Articles tagged with Sociopolitical Systems
A new study finds that personal attacks in politics are strongly associated with greater media coverage, but show no correlation with fundraising or policy success. Researchers discovered an asymmetric pattern of conflict entrepreneurs, who use antagonistic rhetoric to gain media attention and become 'media celebrities'.
A new approach for welfare states updates policies to prioritize social investments and effectiveness, combining theoretical contributions and comparative studies. The approach aims to generate long-term benefits for individuals and society, with a focus on targeted solutions and systematic monitoring.
The policy brief outlines four courses of action to tackle AI implementation: bottom-up, problem-driven planning, transparency, accountability, and oversight. Without these measures, AI in the public sector will amplify current dysfunctions and feed distrust.
A study found that high populist rhetoric leads to more entrepreneurs dodging taxes and government regulations by starting unregistered businesses. Cultural tightness also amplifies this effect, increasing the likelihood of informal venture entry.
A new pilot study in Long Beach found that heightened federal immigration enforcement is undermining democratic participation, even among U.S. citizens who fear for undocumented family members. The study identified three critical barriers: climate of fear, knowledge gaps, and practical constraints.
A new study reveals that seabird guano was a driving force behind the Chincha Kingdom's sociopolitical expansion on Peru's coast. The nutrient-rich bird droppings boosted corn yields and supercharged agriculture, fueling the kingdom's economy, trade, population growth, and regional influence.
The Käte Hamburger International Centre will study messianic figures and discourses throughout history, aiming to understand their impact on democracies and promote critical awareness. The centre plans initiatives in schools and educational settings to educate students about recognising messianic phenomena.
A study by City St George's criminologist Dr Tony Karas found that social media, particularly YouTube, was crucial in the radicalization process for 40 PA activists. The platform's autoplay function nudged them towards more extreme content, often with ethnonationalist views.
A new study based on data from Germany found that learning about widespread public support for climate action policies initially makes people think such policies are more politically feasible, but these effects are small and short-lived. The study challenges common expectations about the power of public consensus to drive climate action.
A major review in Frontiers in Science highlights how unsustainable food systems contribute to both health and climate crises. Experts examine evidence-based strategies to tackle industrial food systems promoting overconsumption and environmental pressures.
A comprehensive review highlights the urgent need to transform unsustainable food systems, which drive both obesity and environmental harms. The authors recommend subsidies for healthy foods, taxes on unhealthy products, and restrictions on aggressive marketing to address these twin crises.
Researchers analyzed thousands of ways PCOS machines could have process or security vulnerabilities to identify and mitigate risks. The study highlights the importance of securing every link in the process, not just the machines themselves, to prevent procedural gaps from having large consequences.
A 1525 Bible map, printed in the wrong orientation, transformed the biblical narrative and influenced modern border thinking. The study suggests that maps of the Holy Land, rather than early modern territorial divisions, led to the development of political borders.
A new tool reorders content to downrank posts containing antidemocratic attitudes and partisan animosity, reducing polarization. Users who had such content downranked showed more positive views of the opposing party, with a noticeable impact on their emotional responses.
A new study by University of Exeter's Elections Centre finds that small changes in voter turnout can significantly impact election outcomes due to the UK's multiparty system. The research reveals a fragmented electorate with diverse preferences, leading to increased instability and competitiveness in constituencies.
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.
A new study by Dr Irene Fernández-Molina from the University of Exeter reveals that EU legal ambiguity on the Western Sahara conflict is a significant disadvantage for the Polisario Front and its Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. The study highlights how lawfare has been successfully used to challenge these ambiguities, leading to accu...
A study by Bonnie Johnson at the University of Kansas found that group reflective practice among planning commissioners and staff improves services and reduces stress. The researchers explored the use of unconventional formats for staff reports to facilitate discussions about their work.
Research from Edith Cowan University suggests that states can be held accountable for human rights violations committed by private military companies. Associate Professor Shannon Bosch explains that ARISWA provides a means for the international community to hold states responsible for actions taken by private military firms on their be...
A study using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) found that factors like source of electoral information, education level, and trust in government influenced political participation. Undocumented immigrants were less likely to engage due to lack of information and distrust.
