The COVID-19 pandemic led to social restrictions that often prevented us from hugging the ones we love. This absence helped some realize just how important these interactions are to our sense of care and connection. Many turned to digitally mediated social interactions to address these absences, but often unsatisfactorily. Some theorists might blame this on the disembodied character of our digital spaces, e.g., that interpersonal touch is excluded from our lives online. However, others continued to find care and connection in (...) their digitally mediated interactions despite not being able to touch. Inspired by such contrasting cases, we ask if ‘digital hugs’ can work? We use the Mixed Reality Interaction Matrix to examine hugging as a social practice. This leads us to several claims about the nature of our embodied social interactions and their digital mediation: (1) all social interaction is mediated; (2) all virtual experiences are embodied; (3) technology has become richer and more supportive of embodiment; and (4) expertise plays a role. These claims help make the case that quality social connections online are substantially dependent upon the dynamic skilful resourcing of multiple mediating components, what we term digital tact. By introducing and developing this concept, we hope to contribute to a better understanding of our digital embodied sociality and the possibilities for caring connections online. (shrink)

Condorcet's Jury Theorem shows that on a dichotomous choice, individuals who all have the same competence above 0.5, can make collective decisions under majority rule with a competence that approaches 1 as either the size of the group or the individual competence goes up. The theorem assumes that the probability of each voter's being correct is independent of the probability of any other voter being correct. Contrary to several authors, the presence of mutual or common influences such as opinion leaders (...) does not easily rule independence either in or out. Indeed, and this ought to be surprising,under certain conditions deference to opinion leaders can improve individual competence without violating independence, and so can raise group competence as well. (shrink)

Generative thought is sensed within the human system through resonance. -/- This work examines the structure through which generative thought is held and continues. Emotion, resonance, and structure form the ground of creation. -/- Creation is not a matter of talent. It is sustained through structure. -/- When structure holds, production continues. What continues accumulates. What accumulates returns into structure and generates again. -/- Civilization forms where this movement does not break, where structured cognition connects across the whole, and where (...) production returns into generative continuity. -/- Within this framework, “The Leader” is a state in which thought, structure, and execution move as one. -/- This work approaches the human mind, creation, and civilization as structure, based on observation and cognitive structuring. -/- It is written for those already within the flow of generation, so that the structure they carry may be revealed and sustained. -/- Published by JIASEOGO, April 15, 2026 Distributed via Amazon Kindle. (shrink)

Corruption devours profts, people, and the planet. Ethical leaders promote ethical behaviors. We develop a frst-stage moderated mediation theoretical model, explore the intricate relationships between ethical leadership (member rated, Time 1) and employee ethical behaviors (leader rated, Time 3), and treat ethical climate and organizational justice (member rated,Time 2) as dual mediators and leaders’ moral attentiveness (leader rated, Time 3) as a moderator. We investigate leadership from two perspectives—leaders’ self-evaluation of moral attentiveness and members’ perceptions of ethical leadership. (...) We theorize: These dual mediation mechanisms are more robust for high moral leaders than low moral leaders. Our three-wave data collected from multiple sources, 236 members and 98 immediate supervisors in the Republic of Iraq, support our theory. Specifcally, ethical leadership robustly impacts organizational justice’s intensity and magnitude, leading to high employee ethical behaviors when leaders’ moral attentiveness is high than low. However, ethical leadership only infuences the ethical climate’s intensity but has no impact on the magnitude when leaders’ moral attentiveness is high than low. Therefore, organizational justice is a more robust mediator than the ethical climate in the omnibus context of leader moral attentiveness. Our fndings support Western theory and constructs, demonstrating a new theory for Muslims in Arabic’s emerging markets. Individual decision-makers (subordinates) apply their values (ethical leadership) as a lens to frame their concerns in the immediate (organizational justice and ethical climate) and omnibus (leader moral attentiveness) contexts to maximize their expected utility and ultimate serenity-happiness. Ethical leadership trickles down to employee ethical behaviors, providing practical implications for improving the ethical environment, corporate social responsibility, leader-member exchange (LMX), business ethics, and economic potentials in the global competitive markets. (shrink)

In this paper, we examine how a research institution’s social structure and academic opinion leaders’ presence shaped the early adoption of a scientific innovation. Our case considers the early engagement of mathematical economists at the Cowles Commission with John von Neumann and Oskar Morgenstern’s Theory of Games and Economic Behavior. We argue that scholars with administrative leadership functions who were not only scientifically but also organizationally central – in our case the director of research Jacob Marschak – played a crucial (...) role in promoting the adoption of the Theory of Games. We support our argument with a scientometric analysis of all acknowledgments made in 488 papers published from 1944 to 1955 in the two main paper series at Cowles. We apply blockmodeling techniques to the acknowledgments network to reconstruct the formal and informal social structure at Cowles at the time. Our findings suggest that studies of the early adoption of scientific theories benefit from complementary perspectives on the role of academic leaders and scientists. Our study reveals the importance of formal and informal social structures and the agenda of administrative leaders in these structures to explain their adoption. (shrink)

This study explores the architectural and furnishing stylistics in the ceremonial and reception spaces of political leaders from various countries, including the USA, Japan, Turkey, the UK, the UAE, Malaysia, and Albania. Through a visual and semiotic analysis of seven representative interiors, the article offers a cross-cultural comparison between the aesthetics of East and West, modern and traditional approaches, and the political symbolism conveyed through the design of official spaces. The results show that the spaces of leaders are not only (...) functional, but also visual tools for communicating national identity, cultural status, and personal style of power. The Albanian case is a unique postmodern, eclectic, conceptual style approach that breaks traditional forms, reflecting more a personal character and a growing institutional vision. (shrink)

From his long years of experience as a local executive until he was ushered into the presidency, Duterte was able to master the masses’ longings. He understands what the public expects in a leader-- gathered from information he collected in unorthodox fashion. He plunges into the grassroots even (at times) resorting to disguises; and sometimes he maintains his own intelligence group that feeds him necessary information. The shock that he generates in all corners, factions, sectors and even countries would (...) qualify him (perhaps) to be the unnamed monster that can disrupt the realm of Philippine politics. But despite his monstrous image, quite surprisingly, Duterte remains popular and appealing to the electorate. This essay foregrounds the ambivalent monster that the Philippine president wittingly or unwittingly assumes; a monster that is ready to devour victims while protecting those he (supposedly) loves. The essay argues that Duterte is a monster that represents a rapture—a kind of abrupt transition. He represents a monster leader that does not care about the elite’s and traditional pundits’ definition of a leader. He represents a leader that is hindi-iba (sa masa) but at the same time iba sa marami (trapo/traditional politicians). (shrink)

