Sociology & Cultural Research Review

ERASING THE SELF: IDENTIFYING RACIAL PASSING IN BENNET’S THE VANISHING HALF

2025-01-02T01:12:43+02:00

This article examines the issue of racial passing in Brit Bennett's novel The Vanishing Half (2020) which tackles the intricacies of racial identity and persecution in a multicultural society. This study attempts to shed light on how characters deal with racial prejudice and the effects of their decisions by using an analysis based on passing theory. The story centres on twin sisters Stella and Desiree as they negotiate their identities in the face of institutional racism and social norms. While Desiree celebrates her Black identity, Stella's choice to pass as a white lady underlines the psychological and societal ramifications of colourism. The findings of the research aid in comprehending the larger conversation about race, identity, and the long-lasting effects of past injustices experienced by marginalised groups. Ultimately, this piece highlights Bennett's story's importance in modern African American literature and its critique of racial hierarchy.

Keywords: Racial Passing, Brit Bennett's Novel, The Vanishing Half, Racial Identity, Multicultural Society

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE IN NORTH AMERICA: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

2025-01-02T16:45:55+02:00

This paper explores the prospects and challenges of restorative justice practices in North America, with a focus on their application in Canada and the United States. Restorative justice, which emphasizes repairing harm through dialogue and community involvement, has gained traction in criminal justice systems as an alternative to traditional punitive approaches. The article examines the theoretical underpinnings of restorative justice and its impact on various communities, particularly marginalized groups. Key challenges identified include institutional resistance, cultural misunderstandings, and the difficulty of integrating restorative justice practices into formal legal systems. Drawing on case studies from British Columbia and Saskatchewan, the paper highlights successful restorative justice models and their potential to transform justice outcomes. The findings indicate that while restorative justice shows promise, its broader implementation requires addressing structural barriers and fostering cultural shifts within legal institutions.

Keywords: Restorative Justice, North America, Community Justice, Criminal Justice Reform, Institutional Resistance

ENERGY DIPLOMACY: CASA-1000 AND TAPI PROJECTS BRIDGING CENTRAL AND SOUTH ASIA

2025-01-03T09:05:26+02:00

Energy security is a critical driver of regional cooperation and geopolitical strategies in South and Central Asia. This paper examines the strategic dimensions of two major transnational energy projects: the Central Asia-South Asia Electricity Transmission Project (CASA-1000) and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline. CASA-1000 aims to transmit surplus electricity from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to energy-deficient Afghanistan and Pakistan, while TAPI seeks to deliver natural gas from Turkmenistan to South Asia. These projects are heralded as transformative initiatives for regional integration, economic growth, and internal energy demands.This study employs a qualitative case study methodology to analyse the geopolitical, economic, and societal implications of these projects. It highlights the potential for fostering interdependence and regional stability but also underscores significant challenges, including security threats, political instability and competing stakeholder interests. The role of Afghanistan as a transit state is critically assessed, considering its pivotal position and ongoing instability.Findings suggest that while CASA-1000 and TAPI have the potential to reshape regional energy dynamics, their success depends on effective multilateral cooperation, conflict resolution and robust institutional frameworks. The paper argues that these projects are not merely energy ventures but strategic tools that could redefine South and Central Asia's geopolitical landscape. By addressing these challenges, the projects could emerge as models for transnational cooperation, contributing to regional stability and economic resilience.

Keywords: Multilateral Cooperation, Energy Security, Geopolitics of Energy, Sustainable Development, Clean Energy

STRATEGIC IMPERATIVES OF CYBER SECURITY IN MODERN WARFARE: BALANCING INNOVATION WITH RESPONSIBILITY

2025-01-03T09:32:08+02:00

The advent of advanced cyber technologies, such as artificial intelligence, malware, and cyber espionage tools, has significantly transformed modern warfare, presenting unprecedented strategic opportunities alongside profound ethical dilemmas. This study critically examines the interplay between these emerging technologies and their impact on military strategies, focusing on Pakistan's military infrastructure. It explores ethical challenges, such as privacy violations, proportionality, and accountability, arising from the militarization of cyberspace. By employing cybersecurity governance theory, the research analyses how states can mitigate risks associated with cyber tools while maintaining global security norms. The study highlights Pakistan's unique geopolitical position and its evolving cyber defense strategies in response to regional threats and global cyber norms. Using qualitative methodologies, including interviews with military and cybersecurity professionals, this research aims to provide actionable recommendations for balancing innovation in cyber warfare with ethical responsibility. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on cybersecurity governance, offering insights into how nations can address ethical and strategic imperatives in modern military operations.

