Democracy Research Articles

Experts' perspectives on human gene editing in Switzerland.

Despite many specialized studies on the views of the public or stakeholders who face inherited conditions that may be treatable by HGE, limited studies have focused on experts' views towards Human Gene Editing (HGE). Therefore, in this study we conducted exploratory interviews with 14 experts (scientists, clinicians, social scientists, lawyers) in Switzerland to assess their views towards HGE and how they expect the Swiss public to view HGE. We found general acceptance of Somatic Gene Editing (SGE), but opinions towards Germline Gene Editing (GGE) were more divided. Participants emphasized patient autonomy and informed decision-making in pursuing gene editing treatments, and described a need for regulation, as with any other new therapy. Only a few participants (mostly lawyers and ethicists) described the regulations that currently prohibit GGE in Switzerland. Some expressed concern that restrictive regulations would lead to healthcare outsourcing and medical tourism to other nearby countries, as it has in the past with other restricted technologies. The analysis explored the unique Swiss context that is shaped by cultural diversity, conservative attitudes towards new medical technologies, and a democratic system that engages the public in policy and law making. Given that our findings identify areas of difference from that published in other countries, we emphasize the value in conducting similar research across different countries in order to achieve a global sense of attitudes towards HGE, so that regulations can be tailored to the diverse needs of citizens around the world.

The Urgency of Restorative Justice Regulation on Hate Speech

<div><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"><tbody><tr><td align="left" valign="top"><p class="AbstractText">Regulations on the imposition of criminal sanctions in cases of hate speech on social media are, at some point, considered to degrade human rights to express opinions in the context of a democratic country. This research aims to provide an overview of resolving hate speech cases on social media using a restorative justice approach and how regulations should be created and developed. This research uses normative legal research methods using statutory and conceptual approaches. The concept proposed refers to the theory of restorative justice and the theory of establishing appropriate regulations. This research indicates that until now, there has been no strong and adequate legal basis for implementing non-penal resolution of hate speech cases through a restorative justice approach. In the Criminal Code, which revokes the article regarding hate speech in the Information and Electronic Transactions Law both before and after the Constitutional Court Decision, there is no reference to using a restorative justice approach in resolving existing cases. It is urgent to regulate restorative justice arrangements to guarantee legal certainty for the parties by considering recovery for damage and losses victims suffer based on a mutually agreed agreement. Restorative justice can mediate accusations of degradation of freedom of opinion and can maintain democratic values. Based on the regulatory formation process theory, some factors must be considered in designing and making restorative justice arrangements in hate speech cases.</p></td></tr></tbody></table></div>

Implementasi UU Demokrasi dan Nilai-Nilai Urgensinya dalam Politik Islam di Indonesia

This study examines the implementation and urgency of the Democracy Law in Indonesia. Although democracy is reflected in the 1945 Constitution, Muslim intellectuals often view this concept as foreign. Democratic principles such as majority rule, freedom, and justice face challenges in their application because not all democratic concepts can be reconciled with Islamic law. This research analyzes the interaction between Islamic values, such as benefit and justice, with the democratic principles of the 1945 Constitution and the potential alignment between the two to enhance political stability. The novelty of this study lies in its in-depth comparative analysis between the democratic principles of the 1945 Constitution and the concept of Islamic governance in classical and contemporary fiqh. The method used is a descriptive qualitative approach, analyzing Indonesian legal texts and relevant classical and contemporary fiqh works. The findings indicate the potential for synergy between democratic principles and Islamic values despite challenges in implementation. The application of the Democracy Law in Indonesia requires an approach that is sensitive to religious values, particularly in terms of justice, freedom, and governance based on benefit. Its implications could shift the paradigm of democratic implementation in Indonesia, emphasizing the importance of synergy between state law and religious teachings in creating a just and prosperous government for people.

