Social Reform Research Articles

Social Development Perspective in Child Custody Law Enforcement: A Comparative Study of Legal Systems and Their Implications in Developing and Developed Countries

This study discusses the comparative application of child custody laws between developed and developing countries with a focus on the principle of "best interests of the child." Although this principle is recognized globally, its implementation varies widely across countries, influenced by social, cultural, religious, and economic factors. Developed countries such as the United States and Sweden tend to have more structured legal systems that support equality in custody, often adopting a joint custody model. In contrast, developing countries such as Indonesia and India face significant challenges in implementing this principle due to the influence of customary law, religion, and resource constraints. This study uses thematic and comparative analysis methods, and makes generalizations about the factors that influence the implementation of child custody in countries with different socio-economic backgrounds. The results of the study indicate that legal and social policy reforms, as well as increasing access to social services and legal education, are essential to improving the protection of children's rights in developing countries. Thus, recommendations focus on the need for international collaboration and increasing the capacity of courts to adopt best practices in child protection.

Social Reforms and Political Activism Unpacking the Dual Role of Khudai Khidmatgar Movement

This article examines the Khudai Khidmatgar Movement, led by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan popularly known as Fakhr-i-Afghan Bacha khan, which played a pivotal role in social reform and political activism in colonial India. Founded in 1929, the movement adopted non-violent resistance to British rule while also addressing deep-rooted social issues within Pashtun society, such as factionalism, illiteracy, poverty, social and gender discrimination and blood feuds. Implying indegounious values, knowledge and tools, Ghaffar Khan promoted education, unity, and peaceful coexistence among his people, challenging the British narrative of Pashtuns as inherently violent. The article explores how the movement, initially focused on socio-educational reforms, evolved into a powerful force advocating for Indian independence, aligning with other non-violent movements like those led by Gandhi. Despite significant obstacles from the British and local elites, the Khudai Khidmatgar gained mass support, with over 100,000 members at its peak. The article highlights the movement’s transformative impact on Pashtun society and its contributions to the broader anti-colonial struggle, positioning it as a significant yet underappreciated chapter in South Asian history. This articles has relied on both primamry and secondary data for qualitative analysis, with most reliance on primary sorces of data collection. For this purpose, extensive interviews were conducted.

А. БАЙТҰРСЫНҰЛЫ ЖӘНЕ «ҚАЗАҚ» ГАЗЕТІНІҢ МАЗМҰНЫ ЖАЙЛЫ

This article examines the contribution of Akhmet Baitursynuly to the development of Kazakh journalism and the role of the «Қазақ» newspaper in the social and political life of Kazakhstan at the beginning of the 20th century. A. Baitursynuly actively used journalism to awaken the national self-awareness of the Kazakh people, modernize their culture and carry out social reforms. He intended to achieve these goals by creating and managing the Kazakh newspaper. The article analyzes the main topics raised in the «Қазақ» newspaper, in particular, issues of national identity, cultural revival, political awakening of the Kazakh people, social reforms. The newspaper's articles widely discuss current problems of Kazakh society, the social status and culture of the people. The editorial policy of A. Baitursynuly and his approach to journalism as a means of education and social mobilization are analyzed. The role of the «Қазақ» newspaper as a platform for expressing and strengthening Kazakh national identity, as well as its importance in educating and informing Kazakh society, is emphasized. The study shows the influence of the editorial activities of Akhmet Baitursynuly on the development of public opinion and political activity in Kazakhstan. The article examines in detail how Baitursynuly supervised the content of the newspaper and his contribution to the spiritual and cultural development of Kazakh society.

Fiscal and Tax Policy of Bogd Khanate of Mongolia (1911–1919)

Abstract As a result of the prolonged struggle for national independence, the Mongolian people, who endured over two centuries of oppression under Manchurian rule, regained sovereignty in 1911 and established the Republic of Mongolia. During this period, significant economic, social, and political reforms were initiated, laying the groundwork for the national financial system. This article examines the social, political, and economic landscape during the Bogd Khanate of Mongolia. Research into the tax and financial policies implemented during this period was conducted using historical documents and sources. Within the framework of Mongolian governmental financial policies, five ministries were established, accompanied by the enactment and implementation of various regulations about finance, taxation, and customs. Efforts were made to enhance state revenue; however, the accumulation of debt owed to foreign moneylenders and merchants, coupled with the taxation burden on Mongolian citizens, including payments to domestic nobles and religious institutions, exacerbated poverty and economic hardship among the populace. In June 1915, the autonomy of Mongolia, as stipulated in the treaty between Russia, Mongolia, and China, was abolished in 1919, resulting in the reassertion of foreign control over Mongolian governance.

