Western Technology Research Articles

China’s Abandonment of Self-Reliance and Sino-American Opening before 1979

ABSTRACT This article re-examines why and how China abandoned one of the core ideological principles of the Mao era: self-reliance. This did not occur after 1978 and Deng Xiaoping’s ascent to paramount power, but instead from 1971, when technocratic Chinese leaders redefined self-reliance to include importing advanced technology to better develop China’s resources, including for export — a change that anticipated the policies of post-1978 Reform and Opening. The article argues that this redefinition was possible because Sino-American rapprochement and the end of the US technology and economic embargo on China provided previously unprecedented levels of access to US and Western technology.

Lodging complaints against platform power: how Lebanese journalists and activists experience reporting mechanisms, platform failures, and techno-alienation

ABSTRACT Since Western technology platforms began colonizing online spaces, they have neglected Majority World populations, including those in MENA/SWANA countries like Lebanon. This neglect exacerbates harassment and violence against marginalized individuals, reinforcing systemic harms in Lebanon's cisheteropatriarchal and sectarian society. Our study draws on 14 in-depth interviews with women and queer journalists and activists in Lebanon who have faced online harassment and violence. Utilizing Sarah Ahmed’s feminist notion of complaint, we explore the flaws in platforms’ reporting mechanisms and document what we term ‘techno-alienation’: a state where those marginalized by these platforms feel abandoned and unable to envision an inclusive digital future. Participants highlighted that online platforms are addressing these issues too little, too late, leading to estrangement and disengagement among users who feel left behind.

Political and Legal Dimension of the Prospects for Ukraine's Invitation to NATO

The purpose of the research is to reveal the possibilities of inviting Ukraine to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the context of the escalation of Russian aggression. The research methodology is based on the principles of historicism, systematicity, scientificity, verification, authorial objectivity, moderate narrative constructivism, as well as the use of general scientific (analysis, synthesis, generalization) and special-historical (historical-genetic, historical-typological, historical-systemic ) methods. The scientific novelty is that for the first time in historiography, the current prospects of Ukraine's invitation to NATO have been considered. Conclusions. Accession to NATO is a constitutionally enshrined main priority of Ukraine, a fundamental condition for its survival. Today, the political elite of Ukraine and Western governments are unanimous on the issue of Ukraine's membership in NATO. The Russian-Ukrainian war acts as an arena in which the political and military strategies of the global West are formed and break into the intentions of those world forces that promote anti-democratic values and, using Western technologies, intend to play a leading role in world civilization. The further development of the world system depends on Ukraine for a long period, and possibly for centuries to come. The need to invite Ukraine to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is due to the possibility of overcoming the global crisis of international security. In favor of the rapid Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, the uniqueness of the military experience in the large-scale modern war against powerful Russia, the removal of the financial burden from the NATO members, the demonstration of the unity of the Alliance and the ability to respond to modern challenges testify. Ukraine demonstrates commitment to high spiritual values, such as freedom, independence, dignity and self-respect, on which the Alliance is built. Thanks to its armed forces and active civil society, it deserves NATO membership.

The Diffusion of “Small” Western Technologies in the Middle East: Invention, Use and Need in the 19th and 20th Centuries by M. Kupferschmidt (review)

The Diffusion of “Small” Western Technologies in the Middle East: Invention, Use and Need in the 19th and 20th Centuries by M. Kupferschmidt (review)

“Because they have technology”

Over the last forty years, the concept of sustainable development has gained attention in large parts of the world. With it comes the need for comparative research on how the concept is understood in different contexts. This article is a comparative discourse analysis of how Tanzanian and Norwegian secondary school teachers conceptualize sustainable development. By applying Laclau and Mouffe’s (2014) discourse apparatus, I trace articulations of sustainable development across Tanzanian and Norwegian discourses. The findings indicate that the Tanzanian teachers in the study primarily conceptualize sustainable development within a socioeconomic discourse, while the Norwegian teachers are rooted in an environmental discourse. The teachers are also embedded in a Western exceptionalism discourse constructed around the myth of “the West” as sustainable, and favour solutions emerging from Western technology and innovation. However, the study also finds that there is a critical discourse opposing this articulation of “the West”.