Learnable Linguistics for Business Leaders offers an in-depth examination of the significant influence language exerts on decision-making and behavior within the business sphere. The book delves into the intricate interplay between linguistic structures and human cognitive processes, presenting a novel perspective on how language shapes our perceptions and actions. Structured into five chapters, this book analyses various aspects of language function within a business environment. Chapter 1, "What it is in language that engages listeners", investigates the attention-based mechanisms inherent in (...) grammatical classes that captivate audiences. Chapter 2, "How language enchains speakers", discusses the empowering effect of language on speakers and their ability to influence audiences effectively. Chapter 3, "Why more is less and why less is more", explores the impact of verbosity and conciseness in communication, advocating the effectiveness of a minimalist approach. Chapter 4, "Where the talking paves the way to new walking", examines the use of paradoxical adjectives and grammatical discrepancies in shaping public opinion and forging new realities. Chapter 5, "When the walking paves the way to new talking", utilises the experiences of the Italian novelist Alberto Moravia, in the Sahara, as a case study to illustrate how language aids in understanding and articulating new concepts by relating them to our pre-existing knowledge. The concluding remarks, Learnable Linguistics in a nutshell, encapsulate the book's core themes, emphasizing the strategic use of language for business leaders to communicate in an inclusive and adaptable manner. Throughout the book, the authors introduce a series of analytical tools and concepts, such as the Umbra Cone and Linguistic Exorcisms, to aid readers in comprehending and applying the principles of Learnable Linguistics in managerial contexts. The book concludes with a call to action for business leaders to embrace linguistic precision, embrace paradoxes, develop narratives, and engage in continuous learning to effectively navigate the complexities of business communication and negotiation. (shrink)

This chapter makes it clear that a significant element of both leadership and decision making is the development aspect. Leaders develop in their decision making by being confronted with difficult decision situations. However, they also develop through various forms of systemized training and education. Different leaders tend to develop in different directions. For this reason, one can identify a number of key leadership styles based on different ways of leading. These different styles are appropriate for various types of organization. Some (...) organizations require a strict and authoritative style, while others are in greater need of a more democratic style. Senior leaders often have the capacity to switch between different leadership styles depending on how the situation develops. In addition, there are a number of key decision-making roles that leaders are expected to manage. These include the role of entrepreneur, problem-solver, resource-allocator and negotiator. Leaders must also learn to work with clarity, conviction, courage, and communication in order to facilitate their decisions. Research shows that leaders who face severe adversity in their careers often are forced to make many difficult decisions. As a result they develop. Being forced to make difficult decisions actually leads to reflection, self-awareness and self-knowledge of one’s own values. Leaders also develop by communicating their problems in a structured way with more experienced colleagues. The fact that leaders develop by making difficult decisions leads to various forms of action having a central role. It is by putting decisions into action that leaders develop, as well as by reflecting on what alternative decisions could have been made. An action perspective on leadership decisions is closely linked to the concept of sense-making. This phenomenon implies observation, action, revision and communication in the aftermath of a decision. There is research indicating that reflection, critical thinking, intuition, ethics and communication are important dimensions of leaders and decision makers who are generally perceived as wise. -/- . (shrink)

Purpose: The study is aimed at examining authentic leadership influences on creativity in a public organisation given job thriving and leader-member exchange as a mediator and a moderator respectively. -/- Design/Method/Approach: The cross-sectional research design was adopted with data collected via a structured questionnaire from 269 mid-level employees who were healthcare professionals working in hospitals and primary healthcare centres under the purview of the Delta State Ministry of Health in Nigeria. The partial least square (PLS) method was adopted as (...) the analytical tool for hypothesis testing. This structural equation modelling (SEM) method was performed with SMARTPLS 3.3.3 software. -/- Findings: The results demonstrate that authentic leadership has a non-significant relationship with creativity except through job thriving. Further, the moderated mediation result shows that leader-member exchange strengthens the relationship between job thriving and creativity and enhances positive influences of authentic leadership in a creativity context. -/- Theoretical Implications: The study provides plausible evidence on the pathways through which authentic leadership, as a positive form of leadership, explicates influence on creativity, wherein job thriving and leader-member exchange interact as contextual variables. -/- Practical Implications: Public organisations should introduce regular leadership training to enable managers to learn behaviours that would enhance their authenticity at work. An assessment can be integrated into leadership training programmes to ensure its efficacy. -/- Originality/Value: Not all employees are motivated to engage in creative work in bureaucratized settings due to the leadership behaviour in practice. This study demonstrates how authentic leadership engenders creativity through the enhancement of certain contextual variables: job thriving and leader-member exchange. -/- Research Limitations/Future Research: This research was limited to a specific public organisation and Nigerian State. Although the empirical information provided herein may be insightful and have applicable value for other public organisations as well as Nigerian States, it is important to replicate this research with a broader sample and geographic spread to improve its generality. The study relies on cross-sectional data which may offer little explanations of causality effects among the latent variables, future research works should consider a longitudinal research approach for clearer and concrete inferences. -/- Paper Type: Empirical -/- JEL Classification: L32, M10, O31. (shrink)

This paper offers a revised interpretation of Machiavelli's analysis of political founding, focusing on his provocative comparison between Moses and other violent rulers. While Machiavelli famously claims that success in political leadership requires a willingness to "enter into evil," this reading collapses all forms of confrontation, authority, and coercive action into a single category of ruthlessness, thereby erasing essential distinctions in intention, moral vision, and legitimacy. Drawing on but moving beyond Leo Strauss's critique—which emphasizes the theological uniqueness of Moses—this paper (...) argues that Machiavelli's theory fails to account for the moral phenomenology of leadership: why leaders act, for whom they act, and the ethical scope of their vision. By integrating a typology of intention (self-interest, partiality, universality), a differentiation between necessary and unnecessary force, and the concept of moral delusion drawn from contemporary moral psychology, I develop a revised theory of leadership that restores the distinction between egoistic cruelty and morally grounded confrontation. This framework engages with James MacGregor Burns's distinction between transactional and transformational leadership and Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development to ground the analysis in established scholarship. The result is a more comprehensive framework: the makeup of a leader, which incorporates moral purpose, intention, confrontation, and legitimate authority—elements that Machiavelli mistakenly conflates or ignores. The framework is operationalized through a five-dimensional analytical model and demonstrated through comparative application to contested historical leaders, including Oliver Cromwell and Lee Kuan Yew. (shrink)

Generally, it is common knowledge that humans have the same time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 31 days a month, 365 days per year, but most of them do not know how to manage time and manage it to be something useful and effectively. That is because many people do not have the discipline in filling time. Those days are filled with things that are not directed, even worse is that filling the time of his or her (...) life with things that damage life. Even though wasting time is not unwise because it is a waste of the opportunity God has given and the time that has passed will not return, meaning that if the opportunity is not used, then the opportunity will be lost. How important is to redeem the time, especially for contemporary Christian leaders because all must be accountable to God. This study uses a research library. Library research is a literature study that is carried out by using relevant and available reading sources related to the topics discussed in the research. Books or journal articles related to the topics discussed are used as sources of reading to better understand time management and its application at the personal and organisational levels. From the various reading sources used, the writer develops this scientific article, including giving comments or critical comments that are conveyed in various parts of the writing, especially in the conclusions. (shrink)

Abstract This paper examines the inherent conflicts and dangers in allowing religious leaders to serve as national political leaders. It argues that the fusion of religious and political power undermines secular governance, threatens civil liberties, and can destabilize national unity. Drawing from historical examples and current geopolitical cases, this paper supports the necessity of maintaining a clear boundary between religion and state. -/- .

