Societal Groups Research Articles

Escaping the rough life of the street: Roofless people and mobile social media

Roofless people are among the most vulnerable, marginalized, and silenced societal groups. However, access to social media through mobile devices may provide opportunities for battling their stigmatization, social exclusion, low self-esteem, and self-acceptance. This study aims to explore how people who are experiencing rooflessness use and represent themselves on social media. This qualitative study, using thematic analysis of 16 in-depth interviews, reveals that roofless people may use social media to increase their social capital, advocate for other homeless people, and, most importantly, escape or reconstruct the reality of life on the street through continuous online social interaction and revalidation of oneself.

Differential treatment close to the election? The relationship between the electoral cycle and the deservingness heuristic

This article investigates whether the electoral cycle – the phenomenon where politicians formulate more generous policy close to elections – is moderated by the deservingness status of the recipient of said generous policy. We argue that strategic politicians will design generous policy only for deserving recipients whose welfare needs are perceived as self-inflicted. To test this, we coded all adopted acts and parliamentary resolutions in the Danish parliament from 1975-2019 that target five societal groups. With linear probability models, we find that politicians do in fact introduce more generous policies for deserving groups close to elections, while the effect of the electoral cycle is non-existent for undeserving groups. Our findings point towards a more disaggregated approach in the study of the electoral cycle.

Freedom of Religion or Belief as a Legal Value in Contemporary Discourses on Human Rights

The article examines understudied dimensions of the interpretation of human rights in Ukrainian science, highlighting their key role in shaping the contemporary objectives and orientations for the right to freedom of religion or belief. This work reveals the main provisions regarding the definition and legal safeguarding of religious freedom in each of the modern approaches to the interpretation of human rights: the Sustainable Development Goals, the capability approach, decolonialism and the feminist approach.Along with the classical framework of international human rights law, these approaches broaden the spectrum of perspectives on realizing the right to freedom of religion or belief. The Sustainable Development Goals consider religious freedom in terms of achieving the well-being of present and future generations and leaving no one behind. The capability approach complements the formal definition of the right to religious freedom, with the individual’s actual ability to exercise such a right. Decolonial and feminist studies provide a thorough critique of established notions of law, deconstructing and reconstructing them through analysis of the rights and needs of women, indigenous peoples, and other marginalized groups.Despite individual features in the interpretation of legal and social phenomena, all approaches (sustainable development, the capability approach, decolonialism, feminism and anti-discrimination) share one common characteristic: they offer an alternative point of view on the established relationships that exist in specific societies. The feminist approach, for example, is closely intertwined with the approach of decolonialism. In particular, in the case of wearing religious clothing, the choice of whether or not to wear such attire should be left to the women who are required to wear it, not to human rights defenders or arbitrators from other countries or institutions who can decide for the women that wearing religious clothing violates their rights.This research focuses on human rights, particularly freedom of religion, which is partly perceived through the Western, European-American vision of human rights. On the contrary, the abovementioned critical approaches present a new vision of established international legal provisions. It should be emphasized that critical does not mean negative. Through such critical thinking, the law has an opportunity to evolve and become more attuned to specific concepts or ideas. The view from within a particular societal group allows to provide a more objective understanding and interpretation of the human right to freedom of religion or belief.

Democratic Bricolage

Despite their dominance and control over police, courts, state institutions, media, and civil society, authoritarian governments face multifaceted internal and external contestation over their right to rule and the boundaries of autocratic control. Analysis of this opposition is wanting in the literature on democratic backsliding. Societal groups, institutions, and individuals regularly contest governments’ claim to legitimate rule, and they seek opportunities to raise their voices and be heard. These efforts, which we call democratic bricolage, are mostly uncoordinated, accidental, disconnected, and dependent on opportunities as these arise. But they undermine the government’s claims to authority and legitimacy. They maintain instead the moral claim to democracy, the right to be heard and consulted. We argue that democratic bricolage is the story of democratic resilience in an authoritarian context and an under-studied and little-noticed part of the story of autocratization.

