International and Area Studies Commons^™

Enhancing Urban Tourism In Bangkok: Challenges And Opportunities, Pechladda Pechpakdee

Asian Review

his research aims to investigate the interplay between urban development and urban tourism in Bangkok by identifying challenges, potentials, and opportunities for enhancing the city’s appeal. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study incorporates foreign tourist questionnaires, stakeholder interviews, and online open data analysis from prominent travel platforms. The findings reveal that, despite numerous clusters of tourist attractions and facilities, mobility infrastructure emerges as the most significant challenge for urban tourism and development in Bangkok. The study recom-mends concentrating on the development of primary attractions, secondary support facilities, and additional elements for conve-nient mobility to address these challenges. By acknowledging the …

The Stories Of Construction And Contention: The 14th Of October 1973 Memorial And The 2020 Student Movement In Thailand, Gil Turingan

Asian Review

This study argues that the construction of the 14th of October 1973 Memorial (Anuson Sathan Sip Si Tula) embodies the complicated Thai democracy and the democratic quest and struggles of the Thai people. By looking at the historical accounts and narratives of its construction and analyzing the symbols and meanings of the structure, this article reveals that from being a space for remembrance and a venue of commemoration of the October 1973 student revolution, this memorial transformed into a platform for democracy over time up to the emergence of the 2020 student movement. The protest activities, particularly the performative actions …

Introduction, Jirayudh Sinthuphan

Asian Review

This collection of articles in  this edition of the  Asian Review examines key socio-economic, political, and cultural dimensions across diverse regional and historical contexts. Each contribution sheds light on critical issues that influence human security, social policy, international relations, and cross-cultural business practices. Together, they provide valuable insights for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners interested in understanding the complexities of these domains.

Taliban 2.0 And Geopolitical Security Concerns In South Asia’S Neighbourhood, Masom Jan Masomy, Anup Shekhar Chakraborty

Asian Review

The emergence of Taliban 2.0 has raised significant geopolitical security concerns in the South Asia region, particularly in the neighbouring countries of India and Pakistan. The effectiveness of the peace deal between the United States and the Taliban appears to be limited, as it has not produced the intended outcomes as initially stated. The objective was to establish a period of uninterrupted peace across Afghanistan. The rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan was facilitated by a military coup, which subsequently led to the withdrawal of United States and NATO forces from the region. The government led by Ashraf Ghani, with …

A Causal Discovery Exploration Of Determinants Of Social Isolation, Barry Nuqoba, Kenneth Choo, Yi Wen Tan, William Tov

ROSA Research Briefs

In this report, we explore the potential causes of social isolation among older adults in Singapore using causal discovery. We found an inferred causal relationship between perceived helpfulness and social isolation, where older adults who perceived themselves as helpful were less likely to perceive themselves as socially isolated. Our study also found that perceived isolation and loneliness may be distinct concepts among older adults in Singapore, with loneliness being more likely to precede social isolation. Policy recommendations include promoting a sense of helpfulness through programs such as volunteering to reduce social isolation.

Religious Symbolism In Rhetoric Of Right Populist Parties, Serhii Kostiuchkov, Dmytro Garaschuk, Viacheslav Serhieiev, Kateryna Volkova

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article explores the use of religious symbolism in the populist rhetoric of Poland's Law and Justice (PiS) party and Hungary's Fidesz party. Both parties leverage historical and cultural narratives emphasizing Christianity's role in their national identities to legitimize their political agendas and mobilize support. The study examines how these populist leaders incorporate religious imagery and language to create a moral dichotomy between the “righteous people” and the “corrupt elite,” thereby deepening societal divisions and undermining democratic governance. In Poland, the PiS party's close alignment with the Catholic Church reinforces its nationalist and anti-EU stance, while in Hungary, Fidesz employs …

Warsaw Uprising Of 1944, Vanessa K. Gusciora

Pell Scholars and Senior Theses

The Warsaw Uprising of 1944 was a major World War II operation by the Polish resistance Home Army (Armia Krajowa) to liberate Warsaw from Nazi German occupation. It began on August 1, 1944, and lasted 63 days, as the poorly equipped resistance fought against well-armed German forces. The Soviet Red Army, stationed across the Vistula River, offered no significant aid, leaving the insurgents isolated. The uprising was brutally suppressed, resulting in approximately 200,000 Polish civilian and combatant deaths. Warsaw was left in ruins, and the city’s population was forcibly expelled. Despite its tragic outcome, the uprising symbolized Polish resistance and …

Carry The Revolution Until The End: The Role Of Maoist Dialectics In Modern Chinese Politics, Elijah Han

