Socio-political Dynamics Research Articles

The unintended consequences of foreign military assistance in Africa: an analysis of peacekeeping training in Kenya

ABSTRACTPeacekeeping training centres in Africa are numerous. These centres are part of broader military assistance programmes provided by bilateral or multilateral donors and are completely funded from outside. The intent is threefold: to improve peacekeeping; to professionalise national defence forces in African states through training and instruction in international norms and to provide areas of socialisation between African militaries in order to foster bonds and forge ties in the hope that the potential for regional conflict will reduce through these elite relationships. This paper argues that few of these intended outcomes are achieved. Using peace support operation training in Kenya and an analysis of organisational functionality it is argued that African militaries reflect the broader socio-political dynamics of the state and are typically patrimonial in nature. By providing patrimonial military institutions with significant external resources such as training centres, foreign donors can actively exacerbate internal patrimonial dynamics. This will, of course, take different forms depending on the nature of the military and the nature of the state. What is common, however, is that foreign military assistance in Africa is subverted for national and usually internal reasons as opposed to the intended and more outward-oriented aims.

The ”People’s home” is falling down, time to update your view of Sweden

Swedish society is changing profoundly. The egalitarian, solidaristic ”People’s Home”, which has attracted widespread progressive admiration internationally, is being eroded and dismantled. The political economy of this process, since the turn of the l980s, is highlighted; a process which includes a major, if not complete, substitution of a capitalist market of social provision for a welfare state, and of a stock market-driven capitalism for a full employment work economy. Some of its direct inegalitarian consequences are indicated, as well as unintended ones of petty corruption, cronyism, and swindle. The socio-political dynamics of the turn is briefly outlined.

Porto Alegre’s sociopolitical urbanism and neoliberal economic dynamics: Perspectives from a local community in the Afro-Brazilian periphery

Over the last four centuries, the urbanization of Latin America has created inequalities that manifest themselves distinctly within the scales observed. From global to local and from local to global, the changes provoked by globalization and neoliberalism have imposed new forms and strategies of reproduction, life and capital on the agents that produce these spaces. This article looks at the urbanization process in Brazil and its southernmost metropolis (Porto Alegre) from this perspective. Rising from a colonial economy supported by the exploitation of slaves, there is a significant level of inequality in the city with respect to race and social class. The global and local contexts are studied in order to investigate the forms of spatial, economic and political organization in an area on the periphery of Porto Alegre—the Restinga neighborhood. The results show that although the state is only partially present in the region, the forms of governmentality reveal the important role played by public authorities and community self-organization, based on the intense use of information technology, solidarity, and female leadership.

Nayaxa aymarätwa. y la Identidad Aymara en el Departamento de Puno, Perú

This article shows, through the words of one of his former president, Andres Mauro Cruz Layme, the history of the Union Nacional de Comunidades Aymara (UNCA). It is a central organization to understand the current political and ethnical-identity claims in Puno, Peru. The aim is to show how the genesis of Aymara political identity responds to precise socio-political dynamics and historically identifiable. As we shall see, the emergence of an Aymara identity in Puno cannot be separated from state interventions, international organizations and, of course, from the political actions of the social actors itself.

The institutional history of Milan metropolitan area

ABSTRACTThe institutional history of Milan metropolitan area. Territory, Politics, Governance. This paper highlights the long-term institutional trajectory of the Milan metropolitan area in Italy using comparative-historical analysis. Although technical and political proposals of metropolitan institutions in Milan have been debated over the last 70 years, empirical evidence shows that the Milan metropolitan area still lacks clear rules for political integration and effective spatial tools for policy-making. In order to explain this outcome, the paper adopts a narrow definition of ‘path dependency’ and tests it in two different processes of institutional change: land-use planning at the metropolitan scale, and the organization of local governments in metropolitan areas. The paper finds that in both processes, initial episodes of institutional change, promoted by reformist coalitions, were co-determined by ‘contingent events’: unpredictable circumstances exceeding the control of reformers. It also finds that, in both processes, outcomes of subsequent episodes of institutional change were co-determined by ‘increasing returns’: the reinforcement of previously crystallized configurations of powers and interests. Therefore, the paper reveals the historical events and socio-political dynamics that determined the ‘path dependency’ of institutional outcomes at the metropolitan scale in Milan. It argues that ongoing metropolitan institutional dynamics can be better explained by the absence of a land-use reform and the persistence of direct election of mayors.

