The social values behind contemporary ideological conflicts

Identity Documents and Gender Identity: Towards Inclusive Practices

Elisabeth Gabrielle Satalan — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 12:36:42 +0000

Identity Documents and Gender Identity: Towards Inclusive Practices Elisabeth Gabr… Thu, 02/29/2024 - 14:36

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Student author

Author addressing title

Ms.

First Name

Elisabeth Gabrielle

Last Name

Satalan

Academic title

Other

Address

Bd Timisoara 27, Bl D, Sc B, Ap 29, sect. 6, Bucuresti, Romania

E-mail

betty.satalan@yahoo.com

Phone

+40770781988

Institution/University

The European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation, Global Campus of Human Rights, Lido di Venezia, Italia

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The social values behind contemporary ideological conflicts

Paper/Abstract submission

In a world increasingly focused on inclusivity, addressing the challenges faced by gender non-conforming and transgender individuals is crucial. Identity documents are meant to represent us, but the current approaches of administrative systems in registering gender do not reflect the existing diverse identities. This not only has policy and legal implications but it also clashes with modern conceptions of human rights and inherent dignity. This paper explores approaches to more inclusive gender identification practices for IDs. Drawing on the framework provided by Wipfler (2016), it examines three strategies: 1) definitional expansion; 2) categorical expansion, and 3) abolition.

The definitional expansion approach would expand the understanding of what a man and a woman are, therefore encompassing a wider population. While it would offer more legal protection and affirmation for transgender or gender non-conforming individuals, it reinforces the presumption that registering gender is a necessity and it would still marginalize non-binary people.

Categorical expansion refers to adding other sex categories beyond the traditional binary. Some societies have already started implementing this step. Although advantageous, it continues to expect individuals to conform to pre-determined categories that they may not identify with.

Abolition advocates for the complete elimination of sex categories in identification, aiming to dismantle discriminatory practices. While this would promote inclusivity, a major drawback is the inability to address existing sex-based discrimination. Thus, this is a promising approach in the long-term, but idealistic in the short-term due to current societal dynamics. A more pragmatic approach combines categorical and definitional expansions of gender.

Keywords: Gender; Identity Documents; Expansion; Abolition

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Elisabeth Satalan _Identity Documents and Gender Identity_ Towards Inclusive Practices.pdf

National, Community, and Individual Resilience: From Uncertainty to Unity Amid War. The Israeli Case: Operation Irom Swords, 2023

eugen.gabor — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 10:39:43 +0000

National, Community, and Individual Resilience: From Uncertainty to Unity Amid War. The Israeli Case: Operation Irom Swords, 2023 eugen.gabor Fri, 02/02/2024 - 12:39

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Mr.

First Name

Avi

Last Name

Bitzur

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Dr.

Address

Israel

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avibitzur@gmail.com

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Institution/University

Beit Berl Academic College

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The social values behind contemporary ideological conflicts

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The resilience and stability of human society, be it of the individuals or the communities
comprising it, depend on several key variables. At times, these variables are influenced
by internal forces, such as the economy, social cohesion, and mutual responsibility; at
times, they are influenced by the perceptions of the individual – as a product of one’s
upbringing, education, and values; and at times, these variables are affected by external
forces, such as existential threats facing the nation.
The latter will be at the heart of this essay, which will delve into Israel as a nation on the
brink of social collapse over the government’s push for a radical judicial overhaul. What
seemed like an unbridgeable internal divide, however, was immediately sidelined on
October 7, 2023, when the Hamas terrorist group launched an unprecedented onslaught
against Israel, with a massacre that left 1,400 people dead.
That bloody morning, which plunged Israel into war, saw all sectors of Israeli society
band together immediately, rising like the legendary phoenix to stand united against those
seeking its destruction and proving Israel’s national resilience as a force to be reckoned
with. This shift – from distress to determination – will be the main focus of this analysis.
Is there such a thing as “inherent” national resilience? Looking at the British people
during World War II, when they came together to keep calm and carry on during the
attacks by Nazi Germany, the answer could be “Yes,” as the national strength exhibited
seemed ingrained in the British character. Still, other nations seem to lack this type of
“backbone” and must therefore develop acquired resilience; via defense training, active and passive defenses, vaccinations, etc. Does this claim stand the test of time and reality as it appears to manifest in the Israeli case?

