State Power Research Articles

Bangkok’s changing foodscape: mob urbanism and the mob(ile) foodscape

ABSTRACT The streetscapes of Bangkok are teeming with a diverse array of street food practices, encompassing both formal and informal approaches. Some of these street food traditions fall under the umbrella of urban informality, including informal street vending and communal public eating. Such practices are prevalent not only in various parts of Bangkok but also across other Asian cities. They bridge gaps in urban services and offer a wide range of affordable foods and goods. However, despite their evident contributions, street food vending practices are viewed as undesirable eyesores and as disorderly and chaotic urban elements by state authorities, local elites, and the upper-middle classes. Following the military government’s crackdown on street vendors in 2016, coupled with subsequent bans and removals of street food, as well as the dual challenges posed by political shifts and the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020, Bangkok’s culinary landscape has undergone significant changes. This paper aims to illuminate recent developments in Bangkok’s foodscape, particularly focusing on the role of food in social movements, political protests, and demonstrations. It outlines the operational and organizational aspects of street food vendors’ trade, along with their political implications. Additionally, it will portray how street food has been affected by government policies, namely the “Reclaim the Pavement” campaign and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2016, informal fieldnotes and observations have been collected during ethnographic investigations of Bangkok’s foodscape. Over time, these efforts have revealed a heightened interest in the resistances and challenges street vendors pose to state power and authority.

Artificial neural network-based models for short term forecasting of solar PV power output and battery state of charge of solar electric vehicle charging station

The main objective of this study is to develop ANN-based predictive models for short-term forecasting of solar PV power output and battery state of charge. The 3Ds energy model that integrates Decarbonization, Digitalization, and Decentralization of the energy system to facilitate the shift towards sustainable energy sources is used for this electric vehicle project. The experimental set up includes solar PV panels, a solar inverter, a battery inverter, and a battery bank. Additionally, smart meters were installed to collect real-time performance data from the solar PV-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging station. The weather and real-time system performance data were used to develop short term forecasting models based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and the Levenberg-Marquardt method, to predict the performance of the system (power output and state of the charge) ahead. The R values for the prediction models of solar photovoltaic (PV) specific power and battery state of charge fall within the range of 0.9957–0.9969 and 0.9990 to 0.9996, respectively. Furthermore, the mean squared errors (MSEs) for the artificial neural network (ANN) models pertaining to solar photovoltaic (PV) power output and battery state of charge exhibit a variety of values. Specifically, the MSEs for solar PV power output range from 1.242 x 10^-4 to 1.579 x 10^-4, while the MSEs for battery status of charge range from 0.1889 to 0.3402. Artificial neural network (ANN) models possess considerable promise for practical implementations as they simplify intricate connections among inputs, parameters, and outputs in real-world scenarios. The level of accuracy and short-term predictive models of the solar PV powered EV charging station are very important for achieving a balance between the supply of solar photovoltaic (PV) system and the demand for electric vehicles (EVs). Predictive models will help build complex control mechanisms for controlling and optimizing solar PV-powered charging stations, supervising their operation and maintenance, and simplifying renewable energy pre-purchase. Future works will include the development of an energy management system to improve the efficiency of the solar stations charging the EVs, the establishment of blockchain networks for both the solar PV system and battery bank, and the integration of cybersecurity protocols for the charging station.

"Intercourse … of the Most Friendly Nature": The U.S. Navy, State Power, and William Walker's Invasion of Mexico, 1853–1854

Abstract: This article examines federal officials' attitudes towards illegal filibustering expeditions, using as a case study the U.S. Navy's role in defeating William Walker's 1853–1854 expedition to Baja California and Sonora, Mexico. The officers of the U.S.S. Portsmouth (especially former Democratic newspaper editor Levi Slamm), fraternized with filibusters, evacuated their wounded, and published expansionist sentiments. Yet even expansionist officers generally disapproved of filibustering's lawlessness and tendency to damage America's reputation and diplomatic attempts to buy territory legally. This article uncovers how many apparently sympathetic actions by officers and other frontier officials were actually covert and indirect anti-filibustering tactics that they adopted to compensate for local sympathy for the invaders, lack of support from Washington, and poorly defined (or nonexistent) authority to act more decisively. Although these tactics could subvert individual filibustering expeditions like Walker's, by not openly and directly opposing filibustering, they undermined U.S. diplomatic and political aims in the long term.