The ‘New Narrative Project’ and the politicisation of the EU

The notion that the European Union (EU) lacks a narrative for its contemporary challenges conveys a general explanation for this disconnection with its citizens. This ‘narrative turn’ encompasses previous reflections on the EU’s democratic deficit, identity issues and the lack of a European public sphere. The turn of politics towards narratives – in the EU and beyond – adds to the debates on unity and diversity, legitimacy and the politicisation of the EU by focusing on the sociopolitical dynamics. This article discusses whether the recent narrative turn is compatible with the increasing contention on EU issues. It shows that the increasing use of the notion of narrative to account for political debates in the EU seems to ignore a significant part of the existing literature and debates on the emergence and limits of the ‘infrastructure’ of such narrative, the European public sphere of communication. By analysing the recent interest of the European Commission in narratives, this article finds that the current focus on narratives by EU institutions is so far explained by an attempt at re-creating a broad consensus on what the EU is and ought to be, which is, however, not addressing the dynamics of politicisation of the EU.

Content Analysis on Singapore’s Immigration Rhetoric in the Media

The existing literature on acculturation focuses heavily on the interaction between immigrant and recipient nationals, and it rarely considers the perspectives of other players, such as the state authorities. The current study aims to illuminate on the dominant acculturation narratives and the temporal changes using content analyses on migration-related reports found in the state-controlled media. The data were drawn from official statements on immigrant–host relations enunciated by politicians, policymakers, and state authorities in Singapore between 2006 and 2011, a period where 2 national elections were held. Analysis showed overwhelming concerns on perceived realistic threats from inflow migration between 2006 and 2008; to address the electorate’s concerns, politicians stressed the common economic benefits that immigration brought to Singapore. However, between 2009 and 2011, the concerns had shifted to symbolic threats as a source of tension; policymakers responded with greater emphasis on host heritage preservation, and advocated greater in-group favoritism and recognition to the status of the Singaporean identity. The shift in narrative was further echoed in the reversal of the onus of intercultural adaptation. The political rhetoric in the first half of the study period called for Singaporeans to take ownership to ensure that valued immigrant groups adapt well (i.e., reverse assimilation). A more balanced perspective was observed in the later half with both immigrants and hosts taking a shared responsibility. Although no causal relations can be established, the findings point to the potential role and influence of the state authorities, and the sociopolitical dynamics that is unique to Singapore.

The socio-political dynamics of secularism and epistemological injustice in global justice theory and practice

ABSTRACTThis article explores the potential implications for the pursuit of global justice if certain non-secular ways of thinking, being in and responding to the world are devalued, marginalized and excluded by dominant secular norms that presently guide global justice theory and practice. I argue that pervasive assumptions about the nature of religion and the role that it should (or should not) play in public life undermine existing approaches to the pursuit of global justice in theory and practice. Specifically, I suggest that this dominance of secular assumptions constitutes a form of epistemological injustice that contributes to undermining efforts to address material injustices. I explore these issues through an examination of research and practice on global justice, utilizing specific examples from human rights, humanitarian aid and development, and forced migration. I conclude by considering some possible alternatives to dominant secular frames, though argue that these is still in need of further research and development to offer a useful alternative.

English

The paper examines the dynamics of a socio-religious self-help association by looking at the celebration of Mahebär, a religious-oriented association, in Adi Ei’rä, Ethiopia. Mahebär is an indigenous socio-religious organization of individuals who pledge as members to treat one another as equals. It is dedicated to honor a particular sacred religious figure. Like Equb and Edir, Mahebär is by far the most important social organization that has partly eased the social, gender and ethnic polarities   in the community. The finding shows that Mahebär is not only a source of fraternity and sorority in the community, but also takes into account the notion of development and gender equality. Mahebär allows both men and women to form separate organization in order to find support, affirmation, and enjoyment in the comfort of persons of their own gender. Under the umbrella of the socio-religious association, women managed to express themselves freely in a way that they could not display in public. They also pledged to help each other in time of need. Since members are expected to raise funds that will be utilized for the monthly festivity. In the process, Mahebär incubates the concept of saving and mutual assistance in the community. It plays a key role in generating specific self-help associations and fosters a high degree of generalized reciprocity between members. Mahebär is a lasting and germane socio-economic organization that contributes to socio-political dynamics in the society.   Key words: Mahebär, reciprocity, feast, Socio-Religious Association.

