Michael Bakwesegha’s Post

Another excellent discussion. "Evolutionary biology, gender dynamics, societal norms, chemicals, technology…there is no denying the intricate interplay between biological, psychological, technological and cultural factors in shaping human behavior and identity. Sasha and Stella welcome guest, Heather Heying to the show for a grounding conversation exploring the complexity of human behavior, the inevitability of making mistakes, the anxieties and fears prevalent among the younger generation, and the importance of understanding risk thresholds in navigating life's uncertainties." https://lnkd.in/g2SvrQtX

Political ambivalence can actually lead to support for extremism—including violence. That story, DNA insights into ancient sacrifices, and more of the best from Science Magazine and science in this edition of #ScienceAdviser: https://lnkd.in/gFQafJD6

[105/365] What makes you "you"? Every individual is unique in the truest sense; even genetically identical siblings show subtle differences. According to Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, an individual is the product of multiple systems, from the immediate ("microsystem") to the temporal ("chronosystem"). This explains why generational gaps and individual differences exist concurrently. At the same time, the individual is not a passive recipient of such influences. One can choose to receive, resist, or even reject such systems. In our current milleu, certain influences have outsized impact on our youth (e.g. access to technology, mass-social media) while others are diminished (e.g. religiosity, extended families and sense of neighbourhoodliness). As societies become more fragmented and long-established norms are no longer true (re: the Peace Dividend; https://lnkd.in/gX6V8cJd), it is timely to re-examine the systems, their interactions and their impact on the individual. Please leave a comment to share the influences that makes you "you" 😊

Aristotle is the father of political science. He said that man is a political animal and politics is natural to human community. He has not only worked in political science but also economics, natural sciences, philosophy and many other disciplines. He was one of the first to focus on constitutions, without which modern polities are unimaginable. #Aristolte #politicalanimal #zoonpolitikon #eudaimonia #justice #equality #polis

Hyper-individualism is a pathology that has induced unspeakable stress, violence, and misery the world over. Sold as 'freedom', this perverse ideology (alien to the Global South to begin with) has only achieved the opposite - aggravating economic exploitation and turning vulnerable populations against themselves in a mindless race to the bottom. Narcissism is through the roof, vacuous consumerism dominates the culture, and the deities of old have been replaced by Capital. Despite so much economic growth and development, how do we find ourselves in this dog-eat-dog modality? Read my latest in The Express Tribune! https://lnkd.in/gTivfFxK 

In this new episode of City Politicos, Chris Rojek, Michael Ben-Gad and I discuss a range of issue, including the idea of a ‘blue wall’ in the South East in particular, long-held Tory seats which might fall, the politics of the North East, including my hometown of Hartlepool, the meaning of Kemi Badenoch and the possibility that there could be some (including some second-wave feminists) who become ‘Badenoch Labour’ in the manner of 1980s ‘Reagan Democrats’ as well as the difference of her politics to those of Braverman or Mordaunt, and Reform, and of course what the re-entry of Farage into the election might mean. Chris asks more about how we see the vision of society under the various parties. Both Michael and I consider the ways a new type of skills-based economy may need to be developed in light of AI, etc. I suggest that the Tories’ now accept multiculturalism, but remain inwardly focused and anti-Europe, and how the Liberal Democrats could moderate Labour’s authoritarian tendencies, while Michael wonders whether we might see bigger changes and introduction of conscription if Putin expands his war beyond Ukraine, possibly involving nuclear weapons. Do share it! City, University of London City School of Policy and Global Affairs Lise Butler Konstantin Vössing Charles Lees https://lnkd.in/enKgn6VR

The Invention of Race: Unpacking a Fragile Concept We delve into the idea that race is a man-made construct, crafted for economic and political purposes. Discover how this concept has shaped society and led to racism, and explore the powerful influence of invented ideas on our understanding of humanity. #RaceTheory #SocialConstruct #RacismAnalysis #CulturalStudies #InventedConcepts #PoliticalEconomy #EthnicityDiscussion #HumanUnderstanding #SociologyInsights #ConceptsMatter

Sawab Center’s latest paper, titled Road to extremism: Identity crises and radicalization in Western societies, focuses on how crises of identity can push individuals towards radicalization in Western contexts, focusing on North America, Europe, and Australia. Our study explores how feelings of alienation and the search for belonging can make individuals more vulnerable to extremist ideologies. Drawing on rigorous empirical research on this topic, it sheds light on the individual and social triggers that lead people to seek identity and community within radical groups.

Unveiling the Horrors of Pseudo-Science: The Shocking Legacy of "Drapetomania" Today, I stumbled upon a term that sent shivers down my spine, compelling me to confront a horrifying chapter of history anew. "Drapetomania" — a concept so unsettling that it underscores the profound atrocities our ancestors endured. Coined in 1851 by American physician Samuel A. Cartwright, this term was purported to diagnose a so-called mental illness that "caused" enslaved Africans to seek freedom from captivity. Rooted in the perverse rationale that slavery was somehow beneficial, Cartwright argued that any inclination towards escape was a sign of insanity. Cartwright's assertion that drapetomania was a disease, previously "unknown to our medical authorities," is as shocking as it is abhorrent. He audaciously recommended "treatments" such as whipping and imposing draconian restrictions on the enslaved, asserting that these measures could prevent their natural quest for liberty. This stance wasn't just Cartwright's personal folly but was indicative of the era's broader racist ideologies, portraying African Americans as innately inferior beings destined only for servitude. The legacy of drapetomania serves as a stark reminder of how science and medicine can be twisted to support heinous beliefs and practices. Although the concept was ridiculed in Cartwright's time, especially in the northern United States, it remains a chilling example of scientific racism's attempt to justify and maintain racial oppression and slavery. Understanding the history and implications of terms like drapetomania is crucial in grappling with the legacy of racism and its ongoing impact on African American communities. It highlights the extreme lengths to which proponents of slavery went to rationalize their inhumane actions, often cloaking their motives in the guise of medical and scientific authority. Today, as we reflect on this grim past, we must remain vigilant against the misuse of science to propagate falsehoods and uphold injustices.