A new study published in the British Journal of Political Science found that open communication is more effective than debate-style approaches in reaching polarized audiences. The study showed that exposure to information and minimal intervention can lead to depolarizing people with extreme conspiratorial views.
A new study by the International Center for Journalists and US universities found that Trump was the main source and distributor of disinformation in ethnic and Indigenous press in the US. The research also linked the prevalence of political disinformation to a decline in trust in the news and an increase in violence against journalists.
Citizens' perceptions of government effectiveness play a crucial role in shaping media choices during times of conflict, according to new research. Exposure to violence alone doesn't significantly impact trust in non-regime media; instead, citizens turn to alternative sources when they believe the state has failed to protect them.
Researchers highlight how Ukraine's decentralization reforms empowered local communities to resist war and maintain society's functioning. Studies reveal how grassroots efforts, such as volunteering and participatory budgeting, helped keep essential services running despite extreme losses.
A study published in PLOS One found that US regional differences in traditional and existential wellness are linked to early colonization settlement patterns. Northeastern and Midwestern regions tend to have higher traditional wellness, while Southern residents exhibit higher existential wellness. These findings suggest that systemic d...
The Kunming Manifesto proposes pathways to unlock agrobiodiversity's benefits, addressing food waste, environmental externalities, and social inequalities. Experts emphasize the need for a paradigm-bending power shift toward Indigenous and local communities to ensure agrobiodiversity thrives.
A recent University of Konstanz study found that political parties in twelve democratic OECD countries neglect to address economic inequality in their manifestos. The issue plays a relatively small role in election platforms, with left-wing parties and governments being the exception, as they react only when income levels increase.
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that social media engagement flips from hostility to solidarity after a major crisis, such as the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and Joe Biden's suspension of his re-election campaign. This 'ingroup love' effect is seen in Republican and Democrat posts expressing unity a...
The ECNU Review of Education study examines the impact of globalization on higher education, highlighting increased diversity and global convergence. Researchers found that multiplicity always increases over time, leading to a shift away from US-dominated models.
A new study says the international community must reverse cuts to Rohingya humanitarian aid and work with Dhaka authorities to improve conditions in refugee camps. The research emphasizes that both options – returning to Myanmar or remaining in camps – amount to social death, highlighting the urgent need for action.
A new study finds that partisan hostility is a key driver of protest participation in the US, exceeding concern for actual issues. Hostility towards opposing parties was a major factor in all three analyzed movements, with Americans in highly partisan counties more likely to protest.
Research reveals female candidates are less likely to receive media coverage and have fewer retweets than male counterparts. To overcome the gender penalty, experts argue that women need to invest more resources and skills in their campaigns.
Researchers found that voting behavior did not significantly change despite suspension of rights like freedom of assembly and movement. The estimated drop in vote share was between 0.8 and 1.7 percentage points, statistically insignificant.
A new study by Dr. Ekaterina Kolpinskaya found that Anglicans are disproportionately stable in their affective and electoral support for the Conservative Party, acting as a 'pocket of resistance' to changes in partisan politics. This suggests that religion continues to be socially and politically influential in modern Britain.
A new study emphasizes the importance of increasing transparency about how countries use AI to manage migration, as overuse may perpetuate biases and errors. States should ensure responsible AI use respecting migrant rights and dignity, while complying with international human rights law.
The Taliban has chosen to maintain a delicate balance with local violent jihadi groups, prioritizing economic links and old ties over direct confrontation. This cooperation has significant security implications for the region and beyond.
A University of Kansas professor's new book, 'On Bigotry', explores the concept of bigotry in a critical and nonpartisan manner. The book breaks down how bigotry functions, how it is taught, and its impact on individuals and society.
A new study reveals that civil servants who support the ruling party are more likely to stay engaged, while others tend to leave or disengage, leading to a less diverse and politicized civil service. This shift threatens the competence, neutrality, and public trust of the civil service.
Research by the University of Exeter finds that youth volunteering encourages young men from disengaged homes to vote for the first time. However, this effect is not observed for young women from similar backgrounds. Volunteering effectively reduces socio-economic inequalities in voter turnout among young people.
A new book by UC Merced Professor Christopher Ojeda examines the emotional toll of politics on citizens, highlighting the dangers of disenfranchisement and its impact on mental health. The author offers practical advice for creating space for healthy engagement in democracy.