Empowering Religious and Church Leaders to Teach the Universal Formula Without Contradicting Their Faith: Addressing the Negative Effects of Overpopulation and Family Planning -/- Religious and church leaders hold immense influence over the moral, ethical, and social direction of their communities. Their teachings provide guidance on how people should navigate life, interact with each other, and respond to the world around them. In addressing issues such as free will, human behavior, and overpopulation, religious doctrines can sometimes appear to conflict with (...) modern solutions, particularly on subjects like family planning. However, my universal formula, designed to address the problem of free will and human behavior, provides a pathway for religious and church leaders to navigate these complexities without contradicting their faith. This formula emphasizes the importance of balance, interconnectedness, and responsibility, values that are found in the teachings of all major world religions. -/- At the heart of the universal formula is the law of karma, which asserts that balance and harmony are essential to the functioning of any system—be it individual, societal, or environmental. This law emphasizes that every action has consequences, and the decisions we make today affect not only ourselves but also the greater world. The law of karma teaches us that all systems must operate without defects or errors to function effectively. Overpopulation, caused by unchecked population growth, disrupts this balance, leading to resource depletion, environmental degradation, and social instability. The universal formula, by promoting balance, provides a framework for addressing the negative effects of overpopulation in a manner that aligns with religious principles and addresses the urgent need for responsible decision-making in family planning. -/- Religious scriptures across all major traditions emphasize the importance of balance in life, a concept that aligns with the teachings of the universal formula. For instance, in Hinduism, the concept of Dharma calls for the Individual to live in harmony with the cosmic order, ensuring that one’s actions do not disrupt the balance of nature. Similarly, in Buddhism, the Middle Path teaches that balance is necessary for the cessation of suffering and the cultivation of peace. In the Bible, the concept of stewardship is emphasized, where humanity is entrusted to care for the earth, its resources, and all living beings in a way that maintains harmony and balance. In Islam, the Quran speaks of humanity’s role as khalifah (stewards) on earth, entrusted with the responsibility to protect the environment and maintain balance. These teachings emphasize that living in harmony with the natural world is a moral and spiritual responsibility, and that actions which disrupt this balance are harmful not just to the individual but to all of creation. -/- Overpopulation has severe negative consequences for the balance of life on earth. As the global population continues to increase, resources such as food, water, and energy are stretched to their limits, leading to scarcity and competition. Environmental degradation, including deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and pollution, is accelerated, undermining the stability of ecosystems. Urban areas become overcrowded, contributing to inadequate housing, poor sanitation, and strained healthcare systems. Social problems such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality are exacerbated, particularly for the most vulnerable members of society. These challenges are not only practical concerns but also ethical and spiritual issues, as they threaten the delicate balance that religions call for. -/- Many religious traditions emphasize the sanctity of life and the importance of family, but the growing pressures of overpopulation make it increasingly difficult to ignore the practical realities of responsible family planning. Religious teachings often advocate for large families as a divine blessing, and while this belief is deeply rooted in faith, it may not fully account for the larger consequences of unchecked population growth. The universal formula offers a solution that aligns with both religious values and the practical need for societal and environmental responsibility. -/- By incorporating the law of karma into religious teachings, religious leaders can help their communities understand that every decision, including the decision to have children, has consequences that extend beyond the individual. The law of karma teaches that when we act in ways that are not in harmony with the natural balance, we create an imbalance that affects the entire system. This is particularly relevant to overpopulation, where the unchecked growth of the population leads to environmental degradation, resource scarcity, and social instability. Family planning, in this context, becomes an act of stewardship—caring for the earth and its resources in a way that allows future generations to live in balance and prosperity. -/- Furthermore, the negative effects of overpopulation disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society. Religious traditions emphasize compassion and caring for the marginalized. The universal formula’s focus on balance calls for a recognition of the interconnectedness of all people, particularly the poor and those who suffer from the consequences of overpopulation. In this light, responsible family planning is not only an ethical decision for one’s family but also an act of love and compassion for the wider community and future generations. -/- Incorporating the teachings of various religious traditions can further empower religious leaders to address the problem of overpopulation without compromising their faith. For example: -/- Hinduism teaches that by living in balance with Dharma, individuals can ensure the sustainability of the world around them, which aligns with the understanding that responsible family planning is an ethical and necessary part of maintaining that balance. -/- Buddhism’s principle of the Middle Path advocates for moderation in all things. This idea resonates with the need to avoid overconsumption and irresponsible population growth that leads to imbalance. -/- Christianity emphasizes stewardship of the earth, where the faithful are called to care for the world and its resources, aligning with the idea that overpopulation disrupts this responsibility and harms the environment. -/- Islam teaches that humans are stewards of the earth and that maintaining balance with the natural world is a divine command. Overpopulation disrupts that balance and leads to the suffering of all creation. -/- By teaching the universal formula within the context of these shared religious principles, religious leaders can present family planning as an act of responsible stewardship, compassion, and balance. This approach aligns with the deeper spiritual values of all major world religions while addressing the pressing societal and environmental concerns caused by overpopulation. -/- In conclusion, overpopulation is a major threat to the balance of nature and the well-being of humanity, and religious leaders have an important role to play in addressing this issue. The universal formula provides a framework for teaching that aligns with the core values of all faiths: balance, stewardship, compassion, and interconnectedness. By empowering their followers with this understanding, religious leaders can guide their communities to make responsible decisions that benefit not just their families but the entire world. Family planning, when understood through the lens of religious teachings on balance and responsibility, becomes an act of love and wisdom—one that ensures a sustainable, harmonious future for all. -/- . (shrink)

The primary goal of this study is to analyse two extremes of leadership ideologies using philosophical notions as a perspective. It accomplishes this by exploring the leadership goals and the concept of freedom advanced by the Buddha and Christ's leadership views. This research will also look into how their leadership style affects society. Using an objective analysis, this study seeks to shed light on the codependent link between freedom, leadership, and the impact on human morality.

This paper examines why well-functioning organizations still experience strategic drift despite strong governance. It introduces the concept of the coherence advantage, showing how systems that are locally consistent and efficient can become globally misaligned over time. The paper argues that leaders often detect drift only after it has become embedded in decision criteria and operational signals. It reframes drift as a structural property of translation across governance layers rather than a failure of execution. By analyzing how meaning becomes operational and (...) gradually diverges from intent, the paper explains why early warning signals are difficult to observe. It contributes to the Coherence Programme by linking coherence, drift, and detectability in institutional decision systems. (shrink)

This systematic literature review offers valuable perspectives on the challenges faced by educational administrators amidst COVID-19, shedding light on key themes and concerns that arose during this unprecedented period. By focusing on emerging trends in school leaders' experiences, this study not only informs future research but also provides guidance for academic and educational practices. Drawing upon an analysis of 16 articles from peerreviewed publications spanning the period from 2010 to 2021, this review provides a comprehensive overview of research themes, approaches, (...) settings, and school management systems related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Notably, most of the articles were published in the Journal of School Administration Research and Development, reflecting a significant scholarly interest in this topic. Additionally, almost half of the studies were conducted in the United States, indicating a geographical concentration of research efforts in this area. The analysis reveals that the primary focus of the literature centers around technological support and the professional development of teachers, highlighting the critical role of these factors in navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic. Moreover, the predominant use of phenomenological design and structured interviews among principals and school administrators underscores the qualitative nature of much of the research in this field. While this review offers valuable insights, it is essential to acknowledge its limitations, including potential biases in the selection of articles and the evolving nature of the Covid19 pandemic. Future research endeavors could consider longitudinal studies to track the long-term impacts of the pandemic on educational leadership and to identify strategies for resilience and adaptation in the face of ongoing challenges. This research contributes significantly to our understanding of the difficulties encountered by school leaders throughout the COVID-19 crisis and provides valuable insights that can inform future educational practices and policies. (shrink)

