Social Power Dynamics Research Articles

The policy failures of rental housing: Plumbing poverty in Detroit, Michigan

ABSTRACT The lack of access to in-home running water from inadequate plumbing is a critical water insecurity challenge in the U.S. Using the concept of plumbing poverty, this paper investigates why housing policies in Detroit, Michigan, have failed to ensure adequate plumbing and water security for renters using interviews with city employees, community groups, renters, and property managers. We find that unresponsive landlords enabled by historical housing mismanagement and ineffective rental ordinance design and implementation perpetuate inadequate plumbing for Detroit renters. While we identify three tools to address inadequate plumbing, several barriers prevent their use. For renters, barriers include social power dynamics, structural inequalities in the legal system, and a lack of capacity. Meanwhile, the city faces financial, personnel, and knowledge constraints that prevent adequate enforcement. Our findings provide new insight into the connections between historical housing dynamics, policy implementation, and the precarity of landlord-tenant relations in perpetuating water insecurity.

Legal Pluralism and Indigenous Justice Systems: An Anthropological Analysis


 
 
 Legal pluralism refers to the coexistence of multiple legal systems within a single society, often including both state-based and indigenous or customary justice systems. This article provides an anthropological analysis of legal pluralism and indigenous justice systems, exploring the complexities and implications of their interaction. Drawing on qualitative methods, literature studies, and library research, the paper examines how legal pluralism shapes social norms, power dynamics, and access to justice in diverse cultural contexts. It critically evaluates the challenges and opportunities presented by the recognition and integration of indigenous justice systems into broader legal frameworks, highlighting issues of cultural relativism, human rights, and legal reform. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the article offers insights into the complex dynamics of legal pluralism and indigenous justice, shedding light on the ways in which these systems intersect and influence each other. By examining case studies from various regions and communities, the research underscores the importance of understanding the cultural, historical, and socio- political factors that shape legal pluralism and indigenous justice systems. Ultimately, this analysis contributes to broader discussions on legal diversity, social justice, and the role of anthropology in understanding legal phenomena.
 
 

Invisible Policy Brokers: The Political Roles of Interpreters in Educational Policy Negotiations With Language Minoritized Mothers

Educational interpreters are not neutral mediators of messages. In education, they are policy brokers whose translations can reflect their own social identities and often align with larger social power dynamics, including deficit perspectives of racialized multilingual people. In U.S. schools, language minoritized parents have the right to make decisions about their children’s education; yet current theory does not account for their power to shape educational policies—or the political roles of interpreters who represent their negotiations. I propose a theory of interpreters as invisible policy brokers and identity mediators. I employ an approach that centers the questions and agency of newly arrived, predominantly Spanish-speaking mothers in a Midwest school district with growing demographics of language minoritized students.

A Failed Canonization Process of Theological Knowledge in Contemporary Germany: An Analysis of the Practices of Ordinary Muslims

How do specific theological narratives and religious meanings prevail, fade, or become established? How do certain endeavors to canonize religious knowledge fail? How do the specific meanings individuals attribute to religious knowledge influence processes of negotiation and canonization? Drawing upon intensive ethnographic fieldwork, this article analyzes a particular negotiation of Islamic knowledge within a local jamaat of a German mosque association by taking seriously the practices of ordinary Muslims. It highlights the social dynamics of religious power and emphasizes the social embeddedness of theological meaning-making. In so doing, this article provides insights into the shaping of religious power and authority, and, in particular, into the complex process of successes and failures of attempts to canonize theological knowledge within the contemporary German-speaking Muslim landscape.

The Value of Sexuality

Relying upon feminist and queer theory, this article explores feminist pedagogy in art education practices. More specifically, the research investigates how engaging with sexuality and gender in education relates to the uncovering of social structures, power dynamics, and normativity. This arts-based action research dives into the praxis of the three-day course entitled Sexuality and Art with university student participants from degree programs in art education, graphic design, applied visual arts, and industrial design. By integrating values from feminist pedagogy, such as ethics, agency, contextuality, and the interconnectedness of individuals, art education can create equitable environments that challenge dominant societal narratives.

