Socio-political Movements Research Articles

Weight Stigma in the Development, Maintenance, and Treatment of Eating Disorders: A Case Series Informing Implications for Research and Practice.

Weight-centric health practices are based on the principle that excess weight predicts chronic disease, informing a growing sociopolitical movement to address an "obesity epidemic." This hyper-focus on preventing obesity may contribute to weight stigma (i.e., the devaluation and discrimination of individuals based on body size) and other iatrogenic outcomes for youth, including the development and maintenance of eating disorders (EDs). Current evidence-based treatments for EDs include language and practices that may reinforce fears of fatness, body shame, and unhealthy dietary restriction without guidance on addressing weight stigma. Here, we present case examples from three adolescent patients across ED presentations and body sizes to (1) elucidate the role of weight stigma in ED development, (2) highlight the ubiquity and harms of weight stigma within ED treatments, and (3) outline thoughtful protocol adaptations to avoid further harm and facilitate recovery. We conclude with a call for immediate action to advance research characterizing the harms of weight-centric approaches in existing ED interventions to reduce the risk of iatrogenic effects on youth with EDs and advance weight-inclusive approaches to ED treatment.

The Role of Language in Forming Identity Crisis in Belgaum District of India

The Belgaum District in India provides a unique case study of phonetic and identity challenges. This area, characterized by its diverse linguistic landscape, is marked by significant cultural and political tensions rooted in language differences. The Marathi-Kannada linguistic divide has been a central issue, affecting the socio-political dynamics and identity of its residents. This paper explores the historical, cultural, and political factors contributing to the ongoing conflict and investigates the pivotal role of language in shaping the identity crisis in Belgaum District. By analysing the relationship between language, regional identity, and socio-political movements, the study highlights the broader implications for regional unity and identity development, emphasizing the role of language in forming group identities and the challenges posed by linguistic diversity in building a cohesive regional identity.

Experiences of living with severe mental disorder: narratives about the personal recovery process.

The article approaches the subject of recovery, a sociopolitical movement, field of studies and practices that aims, from the experience of people living with mental disorders, to promote a more optimistic outlook of the prognosis. Aiming to understand the recovery process of people who experience severe mental disorders, qualitative research was developed, based on Gadamerian hermeneutics. We conducted in-depth interviews, in the form of life narratives, with five people who recognize themselves in the process of recovery, and are part of a mental health patient group. Based on narrative analysis, three axes were organized: recovery process facilitators and coping strategies; barriers of recovery process; and relationship with diagnosis. The discussion is based on Canguilhem's theory; in the logic of psychosocial care, and in theories about the notion of recovery. We identified important intersubjective and sociocultural resources for recovery, however, we concluded that these same elements may constitute barriers to a creative existence, as the social norm remains crossed by the stigma that accompanies mental disorders, and by hierarchical power relations.

The concept of an ideocratic state

Relevance. It is quite obvious that the modern world has entered a new stage of its development, the prospects of which are very vague. The model of the mondial world order with its ideas of faceless globalization, depopulation, universalization, de-Christianization, etc. are rejected by Russia. Recently, in political discourse and in official strategic planning documents, Russia has been called a civilization state with a pronounced identity. In the Russian conservative legal doctrine, the definition of specific features of Russia's state identity was a key topic, and the priority of intangible values was noted as the main feature of Orthodox civilization. It is no coincidence that Russian socio-political thought has always been puzzled by the search for a Russian idea. In this regard, the concept of ideocratic statehood is of particular interest, the main meaning of which was to search for a key idea or system of ideas on the basis of which the state should be built.The aim is to reconstruct and interpret the theory of the ideocratic state of the Russian conservative political and legal doctrine of the late XIX - first half of the XX centuries.Research objectives: to study the evolution of the concept of an ideocratic state, to analyze its conceptual apparatus, to comprehend the importance of state ideology for the modern stage of development.Methodology. It is based on the historical method of cognition, which contributed to the disclosure of the evolution of the theory under study, the method of diachronic and synchronous comparison, as well as a problem-theoretical one, which allows determining the degree of modern relevance of the concept under study.Results. The conducted research allowed us to establish that the concept of ideocratic statehood was mainly formed in the works of representatives of the socio-political movement of Eurasians, which originated in the 20-30 years among Russian emigration. The most significant contribution to the theoretical development of the doctrine of the ideocratic state was made by N.N. Alekseev. It was he who generalized the ideas of the Eurasians, conceptualizing them into a legally sound theory of demotic ideocracy or a guarantee state.Conclusion. Ideocracy is a concept of governance based on the postulate of idealism, based on which the definition of the state as a single super-organic entity, where the idea shared by all the people rules.