The Dual Nature of Diana Arbus's Photographic Art

Diana Arbus is a photographer to be criticized for unethical practices, yet her unique photographic style has left a lasting imprint on civilization. She's good at capturing marginalized societal groups, confronting the harsh realities and ugliness. Her work influenced people's contemplation of photographic art, while simultaneously subjecting her to significant ethical controversies. Arbus's photographs evoke feelings of terror and discomfort, but at the same time, she shed light on the people and experiences hidden in the shadows, revealing the greatness and sacredness of suffering and its essence. This gave rise to an aesthetic of alienation that contradicts traditional aesthetics. In Arbus's photographic works, there is a juxtaposition and fusion of oppositions between art and morality. Traditional aesthetics pursue happiness, harmony, and beauty, whereas Arbus's photographs present pain, distortion, and ugliness. Consequently, some argue that Arbus violates the moral principles of beauty. However, on the other hand, Arbus's works also bring visibility, attention, and understanding to marginalized groups, achieving a fusion of art and morality in a divergent way.

ПОГЛЯДИ АМЕРИКАНСЬКОГО СУСПІЛЬСТВА НА ВИВЕДЕННЯ СПОЛУЧЕНИМИ ШТАТАМИ ВІЙСЬК ІЗ АФГАНІСТАНУ В 2021 Р.

The aim of the article is to analyze and compare the differences and similarities in the reactions of various groups of American society to the end of the military campaign in Afghanistan. The groups in question are the general public, whose opinion is measured through social surveys, various political experts and think tanks, as well as the American politicians of a wide spectrum of views. The scientific novelty of the article is that the authors research the phenomenon of American public opinion on the aforementioned issue from various angles. The article describes in detail the views of the American public in general and its ideologically differentiated groups; the views of political experts as well as the politicians themselves. The methodological basis of the article. The authors use the analysis method as a general scientific method to explore the opinions of various public groups, including American war veterans, political experts, and politicians. Another method (peculiar for historical analysis) is the comparative-historical method, which is used to compare different societal perspectives on this historical event to discern similarities and differences between those perspectives. The systematic approach is also used to describe the view of American society as a system. The principle of objectivity is also applied to promote the unbiased nature of the authors’ conclusions. Results. The article helps to understand the reaction of different societal groups, including politicians and experts, on the US Armed Forces withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Conclusions of the authors of this article demonstrate that the majority of the ordinary citizens as well as of the politicians were dissatisfied with the realities of the process of the evacuation of troops and civilians from Afghanistan. The actions of the American government in this regard also received critical appraisal. On the other hand, the majority of the population generally supported the end of the war. The political experts and members of think tanks were divided among themselves on the question of what influence this withdrawal may have on the US popularity and image in the world.

Mapping the changing role of expertise in COVID-19 politics in Europe

During major national crises countries experience a ‘rally round the flag’ effect, where citizens, societal groups and politicians put aside mundane conflicts to stand united against a common threat. This shift to depoliticised policymaking was indeed observed in many European countries during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 onwards. Subsequently it noted how politics involving COVID-19 were then (re)politicised, typically when lockdowns were lifted. This article sets out to explore the role of expertise in shaping policy responses during politicised/depoliticised processes. It offers a new typology, classifying four different ideal types of roles for experts as leading, antagonistic, managerial, and auxiliary. Using survey data from political science experts across 31 European countries it analyses knowledge exchanges at different stages throughout the pandemic, and finds a shift from normal policymaking conditions to conditions of politicisation/depoliticisation triggered by the pandemic. The findings demonstrate that the role of experts oscillates depending on the issue at hand and the way that either political actors utilise expertise to legitimise decisions or experts themselves turn into political actors within politicised decision environments. During the pandemic, a dramatic shift of the expert’s role occurred where even in countries whose experts previously had an auxiliary role, leading policy decisions became the norm.