Beyond biomedical institutions: An ethnographic study of community science and the rise of alternative therapeutic imaginaries

This paper examines the project Open Insulin—a community-based initiative aimed at producing their own insulin in response to rising prices in the United States—as a lens to analyze the emergence of “alternative therapeutic imaginaries.” These imaginaries represent a particular form of social activity: a planning approach toward greater individualization, fragmentation, and corporatization of healthcare. Examples include health and biomedical practices undertaken by citizen scientists, do-it-yourself (DIY) patients, and others who resist or operate outside institutions of medicine. Drawing on ethnographic research, this study analyzes the construction of Open Insulin's health politics, which I argue is inspired by forms of direct social action. Unlike conventional activism approaches that tend to make claims on the state or others in power, direct social action involves direct intervention in segments of society. This paper explores how this approach is complicated by the regulatory economy and materiality of drug research, and the need for diverse expertise in the space of pharmaceuticals. I examine how project members grappled with these complications, surfacing competing perspectives for how to produce insulin safely and the role of industry experts and scientific institutions in this pursuit. I argue that Open Insulin's vision for community-produced and -owned medicines sheds light on growing mistrust of health institutions and diminishing public responsibility over healthcare provisions, leading to technolibertarian logics to address unmet healthcare needs, and potentially exacerbating health disparities by privileging those who can participate in such alternatives. This analysis contributes to broader debates on transformations in healthcare and social activism, highlighting the need for reorienting biomedical institutions toward public benefit.

Enhancing renewable energy utilization and energy management strategies for new energy yachts

Hydrogen energy, due to its clean and efficient nature, has shown great potential during the current transition period in the shipbuilding industry. However, the application of hydrogen energy in ship energy systems is influenced by variations in operational load and the integration of new energy sources during actual navigation. To address these issues, this paper focuses on optimizing and scheduling the operation of ships under various navigation conditions, considering the distributed nature of hydrogen energy. System simulations were conducted to model the photovoltaic (PV), proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), lithium batteries (LIBs), electrolytic cells (ECs), and energy storage modules of yacht energy systems. Component boundaries and objective functions were set, and two cases (excess photovoltaic state and constant power state) were designed to optimize and regulate the energy balance of hydrogen-powered yachts, enhancing their comprehensive utilization of renewable energy. By comparing the changes in ship energy under the two cases, it was concluded that case 1 ensures the maximum utilization of renewable energy. When photovoltaic power generation is insufficient, the PEMFC and LIB in the system provide the required power to achieve a supply-demand balance. Moreover, when PV power generation is sufficient, hydrogen energy is used to store renewable energy. The optimization method designed in this study can, to some extent, maximize the application of renewable energy in new energy yachts, ensuring the efficiency of the comprehensive energy system of new energy yachts, reducing emissions, and improving the sustainability and economic efficiency of the ships.

Power and its exercise in the Vatican City State

AbstractThe problem of relations between Church and state has existed from the very beginnings of Christianity and has evolved over centuries. The dominant model today is one of separation between the state and religious communities. In the context of the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican City State remains the only exception to this principle. This article examines the tensions inherent in the way in which the Roman Pontiff, as head of the Vatican City State, exercises both religious and secular power, and how rule of law principles operate to constrain the operation of power as between the various organs of this state.