Echoes of Empathy: Analyzing the Ethical Dimensions of Animal Sacrifice in Tagore's 'Sacrifice'

Rabindranath Tagore, a distinguished Bengali poet and social reformer, is celebrated for his significant contributions to Indian literature and his incisive critiques of societal norms. One of his notable concerns was the practice of animal sacrifice, particularly in the context of worshiping the goddess Kali. This essay delves into how Tagore's literary creations and philosophical perspectives challenged this ritualistic tradition. By closely analyzing his play "Sacrifice" along with other narratives, novels, and dramas, we can uncover his opposition to animal sacrifice and his broader vision for a more ethical and compassionate spirituality.

Designed Segregation: Racial Space and Social Reform in San Juan’s Casa de Beneficencia

Designed Segregation: Racial Space and Social Reform in San Juan’s Casa de Beneficencia

Britain and imperial rhetoric of reforms in late nineteenth-and early twentieth-century Morocco

ABSTRACT Although Morocco was not fully colonised until 1912, the second half of the nineteenth century saw significant changes in the country’s politics, culture, and economy as European colonial powers intensified competition for control of the southern shore of the western Mediterranean. This essay examines the British conceptualisation of social, economic, fiscal, and military reforms that precolonial Morocco tried and/or was wreaked to implement under the auspices of the British. The rhetoric of reform and rescue served as the British Empire’s civilising mission and was complementary to the discourse on supremacy and hegemony. This rhetoric fed into a larger colonial project of domination but also served a more surreptitious purpose of self-fashioning and self-legitimisation. British envoys, officials, and travel writers, the most prominent of whom are John Drummond Hay, Arthur Leared, Walter Burton Harris, Hugh Stutfield, and Budgett Meakin, treated the reform and rescue of Pre-protectorate Morocco as a peculiar and bounden duty of the white race. This essay revisits the representational strategies these writers deployed in their accounts and how they propagated the premise that the implementation of these reforms would enable Morocco to be transformed from a fragmented ‘Sharifian Dominion’ replete with bureaucratisation, embezzlement, and decay into a modern state. In this sense, this essay traces the reciprocal relationships between writing, policy making, capitalism, modernity and the broader European colonialist discourse and zeitgeist of this period.

Living policy Labs: A case study of collaborative dialogue about social protection to alleviate grievances and facilitate peaceful outcomes in Egypt

Social protection may be regarded as the conduit for governments to end poverty (SDG1) and in turn maintain civil order/peace. However, how social protectionis conceptualized alongside poverty ideology (who/what causes it and whose responsibility it is to relieve it) can negatively impact the development of social protection programs to the extent that they do not meet the social and economic needs of beneficiaries/end-users. Underpinning these views are social and political dynamics that reflect a wide range of sometimes opposing interests and social divisions. Thus, social protection inadvertently risks becoming a conduit to conflict rather than peace. In this paper we report on a living policy lab (LPL) we developed in Cairo (Egypt) to help mitigate this risk. The aim of the LPL was to facilitate dialogue between various stakeholders to support collaboration towards policy-making. First, we present an in-depth review of extant literature, discussing the viability of a ‘living policy lab’ approach to social policy making in MENA countries such as Egypt that are susceptible to conflict. Using Egypt as our focus, we critically outline its evolution of non-targeted to targeted programs and initiatives to alleviate poverty, arguing that they have been reactive and piecemeal rather than thought through (except for the universal health insurance system). We then examine findings from a project in Egypt involving a series of interrelated living policy labs (2018–2019) on social protection reform that involved a range of social actors. The aim was to explore whether, as a design process, the approach might offer an alternative shared power model that facilitates agreed policy priorities and in so doing mediates peace. In this way, we add to the scholarship on social protection by considering to what extent new approaches to policy making in contexts of conflict can support more sustainable and peace-promoting social protection interventions. We end the paper by providing recommendations in terms of research, policy and practice particularly in relation tofuture possibilities for consultative design theory.