A study published in PLOS One finds that early childhood education policies worldwide favor competition, individualism, and talent over cooperation, solidarity, and luck. Only four countries acknowledge uncontrollable factors like health and climate disasters as contributors to success.
A new study explores how cousin marriage traditions shape informal businesses in Africa, finding that firms operating in areas with a historical tradition of cousin marriage prioritize hiring relatives and experience greater employment increases but smaller gains in revenue.
Researchers found that partial peace agreements play an important role in building trust and strengthening relationships between negotiators. These agreements offer strategic advantages, including consolidating incremental progress, serving as metrics, testing measures, and signaling a larger commitment to the peace process.
Russian leaders use museums and digital collections to portray Ukraine as inseparable from Russia, framing the invasion as a fight against Nazism and NATO. Researchers urge prioritizing non-Russian sources for balanced approaches.
The University of Exeter has unveiled a new Handbook providing practical guidance for states to develop or review their national positions on international law and cyber activities. The 176-page guide offers concrete and accessible steps for government lawyers, policy officials, academics, and experts in this rapidly evolving field.
A new study by the University of Toronto finds Afghans' life satisfaction and hope at an all-time, global low. The research highlights profound distress and despair within the country due to structural factors like war and political unrest.
A new study from the University of Southampton and Harvard University found that Reform voters are more likely to be matched on dating apps than Conservative voters. Left-wing voters also had an advantage in finding romantic matches, suggesting a polarized society where centre-right voters may be more comfortable with those who disagre...
A unique database of 3,500 global economic elite individuals from 16 countries provides insights into their demographics, education, and influence on economies. The World Elite Database sheds light on the power dynamics of the world's wealthiest individuals and those with regulatory power.
Peiyu Yang will examine how China and Arab world solidarity was framed in official and popular publications from 1949 to 1969. The project aims to understand the role of language and communication in shaping this solidarity.
A study by Ritsumeikan University found that Hezbollah's political communication is shaped by institutional constraints and strategic considerations in Lebanon's consociational democracy. The party adopted a more critical stance during crises but became more cooperative with rivals after diplomatic relations were restored.
Researchers analyzed 788 obsidian artifacts from the Templo Mayor, finding diverse sources of obsidian used for both ritual and everyday objects. The study suggests a complex economy that relied on conquest and active trade with rival polities.
Recent research from the University of Amsterdam found that COVID-19 border closures briefly undermined trust in the EU and increased hostility toward immigrants. Attitudes toward immigrants dropped sharply, but returned to previous levels within a few weeks.
A national survey reveals worsening crisis in the nursing profession, with experienced nurses sending distress signals. Key findings include a troubling paradox between hopeful students and distressed experienced workers, highlighting the need for bold action to stabilize the profession.
New research warns that global policies may lead to triggering of multiple climate tipping points, with a 62% risk on average. However, sustainable future pathways with lower greenhouse gas emissions can significantly reduce this risk.
The study highlights the growing reliance on unregulated private tutoring in Lebanon, driven by government neglect of public education. This is particularly affecting disadvantaged families who are forced to sacrifice their children's well-being to secure their future opportunities.
A study mapped US counties with high rates of water system violations and inequalities in access to safe drinking water. Counties in West Virginia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania ranked among the top 10 for violations, while Mississippi, South Dakota, and Texas topped the list for water injustice.
A team of researchers from Télécom Paris and Politecnico di Milano has developed a system of optical micro-antennas integrated into a programmable photonic chip, which can adapt in real time to restore chaotic signals. This innovation paves the way for chaos-based encryption for secure high-speed communication in hostile environments.
The New Sunshine Hospital School Program provides flexible, adaptive education to hospitalized children, addressing the unique needs of those with severe illnesses. The program's innovative models and strategies have contributed valuable insights to global efforts in healthcare and education.
A study by Associate Professor Mitsuko Tanaka found that a good group work environment significantly increases motivation among English language learners, regardless of individual factors. The research suggests that educators should prioritize environmental preparation for successful project-based learning outcomes.
A study explored how GALs form relationships with youth and the role of training in this process. Findings highlight the critical role of trust and suggest that enhanced training programs, including trauma-informed care and advanced communication skills, can empower GALs to build meaningful connections.