Corruption practices and government effectiveness on human capital development in Nigeria

The study assessed the impact of corruption practices and government effectiveness (GE) on human capital development (HCD) in Nigeria between the years 2003 and 2020, Panel data from 2003 to 2020 were obtained from the database of United Nations Development Programme, World Development Indicators and CIP and were analysed using the ordinary least square method which is suitable for the dataset. The study found that corruption has a significant relationship with HCD in Nigeria while the relationship between GE and HCD is not significant. The research implication is that the persistent problem of slow and sometimes stagnant HCD and growth in Nigeria can be reversed by improving GE and by reducing corrupt practices in the country. The paper concluded that corruption practices have a very strong influence on HCD in Nigeria, while the relationship between GE and HCD is insignificant. It was recommended that Nigeria should institute stiffer punishments for offenses bothering on corruption practices. Keywords: Corruption, human capital, development, government effectiveness, Nigeria.

Masked mimicry: The way of neo-culturalism

Currently, the world is in the grip of a new health and social crisis linked to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In this article, we opt for a descriptive and analytical sociological analysis of behaviours and reactions resulting from the introduction of barrier measures, imposed for the prevention of COVID-19 disease, in particular wearing of a mask, while focusing our interest on the Algerian society. The reactions are multiple and inform us about the issues and negotiation strategies for the integration of this new behaviour qualified as preventive to contain the pandemic: a societal phenomenon on a global scale which has triggered a process of normalisation through the integration of neo-culturalism of the Proxemic type with a pandemic character. According to the recommendations of the study, a Proxemic neo-culturalism is in the process of spreading in a pandemic manner, to establish an interactional balance through the emergence of a new social dynamic made concrete by the adaptation of ‘honest signals’. Keywords: Facial mimicry, mask, COVID-19, protection, social distancing, neo-culturalism.

The problem of religious unity in modern Kazakhstan

The respect for religious diversity that Kazakhstan promotes appears to be under strain at home. Kazakhstan’s legislation guarantees equal treatment of all religions, but acknowledges the historical role of Hanafi Islam and the Russian Orthodox Church. The purpose of the article is to highlight the results of an analytical and comparative study of religious communities operating in the territory of modern Kazakhstan. A comparative method is used as the main method in the classification, typology, assessment and generalisation of religious communities. In general, the presented analytical data should be related to comparative religious studies. Both are so-called traditional religions that have been present in the Kazakh territory for many centuries. Authorities seem unwelcoming of ‘new’ religious movements that have gained followers in Kazakhstan in recent years. However, due to the rise of religious extremism and terrorism around the world, religious tensions were found here. The study concluded that since gaining independence, religious activity in Kazakhstan has increased. Keywords: Religious and ethnic tolerance, SAMK, ROC, religious expectations, terrorism.

Children and digital media

Digital revolution has transformed childhood very profusely. The goal of this work is to present the way digital technology influences education, in what way it shapes various dimensions of life and the identity of preschool children and the challenges upbringing parents are faced with. Numerous researches have indicated that digital media can be a worthy source of knowledge, encourage and develop various children's abilities and skills if they are used appropriately and under adult guidance. However, uncontrolled and excessive use of media in early children's age can potentially have extremely negative and harmful effects on the child's growth and development and endanger his/her health and happiness. Parents and other adults in charge of children’s care significantly affect children’s approach to the media and media content. This paper has concluded on the fact that social media has dual effect on the child; therefore, it is necessary to offer quality preventive programmes and workshops not only for parents and educators but also for children and youth. Keywords: Digital media, education, parents, the child, digital revolution.

There is a relationship between the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the International Tax Law in the universal pandemic moments? – Education study

The unexpected pandemic 2020 context brings to humanity the effective relevance to the minimum existential, to the human rights, more than the discourse, but the real need of the protection from the main legal instruments. The paper proposes and discusses the connection with the need for tax collection by the states to meet the expenses of the social state, namely for education expenses, and whether the economic limitation caused by the current pandemic in face of the sharp decline in GDP and which has necessarily associated with a large decrease in the collection of tax revenues, which may compromise the right to education. From the findings of the study, concerning the new technologies and their dependence, the actual context shows that it is not an option but an effective need for everyone, so the states and the international community have the obligation to generate conditions of the best access and should promote the pedagogical need in this subject. Keywords: Fundamental rights, social state, taxes, property protection, education.

Micro-macro problem in sociology: Towards a solution

The researcher reviewed the works of some major micro-theorists and deduced solutions to the problem. The researcher deduced one of the solutions from the works of Randall Collins which is named aggregation model. Similarly, another model was deduced from the works of James Coleman called coordination model. These models show a movement from micro-observations made or data collected to the macro level where generalisations are made or conclusions are drawn. The two models have depicted a scale of transition from micro (individual members of the society) to macro-level which is a large-scale structure of the society. The paper concludes that either of the two models presented above can solve the micro-macro problem in sociology and social theory in general. Keywords: Aggregation model, coordination model, micro, macro.