Caste and Politics in West Bengal: Traditional Limitations and Contemporary Developments

Caste played a very marginal role in the politics of Left-ruled West Bengal. Due to the tendency of the Left Front to view politics solely through the prism of class, the field of political contestation was structured and configured in a manner that caste was robbed of its political possibilities. Today, the electoral decline of the Left has given rise to increasing speculation regarding the enhanced scope of caste-based mobilization. In this connection, this article seeks to understand whether the electoral decline of the Left has brought about in the existing socio-political configuration any fundamental change that can facilitate the rise of caste at the big stage of electoral politics. The investigation, attempted by this article in this context, reveals that the traditional limitations unfavourable to caste-based political mobilization largely continue in the same form. It may apparently seem that the electoral decline of the Left has created a perfect ground for caste-based identity politics to flourish, but the sustained assertion of caste identity is still beset by the traditional structural constraints due to the unaltered socio-political dynamics. As a result, the developments which a few years ago raised hopes about political incarnation of caste have largely petered out.

Paradigms for water allocation in river basins: a society-science-practice perspective from Southern Africa

This paper seeks to complement ongoing discussions around water allocation by offering an analytic framework for examining the evolution of paradigms for water allocation in river basins. It traces this evolution from the hydraulic paradigm through to Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and the current water security paradigm. Using a society-science-practice interaction perspective, the paper draws attention to the governance processes of water allocation that underlie these paradigms using examples from river basins in southern Africa. It is argued that the process of allocating water resources is often influenced by societal priorities and values that do not necessarily result in maintaining ecosystem health and integrity. The efficacy of water allocation depends on the extent to which implementation takes into account the socio-political dynamics associated with collective action involving multiple water users. While paradigm shifts provide windows of opportunity for strengthening legislation, the mere adoption of paradigms should not be taken as a panacea for addressing challenges associated with water allocation in river basins. This is especially relevant for several countries in southern Africa that are undertaking water reforms with the view of strengthening allocation of water resources at basin scale.

Integración política y regeneración: el sur del Duero en el Reino Asturleonés

Este trabajo analiza las dinámicas sociales y políticas que surgieron como resultado de la integración política de la cuenca sur del Duero en el reino asturleonés. La implantación de una nueva estructura política supuso la implementación de nuevas redes sociales, basadas en las prestaciones militares y el encuadramiento en los obispados. Se crearon unos paisajes de regeneración marcados por la construcción de fortificaciones y por espacios funerarios específicos. Estas transformaciones se efectuaron sobre algunos centros políticos, cuyas comunidades modificaron su identidad. El colapso final de la estructura política asturleonesa en esta región no trajo consigo una ruptura total, ya que las comunidades locales se mantuvieron y continuaron con ciertos elementos de identidad. Esta evolución no debe entenderse en términos de una “sociedad de frontera” sino en clave de regeneración política.

Geographic information systems, landscape archaeology and onthological geography: possibilities and challenges in the studies of the Greek cities of Sicily

