Socio-political Perspective Research Articles

Comparative Analysis of the Economies of Türkiye and Uzbekistan

The independence of the Central Asian republic of Uzbekistan, described as the Turkic Republic, has added a new dimension to Turkish foreign policy. In this context, relations and cooperation between Turkey and Uzbekistan, where common language, history and cultural ties are shared, have developed rapidly in many areas due to common interests. Turkey's policy towards Uzbekistan is to support the country's continued existence as an independent state that has political and economic stability, is integrated with the international community, and internalizes democratic values. As a matter of fact, Turkey has clearly implemented its strategy and policy on this issue by immediately recognizing Uzbekistan's independence and providing economic support to the country. In this direction, Turkey supports the country with training programs, projects and technical assistance, especially through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). In line with this basic strategy, in this study, Uzbekistan and Turkey are evaluated from an economic and sociopolitical perspective and how each country's special location and geopolitical position shapes the strategies they follow.

Health Disparities Curricula in General Surgery Residency Programs: A Critical Scoping Review

IntroductionIn 2021, the structural determinants of health (SDOH) were added to the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education common program requirements for all accredited residency programs, including general surgery. In this study, we sought to explore the current scope of, and concepts used in, health disparities curricula for general surgery residents, specifically investigating how general surgery residents learn about health disparities and the SDOH. MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMBASE, Education Research Complete (EBSCOhost), and Web of Science Core Collection using keywords related to health disparities and the SDOH. Inclusion criteria consisted of all studies published after 2005 that discussed health disparities curricula for Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education–accredited general surgery residency programs. Five thousand three hundred seventeen articles were screened using a two-phase process. Data extraction and analysis was performed using critical review methods. ResultsSeventeen articles were identified. Within these articles, seven unique health disparities curricula were found. All seven of the identified curricula employed cultural frameworks as methods to mitigate health disparities. Three curricula, all published after 2011, included education on the SDOH. A wide variety of educational methods were utilized; in-person didactics was the most common. ConclusionsIn the current literature, culture continues to play a large role in health disparities training for general surgery residents. Though further efforts are needed to understand the methods used in programs that have not published scholarly work, it is imperative to ensure that residents are provided with the sociopolitical perspective needed to understand the SDOH and serve all patients, including those affected by health disparities.

Statistical analysis of the effect of socio-political factors on individual life satisfaction

Life satisfaction refers to an individual’s cognitive evaluation of the quality of their life. The aim of the present study is to develop the current understanding of how perceived corruption, attitudes toward migration, perceived security, and strength of national identity influence life satisfaction. Additionally, the study examines how demographic variables of relationship status, social class, sex, religious affiliation, and country impact life satisfaction in the provided cultural context. Ordinal logistic regression analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling are used to analyze data from the World Values Survey. Findings from the analyses indicate that perceived corruption, perceived security, and strength of national identity have a significant impact on life satisfaction, whereas migration has an indirect effect on life satisfaction through perceived security. The present research can develop our current understanding of life satisfaction from a socio-political perspective.

Business Law Policy in Socio-Political Perspective: Analysis of Implementation and Impact in Society

Business Law Policy in Socio-Political Perspective: Analysis of Implementation and Impact in Society

Beyond Pilgrimage: The Sociological and Political Dimensions of Hajj in the Lives of Muslims

The purpose of this summary paper is to conduct a sociological analysis and provide an explanation of the Hajj's political impact on society. We have investigated the socio-political effects of the Hajj on Muslims' lives by scrutinizing the available literature and gathering and evaluating data using the content analysis method. The results unequivocally demonstrate that, from a socio-political perspective, the Hajj has beneficial impacts on the lives of Muslims. The Hajj holds a profound and transformative significance for Muslims, encompassing a message and purpose that extend to both the individual and the community. Muslims have the ability to enhance and modify their lives by acknowledging their shortcomings. The Hajj pilgrimage has a profound influence on the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours of Muslims, both individually and collectively, encompassing personal, societal, and political dimensions.

