Political scientists describe the age we are living in as “post-political”. This controversial concept refers to a noted lack of political alternatives on a global scale.
In March, protests reignited against India’s Citizenship Amendment Act when the government of Narendra Modi decided to enact the controversial law after years of stalling.
Jagadeesh NV/EPA
Listen to Indrajit Roy talk about hope and politics in India on The Conversation Weekly podcast.
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. speaks after being released from prison for leading a boycott.
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Optimism can rely on a sense of luck, while hope is action-oriented − and often aimed at helping other people.
Nurturing hope among patients with cancer and their caregivers is possible and includes coping strategies and exploring realistic goals.
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Patients with incurable cancer want to be informed about their disease and its treatment, but must also maintain hope. This inner conflict can affect how they process information about their prognosis.
Both children and parents benefit from daily play and reading activities.
iThemba Projects
People who hold higher levels of hope will be less likely to experience symptoms of depression. Shared hopes are also important for expectations of national and international futures.
Nile Rodgers, musician and producer, participates in a demonstration at the COP28 UN Climate Summit, Dec. 6, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
(AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Embracing hope in the good, alongside recognizing the bad, can reduce eco-anxiety, improve mental health and may just be the key to driving strong and meaningful climate action.
Ritesh Shah, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
A four-year survey of Palestinian school children in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem found hope and wellbeing already seriously declining. The situation now can only make it worse.
Reliance on the support of others after an accident showed philosopher David Newheiser the power of solidarity. We need a similar sense of communal connection in our approach to COVID, he writes.
Hope as a stubborn desire.
Onkundi Nyabuto | Unsplash
There are ways to convey the hard scientific facts about climate change and help young generations adapt in the face of adversity and manage change over time.
While it’s true that the “freedom convoy” revealed deep political polarization, it’s also true that it has provided us with the opportunity to create a more inclusive and participatory democracy.
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Rather than tolerating divisiveness and intolerance, we can and we should embrace this important moment to create a more participatory form of democracy.
Personal action is important. Collective action that encourages systemic change can go even farther.
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Managing Director of the McCourtney Institute of Democracy, Associate Research Professor, Political Science, Co-host of Democracy Works Podcast, Penn State