scholarly journals Four Parameters for Measuring Democratic Deliberation: Theoretical and Methodological Challenges and How to Respond

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dannica Fleuß ◽  
Karoline Helbig ◽  
Gary S. Schaal
Keyword(s):  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Systemic Approach ◽  
Macro Level ◽  
Modular Approach ◽  
Democratic Deliberation ◽  
Meso Level ◽  
Valid Measurement ◽  
Methodological Challenges ◽  
Democratic Performance ◽  
General Measurement

Although measuring democratic deliberation is necessary for a valid measurement of the performance of democracies, it poses serious theoretical and methodological challenges. The most serious problem in the context of research on democratic performance is the need for a theoretical and methodological approach for “upscaling” the measurement of deliberation from the micro and meso level to the macro level. The systemic approach offers a useful framework for this purpose. Building on this framework, this article offers a modular approach consisting of four parameters for conceptualization, measurement, and aggregation which can be adjusted to make the measurement of democratic deliberation compatible with the various general measurement approaches adopted by different scholars.

scholarly journals Measuring Nation States’ Deliberativeness: Systematic Challenges, Methodological Pitfalls, and Strategies for Upscaling the Measurement of Deliberation

2020 ◽  
pp. 003232171989081
Author(s):  
Dannica Fleuß ◽  
Karoline Helbig
Keyword(s):  
Deliberative Democracy ◽  
Methodological Framework ◽  
Conceptual Approach ◽  
Meso Level ◽  
Valid Measurement ◽  
Democratic Quality ◽  
Methodological Challenges ◽  
Nation States

A theoretically reflected and empirically valid measurement of nation states’ democratic quality must include an assessment of polities’ deliberativeness. This article examines the assessment of deliberativeness suggested by two sophisticated contemporary measurements of democratic quality, that is, the Democracy Barometer and the Varieties of Democracy-project. We feature two sets of challenges, each measurement of deliberativeness must meet: First, it must address the methodological challenges arising in the course of conceptualizing, operationalizing, and aggregating complex concepts (see Munck and Verkuilen, 2002). Second, attempts to measure nation states’ deliberativeness are confronted with specific conceptual and systematic challenges which we derive from recent deliberative democracy scholarship. We argue that both Democracy Barometer and Varieties of Democracy-project provide highly sophisticated assessments of democratic quality, but ultimately fail to capture nation states “deliberativeness” in a theoretically reflected and methodologically sound manner. We examine the methodological, pragmatic, and systematic reasons for these shortcomings. The crucial task for measurements of nation states’ deliberativeness consists in providing a conceptual approach and methodological framework for “upscaling” existing meso-level measurements (such as the DQI). The concluding section presents conceptual and methodological strategies that can enable researchers to meet these challenges and to provide a theoretically grounded and empirically valid measurement of nation states’ deliberativeness.

scholarly journals Young Children’s Belonging in Finnish Educational Settings: an Intersectional Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Maija Puroila ◽  
Jaana Juutinen ◽  
Elina Viljamaa ◽  
Riikka Sirkko ◽  
Taina Kyrönlampi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Educational Policy ◽  
Educational Programs ◽  
Macro Level ◽  
Educational Settings ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Meso Level ◽  
Continuity And Change ◽  
Positional Power ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Similarities And Differences

AbstractThe study draws on a relational and intersectional approach to young children’s belonging in Finnish educational settings. Belonging is conceptualized as a multilevel, dynamic, and relationally constructed phenomenon. The aim of the study is to explore how children’s belonging is shaped in the intersections between macro-, meso-, and micro-levels of young children’s education in Finland. The data consist of educational policy documents and ethnographic material generated in educational programs for children aged birth to 8 years. A situational mapping framework is used to analyze and interpret the data across and within systems levels (macro-level; meso-level; and micro-level). The findings show that the landscape in which children’s belonging is shaped and the intersections across and within the levels are characterized by the tensions between similarities and differences, majority and minorities, continuity and change, authority and agency. Language used, practices enacted, and positional power emerge as the (re)sources through which children’s (un)belonging is actively produced.