Feeling paradoxes and teaching in struggles: A socio-political analysis of language teachers’ motivation and emotion labor

Teacher motivation is pivotal in creating engaging teaching and learning environments, enhancing students' learning outcomes, and is fundamental to teachers' professional commitment, psychological well-being, and resilience. Despite the increasing interest in EFL teacher motivation, there remains a considerable lack of in-depth exploration into the socio-political environments that shape and influence it. This qualitative study addresses this gap by exploring the link between language teacher motivation and emotion from a socio-political perspective. Focusing on three Chinese EFL teachers, the research utilized data from three rounds of semi-structured interviews, reflective journals, and documents. Using a data-driven inductive approach, the analysis revealed three types of motivation: relational, bumpy, and adaptive, influenced by two feeling rules, namely, “Don't show negative emotions” and “Do show positive emotions.” The study discusses the potential and limitations of emotion labor as a motivator in language education and a richer understanding of feeling rules. Pedagogical implications are also discussed.

Sociopolitical Perspective of Stakeholders

Este artigo analisa como as estratégias são influenciadas pelas tensões relacionais entre os stakeholders que protagonizam as narrativas de implantação de uma empresa de mineração: a empresa e o poder público. Adota-se uma perspectiva da estratégia como narrativa e uma perspectiva sociopolítica dos stakeholders. A partir de uma abordagem qualitativa e longitudinal foi realizada uma pesquisa de campo. O método de análise narrativa foi utilizado para a coleta e análise dos dados por meio da pesquisa documental e entrevistas com stakeholders. Os resultados evidenciam que as tensões relacionais entre essas partes interessadas influenciam a produção de suas estratégias a partir da busca por legitimação dos interesses de cada stakeholder, da formação de redes entre stakeholders e apoiadores. Os resultados apontam para uma abordagem sociopolítica e longitudinal das narrativas dos stakeholders que oferece uma alternativa para a abordagem gerencialista e classificatória dos stakeholders.

Social Housing with Community Support in Québec: A Sociopolitical Perspective

The 2022 adoption of a new policy framework on community support in social housing in Québec speaks to a convergence of a multitude of community, government, and municipal actors around this practice. This qualitative study delves into the process by which this approach was institutionalized to demonstrate how community support became a central norm of the social housing field in the province. Drawing from literature on the welfare mix, we situate this phenomenon in the broader context of the transformation of the welfare state, in which nonprofit organizations played an increasing role in providing social housing to vulnerable populations (e.g., people at risk of homelessness). This article demonstrates how power dynamics and negotiations between the state and the third sector were, in this case, a major source of institutional change over time.

Book Review: The Peoples’ War? The Second World War in Sociopolitical Perspective by Alexander Wilson, Richard Hammond, and Jonathan Fennell (eds.)

Book Review: <i>The Peoples’ War? The Second World War in Sociopolitical Perspective</i> by Alexander Wilson, Richard Hammond, and Jonathan Fennell (eds.)

Association of National Identity and Trust in Government with COVID-19 Vaccination and Brand Choice in Taiwan.

In Taiwan, hesitancy regarding COVID-19 vaccination centered more on the choice of vaccine brand than on the decision to vaccinate. However, there is limited research exploring the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine brand preferences from a sociopolitical perspective. Thus, we aimed to examine how Taiwanese national identity and trust in government influence vaccination status and vaccine brand choice, using longitudinal data from 2020, 2021, and 2023. This study utilized data from the Taiwan Panel Study of Family Dynamics 2020 survey, and combined it with data from two self-administered surveys conducted in 2021 and 2023. We focused on four vaccines commonly administered in Taiwan: AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and the domestically-developed Medigen. Using Poisson regression models with robust standard errors, we assessed the effects of national identity and trust in government on the choice of COVID-19 vaccine brand. By analyzing data from 2361 participants, we found that national identity and trust in government were associated with the likelihood of COVID-19 vaccination, the number of vaccine doses received, and the brand of vaccine taken. Those who identified themselves as Taiwanese were more inclined to receive the Medigen and AstraZeneca vaccines, but less willing to receive Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Those who trusted the government were more likely to prefer and receive the Medigen vaccine. Conversely, those who didn't trust the government were less likely to prefer Medigen and AstraZeneca vaccines, but were willing to receive Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Vaccine brand preferences and uptake in Taiwan were affected by individuals' national identity and their trust in government. This highlights the critical role of sociopolitical factors in shaping public health strategies.

