Contesting Chineseness

Nearly eleven million Chinese migrants live outside of China. While many of these faces of China’s globalization headed for the popular Western destinations of the United States, Australia and Canada, others have been lured by the booming Asian economies. Compared with pre-1949 Chinese migrants, most are wealthier, motivated by a variety of concerns beyond economic survival and loyal to the communist regime. The reception of new Chinese migrants, however, has been less than warm in some places. In Singapore, tensions between Singaporean-Chinese and new Chinese arrivals present a puzzle: why are there tensions between ethnic Chinese settlers and new Chinese arrivals despite similarities in phenotype, ancestry and customs? Drawing on rich empirical data from ethnography and digital ethnography, Contesting Chineseness investigates this puzzle and details how ethnic Chinese subjects negotiate their identities in an age of contemporary Chinese migration and China’s ascent.

The Structural Changing Phases of Ifẹ̀ Festivals and Tradition Towards Economic Boost and Cultural Tourism

Festivals provide information on the origin of beliefs, historical antecedents, socio-cultural and socio-political desires, meant for bonding. The resultant effect of participation in festivals enables the participants to protect and sustain the festivals. However, our research informs that a number of the official festival activities with the tones of its referred sacredness in Ilé-Ifè, which ̣ is the domain of data collection and subject of our analysis, are being restructured in outlook and content to boost the economic survival of the people; and for cultural tourism. Tis essay seeks to interrogate these structural reforms, with the mind of identifying improved areas of the age-long tradition, the philosophy of the festival, and the economic value added. The apparatus of analysis shall premise on cultural semiotics and sociology of literature.

Spatial Analysis of Maritime Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea

Humans rely on the sea for food and mineral resources; hence it is vital to their economic survival. Nations all throughout the world rely on the water for trade and commerce. This article looks at the present condition of marine security in the Gulf of Guinea. The Gulf of Guinea has a total shoreline of about 5,000 nautical miles and several natural harbours with dangerous weather. It has a significant crude oil reservoir, as well as fish and other natural resources. These traits provide huge prospects for marine trade and transportation, but the Gulf of Guinea is also riddled with maritime crimes of all types, including piracy and smuggling. Maritime piracy has presented a threat to coastal states’ stability and economic viability all across the world, not only in Africa. The study examines sea piracy in general, the Geographic Information System, and the impact of maritime piracy on the world socioeconomic development using secondary data. It then goes on to provide a number of recommendations aimed at addressing the problems caused by maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea in order to improve maritime security.

FARMERS-HERDERS CRISIS AND FOOD SECURITY IN NIGERIA: CAUSES AND IMPLICATIONS

The paper examines Farmers-Herders crisis and food security in Nigeria: Causes and Implications. It viewed that Farmers-Herders crisis in Nigeria threatens food security, peace and sustainable development of the nation, Nigeria. The work maintains that the incessant crises occasioned by Herdsmen and Farmers in Nigeria, has claimed so many lives and property, and displaced so many, with attendant socio-economic consequences on sustainable development of the nation, Nigeria. Using Resource Access Theory (RAT), the work explains that the crisis between Herders and Farmers can be understood as the problem of access to land for economic survival, which as a result, has caused economic, political and environmental tensions in Nigeria, especially in the middle belt and southern parts of Nigeria since the return to democracy in 1999. The theory argues succinctly that the inability of the Fulani Herdsmen to have unhindered access to land for grazing, is to a significant extent responsible for why they often go into conflict with the host communities and farmers in Nigeria as access to the resource is the main cause of the conflict and violence. With this thriving crisis and violence of Farmers and Herders in Nigeria without proper steps by the Nigerian Government to tackle it to a standstill, the work posits that it portends grave implications for Nigeria’s food security, peace and national development. Therefore, in order to create an enabling environment for food security, peace and sustainable development, the paper suggests among others that there is need for the Nigerian Government to come up with a proper re-orientation programme that will breed good and social interaction, irrespective of religious and ethnic background. Government at all levels should be firm and fair in its resolution and implementation decision so as to tackle the crisis to a standstill. There is need for the Federal Government of Nigeria to invest on national orientation programme that will make herdsmen to see the need to value human lives and property in Nigeria, even as the Government should also strengthen its security apparatus and make it fully independent. The paper also recommended that there should be border policing to guide against illegal entry and possession of illegal arms and ammunitions for peace and development of the nation, Nigeria. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0871/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