Kajian Hukum Tata Negara terkait Pembatasan Kebebasan Berpendapat di Media Sosial di Era Pandemi COVID-19: Pendekatan Deskriptif Kualitatif

The COVID-19 pandemic has driven an increase in social media activity as a means of communication and expressing opinions, but it has also introduced new challenges to freedom of expression. This study aims to analyze policies restricting freedom of expression on social media during the pandemic from the perspective of constitutional law. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed, with data collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and legal document analysis. The study involved 15 informants, comprising legal experts, human rights activists, and social media users. Findings indicate that 60% of informants consider the restriction policies to be ambiguous and prone to misuse, while 40% support these policies for maintaining social stability. In this context, the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (UU ITE) serves as the primary legal basis for these policies. Yet, its implementation is often criticized for conflicting with democratic principles and human rights. The study also reveals that while the policies have successfully reduced the spread of false information, their impact on freedom of expression is significant, including the removal of critical content targeting the government. This study highlights the need for more transparent, fair, and evidence-based policies to balance public protection and respect for individual rights. It contributes to constitutional law discourse by providing recommendations for policy revisions that are more responsive to the challenges of the digital era, particularly during crise

IMPLEMENTASI PENDIDIKAN POLITIK PADA KELOMPOK TUNAWISMA DI KOTA BANDAR LAMPUNG PADA PEMILU 2024

This research analyzes the effectiveness of the Bandar Lampung City General Election Commission (KPU) in increasing the political participation of marginalized groups, especially homeless people, by PKPU Mandate Number 10 of 2018. Homeless groups face various obstacles, such as a lack of legal identity, social stigma, and limited access to information. which makes it difficult for them to engage in the democratic process. Even though the KPU has implemented a political education program for vulnerable groups, this effort focuses more on people with disabilities, so that the needs of the homeless are neglected. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method with an inclusion-based political education approach. The research results show that low data collection and a lack of special programs for homeless people are the main obstacles to increasing their participation. The implications of this ineffectiveness include low levels of political participation for homeless people, continued marginalization, and inequality in a democratic system that includes the principle of inclusivity. Recommendations provided include collaboration between the KPU, Social Services, and civil society organizations to cover the needs of homeless people, the implementation of tailored political education programs, and facilitating the disclosure of identity documents.

The fall of Adolphe Thiers on 24 may 1873: documentary evidence from the Russian embassy in Paris

In this article, the author analyses the causes and circumstances of the downfall of Adolphe Thiers, the first President of the Third French Republic. He held the office from 31 August 1871 until 24 May 1873, when he was compelled to resign. Although Thiers’ tenure as president was relatively brief, encompassing less than two years, it was of significant consequence in the establishment of the republican system in France. In many ways, this was the personal merit of President Thiers, who publicly espoused the cause of the republic, for which he was compelled to relinquish his post as head of state. The reasons for Thiers’ downfall have been the subject of considerable historical analysis. In this study, the author draws upon hitherto overlooked sources, thereby offering a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of an already well-researched topic. The focus of this inquiry is confidential diplomatic communications from the Russian Embassy in Paris. This source is significant in that it demonstrates that both the Russian ambassador to France, Prince Nikolay Orlov, and the embassy counsellor Grigory Okunev had direct contact with Thiers, enjoyed his confidence, and were well aware of the plans and intentions of the President of the Republic. They frequently met with him and his ministers, attended meetings of the National Assembly, and were thus able to gain a comprehensive understanding of the political process that gave rise to the republican system in France. It can be argued that their assessments and judgments are of significant interest to the historian. This is particularly true when considering the dispatches and analytical notes compiled at the Russian embassy in Paris for Emperor Alexander II by Chancellor Gorchakov. These documents have not attracted the appropriate level of attention from researchers for a considerable period of time and therefore represent a valuable and underutilised resource for historical research.

Социальное и экономические развитие Монголии и Туркменистана после распада социалистического лагеря

Following the dissolution of the socialist camp, both laypersons and researchers closely monitored the processes of reintegration of these countries into the global community, the transition to market-based economies, and the adoption of more democratic and liberal values. However, less prominent representatives of the former socialist camp, such as Mongolia and Turkmenistan – countries that share significant historical and geographical similarities – have often been overlooked as they embarked on divergent paths following their departure from socialism. The article examines and compares the consequences of the transition of these two states from a planned economic system to a market-oriented one. The author analyzes the common historical features of the countries under study, their socio-economic indicators, and identifies the causes and factors influencing the formation of these indicators. Additionally, the article presents brief recommendations for improving these metrics. In conclusion, it is posited that due to inclusive state institutions, Mongolia is likely to have long-term advantages in social and economic indicators compared to Turkmenistan, which is characterized by extractive institutions.