Khayyam’s Quatrains as Fitzgerald’s Rubẚiyat: Translation as Ideological Misrepresentation

Research studies from around the globe on Omar Khayyam’s Persian quatrains and their translation into English by the poet, writer, and translator Edward Fitzgerald, are in abundance. Researchers are, in general, in praise of the translation and give credit to Fitzgerald for making Khayyam a world-renowned poet. However, the translation has rarely been approached from a socio-political perspective or a look into Fitzgerald’s ideological manipulation of the original. The present research study investigates two issues with Fitzgerald’s translation- ideological manipulation and selective translation. The study also looks into Khayyam’s life and his works. It probes into the effects this translation left on the literary scene. The study involves a comparative literary translation analysis to compare and contrast the elements found in Fitzgerald’s translation and two Arabic translations. Employing Lefevere’s (1992) theory of ‘translation as rewriting,’ this paper assesses the extent to which a translator’s ideology can lead to a misrepresented product of translation (Lefevere, 1992). The study adopts textual analysis as a research method to capture the epicurean elements recurrently emphasized by Fitzgerald in his translation.

Unraveling the Layers of Inequality Among Chinese International High School Students

China's education system encompasses both regular and international high schools, catering to students seeking a global education experience. However, the association of international education with high costs raises concerns about educational inequality. This essay delves into the problem of educational inequality within Chinese international secondary high schools, employing an interdisciplinary socio-political perspective that considers both economic and cultural factors. Drawing upon Michael Sandel's educational theory and Pierre Bourdieu's examination of cultural capital and habitus, this research identifies two primary factors contributing to educational inequality. Firstly, regional wealth disparities and economic differences among individuals can result in unequal access to international education opportunities. Secondly, differences in the possession and utilization of cultural capital among students attending Chinese international schools further exacerbate these inequalities. Despite these challenges, the analysis highlights the potential for resolution. Collaboration between governments, schools, and individuals is essential to build a more equitable international education landscape. Policymakers may focus on providing financial support and scholarships to economically disadvantaged students, ensuring that no student is denied access based on financial constraints. Moreover, schools can implement inclusive admission practices and bridge programs to support students from diverse backgrounds. Emphasizing cultural competence within the curriculum can also help minimize cultural capital disparities and promote a more inclusive learning environment. Ultimately, by acknowledging and addressing the underlying factors that contribute to educational inequality, Chinese international high schools can become catalysts for positive change and provide a level playing field for students aspiring to gain a global education experience.

Fukushima and Civil Society: The Japanese Anti-Nuclear Movement from a Socio-Political Perspective

Fukushima and Civil Society: The Japanese Anti-Nuclear Movement from a Socio-Political Perspective

Perspectives on parents’ contribution to their children’s early literacy development in multicultural western societies

In this paper a review is provided of literature on early literacy programs with an emphasis on the role of parents in supporting their child’s early literacy development. Many early literacy programs emphasize the role of parents in supporting their child’s early literacy development. Suggested parent involvement activities in these programs mainly focus on reading activities (e.g. reading to children, shared reading), which are said to be very effective in promoting children’s literacy skills. Perspectives on parents’ role in supporting early literacy development, however, may vary across programs. Early literacy programs focus on parents’ supporting roles with varying levels of culture responsiveness. As current academic debates on early literacy development shift towards increased responsiveness towards minority cultures and try to link early literacy practices to strengths of existing cultural defined family practices, the current socio-political climate in western multicultural societies seems to call for less responsive practices, because culture responsiveness might endanger integration of minorities and negatively affect social cohesion. It is argued that a future challenge is to broaden intervention studies with socio-political perspective