Unmet healthcare needs in Southeastern Europe: a systematic review.

This study sought to systematically review the existing literature on self-reported unmet healthcare needs in Southeastern Europe. A systematic literature review of quantitative evidence in English and Bulgarian was performed in July 2023 using the following databases: Medline, Embase and EconLit. Publications were only included if they used self-reported unmet healthcare needs as an indicator of access to healthcare, concerned people living in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia or Romania and if they were published after 2003. Quality assessment of the included publications was performed using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS) tool. Twenty-three publications of varying quality were included in the review. Significantly more evidence was available for Greece, Bulgaria and Romania than for the rest of the region. Data collected through Pan-European surveys were commonly used, but almost half of the studies were only descriptive. Generally, the prevalence of unmet healthcare needs has decreased over the years. Unmet healthcare needs were higher among people of lower socioeconomic and educational status, ethnic minorities and migrants and high cost was consistently identified as the primary barrier to accessing healthcare. Unmet healthcare needs are more prevalent among already disadvantaged societal groups. A trend of a declining prevalence of unmet needs has been observed, but it is more notable in the more socioeconomically developed countries. Improving financial protection should be a priority for the healthcare systems.

Exploration of the Impact of Harsh Language in Kurdish Society on Social Media – Facebook: A Sociolinguistic Case Study

The study explores the multifaceted realm of language within the Kurdish society. Employing a sociolinguistic perspective, the study meticulously examines horizontal elements such as environmental influences, social groups, values, and attitudes, alongside vertical elements including language variations across societal classes, literacy levels, demographics, and age groups. Recognizing language as a fundamental tool for comprehension and communication, the research emphasizes its pivotal role in human life and societal progress. The paper aims to investigate that language usage significantly influences relationships, either strengthening or straining them, necessitating careful consideration by language users. The study focuses on diverse facets, encompassing language applications, the role of slang, and the repercussions of its use in social media. Explicit language, particularly prevalent in online platforms, is scrutinized for its motivations and subsequent adverse effects on individuals and society. With a specific focus on slang, the paper seeks to validate this linguistic form and elucidate its informal impact on both senders and recipients, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of language dynamics in Kurdish society.

Media Framing of Internal Immigrants: Exclusion and Sympathy towards Migrant Workers in China

This study examines the representation of China’s internal immigrants, commonly referred to as migrant workers, in four prominent Chinese newspapers that cater to various societal groups. We conduct a comprehensive examination of 48 news articles featuring the keyword “农民工” (migrant workers) using a combination of quantitative and qualitative content analysis methods. The findings highlight a prevailing pattern where newspapers, particularly those oriented toward intellectual audiences, contribute to the marginalization of migrant workers. Unfortunately, this prevailing trend perpetuates the exclusion of migrant workers, thereby perpetuating institutional discrimination. In light of China’s multicultural society, it is imperative to promote greater tolerance for migrant workers. However, it is crucial to recognize that genuine progress necessitates government intervention. It is incumbent upon both central and local authorities to actively advocate for equal treatment and integration opportunities for China’s migrant worker population, as minority survival cannot rely solely on media representation.

PERCEPTIONS OR MISPERCEPTIONS: CHINA PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR (CPEC)

Public views are essential, particularly when it comes to large-scale development initiatives like CPEC, which have the potential to change the socioeconomic and political climate of a nation comprised of more than 200 million individuals. This paper focuses on the perceptions of CPEC among the media in a virtual world. The study is based on a qualitative analysis of media handling, that is, the positive or negative image of CPEC. The media reports gathered indicate that the majority of Pakistanis consider CPEC a valuable project for Pakistan and regard China as a more reliable, friendly nation than the US, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Iran (Awais et al., 2019). However, there are dissenting views readily floating in the country regarding the nature of Pak-China relations, where the media also refers to the amity between China and Pakistan as being "interest-based." It suggests that the educated Pakistani public's support for China is motivated by pragmatism rather than sentiment and that the states' claim that their relationship is "sweeter than honey, higher than the mountains" should be considered pragmatically. The development of the project's perception management strategy for the two concerned nations will benefit from an analysis of how this project is perceived on social media by various societal groups (Akhtar et al., 2021)