Equality Rights and Unequal Property Rights in Multi-owned Buildings

Abstract This research builds on and contributes to legal doctrinal and theoretical research on negative external societal effects of the democratic governance model of multi-owned properties in general, and, in particular, of decisions and restrictions regarding permission to install ramps or keep assistance dogs. The main argument is that if property law is used as a tool to steer and adjust societal normative expectations from a right to control to a duty to respect, this normative change would reduce the need for using external legislative solutions, such as applying discrimination laws, to achieve important societal objectives. Moreover, this approach could also reduce the need for future legislation addressing other societal challenges, such as the right to install electric vehicle chargers in common parking areas. These right-to-charge issues, which are currently being tackled through new EU-directives, reflect similar tensions between individual needs and collective governance. A property law-based solution that fosters fairness and flexibility in decision-making could pre-emptively address these types of issues, making it easier for associations to accommodate both current and future societal demands without the need for additional layers of regulation.

Analysis of the regimes of past presidents in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic

ABSTRACT The period since May 1999 is the single-longest democratic dispensation of Nigeria since its emergence as a state in 1960. For the very first time in Nigeria’s political history, over the twenty-five-year period, government changes hands between one democratically elected president to another, and also among political parties peacefully, despite the multifarious challenges. The paper explores some peculiar issues that confronted the administrations of Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua/Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari. The aim is to understand how each of them navigated the ship of state without allowing the political misfortunes that befell the three previous republics to be the fate of the fourth. The paper finds that, despite their individual inclinations and (in)capacities to govern, the four presidents generally behaved themselves as responsible citizens of democracy. The paper concludes that the fourth democratic regime subsists because the political wire-pullers of the most important ethnic groups perceive a common interest in its maintenance and furtherance.

Reimagining the Legislative Framework: A Historical Analysis of Decolonization and Public Voice in India’s Law-Making

This scholarly inquiry delves into the historical trajectory of the legislative process in India, delving into its historical antecedents, the enduring influence of colonial governance, and the subsequent developments in the post-independence era. Employing a nuanced approach that integrates historical analysis and legislative case studies, the study illuminates the persistent impact of colonial rule on India’s legal framework, characterized by laws that primarily served the interests of the imperial administration rather than addressing indigenous societal needs. Through a focused examination of the Sonthal Parganas Act of 1855, this research underscores the enduring reverberations of colonial legacies within contemporary legislation and the ongoing endeavors to rectify historical injustices. Furthermore, the study scrutinizes legislative activities spanning from 2010 to 2020, offering a comprehensive portrayal of the dynamic nature of law-making in response to evolving societal challenges and aspirations. By discerning the intricate interplay between historical legacies, socio-political dynamics, and democratic participation, this investigation provides valuable insights into the formulation, amendment, and repeal of laws to address contemporary issues while upholding democratic principles in India. Ultimately, this scholarly exploration contributes to a nuanced understanding of the complexities inherent in India’s legislative landscape and underscores the persistent pursuit of equitable and just governance through legislative reforms.

THE FIRST DECADE OF DEMOCRACY IN NEPAL: CHALLENGES, EXPERIMENTS, AND LESSONS LEARNED

The abolition of the oligarchic Rana regime in 1951 marked a significant turning point in Nepal's history, ushering in a decade of democratic experimentation. This study examines the socio-political developments during Nepal’s first democratic decade (1951–1960), focusing on the challenges, governance issues, and internal dynamics that defined this transformative period. The research explores key events, such as the revolutionary movement against the Rana regime, the Delhi Agreement, and the establishment of democracy by King Tribhuvan. Employing a qualitative research approach, the study utilizes descriptive and analytical methods, relying on secondary data sourced from historical archives, libraries, and personal collections. Analysis reveals that the lack of governance experience among political leaders and internal conflicts within the leading political party of the time undermined the stability and effectiveness of the nascent democratic system. Despite aspirations for progress, the democratic experiment faced significant setbacks, culminating in King Mahendra’s coup and the establishment of the partyless Panchayat system. By critically evaluating the successes and failures of Nepal’s first democratic decade, this study provides insights into the complexities of transitioning from autocracy to democracy and highlights the enduring lessons for Nepal’s political evolution.