This essay will focus on resilience as a basic and central concept around which the circles
of society move. It will present the variables influencing the nature of resilience and their
effect on the quantity, quality, and reality of resilience, in any given country at the level
of an individual, the community, and the nation. To analyze these concepts, I will present
the Israeli case of 2023 to examine the fundamental question of whether an external
threat is key to a nation’s unity, social cohesion, and the formation of a strong and stable
communal, individual, and national core able to ward off such threats.
I will also delve into the question of how, in the absence of inherent resilience – as in the
British case – can a society, such as the Israeli society, preserve the cohesion and
resilience it has acquired amid a military conflict.

Keywords: National resilience, inherent resilience, acquired resilience, Iron Swords war, Israel,
the Hamas terrorist organization.

Perception towards immigrants in Romania

eugen.gabor — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 20:41:21 +0000

Perception towards immigrants in Romania eugen.gabor Thu, 02/01/2024 - 22:41

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Author addressing title

Mr.

First Name

Vladimir

Last Name

Pripp

Academic title

Other

Address

Bucharest, Romania

E-mail

vlpripp@gmail.com

Phone

0725957747

Institution/University

School of Sociology and Social Work, University of Bucharest

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The social values behind contemporary ideological conflicts

Paper/Abstract submission

Migration is a global phenomenon which has been extensively researched on a general level,
emphasize being put mostly on western countries, with strong economies. However, migration towards less economically developed states is fairly undocumented. Former communist countries from Europe, which have experienced a population exodus in the last decades, only recently became places of interest for migrants.
Being a relatively new phenomenon, there are mostly crude data, generally concerning
immigration from a numerical perspective and not from the population’s point of view. Thus, the main issues with this subject are the lack of both data and literature. This research, which
analyses the immigration phenomenon from Romanians’ and Bulgarians’ perspective, provides valuable insights to the aforementioned domain, by presenting not only citizens’ attitudes towards immigration, but also predictors of negative and positive attitudes towards this phenomenon. This paper provides an in-depth analysis which identifies what factors form the attitudes towards migrants.
The research method which used in this paper is secondary data analyses. For this paper, I have used the most recent Eurobarometer, 98.2, whose data was collected between January and February 2023. I started with frequencies and crosstabs, to present the general attitudes towards migration. Afterwords, I used regression and factorial analyses in order to identify the attitude predictors towards immigration.
Romanians and Bulgarians have mixed feelings towards migration. Age, gender, political
orientation are strong predictors of positive attitudes towards migrants. The findings are
interesting, because, at a certain level, reject the idea that they discriminate against migrants. Findings from this paper not only fill a literature gap, but also help generate public policies, meant to ease migrant integration.

Keywords: Immigration, attitude, predictors, integration, Eastern Europe

Neoliberalism and the Red Pill: How Andrew Tate Used Populist Discourse to Spread Online Misogyny

VladBT — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:00:55 +0000

Neoliberalism and the Red Pill: How Andrew Tate Used Populist Discourse to Spread Online Misogyny VladBT Mon, 04/10/2023 - 22:00

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Author addressing title

Mr.

First Name

Vlad

Last Name

Bujdei-Tebeica

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Dr.

Address

Calea Giulești 131

E-mail

vlad.bujdei@gmail.com

Phone

0722402469

Institution/University

SNSPA

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The social values behind contemporary ideological conflicts

Paper/Abstract submission

Neoliberalism and the Red Pill:

How Andrew Tate Used Populist Discourse to Spread Online Misogyny

Vlad Bujdei-Tebeica

Summary

Online misogyny surged post-2008 economic crisis, leading to the crystallisation and popularisation of the red pill ideology. Initially limited to online niche circles, Andrew Tate brought it into mainstream discourse by capitalising on male disillusionment and transforming his followers into agents contributing to his wealth accumulation. Tate’s platform reveals a mix of misogyny, populism, and neoliberal individualism, unifying disconnected male groups. His discourse has social and economic aspects: the social paints men as disempowered victims and women as manipulative controllers, while the economic promotes commodifying women and achieving “financial freedom” through exploitation. This convergence of neoliberal “hustle culture” and Red Pill misogyny normalises human sex trafficking in the minds of susceptible men, an offence for which Andrew Tate is currently under investigation by the Romanian Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism.

