Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-26T20:26:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcelo Veiga.pdf: 319455 bytes, checksum: 92a44d4f6665e7f2c3e13bba5d04ce79 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-12-10 / The present work aims to approach the concepts of human rights and dignity human being from the conception of modern politics. It presents a synthesis of the evolution of the modern thought as for the establishment of the concepts of individual, society and State, basic for the definition of the contours and limits of the human rights seen as universal. After that, exposes the debate concerning the tension produced for the positions that defend the universalism and the cultural relativism, in face of a paradox that demonstrates the affirmation of fundamental rights and, at the same time, its constant disrespect. As alternative for the overcoming of the tension and the paradox, it presents the contributions of Boaventura de Sousa Santos sociologist, who suggests the adoption of a new paradigm supported for the possibility of construction of an intercultural dialogue and for the concepts of emancipation politics and diatopic hermeneusm. / O presente trabalho visa abordar os conceitos de direitos humanos e dignidade humana a partir da concepção política moderna. Apresenta uma síntese da evolução do pensamento moderno no que se refere ao estabelecimento dos conceitos de indivíduo, de sociedade e de Estado, fundamentais para a definição dos contornos e limites dos direitos humanos vistos como universais. Em seguida, expõe o debate acerca da tensão produzida pelas posições que defendem o universalismo e o relativismo cultural, em face de um paradoxo que explicita a afirmação dos direitos fundamentais e, ao mesmo tempo, o seu constante desrespeito. Como alternativa para a superação da tensão e do paradoxo, apresenta as contribuições do sociólogo Boaventura de Sousa Santos, que sugere a adoção de um novo paradigma sustentado pela possibilidade de construção de um diálogo intercultural e pelos conceitos de política emancipatória e hermenêutica diatópica.

This ethnographic study was designed to explore the phenomenon of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the mining industry. The research addressed the impacts of a problematic, systemic, and ethnocentric (top-down) CSR approach driven by a transnational mining company, and proposed a novel cultural relativist (bottom-up) CSR approach looking at the social needs of the community. Solving the problem stemming from the ethnocentric approach is important for both the mining company and the community affected by the CSR program, as it will alter dynamics between actors and mitigate social conflicts. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that improve the fractured relationship between the community and the mining company and put its social license to operate at risk. The mitigation of social conflicts is needed for the mining corporation to maintain its social license to operate in a harmonic and collaborative mining-community relationship. The research question was designed to gather the perceptions of corporate leaders and community members in Chile's Andacollo mining area regarding the imbalance between the ethnocentric and cultural relativism perspectives adopted in CSR policies and practices. A purposive sample of 30 subjects was interviewed to collect data regarding their perceptions that were then categorized, coded, and interpreted using an inductive approach and thematic networks. The research findings showed that improvements in CSR practice are likely to result from the mining company placing emphasis on the social dimension. A shift from a top-down to a bottom-up CSR approach will contribute to the reduction of social conflicts, build a socially sustainable setting, and foster positive social change with benefits for the society.

<p>The purpose of the essay is to examine how issues concerning gender equality are perceived and to show what areas are defined as problematic in different discourses. It also raises the question of who is defined as responsible for dealing with issues concerning gender equality in these different contexts. Theories used are the gender system and intersectionality. The study builds on a mapping of a company that is active nationally and internationally, with emphasis on the problems that can arise when these two social contexts meet, with a special focus on cathegories such as gender and “Swedishness”. The material was first gathered through the use of questionnaires and interviews, then analysed through discourse analysis. The analysis shows that discourses of gender equality can be seen as constructed and dependent on the context, problems concerning equality are defined in one way nationally and in another way internationally. In cases of sexual harassment internationally the informants often choose to look the other way and feel like it is difficult to bring the “Swedish” values concerning equality abroad. It is more common to adapt to the ways of international colleagues but the informants also find it important to point out that they don’t necessarily agree with these.</p> / <p>Syftet med uppsatsen är att ur ett genusperspektiv undersöka hur frågor om jämställdhet uppfattas och visa vilka områden man väljer att peka ut som problemområden i olika diskurser. Uppsatsen utreder även vem som anses ha ansvaret för frågor som rör jämställdhet i olika sammanhang. Det teorier som används är genussystemet och intersektionalitet. Analysen utgår från en kartläggning av ett företag som är internationellt aktiva och den problematik som kan uppstå i möten mellan olika sociala kontexter, med fokus på föreställningar av genus och ”svenskhet”. Arbetsmetoden består av enkät- och intervjustudier och analysen har gjorts genom diskursanalys. Denna visar att jämställdhetsdiskurser kan ses som konstruerade och kontextbundna. Jämställdhetsproblematik definieras på olika sätt beroende på om man befinner sig på arbetsplatsen eller utomlands. Om man utsätts för könskränkningar i det internationella arbetet väljer informanterna många gånger att se mellan fingrarna och tycker att det är svårt att tillämpa ett ”svenskt” synsätt internationellt. Det är vanligt att anpassa sig mycket efter sina utländska kollegor, men poängterar samtidigt att man egentligen inte håller med om deras synsätt.</p>