Transcribing the Sacred in the Printing Era: A Study of Handwritten Buddhist Canon during the Northern Song Dynasty

In an era marked by the advent of advanced printing technology during the Northern Song period, the tradition of transcribing the Buddhist canon endured rather than promptly fading away. This persistence is particularly noteworthy in the 10th to early 12th centuries when handwritten copies of the canon coexisted with the emerging prevalence of block-printed versions. Notably, the monasteries in the Jiangnan 江南 region remained prolific producers of handwritten copies. This article adopts a socio-political perspective to elucidate the coexistence of handwritten and block-printed copies. It delves into the dynamics of canon replication within a specific temporal and geographical context, unveiling a broader tableau of handwritten copies in the printing era. This exploration necessitates an examination of the intricate interplay between the state, the canon, and Jiangnan society. This study contends that the state’s printing policies before the Xining 熙寧 period (1068–1077), which rigorously regulated the production and dissemination of canonical texts, constituted a pivotal factor in sustaining the tradition of handwritten copies. Furthermore, it identifies a sustained societal demand for possessing the canon for constructing the zhuanlun zang 轉輪藏 (revolving wheel storage cabinet), which was most pronounced in the Jiangnan region. This persistent societal need fortified the enthusiasm for transcribing the canon within Jiangnan monastic communities.

Ali Shariati and Crafting a Collective Revolutionary Islamic Identity for Women: A Socio-Historical Perspective

The literature on Ali Shariati, “the ideologue’’ of ‘‘the Iranian revolution,” and his arguments about women presents varied views, including rejection, criticism, and confirmation. While this literature is instructive, it primarily interprets Shariati’s texts from today’s socio-political perspective, and it thus lacks an analytical dimension that examines how and why Shariati’s ideas profoundly influenced numerous Iranian women in the 1970s. By revisiting the global and local socio-historical context of the 1970s and analyzing its influence on Iranian society, particularly the youth, as well as on Shariati’s perceptions and ideas about women’s social role within that socio-political context, this paper argues that Shariati crafted a “collective revolutionary Islamic identity” for women. This concept underscores the socio-historical and political significance of Shariati’s arguments about Muslim women in the political setting leading up to the revolution of 1979.

Analysis of Turkish Economy from Macroeconomic and Socio-political Perspective (1923-2023)

The evaluation of economies provides an idea about the direction of countries and determines their international reputations. Economic evaluations hold significant importance for this reason. Evaluations often utilize macroeconomic indicators like real growth rate, unemployment rate, and inflation rate. On the other hand, to honestly evaluate economies, a long-term perspective is required, and it is vital to maintain continuity and have a broad scope. During this process, many factors, such as developments in the external world, geography, language, religion, ethnicity, and customary practices, can have an impact, in addition to macroeconomic factors. However, none of these (except for macroeconomic factors) have as much impact on the development of economies as the institutional factors that form the basis of the socio-political structure. As property rights, freedom of expression, press freedom, judicial independence, and equality of opportunities in the economic, social, and political fields expand in a country; experts anticipate that institutional quality will increase and positively impact economic operations. Findings indicate the necessity of conducting macroeconomic and socio-political performance measurements to evaluate the Turkish economy properly. For 1924-2023, a macroeconomic performance index (MPI) has established for measuring macroeconomic performance, and a socio-political performance index (SPI) for measuring socio-political performance.&#x0D; The findings obtained from the studies reveal that in Türkiye, more than ensuring only macroeconomic stability is necessary to achieve satisfactory and lasting economic success. Compromising fundamental rights, freedoms, and socio-economic justice (e.g., income distribution) has achieved stability, but only with temporary effects. The development structure and macroeconomic gains solidify the economic outlook through socio-political developments.

Działalność Pracowni Historii Idei Humanistycznych i Społecznych Instytutu Historii Nauki PAN w 2022 r.