Araneum: Richmond Journal of American & Global Affairs

Despite the significant changes brought by reform and opening up and the apparent demise of Maoism as the Communist Party’s governing ideology, Maoism has continued to thrive in Chinese politics as a political language and dialectical theory despite theoretical weaknesses inherited from its European counterparts. An investigation into the frequency of mentions of “contradiction” and their contexts within the political reports to the 20 National People’s Congresses since the founding of the People’s Republic demonstrates that Maoist dialectical rhetoric is effective in setting policy goals, driving policy reform, and consolidating national unity. Furthermore, the patterns of frequency reflect changes in …

The Lion, The Fox, And The President: Machiavelli's Foreign Policy And Barack Obama, Eli Chancey

Araneum: Richmond Journal of American & Global Affairs

This undergraduate thesis is a culmination of a senior seminar course focused on the works of Florentine politician and statesman Niccol. Machiavelli. Infamous for his common caricature as an amoral shoulder devil for authoritarians, Machiavelli’s works have been interpreted in countless fashions. While The Prince and the Discourses, his two most significant writings, mainly focus on domestic politics, they give some attention to international affairs. This thesis serves to identify Machiavelli’s foreign policy philosophy within these works and reconcile the differences between their varied interpretations. Then, it will turn toward a modern-day prince, President Barack Obama, to determine his level …

"I See Your True Colors Shining Through": How Judge Attributes Affect Outcomes In Transgender Rights Cases, Jordan Jones

Araneum: Richmond Journal of American & Global Affairs

This study examines how U.S. District Court judge attributes influence case outcomes in transgender rights lawsuits. The judge attribute model says that judges are influenced by outside factors, which are the key independent variables in this study. These include judge ideology, gender, and age. There is variation in the categories that transgender cases fall under, so different case types are tested. Additionally, there is a concurring region and religiosity variable. This variable stems from data that certain regions are more religious than others and that religion may have an influence on the viewpoints of transgender people. The dependent variable is …

Deforestation, Trade Liberalization, And Environmental Politics In The Brazilian Amazon: 1990-2022, Kerin Debany

Araneum: Richmond Journal of American & Global Affairs

This paper explores the relationship between trade liberalization and deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon from the beginnings of widespread trade liberalization in the 1990s to 2022. This paper, through an analysis of deforestation from soy and beef production, concludes that trade openness and foreign direct investment (FDI) alone cannot fully explain the rapid environmental degradation occurring in the Brazilian Amazon. Despite Brazil’s efforts to integrate into global markets, the levels of trade and FDI are relatively low. Instead, the policies of Brazil’s government play a decisive role in shaping deforestation trends. The contrasting presidencies of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva …

Creating New Webs, Jackson Sandler-Bussey

Araneum: Richmond Journal of American & Global Affairs

No abstract provided.

Introduction, Kyle Giardine

Araneum: Richmond Journal of American & Global Affairs

No abstract provided.

Why Do We Vote?: An Analytical And Data-Centered Approach To The Impact Of Infrastructure Quality On Voter Turnout In Virginia Counties, Alex F. Broening

Araneum: Richmond Journal of American & Global Affairs

Everyday political discourse centers around the direction of voting far more than the choice to vote itself, despite low turnout rates in the United States overall, and especially in local and non-presidential elections. No existing model provides a complete explanation of the reasons and influences that cause individuals to participate in politics by casting a ballot, and the literature is especially fractured with regards to issue-specific activation of voters. This work expands on previous issue-focused studies by performing turnout analyses for Virginia counties alongside geographic analysis of infrastructure quality and access. The findings suggest that the quality of infrastructure has …

From Arrival To Citizenship: Assessing Refugee Resettlement In Canada, Ethan S. Kanef

Honors Theses

In this thesis, I examine the role of private sponsorship mechanisms in the resettlement of refugees in Canada. Private sponsorship allows citizens and organizations to do more to help those who need assistance, though there are positives and negatives to this program and concerns about its long-term stability. My thesis discusses the impacts of these resettlement mechanisms as a whole, based on a review of prior scholarship and interviews conducted in Montreal and Toronto. I focus on the refugee experience before arrival and the role of different application processes and culture in Quebec. After arrival, the paper examines economic and …

Is Energy Localized Or Gone With The Wind? An Analysis Of Iberdrola’S Wind Energy Localization Initiatives In Burgos, Spain, Mia Cromwell