Exosuit for Exercise?

Hiking is a cost-effective way to encourage physical activity in individuals of all ages, spend time in nature, and promote physical and mental healing. However, the hobby may promote the development of musculoskeletal conditions such as lower back pain (LBP) in older adults, . AireLevate is an emerging technology representing a new era of wearable robotics. The apron-like design uses compressed air to support the lower region of the spine, preventing LBP and minimizing energy usage. However, the influences of economic instability and community support could prevent the use of the technology. Poor economic stability may limit access to the device and supporting resources including electricity. While community support is correlated with elevated technology usage, distrust in Western technology prevalent in many communities may prevent exosuit usage. The intersection of sex and religion, religion and geopolitical factors, and race and geopolitical factors, may serve as barriers to exosuit access, especially among minorities subject to energy poverty and those who practice modesty. Future research of exosuit use in stroke patients holds the promise of enhanced rehabilitation outcomes, increased mobility, and improved quality of life.

أثر برنامج التحديثات الأربعة على تطور مكانة الصين في النظام الدولي: (1978- 2020)

The study aims to identify the details and stages of the program The four modernization adopted by China in 1978, It also aims to demonstrate its importance and its results, while supporting the study with comparative statistical tables through which it can be inferred on the impact of this program on Chinese economic development, and the extent of China's ability to employ its economic success in enhancing its role and effectiveness in the international system. The researcher used the historical method to identify the development of the Chinese state for different historical stages, and the descriptive method collects facts and information, analyzes and interprets the phenomenon through which it defines its characteristics and dimensions and describes the relationship between them in order to reach an integrated scientific description. The study concluded that one of the most important factors for China's development and economic success is its import of advanced Western technology, its attraction of international investments, and the presence of global markets to export its products, especially the American market, which forced it to avoid any confrontation or escalation with the United States of America in particular. Finally, the success of the four modernization program in the development of China's position in the international system, especially in the economic field, imposed on China to move forward in developing its military system, relying on quality, not quantity, and considering the military system not to protect borders only, but also as a catalyst for economic development, infrastructure support, protection and ensuring the smooth flow of movement Chinese interests extending across the world.

Originality conundrum: British education of engineers in Meiji Japan (1868–1912)

Britain played a vital role in the early years of Meiji Japan (1868–1912), when the country was undergoing rapid transformation as it adopted Western technologies like railroads and the telegraph. The British influence extended beyond simply transferring technical skills, however. Young, idealistic British instructors wanted to help cultivate in their Japanese students the spirit of an engineer—an independent and creative mindset that could change the world. In teaching these ideas, the British professors were fighting against a widespread prejudice that the Japanese were innately imitative and lacked the ability to think creatively and take initiative. This paper focuses on the pedagogical approach of professors at the Imperial College of Engineering, Tokyo, and its effect on the careers of their students. The main protagonists of this story are Henry Dyer, the College's principal, and two of his students, railway engineer Minami Kiyoshi and biochemist Takamine Jōkichi.

АВИАСТРОЕНИЕ И РАДИОЛОКАЦИЯ В РАБОТЕ СОВЕТСКИХ НАУЧНО-ИССЛЕДОВАТЕЛЬСКИХ ИНСТИТУТОВ В КОНЦЕ 1930-Х – 1940-Е ГГ.: ИЗУЧЕНИЕ И ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕ ЗАПАДНОГО ОПЫТА. ЧАСТЬ 1

The formation and development of Soviet research institutes in the field of aircraft construction and radar are quite widely represented in historiography. The topic of the transfer of Western technologies to the industry of the USSR in the 1920-1930s is also not new.However, a study of the scientific literature revealed a lack of special studies devoted to the period of the late 1930-1940s. The article, based on unpublished archival documents, is devoted to the analysis of the work of four research organizations involved in developments in the field of aviation industry and radar: Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI), All-Russian Institute of Aviation Materials (VIAM), Research Institute-20 (NII-20), Central Research Institute-108 (TsNII-108). All of them were involved in the study of Western technologies, in which the Soviet Union lagged behind the USA, Great Britain, and Germany.

