What Globalization for the Many?

Development “is a way of getting acquainted with ourselves” (Dobrescu, 2020, p. 9). Starting with The Century of the Emerging World (2013) and continuing with No Project Country (2019), Paul Dobrescu explores Romania’s recent history of development, in an attempt to understand what future is envisaged by current economic policies. As usual, the conclusions of the analysis are an elegy. Development was not a real priority during transition in Romania, but a rhetoric. “We had lived a time of development without freedom and we inaugurated a time of freedom without development” (p. 167). That is not to say that Paul Dobrescu’s newest book is a disheartening read. On the contrary, it invites meditation on the fate of countries and puts their development into a global perspective which, in rationalizing historical trends, provides a well-grounded explanation for contemporary developments, while giving hope for a more equitable future. If anything, Paul Dobrescu’s books are deeply humanistic (in a way globalization itself, his arch-theme spanning more than 20 years, is supposed to be) and serve as a reminder of the fate of the many.

Reply to reviewers of 'Dragonii dezvoltării: Revine istoria pe supercontinentul euroasiatic?'

The common denominator of some of the questions and problems raised by the reviewers is represented by the new technological revolution, the role of AI in this revolution, and their impact on the world today. No one doubts the fact that we are living the greatest transformation of the information environment since Gutenberg’s printing press. Nevertheless, as John Naughton emphasized, “we’re as clueless about where it’s heading and what’s driving it as the citizens of Mainz were in 1495” (Naughton, 2019). Four centuries have passed since then; during this time, the printing press shaped society and thinking, introduced new forms of communication, occasioned a massive improvement in the general population’s level of education, made public schools and the mass dissemination of knowledge possible. It radically influenced everything. Now, we are at the dawn of a new era, one which will lead to least as many transformations as print did.

Media Coverage in Times of Crisis. Intermedia Agenda-setting of COVID-19 – related Topics

In times of crisis, the media play a crucial role in offering people information and updates related to the ongoing events. Thus, the media implicitly shape public opinion on the issues they cover and, as a result, influence public attitudes and behaviors. In this context, this paper aims at analyzing the media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, by means of quantitative content analysis (N=1511) conducted on both television and online news stories released during March 18-31 2020, this study sheds light on the agenda-setting effects of the media and the phenomenon known as intermedia agenda-setting. Main results show that, in spring 2020, both television and online news stories extensively covered COVID-19 topics, focusing on domestic issues such as decisions taken by the authorities in order to manage the pandemic, effects of the virus, and statistics. Furthermore, results show a relatively high intermedia agenda-setting effect within the Romanian media environment. Content published online (either in the form of social media content or online stories) is frequently “borrowed” and cited in both online and television news stories, leading us to the idea that digital media might have become mainstream information sources.

Review of Paul Dobrescu’s 'Dragonii dezvoltării: Revine istoria pe supercontinentul euroasiatic?'

From my point of view, Paul Dobrescu is one of the very few independent scholars and researchers in Romania, in the area of political and economic analysis. His studies do not answer to “orders” or fashions; They are based on sources and expertise that cannot be denied, and are built on broad cultural, historical, political and economic perspectives. Development, one of the main topics of the author, is examined in its complexity, as a testimony of a country or of a culture.

'I Hear You': Effects of Voice Communication on the Social Capital of Gamers

In the present paper we approached bonding and bridging social capital among gamers (seen as individuals who spend at least an hour a day in games) who use (or don’t use) voice communication while playing. Suspecting that voice communication usage facilitates the social capital formation. We also investigated the role of perceived anonymity as a confounding variable. To test our hypothesis, a quantitative research was carried out. The study focuses on the subsequent elements: voice application usage; perceived anonymity; and the presence of the following forms of social capital: bonding social capital and bridging social capital. Data collection was based on surveys spread in the online environment and resulted in a sample of 102 respondents. Based on quasi-experimental design we obtained data that display higher mean scores on bonding and bridging social capital scales on the experiment group (voice communication users) than in control group (non-voice communication users). Also, control group have a lower score on the perceived anonymity scale. One explanation for our results could be that voice communication reduces perceived anonymity and individuals that consider themselves as having a low level of anonymity engage in more controlled behaviors that in turn facilitate the formation of social capital.

