International Journal of Social Science Research and Review

Ideological Polarization and Democratic Fatigue in Contemporary India: Patterns, Implications, and Future Directions

Pankaj Bhanudas Vaishnav — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:07:39 +0000

This article examines the growing intersection of ideological polarization, democratic fatigue, and external-economic influences in contemporary India. As the world’s largest democracy, India’s political and social landscape reflects both the vitality and strain of pluralism. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from political science, sociology, and media studies, the analysis explores competing ideological narratives. It discusses how left–right partisanship, religious and linguistic cleavages are reshaping public discourse and institutional trust. Empirical data from surveys, election studies, and policy reports reveal increasing voter cynicism, declining faith in institutions, and heightened affective polarization within both traditional and digital spaces. The study argues that while ideological diversity can enrich democratic deliberation, sustained polarization risks fragmenting civic cohesion and undermining the credibility of governance. External factors such as information manipulation, cyber interference, and concentrated media ownership further complicate the domestic landscape by amplifying selective narratives and fostering public distrust. Yet, the article also identifies resilience factors, judicial independence, civil society activism, and youth engagement that continue to uphold democratic continuity. Looking forward, three possible trajectories are proposed: democratic deepening, intensified fatigue, and a hybrid outcome where formal democracy persists amid social division. The discussion underscores the need for renewed civic education, media literacy, and inclusive institutional reform to ensure that India’s ideological diversity remains a source of democratic strength rather than fragmentation.

The Russian Geopolitical Imaginaries and the war on Ukraine

Peyman Amiri — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:16:53 +0000

This article analyzes how Russian elites construct geopolitical imaginaries of Ukraine that shape the perception of threat from the annexation of Crimea in 2014 to the ongoing war. Moving beyond mega-narratives such as NATO expansion, the study applies critical geopolitics to examine how spatial, historical, and civilizational narratives are deployed in political discourse to define territory, legitimacy, and adversaries. Using geopolitical discourse analysis of presidential speeches, doctrinal texts, and state media narratives, the article illustrates that Ukraine is imagined as a civilizational core, strategic buffer, and historical territory. These imaginaries affect policy choices, justify invasion, and normalize confrontation with the West. The findings demonstrate that Russia’s war in Ukraine is as much about the construction of space and identity in geopolitical terms as it is about material power, offering a nuanced insight on the impact of elite narratives and their policies

Feasibility of Decriminalizing Small-Quantity Drug Use in Bangladesh Considering Legal, Political and International Perspectives

Md. Manjurul Islam — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:53:42 +0000

This study evaluates the feasibility of decriminalizing minor drug use in Bangladesh, taking into account legal, political, public health, and international viewpoints. Data was gathered by a quantitative method using a structured questionnaire from a varied group of participants, including legal experts, lawmakers, healthcare professionals, and members of the public. The results show that a lot of people support decriminalization, especially because it would ease the strain on the criminal justice system and put more emphasis on rehabilitation than punishment. But political opposition, worries about public safety, and not having enough rehabilitation services are still big problems that make it hard to make these changes. International models, especially those from Portugal and Uruguay, were shown to have a big effect on how people think. The paper indicates that although decriminalization presents potential advantages, it is imperative to tackle legal, political, and healthcare infrastructure constraints for effective policy transformation in Bangladesh.

Managerial Discretion and Corporate Green Innovation

灿红李, 涛江李 — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 20:19:10 +0000

As the central actors in corporate strategy formulation and resource allocation, managers exert a profound influence on a company’s green development. Against the backdrop of China’s policy-driven push for corporate green transformation, this study examines the impact of managerial discretion on corporate green innovation and its underlying mechanisms. Drawing on a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2014 to 2023, the analysis integrates agency theory and stewardship theory, focusing on the formal authority granted to Chief Executive Officer by their boards of directors. Empirical results indicate that managerial discretion exhibits an inverted U-shaped relationship with corporate green innovation: moderate power stimulates stewardship behavior among managers, thereby promoting green innovation, whereas excessive power induces agency problems, which in turn exerts a suppressing effect. Mechanism analysis reveals that R&D investment serves as a key transmission channel and itself exhibits an inverted U-shaped relationship with green innovation. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that this effect is more pronounced in state-owned enterprises and under conditions of high environmental uncertainty. Therefore, firms should reasonably delegate authority to management and actively establish monitoring mechanisms for green R&D investment thresholds to precisely enhance green innovation capabilities.

