Food in transition: The place of food in the theories of transition

2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 702-724
Author(s):  
Jean-Pierre Poulain
Keyword(s):  
Social Change ◽  
Structural Transformation ◽  
Stable State ◽  
Transition Theory ◽  
Transition Model ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Progressive Movement ◽  
Biological Variables ◽  
Multidisciplinary Perspective ◽  
Theories Of Transition

Among the different theories used to explain social change, the transition theory holds a special place. It has been applied to subjects such as demography, epidemiology, nutrition, etc. and most often from a multidisciplinary perspective. However, beyond the apparent uniqueness of the transition label there are quite different theoretical frameworks and presuppositions, which can be a source of misunderstanding. A first perspective considers change as the transition from one stable state to another and concentrates on the processes at work in the transition phase. It focuses attention on the interactions between cultural and biological variables and tries to take into account the consequences of the fact that they move at different rates. A second perspective conceives change as a series of stages (more or less stable situations) and proceeds to analyse the structural transformation of the organisation at each stage. The emphasis is placed on the transformations that take place during these stages. This brings us closer to the theory of stages. Finally, a third perspective combines stages and transitions. Change is seen as part of an evolutionary and progressive movement and as being reversible or not. This article studies the cognitive organisation of the different theoretical variants of the transition model in which food plays a more or less important role.

Education and Social Change: A Critique of Contextualism

1986 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terri Seddon
Keyword(s):  
Social Change ◽  
Social Context ◽  
Educational Research ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
The Social ◽  
Explanatory Adequacy ◽  
Education And Social Change

The concept ‘social context’ has become increasingly common in educational research. But unproblematic use of the concept has masked significant differences in its conceptualization. This paper examines the ‘social context’ and hence the trend to contextualism, as a locus of conceptual conflict. The origins of the concept are traced and competing contemporary conceptualizations are critically examined. The analysis indicates that different conceptualizations are underpinned by different philosophical assumptions and theoretical frameworks. These give rise to quite different analyses and understandings of educational phenomena. The paper argues that such conceptual conflict should not be ignored. The already valuable trend to contextualism would be enhanced by confronting and evaluating the competing conceptualizations. By highlighting the limitations and potential of different positions their explanatory adequacy would be revealed, thereby setting an agenda of necessary critical work for their advocates.

A Divorce Transition Model

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina M. Steefel
Keyword(s):  
Transition Theory ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Transition Model ◽  
Comprehensive Model ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Available Information

A comprehensive model of divorce experience can provide a useful framework for organizing available information, for incorporating research results, and for planning therapeutic interventions with divorcing clients. The concept that the experience of divorce can be thought of as a cluster of specific small divorces is combined with transition theory to form such a model. Examples of application for practice are provided.

scholarly journals The Ideology and Praxis of Shi'ism in the Iranian Revolution

1983 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahrough Akhavi
Keyword(s):  
Social Change ◽  
Social Integration ◽  
Structural Transformation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Iranian Revolution ◽  
World Religion

The Iranian revolution of 1979 presents a case in which religion has stimulated profound social change, rather than serving only as a basis for social integration. Although scholars have recently been reminded of the revolutionary potential of religious commitments, the view that religion tends to inhibit large-scale social change continues to enjoy currency. It may be that, in the light of events in Iran in the last five years, observers of Islamic societies will now be tempted to overstress the revolutionary tendencies of that great world religion. Yet it is difficult to exaggerate the force and depth of feeling which Shi'i belief and practice has generated in Iran for the purpose of the structural transformation of society.

“History as Revelation” in the Theology of the Social Gospel

1983 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
William McGuire King
Keyword(s):  
Political Philosophy ◽  
Social Change ◽  
Social Action ◽  
Social Gospel ◽  
Progressive Movement ◽  
Rational Application ◽  
The Social ◽  
Christian Socialism ◽  
Religious Ideals

Historical studies of the American social gospel have concentrated on the social and economic viewpoint of the movement. Such a focus is understandable since the fundamental premise of the social gospel was the belief that social change should be controlled and directed through the rational application of religious ideals. Scholarly interest in the movement has thus naturally gravitated towards questions of practical import: how the social gospel galvanized the churches to social action; how it challenged dominant political assumptions; how it contributed to the success of the progressive movement; how it helped to promote cooperative social ideals and a limited type of Christian socialism; and how it struggled with the problem of finding a realistic political philosophy.

scholarly journals Multi-Model- and Soft-Transition-Based Height Soft Sensor for an Air Cushion Furnace

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 926 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuai Hou ◽  
Xinyuan Zhang ◽  
Wei Dai ◽  
Xiaolin Han ◽  
Fuan Hua
Keyword(s):  
Hybrid Model ◽  
Mechanistic Model ◽  
Stable State ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Soft Sensor ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Transition Model ◽  
K Nearest Neighbors ◽  
Air Cushion ◽  
Partition Method

The floating height of the strip in an air cushion furnace is a key parameter for the quality and efficiency of production. However, the high temperature and high pressure of the working environment prevents the floating height from being directly measured. Furthermore, the strip has multiple floating states in the whole operation process. It is thus difficult to employ a single model to accurately describe the floating height in different states. This paper presents a multi-model soft sensor to estimate the height based on state identification and the soft transition. First, floating states were divided using a partition method that combined adaptive k-nearest neighbors and principal component analysis theories. Based on the identified results, a hybrid model for the stable state, involving a double-random forest model for the vibration state and a soft-transition model, was created to predict the strip floating height. In the hybrid model for the stable state, a mechanistic model combined thick jet theory and the equilibrium equation of force to cope with the lower floating height. In addition, a novel soft-transition model based on data gravitation that further reflects the intrinsic process characteristic was developed for the transition state. The effectiveness of the proposed approach was validated using a self-developed air cushion furnace experimental platform. This study has important value for the process prediction and control of air cushion furnaces.

scholarly journals Democratic Transitions: Are There Recipes for Success?

