BLINDED BY THE LIES? Toward an integrated definition of conspiracy theories

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Baden ◽  
Tzlil Sharon
Keyword(s):  
Social Phenomena ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Political Views ◽  
Political Talk ◽  
Natural Discourse ◽  
Rigorous Study ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Operational Potential ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Despite widespread concern over the alleged rise of conspiracy theories, scholars continue to disagree whether it is possible to distinguish specific kinds of conspiracist accounts that can justifiably be denounced as objectionable. In this article, we review scholarship from multiple disciplines to develop a composite definition of “conspiracy theories proper” (CTP) that violate fundamental norms of democratic discourse. Besides referring to grand conspiracies to account for social phenomena, we argue, such conspiracy theories: (a) assume conspirators’ pervasive control over events and information, (b) construct dissent as a Manichean binary, and (c) employ an elusive, dogmatic epistemology. We discuss the operational potential and limitations of our definition using news user talkbacks on the U.S., British and German online editions of Russia Today (RT), a popular platform among proponents of out-of-mainstream political views. Identifying key operational challenges in the classification of natural discourse, we sketch avenues toward a more rigorous study of contentious political talk.

scholarly journals Consideraciones sobre las teorías conspirativas aplicadas a las caravanas de migrantes

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 0
Author(s):  
Jesús Pérez Caballero
Keyword(s):  
Political Discourse ◽  
Conspiracy Theory ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
The Media ◽  
State Actors ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The U.S

The main purpose of this article is to analyze the conspiracy theories that emerged to explain migrant caravans en route to the U.S. in October 2018. Through the doctrinal and documentary review of the main approaches to such theories, a political theological definition of conspiracy theory is proposed. Subsequently, the main newspaper sources that include conspiracy explanations about the caravan phenomenon are examined, comparing them with the characteristics studied, and the proposed definition. It is concluded that some states and non-state actors reacted with a political discourse that had conspiracy theories at its core. It was their way of making sense and exploiting in the media, a novel way of migrating because of its swarming features.

Development and Evaluation of Fuzzy Criteria for the Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis

1996 ◽  
Vol 35 (04/05) ◽  
pp. 334-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.-P. Adlassnig ◽  
G. Kolarz ◽  
H. Leitich
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Reference Model ◽  
American Rheumatism Association ◽  
Uniform Definition ◽  
Sensitivity Rate ◽  
Fuzzy Techniques ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Specificity Rate

Abstract:In 1987, the American Rheumatism Association issued a set of criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to provide a uniform definition of RA patients. Fuzzy set theory and fuzzy logic were used to transform this set of criteria into a diagnostic tool that offers diagnoses at different levels of confidence: a definite level, which was consistent with the original criteria definition, as well as several possible and superdefinite levels. Two fuzzy models and a reference model which provided results at a definite level only were applied to 292 clinical cases from a hospital for rheumatic diseases. At the definite level, all models yielded a sensitivity rate of 72.6% and a specificity rate of 87.0%. Sensitivity and specificity rates at the possible levels ranged from 73.3% to 85.6% and from 83.6% to 87.0%. At the superdefinite levels, sensitivity rates ranged from 39.0% to 63.7% and specificity rates from 90.4% to 95.2%. Fuzzy techniques were helpful to add flexibility to preexisting diagnostic criteria in order to obtain diagnoses at the desired level of confidence.

ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF CLASSIFICATION OF THE CONCEPTS OF INFORMATICS STUDIED AT SECONDARY SCHOOL

2018 ◽  
pp. 4-7
Author(s):  
S. I. Zenko
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Computer Science ◽  
Parts Of Speech ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Definition Of

The article raises the problem of classification of the concepts of computer science and informatics studied at secondary school. The efficiency of creation of techniques of training of pupils in these concepts depends on its solution. The author proposes to consider classifications of the concepts of school informatics from four positions: on the cross-subject basis, the content lines of the educational subject "Informatics", the logical and structural interrelations and interactions of the studied concepts, the etymology of foreign-language and translated words in the definition of the concepts of informatics. As a result of the first classification general and special concepts are allocated; the second classification — inter-content and intra-content concepts; the third classification — stable (steady), expanding, key and auxiliary concepts; the fourth classification — concepts-nouns, conceptsverbs, concepts-adjectives and concepts — combinations of parts of speech.

Determining the discount rate when evaluating trade organizations: Some features

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-84
Author(s):  
E.A. Grigor'eva ◽  
A.S. Buzhikeeva
Keyword(s):  
Discount Rate ◽  
Economic Activity ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Market Value ◽  
Additional Risk ◽  
Evaluation Procedures ◽  
Analytical Research ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Traditional Approaches

Subject. This article deals with the issues of determining the market value of the trading business, taking into account a number of characteristics. Objectives. The article aims to develop certain provisions of the methodology and practice of evaluating the business of trading organizations, namely, taking into account the additional risk of inventory feasibility when calculating the discount rate. Methods. For the study, we used a systems approach, and the cognition, and economic and analytical research methods. Results. The article presents a three-tiered classification of stocks and a definition of risk based on the criteria for dividing stocks by purpose, degree of implementation, and shelf life in accordance with the scale. Based on the classification, the article offers certain recommendations for determining the discount rate when evaluating trading organizations, aimed at taking into account additional risk. Conclusions. Various evaluation procedures within the framework of traditional approaches and methods in relation to trading organizations do not take into account risk specific to this type of economic activity. The proposed methodology for calculating the discount rate for trade organizations takes into account the features of their functioning.

