Showing papers in "Revista Internacional De Sociologia in 2016"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the structure and management of time banks in Spain and developed a taxonomy of them, identifying the goals TBs pursue and the reasons why users join them.
Abstract: Time banks (TBs) have experienced significant growth in the last few years in Spain and have been incorporated in the agenda of political parties drawing the attention of national and international media as a solution to the economic crisis. Nevertheless, there is scant empirical evidence about this phenomenon in Spain. After describing the role of TBs in other countries, this paper examines the structure and management of TBs in Spain and develops a taxonomy of them. Additionally, it identifies the goals TBs pursue and the reasons why users join them. To do so, this paper uses a mixed-method approach consisting of in-depth interviews with 28 TB managers and an online survey of users (n=270). It concludes that TBs are a social-political project rather than a utilitarian-economic project, identifying differences between Spanish TBs and those in other countries.
25 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine the relationship between social movements' digital democratic innovations and political parties through a case study based on the involvement of 15M activists in the creation and development of new political parties in Spain.
Abstract: This article examines the relationship between social movements’ digital democratic innovations and political parties through a case study based on the involvement of 15M activists in the creation and development of new political parties in Spain. By analyzing the impact of certain technological activist groups on the implementation of the movement’s demands in terms of mechanisms of participation and deliberation in the new parties through the use of digital technologies, we aim to evaluate the activists’ contribution to the transformation of formal politics and the deepening of democracy. In this sense, we explore the role of so-called ‘tech activists’ as mediators of political participation, and the digital repertoire of action they use. Sources used include various documents and websites as well as interviews with key informants and notes from participant observation in meetings and assemblies.
24 citations
TL;DR: The notion of the Creative Class and its interpretation of creativity, developed by Richard Florida (2002), have opened an important avenue of research and controversy in the international sociological scene as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The notion of the Creative Class and its interpretation of creativity, developed by Richard Florida (2002), have opened an important avenue of research and controversy in the international sociological scene. In this paper, we apply Florida’s measurements to the case of Spain by measuring the three indicators that build creativity (technology, talent and tolerance), each of which is also composed of three sub-indicators. The data are disaggregated by regions and provinces.
16 citations
TL;DR: The authors argue that the full contribution of talk itself to movement success is best captured through the concept of "conversation" and an examination of the preconditions for its viability, and make this set of distinctions conceptually explicit, differentiating analytically between these three mechanisms of movement success and delineating the conditions required for each mechanism to prove viable and useful.
Abstract: A great deal of social movement scholarship tends to assume – and in some cases explicitly argues – that disruption is the primary mechanism through which protest movements win major concessions from the holders of power. Nonetheless, some studies and much empirical evidence provide a strong basis to argue that other paths to social movement success also exist. The importance of discourse and framing has also been highlighted in a number of studies but we argue that the full contribution of talk itself to movement success is best captured through the concept of “conversation” and an examination of the preconditions for its viability. The successful displacement of power-holders by protest movements, although a less common pathway to success than disruption and conversation, also deserves conceptual and empirical attention. In this paper we make this set of distinctions conceptually explicit, differentiating analytically between these three mechanisms of movement success and delineating the conditions required for each mechanism to prove viable and ‘useful’. We rely on extensive examples drawn from movements and protest events in the United States, Spain and Portugal, using this empirical material, as well as the existing theoretical literature, as our basis for constructing a conceptual argument on the ideal typical distinction between these three mechanisms and the conditions that allow them to operate. We also take up the questions of whether, and when, movement actors can successfully combine these mechanisms or – alternatively – find themselves pressed to pursue one or another of these pathways to success in a relatively ‘pure’ form.
13 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of trust in cementing society and explaining diversity is discussed, and the authors put forward a way of complementing Dunbar's approach by focusing on the role that trust plays in explaining diversity.
Abstract: Dunbar’s social brain hypothesis constitutes an influential position among those that relate the evolution of human cognition and sociality. In this work, we first present the essentials of the theory and discuss the paleoanthropological and social evidence claimed to support it. We also point out its shortcomings, which have to do with the general strategy of finding linear relations among different traits, the lack of attention to the mental capacities that make human social life possible, and the diversity of social relations and structures that take place. We put forward our way of complementing Dunbar’s approach by focusing on the role of trust in cementing society and explaining diversity.
11 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a descriptive analysis of the evolution in the percentage of women MPs in the 17 Spanish regional parliament from 1980 to 2011 is presented, in terms of thresholds, patterns of evolution, and paucity of the changes.