Keywords: Populism, manosphere, Red Pill, misogyny, anti-feminism, neoliberalism

Introduction

Online misogyny, the red pill movement and incel culture have been extensively studied over the past decade (Moloney 2018; Ging 2017; Byerly 2020; Van Valkenburgh 2018). Despite this, none of these concepts gained anywhere near the same attention as Andrew Tate in 2022. While relevant in and of themselves, they were relegated to specific online communities such as r/TheRedPill, some sub-forums on the 4/chan social media platform, theredpillroom.blogspot.ie, angryharry.com and manosphere.com (Ging 2017). On the other hand, at his peak, in July-August 2022, Andrew Tate was being searched for 25 times more frequently on search engines than all of these concepts combined[1]. This article examines how, using a combination of neoliberal and populist ideology, Andrew Tate managed to capacitate an already frustrated online community of young men to create and spread his content online voluntarily.

This article examines the construction of Tate’s discourse and the method of discourse dissemination through online social media platforms to understand its popularity. Building on extensive literature about the red pill movement, internet “manosphere,” PUA culture, incel culture, and related sub-cultures, the study recontextualises them as populist discourse, offering a Manichean view of society where women supplant men’s power. The first section, “Red-Pill Populism,” explores the theoretical foundations of populism and online misogyny, highlighting their shared exploitation of social tensions, disempowerment, and nostalgia for an idealised past. This simplification of complex issues into binary oppositions attracts those seeking clear answers and scapegoats for their grievances.

The second step is understanding that online misogynistic sub-cultures operate under a neoliberal ideological framework in which women are subject to commodity fetishisation (Van Valkenburgh 2018). In the second section, “Neoliberal Misogyny,” the study investigates the intersection of neoliberalism and misogyny in shaping gender dynamics within the red pill community. The analysis explores the ways in which neoliberal subjectivation, with its focus on entrepreneurship, expertise, and expectations, reinforces and perpetuates hegemonic masculinity, marginalising alternative masculinities and further entrenching gender stereotypes and power imbalances.

Lastly, “Discourse and Method Analysis” examines the content of Andrew Tate’s discourse throughout 2022, focusing on his social media output and other online materials. This section provides insights into the key themes and messages that characterise Tate’s ideology and the methods and techniques he employs to promote his worldview and garner a substantial following within the incel and red-pill communities.

Methodology and article structure

This study seeks to create a framework for understanding the ideology behind Andrew Tate’s discourse. It identifies the main channels of discursive output and defines the critical components of Tate’s ideological framing of the world. The primary approach to analysing the data is discourse analysis, focusing on 39 hours of audio-visual material of Andrew Tate (occasionally accompanied by his brother, Tristan Tate, who also shares his worldview), as well as a book which also reflects Tate’s perspective on life and is aptly titled “The Tate Bible”. The audio-visual material is split into three distinct formats: podcasts, interviews and online courses. These are long-format videos, ranging from half an hour to two and a half hours. The podcast is titled „Emergency Meeting” and features Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan. In the interviews, Andrew Tate is a guest on various other online shows. This allows him to expand his reach and audience beyond his own, and it is the principal vehicle that has allowed him to create viral soundbites which have been propagated throughout the internet. Last but not least, this study looks at the audio-visual content of Andrew Tate’s so-called “Hustlers University”, an online course in which he promises to teach would-be students the secrets to his lifestyle and how they can replicate his principles in order to achieve financial success. These three audio-visual formats were subjected to qualitative media analysis (Rogers, 2005), an inductive method where patterns, themes, and categories emerge from the data through a systematic and iterative process of observation, interpretation, and comparison.

Red-Pill Populism

Populism has always been charged with various meanings and interpretations, making it difficult to provide a single, universally accepted definition (Betz 1998; Mudde 2004; Abi-Hassan 2017). Despite this complexity, populism can generally be understood as a political approach or ideology that emphasises the distinction between “the people” and “the elite,” often proposing that the will of the people should be the primary driver of political decision-making.

Perhaps the most cited definition of the concept belongs to Mudde, who argues that populism is a Manichean ideology in which the corrupt elite and the pure people are at fundamental odds and that politics must represent the will of the people (Mudde 2004). However, Jan-Werner Müller goes beyond this definition, arguing that populists do not simply claim to represent the people, but they, in fact, claim monopoly to that representation (Müller 2016). This, in essence, translates to a fundamentally anti-pluralistic dimension that does not allow for other types of representation in society, except for the interests of ‘the people’.

Online misogyny, on the other hand, often revolves around the dichotomy between “real men” (i.e., straight, heteronormative men) and queer individuals, as well as women. This dichotomy frequently establishes a hierarchy that positions the “real men” as dominant and superior while denigrating and marginalising the others. Similar to populism, the „red-pill” relies on the construction of a common enemy, or “other”, to validate its ideologies and create a sense of belonging among its adherents.