Thinking of Algorithms as Institutions

A route to democratic digital governance.

“Problems of an Other’s Making”: B. R. Ambedkar, Caste, and Majoritarian Domination

This article presents a new theory of majoritarian domination drawn from Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar’s critique of majoritarian tyranny during the decades preceding British India’s decolonization. Ambedkar’s critique of British colonial pluralism and Congress-led Indian anticolonialism emphasizes attention to social structures and the mechanisms that produce and sustain communal majorities. He argues that caste prevents equality and fraternity, thus foreclosing the possibility of a democratic society. In such a context, Ambedkar argues that the majority is likely to be communal and fixed, rather than political, inclusive, and open to change over time. Ambedkarian majoritarian domination supplements nineteenth-century accounts of the institutional and epistemic dimensions of majoritarian tyranny. I defend comparison as a tool for theoretical analysis to show that Ambedkarian majoritarian domination can explain the interaction of hierarchical social structures with democratic politics in contexts beyond colonial India.

Take India as an example to explore the role of media in policy communication

This paper examines the role of media in the dissemination and implementation of public policy in India. Through an analysis of various media platforms, including television, newspapers, and social media, the study explores how the media influences public perception and understanding of government policies. The paper highlights the dual role media plays in both promoting policies and holding the government accountable by fostering public debate and scrutiny. Key case studies, such as the Digital India initiative, demonstrate how effective media engagement can lead to increased policy awareness and citizen participation. However, the study also identifies significant challenges, including media bias, the spread of misinformation, and unequal access to media in rural areas. These issues can hinder the successful communication of policies and undermine trust in government efforts. The paper concludes by stressing the need for media reform, greater media literacy, and improved infrastructure to ensure that public policy dissemination reaches all sectors of society and remains accurate and unbiased. This research underscores the critical role media plays in shaping democratic governance and public policy outcomes in India.

Development And Transformation of Moral Education in Japan

Over the past century, moral education in Japan has undergone significant transformations, particularly in the context of globalization. This essay explores the main components of the three forms of Japanese moral education: specialized moral courses, subject-based moral education, and special activities. It argues that Japanese moral education exemplifies the processes of localization, nationalization, and globalization through three key qualities. First, there is the integration of Eastern and Western philosophical ideas, reflecting a blend of traditional Confucian values with modern Western democratic principles. Second, the promotion of collaboration between families, communities, and schools is emphasized, creating a comprehensive support system for students' moral development. Third, there is the fusion of local characteristics with international perspectives, ensuring that moral education is both culturally relevant and globally aware. These qualities highlight Japan’s dynamic approach to moral education, showing how it has evolved to meet the changing demands of a globalized world while retaining its unique.

Disinformation as Hybrid Warfare and its Strategic Use in the United States 2024 Election

This article examines the growing role of disinformation in hybrid warfare, centering on its use in social media during the 2024 United States Presidential Election. While disinformation is as old as time, the methods and its mediums have evolved rapidly since Cold-War era propaganda and towards social media infiltration. These social media campaigns, first notably observed in the 2016 United States Presidential Election, highlights a new age of conflict and foreign meddling, highlighting the global shift from classical military warfare to more subversive tactics. The article argues that disinformation, as a form of hybrid warfare, that emphasizes exploiting a target’s societal vulnerabilities, exacerbating them to ultimately weaken the target from the inside-out and destabilizing, eroding, or even destroying, their political systems. Via an analysis of the 2024 United States election disinformation interference, following a recapitulation of its first presence in the 2016 election, this article examines the geopolitical dimensions and draws of disinformation warfare, the motives behind the foreign actors’ interference, and the destabilizing results it fosters within the general public. Additionally, it begins a discussion of how similar disinformation strategies can be and have been utilized across other democracies in Europe, Asia, and beyond, threatening the current global order of liberalism and democratic superiority. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of nations to invest into understanding and countering these new technological warfare tactics in order to properly protect, defend, and safeguard the integrity of their democratic governance. With disinformation and information hybrid warfare, amongst social media in particular, becomes the increasingly preferred method of confrontation with adversaries due to its low-risk, high-reward quality, it poses possibly the largest threat to global stability and threatens to upend the entire system, necessitating direct and immediate attention to address this vulnerability of our global infosphere.