Voluntarism and Cyber Support in Wartime: Pro Bono, or Cui Bono?

Abstract: Ukraine's resilience to Russia's cyber onslaught can be attributed in large part to a historically unprecedented outpouring of technical and cybersecurity support from Western commercial partners. However altruistic such support may have been in spirit, a more robust, front-line understanding of wartime cyber offensives is itself a valuable commodity—one that uniquely incentivizes and enables the Western technology sector to examine, interpret, and ultimately shape the role of cyber operations in armed conflict. This shift is historically unprecedented in the modern era. We contrast this experience with World War I and II, when the US government served as the key intermediary between industry and the warfront. Russia's war on Ukraine demonstrates that private industry has now supplanted that role in the cyber domain. Whereas efforts to mobilize industry during previous wars struggled to draw upon intelligence assessments of battlefield needs, industry now has a very clear view—in some cases, the exclusive one—of how the war is proceeding in cyberspace. As Western governments now seek to systematize cyber assistance for future crises, we argue that they must also grapple with the new political economy of wartime cyber telemetry—one which relegates states to a far more auxiliary role than they have long been accustomed.

THE ROLE OF THE MACHINE-BUILDING CLUSTER IN ENSURING THE DEFENCE CAPABILITY OF UKRAINE

Topicality. Given the geopolitical situation, where Ukraine faces threats to its sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensuring defense capability becomes the most important task. The development of modern technologies in the defense industry, including Industry 4.0, emphasizes the need to supply the Ukrainian army with high-quality foreign equipment and technologies. Cooperation with leading international corporations in the defense sector opens up opportunities for technology exchange, investments, and the integration of new possibilities for the development of the Ukrainian defense industry.Ukrainian machine-building enterprises possess significant potential in the production, repair, and modernization of military equipment, which can be utilized to meet the army's needs. The gradual localization of Western technology production in Ukraine will contribute to reducing dependence on imports and increasing production volumes. The development of the service, repair, and restoration sector of military equipment can positively impact employment and the socio-economic situation in regions of Ukraine.In particular, the development of modern defense potential is a strategically important task for any state. Ensuring the availability and effective use of modern military technology is a necessity for maintaining a peaceful atmosphere and national security. Collaboration with leading international companies and the implementation of modern production technologies equate Ukrainian machine-building to global leaders, opening the way for foreign investments and the development of new technological sectors in Ukraine. The implementation of Industry 4.0 and collaboration with international partners allow for a significant improvement in the technical level and efficiency of Ukrainian armed forces, ensuring their readiness to face challenges and threats. The development of innovative management technologies and production culture provides Ukrainian enterprises with a competitive advantage in the global market, promoting their further growth and development.Aim and tasks. The aim of the research is to analyze and assess the potential of the machine-building cluster in the context of ensuring Ukraine's defense capability in a complex geopolitical environment.The research tasks include: conducting an analysis of the current situation in development of machine-building clusters in Ukraine and the necessity of implementing modern technologies in machine-building ; evaluating the role and potential of the machine-building cluster in ensuring the defense capability of the country; analyzing the possibilities of cooperation with leading international companies in the defense industry; studying the capabilities of Ukrainian machine-building enterprises in the production, repair, and modernization of military equipment; developing the key provisions of the strategy for the gradual localization of Western technology production in Ukraine; analyzing the impact of the development of the service, repair, and restoration sector of military equipment on the socio-economic situation of the country's regions based on the implementation of modern technologies and management practices to enhance the competitiveness of Ukrainian machine-building enterprises.Materials and Methods. This study explores the advantages and prospects of forming machine-building clusters, their impact on the socio-economic development of the country, and the enhancement of defense capabilities through the use of comparative, systemic-structural, analytical, theoretical generalization, and empirical observation methods.Research results. The research has established that the machine-building cluster in Ukraine possesses significant potential for ensuring the country's defense capability within a complex geopolitical context. It is emphasized that collaboration with leading international companies in the defense industry provides opportunities for technology exchange, investment attraction, and enhancement of the Ukrainian defense production potential. This is due to the fact that Ukrainian machine-building enterprises have substantial capabilities in the production, repair, and modernization of military equipment, which can be utilized to meet the army's needs. Additionally, the gradual localization of Western technology production in Ukraine will contribute to reducing dependence on imports and increasing production volumes.Conclusion. The research findings attest to the significance of the machine-building sector cluster in the context of ensuring Ukraine's defense capability. Collaboration with international partners and the implementation of modern production technologies are key factors in enhancing the competitiveness and expanding the potential of the Ukrainian defense industry. The development of this sector is a strategically important task for ensuring national security and strengthening Ukraine's international standing.