The parallel between the two can be seen in the way both populism and online misogyny exploit social tensions, feelings of disempowerment or marginalisation, and the desire for a return to an idealised past or status quo. By simplifying complex social, economic, and cultural issues into binary oppositions, both phenomena can attract individuals seeking clear answers and scapegoats for their grievances.

Moreover, social media has significantly contributed to the spread of populist and misogynistic ideas by providing platforms for dissemination and fostering echo chambers. Feminist media studies depict online misogyny as attempts to dominate and control women. However, a sociological perspective links these acts to gender stratification and masculinities, positioning them as part of a broader system perpetuating hegemonic power structures. In this sense, online misogyny adheres to heterosexist, cisnormative frameworks governing social interactions, devaluing deviations from binary constructs of sex, gender, and compulsory heterosexuality. (Moloney, 2018).

Neoliberal misogyny

Neoliberalism often applies market-based logic to various aspects of life, including social relationships. In the context of the red pill movement, this manifests as viewing dating and relationships through the lens of economic transactions, with men and women engaging in a marketplace of potential partners. This perspective reinforces commodification and objectification and perpetuates gender stereotypes and power imbalances.

We can see the effects of neoliberalism within the red-pill community by focusing on its modes of subjectivation, which involve the ways in which postwar governance has shaped individual identities through various discourses, strategies, and techniques. Three dimensions of neoliberal subjectivation are relevant to this study: entrepreneurship, expertise, and expectations (Bratich & Weiser, 2019). Entrepreneurship emphasises self-driven, individualised, and self-managed approaches to life, while expertise denotes reliance on self-help discourses, training mechanisms, and pedagogic figures to guide one’s actions. Additionally, confidence emerges as a crucial value and goal at the intersection of these two dimensions in the process of neoliberal subjectivation (Gill & Orgad, 2017).

The third dimension, expectations, pertains to the gendered aspects of confidence-building, specifically the masculine expectations associated with social reproduction (including biological, care work, emotional support, and comfort) that underpin this individualism. In this context, neoliberal “individualism” is not solely about individual autonomy but also relies on interdependence – managing resources (including utilising others as instruments) and trusting experts as guides. This study argues that neoliberalism shapes individual identities in a way that fosters self-reliance and confidence while simultaneously relying on gendered expectations and expert guidance.

The third wave of post-World War II neoliberal cynicism is characterised by a pervasive pessimism regarding the possibility of an alternative global order. The emphasis on limited resources and the notion of the “selfish gene” serves as a stark reminder of the existential significance of human subjectivity and life experience, which is reduced to fulfilling desires in the present moment (Amadae 2016). Additionally, neoliberalism reinforces individualism and competition, aligning with traditionally masculine traits such as self-reliance and competitiveness. Consequently, this environment rewards and perpetuates hegemonic masculinity, as men adhering to these norms are more likely to succeed in a neoliberal society, thereby marginalising those who defy traditional gender roles, including women and non-conforming men.

Discourse and method analysis

Part of the success Tate’s discourse has had online is due to pre-existing conditions already embedded within both online and offline spaces. As Lise Gotell and Emily Dutton (2016) analysed back in 2016, sexual violence towards women was emerging as a new focus of the men’s rights movement. This sought to undermine the criticism that feminism was bringing to rape culture and paint it as simply moral panic. Even back in 2013, Canadian university campuses formed groups explicitly targeting young men that would criticise rape culture figures (Gotell & Dutton 2016). For over a decade, men’s rights movements have stoked young men’s anxieties towards consent standards and shifting gender and sexual norms.

Andrew Tate is a British-American businessman, former kickboxer, and social media personality who emerged in 2022 as a prominent figurehead of the red pill movement. Tate’s trajectory towards prominence started with his participation in the UK reality television series “Big Brother” in 2016, subsequently augmenting his public visibility and fostering the growth of his online persona. Seizing the opportunity presented by his increased notoriety, Tate disseminated content promulgating his contentious perspectives on masculinity, interpersonal relationships, and self-enhancement. His ideologies and way of life struck a chord within the incel and red-pill communities, facilitating the development of a substantial following. Advocating red pill philosophy, which posits that society is covertly female-dominated and endeavours to “enlighten” men to this purported reality, Tate has evolved into an influential figure within the movement. His entrepreneurial pursuits, self-improvement discourses, and his unabashed promotion of traditional-conservative ideals of masculinity have solidified his standing as a preeminent authority within the red pill milieu.