Abstract: Using systematic criteria, this article offers a descriptive analysis of the evolution in the percentage of women MPs in the 17 Spanish regional parliament from 1980 to 2011. The fluctuating gender composition of these parliaments is analysed in terms of thresholds, patterns of evolution, and paucity of the changes. These dimensions, under-studied in the literature on descriptive representation, are essential to understanding the growing feminization of the legislature. Three different regional models of incorporation of women MPs, forerunner, mixed and laggard, are identified, which provide valuable information about a) when the different ratios of women versus men representatives are attained, b) how stable or unstable the growth in the percentage of women is, and c) whether the changes are gradual or abrupt. We show that legislative quotas have a different impact depending on the specific regional model to which they apply. Considering the steady, comparatively fast and homogenous process of feminization of all the regional chambers, their relatively gender-balanced composition seems secure, as well as the attainment of the goal of parity laws.
10 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine the problematic ways in which breast cancer campaigns have conceptualized the concept of empowerment in Spain and question the implicit assumption that the ends necessarily justify the means.
Abstract: This commentary examines the problematic ways in which breast cancer campaigns have conceptualised the concept of empowerment in Spain. It uses discourses and content analysis of seven campaigns to demonstrate how the concept has become the ‘holy grail’ precisely because it has been depoliticised. Two problems are examined. Firstly, it problematizes the lack of debate over whether current measures to promote the empowerment of women living with breast cancer actually achieve the desired ends (i.e., are they ‘empowering’?). Secondly, it questions the implicit assumption that the ends necessarily justify the means is questioned –understood as content and format of these campaigns. It is argued that the current framework of cancer education is based on the traditional epidemiological model which is more concerned with coercing women to adopt changes in their lifestyle and comply, rather than promoting critical awareness.
9 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate how the British state's responses at policy level toward the disruptive mobilization of the Catholic community in Northern Ireland and to the armed campaign of the PIRA have shaped the post-movement lives of PIRA volunteers.
Abstract: This article systematizes a research perspective that assesses how different types of social movement outcomes mutually influence one another over time. This should offer a different perspective on the consequences of social movements by shifting the focus from single outcomes to processes of social change that are generated by the interaction between different types of effects. The variety of ways in which movement outcomes potentially influence each other in the short-term, or over an extended period of time, will be broken down into six hypothetical processes. Empirically, through a process-tracing approach, in this article I investigate how the British state’s responses at policy level toward the disruptive mobilization of the Catholic community in Northern Ireland and to the armed campaign of the PIRA have shaped the post-movement lives of PIRA volunteers.
9 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compare two types of Participating Institutions in Brazil (councils and national conferences) in municipalities of different sizes and administrative levels and conclude that intermediate levels are those of higher democratic quality.
Abstract: A generalized approach in democratic theory exists, especially in participatory theory, in which the smaller the scale (defined as size of territory or administrative level), the more chance there is to develop better quality participatory processes. In response to this perspective, we will compare two types of Participating Institutions in Brazil (Councils and National Conferences) in municipalities of different sizes and administrative levels. The hypothesis of this paper is that intermediate levels are those of higher democratic quality.
9 citations
TL;DR: A nivel teorico, el articulo subraya las ventajas de combinar un enfoque expresivo con otro que entienda el humor como una accion instrumental de los participantes as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Este articulo explora la relacion entre humor y protesta a traves del estudio de la utilizacion estrategica del humor en el movimiento 15M en Madrid en 2011. El analisis de diversas plataformas (carteles, performances, documentos internos y comunicacion en internet) sirve para evaluar el potencial subversivo del humor en relacion con la comunicacion de reivindicaciones, la organizacion interna del movimiento, el reclutamiento de activistas y la construccion de identidad colectiva. A nivel teorico, el articulo subraya las ventajas de combinar un enfoque expresivo con otro que entienda el humor como una accion instrumental de los participantes. Los resultados muestran como los activistas fueron en buena medida conscientes de una serie de beneficios asociados a la utilizacion del humor que iban mas alla de la propia accion de divertirse y, en consecuencia, organizaron diversas iniciativas con el objetivo de alcanzar esos beneficios.
8 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the analysis of modern resacralization phenomena such as the nation and the person is presented against a canonical and teleological approach of the general theory of secularization which is born within the western Christianity and according to it religion is a vestige of the past in an stage of modernity fully developed.
Abstract: This paper takes into account –against a canonical and teleological approach of the general theory of secularization which is born within the western Christianity and according to it religion is a vestige of the past in an stage of modernity fully developed- the analysis of modern resacralization phenomena such as the nation and the person. On the one hand, three case studies as the French Revolution, the American Civil religion and the ritual mobilizations that follow the attack against the WTC in the 9/11 show us the empirical support to explain the emergence of multiple postaxial sacred forms. On the other hand, the modern resacralization of an other secular sphere, the human person, set off an other cultural dynamics. Finally, there have been analyzed two cases of modern societies where those modern resacralizations are projected as symbolic cleavages.