Keywords: cybersecurity governance, modern warfare, ethical dilemmas, cyber technologies, Pakistan military strategy

US-CHINA GEOPOLITICAL COMPETITION OVER LITHIUM RESOURCES: IMPACTS AND OUTCOMES FOR PAKISTAN’S ENERGY SECURITY

2025-01-05T03:30:24+02:00

Lithium is acritical resource that is mostly employed in re-chargeable batteries in electronic items systems such as notebooks, hybrids, and cellular telephones. The Lithium-ion battery market over the years has been growing Sino-Levfong 2013 relations now. In 2018, lithium was classified as critical to national interests and economic activities in the United States while in 2020, it was declared critical with regards to raw material in the European Union. All these factors including the globalization of the created market put more emphasis on lithium. As a result of these transition, there has been an increase in the rivalry between the United States and China over lithium resources thereby complicating the energy security landscape in Asia. This contest is realigning the geopolitical landscape of the regions particularly Asia where countries like India and Pakistan has to carefully maneuver its respective strategic cooperation. The paper aims to examine the impacts and outcomes for Pakistan’s energy security. It involves literature review and policy analysis betwixt geopolitical competitors on lithium production, processing, pricing and trade and investment patterns to explore inter-relationship among global competitors and investment priorities of Pakistan.

Keywords: Renewable Energy, Lithium Geopolitics, US-China Competition, Energy Security

WENDIGO: REVOLUTIONIZING QUIZ-BASED LEARNING WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR SOCIAL IMPACT

2025-01-07T06:39:29+02:00

Wendigo is an AI-powered quiz generation platform designed to transform educational assessments by providing personalized, adaptive, and dynamic learning experiences. This application leverages advanced machine learning and natural language processing (NLP) technologies to automate the creation of quizzes from diverse educational content, reducing the workload for educators while enhancing learner engagement. Wendigo generates contextually relevant quizzes tailored to varying educational levels and subjects, offering an accessible tool for both formal education and self-directed learning. Its user-centric design allows for real-time feedback, making it an effective tool for improving knowledge retention and personalized learning pathways. The platform’s core innovation lies in its ability to personalize content through performance-based adaptation. By analyzing learner progress, Wendigo adjusts the complexity and structure of subsequent quizzes, catering to individual learning needs. Additionally, it supports diverse educational contexts, from school-based assessments to corporate training and competitive exam preparation. The system's web-based design ensures accessibility across devices, promoting inclusivity for learners in remote or underserved regions. However, the development of Wendigo also presents certain challenges, including potential biases in AI-generated content, data privacy concerns, and technical limitations in low-resource areas. To maximize its societal impact, future enhancements will focus on expanding the question bank, introducing multilingual support, and integrating with popular learning management systems (LMS) for broader usability. Ethical considerations, such as data security and fairness in AI-generated content, remain central to the platform’s continuous improvement. Wendigo's broader societal relevance extends beyond education by supporting corporate training programs, competitive exam preparation, and community learning initiatives. Its potential to bridge educational gaps and promote equitable access to quality assessments highlights the transformative role of AI in modern education. As technological advancements continue, Wendigo offers a scalable and effective model for leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance global learning outcomes.

Keywords: AI-Powered Learning, Quiz Generation, Educational Technology, Personalized Learning, Adaptive Assessments, Inclusive Education, Corporate Training, Knowledge Retention

UNVEILING GLOBAL POWER DYNAMICS: A FOUCAULDIAN ANALYSIS OF POST-COLONIAL PERSPECTIVE IN MIDDLE EAST

2025-01-06T09:13:11+02:00

The Middle East remains deeply affected by the lasting effects of colonialism, with control, exploitation, and the imposition of cultural norms leaving a lasting imprint on its socio-political landscape. Even after gaining independence from colonial rule, the lasting effects of past colonization continue to shape the present situation and pose complex challenges for the people in the region. The intricate relationship between the enduring impacts of colonialism and present-day social dynamics prompts important inquiries into power structures, the development of personal and group identities, and the quest for economic progress and cultural independence. Within this framework, a scholarly perspective is crucial for understanding the historical inequities, current conflicts, and intricate issues of the Middle Eastern encounter. Nevertheless, the utilization of post-colonial theory in the region is not devoid of its intricacies and disputes, as discussions revolve around its significance, practicability, and constraints in comprehending the multifaceted and elaborate reality of the Middle East. This research project aims to explore the intricacies of the post-colonial viewpoint in the Middle East through careful analysis. The objective is to explore the various effects of colonialism on the social, political, economic, and cultural aspects of the region. Qualitative approach will be adopted to conduct this research. This analysis will provide insightful perspectives on the lasting influence of historical factors on current challenges and possibilities. This study aims to thoroughly evaluate the effectiveness of post-colonial theory in analyzing the intricate power dynamics, formation of identities, and methods of resistance in the Middle Eastern context. Through this endeavor, the goal is to enhance our comprehension of the region's historical, current and forthcoming advancements.