Feminism in 18 Century

The 18th century marked a pivotal era for the early stirrings of feminism, laying the groundwork for future movements seeking gender equality. During this period, societal roles were rigidly defined, with women predominantly relegated to domestic spheres. However, the Enlightenment, with its emphasis on reason and individual rights, began to challenge these traditional norms. This intellectual movement inspired a reevaluation of women's roles and their capabilities. ioneering voices emerged, advocating for women's education and rights. One of the most influential figures was Mary Wollstonecraft, whose seminal work, "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" (1792), argued for women's rationality and the importance of education. Wollstonecraft's treatise challenged the prevailing notion that women were inherently inferior to men, advocating instead for equal opportunities in education as a means to achieve true equality.Other women, such as Catherine Macaulay and Olympe de Gouges, contributed to the discourse, with de Gouges penning the "Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen" in 1791, a bold statement calling for women's rights during the French Revolution. These early feminists laid the intellectual and philosophical foundation for future generations to build upon.Despite their efforts, the impact of 18th-century feminism was limited by cultural and institutional barriers. The movement did not result in immediate societal change; however, it ignited a conversation about gender equality that would gain momentum in the centuries to follow. The ideas and writings from this era inspired later activists in the 19th and 20th centuries, who continued to fight for women's suffrage, legal rights, and social reforms.

Disparities in Environmental Behavior from Urban–Rural Perspectives: How Socioeconomic Status Structures Influence Residents’ Environmental Actions—Based on the 2021 China General Social Survey Data

This study explores the environmental behavior disparities between urban and rural residents in China due to socioeconomic status differences amidst social governance and institutional reform. Using OLS regression models on the 2021 China General Social Survey (CGSS) data, it analyzes the impact of socioeconomic status on environmental behaviors. This study reveals that urban residents generally exhibit better environmental behaviors than rural residents. Education and income are identified as critical drivers, with education raising environmental awareness and income driving participation in environmental activities. Urban residents benefit more from these factors. The policy recommendations are for the government to enhance rural education resources and improve education quality, ensuring that education poverty alleviation policies are effectively implemented to support rural development. Simultaneously, promoting rural economic growth and narrowing the urban–rural economic gap is crucial for improving rural environmental behavior and achieving urban–rural environmental harmony. Furthermore, the results call on the international community to focus on environmental governance systems, aiming to provide references for other developing countries in formulating environmental policies, thereby promoting the creation of a more just, eco-friendly, and sustainable global development framework.

The Role of Women in the Development Path of Kerala

Kerala, a state in southwestern India, has achieved remarkable social and economic development, surpassing many other Indian states. A significant contributor to this success is the empowered role of women in Kerala’s society. This paper examines the crucial contributions of women to Kerala’s development path, highlighting their impact on education, healthcare, economy, and social reform. With a high literacy rate and active participation in the workforce, women have driven positive change and played a vital role in shaping the state’s development trajectory. The paper explores the historical and cultural context that has enabled women’s empowerment in Kerala, discussing the influence of matrilineal traditions, education initiatives, and social movements. By analyzing the experiences and achievements of women in Kerala, this research demonstrates the transformative power of gender equality and women’s empowerment in achieving sustainable development and social progress.

The Patterns of Reforming in the Legacy of Al-Imam Al-Sajjad (PBUH):A Rhetorical Pragmatic Analysis

This paper deals with the study of pragmatic strategies and rhetorical devices to demonstrate the patterns of reforming: self,social , and moral reforming in the legacy of Imam Al-Sajjad(pbuh) ,that is represented by prayers and supplications .This heritage combines the spirit of revolution against tyranny and jihadist enthusiasm against deviations in all aspects of life . Imam Al-Sajjad(pbuh) adopts several ways for reforming including preaching ,calling people to have morals , directing people to know the truths ,causes of happiness and misery . These ways are intended to warn people against mindlessness by addressing the mind ,spirit ,and emotion .Hence ,this study focuses on the persuasive discourse in which pragmatics and rhetoric are integrated and aims at investigating the pragmatic strategies and rhetorical devices that are utilized as analytical tools to analyze the supplications and prayers of Imam Al- Sajjad (pbuh) delivered under the topic of reforming . Accordingly ,the study attempts to answer the following questions: What are the pragmatic strategies and rhetorical devices that Imam Al- Sajjad (pbuh) uses in this verbal legacy ? How are the pragmatic and rhetorical devices are utilized to present the idea of reforming ? The study hypothesizes that Imam Al- Sajjad (pbuh) uses many pragmatic and rhetorical devices that contributed significantly to highlight the idea of reforming of all its kinds as a model of stupendous legitmate literature. Additionally ,the rhetoric devices are connected with the three rhetorical appeals: logos ,ethos , and pathos .The study is finalized with some conclusions that these pragmatic and rhetorical devices reflect sympathy , mercy ,and emotional involving through which Al-Imam (pbuh) conveys a reformist message that could be called a message of spirit and insight . It is worth to mention that any translation of Arabic texts within this paper is the researcher's humble effort except the experts.

