Habermas, democracy and the public sphere: Theory and practice

A fil rouge goes through Habermas’s decade long research. It is the idea that Reason and rationality permeate human societies and may lead human action towards emancipation, if aptly elaborated through the filter of theoretical reflection. Theory must pick up on this rational core and turn the intrinsic rational potential inherent to modern societies into a self-consciously pursued ‘project of enlightenment’. This introduction to the special issue ‘Habermas, Democracy, and the Public Sphere: Theory and Practice’ shows how Habermas’s work in different scientific domains contributes to the construction of the ‘project of modernity’ from the many angles that such a complex project requires. The public sphere is, in Habermas’s theory, the societal domain in which communicative interactions have a chance to make Reason come to bear on human societies and lead them on the path to social and political emancipation. The contributions to this special issue focus therefore on the public sphere and illustrate the evolution of the concept in Habermas’s work and its relation to democracy at national and supranational level.

Uncovering hidden Human Capital in uncertain times by exploring strategic resources in Spanish wineries

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the continuous identification of tangible and intangible strategic resources needed to achieve competitive advantages in uncertain times in Spanish wineries, highlighting the critical value of human capital. Design/methodology/approach By means of a case study of a Spanish Sherry winery theoretically based on the Resource Based View (RBV) of the firm, the paper focuses on the influence of environmental uncertainty on firms’ strategic resources and the need for in-depth knowledge. Direct participation and experience in the business has allowed access to data for a longitudinal exploratory analysis. Findings Human Capital, especially managers’ knowledge and experience, has been the key to the survival and success of the company analysed, throughout its history. Practical implications The paper guides managers, especially in microenterprises and SMEs, on the inclusion among the firm's strategic resources of a part of their own Human Capital that is generally not considered. Originality/value This paper contributes to the RBV and Self-Reflection Theory by demonstrating the value of Human Capital in a small family business under extremely uncertain times.

A new description of small-scale and large-scale roughness in the fast ocean surface emissivity model

Widely used FAST Microwave Ocean Surface Emissivity Model (FASTEM) does not include the interaction between small-scale and large-scale roughness, which seems to induce errors in the ocean surface emissivity estimation. In this study, we attempt to develop a new model that might be included in the FASTEM-like model. In the developed model, the large-scale roughness is expressed as a function of the local incidence angle (LIA) within the context of Fresnel reflection theory, incorporating the interactions between the small-scale and large-scale roughness into the fast ocean surface emissivity model, as done in the two-scale approach. With the new expression of the large-scale roughness, we also provide a more physically-based form of the equation for the fast ocean surface emissivity calculation that includes the small-scale scattering over a geometrically rough surface. In addition, an algorithm for estimating two-scale roughness from the measured or modeled polarized emissivities in conjunction with the proposed fast ocean surface emissivity equation is provided. The results demonstrate that the interactions between two-scale roughness should be considered in order to estimate accurate two-scale roughness influences on the ocean surface emissivity.

Research on Psychological Scales Based on the Multitheory Fusion

Objective: This study proposed an innovative approach to simplify the multiple psychological scales for children and adolescents by integrating statistical methods and item reflection theory into a structural equation model. Methods: First, a psychological scale for adolescents to replace the existing scales optimized for adults with the Delphi method has been developed. Second, the number of items in the current group of scales has been reduced. Result and Conclusion: A psychological scale for adolescents has been built up that comprehensively reflects their psychological characteristics in terms of mental state, behavioral status, emotion & feeling, relationship, and environmental adaptation. This psychological scale has been simplified and improved its reliability and validity.

Keupayaan Novel Komsas Menerapkan Nilai Perpaduan Bersikap Terbuka dalam Kalangan Murid

Ethnic harmony has existed for a long time in this country. The multi-ethnic nature of our society remains unchanged even if there are occasional disputes in the economic sector and political or social spheres. To ensure the continuance of ethnic harmony, the Standard National Secondary School Curriculum (Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Menengah or KSSM) was introduced by the Ministry of Education. In this curriculum, the principles of national unity are to be inculcated through literary works taught in the literature component (KOMSAS) in schools. One of these principles is open-mindedness. This study aims to employ Lukac’s Reflection Theory to examine the extent to which KOMSAS novels can be used to inculcate unity among students by analysing, discussing and clarifying the principle of open-mindedness, as specified in the KSSM. This is a qualitative study analysing the contents of the novel Jendela Mengadap Jalan using the Reflective Theory of Lukacs adapted according to the open-mindedness principle in the KSSM. The findings of this research show that the novel Jendela Mengadap Jalan is infused with the principle of open-mindedness as outlined in the KSSM. To examine the principles of unity in the novel, the researcher approached two aspects, namely dialogue and portrayal. It is found that the principles of unity conveyed in this novel should be applied and practiced by students in their daily lives. Teachers should convey open-mindedness to their students wisely using persuasion and warning. The implications of this research are that KOMSAS novels can be used to foster unity and ethnic harmony in this country.

Research on Shielding Effectiveness Calculation Method of Electromagnetic Shielding Materials

Electromagnetic shielding materials are widely used in engineering. Shielding effectiveness is an important index to measure the shielding effect of electromagnetic shielding materials. A method for calculating the shielding effectiveness of electromagnetic shielding materials is discussed in this paper. This method applies the small reflection theory in transmission line theory. Two kinds of materials are selected as samples. Firstly, the shielding performance is calculated by calculation. Then, shielding performance was measured using a network analyzer and coaxial devices. By comparing the above two results, the feasibility of this method is verified. By using this method, the shielding performance with acceptable accuracy can be obtained when the electromagnetic parameters of the material are known. Thus, the limitation for the application of electromagnetic shielding materials is reduced.

KAWIN SADARAH DALAM KABA SI BUYUANG KARUIK; TINJAUAN SOSIOLOGIS

Inbreeding is a prohibited marriage because it violates religious and customary norms. This study aims to describe the factors causing the occurrence of inbreeding and the consequences of inbreeding in Kaba Si Buyuang Karuik. This study uses the method of listening and note-taking technique in collecting data, then the data are analyzed through a sociological approach with reflection theory and the content analysis methods. Based on the results of the study, there are five factors causing the incest, namely poverty, sadness, crime, love, and ignorance. The results also show that inbreeding has caused inevitable shame, unbearable sadness, and inevitable divorce.

REFLECTION THEORY: PUNISHING FEMALE NARCISSISM IN THE WORKS BY LEV NIKOLAYEVICH TOLSTOY

Even though Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy is mostly known as an opponent of (female) sexuality, this essay argues that female narcissism is an equally controversial category. As plots of three texts –the novellas “TheKreutzer Sonata” and “Family Happiness”,and the novel Anna Karenina –show, female characters have to convert ego-libido into object-libido in order to, while overcoming disappointment, reach Tolstoy’s idea of living for others. The first part of the essay is based on a close reading of Tolstoy’s novellas, and the second part examines the female characters of Anna Karenina. Instead of pointing out the differences between Kitty, Dolly and Ana, I am trying to foreground the ways in which they reflect each other, while linking Anna’s intertextual representations, two portraits, to Tolstoy’s remarks on the social functionof art. .

An ultra-broadband terahertz metamaterial coherent absorber using multilayer electric ring resonator structures based on anti-reflection coating

We propose a method for achieving THz ultra-broadband coherent absorption using the anti-reflection theory of metamaterials.