Exploring the varied manifestations of structural violence in the lives of children on the autism spectrum and their families: a qualitative longitudinal study in Kurdistan, Iran

BackgroundThere are many dimensions regarding autism that are closely connected to social structures, policies, and power dynamics, silently impacting the well-being of individuals within the autism spectrum. This research aims to explore these overlooked aspects using a theoretical framework called "structural violence."MethodsThe study was conducted in Kurdistan, Iran, and a qualitative longitudinal approach was chosen. A purposive sampling method was employed to select the participants, with 11 parents taking part. The study data comprised 29 interviews using a topic guide conducted over a span of 2 years. Thematic analysis and a matrix-based approach were utilized for data analysis. To enhance the scientific rigor of this research, four criteria, including Guba and Lincoln’s principles, were implemented to ensure methodological accuracy.ResultsThe research findings highlight four primary forms through which structural violence impacts children on the autism spectrum and their families: access to healthcare, geographic disparities, awareness and stigma, and poverty and financial burden. Additionally, the study identified 11 subthemes related to structural violence in the context of autism and families.ConclusionsWe illustrated how structural forces create barriers to accessing adequate healthcare services, exacerbate discrimination based on ethnicity and geography, perpetuate stigma, and contribute to poverty and the inability to meet basic needs. These factors not only worsen health issues but also deepen existing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes for children on the autism spectrum and families. We emphasize the urgent need for systemic changes to address these issues. It is essential to promote public awareness, provide better access to health and support services, and address economic and political factors that contribute to these inequalities.

Empathy Versus Tyranny: Witnessing Moral Conflict Through Adlerian Lenses

ABSTRACT: Tyranny and wars can be seen as something of a self-propagating system in which wars are fought to overcome tyranny, leaving behind unresolved social forces and power dynamics that set up the next episode of tyranny. Wars can both challenge and promote desirable human qualities and sow the seeds of beneficial change from what has been learned, but the results depend on effective and empathetic communication that crosses cultural boundaries and includes marginalized voices—especially those most closely affected by war itself. Of particular interest and significance are stories that reveal the roots of moral conflict through moral injuries or episodes of experience that call into question the “rightness” of actions on the basis of commonly held values and beliefs. This article proposes conceptual models to help bridge existing gaps in communication and empathy between members of the military and veterans and others who may serve as interpreters, as a way of enhancing the capacity for an informed and engaged global citizenry to serve as witness to both individual- and system- level effects of war and tyranny. The exploration here is intentionally cross-disciplinary and includes concepts from sociology, psychology, history, geopolitics, phenomenology, somatics and physiology, and communication, all framed by Adlerian principles of “in-divisible” psychology. Conclusions include further thoughts on how to expand empathic space for alternative approaches to war and tyranny as well as an invitation to the Adlerian community to join (and help facilitate) the conversation.

Health Information Seeking Behavior Among Perinatal Women: A Systematic Review

The health of perinatal women is critical to maternal well-being and infant development. Understanding how perinatal women seek health information is essential for providing effective antenatal and postnatal care. However, there is a lack of systematic reviews on this topic. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive literature review of existing research following the PRISMA-SCR guidelines. The results showed that perinatal women commonly seek pregnancy-related health information. Interpersonal sources were identified as the primary and most trusted sources of information. The study also identified various factors and barriers that influence health information seeking, including individual, socio-cultural, structural, and information-related factors, with personal responsibility for health being an influential factor that has not been emphasized previously. It provides valuable insights into the health information seeking behavior of perinatal women. The influence of personal health responsibility, social power dynamics and socio-cultural norms on health information seeking needs to be further investigated.

“Gender and social power dynamics in compliment responses: A cross-cultural pragmatic study of university students in Indonesia and Pakistan”

“Gender and social power dynamics in compliment responses: A cross-cultural pragmatic study of university students in Indonesia and Pakistan”

J.K. Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy: A Departure from Harry Potter

This research paper explores the thematic evolution in J.K. Rowling's body of work, with a focus on her standalone novel, The Casual Vacancy, in relation to her globally acclaimed Harry Potter series. While The Casual Vacancy overtly delves into mature themes of social inequality, politics, and community, this study posits that these themes are subtly yet consistently present in the Harry Potter series as well. Drawing contrasts and parallels, the paper analyzes the depiction of social hierarchies, power dynamics, and community structures in both works. Through a comprehensive examination of narrative voice, character motivations, and overarching themes, this paper highlights Rowling’s consistent engagement with societal challenges, irrespective of the setting or target audience. The study concludes by recognizing Rowling’s multifaceted writing approach and her profound ability to resonate with readers on pressing societal topics.

Value asymmetries in Norwegian forest governance: The role of institutions and power dynamics

We draw on institutional and ecological economics to understand the role of social preferences, institutional arrangements, and power dynamics in mobilizing or restraining ecosystem services and values in Norwegian forest governance. Specifically, we i) elicit local people's preferences over forest ecosystem services and values, ii) analyze how perceptions of forest values vary across stakeholders, and iii) examine how participation is enabled by institutional arrangements. Our data were collected from a survey (N = 1694) distributed in 10 rural municipalities and from interviews with Norwegian forest experts and stakeholders (N = 15). Four results are highlighted. First, most respondents rank ecosystem services that embody relational and intrinsic values (such as recreation and biodiversity) higher than services that primarily embody instrumental values (timber). Second, women and non-forest owners show higher appreciation for relational values than men and forest owners. Third, dominant value-articulating institutions, such as timber markets and cost-benefit analysis, favor utility, efficiency, and instrumental values. Finally, few participatory arenas for decision-making are available, and local people do not feel empowered in forest governance. Our findings indicate that Norwegian forest governance primarily empowers actors that emphasize instrumental values followed by those who emphasize intrinsic values, whereas relational values tend to be restrained.

