Constructions of Identity and War: A Reciprocal Relationship in Former Yugoslavia

This article investigates the reciprocal relationship between identity and conflict, focusing the inquiry on the violent dissolution of Yugoslavia and the resulting Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s. A brief history of nationalist sentiment under communist rule in Yugoslavia is first displayed to contextualize the scope of research. The focus then shifts to how constructions of ethnonationalist identity became the basis of brutal ethnic conflict. Identity as the root of conflict is first discussed theoretically from an international relations perspective, citing the breakdown of a multinational state and the subsequent security dilemma. It is then grounded empirically in real-world evidence, illustrating how power imbalances between the republics and powerful ethnonationalist rhetoric led the region to war. The research then transitions to the secondary and complementary component of the thesis: how conflict shapes identity. The discussion cites incongruent narratives of war among the former republics as well as the tarnished international image of former Yugoslavia. Through a display of relevant evidence and literature, this argument strives to illustrate the power of identity in conflict, unity, and the nation. Further research could address how the weaponization of ethnicity could be avoided and reversed in favor of a stronger sense of collective identity around shared sociopolitical values and ideals.

Vienna’s Ringstrasse: A Spatial Manifestation of Sociopolitical Values

If we agree with Ananya Roy’s claim that planning’s epistemic roots are grounded in liberalism—which is riddled with inherent ethicopolitical tensions—then it might be worth our while to explore some of the spatial consequences of this grounding. The implementation of Vienna’s Ringstrasse serves as an excellent case example for such an exploration. On the one hand, it consists of an array of monumental public buildings that resemble material expressions of freedom and individuality. Yet, for this development to be realized in the first place, some form of intervention was necessary despite liberalism’s subscription to noninterventionism. Lessons learned from revisiting the Ringstrasse project might then prove illuminating for our contemporary era of “hyperliberalism.”

Dinamika Konflik Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill (ELAB) di Hong Kong Tahun 2019

The Conflict of Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill (ELAB) in Hong Kong did not appear out of thin air. It was instigated by a Pro-Democracy group to challenge the amendment bill proposed by the government. The conflict escalated when other internal and external actors like the United States expressed their support for the Pro-Democracy group to fight against the Amendment Bill. Using the conflict dynamics approach to examine the process of ELAB conflict, this article analyzes the process through three elements that include internal actors, external parties, and clashes between the Chinese and Hong Kongese in terms of their sociopolitical values. Finally, this research shows that the Hong Kong ELAB conflict had escalated and intensified even more due to the dynamics between these three elements.

Sociopolitical values, attitudes and behaviors of Portuguese economics students

Previous research on the Portuguese case confirmed free-riding, free-marketer and right-wing political inclinations among economics students. Further scrutiny was endeavored here, perceiving also a considerably increased interest for politics, notwithstanding the lack of concern for public problems. Various aspects of free-riding proclivity were distinguished and discussed, relating them with youngsters’ risk-loving and sensation-seeking tendencies, but also with a number of other facets specific to economics students, including: prevalence of achievement values, contextual influences on morals, peer pressure, perceived group status and social expectations regarding the economic profession.