Конституционное развитие нового Китая: к 70-летию первой Конституции КНР

The People’s Republic of China was established on 1 October 1949, and in the initial years after its emergence on the world stage, the country embarked on an active phase of law-making, culminating in the adoption of its first Constitution on September 20, 1954. This constitution was based on the Stalinist Constitution of 1936 and incorporated some of its constitutional and legal institutions, categories, and norms of the time. The 1954 Constitution of the PRC laid the foundation for the state system not only for the early period of the PRC but also for modern China. It served as the basis for the 1982 Constitution, which is the fourth and current Constitution in effect today. The foundational elements of the political system and the structure of the supreme and local bodies of state power and administration established in the early years of the PRC remain in place. The spirit of the 1954 Constitution has permeated all subsequent constitutional legislation in the PRC. Consultative democracy, democratic centralism, a unicameral parliament, and many other features that are now integral to China’s political system were established by the first Constitution of socialist China. Understanding the essence of the ideas enshrined in this foundational document is crucial to comprehending China’s unique constitutional way of development and providing a reasonable scientific forecast of its future evolution.

SOCIAL FACTORS SPECIFYING THE SPEECH OF COURT SESSION PARTICIPANTS

The expression of language units in a court session serves as a prime example of the manifestation of social standing and its corresponding speech patterns. Unlike any other speech situation, the court’s reliance on its just principles, strict rules and regulations in conducting discussions, and its commitment to fair justice based on citizens’ equality before the law and the court, underscore its official status as an arm of state power. The article will highlight the social factors that influence the speech of the main participants in a court session: the presiding judge, the state prosecutor and the defense attorney. It will analyze how these factors contribute to the unique language they use in their speeches.

The Biopolitics of COVID-19

Abstract This article is heavily inspired by Michel Foucault's lectures on biopolitical power over life as a starting point for thinking about contemporary global response to COVID-19. The article examines how the government of Ghana deployed biopolitical interventions in response to the pandemic. COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the biopolitics of the current moment, demonstrating the levels of intrusiveness that state power structures have on biological life of the population. The article theorises that the government of Ghana's response to the pandemic indicates that the biopolitical critique of the extension of regulatory governance of life has become blurred in our contemporary times. In conclusion, the article investigates the biopolitics of the pandemic governance from the perspective of conceptualising a ‘beyond’ of such biopolitics, arguing that a critique of existing biopolitics needs to account for its embeddedness in the affirmative modes of biopolitics.

THE EVOLUTION OF MULTIPARTY POLITICS IN UZBEKISTAN: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT

This article examines the development of the multiparty system in Uzbekistan, highlighting the key stages and milestones since independence. It outlines the role of political parties in fostering democratic governance and representing the interests of diverse social groups in society. The paper explores the historical formation of political parties in Uzbekistan, from the cessation of the one-party system to the establishment of legal frameworks that empower political parties in shaping state power. The emergence of the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan is discussed as a significant event in the country’s evolving political landscape. Furthermore, the article addresses the current challenges faced by political parties, including the lack of political ideology, limited public awareness of political rights, and the need for improved competition among parties. The author argues that enhancing the legal foundation of parties and increasing their involvement in governance is essential for deepening democratic reforms. The article concludes with recommendations to strengthen political party participation, foster public trust, and promote active competition in Uzbekistan’s political system.

한국 서원의 원생과 서양 중세 대학 학생의 성격 비교 - 원생과 학생의 특권을 중심으로

This thesis is a comparative review of students in Korea’s Seowon and medieval university students of the West with the focus on special privilege. The institutions of the two sides were one of the highest education institutions for respective region to educate the national elites. Therefore, the national and regional powers provided social and economic special privilege to the students in respective institution. However, there are extremely clear differences in the special privilege granted to the specific class on the level of influence on the actual national advancement and development into modern educational institution. First of all, those students in medieval western universities had taken the extremely public benefit position regarding the functions of universities. Namely, those medieval universities were the self-autonomous organization of students who had strong drive on academic freedom and professional occupation, not as a facility of church or state power. The kept demanding on right of self-autonomy to the Pope and kings, and such demands were materialized due to the realistic needs. Such self-autonomy of universities and special privilege of students were symbolized as so-called ‘freedom of university’, and it was the foundation to establish them to grow into professional education institution to accommodate diversified academic fields after the modern era. On the other hand, the special privilege of Seowon students of Korea was distanced from the educational efficacy. Those special privileges granted for the purpose of encouraging the academic endeavors had turned into a mean to secure social and economic interests that are represented as an avoidance of national duties. Under the situation, the educational function of Seowon was greatly declined after the 17th century, but the special privilege represented for exemption of military service. In such aspect, it would be attributable as one of important factors that Seowon was unable to transit or advance as a modern educational institution in Korea.