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine how the integration of Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in leadership can enhance leadership effectiveness and influence the development of future leaders. -/- Design / Method / Approach: The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative analyses. The study utilizes secondary data sources, including scholarly articles, industry reports, and empirical studies, to analyze the interaction between EI and AI in leadership settings. -/- Findings: The findings reveal that (...) the integration of EI and AI significantly improves decision-making, strategic planning, talent management, and communication within organizations. Leaders who leverage both EI and AI experience higher employee satisfaction, improved team performance, and enhanced organizational outcomes. -/- Theoretical Implications: This study contributes to leadership theory by introducing a novel framework that demonstrates the complementary roles of EI and AI in leadership. -/- Practical Implications: The research offers practical guidelines for leadership development, emphasizing the need for future leaders to integrate EI and AI skills in order to navigate complex business environments successfully. -/- Originality / Value: The paper provides an original framework for the integration of EI and AI in leadership, offering new insights into how these two elements can work together to improve leadership effectiveness. -/- Research Limitations / Future Research: Future research should further explore the empirical impact of EI and AI integration in various industries and leadership levels to generalize findings across broader contexts. -/- Paper Type: Conceptual -/- . (shrink)

Academic excellence and intelligence are commonly lauded as commendable attributes synonymous with success. However, a disconcerting trend has surfaced within educational institutions, challenging the prevailing narrative of scholastic accomplishment—smart shaming. This research delves into the increasing concern of smart shaming within educational settings, particularly at Immaculate Conception College of Balayan, Inc., questioning the predominant emphasis on academic excellence and intelligence. A qualitative case study design, along with judgmental sampling, was employed to examine fifteen (15) student leaders who had experienced smart (...) shaming on campus. Thematic analysis revealed that sarcastic remarks including "edi wow," "Okay ikaw na matalino," "bidabida," and "sipsip" were a prevalent manifestation of smart shaming, adversely affecting emotional well-being, academic and leadership prowess, mental health, and self-perception. Coping mechanisms, predominantly centered around ignoring and focusing on goals, were identified. The findings underscore the imperative for educators to remain vigilant regarding instances of smart shaming in classrooms, promoting open communication to ensure student well-being. Additionally, guidance counselors play a pivotal role in aiding students in effectively navigating the repercussions of smart shaming. This study advocates for proactive programs and interventions to address and alleviate the deleterious effects of smart shaming on students. (shrink)

Crisis prevention plans are usually evaluated based on their effects in terms of preventing or limiting organizational crisis. In this survey-based study, the focus was instead on how such plans influence employees’ reactions in terms of risk perception and well-being. Five different organizations were addressed in the study. Hypothesis 1 tested the assumption that leadership crisis preparation would lead to lower perceived risk among the employees. Hypothesis 2 tested the conjecture that it would also lead to a higher degree of (...) well-being. Both hypotheses were supported. The results and their implications are discussed. (shrink)

Aim: This study determined the relationship between the assessed conflict management and communication styles of the university leaders of Guangdong Business and Technology University in China towards a leadership development training program. -/- Methodology: This study adopted a descriptive quantitative- comparative- correlational research design. It was conducted during the second semester of school year 2021-2022. The data gathered were collated and treated using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences or SPSS software. -/- Results: Based on the results, the most evident (...) conflict management styles of the university leaders are the compromising, and collaborating styles which ranked first and second respectively among the five identified management styles. It can also be noticed that avoiding and accommodating styles were evident among the university leaders as assessed by the teachers, while competing style was given the lowest assessment by the respondents. An over-all mean values of 3.50 shows that the conflict management style of the university leaders is evident as perceived by the teacher respondents. -/- Conclusion: Compromising and collaborating styles of conflict management are the most evident styles among the university leaders. Older teachers have seen avoiding style of conflict management more evident in their university leaders, while least evident in the eyes of the younger ones. Aggressive communication style was most evident among the university leaders while passive style was the least as observed by the teachers. Older teachers have seen their leaders to be more assertive than how the younger ones have seen them. The way the educational leaders handle conflict management is affected by the way how they communicate with their subordinates. It can also be said that effective communication style is a factor in managing and solving conflicts in the workplace. (shrink)

Abstract: This paper explores the dual role of Prophet Muhammad as both a religious and political leader, and clarifies a common misconception regarding forced conversions of Christians and Jews in early Islamic history. Drawing upon primary Islamic sources and scholarly works, this paper provides an accurate and contextual understanding of Muhammad’s leadership and the early Islamic stance on religious freedom.

This article argues that rebuilding public trust is the central challenge facing Bangladesh’s post-uprising leadership. Drawing on research in leadership and trust, it examines the moral, social, role-based, and institutional foundations of trust and proposes practical reforms to strengthen democratic legitimacy, accountability, inclusion, and citizen confidence in public institutions.

The author intends to make an appeal for paying closer attention to human nature in educating genuine leaders. His philosophical approach embraces following topics: (1) whether leaders are born with talents and traits that allow, or even cause, them to be successful leaders, or whether effective leadership behaviors can be learned through education and experience; (2) whether the influence exercised by groups or individuals can be considered as a necessary and sufficient factor in explaining leadership; (3) whether leaders lead the (...) followers to achieve the required end for the sake of the end itself, or rather that of those who are to achieve it – in other words, whether the followers exist for the end or the end for the followers. The author concludes that well educated leaders are those who know not to confuse the ultimate end with particular ones in their own life and in that of others. (shrink)

This paper examines the long-standing question of whether societal progress is shaped more by exceptional leaders or by the strength of a nation's institutions. Drawing on political philosophy, economic theory, and comparative historical evidence, it argues that durable development rests primarily on the quality and resilience of institutions rather than on the authority of singular "strong men." The discussion traces the evolution of this idea from Hobbes's case for centralized sovereign power to Locke's vision of limited government, rule of law, (...) and constitutional checks. It then connects these philosophical foundations to modern institutional economics, particularly the distinction between inclusive and extractive institutions that shape incentives, innovation, and long-run growth. Using case studies from Africa and Asia-including Botswana, Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Korea, Singapore, and China. The paper shows how institutional strength or weakness predicts divergent development paths, even where resources, culture, or leadership appear similar. While acknowledging that powerful leaders can catalyze short-term reforms, the analysis demonstrates that such gains rarely endure without strong legal, political, and administrative systems to support them. The conclusion emphasizes that sustainable progress requires strengthening governance structures, embedding accountability, and ensuring that laws, not personalities, govern political and economic life. (shrink)

