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Comparative Political Theory and International Relations: A Call for Partnership
No full textOver the last decades, critical scholarship in International Relations (IR) has grown, highlighting the Eurocentric, positivist, and hegemonic knowledge-making practices. These critiques have not only highlighted the shortcomings of IR practice but also established their own standpoints, frameworks, and approaches in the discipline, such as Global IR, pluriverse, relationality, and others. While central in imagining alternate IR and its practices, the critiques have ignored the methodological concerns and questions surrounding scholarship, particularly how to do non-Western research in IR and through what means? To address this, this study turns to Comparative Political Theory (CPT), a subfield of political theory, to reflect on questions of methodology and methods in IR. This research proposes espousing the comparative label from CPT and thinking about IR through CPT’s method of ‘dialogue’ and ‘three-step hermeneutics’. ‘Dialogue’ and ‘three-step hermeneutics’ offers critical tools for pursuing non-Western scholarship in IR, emphasising practices of empathetic listening and interpretation led by immersion within the field. By foregrounding methods and methodological discussions in IR, this research aims to reconcile the demands of intelligibility, policy, and practice of non-Western approaches within the discipline
Knowing me, knowing you: Behavioral tracking and the invisible algorithms that shape our lives
No full textThe rise of behavioral targeting signals a pivotal shift in how digital platforms understand and influence human decision-making. By capturing users’ digital footprints, ranging from clicks and scrolls to location and browsing habits, businesses and governments increasingly rely on data-driven systems to personalize experiences, optimize services, and shape consumer behavior. This case study introduces the core mechanisms of behavioral tracking, explaining how cookies, device sensors, and algorithmic models work together to build dynamic user profiles. It further explores the strategic uses of this data in marketing, product design, and public policy, while also surfacing the ethical dilemmas around consent, transparency, and surveillance. Framed through everyday interactions and platform decisions, the case invites critical analysis of the trade-offs between personalization and privacy, making it an essential resource for understanding technology’s role in shaping behavior in the digital age
Decolonial Voices in Education
No full textThe method of decolonization requires epistemology of resistance, a metatheory of social justice and activism of educational leaders from the marginalized and oppressed histories. The formal education system is centred on reductive models of educational psychology meant to control students’ behaviour. The shaping of formal school structure has a strong connection with colonialism in India. The consciousness of formal schooling is also regulated by the demands and expectations of the dominant societal hierarchies and their value systems. These dominant value systems and identities broadcast their voices and imaginations via the educational system without much help to the socially disadvantaged or historically marginalized. This study aims to understand the decolonial voices active in the educational reform movements in India. Adopting a critical interdisciplinary approach, this chapter attempts to position the psychology of the historically marginalized. School education in India needs a change of perception, discursive outlook, and activism for equality. These aspects are usually missing in the urgency to excel and compete. This work discusses the epistemology of resistance from the decolonial experience, especially the leaders and students who lived oppression in their everyday lives
Unclaimed Victories: Re-evaluating India’s 1962 Military Operations
No full textThis article aims to provide a balanced re-evaluation of the 1962 border conflict between India and China, challenging the dominant narrative of an unqualified Indian military defeat while incorporating an analysis of underexplored defensive successes. Using the critical theory of information as a guiding framework, it examines how political decisions, media narratives and operational complexities shaped public perceptions of the conflict. The study draws on Indian archival materials, War Diaries and media reports, supplemented by limited Chinese sources, to reconstruct a more nuanced understanding of the war.The findings reveal that the narrative of India’s defeat is incomplete, as it overlooks the significant resistance and casualties inflicted on Chinese forces in the Western and Easternmost sectors. The only sector where Indian positions fell rapidly because of early withdrawal from defences in Se La–Bomdila was marked by political interference, inadequate preparation and intense media scrutiny, disproportionately influencing the dominant narrative. Furthermore, the unilateral Chinese ceasefire underscores the prohibitive cost of their campaign, challenging simplistic conclusions about their military superiority.By revisiting this historical episode, the article highlights the potential for India and China to engage in more constructive dialogue regarding their bilateral relations and border disputes. It contributes to the literature on the Sino-Indian conflict by offering a critical perspective on military operations, narrative formation and the enduring relevance of this event in contemporary geopolitics
RCEP as a Catalyst for ASEAN Integration and a Model for Global Trade Cooperation
