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. An in-depth critical analysis of Mearsheimer’s essay titled “Why the Ukraine Crisis Is the West’s Fault” published in the aftermath of the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 and his other works have shown that putting the blame on Putin and demonization of Russia for the Ukrainian crisis is a dominant and prevailing discourse in the West. In this ongoing debate, John Mearsheimer seeks to change such narratives viewing them as one-sided and biased, forcefully and persuasive ly arguing that the Western nations led by the United States are to blame for this international crisis that has led to military conflict in Ukraine. The prime cause of the Ukrainian conflict according to Mearsheimer, lies in the eastward expansion of NATO since the 1990s, which is seen by Russia as a grave threat to its national security. Another reason of why there is a bitter tension between the West and Russia is that the American and European leaders’ beliefs of international politics are shaped and guided by a flawed view in which they tend to trivialize realis m, contemporaneously subscribing to liberalism, a school in international relations theory that dominates the discourse about the Transatlantic security. Although Mearsheimer’s realist stance and views about the Ukrainian war and European security do not constitute mainstream discours e in the West, they contribute to a proper understanding of this international crisis from the perspectives of realism.

Digitalized opportunity space and managerial archetypes: An opportunity-centric perspective on digital innovation and transformation

As proliferating digital literature ignores how digital opportunities are generated in the first place, digital innovation and transformation can be ontologically ungrounded. To fill this gap, following a realist perspective of entrepreneurship, this article examines digital opportunities as profit propensities afforded by a digitalized environment, while treating digital innovation and transformation as the actualization process. To elaborate, first, we coin Digitalized Opportunity Space (DOS) to describe the digitalized environment as a critical intersection of four spaces - resource, utility, digital, and institutional- that muster conditions without which digital opportunities cannot be actualized. Second, we develop four managerial archetypes - resource orchestrators, utility integrators, digital evangelists, and institutional realists- who tend to recognize digital opportunities based on their organizational location and thereby endorse different digital innovations. Third, to facilitate a systemic and balanced approach to digital transformation, we recommend group-level heuristics - the generic density perspective, the ecosystem view of the firm, multi-dimensional network effects, and disciplined imagination- which restore totality from partiality. Taken together, the DOS framework (of opportunity generation), the managerial archetypes (of opportunity recognition), and the group-level heuristics (of opportunity actualization) constitute the opportunity-centric (vs technology-centric or organization-centric) perspective on digital innovation and transformation, thereby materializing the connection between digital literature and entrepreneurship.

Semiotics of ICU Physicians' Views on End-of-life Care and Quality of Dying in a Critical Care Setting: A Qualitative Study.

While intensive care unit (ICU) mortality rates in India are higher when compared to countries with more resources, fewer patients with clinically futile conditions are subjected to limitation of life-sustaining treatments or given access to palliative care. Although a few surveys and audits have been conducted exploring this phenomenon, the qualitative perspectives of ICU physicians regarding end-of-life care (EOLC) and the quality of dying are yet to be explored. There are 22 eligible consultant-level ICU physicians working in multidisciplinary ICUs were purposively recruited and interviewed. The study data was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) with a critical realist perspective, and the study findings were interpreted using the lens of the semiotic theory that facilitated the development of themes. About four themes were generated. Intensive care unit physicians perceived the quality of dying as respecting patients' and families' choices, fulfilling their needs, providing continued care beyond death, and ensuring family satisfaction. To achieve this, the EOLC process must encompass timely decision-making, communication, treatment guidelines, visitation rights, and trust-building. The contextual challenges were legal concerns, decision-making complexities, cost-related issues, and managing expectations. To improve care, ICU physicians suggested amplifying patient and family voices, building therapeutic relationships, mitigating conflicts, enhancing palliative care services, and training ICU providers in EOLC. Effective management of critically ill patients with life-limiting illnesses in ICUs requires a holistic approach that considers the complex interplay between the EOLC process, its desired outcome, the quality of dying, care context, and the process of meaning-making by ICU physicians. Iyer S, Sonawane RN, Shah J, Salins N. Semiotics of ICU Physicians' Views on End-of-life Care and Quality of Dying in a Critical Care Setting: A Qualitative Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(5):424-435.