The Feudal Dynasty and Politics in Pakistan: A Socio-Political Analysis of Season of the Rainbirds in the Light of New Historicism

This research paper explores the factors behind the political instability and economic inequality in Pakistan, especially during General Zia’s military regime as reflected in Nadeem Aslam’s novel ‘Season of the Rainbirds’ (1993), in the light of the theory of New Historicism. The study highlights that the military intervened in political affairs and imposed martial law in 1977. The parliamentary democratic process in Pakistan did not get stability due to certain factors, such as feudal dynasty, social and economic inequalities, exploitation of masses, and low literacy rate. The feudal elites have always supported the military in this process to seek their vested interests, as their dominance over political affairs has been great. On the other hand, the masses’ dependency on their land for economic survival has worsened the situation. This study is based on a qualitative research approach and has been carried out by doing a textual analysis of the selected excerpts from the novel ‘Season of the Rainbirds’. The findings reveal that the social composition of the feudal class has undermined the institution of democracy and caused political, social, and economic disintegration. It monopolized the institution of politics and made a way for the military to intervene in the political affairs of the country. Without the provision of social and economic justice, democracy cannot get stability in Pakistan.

Migration ethics in Genesis 47:1–12 as a limelight for Nigerian migrants

In Genesis 47, Jacob and his descendants were regularly migrants in Egypt. This article examines this text and its interest in the contemporary migrant crises affecting Nigerians. Findings reveal that Genesis 47 encourages regular migration and discourages irregular migration. The migration ethics in the pericope is contrary to the contemporary migration model adopted by Nigerians. This article concluded that the migrant crises affecting Nigerians occur as a result of the high level of irregular migration ethics adopted by Nigerian migrants. To find a solution to the problem, there should be the provision of adequate enlightenment and information to promote regular migration amongst Nigerians. Nigerian migrants should endeavour to present themselves to the authorities of their destination countries. This research employs the exegetical and phenomenological methods.Intra/interdisciplinary implications: This research is based on the misunderstood migration ethics in Genesis 47. Contrary to what is obtainable amongst Nigerian migrants, Genesis 47 encourages regular migration. Nigerians, just like Jacob and his descendants, migrated to other countries mainly for economic survival. However, it was discovered that most of the Nigerian migrants are irregular migrants. Disciplines implicated include Old Testament, Cultural Studies, and Sociology.

The need to include indigenous peoples as ‘expert’ consultants in India's Apex Committee for Implementation of the Paris Agreement

This opinion argues for including indigenous peoples as ‘expert’ consultants in India's Apex Committee for Implementation of Paris Agreement. Alongside its monitoring and reporting functions, the Apex Committee for Implementation of Paris Agreement is expected to perform substantive functions, including, developing policies and programmes to make India's domestic climate actions compliant with its international obligations under the Paris Agreement. The argument is based on the understanding that indigenous peoples possess a deeper understanding of their ecosystems and share a special relationship with it. Therefore, their knowledge is key to sustainable ecosystem management. At the same time, a co-dependent relationship with Nature makes them disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Unlike other vulnerable groups, the impact on indigenous peoples ripples beyond their economic survival, and threatens their collective physical and spiritual identity. Accordingly, this opinion suggests direct participation of indigenous peoples in conceptualising and implementing policies and programmes aimed at addressing climate change. To that end, it problematizes the narrow understanding of ‘experts’ reflected in the gazette notification establishing the Apex Committee for Implementation of Paris Agreement, and draws upon United Nations’ practice(s) enabling participation of indigenous peoples as 'experts' in its specialised agencies and organs. Accordingly, the opinion also suggests a potential means to operationalize their inclusion in the Apex Committee for Implementation of Paris Agreement.