The purpose of the essay is to examine how issues concerning gender equality are perceived and to show what areas are defined as problematic in different discourses. It also raises the question of who is defined as responsible for dealing with issues concerning gender equality in these different contexts. Theories used are the gender system and intersectionality. The study builds on a mapping of a company that is active nationally and internationally, with emphasis on the problems that can arise when these two social contexts meet, with a special focus on cathegories such as gender and “Swedishness”. The material was first gathered through the use of questionnaires and interviews, then analysed through discourse analysis. The analysis shows that discourses of gender equality can be seen as constructed and dependent on the context, problems concerning equality are defined in one way nationally and in another way internationally. In cases of sexual harassment internationally the informants often choose to look the other way and feel like it is difficult to bring the “Swedish” values concerning equality abroad. It is more common to adapt to the ways of international colleagues but the informants also find it important to point out that they don’t necessarily agree with these. / Syftet med uppsatsen är att ur ett genusperspektiv undersöka hur frågor om jämställdhet uppfattas och visa vilka områden man väljer att peka ut som problemområden i olika diskurser. Uppsatsen utreder även vem som anses ha ansvaret för frågor som rör jämställdhet i olika sammanhang. Det teorier som används är genussystemet och intersektionalitet. Analysen utgår från en kartläggning av ett företag som är internationellt aktiva och den problematik som kan uppstå i möten mellan olika sociala kontexter, med fokus på föreställningar av genus och ”svenskhet”. Arbetsmetoden består av enkät- och intervjustudier och analysen har gjorts genom diskursanalys. Denna visar att jämställdhetsdiskurser kan ses som konstruerade och kontextbundna. Jämställdhetsproblematik definieras på olika sätt beroende på om man befinner sig på arbetsplatsen eller utomlands. Om man utsätts för könskränkningar i det internationella arbetet väljer informanterna många gånger att se mellan fingrarna och tycker att det är svårt att tillämpa ett ”svenskt” synsätt internationellt. Det är vanligt att anpassa sig mycket efter sina utländska kollegor, men poängterar samtidigt att man egentligen inte håller med om deras synsätt.

Since the 1970s multiculturalism has emerged as an important area of scholarship within both academic and applied psychology. Scholars have offered a range of theories to assist psychologists in understanding the ways cultural context impacts psychological development and well-being with the aim of moving the field towards an affirming position on psychological differences that depart from the Eurocentric mainstream. One prominent example is the Multiple Dimensions of Counseling Competency (MDCC) by D. W. Sue (2001) which enjoins psychologists and counselors to acquire knowledge, awareness, and skills (KA&S) for five different racial and ethnic groups to promote culturally affirming work in a variety of professional and societal contexts. KA&S approaches like the MDCC remain the primary mode for conceptualizing multicultural competence today. This dissertation begins with a critical analysis of the extant multicultural competency literature which yields three important areas of concern. First, theorists face a dilemma regarding the definition of culture itself. Race and ethnicity receive stronger emphasis in the multicultural discourse which marginalizes other oppressed voices and perpetuates the invisibility of their unique struggles. In turn, attempts to expand the definition of culture to a non-hierarchical approach to all social identities and contexts draws attention away from race, an area already too easily avoided. Currently, no solution has balanced these two poles in the treatment of the word culture. Second, current models draw no limits to cultural relativism leaving questions of intragroup oppression unanswered. Third, models inadequately conceptualize the multiple social and cultural identities within the same person and offer insufficient guidance to professionals when intrapersonal identities conflict. Each of these three concerns is addressed by drawing from interdisciplinary scholarship in anthropology, political philosophy, and social psychology. These answers yield a new model for work with diverse social identities, Recognition Competency Theory (RCT). This new approach to competency with diverse populations has implications for the ways the psychology of oppression is conceptualized, taught, and treated as a focus of professional policy. Strengths of this new model, its relationship to the MDCC, its limitations, and implications for future research are discussed. / text