Mobility, Visibility, and Financial Autonomy among Tailoring Women: Evidence from Wayanad, Kerala

RAHUL K, RAJIMOL M S, PRAJISHA P — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 20:30:13 +0000

This study examines the economic empowerment of tailoring women in Wayanad district, Kerala, by analysing variations across work-station and employment arrangements. Using primary data collected from 100 tailoring women, respondents are classified into three categories: home-based workers (n=30), self-owned shop operators (n=25), and wage labourers in others’ shops (n=45). Empowerment is conceptualised as a multidimensional construct and operationalised through mobility, visibility, and financial decision-making. A standardised composite empowerment index (0–1) is constructed by normalising domain scores and aggregating them using equal weights. The findings reveal a clear empowerment gradient across work settings. Self-owned shop tailors record the highest empowerment (0.77), characterised by stronger financial autonomy, higher public visibility, and greater market-oriented mobility. Home-based tailors demonstrate moderate empowerment (0.53), supported by financial agency but constrained by limited mobility and restricted market exposure. Wage labour tailors exhibit the lowest empowerment (0.38), reflecting weak financial autonomy and low individual visibility despite regular employment. The study demonstrates that ownership and control over the work environment are central to translating employment into sustained economic agency. By offering an occupation-specific multidimensional framework, the paper contributes to the literature on women’s economic empowerment in the informal sector and provides policy-relevant insights for strengthening enterprise ownership, financial autonomy, and market integration among women workers in rural economies.

The Effects of Human Rights of the Tea Plantation Workers: A study on Hamidia Tea Estate, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Taposi Padma Sinha — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 20:46:52 +0000

What are the indicators of human rights acts and regulations that affect tea garden workers? The aim of this article is to explain the state of human rights of tea plantation workers, as often described as pathetic, but no concerted effort has yet been undertaken to promote the human rights condition as a whole in the tea plantation areas of Sylhet. The first tea garden was established in 1854 at Malnichhara in Sylhet. Sylhet is a place of tea gardens. Two other tea gardens, Lalchand and Matiranga, were established in 1860. Tea production in Sylhet increased with notable rapid growth. There are about three hundred thousand people working there, and 75% of the workers are female. Human rights are the fundamental rights in a democratic country. Every nation of the world must be active for the human rights of all citizens. In this study, it is highlighted the concept of human rights initially. Human rights-related laws are constructed for all workers. In a third-world country like Bangladesh, bottom-level workers face numerous problems and find themselves in a slavery place, which creates a big gap between the owner and workers' relations. In the earlier stage, workers led their lives with a miserable level of slavery. Tea is the most preferred beverage by millions of people across the whole world. Sometimes it is difficult to find available secondary sources.

Construction and Standardization of Criterion Referenced Achievement Test for Class-VIII Students

Pulak Bhattacharyya, Manashee Gogoi — Mon, 04 May 2026 11:06:03 +0000

This study emphasizes the development and standardization of a Criterion-Referenced Achievement Test (CRAT) designed for students in Class VIII. The main goal of the test was to evaluate students’ understanding of specific learning outcomes aligned with the set curricular objectives, rather than to compare their performance with that of their peers. The process of creating the test included meticulously identifying content areas, defining instructional objectives, and designing a blueprint to guarantee a balanced representation of topics and cognitive levels. A set of test items was created in accordance with the blueprint, prioritizing clarity, relevance, and alignment with the intended learning outcomes. To ensure content validity, subject matter experts and experienced educators reviewed the test items, assessing their adequacy, representation, and appropriateness. Modifications were made based on their feedback to ensure that the test adequately covered the intended content domain. The preliminary version of the test was administered to a sample of Class VIII students under standardized conditions. For reliability estimation, the test-retest method was employed by administering the same test to the same group after a specific time interval. The obtained reliability coefficient was found 0.77 which indicating a satisfactory level of consistency and stability over time. Item analysis was conducted to determine the difficulty level and discrimination power of each item, leading to refinement and selection of the final set of test items. The standardized test thus developed is considered a valid and reliable tool for measuring students’ achievement in relation to defined criteria.