This paper argues that it is reasonable to make attributions about a leader’s character based on minor incidents such as kicking a dog. It begins with a short review of the relevant literature from leadership studies and social psychology on how our prototypes of leaders affect the attributions we make about them. Then the paper examines the role of virtues, habits, and dispositional statements to show why an act such as kicking a dog can offer insight into a (...) class='Hi'>leader’s moral character. (shrink)

Many teachers experience decreased motivation and dissatisfaction due to a lack of support from school leaders, which ultimately impacts the quality of teaching and learning. This study analyzes the relationship between teachers' motivation and satisfaction with school leadership using correlational and regression approaches. This study used a quantitative descriptive-correlational research design. Sixty-one primary school teachers participated in this study as respondents, who were selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using a validated research questionnaire consisting of motivation and satisfaction. (...) The research instrument was subjected to a reliability test with Cronbach's alpha to ensure consistency using the instrument in the form of a questionnaire sheet. Data analysis used descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment correlation, Spearman rho correlation, chi-square test, ordinary least square (OLS) regression, and logit regression to determine the strength and direction of the relationship between variables. The regression results further showed that increased satisfaction with school leadership predicted higher levels of teacher motivation. It is concluded that improving school leadership practices can significantly contribute to increased teacher motivation, improving teaching quality and overall school performance. Therefore, it is recommended that school leaders receive targeted training to develop leadership skills that can increase teacher satisfaction and motivation. (shrink)

Abstract Despite their access to vast resources, knowledge, and influence, many of the world’s wealthiest and most powerful political leaders remain resistant to accepting and acting upon the truth of reality. This paper examines the psychological, sociological, and natural law-based reasons for this phenomenon. Drawing upon the principles of the universal law of balance and the law of karma (cause and effect), it argues that resistance to truth is not only a psychological defense mechanism but also a systemic violation of (...) natural equilibrium. Through historical and contemporary examples, it shows how denial of truth leads to social instability and collapse. Ultimately, only through holistic education rooted in universal laws can leaders and societies overcome this resistance and achieve harmony between human decision-making and the natural order. -/- . (shrink)

The paper deals with the basic concepts and key problems of creating financial stability, as well as the role of central banks in its provision. The role of central banks in providing financial stability is extremely important and has a double manifestation - is the maintenance of the stability of the national currency and the responsibility for the stability of commercial banks and the banking system. The central element of any financial system is always banks, so the emergence of systemic (...) instability in the banking sector always has a negative impact on financial stability in general and has extremely negative socio - economic implications for the country as a whole. The present study provides a thorough analysis of the essence of financial stability, the main challenges faced by central banks in monitoring financial sector and examines the global experience of central banks of different countries to ensure financial stability and their role in these processes. This paper highlights the common and distinctive features of the activities of the central banks of the most developed and developing countries towards the achievement of financial stability. Our paper focuses on the activities of the National Bank of Ukraine. In particular, its role in ensuring financial stability of the country is described and directions of its consolidation are indicated. The major task of the National Bank of Ukraine on the way to financial stability in the post -crisis period selected, the maximum possible mitigation Ukrainian banks consequences of the global financial crisis; increase of financial stability of banking institutions; strengthening of public confidence in banks and the banking system. As a result of the conducted, the key factors of achievement of the set tasks, as well as the main directions of application of monetary instruments of the National Bank of Ukraine in the activities aimed at increasing the stability of banks and ensuring financial stability, were determined. (shrink)

The Qualities, Challenges, and Successes of an Excellent Leader Across Politics, Business, and Education -/- Introduction -/- Leadership is a defining force in shaping societies, businesses, and educational institutions. The effectiveness of a leader is not solely determined by their title or power but by their ability to Inspire, innovate, and solve problems while upholding ethical integrity. Whether in politics, business, or education, great leaders share common qualifications and personality traits, yet they must also adapt to unique challenges (...) within their respective fields. This essay explores the fundamental characteristics of excellent leaders, the obstacles they face, and the strategies they use to create meaningful impact. -/- I. Qualifications and Personality Traits of an Excellent Leader -/- A. Essential Qualifications and Skills -/- Regardless of the industry, an excellent leader must possess: -/- Knowledge and Expertise – Mastery of governance, market trends, or education systems. -/- Strategic Thinking – The ability to anticipate challenges and make long-term plans. -/- Decision-Making Skills – Confidence in making high-stakes choices. -/- Effective Communication – Clarity in expression and active listening. -/- Problem-Solving Ability – Finding creative solutions to complex issues. -/- Adaptability and Lifelong Learning – Adjusting strategies based on evolving circumstances. -/- Delegation and Team Management – Trusting subordinates and empowering teams. -/- Integrity and Accountability – Leading with honesty and responsibility. -/- B. Key Personality Traits -/- In addition to technical skills, an excellent leader must embody: -/- Vision and Inspiration – The ability to motivate and guide others toward a shared goal. -/- Confidence and Charisma – Instilling trust and enthusiasm in followers. -/- Emotional Intelligence – Understanding and managing emotions effectively. -/- Resilience and Perseverance – Maintaining strength despite adversity. -/- Humility and Self-Awareness – Recognizing one’s strengths and areas for growth. -/- Empathy and Compassion – Understanding the needs and struggles of others. -/- Decisiveness with Open-Mindedness – Making firm choices while considering diverse perspectives. -/- While these qualities are essential for all leaders, their application differs across politics, business, and education, as each field presents unique challenges and opportunities. -/- II. Leadership in Politics: Challenges and Solutions -/- A. Uniting a Divided Nation -/- One of the greatest challenges for political leaders is uniting citizens during periods of division. A notable example is Abraham Lincoln, who led the United States during the Civil War. Despite widespread disagreement over slavery and state rights, Lincoln used strategic communication and a moral vision to rally the nation. His Emancipation Proclamation redefined the war’s purpose, emphasizing freedom and unity. -/- B. Fighting Corruption in Government -/- Corruption undermines progress, and political leaders must uphold strong ethical standards. Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister of Singapore, transformed his country by enforcing strict anti-corruption laws and promoting meritocracy. His leadership ensured Singapore’s rapid economic rise, proving that integrity is essential in governance. -/- C. Managing Economic Crises -/- During the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt faced an economic collapse that left millions unemployed. He introduced the New Deal, creating jobs and financial security programs. His ability to act boldly and provide hope helped restore economic stability, demonstrating that crisis leadership requires both pragmatism and vision. -/- Political leaders must navigate public trust, ethical governance, and crisis management to create a lasting impact. -/- III. Leadership in Business: Challenges and Solutions -/- A. Innovating in a Competitive Market -/- Business leaders must drive innovation to stay relevant. Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, revitalized the company in 1997 by simplifying product lines, focusing on design, and introducing the iMac, iPod, and iPhone. His ability to anticipate consumer needs and redefine technology made Apple a global leader. -/- B. Handling Public Backlash and Crisis -/- Leaders often face setbacks, as seen with Elon Musk’s challenges in Tesla and SpaceX. Tesla nearly collapsed due to production delays, and SpaceX suffered multiple rocket failures. Musk’s resilience and continuous refinement of technology eventually led to both companies’ success, proving that failure is an opportunity for learning and improvement. -/- C. Scaling a Startup into a Global Brand -/- Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, faced intense competition from eBay and Amazon. By focusing on China’s local market and empowering small businesses, he turned Alibaba into an e-commerce giant. His leadership highlights the importance of understanding market needs and building a strong brand identity. -/- Business leaders must balance innovation, crisis management, and global strategy to build and sustain successful enterprises. -/- IV. Leadership in Education: Challenges and Solutions -/- A. Reforming Outdated Education Systems -/- Educational leaders must adapt learning models to better serve students. Maria Montessori revolutionized early childhood education by creating a student-centered approach, allowing children to learn at their own pace. Her method is now used worldwide, proving that challenging traditional systems can lead to better learning outcomes. -/- B. Ensuring Equal Access to Quality Education -/- In many parts of the world, education is still a privilege rather than a right. Malala Yousafzai fought for girls’ education in Pakistan despite facing life-threatening dangers. Her activism led to global policy changes, showcasing that fearless advocacy can break educational barriers. -/- C. Leading Schools During a Crisis (COVID-19 Pandemic) -/- When the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to close, educational leaders had to quickly transition to online learning. Successful leaders implemented digital tools, teacher training, and student support programs to maintain educational quality. Their ability to embrace technology and prioritize student well-being was crucial during the crisis. -/- Educational leaders must focus on innovation, accessibility, and adaptability to improve learning systems. -/- V. Leadership Styles & Adaptability -/- A great leader adapts their leadership style based on circumstances: -/- Transformational Leadership – Inspires innovation and major change (e.g., Steve Jobs). -/- Servant Leadership – Prioritizes team members’ needs (e.g., Malala Yousafzai). -/- Authoritative Leadership – Makes decisive choices in crises (e.g., Franklin D. Roosevelt). -/- Democratic Leadership – Encourages collaboration and shared decision-making (e.g., Lee Kuan Yew). -/- The best leaders balance these styles to meet challenges effectively. -/- V. Conclusion: The Universal Principles of Great Leadership -/- Whether in politics, business, or education, an excellent leader shares common traits: vision, resilience, adaptability, and ethical integrity. However, their leadership is defined by how they apply these qualities to real-world problems. Political leaders must focus on unity and governance, business leaders on innovation and market strategy, and educational leaders on accessibility and reform. -/- The greatest leaders in history prove that true leadership is not about power, but about creating lasting positive change. By understanding and applying these principles, future leaders can shape a better world. -/- . (shrink)