TL;DR: The authors presenta and contextualize el ambicioso marco regulador and protector of the Estatuto del Trabajo Autonomo vigente en Espana desde 2007.
Abstract: Este articulo presenta y contextualiza el ambicioso marco regulador y protector del Estatuto del Trabajo Autonomo vigente en Espana desde 2007. Junto al analisis de su novedad y alcance, el articulo se interroga sobre el sentido de una reforma considerada paradojica. Por un lado, porque supone la organizacion y regulacion del trabajo autonomo bajo un estatuto de empleo especifico que, sin embargo, no ha hecho sino aproximarse al estatuto del trabajo asalariado (reduciendo mas que ampliando la distancia que historicamente les separaba). Por otro lado, porque esta reforma tiene lugar en un momento en el que, tendencialmente, el empleo autonomo –que historicamente ha ocupado un lugar destacado en Espana– se encuentra en retroceso. Mas que disociar el trabajo autonomo del trabajo asalariado, el articulo nos invita a explorar la relacion existente entre ambas formas de trabajo, considerando al trabajo autonomo no como la negacion del salariado, sino como testigo de su potencia al tiempo que de su profunda transformacion.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore, from the point of view of the women who have just given birth, possible conflicts between maternal needs and medical routines typical from interventionist hospital births.
Abstract: The aim of this article is to explore, from the point of view of the women who have just given birth, possible conflicts between maternal needs and medical routines typical from interventionist hospital births. The chosen methodology has been a set of semi-structured interviews, and the result shows principally three types of relief aid: the asymmetrical interaction, technological subordination and the acceptance of “institutional-abused” praxis. The final conclusion is that we have a medicalized ritual influenced by passive obedience experiences, where the fear creates distrust, while the women wishes are moulded by the expert’s. This fact is assumed by the women who have just given birth as inevitable, and they even demand it, as a result of the safety given by the biotechnological control, and once they have assumed the clinical discourses which present the childbirth as a pathological and risk process.
TL;DR: Examining the raw data collected in seven exit polls conducted in Spain finds strong evidence of nonsampling error in Spanish exit polls and evidence that the political context matters.
Abstract: Countless examples of misleading forecasts on behalf of both pre-election and exit polls can be found all over the world. Non-representative samples due to differential nonresponse have been claimed as being the main reason for inaccurate exit-poll projections. In real inference problems, it is seldom possible to compare estimates and true values. Electoral forecasts are an exception. Comparisons between estimates and final outcomes can be carried out once votes have been tallied. In this paper, we examine the raw data collected in seven exit polls conducted in Spain and test the likelihood that the data collected in each sampled voting location can be considered as a random sample of actual results. Knowing the answer to this is relevant for both electoral analysts and forecasters as, if the hypothesis is rejected, the shortcomings of the collected data would need amending. Analysts could improve the quality of their computations by implementing local correction strategies. We find strong evidence of nonsampling error in Spanish exit polls and evidence that the political context matters. Nonresponse bias is larger in polarized elections and in a climate of fear
TL;DR: In this article, the authors make a theoretical clarification of social exclusion from a neofunctionalist point of view, and from it propose a methodology of research, in order to facilitate an empirical approach more adapted to the aforementioned features of this social phenomenon.
Abstract: The success of the idea of social exclusion in European social policy and social work has no direct correspondence with its conceptual clarity and empirical determination. The usual connection of social exclusion with economic deprivation has much to do with this problem, which also hinder to make the empirical research in a form proper to the main features of this relational phenomenon: the multidimensional, cumulative and sequentially loss of social inclusion.
The aim of this paper is to make a theoretical clarification of social exclusion from a (heterodox) neofunctionalist point of view, and from it to propose a methodology of research, in order to facilitate an empirical approach more adapted to the aforementioned features of this social phenomenon.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed the relationship between the intercultural sensitivity and the attitudes of acculturation and prejudice expressed by a sample of immigrants and natives of the host society formed by 255 participants, in the city of Cuenca (Spain).