Tate’s following primarily consists of young men actively participating in online communities promoting misogyny, such as the manosphere and the incel community. The manosphere is an umbrella term for a collection of websites, forums, and social media spaces devoted to discussing men’s issues, often from a perspective that challenges or criticises feminist viewpoints. The incel community, or “involuntary celibates,” represents a subset of the manosphere, primarily composed of men who express frustration and resentment over their perceived inability to form romantic or sexual relationships with women.

In terms of how exactly Andrew Tate grew his online social media presence, he did so through the affiliate marketing program of his online academy, Hustler’s University. The program enabled his followers to earn commissions for signing up new members and encouraged them to post videos of him to maximise referrals. This strategy led to thousands of videos being posted on social media, generating numerous referrals and propelling Tate to viral fame. In essence, Tate created a Ponzi scheme by making his followers believe that they were pursuing their own financial freedom while, at the same time, they were contributing to his viralisation throughout social media.

An Observer investigation revealed that followers were explicitly encouraged to create “arguments” and “war” by posting deliberately controversial clips that would attract high engagement and views, generating more Hustler’s University signups (Shanti 2022). On TikTok, content tagged with Tate’s name has been watched more than 12 billion times as the platform’s algorithm pushed his videos to young users.

The discourse analysis of the content that Andrew Tate produced throughout the year 2022 reveals that his message can be broken down into two components: the first refers to a traditional perspective on the social role of men, while the second espouses the ideals of self-made hustle culture. These two categories can be labelled “social” and “economic”. The

Using the previously defined dimensions of neoliberal subjectivation we can conclude that Tate portrays himself as a figure of authority or expert by emphasising his accomplishments, self-confidence, relationship expertise, rejection of conventional wisdom, superiority over critics, and willingness to share his knowledge with others. Regarding entrepreneurship, Tate demonstrates self-driven, individualised, and self-managed approaches to life by focusing on his financial success and luxurious lifestyle. Furthermore, he emphasises his rise from humble beginnings, rejecting conventional norms, formal education, and traditional employment. Through this, Tate embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and projects confidence as a critical aspect of his persona.

Regarding expertise, Tate relies heavily on self-help discourses, sharing unique insights and experiences to guide others. He positions himself as a pedagogic figure with valuable knowledge, particularly in romantic relationships and personal development. His confidence in his abilities reinforces his image as an expert, with the promise of guiding others to similar success. Tate developed the concept of the so-called ‘Hustler’s University’ as part of his pedagogic persona. Most of Andrew Tate’s discourse is dedicated to exploring diverse approaches to generating income. Tate consistently emphasises using illicit means to accumulate wealth during these discussions, specifically by defrauding other individuals. In one example, he explains that all you need to do to start a business is to “make a website, put some pictures on there, pretend you’ve got a whole bunch of stuff you ain’t got, and start getting money in.[2]”

Lastly, expectations encompass the gendered aspects of confidence-building and the masculine expectations associated with social reproduction. Tate’s portrayal of his experiences and expertise embraces these masculine expectations, emphasising his role in managing resources and utilising others as instruments for success. Neoliberal individualism in this context also highlights interdependence, with Tate showcasing his ability to trust and rely on experts as guides.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study has established a comprehensive framework for understanding the ideology behind Andrew Tate’s discourse, focusing on how he disseminates his views on masculinity, relationships, and self-improvement. By employing discourse analysis, the study has dissected the key components of Tate’s ideological framing of the world and highlighted how his message resonates with the red pill community. The research has demonstrated that Tate’s message comprises two main components: traditional perspectives on men’s social roles and promoting self-made hustle culture. Moreover, the study has shown that the dimensions of neoliberal subjectivation—entrepreneurship, expertise, and expectations—play a critical role in shaping Tate’s persona and appeal to his audience.

Furthermore, the analysis has revealed the connections between Tate’s discourse and the broader socio-political context of neoliberalism, populism, and online misogyny. Both populism and online misogyny exploit social tensions and simplify complex issues into binary oppositions, attracting individuals who seek clear answers and scapegoats for their grievances. Additionally, neoliberalism’s influence on individual identities fosters self-reliance and confidence while simultaneously perpetuating gendered expectations and expert guidance. By examining the interplay between these factors, the study has shed light on the strategies and methods employed by Tate to create a sense of belonging among his followers and to maintain his position as an influential figure within the red pill movement.