행정에서 인공지능의 활용에 있어서 행정법적 문제과 개혁과제

In order to achieve a fair, efficient, rapid and predictable exercise of state power, it is necessary to prepare for the emergence of a “government for the people, using artificial intelligence, for the people,” which has jumped from a “government for the people, by the people, for the people” by accepting advanced science and technology and reflecting the changed social image, so it is necessary to review the active use of artificial intelligence within the framework of the rule of law administration, check administrative law, and improve legislation. Analysis of the use of artificial intelligence in administrative law does not stop at deriving the current law's interpretation or legislative tasks for the use of artificial intelligence under the Administrative Procedure Act or limited to administrative disposition, but also checks the public law interpretation and response to the use of artificial intelligence in all “administrations” subject to administrative law. Criticism or problem consciousness of current artificial intelligence mainly deals with information opacity, process inexplicability, non-decipherability, information contamination, and intentional distortion of information in the deep learning stage and the use of generative artificial intelligence. The general legislative attitude of the EU and others has attempted to establish a legislative safety net to prevent the emergence of market economy monsters using artificial intelligence, but it should be taken into account that policy judgment and normative consideration are needed to prepare for the emergence of information monsters at the same level as public and private areas, and discussions on risks are focused on deep learning-based artificial intelligence. The EU-type behavioral regulation model regulates general behavior in the use of artificial intelligence regardless of the public and private areas, but private economic entities have no democratic legitimacy in the organizational composition and pursue the maximum of private interests by nature. It is overlooked that the administrative entity, which is the public authority, has democratic legitimacy in the composition, and that the possibility of stakeholder participation in administrative processes and specific administrative procedures is guaranteed, as well as checks by the principle of separation of powers. If the act regulation law in the use of artificial intelligence by private economic entities is brought into the public domain, it leads to overregulation in the public domain, but underregulation for private economic entities occurs. Data is the resource of the future and the oil of the future in the age of artificial intelligence. The data must be managed publicly and the public's free and stable use must be guaranteed if the public property of the data is recognized and pseudonymized information is released from the personal personal rights and ownership of the data. A department in charge of creating, collecting, and managing big data at the national level will be essential. Hangeul data, with the originality of Hangeul, needs to approach the protection of Hangeul resources and the development of Hangul-specific artificial intelligence in order to protect national interests. It is necessary to actively utilize artificial intelligence to increase the objectivity and rationality of evaluation in evaluating business feasibility or predicting future demand in various private capital attraction projects and public development projects, and it is necessary to improve the legal system that detects the misappropriation and overcharges of public funds, imposes punitive fines, and the use of artificial intelligence in the process of selecting subjects and verifying them through post-mortem review in the public benefit area.

시민민주주의와 보편적 법체계의 발전: 헌법과 국제법을 대체하는 세계법의 수사학

The Constitution is the highest law of the country, while international law is a field of law that deals with the rights and obligations between countries. The essence of international community is of decentralized nature, in which the legal order is formed according to the principle of sovereign equality. However, there are many perspectives that approach the international community and international law from a universalistic and idealistic viewpoint. In other words, if the positivist and pseudo-oriented view of international law is the reality of international community and international law, the universalist or idealist perception of international law can be said to be their goals. It is true that those two perspectives on international community and international law are neither omnicient nor all-perceiving, but complexly intertwined. The Constitution and international law, which can be considered the two axes of public law, are closely interrelated to the formation of a modern absolute state and civic democracy. The absoluteness of state power and civic democracy are doomed to fate our present and our future. This is not only such fundamental political order, but it also has become a foundation for the development of modern and contemporary order of law. And the two dimensions of order, politics and law, are developing in a dialectical manner. Under this background, this paper aims to provide a harmonious view sprucing up the reality of public law that penetrates both of the international and domestic society within a large framework. It is for research purpose and needs an effort of work by reviewing and analyzing the essence, commonalities, and differences among various adjacent concepts of the Constitution and international law discourse. This paper first begins with a discussion by presenting the historical development of existing hard legal system that penetrates the Constitution and international law through their realistic framework. Furthermore, we look at the softness of international law, conceptual discourse on the international law and world law, international constitutionalism and constitutional theory, and a compendium of world administrative law. We look at the background for the development of these commentaries, the main topics of discussion, and their commonalities or differences. Finally we briefly diagnose and place the future of new sermons that needs to be adduced due to changes in the international community.