Cities, as complex social systems within society, are the most complex of all human systems. An increase in this complexity is anticipated since projections estimate that two-thirds of the world’s population will be urbanised by 2030. Cities are “melting pots” of cultures and systems that share the same spatial environment. In South Africa this challenge is exacerbated by one of the highest urbanisation rates in the world. Urban growth implies tremendous change. City centres are especially at risk to structural changes of urban growth and consequent urban decay. Governments commonly adopt urban renewal to cope with changing urban environments. However, the long term sustainability of current urban renewal practices is questioned as they tend to over-emphasise economic revival and physical intervention. The focus on people is often missed and misunderstood, even though social dynamics are the driving forces in cities. Urban renewal is complex and multi-dimensional. In theory it moved away from the linear top-down approach that focused on the physical environment towards a more inclusive, integrated and socially oriented process. This is reflected in paradigm shifts in planning thought from a physical planning and design based product orientated discipline (as reflected in historical and modernist planning approaches), to a socio-political process in which the communicative planning paradigm is the most recent post-modern theory. Understanding cities as social systems and exploring their role in central business areas to include them in urban renewal are important starting points when urban planners work with urban renewal initiatives. As research about social systems and their role in urban renewal is limited in South Africa, this study provides a step towards acknowledging and including urban social systems proactively in urban renewal initiatives. This is especially relevant in central business districts of medium sized cities such as Potchefstroom (Tlokwe Municipality) that experience urban decay and where urban renewal initiatives have not yet been implemented. The Mission Statement of the Tlokwe Municipality emphasises the need for social understanding in the economic sphere, as this enjoys a high priority in the development choices made. A qualitative ethnographic research approach was followed to explore the role of social systems in this context. This allowed the research to capture social dynamics in its natural setting where no extraneous influences occur. This resulted in rich textual descriptions of how people experience social interactions and the physical environment. Unstructured and non-participant field observations and face-to-face, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were used as methods to identify social systems within the research context and to understand interactions and behaviour patterns that emerge from this context. Findings from the observations expose a dynamic and cyclical network of inter- and intrarelationships that culminate in continuous intense interaction amongst three social systems, namely the private sector, community groups and the general public. Pro-social behaviour patterns (behaviour that promotes good social relations) were observed, including cultural relativism and social awareness. Findings from the interviews provided insight into how social systems interact with one another and with the physical environment. Themes that emerged for the data to describe interactions among social systems include material support, friendliness, cooperativeness, comfortableness, accommodativeness, fixed and established relations and respect for one another. This creates a vibrant, synergetic environment conducive to sustainability and describes an environment of hope. The counter-experience includes forced flexibility and adaptiveness (due to unmet physical needs), feelings of being unsafe, limited choices and a general dissatisfaction with the physical environment in terms of its support. This describes an urban environment of fear. The role of social systems in terms of urban renewal is inclusive, participating and socially sensitive. They should be catalysts for socio-economic functions, contribute to maintenance and act as stakeholders. Based on the above, the study offers recommendations to include social systems in urban renewal in terms of the research process and method to be followed, how and where to include social systems in urban renewal projects and suggestions for physical change to make the area more supportive to the social dynamics. Practical guidelines are offered related to the practice of observations and interviews for the identification and exploration of social systems. The following suggestions are made regarding the urban renewal process: pro-active inclusion of social systems throughout the process in the pre-project stage, during the urban renewal project and post-project stage. Interventions to enhance the physical environment include provision of special requests, access to open space, application of green construction and local distinctiveness. As planners play a proactive role in urban renewal they may contribute to enhancing the sustainability of urban renewal initiatives by understanding urban social systems and their role in city centres in order to acknowledge and include them as important partners. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Cities, as complex social systems within society, are the most complex of all human systems. An increase in this complexity is anticipated since projections estimate that two-thirds of the world’s population will be urbanised by 2030. Cities are “melting pots” of cultures and systems that share the same spatial environment. In South Africa this challenge is exacerbated by one of the highest urbanisation rates in the world. Urban growth implies tremendous change. City centres are especially at risk to structural changes of urban growth and consequent urban decay. Governments commonly adopt urban renewal to cope with changing urban environments. However, the long term sustainability of current urban renewal practices is questioned as they tend to over-emphasise economic revival and physical intervention. The focus on people is often missed and misunderstood, even though social dynamics are the driving forces in cities. Urban renewal is complex and multi-dimensional. In theory it moved away from the linear top-down approach that focused on the physical environment towards a more inclusive, integrated and socially oriented process. This is reflected in paradigm shifts in planning thought from a physical planning and design based product orientated discipline (as reflected in historical and modernist planning approaches), to a socio-political process in which the communicative planning paradigm is the most recent post-modern theory. Understanding cities as social systems and exploring their role in central business areas to include them in urban renewal are important starting points when urban planners work with urban renewal initiatives. As research about social systems and their role in urban renewal is limited in South Africa, this study provides a step towards acknowledging and including urban social systems proactively in urban renewal initiatives. This is especially relevant in central business districts of medium sized cities such as Potchefstroom (Tlokwe Municipality) that experience urban decay and where urban renewal initiatives have not yet been implemented. The Mission Statement of the Tlokwe Municipality emphasises the need for social understanding in the economic sphere, as this enjoys a high priority in the development choices made. A qualitative ethnographic research approach was followed to explore the role of social systems in this context. This allowed the research to capture social dynamics in its natural setting where no extraneous influences occur. This resulted in rich textual descriptions of how people experience social interactions and the physical environment. Unstructured and non-participant field observations and face-to-face, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were used as methods to identify social systems within the research context and to understand interactions and behaviour patterns that emerge from this context. Findings from the observations expose a dynamic and cyclical network of inter- and intrarelationships that culminate in continuous intense interaction amongst three social systems, namely the private sector, community groups and the general public. Pro-social behaviour patterns (behaviour that promotes good social relations) were observed, including cultural relativism and social awareness. Findings from the interviews provided insight into how social systems interact with one another and with the physical environment. Themes that emerged for the data to describe interactions among social systems include material support, friendliness, cooperativeness, comfortableness, accommodativeness, fixed and established relations and respect for one another. This creates a vibrant, synergetic environment conducive to sustainability and describes an environment of hope. The counter-experience includes forced flexibility and adaptiveness (due to unmet physical needs), feelings of being unsafe, limited choices and a general dissatisfaction with the physical environment in terms of its support. This describes an urban environment of fear. The role of social systems in terms of urban renewal is inclusive, participating and socially sensitive. They should be catalysts for socio-economic functions, contribute to maintenance and act as stakeholders. Based on the above, the study offers recommendations to include social systems in urban renewal in terms of the research process and method to be followed, how and where to include social systems in urban renewal projects and suggestions for physical change to make the area more supportive to the social dynamics. Practical guidelines are offered related to the practice of observations and interviews for the identification and exploration of social systems. The following suggestions are made regarding the urban renewal process: pro-active inclusion of social systems throughout the process in the pre-project stage, during the urban renewal project and post-project stage. Interventions to enhance the physical environment include provision of special requests, access to open space, application of green construction and local distinctiveness. As planners play a proactive role in urban renewal they may contribute to enhancing the sustainability of urban renewal initiatives by understanding urban social systems and their role in city centres in order to acknowledge and include them as important partners. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