From a Customer-centric to a Stakeholders-centric Approach : A Corporate Social Responsibility Reforms and the Long-term Financial Performance

From a Customer-centric to a Stakeholders-centric Approach : A Corporate Social Responsibility Reforms and the Long-term Financial Performance

Vasyl Yakovych Danylevskyi's lecture on science, university and faculty selection (1921): annotated translation

Kharkiv National Medical University has the honor to present a series of lectures by the outstanding doctor of Kharkiv region Danylevskyi V.Ya., which for 100 years have not lost their relevance and can be a guideline for modern doctors and students of medical universities. In this abstract, we will briefly outline the advice of the author of the lecture to young doctors. Without a general scientific education, even a good practicing doctor will remain a narrow empiricist with a limited mental horizon. The student must complete the entire curriculum, because he cannot yet understand the suitability of the academic subjects in his future profession. The formalistic system of educational institutions suppresses higher educational interests, logic and scientific truth. Scientific successes bring people together and promote international communication based on knowledge and art, work and peace. True, mutual understanding covers only the cultural top of the population. Therefore, the democratization of science is necessary for the universal sharing of spiritual and material benefits. That is why they fought so hard for the development of the education of their people in European countries after the wars, and that is why the general rise of the cultural and political power of Japan began with the development of public education. Our physical and mental health depends on all conditions of human existence, starting with the mental and social state. That is why in all matters of physical, mental and social life, their organization and reform, the voice of the doctor should be highly respected. To earn such respect, the doctor must have great tact, understanding of people, and most importantly, great scientific knowledge. What should someone do who has already spent 2–3 years at medical school and then became convinced of his worthlessness? Of course, leaving medicine. Keywords: medical university, medical education, history of medicine.

Character of the Police Affairs Bureau’s Public Policy and Social Reform Activities in Colonial Korea during the 1920s

Character of the Police Affairs Bureau’s Public Policy and Social Reform Activities in Colonial Korea during the 1920s

ANCIENT ROOTS TO MODERN SOCIETY: INDIAS SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION

Indias social transformation is a journey marked by the interplay of ancient traditions and modern influences. This paper explores the evolution of Indias social fabric from its early Vedic roots to its current standing as a dynamic and diverse society. The analysis delves into the enduring impact of religious, cultural, and philosophical traditions on contemporary social structures, highlighting how these ancient legacies have shaped the modern Indian ethos. By examining key historical milestones, such as the contribution of empires, colonialism, and the independence movement, the study reveals the complex ways in which India has navigated the challenges of modernity while preserving its rich heritage. The discussion also addresses the ongoing struggles and adaptations within Indian society, including caste dynamics, gender roles, and the quest for social equity, emphasizing the continuous process of negotiation between tradition and modernity. Through this exploration, the paper aims to provide a nuanced understanding of Indias social transformation, underscoring the nations ability to adapt and innovate while remaining rooted in its ancient cultural wisdom.Indias social transformation encompasses changes in various societal aspects, including institutions, structure, culture, and philosophy. The goals of social transformation in India are evolutionary in strategy but revolutionary in content. Leaders of the Indian independence movement understood that social structure, history, and tradition form the foundation of society, setting the parameters for social reform plans, objectives, and methods.

