Abstract This study examines health care access challenges in the Alwar District and analyses the socioeconomic, geographical, and infrastructural barriers residents face. The study uses primary survey data and statistical techniques, i.e., principal component analysis and multivariate regression modeling. The results signify that marginalized populations, low-income families, and the elderly are disproportionately affected by inadequate access to health care. Most respondents were unaware of the government-sponsored health care programs, with nearly half forced to travel more than ten kilometers to access any health care facility, accentuated by the unavailability of transportation services. In this study the statistical models highlight the critical role of socioeconomic variables in predicting health care utilization and identifying high-risk population groups that require immediate intervention. This research provides policymaking suggestions to improve health care delivery and reduce inequities in underserved rural areas.
Rapid tertiary-education expansion has increased overqualification in South Korea, but its wage consequences may differ by gender and by how mismatch is measured. Using Youth Panel 2007 (waves 2007-2020) and measures of overeducation and overskilling, this paper estimated pooled OLS and individual fixed-effects models. In pooled estimates overeducation was associated with lower wages for both genders, while the penalty from simultaneous overeducation and overskilling was larger for women. Fixed-effects estimates confirmed a persistent penalty for women after accounting for time-invariant unobserved heterogeneity, whereas the male penalty attenuates. This gendered pattern is consistent with assignment and segmentation mechanisms in which long-hours norms, internal labor markets, and gendered expectations channel women into jobs that underutilize credentials while rewarding firm-specific fit over formal credentials. These results highlight the need for policies that improve match quality and reduce gendered constraints on mobility, including transparent hiring and promotion, work-time reform, and family-compatible career paths.
Abstract The study investigates the escalation of insurgency in Nigeria despite an increase in counterinsurgency financing. This is an important issue, since insurgency has grown into a pandemic. It is estimated that over 350,000 people have been killed as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency. Expectedly, this has attracted huge counter-insurgency financing, yet there seems to be a gap in the finance-performance nexus. This is the gap in the literature that the study intends to bridge. Using trend analysis and qualitative assessment of secondary data, the study establishes a clear link between corruption and insecurity. Findings reveal that mismanagement and diversion of defence funds weaken military capacity and prolong conflict. The study contributes to knowledge by identifying corruption in counterinsurgency financing as a decisive factor in the escalation of the insurgency and Nigeria’s security failures. This underscores the need for transparent procurement and stronger anti-corruption mechanisms.
Abstract This study examines the media’s role in enhancing transparency, credibility, and democratic participation during Ghana’s 2020 general elections. Using a qualitative approach drawing on interviews, media reports, and institutional documents, it highlights the contributions of major outlets, particularly TV3 Ghana and Channel 1 TV Ghana. Findings show that the media extended beyond traditional reporting to include electoral oversight, civic education, and misinformation control. TV3 deployed extensive field coverage, while Channel 1 TV emphasized verified results to ensure accuracy and public trust. Both outlets exposed incidents of voter suppression and electoral violence, prompting institutional responses. Innovative initiatives such as constituency-based reporting and voter-focused programming strengthened citizen engagement, especially among marginalized groups. The study demonstrates how media innovation is reshaping Ghana’s political culture by promoting informed participation and ethical journalism; and recommends institutionalizing media oversight and expanding civic education to support democratic consolidation.
Abstract This study investigates the effect of community policing on public safety and community well-being in the Addis Ababa City Administration, emphasizing its role in fostering local development. Using an exploratory and descriptive research design, data were collected from three subcities – Arada, Kirkos, and Addis Ketema. From a total population of 3,198, a sample of 344 was selected using Slovin’s formula, yielding 328 valid responses. Primary data were gathered through structured interviews with frontline police officers and senior officials, while secondary data were obtained from institutional reports and unpublished materials. The analysis explores the relationship between crime, public trust, and community safety, and assesses how community policing strategies influence these factors. The findings reveal that community policing significantly enhances trust between law enforcement and residents, improves perceptions of safety, and strengthens civic participation. Nonetheless, challenges such as limited resources, inadequate training, and weak community engagement persist. The study concludes with policy recommendations to improve institutional capacity, deepen partnerships, and advance sustainable urban crime prevention frameworks.
Abstract Modernization and the Sinicization of Marxism have become prominent research topics in China today. As key issues in the study of historical and civilizational development in the new era, this paper aims to analyze the theoretical value of modernization and the Sinicization of Marxism from three perspectives: the compatibility of Marxism with traditional Chinese cultural values, its role in advancing Chinese modernization, and the contemporary challenges encountered by Chinese Marxists in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context to meet the needs of the times. Dialectical materialism is adopted as the primary methodology, on the basis of which this study seeks to offer a coherent analytical perspective. Through dialectical analysis, the paper examines the relationship between the Sinicization of Marxism and development within the framework of socialism with Chinese characteristics. On the one hand, it explores the interaction between China’s theoretical development and that of the wider world; on the other hand, it investigates the dialectical relationship between Marxism and traditional Chinese culture. By situating Marxism within the broader context of modernity, this paper argues that both traditional Chinese culture and Marxism should be upheld as foundational theoretical resources for China’s social development. The integration of traditional Chinese culture with Marxism renders the modernization and Sinicization of Marxism both rational and appropriate within the specific context of China’s national conditions, and it has been shown to provide a strong spiritual foundation for the advancement of Chinese modernization.
Abstract In the context of carbon trading, forest carbon sequestration has emerged as a strategic pathway for China to achieve its “dual carbon” goals – carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060 – through carbon cycle regulation and climate change mitigation. Using survey questionnaires and structured interviews, this study examines the drivers and barriers influencing forest farmers’ land use decisions, with particular attention to the role of rural community communication. The findings reveal that rural cultural norms enhance collective action and shape farmers’ perceptions of benefits, risks, and social norms, mediated through village-based media and interpersonal networks. Specifically, bidirectional interactions between rural information officers and farmers activate communication networks, while goal-oriented storytelling – framing carbon sequestration as aligned with community prosperity – expands information channels and bolsters farmers’ confidence in adjusting their forestland use practices. Grounded in communication infrastructure theory, this study elucidates how rural communication mechanisms shape forestland use decisions and offers actionable insights for advancing forest carbon sequestration initiatives.
Abstract Strengthening education in China’s excellent traditional culture for college students has become a prominent topic in higher education in recent years. This paper argues that such culture plays a vital role in higher education. Colleges and universities should enhance students’ cultural confidence and promote education in China’s excellent traditional culture, as this contributes to strengthening the soft power of Chinese culture. The study finds that several problems exist in the current process of traditional culture education in colleges and universities. In particular, insufficient importance is attached to the inheritance of this cultural heritage, and it is not effectively integrated into the curriculum. Guided by the theory of cultural soft power, this paper proposes that education in family–nation values, social responsibility, and personal development should form the core content of traditional culture education for college students. At the same time, it outlines key pathways for implementing such education in the all-media era, including placing greater emphasis on traditional culture, integrating it into curriculum teaching, and incorporating it into practical activities.