Public Relations towards Member Engagement in Advocacy Networks: the ‘No Pesticides on My Plate’ Campaign

When civil society organisations (CSOs) of asymmetric size, structure and scope become members of an advocacy network, all those variations may lead to discrepant communicative behaviour. Therefore, encouraging member organisations to collaborate and co-create messages towards an advocacy goal is a major challenge. To examine member engagement in an advocacy network, this study scrutinizes the strategic communication activities of an environmental network in Turkey, and reviews their EU-funded campaign named ‘No Pesticides on My Plate’ accordingly. Grounded in the relationship management framework, this paper suggests that the power of relevant public relations strategies and tactics should be taken into account as to ensure the effectiveness of member CSOs’ actions in an advocacy network. Depending on a case study to examine the subject, it demonstrates how interpersonal communication and media tactics may be utilised to achieve member relations goals and finally to pursue social change.

Technology, Development, and the Competition for Supremacy

From its very first pages, Paul Dobrescu’s new book The Dragons of Development makes its roots visible: it is built on a comprehensive literature review, and on a reflection upon progress and supremacy in contemporary societies. The author sees the development of a society as “a way to get to know ourselves” (p.10), and the ideas elaborated in the volume are based on historical and societal knowledge. To understand the development of a nation, its cultural roots and the following integration of culture in the norms of that society are a relevant object of study.

Viewing Constructions of Insanity and Mental Health through a Critical Lens

For as long as the human intellect has been documented, individuals have maintained curiosity towards the emotional, behavioral, and social dimensions of being. It comes as no surprise that our current world continues inquiring about the realm of “mental health”, questioning how it manifests physiologically and gets expressed outwardly. Far from being an objective practice, observing, interpreting, and acting on meanings constructed of mental health remains an intersubjective process involving multiple stakeholders. And, indeed, the stakes are high. Pronouncements of individuals’ mental health, particularly regarding diagnoses, play a significant role in shaping the trajectory of persons’ lives indefinitely. Given the myriad of consequences tied to diagnostic practices, Cristina Hanganu-Bresch and Carol Berkenkotter’s 2019 book, Diagnosing Madness: The Discursive Construction of the Psychiatric Patient, 1850-1920, examines the historical underpinnings of insanity in the making. By viewing insanity through a rhetorical lens, the authors illustrate how patients, doctors, families, legal professionals, and the general public negotiate meanings for and corrective actions towards this construct.

Radio Exposure and Drivers of Electoral Participation among Women Voters under the New Devolved Political Structure in Kenya

Radio dominates the news media ecosystem in Kenya. However, little is known about the relationship between radio exposure and drivers of electoral participation in Kenya. This research thus examines the correlation between radio exposure and political knowledge and attitudes, and interpersonal political discussions among women voters during the 2013 Kenya general election in Kakamega County. The study adopted a descriptive quantitative correlational research design, collecting data from 372 women voters using a survey interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data was analyzed through bivariate statistics based on Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficients. Findings reveal a strong and positive correlation between radio exposure and political knowledge as well as election campaign interest. This suggests that radio exposure can contribute to political learning and create voter awareness on political activities and rights that lead to election campaign interest. It was established that there was a low positive link between women voters’ radio exposure and the frequency of face-to-face political discussions. The association between radio exposure and political self-efficacy was found to be strong but negative. This indicates that an increase in the level of radio exposure can lower women voters’ political self-efficacy. We argue that as a result of long political marginalization, women require higher levels of political self-efficacy, which radio exposure might not build over a shorter time during elections. This article explores various implications and recommends to policymakers, political strategists, and journalists to tap into the power of radio in boosting the key drivers of women’s electoral participation.

Response to reviews of 'Diagnosing Madness'

I want to thank the reviewers profusely for engaging so deeply and thoughtfully with our book, and for offering both generous assessments and thorough, well informed critiques. It has been two years since the book was published and four since my mentor and co-author passed away; it is, perhaps, a good time to reflect on it and respond to those who in good faith have parsed its ideas and placed them in proper historical and theoretical context.