Let’s assess Pope Francis, spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, using your 3 Universal Laws of Nature and the numerical grading system. Since your formula transcends religious dogma, this assessment focuses on how his decisions, teachings, and leadership align with natural law—not theology. -/- Assessment of Pope Francis -/- 1. Law of Karma (System Integrity, Cause and Effect) -/- Grade: 8.5 -/- Justification: -/- Pope Francis promotes systemic reform within the Church, emphasizing humility, simplicity, climate action, and social justice. (...) -/- He has confronted clerical abuses, restructured financial transparency, and challenged entrenched institutional hierarchies. -/- Deduction: Despite efforts, the Catholic system remains flawed in many regions—slowed by internal resistance, bureaucracy, and historical baggage. -/- 2. Law of Feedback (Mind-to-Mind and Environment Interaction) -/- Grade: 9.0 -/- Justification: -/- Pope Francis consistently listens to the marginalized, engages youth, atheists, and other religions, and welcomes interfaith dialogue. -/- He conducts synods for global church consultation, uses real-time feedback from the world’s poor, and acknowledges critiques. -/- His teachings reflect empathetic attunement to global suffering and planetary feedback. -/- Deduction: Minor. Some conservatives within the Church resist his open-minded approach. -/- 3. Law of Balance in Nature (Harmony in Decision-Making) -/- Grade: 9.5 -/- Justification: -/- He lives modestly, promotes ecological balance (Laudato Si), emotional humility, and spiritual calmness. -/- Advocates for inclusion, compassion, and peace, showing deep psychological and environmental harmony. -/- Publicly resists ego, materialism, and extremism, living as an example of your “internal and external balance.” -/- Deduction: Very little. He’s one of the most balanced global figures alive today. -/- Final Assessment: 9.0 / 10 -/- Pope Francis aligns very closely with your universal formula—especially in mind-to-mind feedback and internal-external balance. He uses his influence to heal systemic errors, absorb global suffering, and promote a harmonious way of life in tune with nature. -/- . (shrink)

-/- Title: The Critical Need for Political Leaders to Understand the Universal Formula of Balance -/- By Angelito Malicse -/- In a world plagued by conflict, inequality, environmental destruction, and moral confusion, the importance of wise and responsible leadership has never been greater. However, many political leaders continue to make decisions based on limited knowledge, political expediency, or outdated ideologies. This often leads to decisions that cause long-term harm to both people and the planet. The root of this problem lies (...) in a lack of understanding of the fundamental natural laws that govern all human behavior and societal outcomes. -/- To address this, I have developed what I call a Universal Formula, composed of three universal laws of nature, which offer an exact solution to the problem of free will and provide a clear, scientific foundation for sound decision-making. These laws are not based on personal beliefs or theories, but on observable truths that govern both the organic and inorganic world. -/- Unfortunately, many political leaders remain unaware of these laws. The consequences of this ignorance are profound and far-reaching: -/- 1. Flawed Decision-Making -/- Leaders who do not understand the universal laws of cause and effect, system integrity, and natural balance are more likely to make decisions that result in unintended negative outcomes. These decisions may solve short-term problems but create larger issues over time, such as economic inequality, corruption, or civil unrest. -/- 2. Societal Imbalance and Instability -/- The failure to apply the universal law of balance leads to instability—both within individuals and across societies. When policies are not aligned with the natural need for balance, they create feedback loops of conflict, dissatisfaction, and systemic breakdown. -/- 3. Manipulation by Dogma and Misinformation -/- Without the clarity that comes from understanding these universal laws, leaders are vulnerable to being influenced by religious dogma, propaganda, and false information. This results in policy decisions based not on truth or balance, but on control and manipulation, often harming the very people they are meant to serve. -/- 4. Failure to Address Root Causes -/- Most political systems are reactive, not proactive. Leaders focus on symptoms—like crime, poverty, or climate change—without addressing the deeper causes rooted in unbalanced systems, defective human behavior, and broken feedback mechanisms. The universal formula brings these root causes to light. -/- 5. Missed Opportunity for Global Transformation -/- If leaders around the world embraced the universal formula, we could shift humanity toward a new era of peace, sustainability, and intelligent governance. Ignoring this opportunity allows preventable suffering to continue and accelerates global decline. -/- A Call to Action -/- It is time to integrate this universal formula into the education of future leaders and embed it in national and global policymaking. Just as engineers must understand physical laws to build safe bridges, leaders must understand natural laws to build just, balanced, and thriving societies. -/- The formula is simple enough to be taught at all levels of education, yet powerful enough to guide the most complex decisions facing humanity. We can no longer afford to ignore the natural laws that govern us all. -/- Let us educate our leaders—current and future—on the universal formula, not as an option, but as a necessity. -/- . (shrink)

