Political Science

Religion versus the Global Culture: The News Media’s Role in Navigating Conflict

Academic, Intercultural Communication, Political Science, Religious Studies

Introduction

In the contemporary world, characterized by an increasing interconnectedness among all human civilizations, it is vital to understand the phenomenon of globalization, what it means to live in a global culture, and what our roles are as transnational citizens of the world. As the abilities of our advancing human population increase to allow for a greater sense of connection between individual human civilizations—aided by technology, such as communication technologies (mass media and computerization) and transportation technologies[1]—conflicts between the preservation of, and respect for, the particularities of individual cultures and the encroachment of outside values have become a significant part of our changing world. Though some theorists take opinionated stances encouraging the positive effects of a globalized world society—a hyperglobalist approach[2]—and others take the opposing side, vilifying it for its detrimental effects on the uniqueness of human civilizations—a theorist of the cultural imperialism perspective would take this approach, potentially[3]—the fact of the matter is that it is occurring and we are faced with the responsibility to understand what our role is in this new globalized society.

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Instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Rebel Factions and Neopatrimonialism

Academic, Political Science

 

I. Introduction

In assessing the Democratic Republic of the Congo (hereafter, DRC) and the effectiveness of its governance, a multitude of factors intersect in mosaic fashion, displaying an unstable and decaying state[1]. The scope of this paper will focus primarily on the relationship between the ethno-political factions and the neopatrimonial authority in the DRC and how the interaction of the two has led to the continuation of the DRC’s failing government and issues specifically within its electoral process.

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The Muslim Brotherhood and Egyptian Democracy

Academic, Political Science, Published

The following has been published on The New Polis in a two-part installment. The first installment can be found here. The second installment can be found here. 

  1. Introduction

Within the past century, Egypt has experienced extreme fluctuations within its society and has been characterized by outside domination, conflicting demands for the identity of itself as a nation-state, and economic dependency on external superpowers[1]. Due to the tumultuousness of Egypt’s framework, various religious movements and political parties arose as a response to Egypt’s desire for independence[2]. Of these responses, the Muslim Brotherhood has served to satisfy the religious demands of the nation, while simultaneously contributing to the establishment of a new Egyptian democracy. Despite—and due to the—conflicting perspectives on the Muslim Brotherhood, its role within the Egyptian landscape has not only been necessary, but has geared Egypt toward a democratic process unique to its people, culture, and time.

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