The prospects for pluralism in contract theory

Legal Studies ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Zhong Xing Tan
Keyword(s):  
Contract Theory ◽  
Practical Reasoning ◽  
Contemporary Literature ◽  
Contract Law ◽  
Macro Level ◽  
Meso Level ◽  
Specific Performance ◽  
Micro Level

Abstract This paper explores the promise of pluralism in the realm of contract law. I begin by identifying and rejecting conceptual strategies adopted by monistic and dualistic approaches. Turning towards pluralism, I evaluate three versions in contemporary literature: pluralism across contracting spheres and types, pluralism through consensus and convergence, and pluralism through localised values-balancing and practical reasoning. I suggest embracing some pluralism about contract pluralism, by using these models to construct a framework of ‘meta-pluralism’, where at the macro-level, we are concerned with plural spheres of contracting activity; at the meso-level, a variety of trans-substantive interpretive concepts that receive some measure of juristic consensus; and at the micro-level, practical reasoning through particularistic analysis of case-specific considerations. I illustrate the meta-pluralistic framework through a case study on the varieties of specific performance, and explain how the proposed pluralistic framework enriches our understanding of the nature of contract.

scholarly journals An investigation of professional development among educational policy-makers, institutional leaders and teachers

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huu Cuong Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Educational Policy ◽  
Macro Level ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Meso Level ◽  
Key Aspects

This study investigates professional development among educational policy-makers, institutional leaders and teachers. Through a synthesis of associated literature, this study identified a large number of articles focusing on professional development among teachers and lecturers. However, only a few studies on professional development among leaders and managers of educational institutions were ascertained, and research on professional development for educational policy-makers is also limited. This article first presents key aspects of professional development. It then reviews professional development theories and practices for policy-makers, institutional leaders and teachers. Finally, a discussion and recommendations are provided. This article contributes to the limited literature on professional development at the meso-level for institutional leaders, and at the macro-level for policy-makers.

Broadening the Perspective on Military Cohesion

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 571-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilmari Käihkö
Keyword(s):  
Macro Level ◽  
Levels Of Analysis ◽  
Armed Groups ◽  
Meso Level ◽  
Western State ◽  
Organized Violence ◽  
State And Society ◽  
Recent Debate

It is difficult to underestimate the importance of cohesion for armed groups or organizations specialized and engaged in organized violence. This article argues that the recent debate on military cohesion has been far too narrow as it focused on Western state militaries during the 20th and 21st centuries, and even then only on the microlevel. It is necessary to broaden the perspective in order to construct theories that encompass even the vast majority of armed groups—the non-Western, nonstate, and nonmodern. This article advocates two ways of doing so: the investigation of cases that belong to these three types and broadening analysis to two new levels of analysis—the meso-level of armed groups and the macro-level, which contains state and society. Cohesion is established through harmonizing these three levels, which necessitates including them in the analysis in the first place.

The Meaning of Property in Things

2020 ◽  
pp. 3-21
Author(s):  
Bart J. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Property Rights ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Physical World ◽  
Macro Level ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Ordinary People ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Meso Level ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Central Claim

The central claim of the book is that property is a universal and uniquely human custom. Contra cultural relativists, every human society has property tools, utensils, and ornaments. Contra biologists, only Homo sapiens has property in things other than food, mates, and territories. Contra philosophers and legal scholars, the bedrock of property is custom, not rights. Contra social scientists and ordinary people, property is indeed a custom and not something that must be instituted by government. Property operates at the three levels. At the micro-level core of property is an organism that perceives the physical world through its body. The meso-level of property is the community within which the organism resides. At the macro-level of property are the institutions that unite strangers of different communities through the modern democratic concept of rights. Whereas the custom of property is ancient, moral, and universal to all people, property rights are modern, amoral, and majoritarian.