ICR Journal ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 105-127
Author(s):  
Deina Abdelkader
Keyword(s):  
Social Movements ◽  
Social Change ◽  
Causal Relationship ◽  
Democratic Transition ◽  
Transition Theory ◽  
Democratic Transitions ◽  
The Masses ◽  
The Military

In transitioning to democracy, rationalists assume that either the masses or the elites bring about change. This paper hypothesises that there is a causal relationship between the actors involved in social change and the end product the progress of democratic transition and whether revolution from below or from above is more likely to bring about the transition. By examining Pacting Theory as a democratic transition theory, this paper will analyse the role of the military in Egypts democratisation process. The interplay of the military powers and relinquishing those powers to a civilian government will have implications for social movements theory and the approaches to democratic transition theory.

4-Helix Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

2021 ◽  
pp. 148-165
Author(s):  
Jose Manuel Saiz-Alvarez
Keyword(s):  
Social Change ◽  
Middle Class ◽  
Structural Transformation ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Quadruple Helix ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
Primary Driver ◽  
Quadruple Helix Model

The use of strategies based on 4-helix entrepreneurial ecosystems is a unique opportunity to develop emerging economies, among which is Mexico, as well as to lead to social change by strengthening the middle class. Within this process, innovation is of great importance, as it is the primary driver of the competitive advantages of nations, as well as the structural transformation of the economy. The objective of this chapter is to analyze what would be the basis for the creation of a quadruple helix model that will lead to a structural transformation for Mexico in the medium term and thus combat poverty and violence in the nation.

6. The demographic transition—centrepiece of demography

2018 ◽  
pp. 55-63
Author(s):  
Sarah Harper
Keyword(s):  
High Mortality ◽  
Demographic Transition ◽  
Stable State ◽  
Causal Models ◽  
Transition Theory ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
The South ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time

The demographic transition is regarded as a centrepiece of demography. It is the series of changes that occur as countries evolve from a stable state of high mortality and high fertility to one of low mortality and low fertility, but its timing and drivers are strongly debated. ‘The demographic transition—centrepiece of demography’ explains that demographic transition theory can be divided into three broad components: first, the changes over time in mortality and fertility, based on clear data and therefore generally uncontested; second, and the most controversial, the construction of causal models to explain the timing, pace, and drivers of these changes; and third, the attempt to predict future changes especially for countries of the South.

scholarly journals Community Organising: A Critical Dialogue

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 19-44
Author(s):  
Mohan Dutta ◽  
Sue Bradford
Keyword(s):  
Social Change ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Structural Transformation ◽  
Critical Dialogue ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Communication For Social Change

Mohan Dutta, Director of the Center for Culture-Centred Approach to Research and Evaluation (CARE) at Massey University talks with Sue Bradford, the centre’s first activist-in-residence in Aotearoa New Zealand. The conversation outlines the role of community organising in communication for social change, with both Mohan and Sue drawing on their work in grassroots organising at the margins. Mohan and Sue detail the role of voice infrastructures at the margins as a basis for structural transformation. They critically interrogate the tensions that emerge in the relationships among communities, activists, and academics, and discuss how these tensions can be addressed in creative ways. The conversation wraps up with the authors’ thoughts on the role of community organising in building socialist futures in the post-pandemic world.

scholarly journals Theories of the Intellectual Commons

2020 ◽  
pp. 27-62
Author(s):  
Antonios Broumas
Keyword(s):  
Social Change ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Social Actors ◽  
Transition Plans ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Commons ◽  
Normative Criteria ◽  
Rational Choice Theories ◽  
Analytical Tools ◽  
Intellectual Commons

Noting the growth of academic interest in the concept of the commons this chapter introduces the main theoretical trends that have been formulated in relation to the analysis of the intellectual commons and their relation with capital. In this context, four families of theories are distinguished on the grounds of their epistemological foundations, their analytical tools with regard to social actors, social structures and the dynamics between them, their normative criteria and, finally, their perspectives on social change. Rational choice theories draw from the work of Elinor Ostrom offering a perspective of complementarity between commons and capital. Neoliberal theories elaborate on the profit-maximising opportunities of the intellectual commons and further highlight their capacities of acting as a fix to capital circulation/accumulation in intellectual property-enabled commodity markets. Social democratic theories propose the forging of a partnership between a transformed state and the communities of the commons and put forward specific transition plans for a commons-oriented society. Critical theories conceptualise the productive patterns encountered within intellectual commons as a proto-mode of production which is a direct expression of the advanced productive forces of the social intellect and has the potential to open up alternatives to capital. In the conclusion, of the chapter the four theoretical frameworks are compared, with the aim of formulating a strong theory of the intellectual commons evaluated from the standpoint of their approach to social change. Critical tenets from each theory are utilised as the bedrock for the moral justification of an intellectual commons law.

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