Several researchers have identified discrimination and profiling as examples of oppression and threats to the democratic process. Scholarly literature provides little evidence on the experiences, beliefs, and attitudes of young adult Arab American Muslims post-9/11. This study addressed the attitudes and lived experiences of young adult Arab American Muslims between the ages of 18 and 25 regarding discrimination and profiling experienced in the District of Columbia Metropolitan area since the passage of the American Patriot Act. A phenomenological research study was conducted using Benet's polarities of democracy as the theoretical framework with a focus on diversity and equality. Data were collected from young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 living in a large east coast metropolitan area using participant interview and then coded to identify themes. Participants mainly agreed on noticeable differences in their treatment related to diversity and equality on campus, in the workplace, and in social public settings. Often, participants agreed that they have been targeted through additional measures such as political and media rhetoric which also negatively impacts their seeking of diversity and equality. Overall, the results of this study not only highlight the challenges this group faces but also indicates that the polarity pair of diversity and equality has not been leveraged well, thereby creating a mental concentration camp for participants. Lastly, this study may provide positive social change by allowing US Congress to better understand the negative consequences of the US Patriot Act.

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A problem recognized in the United States is that a K-12 public education in urban communities is more likely to support existing patterns of inequality than to serve as a pathway to opportunity. The specific focus of this research was on the poor academic performance in U.S K-12 urban communities. Using Benet's polarities of democracy theory as the foundation, the purpose of this correlational study was to determine which independent variables, enrollment rates, high school graduation rates, property tax funding rates for schools, teacher quality, and youth literacy rates are- statistically associated- with quality education outcomes by using the polarities of democracy participation and representation tenets as proxy variables. Secondary data spanning a 5-year aggregate period, 2010-2015, was compared for both Massachusetts and the United States, using Germany as the benchmark. Data were acquired from the Programme for International Student Assessment from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The total sample included 150 cases randomly selected from 240 schools in Massachusetts and 150 schools in Germany. Data were analyzed using ANOVA. The results of this study indicate a statistically- significant (p- < .001) pairwise association between each of the 5 independent variables and the dependent variable. The 5 independent variables had a positive statistically significant effect on education quality. The implication for social change from this study includes insight and recommendations to the U.S Department of Education into best practices for reducing educational inequality and improving educational quality as measured by achievement in the United States.

Several researchers have identified social capital as a means to improve the social sustainability of communities. While there have been many studies investigating the benefits of social capital in homogeneous White communities, few have examined it in Black homogeneous communities. Also, there has been limited research on the influence of racism on social capital in African American communities. In this dissertation a comparative case study was used within a critical race theory framework. The purpose was to explore the role of racial oppression in shaping social capital in majority African American communities. Data were collected from 2 majority Black communities in Florida. The collected data included reviews of local news reports, voter turnout reports, and community health assessments, along with focus groups and semi structured interviews with a purposive sample of 20 of the communities' African American residents. Benet's polarities of democracy model was employed to analyze the relationship between racism and social capital. Analysis included inductive coding followed by pattern matching to identify overarching themes between the selected cases. One key theme was that perceived racial disparity inhibited bridging and linking social capital in the selected communities. Another key theme was that racism created social capital deficiencies and a dysfunctional community culture, which limited the capacity to address collective issues. Social change implications include specific policy recommendations to state and local leaders to increase the participation of Black community members in democratic processes. Additionally, this research has potential to improve understanding of the various ways that racism may affect Black Communities.

Political decentralization has been advanced in the 21st century as a prescription for enabling citizens' participation in politics and increasing good governance. However, empirical investigations have offered limited knowledge about decentralization efforts in Liberia. This study explored if decentralization could serve as a catalyst for citizens' participation and good governance in Liberia. The polarity of participation and representation - one of the pairs in the polarities of democracy model developed by Benet - was used to establish the theoretical foundation for this study. The study employed a case study research design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 participants recruited through snowball sampling and subjected to a thematic content procedure for analysis. The main theme indicated that decentralization was perceived as Liberia's best policy option to repair 171 years of political, social, and economic challenges. Establishment of service centers at the county level to manage social development funds and the passage of the local government act were acknowledged as achievements of the decentralization policy in Liberia. On the other hand, the country's long history of centralized governance, corruption, inequality, constitution violations, and misused of public resources were identified as major obstacles to successful implementation of decentralization policy measures. The social change implication of the study involves identifying a potential avenue for the government and citizens of Liberia to build a stronger relationship through reform which will ultimately enhance citizens' ability to be involved in governmental decision making at both national and local levels.

