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Topic Review
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Topic Review
Peer Reviewed
Pesticide: A Contemporary Cultural Object
The article provides a narrative review of the social and cultural interpretation of pesticides in contemporary society. In so doing, it highlights the main fields of exploration investigated by social scientists concerning the perception and role played by these products among farmers and consumers. Following the WHO definition, pesticides are chemical compounds used to kill pests, including insects, rodents, fungi, and unwanted plants. They are contemporary cultural artefacts that social sciences explore in synergy with other disciplines to highlight their socio-cultural connections at both local and global levels. Specifically, the use of these products is connected with power relations, which are embedded in and reflect imbalances and inequalities in access to rights and resources, as well as specific articulation of the perception of risk arising from environmental contamination in terms of individual and collective psychophysical health. Furthermore, pesticides fit into various environmental conceptions and multiple local knowledge systems, representing the intersection of different cultural heritages, worldviews, and rationales that make the tradition–modernity dichotomy complex and dynamic. In this respect, therefore, pesticides can be understood not just as mere tools for agricultural practice but as vital windows through which to investigate multiple layers of meaning to support transitions towards sustainable pest management systems, both environmentally and socio-culturally.
186
29 Apr 2024
Topic Review
Affirmative Action Policies in Higher Education in Brazil
The debate about the implementation of affirmative action policies in Brazil is not disconnected from the development of this discussion, proposals, and policy implementation at a global level. Although there is knowledge in Brazil about affirmative action programs in several different countries since the second half of the 20th century, the most common experience of this type of policy that is quoted and more broadly known is the US experience.
58
01 Apr 2024
Topic Review
The Hikikomori Phenomenon
The Hikikomori phenomenon can be classified with the classification of “social pathology”: the Hikikomori phenomenon, and its spread in society, appear to be a real danger to the sustainability and resilience of the very society in which it occurs. This is because the social isolation of an individual, especially if young and non-independent, impacts the community of reference in human, economic and psychological terms.
65
18 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Digital Risk Cultures in Human Development
As digitalization evolves, so do the experiences and perceptions of digital hazards, leading to a multifaceted interaction involving consciousness, vulnerability, and remediation. With the growing integration of societies and individuals into the digital landscape, there is a corresponding rise in their vulnerability to cyber dangers such as security breaches and misinformation campaigns.
80
18 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Nomos
Nomos, within the field of sociology, denotes the intricate framework of norms, rules, and cultural conventions that govern and regulate social behavior within a given society. It encompasses both formal and informal mechanisms of social control, reflecting the collective values, beliefs, and customs of a community. Nomos is dynamic, evolving over time in response to societal changes, yet integral to the maintenance of social order and the perpetuation of cultural continuity.
170
08 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Necropolitics
Necropolitics is a concept that originates from postcolonial theory and refers to the politics of death and the power dynamics surrounding the control and regulation of life and death. Coined by Achille Mbembe, necropolitics examines how state power and sovereignty are exercised through the management of mortality, including the deployment of violence, surveillance, and exclusionary practices that determine who lives and who dies within a society.
304
08 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Social Inertia
Social inertia refers to the tendency of social systems to resist change and maintain their existing state of equilibrium. It encompasses the collective reluctance or resistance within a society to adopt new ideas, practices, or norms, even in the face of external pressures or opportunities for change. Social inertia can arise from various factors, including cultural traditions, institutional structures, and psychological biases, and it often presents challenges for efforts to enact social reform or innovation.
205
08 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Iron Cage
The concept of the "iron cage," introduced by sociologist Max Weber, metaphorically describes the rationalization and bureaucratization of modern society, wherein individuals become trapped by rigid systems of rules, regulations, and rationalized institutions. It signifies the loss of individual autonomy and creativity as bureaucratic structures increasingly dominate social life, constraining human agency within the confines of rationalized systems.
253
08 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Androcentrism
Androcentrism is a cultural and societal phenomenon characterized by the prioritization of male perspectives, experiences, and values over those of women. It manifests in various aspects of society, including language, media representation, and institutional practices, perpetuating gender inequalities and reinforcing patriarchal power structures.
290
08 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Habitus
In sociology, habitus refers to the set of deeply ingrained habits, dispositions, and cultural norms that individuals acquire through socialization and experience within their social environment. Developed by French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, habitus shapes individuals' perceptions, behaviors, and social interactions, influencing their tastes, preferences, and social positioning within society. It operates unconsciously, guiding individuals' actions and choices in ways that are often taken for granted but reflect their social background and position.
218
08 Feb 2024
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