Image networks and practice analysis of larger data corpora. An approach to cluster and recontextualize visual practice in social media

This paper reports a methodological exploration combining image network analysis and standardized practice analysis on social media data. Through applying the open source software Memespector to access the Clarifai API, the potential of an easy-at-hand image tagging tool as an instrument to manage larger data corpora is explored. Using the example of the German-speaking Twitter hashtag #systemrelevant, we relate image clusters to the results of standardized practice analysis of posts that contain images. The proposed method is intended for research that attempts to carve out the co-constituting of public discourse in social media by different groups of actors. The approach systematically differentiates the contributions of societal groups such as journalism, civil society, or private individuals, and the embedding of their tweets in selected anchoring practices and further modalities of participation. Altogether, the multistep analytical process offers a possible approach to process larger image corpora, while maintaining a sensitivity for the practice-theoretical demand of (re)contextualizing image use.

Dwarf Mongoose Optimizer for Optimal Modeling of Solar PV Systems and Parameter Extraction

This article presents a modified intelligent metaheuristic form of the Dwarf Mongoose Optimizer (MDMO) for optimal modeling and parameter extraction of solar photovoltaic (SPV) systems. The foraging manner of the dwarf mongoose animals (DMAs) motivated the DMO’s primary design. It makes use of distinct DMA societal groups, including the alpha category, scouts, and babysitters. The alpha female initiates foraging and chooses the foraging path, bedding places, and distance travelled for the group. The newly presented MDMO has an extra alpha-directed knowledge-gaining strategy to increase searching expertise, and its modifying approach has been led to some extent by the amended alpha. For two diverse SPV modules, Kyocera KC200GT and R.T.C. France SPV modules, the proposed MDMO is used as opposed to the DMO to efficiently estimate SPV characteristics. By employing the MDMO technique, the simulation results improve the electrical characteristics of SPV systems. The minimization of the root mean square error value (RMSE) has been used to compare the efficiency of the proposed algorithm and other reported methods. Based on that, the proposed MDMO outperforms the standard DMO. In terms of average efficiency, the MDMO outperforms the standard DMO approach for the KC200GT module by 91.7%, 84.63%, and 75.7% for the single-, double-, and triple-diode versions, respectively. The employed MDMO technique for the R.T.C France SPV system has success rates of 100%, 96.67%, and 66.67%, while the DMO’s success rates are 6.67%, 10%, and 0% for the single-, double-, and triple-diode models, respectively.

Cooperation through collective punishment and participation

AbstractWe experimentally explore the role of institutions imposing collective sanctions in sustaining cooperation. In our experiment, players only observe noisy signals about individual contributions in finitely repeated public goods game with imperfect monitoring, while total output is perfectly observed as it is often the case in collective action problems in society. We consider sanctioning mechanism that allows agents to commit to collective punishment in case the level of cooperation among members of society falls short of a target. We find that cooperation is higher with collective punishment compared to both no punishment or punishment targeting individuals. Importantly, our results indicate that it is the combination of making a commitment to be punished and the collective nature of punishment which induces cooperation. Our findings show that punishing a group collectively for misbehavior of some of its members induces cooperation when individuals participate in setting up the sanctioning institution. The study contributes to the literature on institutional legitimacy and how to ensure good government performance when dealing with collective action problems, and, by considering commitment, improves enforcement methods criticized for their detrimental effects on some societal groups.