Research Activity of the History of Humanist and Social Thought Research Unit at the Institute for the History of Science PAS in 2022 The article showcases the primary research directions, scientific engagement, and popularization and organizational accomplishments of the Research Unit’s employees in 2022. The staff members are actively involved in four core areas of historical research. These include the advancement of Polish science in the 20th c., the exploration of the history of historiography from a comprehensive socio-political perspective, biographies of historians, and investigations into intellectual trends. Simultaneously, they address the international influences on scientific and intellectual exc

LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS OF ISIS’ MISCONTEXTUALISATION OF THE QURANIC VERSES: PROPAGANDA STRATEGY

The key multilingual propaganda documents and media modes have been used as primary sources for Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’s (ISIS) propaganda strategy. To further expand the discussion on the propaganda intentions by ISIS, the researchers demonstrated the study conducted that attempted to explore the role of miscontextualisation of Qur’anic verses through ISIS’s linguistic propaganda strategy from a socio-political perspective. The study seeks to illustrate how ISIS utilised its miscontextualisation of Qur’anic verses through its linguistic propaganda strategy to justify its extreme actions for achieving the socio-political goals. It uses linguistic stylistics to demonstrate that ISIS made a piece-meal usage of the Qur’an by miscontextualisation of Qur’anic verses through its propaganda publications to justify its extreme actions. It systematically situates the particular Qur’anic passages that ISIS uses within the wider Qur’anic passages/chapters in which they originate. More specifically, this contextualisation highlights the discrepancies between the original contexts of these passages and their miscontextualisation by ISIS. The results of the study revealed that all linguistic strategies that comprise ISIS’s discourse revolve around four main themes: Khilaafah, Imamah, Jihad, and Hijrah. These connections are important because they clarify the priorities inherent in ISIS’s discourse as an instrument for achieving socio-political gains and agendas.

The nexus between peace and mental well-being: contributions for public happiness

PurposeThis underscores individual and social implications for how mental disorders and mental well-being are constructed, conceived of and treated. Further, this paper aims to examine positive psychology’s role in supporting the advancement of a broader systemic and contextual approach to mental health. With that aim, this paper connects data on mental health and well-being with peace studies to describe the systems of value and social ecologies underpinning mental disorders, using public happiness/Felicitas Publica as a possible framework to enhance public mental health while intervening at the local level (Bruni and Zamagni, 2007; Marujo and Neto, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021; Marujo et al., 2019).Design/methodology/approachTheoretical foundations and data on positive peace and mental well-being are described with the intention to propose a systemic, contextual, relational, communitarian, economic and sociopolitical perspective of well-being that goes beyond individual bodies and/or brains and, instead, views mental disorder and mental health as social currency (Beck, 2020).FindingsThe interventions using dialogic, conversational and community approaches are a possible path to promote peace, mental health and public happiness.Research limitations/implicationsExamining the interplay between the fields of positive psychology, mental health and cultures of peace, this work contributes to the broadening of research and subsequent intervention topics through transdisciplinary approaches while reinforcing the role of systemic and social determinants and complementing the prevalent medical model and intraindividual perspective of mental health and well-being.Practical implicationsAdopting positive psychology to address mental health through public happiness concepts and interventions opens opportunities to respond to the ebb and flow of social challenges and life-giving opportunities. Therefore, the paper intends to articulate actor-related, relational, structural and cultural dimensions while moving away from discrete technocratic and individual models and pays attention to the way their implementations are aligned with both individual and social needs.Social implicationsThe work offers an inclusive, equalitarian, politically sensitive approach to positive mental health and positive psychology, bringing forward a structural transformation and human rights-based approach perspective while rethinking the type of social and political solutions to mental health issues.Originality/valueCreating a critically constructive debate vis-à-vis the fluidity and complexity of the social world, the paper examines mental health and positive psychology simultaneously from a “hardware” (institutions, infrastructures, services, systems, etc.) and a “software” (i.e. individuals and community/societal relations).