Affective Economy: A Theoretical Outline

The affective economy is a concept that emerged within the field of social sciences, focusing on the interplay between emotions, affects, and economic processes. It explores how emotions and affective experiences shape economic practices, consumption patterns, and the production of goods and services. In the affective economy framework, emotions are seen as not merely individual but deeply embedded in social and political contexts, shaping and being shaped by social structures and power dynamics. The affective economy emphasizes how emotions circulate and contribute to the construction and maintenance of social orders, impacting economic actions. It acknowledges the profound impact of emotions and affects on economic behavior. Thus, this concept sheds light on the intricate relationship between emotions and economic processes, demonstrating how affective experiences influence consumption, production, labor, financial decisions, and the overall dynamics of the market economy. It emphasizes the need for a more nuanced understanding of human behavior in economic contexts, recognizing the significance of emotions and affective responses as integral components of economic activities. This concept is connected to notions of dwelling, topophilia, and affective atmospheres, providing insights into the complexities of economic transactions in diverse cultural contexts.

KARMİK ADALET BİÇİMİNDE TOPLUMUN PARÇALANMIŞ AYNASI: AGATHA CHRISTIE'NİN AND THEN THERE WERE NONE ESERİ

Literature reflects and interprets the social structures, cultural norms, and power dynamics of the societies in which it is produced, making sociology and literature two fields that cross in many different ways. Studies of literature provide insightful analysis of contemporary social and cultural challenges. Nevertheless, the sociology of literature provides a framework for comprehending the intricate and dynamic connections between literature and society. We can better grasp how literary works can be utilized to analyze and critique the world around us by recognizing how they both reflect and shape social and cultural reality. Detective fiction often touches on a wide range of sociological issues and is an important genre that reflects the values, concerns, and anxieties of the societies in which they are written. One of the crime novels that best reflects social issues and karmic justice is And Then There Were None, one of Agatha Christie's most popular and enduring novels. It deals with issues that affect society such as justice, guilt, classism, racism, prejudice, redemption, and psychological trauma, revealing how society has degenerated.

Identity negotiation and subculture recognition: Exploration of a sexual minority group in a Chinese grassroots sport

This case study delves into the experiences of a women's basketball team situated in Shenzhen, South China, comprised primarily of members of sexual minority groups. Utilizing qualitative research methods, including interviews and observation of team dynamics, this research examines how lesbian and bisexual female basketball players navigate societal norms and negotiate their sexual identities. It also highlights the team's unique strategies for dealing with social interactions, group membership, and power dynamics in resisting heteronormative norms. Team B exemplifies a form of queer resistance in Chinese society and sports that is distinct from the Western pride movements and political advocacy. This strategy involves avoiding confrontation and integrating the nonheteronormative subculture into mainstream sports and society to gain support from families, the general public, and local communities, thereby promoting sports inclusivity and gaining social recognition. This study argues, from a post-structural feminist perspective, that participation in a gender-inclusive sports group provides sexual minority individuals with a unique social position and an empowering means of destabilizing power relations and reducing sexual identity tensions. In addition, it demonstrates the capacity of sports subcultures to foster collective agency and resilience in the face of dominant cultural norms, despite the constraints posed by the unaltered macro-level structure of gender. This case study provides valuable insights into how gender-inclusive sports groups can challenge and reshape preconceived notions of gender and sexuality in Chinese society while serving as a platform for queer resistance.

Lope de Vega. Fuenteovejuna (1612)

Lope de Vega. <i>Fuenteovejuna</i> (1612)

An Analysis of Power Dynamics Affecting Handwashing Interventions in Sierra Leone: Findings From a Qualitative Participatory Study.