Stakeholder-engaged research: a multidisciplinary historical analysis

The involvement of stakeholders in research – from design, production and communication to use – is recognised as essential to producing impactful research. However, approaches to involving stakeholders in research vary greatly between different fields. This article conducts a multidisciplinary historical analysis of stakeholder-engaged research to offer an integrated perspective on engagement practices across disciplines. It identifies common influences, objectives, trends and challenges, proposing frameworks to support interdisciplinary analysis and understanding. The analysis identifies interconnected approaches that could benefit from mutual learning and exchange. Approaches emerging from sociopolitical movements orient around objectives of empowerment and emancipation, those responding to complexity tend to focus on producing better research that solves societal problems, while accountability-driven approaches centre on research use and impact. This article broadens the diversity of approaches and epistemologies discussed in the literature by including disciplines neglected in previous reviews. Building on the widely cited three-generations model, it proposes a configuration- and complexity-based framework for comparing stakeholder-engaged research approaches, moving beyond the chronological conception of stakeholder-engaged research development. This multidisciplinary historical analysis provides a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners to understand the range of possible approaches to stakeholder engagement, facilitating approach selection for specific use cases and contexts, as well as opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and collaboration.

Different perspectives on Latin American identity

The given research article deals with the discussion of issues concerning the identity of the Latin American people by examining its history and cultural representations as well as modern perceptions. Latin American people had a mixture of cultures in their own identity, as many ethnicities, such as pre-Columbian civilizations, colonial Europe, Africans, and contemporary socio-political movements, influenced them. To undertake this investigation, the study explores diverse multicultural views originating from different regions and people from social, political, and ethnic origins to acquire a perfect understanding of what it means to be a Latin American individual. This is evident in demonstrating the influence of the colonial past, the rich heritage of indigenous and African communities, and the dynamic nature of identity in provoking the problems of the present day as characterized by globalization, immigration, and change in leadership. Based on the case studies of Brazil, Mexico, and Bolivia, the article emphasizes that despite the diverse members of the region’s population, the residents continue to strive to create a united Latin American subject. The conclusion reiterates the authors’ approach to embracing this complex history and the fight for social justice in creating a united and integrated Latin American people.

Turkey’s Evolving Political Terrain: A Study of Post-2016 Coup Relations Involving Religious and Sociopolitical Movements

ABSTRACT This article undertakes an examination of the pro-government İsmailağa movement and the Adnan Oktar movement in Turkey, delving into the nuances of their affiliations with the AK Party (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi, Justice and Development Party) and, specifically, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan following the coup attempt in 2016. It seeks to address the following questions: How did the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey impact the dynamics shaping the AK Party government’s interactions with religious movements such as İsmailağa and the Adnan Oktar movement, and what factors contributed to the intricacies and shifts observed in power dynamics within this framework? Furthermore, what potential ramifications do these transformations entail for political and religious influence within the nation? The thesis posits that despite Erdoğan’s reliance on religious movements as a voting bloc and a critical element in efforts to fill the void left by the exclusion of the Fethullah Gülen movement from governmental positions, religious movements do not enjoy the same degree of autonomy as they did prior to the coup attempt. Moreover, Erdoğan has adopted a more circumspect and distrustful stance, not only toward dissenting movements but also toward pro-AK Party movements. By concentrating on İsmailağa and the Adnan Oktar movement, we can discern Erdoğan’s disposition toward religious movements and the shift that has manifested in the relationship between the government and religious movements. This article draws upon a diverse array of sources, including deliberations from Turkey’s Grand Assembly, to glean insights into the interactions between the government and religious movements.

THE KAMTAPUR MOVEMENT AND THE CALL FOR A DIVIDED STATE IN NORTH BENGAL

The Kamtapur movement is a socio-political movement that originated in the northern part of West Bengal, India, and it has significant historical, cultural, and political dimensions. This demand is embedded in a distinct cultural and historical identity, tracing back to the ancient kingdom of Kamata. The movement, rooted in ethnic identity and historical grievances, reflects the aspirations of the Rajbongshi community, predominantly inhabiting this region. The demand for a separate state or autonomous region, termed Kamtapur, arises from perceived injustices, including economic disparity, cultural marginalization, and political underrepresentation. Furthermore, the Kamtapur movement intersects with broader issues of identity politics and regional autonomy within Indias federal structure. The Rajbongshi communitys quest for recognition and empowerment within the framework of Indian democracy amplifies the movements significance. Over the years, the movement has witnessed various forms of agitation, including peaceful protests, political lobbying, and, at times, violent clashes. This study covers the historical background of the Kamtapur movement and the various factors that led to the movements demand in North Bengal. It also looks at the dynamics shaping the movement today, such as political mobilization, cultural resurgence, and socioeconomic difficulties. Additionally, it examines the role of various stakeholders, such as political parties, and the state government, in either fuelling or addressing the movements grievances. Our analysis shows that the Kamatapur movement is currently revolving around three main issues i.e. more militant political-cultural demands expressed through violence, moderate political demands for autonomy, and cultural demands for recognition. The movement has received some attention from regional political parties recently, especially during election seasons, as they try to win over the Kamtapuri community. However, neither the Indian government nor the state authorities have accepted their demand for a separate state.