Value co-creation through actor embeddedness and actor engagement

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anees Wajid ◽  
Muhammad Mustafa Raziq ◽  
Omer Farooq Malik ◽  
Shahab Alam Malik ◽  
Nabila Khurshid
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Conceptual Models ◽  
Perceived Value ◽  
Marketing Research ◽  
Macro Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Creation Process ◽  
Meso Level ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Service Ecosystem

Purpose It is argued that the service-dominant (S-D) view of the value co-creation concept is mainly of a macro nature and is difficult to examine empirically. In this regard, marketing research using the micro-foundation theory proposes some conceptual models, through which relationships (involving value co-creation) at a micro/meso level may be studied. The purpose of this paper is to add to such exchanges regarding value co-creation and conceptualize the link of embeddedness of an actor (in a service-ecosystem) to their engagement in the value co-creation process. Design/methodology/approach The authors draw on the S-D logic and the value co-creation concept and make propositions with regard to two micro-foundational concepts: actor engagement and actor embeddedness. Findings The authors show that actor embeddedness can be considered as an antecedent of actor engagement, which leads to value co-creation at a macro level and perceived value in context at the micro level. Originality/value The authors fill some gaps in literature with regard to S-D logic and value co-creation by combining two micro-foundational concepts: actor engagement and actor embeddedness and propose how through these, some macro-level outcomes such as value co-creation and resource integration may be determined.

Meeting the Challenges in Evaluating Mobile Learning

2011 ◽  
pp. 178-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giasemi Vavoula ◽  
Mike Sharples
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Learning ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Macro Level ◽  
Learning In Context ◽  
Meso Level ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Context Of Learning

We propose six challenges in evaluating mobile learning: capturing and analysing learning in context and across contexts, measuring mobile learning processes and outcomes, respecting learner/participant privacy, assessing mobile technology utility and usability, considering the wider organisational and socio-cultural context of learning, and assessing in/formality. A three-level framework for evaluating mobile learning is proposed, comprising a micro level concerned with usability, a meso level concerned with the learning experience, and a macro level concerned with integration within existing educational and organisational contexts. The article concludes with a discussion of how the framework meets the evaluation challenges and with suggestions for further extensions.

Macro-Level Analyses and Dynamics

2020 ◽  
pp. 136-144
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Population Change ◽  
The Other ◽  
Macro Level ◽  
Meso Level ◽  
Typical Form ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Non Local ◽  
Established Order

There are few studies on the macro-level dynamics of networks. These dynamics affect the whole network and concern non-local changes. Macro-level changes almost always stem from reasons outside the network. We observe this in its most typical form when the network population increases or decreases in an unusual manner. We cannot correlate such a population change with the relations of actors or the dyad, triad, or intergroup behaviors within the scope of these relations as it was the case in microo r meso-level dynamics. Sudden changes in population in a social network may“disturb” the established order and, therefore, may affect individual communicative relations. Population growth, on the other hand, might result in a revival in terms of other aspects. This chapter these macro-level dynamics.

scholarly journals Englishization, Identity Regulation and Imperialism

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi Boussebaa ◽  
Andrew D. Brown
Keyword(s):  
International Competitiveness ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Identity Work ◽  
Macro Level ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Global English ◽  
Meso Level ◽  
Creative Identity ◽  
The World ◽  
Global Language

What are the power/identity implications of the increasing Englishization of non-Anglophone workplaces around the world? We address this question using an analytical framework that combines a focus on micro/meso-level processes of identity regulation with attentiveness to the macro-level discourse of English as a global language. Drawing on reflexive fieldwork conducted at a major French university, we show how Englishization is bound up with processes of normalization, surveillance and conformist identity work that serve to discipline local selves in line with the imperative of international competitiveness. Concomitantly, we also show that Englishization is not a totalizing form of identity regulation; it is contested, complained about and appropriated in the creative identity work of those subject to it. Yet, moving from the micro/meso- to the macro-level, we argue that Englishization is ultimately ‘remaking’ locals as Anglophones through a quasi-voluntary process of imperialism in the context of a US-dominated era of ‘globalization’ and ‘global English’. We discuss the theoretical implications of these insights and open some avenues for future research.

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