Online Platform Privacy Policies

In January 2021, Meta (then Facebook) published an update to its WhatsApp privacy policy which included, among other things, a decision to share some user data with Facebook. This action, together with previous events like the notorious Cambridge-Analytica data breach, has sparked debates about the protection of online privacy, specifically the balance of rights and responsibilities relevant to the protection of social media user data. This qualitative study contributes to that debate by exploring the perceptions and reactions of South African WhatsApp users to these policy changes. The findings highlight the significance of platforms like WhatsApp in the daily socio-economic activities of users in developing countries. This reliance on social media for communication and access to vital information creates an imbalance of power between users and platform owners. The situationis worsened by the lack of effective regulatory frameworks that governments and institutions in developing countries can use to enforce their privacy laws, leaving users vulnerable to potential exploitation from digital platforms. This study contributes to the broader discourse on safeguarding online privacy as Western technology companies continue to gain access to data that is generated by an ever-increasing global user base.

Artificial Intelligence in the Colonial Matrix of Power

Drawing on the analytic of the “colonial matrix of power” developed by Aníbal Quijano within the Latin American modernity/coloniality research program, this article theorises how a system of coloniality underpins the structuring logic of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. We develop a framework for critiquing the regimes of global labour exploitation and knowledge extraction that are rendered invisible through discourses of the purported universality and objectivity of AI. ​​Through bringing the political economy literature on AI production into conversation with scholarly work on decolonial AI and the modernity/coloniality research program, we advance three main arguments. First, the global economic and political power imbalances in AI production are inextricably linked to the continuities of historical colonialism, constituting the colonial supply chain of AI. Second, this is produced through an international division of digital labour that extracts value from majority world labour for the benefit of Western technology companies. Third, this perpetuates hegemonic knowledge production through Western values and knowledge that marginalises non-Western alternatives within AI’s production and limits the possibilities for decolonising AI. By locating the production of AI systems within the colonial matrix of power, we contribute to critical and decolonial literature on the legacies of colonialism in AI and the hierarchies of power and extraction that shape the development of AI today.

11 Sociodemographic, Cultural, and Linguistic Considerations for Clinical Neuropsychological Assessment with Japanese and Japanese American Patients in the United States