Communicative Dimension of Human Freedom under Deliberative Democracy

Purpose. This article aims to analyse the ways of free communicative solution of civil society problems as a basis for the development of deliberative democracy on the example of the activities of volunteer organisations. Theoretical basis. The conceptual basis of the study is Immanuel Kant’s philosophical understanding of individual obligations as the basis for the institutionalisation of social communication. This concept is developed by Jürgen Habermas in the direction of deliberative democracy. Max Weber, Quentin Skinner, and other theorists give a special status to language communication in the functioning of social institutions. Contemporary Ukrainian researchers analyse the volunteer movement as the basis for the communicative implementation of human freedom. Originality. Practices of political performance in society contribute to the specific and contextual solution of the tasks of communication theory and provide answers to questions about sustainable human needs, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, contribute to solving the political problems of everyday life. Grassroots socio-political movements, and especially volunteer movements, practice free discussion of various social problems, which is the basis of the deliberative democracy. Conclusions. Overcoming value differences between members of society is more effective in deliberative practices as the core of social communication in a democratic society. The substantive way to find new forms of communication is to use deliberative practices of implementing freedom to improve the functioning of social institutions. The formal way is aimed at attracting the experience of volunteer organisations in using the minimum necessary forms of bureaucratisation of social institutions in a democratic society.

"Identity" in the discursive practice of contemporary socio-political movements

The rhetoric of contemporary socio-political movements often formulates its demands and arguments using the word ,,identity”, despite the lack of its clear definition. The article aims to analyze the additional meanings that ,,identity” acquires in the discursive practice of modern socio-political movements such as feminism, the LGBT movement, and environmental activism, as well as to examine the role of ,,identity” in these discourses. Research materials are classic works related to each socio-political movement. As the result the paper claimes that in feminism, the LGBT movement, and environmental activism, the word ,,identity” serves as a tool to attribute importance to aspects previously considered secondary - whether it be women, gender, or biological organisms. The search for the reasons behind such a rhetorical choice implies immersing into the theory of psychologisation of modern society (J. De Vos) and the theory of psychological power (M. Foucault).

FROM THE HISTORY OF THE ALASH MOVEMENT’S SOCIO-POLITICAL ACTIVITIES DURING THE CIVIL WAR

The relevance of the study is conditioned by the need to expand the amount of available information on the history of socio-political movements during the Civil War in the Russian Empire. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to reveal the essence of the Alash movement in Kazakhstan, its socio-political activities, and the consequences of the Civil War. The method of critical analysis was chosen as the primary approach, which facilitated the effective processing of archival and scientific sources of information, based on which further research was conducted. The following methods of scientific cognition were also used: historical and genetic, historical and system, diachronic analysis, heuristic, synthesis, deduction, and comparison. This study examines the establishment and activities of Alash Autonomy, analyzing archival facts and papers by Kazakh and foreign researchers. It cites eyewitness accounts, explores the political structure, evaluates leaders' actions, and explains intelligence work's consequences. It justifies changes in allies, details Alash-Soviet Russia cooperation, and describes outcomes. The materials of this research paper are of practical value for historical science due to the presented assessment of data on the Alash movement, analysis of scientific literature, observation and discussion presented in this study.

Transforming a synchronous community of collaborative critical inquiry into co-performing construction of professional development in education

ABSTRACT This paper reports a university instructor’s critical evaluative rethinking for inspiring teaching and re-development of a course for schoolteacher professional development at times of crisis, from local socio-political movements to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The instructional mode was expected to revitalise schoolteachers’ collaborative critical inquiry in multiple digital realities of a synchronous blended learning community when university campuses and schools were closed during the pandemic. A qualitative case study was adopted to evaluatively, critically, and collaboratively unpack the effects of rethinking in response to the challenge. The participants included the instructor and 25 schoolteachers. The findings highlight the inspired rethinking of synthesising emerging elements of collaborative critical inquiry in connection to the philosophical underpinning and practical structure of the Community of Inquiry framework. The course was innovatively infused with the interdependent presences of the framework towards transactional cycles of professional teaching and learning in the community. This sheds new light on the effects of co-performing construction of teaching towards deep learning experiences on professional development. The main implication of the co-performing construction is trustful cohesion of common professional identity for professional development across educational levels.