Honors Theses

While renewable energy systems offer solutions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainable development, and foster a just energy transition, certain energy projects account for local needs while others do not. While community energy projects are known to provide localized energy benefits, less is known about large-scale companies’ abilities to foster just transitions through their energy systems. To better understand how global actors can promote a just and sustainable transition through renewable energy deployment, I explore the following research question with a focus on the global electric utility Iberdrola: To what degree does Iberdrola implement energy localization initiatives through wind …

The Kathina Robe Offering Festival In Myanmar: Unveiling Social Dynamics And Cultural Identity, May Zin Nyunt

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This research paper examines the Kathina Robe Offering Festival in Myanmar, a major cultural and religious event that has plays an important role in building social cohesion, preserving cultural identity, and perpetuating Buddhist beliefs. Anchored in the Theravada Buddhist practices of generosity (dana), merit-making, and rejoicing, the Kathina Festival is a significant expression of communal and religious values in Myanmar's diverse society. This study aims to identify the multi-faceted role played by the Kathina festival in urban and regional perspectives, and it explains how it is used to create community cohesiveness in Yangon, or how local cultural nuances differ from …

La Voz Winter 2024, El Instituto: Institute Of Latina/O, Caribbean, And Latin American Studies

La Voz

In this issue: 

• Joint Senior Faculty Hire Between the Department of Sociology and El Instituto
• Congratulations to our Colleague Rodolfo Fernandez!
• Building a Better Future: The Latino and Puerto Rican Policy Agenda Summit
• New PRSI Dashboards
• Update on NDOU Department
• CALAHE Annual Conference

The Kitchen In The Church Complex: Work And Sacred Space At ‘Ain El-Gedida, Dana Robinson

Faculty Publications - Department of History and Politics

The fourth-century church complex at ‘Ain el-Gedida, in the Dakhleh Oasis, provides a striking case study for the integration of kitchen work into social and religious space in late antiquity. Its unique features – both sociological and archaeological – reflect a dynamic, rough-and-tumble integration that both protects the sacred space of the nave and centres the productive labour of cooking. This article analyses the anteroom/kitchen B6 from the perspectives of space syntax, the communicative landscape of labour, and the sociology of graffiti. While it may have been designed as a transitional zone or service auxiliary for the primary public spaces …

Interculturality, Creolization, And Globalization In "Ángeles Nómadas" By Minelys Sánchez, Cecily Bernard

Comparative Woman

No abstract provided.

Madness As Response To Inherent Cultural Conflicts In Anglophone Fiction From 1700 To 2020, Anna Klambauer

Comparative Woman

Madness in literature has a long and colourful history. While its representation varies significantly in different literary periods, madness is nonetheless a consistent theme responding to inherent conflicts of civilisation. Thus, in the eighteenth-century novel, madness is subdued and forced to express itself in the language of rationality, while in the nineteenth century the theme becomes increasingly subversive. In the form of the madwoman trope (Gilbert and Gubar 1979), madness is simultaneously a reaction to restrictive patriarchal norms, and a frame in which the gender conflicts of the time can be safely and effectively played out. In the twentieth century, …

"Too Immoral To Be Narrated By A Woman": Censoring Erotic Fiction Of Arab Women Writers In Girls Of Riyadh And Distant View Of A Minaret And Other Stories, Muhammed Salem

Comparative Woman

In the Arab world, bargaining with censorship has been an ongoing struggle for writers, particularly female authors. How could we explain that only male writers were allowed to discuss sexuality in the Arabic canon, insofar as female characters are portrayed as passive sexual objects? Are Arab women writers victims of double censorship? One is imposed on their fellow male writers, and another is tacit censorship which judges women’s morality based on their writing. Girls of Riyadh (2007) by Saudi novelist, Rajaa Abdullah Alsanea, and Distant View of the Minaret and Other Stories (1987) by Egyptian novelist, Alifa Rifaat, are two …

Mapping Literature In The Age Of Ai, Virginia Ramos

Comparative Woman

"Mapping literature in the age of AI" discusses the concept of "mapping", from its historical meaning to its technological meaning in the field of literature and AI tools developed in recent years and designed to "map literature". The article addresses ethics, biases, and the issue of human capacities vis a vis machine capacities, in support of the critical and crucial value of the humanities and their unavoidable relationship with GenAI.

[Review Of The Book African Security: Local Issues And Global Connections, By A. B. Bah], Christopher Korkor

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

The article focuses on how the Basketball Africa League (BAL) utilizes Instagram to shape its public image and promote its players within a growing continental sports league. Topics include the league's strategic use of social media content—primarily game highlights and player achievements rather than sponsorship or social initiatives—the framing of athlete nationality in promotional material, and the broader tension between showcasing African talent and appealing to international audiences.