Further potential avenues of research include investigating the role of social media platforms and their algorithms in disseminating and amplifying red pill ideology. This is crucial to understanding the dynamics of echo chambers and filter bubbles, as well as the potential implications for online discourse and public opinion. Alongside this, identifying and evaluating existing counter-narratives and interventions aimed at challenging or mitigating the impact of red pill ideologies and online misogyny will help develop more effective strategies for addressing these issues and fostering more inclusive and inclusive and equitable online spaces.

Author bio:

Vlad Bujdei-Tebeica was born in 1989, in Bucharest. He studied political science at the National University of Political Science and Public Administration (SNSPA) in Bucharest, where he earned his PhD with the title „THE POST-2008 IDEOLOGICAL CRISIS OF THE EUROPEAN LEFT: Decline, transformation and Crisis of the European Left in the neoliberal hegemonic context of post-communist Europe”, in 2022. He currently works as an associate teaching assistant at SNSPA. He also has experience working in the public administration sector and elaborating regional development strategies.

Literature

1. Abi-Hassan, Sahar (2017) Populism and Gender. In The Oxford Handbook of Populism, edited by Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser, Paul Taggart, Paulina Ochoa Espejo and Pierre Ostiguy, 426–44. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

2. Amadae S.M. (2015): Neoliberal Political Philosophy. In Prisoners of Reason – Game Theory and Neoliberal Political Economy. New York: Cambridge University Press.

3. Băluță Oana (2023): The Andrew Tate case shows woman-haters are growing stronger. Why are we failing to act?. Euronews. https://www.euronews.com/2023/02/20/the-andrew-tate-case-shows-woman-haters-are-growing-stronger-why-are-we-failing-to-act?fbclid=IwAR1LZIN3Jwoew5lvlZeCZSkYIpcOXhlDlEI0zBWc-Un_QFDgn2h-9PRSyWI

4. Betz, Hans-Georg. (1998): The New Politics of the Right: Neo-Populist Parties and Movements in Established Democracies. New York: St. Martin’s Press.

5. Bratich Jack & Banet-Weiser Sarah (2019): From Pick-Up Artists to Incels: Con(fidence) Games, Networked Misogyny, and the Failure of Neoliberalism. International Journal of Communication 13, Feature 5003–5027

6. Byerly Carolyn M. (2020): Incels online reframing sexual violence, The Communication Review, DOI: 10.1080/10714421.2020.1829305

7. Das Shanti (2022): Inside the violent, misogynistic world of TikTok’s new star, Andrew Tate. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/aug/06/andrew-tate-violent-misogynistic-world-of-tiktok-new-star

8. David Thomas (2006): A General Inductive Approach for Analysing Qualitative Evaluation Data. American Journal of Evaluation. Vol. 27 No. 2, June 237-246. DOI: 10.1177/1098214005283748

9. Debbie Ging (2017): Alphas, Betas, and Incels: Theorising the Masculinities of the Manosphere. Men and Masculinities: 1-20. DOI: 10.1177/1097184X17706401

10. George Hawley (2017): The Alt-Right’s Goals and Predecessors. Making Sense of the Alt-Right. New York: Columbia University Press.

11. Gill R, Orgad S (2017) Confidence culture and the remaking of feminism. New Formations 91: 16–34.

12. Lise Gotell & Emily Dutton (2016): Sexual violence in the ‘manosphere’: Antifeminist men’s rights discourses on rape. International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy 5(2): 65‐80. DOI: 10.5204/ijcjsd.v5i2.310.

13. Marwick Alice E. & Caplan Robyn (2018): Drinking male tears: language, the manosphere, networked harassment, Feminist Media Studies, DOI: 10.1080/14680777.2018.1450568

14. Moloney Mairead Eastin (2018): Assessing online misogyny: Perspectives from sociology and feminist media studies. Sociology Compass. 2018;e12577. https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.12577

15. Mudde, Cas. (2004) The Populist Zeitgeist. Government and Opposition, 39(4): 541–63. doi: 10.1111/j.1477-7053.2004.00135.x.

16. Müller, Jan-Werner (2016) What is Populism? Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

17. Van Valkenburgh Shawn (2021): Digesting the Red Pill: Masculinity and Neoliberalism in the Manosphere. Men and Masculinities, Vol. 24 (I), pp. 84-103. DOI: 10.1177/1097184X18816118

[1] According to Google Trends, searched March 20th 2023, link: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?q=andrew%20tate,red%20pill,manosphere,misogyny&hl=en-GB

[2] Citation taken from one of Andrew’s online courses.