Objective:Japanese-Americans are the sixth largest Asian ethnicity in the United States. They represent a highly heterogeneous population due to their history of immigration dating back to the late 19th century. In comparison to the total Japanese-American population, there are very few neuropsychologists of Japanese descent who are familiar with the culture. The Asian Neuropsychological Association lists 16 licensed members of Japanese descent, and only 7 practice outside of Hawaii or California. These numbers suggest that unless non-Japanese neuropsychologists are knowledgeable of the culture, test translations, and appropriate norms, it would be challenging for many Japanese-Americans to receive culturally and linguistically competent neuropsychological services. The aim of the present study is to provide guidance for conducting neuropsychological assessments with Japanese-Americans with the goal of facilitating competent culturally-informed services to this population.Participants and Methods:Pertinent facets of Japanese culture as identified in the ECLECTIC framework and demographics of the U.S. Japanese-American population, and the available literature on neuropsychological tests that are translated into Japanese and normed with Japanese samples, was reviewed by authors with knowledge of Japanese language and culture. Literature published in both English and Japanese were included for review.Results:Psychological testing is a Western technology fraught with the behavioral expectations and values of the culture in which it was developed. Thus, these tests may be biased against persons coming from cultures that differ from the West. Recommendations for providing neuropsychological services to Japanese-Americans are presented with an aim of maximizing test fairness by addressing the following issues: comfort with the testing situation, test biases, accessibility, and validity. Given the emphasis on education, Japanese-Americans should be familiar and comfortable with cognitive testing, although they may experience undue pressure to perform well to avoid shame. Japanese-Americans may experience discomfort disclosing personal information during the interview, particularly if the evaluation is perceived to be psychiatric in nature, as there is a strong stigma associated with mental illness that could bring shame to the family. Japanese communication styles are indirect in nature, where the message is implied and what is “not said” is just as important as what is directly conveyed. Accessibility issues will primarily impact first generation Japanese-Americans who are native Japanese speakers. Another characteristic that may impact responding is hesitancy for guessing when unsure. Recommendations for providing culturally competent neuropsychological assessment given these considerations will be presented and expanded upon in detail. Finally, an online database of translated and normed neuropsychological tests by cognitive domain has been created and will be presented.Conclusions:Providing neuropsychological services to Japanese-Americans can be challenging as Japanese culture is significantly different from western culture. In addition, Japanese-Americans are heterogenous with salient issues of English proficiency and acculturation. Information to individualize a conceptual understanding of Japanese-Americans, translated and normed tests, and recommendations to maximize fairness in testing are presented to assist clinical neuropsychologists provide competent services to Japanese-Americans.

Варианты сотрудничества и особенности работы с китайскими поставщиками.

The global political and economic situation in recent years has had a significant impact on many areas of life, including healthcare. The sanctions imposed against Russia have become a real challenge for the participants of the medical equipment market, causing a number of problems that both manufacturers and consumers of this equipment have to overcome. In this article, we will look at exactly how the sanctions affected the market of medical devices, and what prospects are opening up for the Russian medical industry in the field of import substitution. Look at the China from the point of view of a supplier of medical equipment under sanctions. We will describe the main ways of cooperation with chinese suppliers: from finding a specific solution in China to localization of production in Russia. Let's highlight the subtleties that exist when working with manufacturers from China. In order for the topic to be fully disclosed, here is a list of the largest manufacturers of medical equipment and gadgets for the medical industry. According to the author, in the conditions of a shortage of Western equipment and restrictions in the maintenance of existing equipment, it is necessary to pay attention to the east. China as a global manufacturer of materials, components and finished products can help replace some of the equipment, and eventually completely displace Western technology.

Constructing the Nation through Talk: Social Media as a Tool for Banal Nationalism in Africa

It was feared that the digital divide would deny citizens in developing countries opportunities for increased participation in politics through internet-enabled communication technologies. However, the divide has been bridged by citizens through the appropriation of Western technologies like internet access through mobile phones and cyber cafes. In fact, the difference between North and South in the use of the internet to participate in politics is quickly becoming unnoticeable, especially regarding the use of social media. This paper describes the unforeseen impact of the rapid adoption of social media in Africa, a continent that has been lethargic to other Western technological advances. The paper uses Anderson’s (1991/1983) theory of imagined community and Billig’s (1995) banal nationalism thesis to describe the role of social media groups in building banal nationalism, a process that unobtrusively legitimises the otherwise artificial nation-state. Through analysis of the activities of social media groups, the paper describes how, besides enabling the formation of social groups, social media has created a new sense of consciousness and deep attachment to the concept of a nation-state in Kenya.

TRADITIONAL GOLD MINING IN AKYEM ABUAKWA IN GHANA’S EASTERN REGION

This study examines precolonial gold mining in Akyem Abuakwa in Ghana's Eastern Region. It uses a historiographical approach, combining primary and secondary data and oral interviews to show the mineral processing and metallurgical technology used in mining Abuakwa gold in the historic period. It also demonstrates that precolonial gold mining in Akyem Abuakwa was less destructive to the environment, compared to the modern mining. It also highlights the techniques utilised by native Africans to mine gold, before the advent of Western technology and finance.