Models of Governance of Disability Therapy Support Workers in Rural and Remote Settings: A Systematic Scoping Review.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) ushered in a transformative era in disability services in Australia, requiring new workforce models to meet evolving participant needs. Therapy Assistants are utilised to increase the capacity of therapy services in areas of workforce shortage. The governance arrangements required to support this emergent workforce have received limited attention in the literature. This review examined the key components and contextual factors of governance in rural settings, specifically focusing on therapy support workers under the guidance of allied health professionals in rural and remote areas. Guided by the social model of disability and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, a realist perspective was used to analyse 26 papers (after deduplication), mostly Australian and qualitative, with an emphasis on staff capabilities, training, and credentialling. Success measures were often vaguely defined, with most papers focusing on staff improvement and few focusing on client or organisational improvement. Consistent staffing, role clarity, community collaboration, and supportive leadership were identified as enabling contexts for successful governance of disability therapy support workers in rural areas. Investment in capability (soft skills) development, tailored training, competency assessment, credentialling, and supervision were identified as key activities that, when coupled with the identified enabling contexts, were likely to influence staff, client and organisational outcomes. Further research is warranted to explore long-term impacts of governance arrangements, educational program accountability, and activities targeted at enhancing staff capabilities.

"Will anybody listen?" parents' views on childhood asthma care: a qualitative study.

Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children, resulting in considerable morbidity and health care utilisation, especially in geographical areas with high deprivation. Parents play a pivotal role in children's asthma management. To explore the views of parents whose children have asthma, regarding barriers and facilitators to receiving adequate asthma care. A qualitative study conducted in an urban, multi-ethnic setting with high socioeconomic deprivation and paediatric asthma related hospital admissions. The study used a pragmatic approach underpinned by a perspective of critical realism. Parents of children with asthma were recruited through purposive and convenience sampling and data collected through semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis, facilitated by NVivo software. 10 parents participated in nine interviews. Six themes were identified relating to: (1) the establishment of a new life dynamic following a diagnosis of asthma; (2) the turbulent and drawn-out process of asthma diagnosis; (3) the roles and expectations of the partnership established between parents and healthcare services; (4) the importance of schools in asthma management; (5) sources and access to relevant information; and (6) the importance of social support networks. Parents frequently felt unsupported and misunderstood, particularly during the diagnostic process. Unmet parental educational and emotional needs, particularly around the time of diagnosis were identified as a key barrier to adequate asthma management. Deeper understanding of gaps in support can instruct asthma care delivery and inform co-produced interventions, thus improving asthma outcomes in children.

Transboundary Water Governance through the Lens of International Relations

This article discusses power and institutional theory with a (neo-) realist and institutionalist lenses regarding water governance. The main question is: how do power and institutions interact in the regulation of transboundary waters across many geographic scales? The sub-questions provide insights into the differing roles of realist and institutionalist perspectives in international relations (IR) and transboundary water governance, as well as the combined effects of power and institutions. This article discusses key approaches in IR (realism, neo-realism, institutionalism and neo-institutionalism). It then discusses concepts of hydro-hegemony, water governance and institutions. Lastly, institutions and power are demonstrated using a mixed methodology. By moulding relevant features of both perspectives into a middle ground, followed by a conclusion.

Idealism, Realism and Hints of Personalism in C.I. Lewis

This paper examines the arguments of C.I. Lewis respecting the utility of idealist and realist philosophical categories and ends with a look at his personalist credentials. It is reported that Lewis pared away the outer layer of idealism leaving its utility in explaining perception via his concept of the “given”. This resulted in a fundamentally realist vision with the exception of perceptive theory. It is offered that the realist perspective is the more satisfactory metaphysical component of a healthy personalist philosophy, one that Lewis would presumably favor.