Prosecutor’s Offices and Government Bodies of the Russian Federation as Subjects of Legal Relations in the field of Protection of Human and Civil Rights

Russian government institutions carrying out human rights and law enforcement activities strictly adhere to the norms and standards that are reflected both in international law and in the Constitution of the Russian Federation. The Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation, as a subject of legal relations, representing a key supervisory body of state power, plays a fundamental role in the implementation of activities aimed at protecting human and civil rights. However, in a developed democratic and rule-of-law state, the scope of human rights protection affects various branches of law and economic spheres. That is why the implementation of supervision and human rights activities by the prosecutor’s office of the Russian Federation without interaction with other government bodies of the Russian Federation, which also act as subjects of legal relations, seems to be a difficult process to implement. The very interaction between the prosecutor’s office and government bodies demonstrates not only the high level of development of human rights institutions in the country, but also points to the fact that the interaction process itself needs both legislative improvement and the consolidation of its individual provisions.

PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL MANAGEMENT AS A FACTOR IN MINIMIZING POLITICAL RISKS IN DECISION MAKING

The study draws conclusions from the analysis of the political risks of state power at the present stage of Russia’s development. The socio-political principles of management are analyzed, which are connected and interact with a group of organizational and technological mechanisms of political decision-making, which are integral elements of their common system of public administration. Organizational and technological mechanisms reflect the patterns of social management that are associated with the implementation of its organizational and technical functions and the minimization of political risks. They play an important role in creating the basis for the formation of managerial relations, determining essentially the distribution of power, the degree of centralization of the power of managers and the degree of real independence of the governed. Violation of these principles leads to political risks: unjustified fragmentation of the functions of management bodies, violation of the balance of rights and responsibilities of managers, increased demands on the managed and the unreasonableness of decisions. The peculiarities of personnel policy after the presidential elections of Russia are revealed. Proposals are made on mechanisms of social management based on the principles of social justice, as well as the use of existing potential based on the principles of decision-making and its justification in the context of political risks. The connection between the general picture of the world existing in culture and the way of attitude to the category of power in the public consciousness is substantiated.

Эволюция публичной присяги служащих как меры укрепления государственности: от сословности к бессословности

This article examines the evolution of the oath of office over an extended period, beginning in the XVI century and continuing to the present day. The author traces the origins of this legal phenomenon, suggesting that it initially emerged as a vow, applied more in private legal and procedural relations than in public-legal contexts. Since the oath was traditionally accompanied by the kissing of the cross, it was referred to as the “kissing of the cross” oath. During the period of the estate-representative monarchy, the oath of allegiance to the monarch held significant importance in the public sphere. Along with the crowning of the kingdom, it played a crucial role in legitimizing and strengthening public power. During the imperial period, the oath of office became widely practiced, with the military oath being the most typical example analyzed. This example demonstrates both continuity and innovation in legal practice. In Tsarist Russia, the oath was characterized by its estate-based nature, as it served as an instrument of estate policy and was administered separately to officers of noble birth and the rank and file, who were recruited from commoners. In the early Soviet period, the military oath was initially taken only by individuals from the working class, and its name was changed to the “solemn promise”. After 1939, the military oath was administered to all servicemen. The military oath played a vital role in establishing discipline, strengthening the morale, and enhancing the combat readiness of the army, thereby contributing to the consolidation of state power. At present, the military oath is not a thing of the past with the liquidation of Soviet power, but it requires improvement. Based on the analysis, the author attempts to formulate proposals for improving not only the military oath but also the civil service oath, as well as the procedure for its implementation.

