Western governments’ anti-terrorism strategies are now colliding with public sympathy for Ukraine, and its people’s desperation to fight Russia with any means.
Dealing with what have been called ‘wicked’ and ‘adaptive’ problems is a huge challenge for political leaders. A ‘clumsy’ response can be inevitable – and even desirable.
Over the course of the pandemic, there’s been an increase in many aspects of social cohesion.
But this may be slipping as lockdowns drag on. Here’s how we measured social cohesion, and why.
Hanlie Booysen, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
In the wake of the Christchurch and Auckland attacks, should official definitions of terrorism conflate the actions of a white supremacy extremist and a radical Islamist extremist?
Children play on a trampoline in Alexandra, Johannesburg.
EFE-EPA/Kim Ludbrook
International student demand for places in Australia has fallen by a third over the course of the pandemic, while for our key competitors demand has remained stable or even increased.
Hunger is not the cause of the current social upheaval. But, taken along with other deep-rooted structural inequalities, it provides additional fuel for socio-political conflagration.
The graves of the victims of the Sharpeville massacre tell a grim story.
Frank Trimbos/Gallo Images/Getty Images
The low levels of familiarity with key historical events indicate that there are serious shortcomings in the development of national collective memory in South Africa.
Growing poverty and unemployment have seen shacklands mushroom in post-apartheid South Africa.
Frédéric Soltan/Corbis via Getty Images
The Freedom Charter process was an imperfect but impressive attempt at capturing the will of the people and articulating an alternative vision to apartheid South Africa.
It’s the simple, everyday encounters and experiences – a friendly wave, a helping hand – that refugees say makes them feel part of the Australian community.
Abuses by police and the army point to the need for citizens to be involved in security and other crisis response measures
EFE-EPA/Kim Ludbrook
Ramaphosa’s call for a new social compact will fall on deaf ears unless there are some fundamental changes to the way in which the pandemic is being managed.
Most new apartments were not designed with families in mind and parents of young children can struggle to make social connections.
Lolostock/Shutterstock
Almost half of apartment residents in Australia are families, but few high-rise dwellings were built with them in mind. Many find these apartments present barriers to building social connections.
Students are far more understanding of their religious peers if they attend classes about religious diversity.
from shutterstock.com
Australian society is made up of people from different backgrounds and faiths. Teaching school children about religious diversity and traditions makes them more tolerant of religious minorities.
General assimilatory practices can leave pupils feeling isolated.
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The combination of higher-density living and increasing cultural diversity means we need to think about how to build social cohesion and make the most of the opportunities of apartment living.
A car is set alight during the 2005 riots that prompted soul-searching in France about segregated and badly designed housing projects.
A.J./Wikimedia
Planning matters. The 2005 riots in France started in badly designed housing projects, while innovative planning helped Medellín, Colombia, shed its reputation as the most violent city in the world.
Acting Strategic Lead: Developmental, Capable and Ethical State (DCES) research division, and Coordinator of the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS), Human Sciences Research Council