The Concept of National Security in Kautilya's Arthashastra

Kautilya's Arthashastra stands as a timeless testament to the enduring principles of political realism. Within its ancient pages, Kautilya delves into the intricate dynamics of power, conflict, and national interests with remarkable foresight. Central to his discourse is the notion of national security, a concept that remains as pertinent today as it was in antiquity. Kautilya's strategic genius is evident in his meticulous construction of military doctrines, aimed at ensuring the safety and sovereignty of the state. Through a blend of cunning diplomacy, espionage, and military prowess, he advocates for a proactive approach to safeguarding the realm against external threats and internal dissent. In the Arthashastra, Kautilya elucidates the multifaceted nature of national security, encompassing not only military strength but also economic prosperity, social stability, and ideological resilience. His realist perspective emphasizes the primacy of power dynamics in international relations, advocating for the acquisition and preservation of power as the cornerstone of national security. Kautilya's insights continue to resonate in contemporary discourse, where states grapple with complex geopolitical challenges and navigate the delicate balance between self-interest and collective security. As policymakers confront evolving threats in an increasingly interconnected world, the timeless wisdom of Kautilya serves as a beacon, offering invaluable lessons on the enduring pursuit of national security in an ever-changing global landscape.

Workplace interventions to prevent suicide: A scoping review.

To map organisational interventions for workplace suicide prevention, identifying the effects, mechanisms, moderators, implementation and economic costs, and how interventions are evaluated. Suicide is a devastating event that can have a profound and lasting impact on the individuals and families affected, with the highest rates found among adults of work age. Employers have a legal and ethical responsibility to provide a safe working environment for their employees, which includes addressing the issue of suicide and promoting mental health and well-being. A realist perspective was taken, to identify within organisational suicide prevention interventions, what works, for whom and in what circumstances. Published and unpublished studies in six databases were searched. To extract and map data on the interventions the Effect, Mechanism, Moderator, Implementation, Economic (EMMIE) framework was used. Mechanisms were deductively analysed against Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological model. From 3187 records screened, 46 papers describing 36 interventions within the military, healthcare, the construction industry, emergency services, office workers, veterinary surgeons, the energy sector and higher education. Most mechanisms were aimed at the individual's immediate environment, with the most common being education or training on recognising signs of stress, suicidality or mental illness in oneself. Studies examined the effectiveness of interventions in terms of suicide rates, suicidality or symptoms of mental illness, and changes in perceptions, attitudes or beliefs, with most reporting positive results. Few studies reported economic costs but those that did suggested that the interventions are cost-effective. It seems likely that organisational suicide prevention programmes can have a positive impact on attitudes and beliefs towards suicide as well reducing the risk of suicide. Education, to support individuals to recognise the signs and symptoms of stress, mental ill health and suicidality in both themselves and others, is likely to be an effective starting point for successful interventions.

"Too young to have this kind of diagnosis": A qualitative exploration of younger adults' experiences of colorectal cancer diagnosis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence is rising among adults under the age of 50 (early- or young-onset CRC). This population is more likely to have advanced-stage disease at diagnosis, suggesting their diagnostic pathway may be prolonged. To better understand factors influencing this pathway, this study explored patients' experiences of decision-making during a diagnosis of young-onset CRC. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 participants with young-onset CRC diagnosed in 2021-2022 in Victoria, Australia. Interviews were conducted online or by phone an average 7months (range 1-13) after diagnosis. Analysis was approached from a critical realist perspective, with themes developed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis. Five themes were identified: Shifting Perception of Urgency, Multidimensional Perception of Role, Making the Most of Resources, Stage of Life, and COVID Adds Complexity. Participants' decision-making evolved over the diagnostic period. As participants perceived urgency to act, they took on a more active role in decision-making, utilising personal resources to access timely care. Their decisions were shaped by stage-of-life considerations, including employment and caring for a young family, with the COVID-19 pandemic adding "…a whole other layer of complexity" to the process. Younger adults with CRC make decisions in the context of unique considerations, adapting to reduce time to diagnosis, with decisions complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Greater support from health care providers/systems in the diagnostic period may improve timeliness of CRC diagnosis and outcomes in younger adults.