Multilingualism is a trend in the development of modern Kazakhstan

The development years of sovereign Kazakhstan show that polylingualism in the society not only infringes on the rights and dignity of the Kazakh language but also creates necessary conditions for its development and progress. According to the state program for language development, three languages' priority has been approved: Kazakh, Russian, and English. In addition to Kazakh as the State language and Russian as the language of inter-ethnic communication, English is an essential means of communication. The most important strategic task of Education in Kazakhstan is, on the one hand, to preserve the best Kazakh educational traditions and, on the other hand, to provide school leavers with international qualifications and develop their linguistic consciousness, based on mastering the State, native and foreign languages. Meanwhile, as specified in the concept of language policy of RK, the main difficulty in further realization of language policy in Kazakhstan is "creation of optimum language space of the state". On the other hand, we are talking about a professional gap in specialists' training, studying Russian and Kazakh language. Our study used the following methods: UNT 2015-2019, a survey of 1st-year students of ARGU named after K. Zhubanov. The results of the study can be used to develop a methodological complex for training foreign language teachers.

The relationship between some components of prisoner’s psychological well-being and duration in prison: Hosanna, Ethiopia

This study was designed to address the relationship between and some components of psychological well-being and duration among prisoners in Hosanna town. To meet this objective, the researcher drew 100 out of 2,000 populations who were selected as sample participants of the study by using systematic random sampling techniques. A point Likert-type scale questionnaire was used. The data were analysed through percentage, correlation; t-test and analysis of variance. The result revealed that there is no significant relationship between some components of psychological well-being and age among prisoners. The study also revealed that there is a significant difference between male and female prisoners on the components of psychological well-being. The study suggested that it is advisable to create favourable conditions for the prisoner to develop a sense of good interaction among them. Finally, the correctional centre should develop a sense of belongingness and coordination among offenders to minimise stress and conflict in the correctional centre Keywords: Components; psychological well-being; duration; prisoners.

Causes of child sex tourism

Background: The tourism industry beyond all reasonable doubt is not only one of the most rapidly growing industries in the globe but one of the largest employers generating an annual revenue of billions of dollars. However, in spite of that, the industry according to nascent studies has some profound negative socio-economic, political, cultural and environmental impacts on communities. For instance, the act of involving children in sexual activities by tourists has affected the children physically, mentally, emotionally, economically, socially and psychologically. Some have even died. Even though the precise number of victims of child sex tourism casualties and their circumstances is not scientifically well researched and documented, it is an indisputable fact that they are in millions. This lack of scholarly documentation, beyond reasoning has posed a great challenge to all concerned authorities. Thus, this research aims at addressing this gap. Purpose: The fundamental rationale for a systematic literature review is to examine the present scale and degree of the causes of child sex tourism, share knowledge to spark and inspire processes that will usher in rapid growth from all directions in the fight against the menace. Methodology: A systematic review of the literature using information collected from different sources was actuated. Google Search Engine was used to search these articles. During the search, numerous combinations of words and phrases were used to ensure that articles reflect the most recent knowledge and scholarly works. In essence, only peer-reviewed articles published after 2008 were selected except extract perceived to be of fundamental mileage to the study. However, articles published by dedicated international organizations working for the protection of children for years and have produced indefatigable knowledge in commercial sexual exploitation of the children were stealthily appraised. Results: Poverty, which is commonly cited, is not the sole justification for the commercial sexual exploitation of children, even though it contributes to an environment that may be a sequel to such exploitation. In sum, a range of other complex contributing factors includes consumerism, culture, economic disparities, social, political instability, environment, corruption, lack of reporting crimes, lack of and/or inadequate laws, poor enforcement, lack of interest, debt burden, structural adjustment programmes, practice of projecting women as subservient to men, discriminatory policies, poverty, natural calamities, lack of training, demand and supply, power imbalances, sex trade, family encouragement, philanthropic organizations, Internet access, crime and violence, transient workers, freedom of movement, domestic tourists, population expansion, child trafficking, individual, loss of communal farmlands; and porous borders. Conclusion: In conclusion, the causes of child sex tourism can be simply pooled and catalogued into social, economic, political, natural, technological, individual and legal causes. Keywords: Child, child sex tourism, perpetrators, survivors, tourist, tourism.

The ontology of resistance between power and knowledge

The ontology of human resistance accentuates its existence through several expressive means with the most important being Art; as art transforms the question of resistance into a self-practice that starts with the artists and transfers between the inside and the outside in a continuous, creative and effective mutual relationship in order to emphasise the battle of existence conflict, ideology and Epistemology within the general framework of power. This philosophic analysis is based on the hypotheses of having a multilateral factor that continues with the past legacy on the one hand and interprets the present while overpassing it on the other, in order to create a state of creativity that represents the intellectual, emotional, cognitive and historical inventory, while posing a situation of continuous wondering among individuals and groups. This artistic state unifies the indicators of symbolisations and makes resistance represented in a contemporary visual discourse that rejects dominance, accentuates the identity and transforms the theoretical intellectual question into a practiced anthological act that is featured of permanent activity as a perpetual act towards liberation and reproducing self-existence. Keywords: Art philosophy, resistance ontology, political caricature, photography.