Global governance refers to global cooperation through existing and developing structures, groups, and initiatives, yet little academic research focuses on the role of international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) in promoting global governance. Using Benet's polarities of democracy as the theoretical foundation, the purpose of this critical case study was to explore why and how INGOs address the gap in global governance institutions in terms of humanitarian support. Data collection involved open-ended interviews with 12 members of an international, nonprofit service organization that provides humanitarian support services to a global community. Interview data were inductively coded and subjected to a thematic analysis procedure. Findings revealed 4 key themes: INGOs fill the global governance institutional gap because members think it is the right thing to do and they want to help their fellow human beings; effective global governance starts locally and simply; global governance remains conceptual; but polarities of democracy show promise as a possible global governance policy guide. Findings may be used to promote INGO participation in the provision of global humanitarian support and to improve global cooperation in addressing problems, such as mass migration, pandemics, and climate change. All of humanity, particularly those in poverty and distress, stand to benefit from effective global governance.

Orientador: Giancarlo Scardia / Resumo: A magnetoestratigrafia é uma importante ferramenta de correlação estratigráfica por se basear nas alternâncias de polaridade do campo geomagnético ao longo do tempo geológico. As magnetozonas permitem correlações entre diferentes sistemas deposicionais, independente de conteúdo fossilífero e de localização geográfica. Análises paleomagnéticas foram conduzidas em três testemunhos de sondagem da Companhia de Pesquisa e Recursos Minerais do Brasil (CPRM) localizados nos estados de São Paulo e do Paraná, que abrangem o Grupo Passa Dois e a Formação Piramboia (Grupo São Bento). A investigação busca refinar a geocronologia dessas unidades e contribuir para a construção das escalas globais do tempo baseadas em polaridades geomagnéticas para o Permiano fornecendo dados do hemisfério Sul. Análises complementares foram obtidas em duas seções aflorantes das formações Corumbataí e Piramboia. A transição entre a Superchron Reversa de Kiaman e a Superchron de Polaridade Mista de Illawarra foi identificada na Formação Corumbataí do testemunho FP-12-SP, a 76 metros do topo da Formação Irati. A correlação estratigráfica entre os três testemunhos estudados revela que FP-12-SP corresponde a uma seção condensada do Permiano da Bacia do Paraná, no qual as porções basal e intermediária da Formação Corumbataí se correlacionam com as formações Teresina (majoritariamente do Wordiano) e Rio do Rasto (Capitianiano - ?) dos furos SP-23-PR e SP-58-PR. Os resultados da Formação Piramboia foram inconclusiv... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Magnetostratigraphy in an important stratigraphic correlation tool because it is based on the reversals of Earth’s magnetic field polarities through the geological time. Magnetic zones allow stratigraphic correlations among rocks from different depositional systems, despite fossil content or geographic location. Paleomagnetic analyses were conducted in samples from three drill cores from Companhia de Pesquisa e Recursos Minerais (CPRM) of Brazil, located in the states of São Paulo and Paraná, which encompasses rocks of Passa Dois Group and Piramboia Formation (São Bento Group). The investigation is an effort to refine the geochronology of these units and to contribute to the elaboration of Permian Global Polarity Time Scales (GTPS) providing data from southern hemisphere. Additional analyses were obtained from two outcrop sections of Corumbataí and Piramboia formations. We identified the transition between Kiaman Reverse Superchron and Illawarra Mixed-Polarity Superchron at the Corumbataí Formation from FP-12-SP core, 76 meters above the top of Irati Formation. The stratigraphic correlation among the three drill cores reveals that FP-12- SP is a condensed section from the Permian of Paraná Basin, in which the lower and intermediate portions of Corumbataí Formation are correlative to Teresina (mainly Wordian) and Rio do Rasto (Capitanian - ?) formations from SP-23-PR and SP-58-PR drills. Results from Piramboia Formation were inconclusive. Magnetic mineralogy of samples is main... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Violence is considered a public health problem in the United States, yet little is known about the benefit of using a combined epidemiology and criminology (EpiCrim) approach to focus on urban youth gun violence. The purpose of this general qualitative study was to determine in what ways Akers and Lanier's EpiCrim approach in tandem with Benet's polarities of democracy approach is explanatory of gun homicides by youth in U.S. urban areas and if the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System adequately addresses gun abatement measures. Data were collected through semi structured interviews of 16 criminal justice practitioners and medical professionals with experience relative to juvenile justice policies pertaining to gun violence. Interview data were inductively coded, then subjected to a thematic analysis procedure. The findings indicate that EpiCrim provides a platform to focus research efforts on complex issues that are drivers for behavioral risk factors associated with youth gun violence in urban areas. Participants perceive a necessity for legislative revisions supporting gun violence research and the reduction of privacy issues that pose barriers to EpiCrim research. EpiCrim research can provide data that help identify the root cause of youth gun violence in urban areas, and the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System does not fully address gun abatement measures. The positive social change implications stemming from this study include recommendations to local, state, and federal legislatures to explore legislative action to incorporate EpiCrim strategies as a method to reduce gun violence among youth in urban communities.