No full textThe Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a vital framework in furthering regional and global economic integration amidst heightened protectionism and anti-globalisation sentiments. The paper tries to discern how the RCEP, as one of the largest trade agreements in the world, serves to stimulate economic integration within the Asia-Pacific area through trade liberalisation, encouraging investment flows, and integrating regional supply chains. The paper further studies the possibility of the RCEP serving as a global trade agreement model through regulatory harmonisation, lowering trade barriers, and fostering sustainable economic practices. The paper also considers the implications of the RCEP on small and medium-sized enterprises (SME s) and local industries to demonstrate how it supports inclusive growth and regional economic resilience. In addition, the paper offers critical perspectives and comparative analysis, highlighting the RCEP’s limited commitments on labour and environmental standards relative to agreements like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the European Union (EU) Single Market. Ultimately, the RCEP represents a pragmatic step toward economic integration, but its long-term significance will depend on whether it evolves into a platform that balances economic ambition with stronger social, environmental, and institutional commitments
Autistic traits, psychosis proneness, and empathy in preadolescents: A network analysis
Get PDFAutism spectrum disorder and psychotic disorders, although clinically distinct, share overlapping characteristics, particularly in the domain of social cognition. Both autistic traits and psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are increasingly conceptualized as existing along a continuum within the general population. Empathy, a fundamental aspect of social cognition, is commonly associated with both conditions. This study examined the relationships among autistic traits, PLEs, and empathy in a large general-population sample of preadolescents using network analysis. Data were drawn from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, including 9,214 participants (age range = 8.92 to 11.08 years; 4,850 males). Autistic traits were assessed using the abbreviated version of the Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition, which measures social and communication difficulties and restricted and repetitive behaviors. PLEs were evaluated using the Prodromal Questionnaire, Brief Child Version, which assesses hallucinations, thought delusions, and grandiose delusions. Associations among these constructs were modeled using both an undirected Gaussian graphical model and a directed acyclic graph (DAG). Higher empathy scores were negatively associated with elevated autistic traits (social and communication interactions and restricted and repetitive behaviors) and with PLEs (grandiose delusions). Moreover, higher levels of autistic traits were positively associated with greater distress related to grandiose delusions and hallucinations. Centrality analysis identified hallucinations as a key node in the network, a result supported by the DAG. Sex-specific analyses revealed subtle differences in network connectivity between males and females. These findings highlight the intricate interplay among autistic traits, PLEs, and empathy during preadolescence and emphasize empathy’s negative relationship with autistic traits. Overall, the results offer insight into shared social cognitive processes across neurodevelopmental and psychosis-spectrum traits
Phytochemical-Assisted Fabrication of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles from Vitex negundo: Structural Features, Antibacterial Activity, and Cytotoxicity Evaluation
Get PDFMultidrug resistance (MDR) is an emerging global health concern worldwide, driving the need for innovative solutions. Herbal approaches are gaining attention and acceptance due to safer profiles and very few side effects. In this study, silver nanoparticles (VN-AgNPs) were synthesized using Vitex negundo, a medicinally valuable plant. A methanolic extract was prepared from Vitex negundo and the phytochemical evaluation confirmed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids, with quantitative analysis revealing high total phenolic content (TPC: 23.59 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content (TFC: 45.23 mg rutin/g), both maximized under microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). The antioxidant activity was also highest (18.77 mg AA/g). Characterization of the optimized extract by GC–MS identified various bioactive compounds. VN-AgNPs were synthesized using the aqueous leaf extract under specified conditions and were structurally characterized using many techniques and evaluated for antibacterial activity against four bacterial strains. VN-AgNPs exhibited significant antibacterial efficacy with inhibition zones measuring 16 ± 0.87 mm against Bacillus (Gram-positive), 15 ± 0.46 mm against E. coli (Gram-negative), 12 ± 0.64 mm against Pseudomonas (Gram-negative), and 11 ± 0.50 mm against Pectobacterium (Gram-negative plant pathogen). These findings highlight the efficacy of green-synthesized VN-AgNPs as a promising alternative to combat MDR pathogens, paving the way for sustainable and effective antimicrobial strategies
A qualitative analysis of women’s reproductive agency and postpartum family planning in Maharashtra, India
Get PDFBackground: Despite the benefits of healthy birth spacing for mothers and infants, the use of postpartum family planning (PPFP) by women in India remains low. We qualitatively examined barriers to PPFP access and use to understand the intersections between women’s reproductive agency, fertility and contraceptive norms, and community interactions with health providers in rural Maharashtra, India.