Strategic Diplomacy: The Singapore Case, Country Report For The Project On ‘Strategic Diplomacy For 21st Century Defence And Statecraft’, Evelyn Goh, Wee-Kiat Lim

CCX Research

How does Singapore conduct strategic diplomacy despite being a small and constrained state? This report first identifies the major long-term drivers affecting Singapore’s security, both at the domestic level (rapidly ageing population, immigrant assimilation, and growing societal fault-lines) and at the international or systemic level (changing global order, power of technology, slow collective action on climate change). Then it analyses how Singapore strategists deal with two of their most prominent problem-sets: (i) positioning Singapore in relation to the US-China rivalry and the changing international order; and (ii) tackling climate change as a collective action problem. Both problem-sets illustrate how Singapore …

Impact Of A Covid-19 Related Lockdown On The Experience Of Informal Caregiving In Singapore, Vicky Mengqi Qin, Abhijit Visaria, Rahul Malhotra

ROSA Journal Articles and Publications

Introduction: Lockdowns, while limiting COVID-19 transmission, can affect provision of care by informal caregivers and their caregiving experience. We assessed, among informal caregivers in Singapore, (a) the perceived impact of a 2-month (April to May 2020) nationwide lockdown on their care provision, (b) correlates of different perceptions of the impact of the lockdown on care provision, and (c) association of different perceptions of the impact with negative and positive experiences of caregiving. Methods: In the August 2020 wave of the Singapore Life Panel (SLP; nationally representative, longitudinal monthly survey of Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged 50-70 years at baseline), …

“Under The Influence Of Soviet Reality”: The Life And Work Of The Kgb Agent “Goroshko” (Chief Bishop Of The Pentecostals Of The Ussr Gavril Ponurko), Oleksandr Korotaiev

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article attempts to describe, based on top secret OGPU-KGB materials, the life and work of a KGB agent, a major Pentecostal authority, chairman, and later Chief Bishop, of the All-Ukrainian (in fact, of the all-USSR) Council of Christians of the Evangelical faith, aka Pentecostals (AUCCEF), Gavril Gavrilovich Ponurko (1889–1978). The article presents interesting, previously unknown, facts from the life of Gavril Ponurko, describes his life milestones and the reasons that led Ponurko to cooperate with the special services. The article also cites the dogmatic teaching of Pentecostals in relation to the Soviet and Nazi authorities, approved by them in …

Presenting Past People: Storytelling Through Prehistoric Garment Reconstructions, Floor Huisman, Anna Zimmermann, Ronja Lau, Karina Grömer

Textile Crossroads: Exploring European Clothing, Identity, and Culture across Millennia

This paper argues that we need to focus on past people (rather than just objects) in our narratives and museum displays to engage museum visitors more effectively. It will demonstrate that we can use a combination of well-researched physical and digital prehistoric garment reconstructions to implement more people-centered approaches also used in living history, which bring the past to life and allow visitors to literally come face-to-face with long-dead people. In this way, visitors can relate to past people on an emotional level, which helps them to learn much more about past life than many traditional displays. After outlining how …

Frontmatter For Textile Crossroads: Exploring European Clothing, Identity, And Culture Across Millennia, Kerstin Droß-Krüpe, Louise Quillien, Kalliope Sarri

Textile Crossroads: Exploring European Clothing, Identity, and Culture across Millennia

Title and copyright pages, Acknowledgments, Contents, Prefaces.

We believe this volume has the potential to contribute to the advancement of European scientific excellence and competitiveness, fostering a deeper understanding of the cultural, technological, and societal significance of textiles and clothing in shaping European identity and heritage through the millenia. We hope that the anthology will find a wide and interested readership, and that it will inspire many new research projects in the field of textile history.

Technical And Technological Analyses Of Excavated Textiles, Christina Margariti, Judith Goris, Petra Linscheid, Agata Ulanowska

Textile Crossroads: Exploring European Clothing, Identity, and Culture across Millennia

Textiles are particularly complex and labor-intensive structures, thus their constructive elements, such as fibers and yarns, as well as the final textile products (e.g., threads, cords, fabrics, and applied decoration) reveal a range of important technical, technological, and sociocultural information. In this paper, we discuss the analysis of excavated textiles at two levels:

1) Technical analysis that offers basic information about the qualities of examined textile samples.

2) Technological analysis that provides insights into technology, social relations of production, and the level of craft specialization or production modes.

Both analyses offer new evidence for environmental resources, sustainability, trade, and exchange, …