Gaining prescription rights: a qualitative survey mapping the views of UK counselling and clinical psychologists

ABSTRACT Objective The British Psychological Society (BPS) has been exploring whether its practitioner members are interested in gaining prescription rights for psychiatric drugs and what such a privilege might look like. This qualitative study aimed to survey the views of UK-based, qualified counselling and clinical psychologists. Method: Qualitative data was collected from 82 participants via an online survey (37 counselling and 45 clinical psychologists). Along with the survey items, the last question asked participants to select one of three answers (yes/no/unsure) in relation to whether they supported prescription rights for psychologists. The qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis, from a critical realist perspective, to develop 3 themes. Results Theme 1 explores how psychologists grapple with their professional identity within structures dominated by the medical model of distress, and constructions of the prescription rights debate as a crossroads for both discipline and profession. Theme 2 explores participants’ assumptions about psychiatric drugs as they seem to serve as a springboard to their views on prescription rights. Theme 3 examines the belief that gaining prescription rights will result in increased status and power for psychologists and what might be gained or lost as a result. Regarding the final question: 18 participants answered yes; 42 no; and 22 were unsure. Conclusion We advocate for increased criticality in how UK psychology continues to consider this issue. We caution against an optionality approach that might risk obscuring wider implications for psychology beyond the preferences of individual practitioners.

A Realist Perspective of the Iraq War after 9/11

The theory of relation is based on power politics. It gives importance to power and is related to achieving peace through power. Morgenthau believes the realism perspective is based upon a human's intrinsic nature. Thomas Hobbes in 'reductionisms as purpose' claim that inherently humans are bad. Power optimization is driving political realism and the balance of power maintains it. It is supposed that in the global system, the conflict between states is characterized by anarchy. In essence, human nature is anarchic, due to that everyone is in competition. In this study, the researchers attempt to throw light on different features of realism. It is discussed that the international system is more or less anarchical, as there is undisclosed competition every time. It is delineated that leaders are mainly involved in power politics After 9/11, George W. Bush, in order to gain power without consulting other countries chose to go for the Iraq War.

Perceptions of social media harms and potential management strategies: vaping case study

BackgroundThe social media landscape is now ubiquitous in people’s everyday lives. It is a space where culture, politics, economics and sociological and public health discourses occur. There is mounting evidence that e-cigarette products are being promoted and advertised on social media, a media platform particularly popular with young people. Our research aimed to understand industry professionals’ perceptions of social media harms and potential management strategies using vaping as a case study.MethodsA critical realist perspective guided reflexive thematic analysis of the qualitative in depth, semi structured interviews. Data collection occurred in January and February 2023 with 13 participants working in the areas of public health, digital media, law, governance, tobacco control and advocacy.ResultsTwo superordinate themes emerged from the data: (1) Fathoming a complex system (social media) that contained the subordinate themes of Traversing Boundaries (crossing borders, crossing sectors) and Ungovernable (global and local landscapes, vested interests, self-regulation and opacity). (2) Addressing complexity (social media)– that contained the subordinate themes of Strengthening Institutions (global to local, policy and legislation, individuals and organisations); Defanging Industry (responsibility and transparency, moderation and algorithms, complaints); and Engaging Citizens (raising awareness, framing messaging).ConclusionsThere was consensus among participants that e-cigarette related social media content can be harmful and government action is urgently needed. There was an identified need for the development of government led national-level regulatory frameworks, with government led appropriate legislation; identification of an organisation or organisations with suitable levels of regulatory power and resources to monitor, enforce and penalise noncompliant social media companies; accompanied by increased community awareness raising of harmful social media content and improved digital literacy.