Methods: We conducted 62 qualitative in-depth interviews with postpartum women, husbands and mothers-in-law of postpartum women, frontline health workers (FLWs) and key community stakeholders in rural Maharashtra from March to May 2022. Semi-structured interview guides included probes related to knowledge of and access to PPFP services, contraceptive decision-making dynamics, interactions with health providers, community norms related to fertility and family planning, and existing and aspirational models for PPFP service delivery. We used an inductive approach to organize emerging codes into themes using Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, categorizing findings into a thematic framework to inform PPFP programming.
Results: Five key themes emerged: (1) Few women received PPFP counseling or services, with marginalized communities disproportionately affected by poor access. (2) Postpartum women lacked agency in contraceptive decision-making and often needed their husband’s approval to access PPFP services. (3) Clinicians identified misinformation, lack of education, and community beliefs in contraceptive myths for lack of informed choice. (4) While norms for limiting family size were strong, contraception was considered a ‘sensitive’ subject and sparked concerns regarding confidentiality in discussing PPFP. (5) Community reported that counseling services were prescriptive and lacked information on the side effects of contraception, leading to the perception of low-quality care and dissatisfaction with PPFP health services.
Conclusions: There is an urgent need to enhance PPFP counseling and service provision within family planning programs in India, emphasize reproductive choice among women, broaden the public dialogue on contraceptive use and find ways to engage men in contraceptive decision making. Interventions that can enhance knowledge and change acceptability of contraception in the community will enhance informed choice for contraceptive use among couples as well as PPFP access and use
Gatekeeping the discipline Re-entering ‘Social Psychology as History’
No full textSocial psychology in India formally adopted a systematic approach aligned with Western understandings of human social relationships. Bringing a modern and traditional approach to constructing the history of social psychology was the major agenda. Even in the so-called tradition, modernity was observed in the new philosophies and heterodox systems. The superiority of the dominant blocked the critical approach towards understanding the objects that were taken for granted. Experimental Social psychology was the result of modernity, and its categories are usually taken as unmalleable, since without understanding the meanings of categories in their original form, it may be difficult to experimentally test the hypothesis or apply any statistical analysis. This helps in generating experimental designs or conducting surveys in order to propose models and theories. The trajectory of doing social psychology depends upon how it fits into the systems prevalent, appreciated, or dominant
Skill, Chance, and Social Harm: The Legislative Turn in India's Gaming Law
No full textThis article examines India's new legislation that imposes a comprehensive ban on online money games, regardless of whether they are games of skill, chance, or mixed formats. The law marks a decisive departure from the century old jurisprudential framework established under the Public Gambling Act 1867 and reinforced by landmark cases such as R.M.D. Chamarbaugwalla v Union of India, which entrenched the skill-chance divide. By foregrounding the socio-economic harms of online money gaming-ranging from addiction and financial distress to youth vulnerability, the Indian Parliament has reframed the regulatory discourse away from technical classifications towards public welfare. Drawing on comprehensive financial analysis of major gaming platforms, documented suicide statistics, and behavioural studies, this article demonstrates that these companies' business models are structurally predicated on user exploitation through aggressive promotional spending and addictive design features. The article situates this legislative shift against a backdrop of fragmented judicial interventions and state level prohibitions, where prior blanket bans were struck down as unconstitutional. The article argues that the ban is both constitutionally defensible and normatively justified, supported by empirical evidence showing that online money gaming causes measurable harm across financial, mental health, and social dimensions that cannot be mitigated through the traditional skill-chance distinction