State Failure and the Political Violence Phenomenon: A Comparative Analysis of Iraq and Syria Cases

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 170 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Eylem Özkaya Lassalle
Keyword(s):  
Cold War ◽  
Political Violence ◽  
State Failure ◽  
The Political ◽  
Collective Violence ◽  
Short Run ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Cold War

The concept of failed state came to the fore with the end of the Cold War, the collapse of the USSR and the disintegration of Yugoslavia. Political violence is central in these discussions on the definition of the concept or the determination of its dimensions (indicators). Specifically, the level of political violence, the type of political violence and intensity of political violence has been broached in the literature. An effective classification of political violence can lead us to a better understanding of state failure phenomenon. By using Tilly’s classification of collective violence which is based on extent of coordination among violent actors and salience of short-run damage, the role played by political violence in state failure can be understood clearly. In order to do this, two recent cases, Iraq and Syria will be examined.

ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF PHEROMONES

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-68
Author(s):  
Nondira Khondhodjayeva ◽  
◽  
Nurmamat Rajabov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Significance ◽  
Ecological Significance ◽  
Definition Of

This article reveals the essence of the concept of "pheromones" and their biological significance. In the article variants of their application in agriculture for struggle against insects-pests are presented. The definition of term and classification of pheromones and their types are given: feromons of insects, feromons of fish, feromons of vertebrates, feromons of humans, fermons of plants, sexual feromons, anxiety feromons, trace feromons, epidemic feromons and their functions and significance for the representative's organism and the environment as a whole

(A review). BRAUN-BLANQUETIA. Recueil de travaux de geobotanique / review of geobotanical monographs. Vol. 46. Centenaire de la phytosociologie. CAMERINO, 2010. 423 p.

2011 ◽  
pp. 143-147
Author(s):  
L. G. Naumova ◽  
V. B. Martynenko ◽  
S. M. Yamalov
Keyword(s):  
Plant Association ◽  
Northern Asia ◽  
The Third ◽  
International Botanical ◽  
International Botanical Congress ◽  
History Of ◽  
Definition Of

Date of «birth» of phytosociology (phytocenology) is considered to be 1910, when at the third International Botanical Congress in Brussels adopted the definition of plant association in the wording Including Flaó and K. Schröter (Flahault, Schröter, 1910; Alexandrov, 1969). The centenary of this momentous event in the history of phytocenology devoted to the 46th edition of the Yearbook «Braun-Blanquetia», which began to emerge in 1984 in Camerino (Italy) and it has a task to publish large geobotanical works. During the years of the publication of the Yearbook on its pages were published twice work of the Russian scientists — «The steppes of Mongolia» (Z. V. Karamysheva, V. N. Khramtsov. Vol. 17. 1995), and «Classification of continental hemiboreal forests of Northern Asia» (N. B. Ermakov in collaboration with English colleagues and J. Dring, J. Rodwell. Vol. 28. 2000).

ECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC EFFECTIVENESS OF USE LAND IN CONDITIONS OF INFRINGEMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL TRANSFORMATIONS

2018 ◽  
pp. 58-61
Author(s):  
Oksana Sakal
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Social Welfare ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Economic Effectiveness ◽  
Land User ◽  
Total Economic Value ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Welfare Theory

The article is devoted doctrinal issues of environmental and economic effectiveness of use land in conditions of infringement of institutional transformations. The modern approaches to the definition of content of ecological and economic effectiveness of land use are analyzed. It is established that the overwhelming majority of domestic researchers interpret this notion regarding the use of agricultural land or farm land. It is proved that such an approach is justified, taking into account the structure of the land fund of Ukraine. However, this reduces other goals of the land user and functions of the land. It is proposed to investigate the category of ecological and economic effectiveness of land use in accordance with the provisions of the ecological economics, social welfare theory, and concept of total economic value. Based on the classification of land functions, the criteria of selection material content and social form of ecological and economic effectiveness of land use are determined.

THE SEC PREEMPTS THE ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES BOARD IN 1965: THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE DEFERRED TAX CREDIT RELATING TO INSTALLMENT SALES

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen A. Zeff
Keyword(s):  
Securities And Exchange Commission ◽  
Accounting Practice ◽  
Slow Pace ◽  
Accounting Principles ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Deferred Tax ◽  
Accounting Procedure ◽  
The U.S ◽  
Do So

In 1959, the Accounting Principles Board (APB) replaced the Committee on Accounting Procedure because the latter was unable to deal forthrightly with a series of important issues. But during the APB's first half-dozen years, its record of achievement was no more impressive than its predecessor's. The chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Manuel F. Cohen, criticized the APB's slow pace and unwillingness to tackle difficult issues. This article discusses the circumstances attending the SEC's issuance of an Accounting Series Release in late 1965 to demonstrate forcefully to the APB that, when it is unable to carry out its responsibility to “narrow the areas of difference” in accounting practice, the SEC is prepared to step in and do so itself. In this sense, the article deals with the tensions between the private and public sectors in the establishment of accounting principles in the U.S. during the mid-1960s. The article makes extensive use of primary resource materials in the author's personal archive, which have not been used previously in published work.

Covert Action: United States Law in Substance, Process, and Practice

2010 ◽  
pp. 586-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Baker
Keyword(s):  
National Security ◽  
Executive Branch ◽  
Legal Practice ◽  
Legal Regime ◽  
Covert Action ◽  
The Third ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Traditional Activity ◽  
The U.S

This article discusses covert action within the context of the U.S. law. The first section describes the main elements of the U.S. legal regime, including the definition of covert action and the “traditional activity” exceptions, the elements of a covert action finding, and the thresholds and requirements for congressional notification. The second section describes some of the significant limitations on the conduct of covert action. The third section discusses the nature of executive branch legal practice in this area of the law. And the last section draws conclusions about the role of national security law within the context of covert action.

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