Katawagang Kultural sa Panliligaw, Pamamanhikan at Kasal ng Erumanen Ne Menuvu

The study focused on cultural terminologies in courtship, betrothal, and marriage among the Erumanen ne Menuvu in Barangay Aroman, Carmen, Cotabato. It aimed to ascertain the preservation of traditions and terms amidst interactions with non-indigenous groups and their transmission to succeeding generations. Qualitative research methods were utilized, employing purposive sampling, thematic analysis, open coding, and focus group discussions. The cultural terminologies identified encompassed courtship terms like bayuk, ilesung, rambeng, ed arig, pendereha, and bilik, betrothal terms such as Ed Seneran te Tamuk, Dureng, and Pemenuhang, and marriage-related terms like Id esawa, Benikuku, sungguranan, Kawing, Pedsungit, Ed Tihuy, Peuli te Himukod, and Tinulong. The study's key findings revealed the Erumanen ne Menuvu's adherence to unique traditions in courtship, betrothal, and marriage, showcased by their specific cultural terms, highlighting their language as a significant aspect of their identity. These findings bear educational significance, contributing to an improved comprehension of Erumanen ne Menuvu traditions and language and facilitating the sharing of their customs with other communities. Recommendations include using these findings in educational discussions and further exploring diverse aspects of Erumanen ne Menuvu traditions and other ethnic groups' customs to foster wider cultural recognition. Ultimately, the study aims to promote respect among different societal groups within the Filipino community.

From Bush to Biden: British public opinion and the image of America

The scholarly literature on US–UK relations has been marked by recurrent debate over the health and utility of the special relationship, recently enlivened by the policy tensions and political turbulence of the Trump presidency. The literature has also seen a social and cultural ‘turn’, with a growing focus on the broader linkages between the two countries’ societies and cultures. However, there has been limited analysis of public opinion in Britain in recent scholarly research. This article examines the ‘image of America’ in British public opinion in the twenty-first century, across recent Republican and Democratic presidencies. It uses data from the annual Pew Global Attitudes survey series and Transatlantic Trends survey series to undertake systematic analysis of these quantitative data sources. It examines the following areas: the performance and policies of presidents from Bush to Biden, the US and its people, the state of bilateral relations, and NATO. It examines aggregate-level opinion and also pays close attention to views across different societal groups, based on demographic characteristics, party support and left–right ideology. The paper makes a significant and distinctive contribution to scholarly research into US–UK relations.

Fenomena Penolakan Ustaz Youtuber: Studi tentang Dakwah Hanan Attaki dalam Perspektif Kekerasan Simbolik Pierre Bourdieu

This paper delves into the resistance faced by Hanan Attaki, an Indonesian preacher recognized for his contemporary preaching style and widespread popularity among diverse societal groups. Nonetheless, his fame also exposes him to the influence of the hierarchical structure within the sphere of social media. Each instance involving Hanan Attaki attracts significant public attention, evolving into a social spectacle subject to scrutiny, thereby giving rise to various societal concerns. Employing qualitative methodologies, this research scrutinizes the phenomenon of Hanan Attaki’s rejection through the lens of Pierre Bourdieu's theory of symbolic violence. Through this analysis, it is uncovered that social media has elevated Hanan Attaki to a prominent position within the da'wah field, thereby rendering the rejection incident in Pamekasan, Madura, as an outcome of pressure exerted by specific factions following the previous dismissal of a religious discourse. This coercion manifests in two forms of dominance: firstly, influential figures in Pamekasan, Madura, establishing ideological supremacy within the community, and secondly, Hanan Attaki asserting dominance through his explanatory content on YouTube, resulting in the misuse of symbolic authority and provoking adverse reactions on social media platforms. Consequently, this coercion engenders symbolic violence, which disrupts the social dynamics within the realm of social media.