Китай в глобальной горной промышленности

As the second largest economy in the world, China plays an important role in the global mineral resources sector. China's mineral resources are vast and different, and the country is now the world's leading producer of a number of important metals and minerals. Mining has been key factor in China's economic growth and has contributed to the country's rapid development over the past three decades. The industry has played an important role in the country's industrialization process, providing raw materials for the growing demand for resources. China has actively pursued overseas projects with government support, encouraging companies to expand their operations abroad. China is now playing an increasingly important role in the global mining industry, investing in mineral deposits in many countries around the world. With more and more international mergers and acquisitions, Chinese companies have begun to apply Western technologies and management to their domestic and overseas exploration and mining projects more consistently. China’s industrial sector accounts for about 40% of the gross domestic product, which is significantly higher than the percentage for other major economies in the world. The large and growing industrial base is helping keep downstream demand strong and supporting the mineral industry’s move to expand. It also contributes to increased foreign capital investment, exports, and employment, all of which are the key factors in socioeconomic development. In other words, the mineral industry primary purpose is to offer energy resources, metallic materials, and non-metallic minerals for the development of other industries, and extensive and multi-level direct and indirect links with other industries in the country. China's mining industry has also become a crucial factor in the development of the global economy, as using innovative technologies the country effectively mines minerals such as tantalum, niobium, lithium, rare earth elements, scandium, germanium, gallium, indium, rhenium, tellurium and arsenic, which are scarce in the USA, Europe and other Western countries.

“Our cinema, our stories, our power”: The politics of storytelling in contemporary Andean Cinema

Since the end of the Peruvian internal armed conflict (1980–2000), official histories circulate through mainstream media and the boulevard press that narrate Andean regions as a nest of radical politics and violent disruptions deepening the disconnect between Lima and other provinces. As a response, a group of self-taught filmmakers from Ayacucho took up cameras to tell their own stories of violence and conflict, providing a critical perspective on official narratives and their disregard for the continuing social disparities. Keeping up with a long-standing tradition of local artists as critical intellectuals and narrators of people's histories, these filmmakers use new and accessible technologies to tell stories at the margins of public discourses defined by the capital Lima. In this context, the role of filmmaking can be understood as two-fold: an act of appropriation of western technologies and a technique to deliver justice to the people of Ayacucho through storytelling. In this article, I examine the creative practice of cinema-making in the Andes as a form of social intervention that seeks to resist contemporary memory regimes and allows for imagining alternative futures.

The Impact of Climate Change on India-Russia Relations

This study explores the implications of climate change for the bilateral relationship between India and Russia. While current research primarily focuses on the strategic aspects of their relationship, little attention has been given to the factors that could shape its future. Climate change has significant economic and social impacts on both countries, raising questions about how it will affect their relations. This paper examines the potential effects on livelihoods, agriculture, and trade, and investigates whether India and Russia can find areas of cooperation despite their differing roles as fossil fuel exporters and consumers.Despite their reliance on Western technology transfer, India and Russia have the opportunity to collaborate and develop new technologies together. The study highlights the potential for joint efforts in renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. It also explores collaboration in biofuel production using Russia's biomass resources.Disaster risk management and information sharing emerge as additional areas of potential cooperation in the face of climate change. Collaboration in these areas can enhance preparedness and response mechanisms, strengthening overall resilience.The study also considers the Northern Sea Route (NSR) as a potential collaboration opportunity. As the Arctic ice melts, the NSR offers a viable trade route between Russia's European and Far Eastern regions. India has shown interest in contributing to its development, which could reduce shipping losses and emissions in transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia.In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the need for adaptation and adjustment in the bilateral relationship to address climate change challenges. It underscores the importance of scientific collaboration, exploring joint initiatives, and developing sustainable solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change while strengthening the longstanding India-Russia partnership.