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Bujdei-Tebeica, Vlad - Articol_0.docx

The welfare state through the lens of the social investment perspective: transformations and challenges

Milena_Yorgova — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 09:22:34 +0000

The welfare state through the lens of the social investment perspective: transformations and challenges Milena_Yorgova Mon, 04/10/2023 - 12:22

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Author addressing title

Mrs.

First Name

Milena

Last Name

Yorgova

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Dr.

Address

D. Chokanov 7 A str.
5000 Veliko Tarnovo
Bulgaria

E-mail

m.yorgova@ts.uni-vt.bg

Phone

+359-887134395

Institution/University

St Cyril and St Methodius University of Veliko Tranovo

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The social values behind contemporary ideological conflicts

Paper/Abstract submission

The paper examines the transformations in modern welfare states and the use of social investment as an approach to limit and overcome the major challenges to the European social model. The conceptual development of the approach to the needs of the EU political engagement in the social sphere is built on the basis of the links between economy, employment and social policy. The research interest in the issue has been provoked by the activity of the EU to restart its social dimension in an attempt to give a new impetus to the idea of a social and inclusive Europe for its citizens

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Milena_Yorgova_2023_4.docx

On the false representation of the present-day crisis society in global corporate media

vihrb — Sat, 01 Apr 2023 06:13:59 +0000

On the false representation of the present-day crisis society in global corporate media vihrb Sat, 04/01/2023 - 09:13

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Author addressing title

Mr.

First Name

Vihren

Last Name

Bouzov

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Prof.

Address

St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo
T. Tarnovski Str.2
5003 Veliko Tarnovo
Bulgaria

E-mail

v.bouzov@gmail.com

Phone

+359888331772

Institution/University

St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo

Conference Panels

The social values behind contemporary ideological conflicts

Paper/Abstract submission

There is a legitimate expectation that the global media should accurately reflect and positively assist the democratic political process. The great crises that are shaking the world today show there is no chance of this happening. The global media has been a major contributor to inadequate response of the West to the flows of forced migration from the wars in the Middle East and North Africa. In the period of the global pandemic, they spread ominous panic predictions and contributed, in fact, to justifying the curtailment of human rights. At present the energy and the environmental crises are deepening as a result of media propaganda.

It seems natural and justified to explain the disappearance of independent journalism and the tendency of the global media to offer false pictures of the world with the reflex to serve the ruling elites and with the financial and political dependencies of the owners.

However, there is one perspective for revealing manipulativeness of the media that is usually lost. It is possible that journalists isolate themselves from reality for epistemological reasons, misconceptions and prejudices, that make them unable to understand and give meaning of it. The failure to understand today's extremely complex and confused world can be a more serious source of delusions and fake news than financial and political addictions or serving political and economic interests.

In the presented paper I will analyze some subjective obstacles through cognitive and creative thinking that have been analyzed by philosophers and social scientists and inevitably impact the depiction of the world in the media. They outline a rich tradition that raises serious doubts about the attainment of reliable knowledge and true media information.

Key words: global media, crisis society, subjective obstacles, truth

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Paper Academos 8 VB 1.docx

Success in life; professional success, the image of the successful woman, social mobility and erotic capital; social attractiveness; women and Romanian politics

eugen.gabor — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 00:16:37 +0000

Success in life; professional success, the image of the successful woman, social mobility and erotic capital; social attractiveness; women and Romanian politics eugen.gabor Sun, 02/26/2023 - 02:16

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Student author

Author addressing title

Ms.

First Name

Corina

Last Name

Benga

Academic title

Other

Address

E-mail

corina.benga@politice.ro

Phone

Institution/University

SNSPA

Conference Panels

The social values behind contemporary ideological conflicts

Paper/Abstract submission

Paper upload

Abstract_CorinaBenga_SNSPA.docx

#JeSuisCharlie – a Movement that reveals the polarization of French society regarding Political Correctness

eugen.gabor — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 07:47:53 +0000

#JeSuisCharlie – a Movement that reveals the polarization of French society regarding Political Correctness eugen.gabor Wed, 02/22/2023 - 09:47

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Non-student author

Author addressing title

Mrs.

