Discourse Networks of Emergency Response Communication: A Case Study of Civilian Deliberation on the Reddit Platform

Using discourse and network analysis, this research explores a reddit thread concerning an emergency situation in the U.S.V.I. after a 2017 hurricane. In particular, research seeks to gain greater understanding of deliberation and problem-solving behaviour of a crowdsourced, citizen group in response to a disaster. Findings support the use of network analysis and measures of centrality to isolate particularly important actors and contributions in a network. Furthermore, findings also depict seven archetypical roles played by users in the discourse. Further research is needed to understand how the tier structure of the reddit platform influences network structure and behaviour and normalize methods and approaches to conducting network-based research on the platform for consistent and reliable findings across research cases.

The Influence of Local Ethnic Diversity on Group-Centric Crime Attitudes

Several studies provide evidence of group-centric policy attitudes, that is, citizens evaluating policies based on linkages with visible social groups. The existing literature generally points to the role of media imagery, rhetoric and prominent political sponsors in driving group-centric attitudes. This article theorizes and tests an alternative source: exposure to rising local ethnic diversity. Focusing on the issue of crime, it first develops a theoretical account of how casual observation in the local context can give rise to ethnic stereotypes. Then, using two large, nationally representative datasets on citizen group and policy attitudes linked with registry data on local ethnic diversity, each spanning 20 years, it shows that crime attitudes become more strongly linked with immigration attitudes as local ethnic diversity rises. The results suggest that the typically emphasized ‘top-down’ influence on group-centric attitudes by elite actors is complemented by ‘bottom-up’ local processes of experiential learning about group–policy linkages.

A cross sectional study to assess the modifiable risk factors and morbidity profile of elderly people in a village in tribal part of Maharashtra

Background: Geriatrics population is an important part of the total community and comprises of about 7-8% of the whole population of one community. Since the expectation of life is also increasing steadily and quality of life being emphasized more & more in our country, the senior citizen group is getting importance day by day. The present study was carried to find the various social, economical and medical aspects related to geriatrics population in rural area. Methods: The community based cross sectional study was carried out at a village among 427 study subjects using pre-validated questionnaire. Data was collected regarding their health related problems, Pallor was seen for anemia. Data was analysed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: Majority of elderly population lies between the 60 to 70 years of population (84%). Joint pains followed by cataract, anemia were predominant among male subjects whereas anemia was found more in prevalence among female subjects followed by joint pains, cataract, hypertension and Diabetes. Conclusions: Existing geriatric healthcare setup needs to be strengthened and should be sensitised enough to consider such differential nature of geriatric concerns.

Collaborative Counties: Questioning the Role of Civil Society

Local governments face increased pressure to collaborate with one another to provide services aimed at increasing economic development. While scholars and practitioners share interest in intergovernmental collaboration, past studies have rarely questioned the role of civil society. Based on the social capital literature, a robust local civil society with high rates of volunteerism and civic engagement should facilitate local government cooperation. Using unique primary data from county governments across the United States, the authors question the degree to which local civil society influences collaborative behavior. The authors further contrast civil society’s influence relative to that of private business interests. This study provides modest evidence for the role of civil society. Rather, the findings suggest that collaboration is greatest where business involvement in development is higher and public participation tends toward more “token” policies (i.e., citizen input mechanisms) rather than organized, citizen group involvement in decision making.

Critical moments in police-citizen reconciliation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the interaction of police and citizen representatives during critical moments in reconciliation processes through a relational model. Design/methodology/approach – Based on 26 in-depth interviews with key actors in three different cases of media-salient police-citizen group conflict, the interactions in the run-up to, during and after five moments that were critical in the transformation from conflict to cooperation, were analyzed. In focussing on the role of the intergroup relationship in conflict interaction, the applicability of relationship-value, compatibility and security in defining this relationship were explored. Findings – Although interactions during critical moments differed along the specific conflict contexts, three chronological stages could be deduced. In the first stage, interactions were tensed and emotional. During the second stage, repressing this insecurity through the exchange of value and compatibility signals was important. In the third stage, the transformation toward friendlier, cooperative dialogue and a less tensed atmosphere was made. Emotional expression, information sharing and emphasizing compatibility seemed particularly important in (re)defining and negotiating police-citizen relationships. Research limitations/implications – In analysis, the authors had to rely on limited and retrospective accounts of interactions and attitudes and its indivertible errors. Originality/value – This is one of very few studies that analyses police-involved post conflict interactions with a relational model. With regard to the importance of strong police-citizen relationships, the results should be of value to any operational police worker and specifically those who are involved in operational or strategic conflict-management and communication.

Citizens and the Corporate Development of the Contemporary Canadian City

This paper examines the impact of organized citizen groups on the contemporary city in terms of architecture, built form, and planning. Five sections discuss the physical forms of the postwar Canadian city and the basic planning strategies in place at the end of the 1960's; the rise of organized citizen groups and their critique of that set of urban prototypes; the shift in political power that occurred as a result of citizen group activity; the new conditions which came to exist for urban development and planning, and the new city forms that have arisen; and the combination of circumstances which emerged in the early 1980's which put the revised Canadian city on the edge of a serious economic crisis.