Articles tagged with Dictatorships
A new book, 'Music and Political Imprisonment in Pinochet’s Chile', exposes the brutal realities of torture during the dictatorship through the power of music. Survivors like Ana María Jiménez recount how they used songs to comfort each other and resist their captors.
Researchers develop an indicator to predict the possibility of genocide based on escalating human rights abuses, including declining workers' rights, torture, and extrajudicial killings. The sequence of violations can culminate in mass atrocities, with the United Nations ultimately deciding whether they meet the criteria for genocide.
Victims of enforced disappearances experience prolonged uncertainty and ambiguous loss, leading to chronic depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Mental health professionals lack clear guidance on treating these cases, highlighting a need for evidence-based treatments and policy changes.
A new study reveals the personal diaries of teenage boys in Stalin's Russia, offering insights into their daily lives, family struggles, and experiences under Soviet rule. The diaries, written between 1930 and 1941, provide a unique perspective on life during this tumultuous period.
A new study surveyed over 6000 people from six countries, finding a global consensus on the definition of democracy. Competitive elections and civil liberties are consistently prioritized as key components of democracy, making it more likely for citizens to identify undemocratic behavior.
A study by MIT researchers found that the general public and policymakers take social media posts from world leaders just as seriously as traditional government statements. The research surveyed over 977 people about crisis signals in international relations, including tweets and official press releases. The results suggest that people...
A new study by Dartmouth College researchers finds that sanctions on wealth managers would be more effective than asset seizure in crippling Russia's oligarchs. The research uses network science to map the connections between wealthy individuals and their financial experts, revealing a vulnerable network that can be disrupted with targ...
A new analysis examines how Chile's feminist movement evolved in response to the country's enduring inequality, particularly gender inequality. The study highlights the movement's impact on mass protests and the writing of a new constitution, with key findings including increased feminist participation and intersectional perspectives.
A 500-year-old English illuminated manuscript provides fresh insights into Catholic beliefs in England before the Reformation. The metre-long prayer roll contains religious verse and illustrations, including symbols of Christ's crucifixion, which were connected to a famous pilgrimage site.
A study of dictators over 150 years shows they rarely promote strong economies and often weaken them. Autocratic leaders are found to have little influence in driving economic growth, but can significantly reduce it after taking power.
Researchers found that personalist rule in dictatorships receives significantly more foreign investment in fixed-asset intensive industries. Deals with dictators often involve illicit payments, which can siphon off money from the public good.
A study found that dictatorships remain stable 87% of the time following a leader's death, whereas other forms of leadership exit result in stability only 43% of the time. This is likely due to loyal followers who support the status quo and have an incentive to preserve their privileged access to office.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that writing a message to the perpetrator can disrupt the chain of unfair behavior, calming negative emotions and leading to fairer interactions. The researchers suggest this strategy as a way to stop the spread of injustice.
A recent study published in The Leadership Quarterly found that power can lead to corruption in leaders, regardless of their initial honesty. The researchers used experimental methods to investigate the effects of power on behavior, and found that individuals who scored lower on honesty were more likely to exhibit corrupt behavior.
A new study explores how brands and people become cool by understanding social norms and breaking unnecessary rules. The researchers found that autonomy and independence are key factors in perceived coolness, but also noted that what is cool can vary across different groups of consumers.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that adults can be trained to engage in compassion meditation, increasing caring feelings for people suffering. Participants showed increased brain activity in regions involved in empathy and emotion regulation after training.
A recent study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, suggests that embarrassment can be a positive trait, fostering trust and cooperation in everyday life. Subjects who were more easily embarrassed reported higher levels of monogamy and generosity, indicating a stronger tendency to affiliate with others.
Research from Concordia University reveals that wisdom has an impact on how people cope in situations and whether they are more or less satisfied with life. Hallmarks of wisdom include knowledge, deep understanding of human nature, empathy, and the flexibility to see issues from others' perspectives.
University of Houston professor Paul Gregory's new book reveals previously hidden facts about Stalin's regime, shedding light on the early development of totalitarian regimes. The book tells the story of Nikolai Bukharin and Anna Larina, who clashed with Stalin over their visions for Russia's future.
A new study published in The Journal of Legal Studies found that government use of torture increased worldwide between 1985 and 2003, contradicting international norms. Despite over 75% of countries signing the UN Convention Against Torture, torture reports remained common in 69% of nations.