One year of COVID-19: A longitudinal study of individual and relational factors of psychological adjustment of individuals living in a romantic relationship in Portugal during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This longitudinal study explored the impact of COVID-19 on individuals in romantic relationships. The sample spans three waves: first confinement (n = 52), deconfinement (n = 49), and second confinement (n = 26). The study tested sociodemographic factors, psychological adjustment (anxiety, depression, stress, well-being), COVID-19 threat perception, dyadic coping, and relationship quality. Results from repeated measures ANOVA and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) models revealed a decline in anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms, coupled with improved relationship quality over time. Well-being and dyadic coping remained stable, while COVID-19 threat perception increased. QCA models emphasized the predictive power of initial mental states (anxiety, depression, stress, and well-being at W1) on subsequent adjustment. Notably, shorter relationship duration, healthcare worker status, and not having children, when combined with prior mental states, explained increased symptoms and diminished well-being. The study underscores the significance of addressing these factors in individuals navigating romantic relationships during the pandemic.

Impact of fuel dilution on Lawson parameter by considering relativistic correction of radiation loss in toroidal magnetic configuration

In this paper, the ignition boundary and height of the saddle point as the lowest heating power on the way to ignition for D-3He toroidal magnetic configuration are derived. Fusion fuel cycle involving deuterium and helium-3, along with side reactions is considered. The effect of fuel dilution, incorporating synchrotron radiation and bremsstrahlung power loss with relativistic correction on ignition criteria, is investigated. The results were compared by considering the classical state of bremsstrahlung power. It is found that the height of the saddle point is increased with increasing the ratio of the proton particle density to the fuel deuteron density. The ignition regime shrinks and the minimum value of the Lawson parameter for the breakeven condition and ignition boundaries is reduced due to fuel dilution.

Perspectives in childhood-onset disabilities: integrating 21st-Century concepts to expand our horizons

Purpose A powerful aphorism states: “If I hadn’t believed it, I wouldn’t have seen it!” This challenging notion reminds us how strongly we are influenced by prevailing ideas, and how we interpret things according to current fashions and teachings. Materials and methods In this paper we present and discuss contemporary perspectives concerning childhood-onset disability and the evolving nature of how people are thinking and acting. We illustrate these ideas by reminding readers of how we have all traditionally been trained and acculturated to think about many dimensions of neurodevelopmental disability (“What?”); reflect on the impact of these ways of thinking in terms of what we have conventionally “seen” and done (“So What?”); and contrast those traditions with contemporary concepts that we believe or know impact the field (“Now What?”). Results Many of the concepts discussed here will be familiar to readers. In taking this analytically critical perspective we aim to illustrate that by weaving these individual threads together we are able to create a coherent fabric that can serve children with childhood-onset NDD, their families, service providers, the community, and policy-makers. We do not purport to offer a comprehensive view of the whole field. Conclusions We encourage readers to consider the integration of these new ways of thinking and acting in our still-evolving field of “childhood-onset disability”.

Pelimpahan Kekuasaan Dalam Jual Beli Tanah Kavling Tanpa Sertifikat Prespektif Hukum Ekonomi Syariah

Delegation of power states that the transfer, delegation, or granting of a mandate carried out by one person to another. In this delegation of power, problems often occur due to irresponsible parties. Therefore, this study formulates the main problem as follows: how is the delegation of power in the sale and purchase of land plots without certificates on Jalan Taqwa Mata Merah, Palembang. The purpose of this study is to examine the delegation of power in the sale and purchase of land plots without certificates from the perspective of Sharia Economic Law. This study is an empirical legal study. Data sources consist of primary data and secondary data. Primary data were obtained through interviews with informants. The results of the study indicate that problems in the delegation of power in the sale and purchase of land plots without certificates occur because they are carried out verbally. This delegation of power in the perspective of Sharia Economic Law is called the wakalah bil ujrah contract to obtain. The delegation of power that occurred in this case is not in accordance with the wakalah bil ujrah contract and is detrimental to the parties in the sale and purchase of land plots.