‘To Adopt the Principles of Freedom’: Christianity, Women’s Education, and Progress in U.S. Press Coverage of the Iwakura Mission

Abstract In U.S. press reports, the visit of Meiji Japan’s Iwakura Mission in 1872 presented both an opportunity for Americans to facilitate progress in Japan and evidence of social reform already underway there. As an opportunity, the mission served as a potential medium for American efforts to improve the Meiji government’s treatment of Japanese Christians. Many American political and religious leaders hoped to convince the mission ambassadors that freedom of religion was an essential component of civilization and a prerequisite for engaging with the treaty powers on equal terms. As evidence of social reform, the five Japanese girls who came with the mission to study in the United States embodied Japan’s new commitment to expanding educational opportunities for women. Focusing on the themes of religion and gender in U.S. newspaper coverage, this article shows how Americans projected onto the Iwakura Mission their own images of the United States as an inspiration and model for reform in Japan. Treating the mission as both an opportunity and evidence, the U.S. press depicted it in a self-congratulatory fashion to embellish Americans’ national identity as a people committed to progress.

The Problematisation of Young People Within Existing Housing-Related Policy in Queensland

AbstractMore young people are experiencing homelessness and housing stress in Australia than ever before, with policy responses failing to address a current housing and cost-of-living crisis. Of particular concern when considering increasing rates of youth homelessness and housing stress is the absence of research examining existing policy. This research was undertaken in the Australian state of Queensland and contributes to addressing this gap in knowledge by utilising Carol Bacchi’s (2009) ‘What’s the Problem Represented to be?’ approach to policy analysis to examine three state policies, namely Towards Ending Homelessness for Young Queenslanders 2022–2027, the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017–2027, and the Queensland Youth Strategy. A range of discourses were found which position young people as lacking knowledge and skills to obtain housing. Emphasis is also placed on education, training, and employment as solutions to youth housing issues rather than a genuine focus on empowering young people through policy and practice initiatives. The findings of this research mirror existing discourses found in global conversations about youth homelessness and housing stress and contribute to a growing knowledge base around the importance of engaging young people in decision making within public policy and social reform.

To GDP and beyond: The past and future history of the world’s most powerful statistical indicator

Gross domestic product (GDP) is unquestionably one of the most influential statistical indicators in history. It is more than a statistic – it not only measures the global economy but defines it. But from the outset there have been criticisms of GDP. Today there are a growing number of commentators arguing that GDP has outlived its usefulness. Their criticisms can be broadly categorized into three classes. The first are measurement problems within the existing framework arising from changes in the economy and society – most notably globalization and digitalization. The second set of criticisms deal with the limits of the SNA framework itself and are sometimes described by the catchall “Beyond GDP” and center on questions as to whether the SNA can or should measure well-being and sustainability. The third is that the construction of GDP promotes a ‘growth-at-all-costs’ ideology which works against environmental and social reforms. This paper summarizes the origins of the SNA and GDP and some of the crucial events and thinking that helped shape its design. The most important criticisms and challenges that will shape the future development of the SNA are also outlined, in particular: globalization, digitalization, well-being and sustainability. As both well-being and sustainability go well beyond traditional measurements of the economy, the paper discusses whether it is possible to address at least some aspects of these issues within the SNA, either in the ‘core’ sequence of economic accounts, or through a broadened set of accounts. The paper concludes with an overview of the 2025 SNA update and new work beginning at the UN to encourage member states to move beyond GDP.

Muhammad Abduh's Qur'anic Interpretation Of Jihad: Implementation And Challenges In Modern Indonesian Society

Muhammad Abduh is a modern mufassir whose thoughts are widely studied by scholars, one of which is about the verse of jihad. Abduh's ideas about the interpretation of the verse of jihad have inspired the birth of new thoughts that are more accommodating to the times. The purpose of this paper is to explore Abduh's thoughts on jihad in the Qur'an; implement and analyze the challenges of Abduh's jihad interpretation for modern Indonesian society; and analyze the positive and negative impacts of the implementation offer. The method used is library research with a content analysis approach. The results revealed that Abduh understood jihad was not limited to military and war aspects, spiritual, moral, social, and educational struggles also included the meaning of jihad. Jihad is also understood as a continuous effort to improve oneself and society, uphold justice, and advance science and social reform; the implementation of Abduh's meaning of Jihad is very relevant and in line with the needs of a plural and dynamic Indonesian society. By integrating education, dialog, and active involvement from all components of society, it can encourage the creation of a more just, peaceful, and advanced society. The challenge is that there is resistance and rejection from traditional circles that hold fast to old thinking; the positive impact of Abduh's thinking is to encourage the constructive contribution of Muslims in various aspects of life and inspire a peaceful and progressive renewal movement. Meanwhile, the negative impact is the potential for internal conflict, because his offer of thought will face the traditionalist thinking adopted by most Indonesians.