Conceptualising overlapping politics: Cross-class political relationships in urban Pakistan

Citizen-led activism to demand and secure adequate housing rights, infrastructure, and services in Islamabad forms part of a longstanding socio-political movement in Pakistan. This activism brings together different classes of urban residents. Drawing from qualitative research comprising of 129 interviews, this article reveals an emerging ‘overlapping politics’, defined as the political relationship between two (or more) distinct socio-economic classes of citizen(s) in response to any form of injustice or inequality. This (re)conceptualises everyday forms of urban political practice by countering existing assumptions that urban politics is rooted in class homogeneity. Inspired by the Islamabad case, I argue that ‘overlapping politics’ emerges largely as an alternative to, and progression from, clientelistic politics through four modes where ‘overlapping’ occurs across class lines: knowledge and information; networks and membership; support; and ownership and responsibility. The outcomes of ‘overlapping politics’ manifest spatially in the city, for example through increased interaction between urbanites, privately organised service provision, and urban protests. Although the practice of ‘overlapping politics’ has limitations, it provides an important new conceptual tool and language for understanding and analysing forms of politics that are embedded in cross-class relationships between urban citizens.

Reframing the experience of childbirth: Black doula communication strategies and client responses during delivery hospitalization

Doulas, or birth coaches, are said to be “changing the world, one birth at a time.” Black doulas have been suggested to mitigate against lack of representation in obstetric care, limited identity acknowledgement and accommodation, and obstetric racism. However, scientific inquiry into the specific communication strategies and messages used by Black doulas to advocate for clients was non-existent in extant literature. Guided by the Agency-Identity Model, we analyzed 20 diary-interviews of nine Black doulas who recently served Black clients. Specifically, we explored Black doulas' communication strategies and whether these strategies had an impact on client agency. We found that Black doulas prepare their clients for patient-provider interactions, including conversations about certain medical treatments and procedures and the risks for Black women and birthing people, the importance of informed consent, how to be heard, and how to resist neglect or abuse. We found that, in turn, most Black clients were able to enact agentic responses. We describe the specific doula messages, and contextualize our findings, considering how these collective interpersonal communication strategies of Black doulas, and their clients’ agentic transformations, may index a sociopolitical movement to reframe the experience of childbirth in America.

When Social Media Gets Political: How Message–Platform Match Affects Consumer Responses to Brand Activism Advertising

Social media has sparked a surge in online activism and sociopolitical movements. Numerous companies have also launched brand activism advertising campaigns to voice their stances on sociopolitical causes. However, it remains unclear how and why consumer reactions to brand activism ads vary across different social media platforms. To bridge this gap, we introduced a novel characteristic of social media—level of politicization—and examined how message–platform congruence in terms of level of politicization affects consumer responses to brand activism ads. In Study 1, we found that on a less politicized platform, a less politicized message (vs. a more politicized message) reduced ad intrusiveness, which in turn positively affected consumers’ ad attitudes and purchase intentions toward the brand. On a more politicized platform, consumers exhibited equivalent levels of responses regardless of the message type. In Study 2, we further identified consumers’ level of issue support as a boundary condition of the message–platform congruence effect, such that the congruence effect was larger when issue support was low.

Solidarity brand activism influences Black-Asian American linked fate: toward a minority-minority advertising paradigm shift

The concurrence of sociopolitical movements concerning multiple marginalized racial groups (e.g. #BlackLivesMatter and #StopAsianHate during the COVID-19 pandemic) has posed challenges in integrating activism advocacy and DEI (diversity, equity & inclusion) in marketing communication. However, the existing intergroup inclusive advertising scholarship has been predominantly guided by the hegemonic majority-minority paradigm. The present study aims to provide an exploratory research framework to shed light on the critical minority-minority relations that has been largely overlooked in advertising research. Through integrating racial triangulation, social identity, framing, and linked fate theories, this study examines how the Black-Asian solidarity activism integration messaging approach—as opposed to Black-centric and Asian-centric approaches—in brand activism advertising influences Black and Asian Americans’ perceived linked fate and group attitudes towards Black and/or Asian Americans as well as their consumer responses. Also, this study proposes a model to explore whether linked fate mediates such joint effects of activism integration approaches and audience identity. The findings demonstrated solidarity activism integration could positively impact consumers’ perceived collective linked fate with both Black and Asian Americans, while Asian-centric activism integration is more effective in increasing positive brand attitude and ad trust. Along with its theoretical, practical, and social implications, this work carves out new directions for brand activism research.