A arqueologia da paisagem é um dos campos privilegiados da arqueologia no que concerne à multiplicação de trabalhos que vêm contribuindo para um refinamento de conceitos, metodologias de investigação e importantes resultados no campo das ciências sociais. Não obstante, o terreno – a base sobre a qual se assenta a vida social, as construções, os caminhos e os abrigos – ainda não ocupa um lugar de destaque nas indagações dos arqueólogos, sobretudo como elemento fundamental da definição geográfica dos homens e das significações que dela decorrem. A natureza das cidades antigas também abrange resultados de escolhas conscientes e não conscientes, racionais ou irracionais e quaisquer modelos esquemáticos e universalmente válidos empregados na sua análise são inócuos, por certo. Ainda assim, alguns requisitos essenciais condicionam escolhas que se materializam na ocupação e nos contornos que a cidade adquire ao longo de sua existência. A tecnologia de sistemas de informação geográfica ocupa um espaço de destaque nas investigações, permitindo o ordenamento e a concatenação de fontes diversas, aumentando o potencial informativo dos dados. Adotar escalas de trabalho em níveis intra-local e regional separadamente e recortes temporais bem definidos constitui método adequado de execução da pesquisa. Buscaremos discutir o potencial das ferramentas e da metodologia aplicada ao estudo das estratégias de assentamento das fundações gregas na Sicília no período arcaico e respectivas dinâmicas sociopolíticas

Interreligious Dialogue and Politics in Revolutionary Egypt

This article analyses the socio-political dynamics of religious belonging in Egyptian society prior to the revolution and how these have been carried into the revolutionary flux with a focus on official dialogue. Official dialogue, it is argued, is a dialogue form specific to Egyptian society and politics used as a way of negotiating interreligious relations and political ties. First the Egyptian concept of official dialogue as a socio-political phenomenon will be analysed applying theories from sociology and political science, followed by an analysis of how interreligious relations and official dialogue was influenced by the upheaval in socio-political structures following the 2011 revolution.

Value Chain Upgrading and the Inclusion of Smallholders in Markets: Reflections on Contributions of Multi-Stakeholder Processes in Dairy Development in Tanzania

Increasingly, value chain approaches are integrated with multi-stakeholder processes to facilitate inclusive innovation and value chain upgrading of smallholders. This pathway to smallholder integration into agri-food markets has received limited analysis. This article analyses this integration through a case study of an ongoing smallholder dairy development programme in Tanzania. Value chain upgrading and innovation systems perspectives were combined in an analytical framework to interpret the findings, which show that multi-stakeholder processes enhance horizontal and vertical coordination but limit process and product upgrading. The main conclusion is that, although such processes may catalyze smallholder market inclusion, their effects are largely bounded by existing value chain structures (e.g. production system, fragmented markets), timeframe and how prevailing institutional constraints are addressed, which may constrain the intentions of such collaboration action. This calls attention to the starting points of value chain interventions and the socio-political dynamics that are part of multi-stakeholder processes.

Libraries and the geography of use: how does geography and asset “attractiveness” influence the local dimensions of cultural participation?

ABSTRACTThe project “Understanding Everyday Participation – Articulating Cultural Values” (2012–2018) explores the ways in which the “situatedness” of participation is an important factor in understanding the socio-political dynamics of cultural participation [Miles, A., & Gibson, L. (2016). Everyday participation and cultural value. Cultural Trends, 25(3), 151–157]. This paper on the geography of library use is an early presentation of ongoing research which seeks to understand the impact of geography and asset “attractiveness” on particular kinds of cultural participation. Many studies have focused on traditional “push” factors to participation, understanding attendance and participation in their various forms through individual- and household-level demographic and socio-economic characteristics [e.g. Bennett, T., Savage, M., Silva, E., Warde, A., Gayo, M., & Wright, D. (2009). Culture, class, distinction. London: Routledge]. However, a number of recent studies have also revealed the significant effects of supply and proximity on participation [Brook, O. (2013). Reframing models of arts attendance: Understanding the role of access to a venue. The case of opera in London. Cultural Trends, 22(2), 97–107; Brook, O. (2016). Spatial equity and cultural participation: How access influences attendance at museums and galleries in London. 25(1), 12–34; Widdop, P., & Cutts, D. (2012). Impact of place on museum participation. Cultural Trends, 21(1), 47–66; Hooper-Greenhill, E., Phillips, M., & Woodham, A. (2009). Museums, schools and geographies of cultural value. Cultural Trends, 18(2), 149–183]. In this paper, our approach to the geography of cultural participation focuses on the role of what we are terming “pull factors” to participation at specific locales over others. Many forms of participation in socio-cultural activities involve a level of spatial decision-making, weighing up factors relating to the destination(s), and the time and effort of getting there. How much do these “pull factors” impact on participation, and are they quantifiable? In order to understand if these spatial considerations are an explanatory factor in explaining the socio-demography of library use, we have applied the urban planning concept of trip-chaining and a geographically defined categorisation of asset attractiveness [O’Reilly, N., Berger, I. E., Hernandez, T., Parent, M. M., & Seguin, B. (2015). Urban sportscapes: An environmental deterministic perspective on the management of youth sport participation. Sport Management Review, 18, 291–307.; Thill, J.-C., & Thomas, I. (1987). Toward conceptualizing trip-chaining behavior: A review. Geographical Analysis, 19, 1–17] to reveal the extent to which a library visit is linked to other everyday activities. This paper introduces the preliminary findings of this study which aims to assess the impact of geospatial variables on cultural participation.