Handwashing is an effective and cost-efficient health behavior for preventing infectious diseases; however, its practice is shaped by multiple contextual factors and inequalities between different social groups in Sierra Leone. To address these inequalities, participatory approaches that allow a more equitable distribution of resources and the development of locally tailored interventions are increasingly used. However, social power dynamics have not been well integrated into the concept of participation, despite their known impact. We sought to investigate the role of power dynamics in participatory approaches to handwashing in Sierra Leone. From a socio-ecological perspective, this qualitative, formative interview study aimed to identify relevant actors and their power relationships before designing a participatory handwashing project in rural Sierra Leone. A field experiment with focus groups and a research diary compared the development of power dynamics in a participatory, community-driven approach with that in a nonparticipatory top-down approach. According to our formative study, in community-based projects, multiple groups and actors interact directly or indirectly with each other, located within a macro level (eg, political institutions), meso level (eg, community leaders and groups), and micro level (eg, families) of a socio-ecological model. Although distinct leadership structures were noticeable and affected intervention attendance and processes of change in nonparticipatory approaches, community-led activities and handwashing increased in the participatory approach, irrespective of the leadership structure. Despite their ambivalence, the strategic inclusion of different community leaders appeared essential to enhance the value of the project, mobilize creative action, and empower lower-ranking individuals to practice handwashing. A similar ambivalent role could be observed in relation to external researchers, especially if they come from a different cultural background than the research participants, for example, from a Western country in a non-Western project setting. Although external researchers can initiate a project or provide certain resources, distinct expectations regarding their roles and resources can impact participatory efforts and power relations. The results highlight the advantages of participatory approaches for health promotion. Power dynamics should be a core component of continuous reflection and analysis in participatory projects.

“We Aren’t Only Here to Teach”: Caring Practices of Teachers in the Context of Inclusive Refugee Education in Jordan

This article examines the complex process of teachers’ care for students in contexts of inclusive refugee education in Jordan, where Syrian refugees and Jordanian students study together. I illustrate that while teachers’ caring practices represent efforts to support refugee students, they are limited by teachers’ inability to see the social, structural, and systemic power dynamics that restrict Syrian refugees, reifying unequal relations of power between refugees and nationals. National teachers are embedded in the social fabric of the societies in which they live and not impervious to the discriminatory attitudes towards refugees, thereby limiting the extent of their care. This article illuminates the complexity of inclusive refugee education and concludes with implications for teacher education and professional development.

Panopticon Revisited: Unraveling the Surveillance Phenomena in “The Matrix” and its Implications for Contemporary Society - A Foucauldian Analysis

The impact of power surveillance under Panopticism on society has permeated all aspects of social life, emphasizing the importance of maintaining constant awareness and balancing privacy and rights within a reasonable framework of “surveillance.” The Matrix film series, starting with its release in 1999, to some extent reflects the dark side of technological advancement on human civilization. This article offers valuable insights into Foucault’s theory and establishes connections between the film The Matrix and contemporary society, providing a deeper understanding of the social power dynamics. Through the analysis, it can be observed that for humanity, the centralization of social systems has given way to a techno-totalitarianism, in which subtle forces ensnare individuals, seemingly leaving no one exempt. People now live in this era of “ubiquity” and need to approach it rationally, protecting their rights reasonably. However, further exploration is warranted regarding various aspects of “surveillance” within the social power mechanism. Questions arise regarding the correct perception of oppression and being oppressed under such “surveillance” and the need for a more profound analysis of this phenomenon from a capitalist perspective. By addressing these issues, a comprehensive understanding of Foucault’s proposed mechanisms of power in society can be achieved.

Intellectual humility in applied sociocultural contexts: a reply to Ballantyne

ABSTRACT We offer a brief reply to Ballantyne’s overview of intellectual humility (IH) research with an appreciation for the definitional, conceptual, and methodological issues he has highlighted across numerous areas of work. We give particular interdisciplinary attention to sociocultural, systemic, and postcolonial perspectives on IH and raise questions about cultural differences and social power dynamics that might impact IH. Some emerging and future directions in IH research are considered in the applied context of religious leadership drawing on a relational spirituality model of humility and the dialectical processes of dwelling and seeking.

Questioning Chinese government officials on a live broadcast TV program: shifted second-person pronouns and journalists’ stance and identity

Abstract It has been recognized that Mandarin speakers use the neutral form (ni) and the honorific form (nin) of second-person pronouns to refer to others based on the social distance and power dynamics between the speakers. Drawing on eighteen hours of journalist-government official conversations in live broadcast TV programs, this study shows that the journalists often shift between the two forms of second-person pronouns when referring to government officials and that the shifts in the two directions appear in different sequential environments. Incorporating the stance triangle model and membership categorization devices, the findings reveal that the shifts indicate changes in the journalists’ self-categorization and their evaluative stances toward the officials in the conversation. The shift from nin to ni tends to occur in the main actions where the interviewer has previously displayed a positive stance but shifts to a negative stance while holding the official accountable; the shift from ni to nin is often used rhetorically to help construct the inconsistencies and self-contradictions of the officials, which also indicates a negative stance.