Assessing Stressors and Coping Strategies in Coast Guard Non-Officers Course (CGNOC) Training: Enhancing Performance, Well-Being, and Operational Readiness

Mariel Laud Tero — Mon, 04 May 2026 18:06:24 +0000

This study aimed to investigate the stress experienced by trainees of the Coast Guard Non-Officers’ Course (CGNOC) in relation to stress perceived level, common causes of stress and coping strategies used. The goal was to provide evidence-based recommendations to improve trainee wellness, performance, and operational readiness. This means that a mixed-methods approach was necessary to make sense of these factors. Quantitative data was also collected using a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) administered to 626 CGNOC trainees to assess current stress levels. Focus group discussions with trainees pre-identified as highly stressed and interviews with Tactical Officers and the unit’s internal psychologist, were used to obtain qualitative insights around experiences of stress, coping strategies, and available institutional support. Data analysis integrated descriptive statistics for the quantitative part and thematic analysis for the qualitative results. The findings showed that two-thirds of trainees had moderate stress levels. Common stressors were physical fatigue, intensive training requirements, time pressure and adjustment to military discipline and living conditions. Despite the challenges mentioned, trainee students predominantly adopted adaptive coping strategies including seeking social support, goal setting and self-regulation and positive reframing. These findings were also supported by expert interviews that proved essential to longevity resilience and maintenance, the importance of mentorship and access to psychological services in a supportive training environment (Zubair & Kamal, 2023).

Domestic Violence in Tajikistan: Shattered Dreams, Broken Ribs, and the Future

Shamima Ahmed, Takhminai Mirali — Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This paper focuses on domestic violence in Tajikistan, discusses the findings of a qualitative study that the authors conducted during 2023-2024 with 17 informants who experienced domestic violence directly or indirectly, and concludes with some recommendations to address this significant issue that has become so ingrained in Tajik society. The in-depth interviews demonstrated the pervasiveness and severity of domestic violence and the numerous social, economic, and cultural factors that contributed to that. The concluding discussion shared the informants' thoughts on changes needed to address this issue.

Determinants of Policy Support in India

Mihira Gujral — Mon, 04 May 2026 19:17:15 +0000

Public opinion and attitude toward certain government policies plays a major role in shaping governance, especially in as politically diverse a nation as India. In recent years, debates have sparked on multiple socio-cultural and economic policies that the government has passed. Therefore, it is crucial to analyse and explore what factors influence citizens to support certain government policies. This study used a survey to gather quantitative data from 64 respondents and analysed the level of trust in the current government, party affiliation and participants’ attitudes toward the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), public versus private investment, the privatisation of services, and censorship laws. The study found that increased trust in the government resulted in higher support for all the government policies listed. Additionally, the study found a significant difference in support for identity based policies between the people affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and people affiliated with other political parties. These findings suggest that trust in the government and political party, and party affiliation play a major role in determining how an individual perceives a government policy.

Endogenous Hygienic Practices and Health Risk Perception in the Artisanal Production of Attiéké

Kouadjo Kouman Arnaud MANOU, Zagocky Euloge Dalloz GUÉHI — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In Côte d’Ivoire, attiéké plays a major role in urban food consumption and in women’s informal food economy. Its artisanal production often takes place under precarious hygienic conditions. Available microbiological studies report recurrent contamination; in some Abidjan markets, more than 90% of samples exceed CODINORM standards. This situation contrasts with local logics of cleanliness and risk management that remain insufficiently connected to formal public health approaches. This article analyses the endogenous hygienic practices associated with artisanal attiéké production and examines how producers perceive and manage the health risks related to their activity. The study is based on a qualitative secondary analysis of 14 scientific publications produced between 2004 and 2024, compiled from academic and institutional databases and examined through cross-thematic analysis. The results show that drying and packaging are the main critical contamination points, that cleanliness is defined through visible and sensory criteria rather than microbiological standards, and that immediate economic constraints relegate health risk to a secondary position. These findings argue for a participatory governance approach grounded in the endogenous logics of producers.

From GARCH to Artificial Intelligence: Bibliometric and Thematic Review (1995-2025)

Vivaan Arora — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This bibliometric study focuses on the changing nature of factors affecting the stock market volatility between the year 1995-2025. Using a data source of 89 reviewed research articles in Scopus and analyzed using VOSviewer through visualizations. The analysis also reveals the main clusters of influence, which include the macroeconomic indicators, political stability, and oil-price shocks, as well as behavioural drivers, including investor sentiment. The results show that the previous papers focused on the GARCH-based modeling and seasonality, whereas recent literature predicts the incorporation of artificial intelligence, deep learning methods, and ESG-associated volatility spill-overs. Bibliographic coupling highlights the fact that network theory is becoming more and more relevant to understand spatial correlations and dynamics of regional contagion. The study reveals that volatility is no longer necessarily understood as an economic variable but instead as a dynamic of complicated world systems. These results serve vital information to policy makers who are working hard to reduce systemic risk as well as retail investors who deal with information asymmetry or imbalance. Future studies should address the gap of methodological fragmentation by combining explainable artificial intelligence with theory-consistent financial models.

Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurial Marketing Innovation as Drivers of National Economic Development: Evidence from Food and Beverage SMES in Port Harcourt

Edwin Okpeku Asikhia, Endurance James Opuene — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has fundamentally changed marketing approaches, transforming how organizations connect with consumers, assess markets, and foster new ideas. This research investigates the impact of AI and entrepreneurial marketing creativity as catalysts for national economic development, specifically focusing on food and drink small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The study was anchored on the resource based view theory which posits that firm specific resources such as AI capabilities and marketing knowledge create sustainable competitive advantage that translates into economic growth. A descriptive survey approach was employed, targeting a selection of food and drink SMEs operating within the Port Harcourt metropolitan area. The population comprised 120 registered food and beverage SMEs operating in Port Harcourt as obtained from the Rivers State ministry of commerce and industry database. Since the population was relatively small and accessible, a census approach was employed meaning that all 120 firms were included in the study. Structured questionnaires were distributed to one key managerial or marketing personnel across the firms, and 110 valid responses were successfully retrieved and analyzed, representing a response rate of 91%. The information was processed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using Pearson product moment correlation and results indicated that AI-powered marketing activities such as automated customer interaction, forecasting analytics, and customized promotion significantly improve entrepreneurial marketing success among SMEs. The research concludes that Artificial Intelligence acts as a vital facilitator of entrepreneurial marketing creativity and national economic development, particularly in emerging economies like Nigeria, where SMEs are the core of industrial expansion. It advises that government organizations, industry oversight bodies, and financial providers support the development of digital skills, offer AI-related funding opportunities, and encourage technological alliances to boost SME competitiveness and national development.

A Case Study-based Analysis of Traditional Food Technology in Sri Lankan Ethno-Culture

Uda Hettige, Lihini Kumarasingha — Wed, 06 May 2026 11:04:59 +0000

Sri Lankan rural societies have maintained a unique food system for daily meals. Meanwhile, the North Central Province of Sri Lanka were developed a barter economy based on goods and services. Traditional rural people grew accustomed to preserving, storing, and protecting surplus production, leading to the creation of "lunu dehi" as a preserved food. As a citrus crop, limes and oranges were abundant in Sri Lanka, and lime cultivation was a significant part of their lifestyle as a popular drink, food, hair care, and ceremonial purposes. To examine the correlation between traditional knowledge, technology, and scientific knowledge, this research emphasizes the traditional method of making "lunu dehi" using lime fruits, and the skills of rural women in making it and used technology to produce "lunu dehi" (lime pickle). The process involves boiling well-ripened limes in a clay pot on a wood stove, draining them in a container, sun steaming with salt cubes for about 7-14 days and climate changes and better skill preventing the mold forming. The study aims to provide insights into the relationship between traditional knowledge, technology, and scientific knowledge in ancient Sri Lankan society. To prepare lime pickle, mature fruit should be cut into four quarters without separation for better absorption of salt, spices, and other pickling agents. Blanching is a short-term heat treatment applied to lime fruits before drying for fermentation to inactivate spoilage enzymes and improve absorption. Salt is a key agent to control water activity and maintain an optimal pH range and vinegar and spices used as flavor enhancers.

The Algorithmic Cage

Carlos F. De Angelis — Fri, 08 May 2026 19:54:44 +0000

This essay examines, from a sociological and philosophical perspective, the hypothesis that artificial intelligence (AI) constitutes a new phase in the modern rationalization process theorized by Max Weber, and that the metaphor of the iron cage ( stahlhartes Gehäuse ) can be reformulated in contemporary terms as an algorithmic cage. It discusses whether algorithmic systems replace, deepen, or transform classical bureaucratic logic, and examines their effects on subjectivity, power, and freedom. The argument is articulated with contributions from Foucault, Habermas, Zuboff, Han, Srnicek, and Winner, along with recently produced specialized literature (2019–2025). The final thesis maintains that AI does not break the Weberian cage, but rather reconfigures it as a more capillary, opaque, and affectively seductive architecture, although this does not close off the margins of autonomy and democratic resistance.