The Rise and Fall of the Popular Front of Moldova: The Activities of Local Branches of the Popular Front of Moldova from 1989 to 1992

The Popular Front of Moldova (PFM) was a sociopolitical movement in the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic that spearheaded several initiatives that helped dismantle Soviet power in Moldova. However, the group’s pan-Romanian position created deep divisions within Moldovan society. Drawing on extensive archival research, this article explores how local branches of the PFM, officially known as coordination committees, sought to reshape local politics between 1989–1992. I examine the composition of these coordination committees, their policy initiatives, and their relationship with local authorities, which varied according to geographic and demographic factors. I argue that the group’s hard-line position eventually caused it to lose support across Moldova, including in regions where the PFM had initially been immensely popular.

Historical memory as a mediation factor for resolving irredentical conflicts in the world

The article analyzes historical memory in the context of irredentical conflicts. Emphasis is placed on the role of historical memory as a social phenomenon and the peculiarities of the historical policy formation as a factor in negotiation processes when applying the mediation method. The conflicts that arise as a result of the implementation of irredentism as a policy of actors (state, party or socio-political movement) with the aim of integrating ethnic groups into one ethnos within the framework of a single state are extremely complicated, since the main appeal is to the history of the formation of the ethnos. The potential threats that appear before the mediator are revealed, as historical memory is explicated simultaneously in the space of diachronic communication of society as a distant in time connection of generations and synchronous communication as mutual relations in real time, based on the strategy of common destiny for the sake of the future. It is emphasized that cultural communication appeals to supra-individual memory and contains both rational components in the form of historical knowledge and irrational ones (myths, legends, symbols, etc.), and conflicts based on irredentism primarily determine the phenomenon of "common history" , that is, long-term processes of ethno-national interaction, which are crystallized in various forms of the collective unconscious. Consideration of these aspects is essential for mediation.

Populism and Political Parties in Asia: A Comparison of Aam Admi Party (AAP) in India and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Japan

Populism is one of the most popular techniques used by Asian political parties. Political parties use this tactic through socio-political movements not only for the larger good of society but also for their own narrow goals. This article investigates two separate political parties from India and Japan. Populist policies have both beneficial and harmful effects on politics. The given promises often failed to address the grievances of the voters. A significant civil society movement propelled the Aam Admi Party (AAP) to political status. It began as a non-political entity and evolved into a political one. Following the formation of AAP, the issue of civil society as a non-political entity arose. The AAP is a regional party that holds power in two Indian states, focusing its populist policies on local issues. As a national party, the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) is comparatively old and addresses pertinent national issues, like national security. The quality of politics and socio-economic dynamics of the two countries are different. This paper argues that populism as a tool cannot always be beneficial for the political culture of a country. The wide gap between the promises and implementation often creates discontent among the voters. This paper will attempt the delineate the different scenarios of the populist policies of the AAP of India and the LDP of Japan using the content analysis method.

Историософские аспекты отечественного народовластия: раннее и развитое государство: статья 2

The article presents the second part of the work on the historiosophical vision of Russian democracy. Based on the concept of stages of state genesis by L. Grinin, the authors analyze domestic manifestations of democracy at the stages of an early and developed state. Despite the fact that in the conditions of the early state the high-est authority had very superficial control over social processes, already in the Kievan period there was a clear tendency for the leading political subjectivity to transition to princely power. In subjective terms, the popular consciousness preferred the figure of a charismatic and militarily successful prince. Expressions of the peo-ple’s will often had an ochlocratic meaning, taking the form of a mass emotional outburst with ambiguous final results. At the stage of a developed state, internal political centralization adjusted the tasks of the highest au-thorities, giving them a mobilization meaning. At the same time, the general trend is that expanding state struc-tures are conducting a successful attack on the autonomy of stable institutions of democracy, at first widely us-ing tactics of maneuvering and compromise, and then preferring harsh suppression. At the same time, a num-ber of phenomena of democracy turned out to be a reaction either to the complete vacuum of the central gov-ernment (the Time of Troubles), or, conversely, to the growing pressure of the latter. At the same time, grass-roots expression of will could occur spontaneously, acquiring an ochlocratic meaning (urban riots); and acquire more organized forms of socio-political movements.