This thesis examines international feminist activism from the late nineteenth century to the present. In particular it focuses on the campaigns against forms of sexual slavery including child marriage. It examines the male sex right as a major cause of sexual exploitation and it investigates claims that similarities between trafficking children into the institutions of marriage and prostitution reflect the power of heteropatriarchy in governing the social model of heterosexuality and the ensuing subordination of women and girls. It argues that challenging sexual exploitation is difficult because of the social acceptance of men’s right of sexual access to women and girls. / This thesis examines the ways in which the ideologies of cultural relativism and sexual libertarianism protect the concept of ‘conjugal rights’ in systems of traditional marriage. It introduces the theory of sexual relativism in order to explain how cultural relativism works in relation to child marriage. Sexual relativism as a corollary of cultural relativism is used as a feminist tool of analysis in order to make the male sex right visible and politically accountable. / Lesbian historiography is introduced in order to document the role of lesbian experience in the lives and networks of these international activists. The inclusion of lesbian existence in this thesis is a unique approach intended to restore historical accuracy to the lives of women who have been involved in international campaigns against forms of sexual exploitation that include child marriage, child prostitution, incest, and other harmful cultural practices. I discuss how lesbians and spinsters, as unhusbanded women, experienced freedom from domestic duties including child care and the sexual servicing of men. Their ensuing independence enabled them to become involved in political work and by forming networks they were able to discuss and formulate their ideas. I explore the relationship between the personal and political in the examination of these women’s lives. In particular I examine the lesbian existence within the political and friendship networks of interwar feminists such as Eleanor Rathbone, Constance Antonina (Nina) Boyle, Alison Neilans, Cicely Hamilton, Katharine Furse and Margaret Haig. The radical feminist approach to this inquiry is intended to contribute to filling gaps in the knowledge base of feminist history and to broaden the transdisciplinary approach to international scholarship.

Thesis advisor: Joni L. Kinsey. Thesis advisor: Joni Kinsey. Includes bibliographic references (p. 287-299).

The work deals with topic of cultural relativism. The first chapter is concerned with concept of cultural relativism, its understanding, definitions, its connection with other conceptions of relativism, i.e. ethical and cognitive relativism. The second part concentrates on finding of philosophical roots, which became the fundamental presumptions for origin of cultural relativism, whereas the second part contains the chapter about history of cultural anthropology, which treats of establishment of cultural relativism as the one of the most fundamental concept of cultural anthropology. The third section foreshadows current debates dealing with cultural relativism. The critical perspective is applied to arguments and objections for or contra cultural relativism appearing in the work. And equally there is the treatise of role of cultural relativism in anthropological practises.