First Name

Mădălina

Last Name

Constantin

Academic title

Other

Address

E-mail

Madalina.Constantin@kontron.ro

Phone

Institution/University

National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest

Conference Panels

The social values behind contemporary ideological conflicts

Paper/Abstract submission

The article explores the social and political responses of French society and Government to the aftermaths of the terrorist attack from 2015 against the Charlie Hebdo journalists. As political correctness shapes certain national policies in many countries with democratic traditions, this paper researches the political and social causes that led to the national and international success of the #JeSuisCharlie movement. The questions investigated are: how can the integration of Islamic religious communities can take place in the French secular culture and not affect the freedom of speech? The attack against Charlie Hebdo was perceived by French society and politicians as an attack against the French nation, in particular an attack against people who represent the fundamental values of this group (the "freedom of speech"). The conclusion of the paper is that French society is highly polarized on political correctness, how far freedom of expression can go, and how dangerous this freedom can be in a secular culture that has failed to assimilate radical Islamism. At the same time, the reactions to this attack point to a specific feature of French culture, namely that "the tension between the 'république comme Etat-nation' and the 'république comme système de valeurs universelles'" underlies many of the social and political conflicts in contemporary France.

Knowledge, science, intellectuals and crises

Alfred Bulai — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 19:11:48 +0000

Knowledge, science, intellectuals and crises Alfred Bulai Tue, 02/21/2023 - 21:11

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Non-student author

Author addressing title

Mr.

First Name

Alfred

Last Name

Bulai

Academic title

Prof.

Address

Aleea Valea Prahovei nr 1A, bloc 825bis, scara 2 etaj 10 ap 85, sector6

E-mail

alfbulai@yahoo.com

Phone

0722329201

Institution/University

SNSPA

Conference Panels

The social values behind contemporary ideological conflicts

Paper/Abstract submission

Whether we surf the internet, watch the news on television, or listen to more or less academic lectures, we are familiar with a phrase that has become a public label associated with the Romanian society and, at least in recent years, equally to the international one. The world is in crisis and so is Romania. At least we are better from this perspective, as many of those who talk about Romania consider it to be in a deeper crisis, facing more problems and having fewer solutions. Overlooking the trivial remark according to which it is questionable whether a crisis constantly characterizing a society is a crisis indeed, in this article I propose an epistemological perspective on the problem of the crisis and an X-ray of the mechanisms of knowledge that regulate and manage it. This article deals with four main themes. Firstly, I will depict a typology of knowledge, distinguishing between three types: common knowledge, public knowledge, and scientific knowledge. I will detail the concept of public knowledge and show the special role played by public intellectuals and public communicators in this type of knowledge. The former are specialists who choose to transmit information from their specialty fields to the public space, while the latter are public experts who have notoriety without being specialists in the fields in which they communicate. They propose a knowledge to say “superficial”, but extremely important on a social level. I will insist on the role of this type of culture of superficiality, a major role in the functioning of societies. Also, in this part I will describe the ideological mechanism behind all these types of knowledge whose management is provided by the structures of power. The second theme is the role of knowledge communities and intellectuals as members of these communities in supporting and disseminating labels applicable to social change. Moreover, I will show that in the field of sociology there is even a clearly defined professional dimension in the area of social activism, that is, public sociology. In fact, any intellectual in the public space is a propagandist of some values, sometimes we are talking about the values generally accepted in society, but not always. The third theme is the role of the paradigm of negative labeling of change, a paradigm that underlies many knowledge communities in today's world, a paradigm according to which social reality is evaluated and interpreted as a continuous suite of social problems. In other words, the world is represented as a universe of problems to be solved. This paradigm is based on the modern cultural model of the necessary positive evolution of history, according to which any stagnation or negative evolution is interpreted as a social problem. The fourth part of the article deals with crises and the mechanism by which they are generated by knowledge communities, as well as their main characteristics. Finally, I am trying to answer the question of why crises cannot be solved.

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Cunoașterea știința intelectualii și crizele_en.docx

The welfare state through the lens of the social investment perspective: transformations and challenges

Milena_Yorgova — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 18:55:48 +0000

The welfare state through the lens of the social investment perspective: transformations and challenges Milena_Yorgova Sun, 02/05/2023 - 20:55

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Non-student author

Author addressing title

Mrs.

First Name

Milena

Last Name

Yorgova

Academic title

Dr.

Address

D. Chokanov 7 A str.
5000 Veliko Tarnovo
Bulgaria

E-mail

m.yorgova@ts.uni-vt.bg

Phone

+359887134395

Institution/University

St Cyril and St Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo

Conference Panels

The social values behind contemporary ideological conflicts

Paper/Abstract submission

Paper upload

Milena_Yorgova_2023_3.docx