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Ladies Figure Skating as an Element of Russian Soft Power in the International Arena
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, March 2021
Pages:
1-7
Received:
24 December 2020
Accepted:
13 January 2021
Published:
22 January 2021
Abstract: This article examines Russia's growing attractiveness around the world through the prism of its athletic performance. With the beginning of the new millennium, Russia's status in the sports world is attracting great international and scientific attention. Over the past three decades, in the context of the geocultural paradigm of the development of the global world, the process of shaping the humanitarian dimension in world politics has clearly emerged. Humanitarian problems are of particular importance in modern international relations. Their solution depends on the state of international relations, the level of their tension and conflict, as well as the involvement in this process not only of official representatives of states, but also of representatives of the general public, including the sports community. Sport is a global phenomenon. At its best, it has the ability to bring people together regardless of their background, upbringing, religious beliefs or economic status. In a positive manifestation, sport serves as a tool for intercultural cooperation, aimed at peacemaking, overcoming conflicts and achieving intercultural dialogue. As such, sport is widely recognized as an important source of soft power resources for any international actor. This is especially true for modern Russia, since one should not forget that sports victories are associated today with the strength of the state, its authority and image on the world stage. The key research object of this article is figure skating as a sports component of the “soft power” arsenal of modern Russia. Using the sport of women's figure skating as an example, the article explores how Russia uses soft-power tools of influence in the intersecting arena of politics, sports and foreign policy to consolidate regional and global hegemony through a combination of different strategies. These include regular successful hosting and participation in major sporting events; development of national sports content; a positive cumulative rating in international competitions compared to other contenders for international influence. The article argues that in the modern world, sport is an instrument of political influence with a powerful potential and capabilities. It identifies shortcomings in the development of the Russian potential of such a sport as figure skating, examines possible prospects and highlights the main directions for a more fruitful use of figure skating as a tool of diplomacy and “soft power”.
Abstract: This article examines Russia's growing attractiveness around the world through the prism of its athletic performance. With the beginning of the new millennium, Russia's status in the sports world is attracting great international and scientific attention. Over the past three decades, in the context of the geocultural paradigm of the development of ...
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Comparing Political Participation Levels of Party Members Within the Two Main Parties of Turkey Based on Their Media Usage and Expectations
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, March 2021
Pages:
8-17
Received:
18 November 2020
Accepted:
28 January 2021
Published:
2 February 2021
Abstract: This research aimed to examine the relationships of media usage and party members’ expectations with political participation of political party members in İstanbul. The four criteria developed by Robert Dahl about participation are used according to the interest, concern, information, and activity processes. It scrutinized how political party members use social media to acquire political information, how much they are valued and positioned within their parties, and what characteristics they expect their representatives to hold. This study was carried out in three districts of Istanbul. These districts were selected from the three electoral districts in Istanbul and each one of them was assumed to represent one election district. These districts are Avcılar, Fatih and Kartal. In our study, a mixed research method based on questionnaire and interview was used. A total of 537 people was surveyed, and in-depth interviews were conducted with 21 people working at different levels in the parties in these three districts. The results indicated three main findings. Firstly, both party members preferred to follow up with what happens in political agenda using social media rather than traditional media outlets. Secondly, both party members stated that they would like to be a local assembly member or a national assembly member but have no interest in becoming a local mayor or a chairman of party’s local region/city. Moreover, both party members believed that they are not in the roles/positions they deserved and do not receive the value and importance they deserved within their parties. Finally, both party members expected their party representatives to be honest and honorable, rather than charismatic, rich, brave, and decisive, or hardworking. Overall, these findings suggest that although both parties are located on different sides of politics, there is no significant difference between Ak Party (JDP, Justice and Development Party) and CHP (RPP, Republican People Party) on these issues.
Abstract: This research aimed to examine the relationships of media usage and party members’ expectations with political participation of political party members in İstanbul. The four criteria developed by Robert Dahl about participation are used according to the interest, concern, information, and activity processes. It scrutinized how political party membe...
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The Maritime Rise of China in Indo-Pacific and Indo-US Counter Balancing Approach
Huma Amin,
Arslan Rafique
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, March 2021
Pages:
18-23
Received:
8 February 2021
Accepted:
23 February 2021
Published:
17 March 2021
Abstract: The study of international relations evolve around the study of the power relation between significant states. Powerful nations have funded divergent views to develop political values and ideologies. The global system has been dominated since the Cold War by the United States (US), which has been shaken by the relative decline of the US economy and China’s simultaneous rise. China is rapidly emerging, assuming that the Indo-Pacific region is a serious challenger to Indo-US interests. Because their strategic responses are growing against each other, the states are adopting hedging policies. Simultaneously, the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) affects the balance and order of power. In the throes of stiff US-China competition, a crumbling European project, de-globalization and a contested economic development landscape, the pandemic came. Although the American leadership role was aggravated by this pandemic, Beijing, on the other hand, has also distanced itself from the existing global order. The clash of rhetoric, narratives, and perceptions has been sharpened. As a serious challenger to the interests of Washington in the globalised world, China is rapidly rising specifically in Indo-Pacific region. Unlike the Cold War era, among the states of the world, the intense balance of power politics in the form of alliances is present. The hedging strategies are still being adopted by the states to counter the existential threats of hard balancing and soft balancing.
Abstract: The study of international relations evolve around the study of the power relation between significant states. Powerful nations have funded divergent views to develop political values and ideologies. The global system has been dominated since the Cold War by the United States (US), which has been shaken by the relative decline of the US economy and...
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