Exclusively Our People: Defining Tribalism through the Slovak Case

We define tribalism as a mode of articulation that draws an antagonistic frontier between societal groups. Unlike populism, tribalism does not have a hegemonic character. It articulates groups through a horizontally oriented, shared value system; whereas populism is an essential part of a democratic system, tribalism disregards democracy. To conceptualize tribalism as a separate theoretical frame from populism or (ethno)nationalism, we used discourse theoretical analysis to analyze the Facebook pages of four political party leaders in Slovakia (Marian Kotleba, Krisztián Forró, Igor Matovič, and Boris Kollár). Kotleba’s page showed tribalistic features by articulating an antagonistic divide between “us,” the people, linked by shared values and identities, and anyone not sharing those values, or “them.” His representation of his party’s fight against oppressive forces, combined with their apathetic stance toward democracy, makes his a prime example of a tribalist party. While populism is an ever-expanding area of research and a framework widely used to analyze political entities and events, it is a word often thrown around and thus overused. Tribalism offers an alternative approach to analyze political instances in a national and transnational context in a more nuanced way, and to gain a better understanding of previously overlooked phenomena.

Political Relations: Political Identity and Social Media in Elections in Indonesia

This research examines the role of social media in shaping political identity and political participation in contemporary Indonesia. Utilizing document analysis, the study explores how individuals and societal groups use social media as a tool to influence and participate in political discourse. The method employed in this research is qualitative descriptive. The findings reveal that social media facilitates a framework for personal action, enabling widespread participation in various political and social issues, and integrating personal lifestyle values into political dialogue. The study also pays attention to the challenges faced by political parties in Indonesia in attracting voters, especially the younger generation who are highly engaged with social media, in the lead-up to the 2024 simultaneous elections. Lastly, it is found that social media has deepened social interaction and information for the millennial generation, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, affecting their views on politics and religion. The conclusion of this research emphasizes the importance of social media in shaping the political landscape in Indonesia, providing significant insights into how digital technology affects political participation and social identity.

Evaluating the impact of minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Scotland: a theory-based synthesis of the evidence

BackgroundIn May 2018, the Scottish Government set a minimum unit price (MUP) of £0·50 per unit of alcohol sold in Scotland to reduce alcohol-related health harms. We synthesised evidence to establish the effects of MUP on alcohol-related health and social harms, at population level and within specific societal groups. MethodsWe did a theory-based synthesis of academic and grey research evidence about impacts of MUP in Scotland, including compliance, price, consumption, health outcomes, social outcomes, public attitudes, and the alcoholic drinks industry. We searched the Public Health Scotland's MUP evaluation portfolio and relevant grey and academic literature for studies published between Jan 1, 2018, and Jan 31, 2023. We conducted systematic searches and screening of bibliographic databases (Scopus, Public Health Database, EconLit, MEDLINE, ProQuest Public Health, Social Policy and Practice, NHS Scotland Knowledge Network Library Search, medRxiv, bioRxiv, SSRN, Idox Knowledge Exchange, Social Policy & Practice, and Google Search). Search terms were tailored to specific databases but included variants of the terms “minimum unit pricing”, “alcohol”, and “policy”. Eligibility literature included English-language research into impacts of MUP on either the population of Scotland or a specific subpopulation. We excluded conference abstracts, literature reviews, articles that did not report research, and research based solely on data from before the introduction of MUP. FindingsWe included 40 reports in our analysis. On the balance of evidence, MUP improved population-level health outcomes, demonstrated most starkly by a 13·4% reduction in alcohol-attributable deaths in Scotland compared with England. There was no evidence of substantial negative effects on the alcoholic drinks industry or social harms at the population level. While population-level outcomes were predominantly positive, some qualitative evidence suggests that MUP might have exacerbated health and social harms for some individuals or groups, especially those with alcohol dependence who were financially vulnerable. InterpretationMUP in Scotland has been effective in reducing alcohol-related health harms, with little evidence of any effect on social harms. If MUP continues, policymakers should consider raising the £0·50 per unit threshold and supplementing the intervention with policies or services to address any unintended negative effects experienced by specific groups. The synthesis is persuasive due to the prospective, theory-based design of the evaluation portfolio and the quality and comprehensiveness of the evidence. FundingScottish Government.