Responding to the Multifaceted COVID-19 Crisis: The Case of Mumbai, India

COVID-19 has severely impacted the society not only in terms of health but also in terms of economic survival of individuals. Unless adequate support is provided, the pandemic will have long-lasting effects, especially on the lives of the most vulnerable, often working in the informal sector. In this article, we present a case study drawing on systems thinking and complexity theory, outlining how the city of Mumbai has responded to COVID-19. We find a multifaceted scenario where non-profit organizations, businesses and citizen volunteers operate alongside government bodies to support Mumbai’s population to overcome this pandemic. We provide broader policy lessons, as well as more specific lessons in relation to particular actors, from the first wave of the pandemic stressing the importance of becoming ‘systems thinkers’ and highlighting the importance of forming new partnerships and exploring new modes of knowledge sharing to effectively respond to crises.

Entrepreneurial resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic: navigating survival, continuity and growth

Purpose This study aims to explore how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia display resilience in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research design was used, which involved semi-structured interviews on five creative industry-based businesses in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. A narrative inquiry approach was used to obtain an in-depth understanding of SMEs’ resilience. The data obtained were analyzed using thematic analysis via MaxQDA 2020. Findings The Covid-19 pandemic triggered the emergence of both new opportunities and new constraints for SMEs. These, in turn, significantly interrupt their business model. SMEs are found to navigate survival, continuity and growth by drawing from their resourcefulness and firm-level strategies to cope with the new opportunities and constraints. Research limitations/implications This study was conducted qualitatively based on five SMEs in the creative industry in Indonesia. This limits the ability to compare the findings across different economic sectors. Practical implications SMEs facing emergent constraints may need to find new ways to recombine existing resources and simultaneously seek to innovate their business model. Business owners and entrepreneurs should adopt a positive mindset such as optimism, perseverance and efficacy, to cope with adversity. Growth-oriented SMEs may make use of a competitive mindset such as flexibility, speed and innovation, to spot and exploit opportunities that emerge from the crisis. Social implications SMEs’ resilience should be understood not only in terms of economic survival and continuity but, more deeply, about their social contribution to the localities where they operate. Originality/value This study illustrates the process of how adaptive resilience is adapted and executed by SMEs. It also contributes to entrepreneurial resilience and resourcefulness literature by explaining how entrepreneurs anticipate, respond to and leverage from the crisis.

“It’s a lab full of art machinery”: implications of women’s experiences, values and visions of success for makerspace evaluation

Purpose Evaluation of public library makerspaces traditionally examines achievement of library goals, which reflect leaders’ and funders’ values. Understanding makers’ experiences and perspectives may help evaluators frame their inquiry to reflect community values, test assumptions about makers and support democratic and equity-focused aims. This paper aims to inform how evaluations of public library makerspaces are framed to address the experiences, values and visions for success of adult women, a group that is often marginalized in making and makerspaces. Design/methodology/approach Informed by democratic approaches to evaluation and activity theory, this paper draws on semi-structured interviews with women makers engaged with digital fabrication in public library makerspaces. Findings The women in the sample leveraged digital fabrication to deepen existing creative practices, challenging gendered distinctions between crafting and technology. They directed making toward economic survival and thriving, including creative-sector entrepreneurship. Making was also directed toward strengthening families and communities, centering relationships beyond the makerspace. Learning emerged as a byproduct of engagement, organized to produce specific artifacts. Library resources, arrangements and rules supported women with varying technology skills and also constrained some making activities. Practical implications Findings suggest evaluators should resist deficit framing of women and making; broaden science, technology, engineering and mathematics-focused definitions of making; focus on the personally meaningful ends to which making is directed; expand conceptualizations of community; examine arrangements and resources that mediate making and learning; and center the perspectives of local women makers. Originality/value This paper presents an empirical account of makers who are often marginalized and identifies six implications for evaluations of public library makerspaces.