Abstract: The phenomenon of globalization has important social implications that justify the need to study the intercultural communication of groups involved in migratory processes in the 21st century. The main objective of this work is to analyze the relationship between the intercultural sensitivity and the attitudes of acculturation and prejudice expressed by a sample of immigrants and natives of the host society formed by 255 participants, in the city of Cuenca (Spain). Quantitative analysis revealed that both immigrants and natives choose assimilation as their attitude of acculturation and that immigrants showed a higher grade of intercultural sensitivity. Natives that prefer integration manifest less prejudice while immigrants that choose integration exhibit more intercultural sensitivity. These results are discussed in comparison to those found in other studies with different social and cultural groups.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the model proposed by Hakim on the light of the explanatory capacity of Pierre Bourdieu's cultural capital theory and confirm if it is possible to note down links between body care, social class, age class and gender.
Abstract: Social theory is trying, increasingly, to reach an agreement on the body place. Particularlly, the Catherine Hakim’s thesis about erotic capital has brought to the foreground the value of the body within contemporary social hierarchies. The Hakim’s questions are connected with another set of conceptualizations that try to understand the value of the physical interaction in our societies. The first aim of this article is to discuss the model proposed by Hakim on the light of the explanatory capacity of Pierre Bourdieu’s cultural capital theory. As a second goal we wish, enlightened by a set of empirical data, to confirm if it is possible to note down links between body care, social class, age class and gender.
TL;DR: In this paper, a set of unprecedented concepts that, gathered to the largest social dimension of freedom, allow releasing from such mismatch are introduced, focusing on the emphasis of social environment as state that far from its recognized influence on individual capabilities has potentially enablers' elements.
Abstract: This paper illustrates somehow aspect of the capabilities approach developed by the economist and philosopher Amartya Sen. Particularly it examines how the concept of freedom (as “opportunity”) reveals unable to empirically and normatively adjust to the notion of freedom as capability. From such categorical contradiction is introduced a set of unprecedented concepts that, gathered to the largest social dimension of freedom, allow releasing from such mismatch. Conclusions are focused on the emphasis of social environment as state that far from its recognized influence on individual capabilities has potentially enablers’ elements.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Uba et al. as discussed by the authors considered the consequences of social movements and cycles of protest in the context of socio-economic and social sciences. But they did not consider the impact of social protest on the economic system.
Abstract: Cómo citar este artículo / Citation: Uba, K. and E. Romanos. 2016. “Introduction: Rethinking the consequences of social movements and cycles of protest”. Revista Internacional de Sociología 74 (4): e044. doi: http://dx.doi. org/10.3989/ris.2016.74.4.044 Copyright: © 2016 CSIC. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) Spain 3.0.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate if well-reasoned arguments, measured by the deliberative quality of protest letters against school closures, persuade Swedish municipal decision-makers more than simple outcries.
Abstract: Studies on the political impact of protest mobilization sometimes show that disruptive protests help social movements achieve their goals. This is conventionally explained by politicians’ interests in re-elections and social control, ultimately neglecting alternative arguments such as the drive for better policy solutions. This study investigates if well-reasoned arguments – measured by the deliberative quality of protest letters against school closures – persuade Swedish municipal decision-makers more than simple outcries. Analysis demonstrates support for this argument, as schools defended by protest letters with a higher deliberative quality have higher probability to remain open than schools defended by letters of a lower deliberative quality. However, a fundamental paradox rises from the second conclusion: intrinsically non-deliberate forms of protests, such as demonstrations, have a stronger negative effect on the likelihood of school closures. Hence, well-reasoned communicative practices have some power of persuasion, but experienced activists may prefer disruptive protests for more political leverage.
TL;DR: In this paper, the most important differences in democratization in the 90´s decade, using techniques of comparative analysis, were analyzed, highlighting the essential role of stateness conflict.
Abstract: Contrary to the generality of thoughts about political transition in former Yugoslav republics, the observation of ethnic diversity is not able to explain the diversity of results observed in the region by itself. This paper seeks to explain the most important differences in democratization in the 90´s decade, using techniques of comparative analysis. To achieve this aim, I am going to analyze elements of identity and development in the different territories, highlighting the essential role of stateness conflict. Deepening in that sense, the practical relevance of these conflicts is reinforced by his contingent nature, which will be developed and justified through empirical results attached to historical arguments.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show the potential of a heuristic approach for the analysis of the reproduction of meaning in practices, which is based on the Wittgensteinian notion of "to follow a rule" for social analysis.
Abstract: The aim of this article is to show the potential of a heuristic approach for the analysis of the reproduction of meaning in practices –in short, of “tradition”–, which is based on the Wittgensteinian notion of “to follow a rule”. To this end, the article develops the ideas of a number of authors who have stressed the importance of certain aspects of the notion of “rule-following” for social analysis. This approach to conceiving of the reproduction of meaning leads us to “rethink” the way in which we understand tradition. The article will argue that we should forsake an old concept of inherited knowledge, as prejudices or ideologies that “constrain” people. Instead, we should consider tradition as “guidance” and “resources” for practice. Although we are not always aware of the principles that we follow, it is up to us to keep or to change them –if we can.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed the elements shaping the cultural orientation to innovate on a sample of 441 firms within the Galician Regional System of Innovation (GRSI) by means of multivariate methods, two types of cultural orientations to innovate were detected among ventures: a 47 % of the sample held a clear orientation and a 53 % held a lesser orientation.