William James' Theory of Truth and Its Relevance for Religious Education

Religious absolutism is one of the epistemological roots behind various acts of religious intolerance that threaten the order of life in a plural, dynamic, tolerant and inclusive democratic society. This research is a study of philosophical literature that explores the ideas of William James's pragmatic theory of truth and finds its relevance to religious education in order to anticipate symptoms of religious absolutism. James challenged the absolutism of truth that had been maintained for centuries in the Western philosophical tradition. Truth does not lie in ideas or notions, but rather in the process or event of verification and validation of those ideas or notions in experience. He offers a pragmatic concept of truth that takes into account the practical consequences of ideas in experience. For him, truth should be dynamic, open, continuously growing and plural. Inspired by James' ideas, the author conveys the importance of religious truth and religious education interpreted in a more pragmatic framework. Religious truth is not only built from religious dogma or doctrine but is a reflective and dialogical process through the experience of faith, which is formed in relation to other truths. In a contemporary pluralistic society, religious education cannot be reduced to simply teaching religious doctrine or dogma. Religious education needs to be carried out within a pragmatic framework as a form of religious moderation education that pays attention to efforts to develop critical-reflective abilities to grow faith in a sustainable manner, creatively interpreting human experience, as well as forming human ethical character to maintain a harmonious life together.

Cultivating Democratic Values in ELT Classrooms

Institutions and democratic values come under a global threat, by which there is a pressing need to leverage education as a means of nurturing active, engaged citizens. This qualitative study examines how English language teaching (ELT) can be reimagined to foster democratic values and competencies among learners. Drawing on in-depth interviews and classroom observations across five rural secondary schools in Probolinggo regency, the research explores the perspectives and experiences of ELT educators implementing democratically-oriented curricula and pedagogies. The findings reveal how ELT classrooms integrating critical thinking exercises, intercultural communication activities, and civic engagement projects can empower language learners with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for effective democratic participation. Implications for teacher training, curriculum design, and ELT policy are discussed, highlighting the transformative potential of language education in advancing democratic principles worldwide

Black knight NGOs and international disinformation

ABSTRACT Movements based on conspiracy theories and a fundamental rejection of liberal values are on the rise in traditionally democratic societies and those with authoritarian legacies. This article develops a theoretical approach that treats non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that generate and spread disinformation on international critical events as black knight NGOs and draws attention to their role online. We ask: whether and, if so, how disinformation by black knight NGOs spreads and what factors may facilitate this process? Empirically, we build on a case of a Swedish NGO, Swedish Doctors for Human Rights, in the context of the Syrian Civil War using X (formerly, Twitter) data from 2015 to 2019. We show that black knight NGOs can be damaging during critical events when information is scarce and uncertainty prevails. Additionally, they may affect the information ecosystem through two distinct mechanisms of legitimation: claiming authority in a particular subject and utilising legitimacy attributes, that is, appealing to authoritative figures and social roles conducive to forming a positive attitude towards the disinformation they provide. The findings contribute to the literature on non-state actors and their role in international disinformation.

Analisis Model Kebijakan Kurikulum Merdeka di Indonesia

Education is important for the lives of people in a country. In order to create an educational system that is organized and has a vision, a policy in the form of a curriculum is needed. In a country that adheres to a democratic system, it is necessary to involve or participate the community in the policy formulation and implementation process. This policy paper investigates the Merdeka Curriculum policy model created and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Culture. Public policy models include top-down, bottom-up and a combination of the two. The research method used in this article is qualitative with data sources obtained from books, scientific articles, and other credible information found on the internet. In the policy formulation process, studies were conducted and the government involved parents. In addition, in the implementation process, the Merdeka Curriculum is carried out in stages with a trial period carried out by several schools called Mover Schools. In addition, the policy also has an evaluation instrument in the form of a Minimum Competency Assessment. Based on the findings related to this policy, it can be concluded that the policy model in the Merdeka Curriculum is bottom-up.