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:50:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5324.pdf: 2666277 bytes, checksum: a4ed670ff974b3a42ae4a7a23edabe60 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-24 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / The emergence of Sustainable Development and thereafter , of Corporate Sustainability, integrated representative elites of social space that until then were developing independently .Furthermore it showed new ways of conduct in the corporative environment ,favoring the emergence of a new market ,with new actors and services, specialized in orientating the client towards a sustainable conduct . As this idea is institutionalized it starts being adopted among many consulting groups , inaugurating new polarization in this universe, .This doctorate research supported on the new Economic Sociology by Pierre Bourdieui investigated the processes of identity formation and identity construction, such as their relations in this new constituted social space, of Consulting Sustainability in Brazil. / O surgimento do Desenvolvimento Sustentável e posteriormente, da Sustentabilidade Empresarial, integrou elites representantes de espaços sociais que até aquele momento se desenvolviam de formas independentes. Além disso, evidenciou novas formas de conduta no ambiente corporativo, favorecendo o surgimento de um novo mercado, com novos atores e serviços especializados em orientar clientes na direção de uma conduta Sustentável . Na medida em que essa ideia se institucionaliza, passa a ser adotada por diversos grupos de consultorias, inaugurando novas polarizações neste universo. Essa pesquisa de doutorado, apoiada nas inspirações da Nova Sociologia Econômica de Pierre Bourdieu, investigou os processos de formação e de construção de identidades, tais como suas relações neste novo espaço social constituído, das consultorias em Sustentabilidade no Brasil.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2015-12-08T10:55:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 felipeluismelodesouza.pdf: 1227952 bytes, checksum: f9cfa306b8e5ddcb5a5fc033e18a3b40 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2015-12-09T13:37:18Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 felipeluismelodesouza.pdf: 1227952 bytes, checksum: f9cfa306b8e5ddcb5a5fc033e18a3b40 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-12-09T13:37:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 felipeluismelodesouza.pdf: 1227952 bytes, checksum: f9cfa306b8e5ddcb5a5fc033e18a3b40 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-07 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O objetivo desta tese é analisar O Livro Vermelho, de C. G. Jung, descrevendo o que ele é, como ele é e o que ele traz. Escrito e rescrito entre os anos de 1913 e 1928, este trabalho foi considerado pelo autor o seu experimento mais difícil, a autoanálise que lhe permitiu encontrar o seu ponto de referência e elaborar a sua psicologia, a Psicologia Analítica. O livro ficou guardado durante muitas décadas e só foi publicado recentemente (2009), o que explica a pouca bibliografia disponível até o momento. O nosso trabalho visa defender a tese de que o central destas experiências, após o rompimento com a psicanálise, consiste na compreensão das polaridades da psique e, concomitantemente, na elaboração de concepções a respeito de Deus. No Livro Vermelho, aparecem concepções de Deus que não se limitam às concepções cristãs dogmáticas, sendo muitas vezes totalmente inusuais e até blasfemas. Ao final, apresenta a ideia do Deus Abraxas, o Deus acima das polaridades, e defende que o homem possui dignidade suficiente para não ter que se submeter aos desígnios divinos. Ao mesmo tempo, ao longo da tese, discorremos sobre a correlação entre o Livro Vermelho e as ideias que serão reunidas nas Obras Completas, como os tipos psicológicos, a anima, o Self, a diferença entre a religião oriental e ocidental e a individuação. / The objective of this thesis is to analyze The Red Book, by C. G. Jung, describing what it is, how it is and what it brings. Written and rewritten between 1913 and 1928, this work was considered by the author to be his most difficult experiment, the self-analysis that allowed him to find his reference point and prepare his psychology, Analytical Psychology. The book was stored away for many decades and was only published recently (2009), which explains the limited bibliography available until now. Our work aims to argue that the central point of these experiments, after the departure from psychoanalysis, consists in comprehending the polarities of the psyche and, simultaneously, in the elaboration of conceptions regarding God. In The Red Book, there appear conceptions of God that are not limited to dogmatic Christian concepts, often of a totally unusual and even blasphemous nature. At its end, it puts forward the idea of God Abraxas, the God above the polarities, and argues that man possesses enough dignity not to have to submit to divine designs. At the same time, over the course of the thesis, we discuss the correlation between The Red Book and the ideas that will be gathered together in the Complete Works, such as the psychological types, the anima, the Self, the difference between western and eastern religions and individuation.