The Gendered Injustices in State-Led Resettlement Housing Programs: A Systematic Review of Global South Realities

Tharcille Dukuzemariya, Wilbard Kombe, Tatu Mtwangi-Limbumba — Thu, 14 May 2026 10:35:51 +0000

The implications of state-led resettlement housing on the adaptation and experience of women in the new housing environment remain poorly understood. This review examines the lived realities of women in state-led resettlement housing and how the intersection of social identities shapes them. Using the PRISMA, Scopus and Research4Life databases, a systematic review of 31 peer-reviewed articles was conducted, and thematic analysis was performed on housing tenure, physical and socio-economic housing dimensions, and policy frameworks to investigate gendered vulnerabilities of women and their intersecting social identities. From the reviewed documents, we establish that there is an increasing scholarship on lived experiences in resettlement housing. We argue that women’s lived experiences are marked by gendered vulnerabilities often overlooked in state-led planning, housing design, and infrastructure provision, which lead to varied vulnerabilities. Therefore, embedding intersectional approaches into housing design, service provision, and livelihood support is crucial for achieving equitable and sustainable resettlement housing outcomes. However, we note that context-specific studies on state-led resettlement housing across the region are necessary.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Stakeholder Involvement in Cameroon’s Mining Sector: A Legal Appraisal

Nkumbe Ebong Mekede — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Even though the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been applauded for several decades, the concept of stakeholder involvement is relatively new to the Cameroonian mining law sector especially with respect to solid minerals. This study investigates the CSR process of an extractive company and examines how stakeholders are engaged in CSR. Using purposive and snowball sampling in identifying its respondents, data was gathered through various stakeholder groups and documents such as sustainability annual reports were analyzed. It was discovered that Mines has consistently had a prominent CSR drive in Cameroon for several years and stakeholder involvement in CSR is important for implementing relevant CSR programs in accordance with the Mining Code. Findings of this study contribute to the building of empirical reference which will serve as guidelines for management practitioners dealing with stakeholder relations and CSR in Cameroon’s mining sector. Therefore, it is recommended that the mining sector put immense effort in engaging various stakeholders in their CSR initiatives.

Perception and Use of Contraceptives Amongst Couples in Cameroon: An Anthropological Qualitative Approach in Urban and Semi-Urban Contexts of Yaoundé

Kah Evans Ngha — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Reproductive health in sub-Saharan Africa, including Cameroon, faces challenges from high fertility rates, unintended pregnancies, and modest modern contraceptive prevalence despite near-universal awareness. This qualitative anthropological study explores perceptions and practices of contraceptive use among couples in urban and semi-urban Yaoundé, Cameroon. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with diverse informants (predominantly women, aged 24-50, varying in marital status, profession, religion, and education) conducted in November 2025, the research employs thematic analysis to examine knowledge, side effects, couple communication, religious/cultural influences, and decision-making. Findings reveal high awareness of modern methods (e.g., pills, condoms, emergency contraception) but selective, intermittent use hindered by experiential side effects (e.g., irregular bleeding, perceived bodily rejection), fears of infertility, and socio-cultural reservations. While benefits like birth spacing and maternal health are acknowledged, barriers include gender asymmetries in responsibility and nuanced religious interpretations. Grounded in medical anthropology (Helman, 2007), socio-cultural critiques (Fassin, 2010), and gender/power dynamics (Blanc, 2001; Giddens, 2009), the study highlights couple communication as a facilitator and advocates for context-sensitive interventions that are couple-centered counseling, side-effect management, and religious engagement to bridge the knowledge-use gap. These insights inform policies toward Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 5 in Cameroon's evolving urban reproductive landscape.

Pregnant Women's Experience of Post-Antenatal Care Communication via WhatsApp in Rural Areas

Fri, 15 May 2026 11:04:40 +0000

Communication after antenatal care (ANC) remains important because many questions arise once pregnant women return home. In rural settings, WhatsApp has begun to function as a simple follow-up channel, but little is known about how women experience this communication in everyday life. This study aimed to explore pregnant women’s experiences of post-ANC communication via WhatsApp in rural areas, including its forms, meanings, benefits, limitations, and unmet communication needs. This qualitative study used a descriptive-exploratory design. It was conducted in March 2026 at Kedungbanteng Community Health Center (Puskesmas Kedungbanteng) in Kedungbanteng Sub-district, Banyumas Regency, Indonesia. Five pregnant women who had experienced WhatsApp communication after ANC visits were selected purposively. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed thematically. Post-ANC communication via WhatsApp was not experienced uniformly. One informant described responsive and reassuring communication from a midwife, while the other four informants mostly received administrative messages, particularly reminders about schedules and follow-up services. Even so, WhatsApp was still considered useful because it helped mothers recall appointments, access information more quickly, and maintain contact with health workers after clinical visits. However, the communication often did not provide sufficient clarification regarding examination results, complaints, danger signs, or practical advice relevant to daily life. This uneven quality shows that digital access alone does not guarantee meaningful follow-up support. WhatsApp has potential to support post-ANC communication in rural maternal care, but its current use remains more administrative than responsive. To better support continuity of information and women’s sense of being cared for, post-ANC communication should become more dialogical, timely, and responsive to the everyday concerns of pregnant women.