Investigación e innovación responsables: retos teóricos y políticos

The present article postulates the value of the new ways of looking at the relations between science, technology, public / policies and society. On the one hand, Science and Technology Studies / foreshadow / alternative models for understanding the governance of science. On the other, within the institutional framework at the heart of the “Horizon 2020” strategy, the political language associated with responsible research and innovation (RRI) is gaining in importance, arguing that those who engage in research and engineering activities should do a better job of aligning their processes and outcomes with the values, needs and expectations of European society. The article offers a critical dialogue between the theoretical advances and the new political language, and suggests that the significance, scope and application of an RRI-based focus will depend on the economic and sociopolitical dynamics by which science and technology are instrumentalised and regulated.

The Welfare State, Globalization and Internal Sociopolitical Dynamics: The Case of North America

Cet article analyse la transformation du système de protection sociale dans les trois pays de l’Amérique du Nord sous la mondialisation et l’ALÉNA (Accord de libre-échange nord-américain). Contrairement à ce qui a été prévu, il n’y a pas eu de processus unique d’homogénéisation de l’économique et des configurations de sécurité sociale des trois pays sur le modèle de ce qui existe aux États-Unis. Bien que l’on puisse noter quelques éléments d’homogénéisation, de nombreuses différences persistent. L’explication repose essentiellement sur le fait que la mondialisation n’est pas une force impersonnelle qui s’impose aux pays, mais un arrangement socio-économique que des acteurs réels, externes comme internes, essaient de faire respecter. La plupart des études expliquent les causes internes du statu quo des systèmes de protection sociale par leur dépendance aux voies institutionnelles. Cet article se concentre non seulement sur des institutions, mais aussi sur les façons dont les acteurs engagent des changements ou leur résistent.

Salafism in Lebanon: From Apoliticism to Transnational Jihadism

Salafism in Lebanon: From Apoliticism to Transnational Jihadism

Ecosystem services from southern African woodlands and their future under global change.

Miombo and mopane woodlands are the dominant land cover in southern Africa. Ecosystem services from these woodlands support the livelihoods of 100 M rural people and 50 M urban dwellers, and others beyond the region. Provisioning services contribute $9 ± 2 billion yr−1 to rural livelihoods; 76% of energy used in the region is derived from woodlands; and traded woodfuels have an annual value of $780 M. Woodlands support much of the region's agriculture through transfers of nutrients to fields and shifting cultivation. Woodlands store 18–24 PgC carbon, and harbour a unique and diverse flora and fauna that provides spiritual succour and attracts tourists. Longstanding processes that will impact service provision are the expansion of croplands (0.1 M km2; 2000–2014), harvesting of woodfuels (93 M tonnes yr−1) and changing access arrangements. Novel, exogenous changes include large-scale land acquisitions (0.07 M km2; 2000–2015), climate change and rising CO2. The net ecological response to these changes is poorly constrained, as they act in different directions, and differentially on trees and grasses, leading to uncertainty in future service provision. Land-use change and socio-political dynamics are likely to be dominant forces of change in the short term, but important land-use dynamics remain unquantified.This article is part of the themed issue ‘Tropical grassy biomes: linking ecology, human use and conservation’.