Keywords: Global Power Dynamic, Post-Colonial Perspective, Middle East, Historical Factors

THE STRATEGIC INFLUENCE OF RUSSIA’S BLACK SEA FLEET AND IMPLICATIONS ON STRATEGIC CORRIDORS IN EASTERN EUROPE

2025-01-07T06:59:09+02:00

Russia's Black Sea Fleet plays an important role in shaping the geopolitical and military dynamics of Eastern Europe. As a key component of Russia's naval power, the fleet provides Moscow with significant strategic leverage over vital sea routes and chokepoints that link the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and beyond. The fleet’s presence enhances Russia’s ability to project power and influence over strategically important corridors such as the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits, as well as in the contested regions of Crimea and the Donbas. The fleet’s operational capabilities enable Russia to assert control over crucial energy corridors, including gas pipelines and shipping routes that run through Eastern Europe. This impacts not only the region’s energy security but also its broader economic and political stability. Furthermore, the fleet’s strategic positioning challenges NATO’s presence in the region, complicating the alliance's efforts to ensure freedom of navigation and deter Russian aggression. Russia’s military activities in the Black Sea, combined with its fleet's modernization efforts, present significant implications for Eastern European countries. These nations, especially those bordering the Black Sea, face increased security threats, as Moscow utilizes its fleet to bolster its territorial claims and safeguard its regional interests. As tensions escalate, the Black Sea Fleet’s role continues to shape the strategic landscape of Eastern Europe, with long-term consequences for regional stability and international security.

Keywords: Black Sea Fleet, Strategic Corridors, Eastern Europe, Geopolitical Influence, Energy Security

PERCEPTION OF AGEING AMONG LITERATE URBANITE WOMEN IN ISLAMABAD: HOW EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL AND DIGITAL EXPOSURE INFLUENCE ON PERCEPTION

2025-01-07T07:48:55+02:00

Our study aimed to explore the perception of urbanite working women aged 35-50 in Islamabad, Pakistan. Our study examined how the intersectionality of education attainment, and professional and digital exposure influence the perception of the target group of women. We adopted the theoretical frameworks of Symbolic Interactionism and Feminist Intersectionality lens for this study. The qualitative research methodology was applied, with five in-depth interviews and one detailed case study with professional women from the upper middle class. Thematic analysis was used to examine the responses. Respondents mentioned a variation between their chronological and subjective ages, where they believed that their age is not merely a biological phenomenon, but a product integrated by psychological, cultural, societal, and professional factors. Education, profession, and urban environment allow them to adopt healthy lifestyles and self-care against ageing, which brings an evolved notion of ageing perception, at the same time traditional stereotypes, for instance, gender and social class continue to influence their perception. Our study contributes to the sociological literature on ageing offering self-reported subjective perception, addressing some critical gaps in non-Western contexts. Sociologically, our study examines the interplay of individual agency and structural and cultural influence on the building of perception in Pakistani middle-class women.

Keywords: Perception, Ageing, Literate Urbanite Women, Education, Professional, Digital Exposure.

SATELLITE SURVEILLANCE AND THE SINO-U.S. RIVALRY: IMPLICATIONS FOR REGIONAL SECURITY

2025-01-07T17:03:52+02:00

This study investigates the growing role of satellite surveillance in shaping Sino-U.S. relations and its consequences for regional security. The ever-growing reliance on space-based technologies for intelligence gathering, military operations, and strategic decision-making has surged the competition between China and the United States, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. By investigating developments in satellite capabilities and their utility in defense and geopolitical strategies, this research highlights the dual-edged nature of satellite surveillance as both a trigger for deterrence and a potential tool for conflict escalation. The study also analyzes how this technological rivalry affects regional stability, alliances, and the broader global security framework. Through a combination of reviews of books, case studies, policy analysis, official reports, journals, and academic theses, the research highlights the urgent need for international structures to manage space-based surveillance technologies and reduce risks of confrontation, using Michel Foucault’s surveillance theory as a foundation. This study adopted systematic literature review, and furthermore, exploratory approach is used to analyze the evolving role of satellite surveillance in Sino-U.S. relations and its implications for regional security. The research design combines qualitative methods with case study analysis, policy evaluation, and journals to provide a comprehensive understanding of the technological, geopolitical, and security dynamics. This investigation enriches the understanding of the complex interplay between technological innovation and geopolitical dynamics in a period of fierce Sino-U.S. competition.

Keywords: Satellite surveillance, Sino-US, Indo-Pacific region, Michel Foucault’s surveillance theory, Regional Security