Abstract: The organizations’ sociological characteristics have an impact on the performance of the innovation process. Therefore, knowing the sociological characteristics that best describe those ventures holding higher innovation results is particular relevant. Among these features, the culture of innovation in a certain context has been highlighted as the most relevant. This study aims at analyzing the elements shaping the cultural orientation to innovate on a sample of 441 firms within the Galician Regional System of Innovation. By means of multivariate methods, two types of cultural orientation to innovate were detected among ventures: a 47 % of the sample held a clear orientation to innovate, while a 53 % held a lesser orientation. The results showed the existence of a positive association between the cultural orientation to innovate and the innovative performance. Our evidence points out the culture of innovation as the duality capacity-attitude, i. e. potentiality-action. This opens new research avenues for delving deeper into the innovation sociology within the Regional Systems of Innovation.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focused on innovation processes in rural areas and analyzed the governance system in this territory, paying attention to the organization of social and economic players, and their relations with the public institutions at the local level.
Abstract: This paper is focused on innovation processes in rural areas. Its author pose that although these processes are encouraged of technical and technological advances, they are also oriented by the logic of capital accumulation. That is why the innovation processes has a political dimension. In base of this thesis, the author analyzes, firstly, the general innovation tendencies taking place in the Brazilian wine sector, and in particular the innovation experiences in the rural area called “Vale dos Vinhedos”, placed in the region of Rio Grande do Sul. Also, he analyzes the governance system in this territory, paying attention to the organization of social and economic players, and their relations with the public institutions at the local level. Finally, the author analyzes how the financial capital decides to change its strategy and to remove from Vale dos Vinhedos to other rural areas (for example, Campanha Gaucha) when economic players find difficulties to increase the capital accumulation process.
TL;DR: In this article, the collective members of political parties are defined as organizations having both full self-government rights and entitlements to decision-making processes in the political parties in which they are embedded.
Abstract: This article focuses on the collective members of political parties. Collective members can be defined as organizations having both full self-government rights and entitlements to decision-making processes in the political parties in which they are embedded. This article proposes a basic descriptive typology of collective members that takes into consideration their sociopolitical nature (party political or functional) and their pattern of articulation within the party in which they are embedded (whether they help to articulate the whole party structure or not). It also illustrates these subtypes by examining European organizations that meet (or are close to meeting) the main defining characteristics of collective members. This examination is based on the analysis of all parties that attained at least 4% of the votes in the last national parliamentary elections in 10 European countries. The article concludes with an analysis of the determinants and prospects of this type of party structure.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors studied the relationship between candidates and the electorate through an in-depth analysis of three political campaigns for the Chamber of deputies in Chile in 2013 and showed the dominance of non-programmatic or clientelistic linkages between the electorate and representatives which implies the transaction of votes for information, material resources and influence.
Abstract: This paper studies the relationship between candidates and the electorate through a in-depth analysis of three political campaigns for the Chamber of deputies in Chile in 2013. Confirming recent findings, this article shows the dominance of non-programmatic or clientelistic linkages between the electorate and representatives which implies the transaction of votes for information, material resources and influence. The paper distinguishes two campaign strategies: a traditional strategy supported on historical patterns of intermediation, and a professionalized one which rationalize and makes an efficient allocation of resources. The study makes a relevant empirical as well as conceptual contribution to the study of the patterns of political intermediation in social contexts of social disaffection.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined how the personal consequences of participation in three different protest movements in Sweden depended upon movement success and procedural justice, and concluded that the effect of activism on political participation is determined by the perceived procedural justice.
Abstract: In follow-up studies of activists, activism has been observed to have long-term positive effect on political participation. However, little attention has been paid to the conditions under which the theory applies. I examine how the personal consequences of participation in three different protest movements in Sweden depended upon movement success and procedural justice. The results support previous findings suggesting that activism has positive long-term effects on individual political participation. However, several of the activists interviewed did not follow this general pattern, especially those who suffered unfair and discriminatory treatment from the authorities. The results imply that the effect of activism on political participation is determined by the perceived procedural justice, whereas reaching the preferred policy outcome is of less importance. External political efficacy is indicated to be a potential mechanism explaining the relation between activism and long-term political participation.