Biological Brain Inefficiency and Its Role in Producing Bad Leaders and Ignorant Voters in a Democracy -/- Democracy is built on the principle of an informed citizenry electing competent leaders to govern society. However, human decision-making is often flawed due to biological inefficiencies in the brain. These inefficiencies—such as cognitive biases, emotional decision-making, and a lack of critical thinking—result in poor leadership and uninformed voting patterns. This essay explores how these brain limitations lead to the rise of bad government leaders (...) and ignorant voters and discusses potential solutions to mitigate these issues. -/- 1. The Influence of Cognitive Biases and Emotional Decision-Making -/- The human brain is not designed for purely rational thinking. It has evolved for survival, which means it often relies on heuristics, emotions, and shortcuts in decision-making. Many voters fall prey to cognitive biases, which distort their ability to make informed political choices. -/- Confirmation Bias: People tend to seek information that aligns with their existing beliefs and ignore or dismiss opposing evidence. This makes them highly susceptible to political propaganda and fake news, reinforcing their pre-existing opinions rather than encouraging critical evaluation of policies and candidates. -/- Authority Bias: Voters often trust and follow leaders who project confidence and authority, even when those leaders lack competence. Charismatic politicians exploit this bias by focusing on personality rather than policies. -/- Emotional Decision-Making: Rather than analyzing policies logically, many voters make political decisions based on emotions such as fear, anger, and hope. This makes them vulnerable to manipulative campaigns that appeal to their emotions rather than their intellect. -/- 2. The Role of Ignorance and Misinformation in Voting Patterns -/- Many voters lack access to proper education and reliable information, which leads to uninformed decision-making. Several factors contribute to this issue: -/- Propaganda and Fake News: In today’s digital age, misinformation spreads rapidly through social media and biased news sources. Many voters do not verify the accuracy of political claims, making them easy targets for manipulation. -/- Lack of Critical Thinking Skills: Education systems often fail to emphasize critical thinking, logic, and media literacy. Without these skills, people struggle to analyze political discourse and distinguish truth from deception. -/- Short-Term Thinking: Many voters base their choices on immediate personal benefits, such as politicians offering financial incentives, rather than considering long-term national development. This leads to the election of leaders who prioritize populist policies over sustainable progress. -/- 3. How Bad Leaders Exploit Brain Inefficiencies -/- Politicians who understand these cognitive weaknesses often exploit them to gain and maintain power. Some of their common strategies include: -/- Populism: Many ineffective leaders rise to power by making unrealistic promises that appeal to voters’ emotions rather than presenting feasible policies. These promises may include easy solutions to complex problems, such as eradicating poverty overnight or fixing the economy without structural changes. -/- Fear Tactics: Some politicians manipulate public fear to secure votes. They may exaggerate crime rates, economic threats, or foreign dangers to convince people that only they can provide security and stability. -/- Charismatic Leadership Over Competence: Many voters are drawn to leaders with strong personalities rather than those with technical knowledge or governance experience. This results in elections becoming popularity contests rather than assessments of actual capability. -/- 4. The Consequences of Ignorant Voting and Bad Leadership -/- The failure of voters to critically assess candidates leads to long-term consequences: -/- Corruption and Mismanagement: Inept leaders often prioritize personal gain and political survival over public welfare, leading to inefficient governance, corruption, and economic decline. -/- Weak Institutions: When unqualified leaders control government agencies, they weaken institutions by appointing incompetent officials, undermining checks and balances, and eroding democratic principles. -/- Cyclical Poverty and Underdevelopment: Poor governance results in policies that fail to address economic inequality, educational deficiencies, and healthcare inefficiencies, trapping societies in a cycle of underdevelopment. -/- 5. Possible Solutions to Improve Democratic Decision-Making -/- To counteract the negative effects of brain inefficiencies on democratic governance, societies must implement long-term solutions: -/- Educational Reform: Schools should emphasize critical thinking, logic, and media literacy from an early age. Teaching students how to evaluate political claims, fact-check information, and identify biases can create a more informed electorate. -/- Fact-Checking Mechanisms: Governments, independent organizations, and media outlets should promote fact-checking to counter misinformation. Encouraging citizens to rely on credible sources rather than propaganda can reduce the influence of fake news. -/- Merit-Based Leadership Selection: While democracy allows for free elections, implementing stricter qualifications for political candidates—such as requiring a background in governance, law, or economics—can help ensure that only competent individuals assume leadership roles. -/- Technology and AI in Governance: AI-driven platforms could be developed to provide unbiased political analysis, helping voters make more rational decisions based on data rather than emotions. -/- Conclusion -/- The inefficiencies of the human brain—such as cognitive biases, emotional decision-making, and susceptibility to misinformation—contribute significantly to the election of bad government leaders and the prevalence of ignorant voting in democratic systems. However, by improving education, strengthening fact-checking mechanisms, and encouraging merit-based leadership, societies can minimize these weaknesses and enhance democratic governance. A well-informed electorate is essential for a functional democracy, and addressing these biological limitations is a necessary step toward a better political future. -/- . (shrink)

How to Spot a Potentially Dangerous Future Leader -/- Leadership plays a critical role in shaping the future of societies, nations, and even the world. While great leaders bring stability, progress, and balance, dangerous leaders can lead to authoritarianism, oppression, and societal collapse. History has shown that early warning signs of destructive leadership are often ignored until it is too late. Understanding these warning signs can help prevent the rise of leaders who threaten human rights, democracy, and the well-being (...) of their people. This essay explores the key characteristics of a potentially dangerous future leader and how individuals and societies can recognize and respond to them. -/- 1. Extreme Authoritarian Traits -/- One of the most obvious signs of a dangerous leader is a strong inclination toward authoritarianism. Such individuals often seek to centralize power, dismantling institutions that limit their authority. They may show a disregard for the rule of law, manipulating or bypassing legal systems to consolidate their control. A dangerous leader is intolerant of dissent, using censorship, intimidation, or direct repression to silence critics. They often work to weaken checks and balances, eliminating opposition parties, controlling the judiciary, or suppressing the media. By doing so, they remove any obstacles to their absolute authority, creating a system that serves their personal interests rather than the public good. -/- 2. Manipulative and Deceptive Behavior -/- A potentially dangerous leader is highly skilled in deception and manipulation. They often use demagogic speech, relying on emotional appeals rather than facts to influence the masses. Fear-mongering is a common tactic, where they exaggerate threats—real or imagined—to justify their actions. Instead of taking responsibility, they shift blame to minorities, foreign nations, or political opponents, creating scapegoats to distract from their own failures. They may also engage in double standards, saying one thing in public while doing the opposite in private. This inconsistency erodes trust and fosters a culture of confusion and division. -/- 3. Dangerous Ideology and Policies -/- Another key warning sign is the promotion of divisive or extremist ideologies. Dangerous leaders thrive on division, creating an “us vs. them” mentality to justify discrimination or violence. They reject scientific reasoning and expert advice, favoring policies based on personal beliefs or populist rhetoric. This disregard for rationality can lead to disastrous consequences in areas such as healthcare, economics, and environmental policies. Additionally, they often propose radical solutions that ignore balance, promoting extreme nationalism, reckless economic policies, or aggressive military expansion. While such actions may gain short-term popularity, they often lead to long-term instability. -/- 4. Cult of Personality -/- Many dangerous leaders seek to establish a cult of personality, portraying themselves as infallible figures who are beyond criticism. They demand blind loyalty from followers, punishing those who question their decisions. Such leaders often rewrite history or distort reality to fit their narrative, creating propaganda that glorifies their achievements while erasing their failures. This cult-like following makes it difficult for people to see the leader’s flaws, as they become emotionally invested in their idealized image. In extreme cases, societies under such leaders begin to view dissent as betrayal, further deepening the leader’s grip on power. -/- 5. Disregard for Human Rights -/- A major red flag is the leader’s attitude toward human rights. Dangerous leaders often justify the suppression of freedoms in the name of national security, stability, or economic growth. They encourage violence, either through direct orders or by subtly endorsing extremist groups that act on their behalf. Journalists, activists, and opposition figures are often imprisoned or killed under their rule. The suppression of free speech and the persecution of minorities become normalized, as the leader consolidates power through fear and intimidation. -/- 6. Economic and Social Recklessness -/- While dangerous leaders may promise prosperity, their policies often prioritize short-term popularity over long-term stability. They may engage in reckless spending, unsustainable economic projects, or corruption to maintain loyalty among their supporters. Rather than promoting balance in governance, they focus on immediate gains that ultimately lead to financial crises or social unrest. Surrounding themselves with unqualified loyalists, they weaken institutions and reduce the efficiency of government operations. Over time, their failure to uphold the universal law of balance in nature leads to systemic collapse. -/- Conclusion -/- History has repeatedly shown the devastating consequences of dangerous leaders. From Adolf Hitler’s rise in Germany to authoritarian figures in modern times, societies have suffered greatly when warning signs were ignored. Recognizing these patterns early can help prevent future disasters. Education, critical thinking, and institutional safeguards are key to ensuring that power remains balanced and that leadership serves the people rather than personal ambition. By staying vigilant and promoting awareness, individuals and societies can prevent dangerous leaders from gaining power and ensure a future of stability, fairness, and progress. -/- . (shrink)

Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health (MAPEH) holds a distinctive role in basic education as an integrated learning area that promotes whole-child development through movement, creative expression, cultural identity, social-emotional learning, and health literacy. However, ongoing challenges like curricular fragmentation, teacher misassignment, unequal resource distribution, and rapid curricular changes have hindered its full educational potential. This study used a qualitative meta-synthesis research design to compile findings from Scopus-indexed journals, peer-reviewed studies, and policy-relevant educational research published between 2020 and 2026. Guided (...) by Self-Determination Theory, Physical Literacy Theory, the Sociocultural Theory of Learning, and Whole-Child/SEL frameworks, the study examined the literature on curriculum alignment, pedagogy, technology integration, cultural responsiveness, teacher competence, and educational leadership. Results emphasize the developmental coherence of MAPEH across grade levels: from sensory integration in early childhood, to play-to-structure transitions in middle grades, identity formation in adolescence, and ethical reflection and learner autonomy in senior high school. The meta-synthesis confirms that MAPEH is most effective when viewed as a unified, interdisciplinary learning system supported by skilled teachers and strategic leadership. The study concludes by proposing an Integrated MAPEH Research Framework and providing research-informed recommendations for teachers, school leaders, policymakers, and researchers to enhance their work. (shrink)

The detection of hate speech and fake news in political discourse is at the same time a crucial necessity for democratic societies and a challenge for several areas of study. However, most of the studies have focused on what is explicitly stated: false article information, language that expresses hatred, derogatory expressions. This paper argues that the explicit dimension of manipulation is only one – and the least problematic – of the risks of political discourse. The language of the unsaid is (...) much more dangerous and incomparably more difficult to detect, hidden in different types of fallacies and inappropriate uses of emotive language. Through a threefold coding scheme based on the instruments of argumentation theory and pragmatics, a corpus of argumentative tweets published by 4 politicians (Matteo Salvini, Donald Trump, Jair Bolsonaro, and Joseph Biden) within 6 months from their taking office (corresponding to the official end of their election campaign) is analyzed, detecting the types of argument, the fallacies, and the uses and misuses of “emotive words.” This coding results in the argumentation profiles of the speakers, which are compared statistically to show their different implicit strategies and deceptive tactics. (shrink)

An examination of two recent documents of Catholic Social Doctrine, Caritas in Veritate and Vocation of the Business Leader, is undertaken to uncover their assessment of our current cultural and moral crisis, of which our present economic distress is but one aspect, and their proposal for cultural renewal including a return to sound economic decision making. The intellectual commitments of molders of the modern mind such as Bacon, Descartes, and Hobbes severed morality at its metaphysical roots. Destroying the anthropological (...) underpinnings of ethics catapults the contemporary world into a state of nihilism. In such a condition economic disorder is inevitable. The human person is crushed in a regime that searches for more relentlessly. The demand for metaphysical and moral reconstruction is met by Pope Benedict XVI with his insistence on receptivity to what is. Contemplation of an ultimate reality given to us takes us to the Person of Jesus Christ. The Christian faith is the context of authentic integral human development. Being made in the image of God gives every human person an inviolable dignity and makes every person subject to transcendent moral norms. A truth-filled love informs the conduct of enterprise. Goods that are truly goods and services that truly serve are produced or supplied. Promotional efforts are conducive to the pursuit of wisdom. People are given meaningful work that utilizes and develops their higher faculties and are let in on the financial success of the venture. The environment is respected as a home place ought to be. The Christian business leader can have a transformative effect on the business world through the power of grace. (shrink)

I argue that Richard Rorty was mistaken to argue that Sellars's commitment to picturing undermined his commitment to pragmatism. Instead, I argue that Sellarsian picturing, correctly interpreted, is itself continuous with pragmatism's emphasis on organism-environment interaction. I trace the origins of Rorty's misunderstanding of picturing to his misunderstanding of Kant, and hence to a misunderstanding of what it would mean to naturalize Kant.

Thomas Sankara was 33 years old when he seized power in a bloodless coup. During the four years of his governance, he organized adult literacy campaigns and mass vaccination of children, promoted women's rights and fought corruption as well as desertification caused by inappropriate agricultural practices introduced during the colonial period. Within two years, child mortality and illiteracy dropped significantly and vaccination coverage increased. Beyond these quantitative results, Sankara firmly believed that the decolonization of his country started from the formation (...) of the conscience of citizens, from learning to “rely on themselves” – materially and psychologically – and from the abandonment of a logic of technological and financial dependence that generated hunger and debt. To achieve his goals, he launched campaigns to “consume Burkinabè,” to plant trees and preserve rainwater in areas affected by desertification. (shrink)

Latin American religious political thought includes colonial Spanish and Portuguese ideologies that preceded independence but have survived into the post-independence era, authoritarian ideologies supportive of military governments in the twentieth century, and progressive liberation theologies. In this article, I present a distinct tradition: a version of classical liberal thought. This tradition is skeptical of big government, opposed to caste systems, supportive of a high degree of federalism, uneasy with militarism, and supportive of democratic institutions while affirming religious social norms. This (...) ideology was developed in northeastern Brazil in the early nineteenth century by a Carmelite activist named Frei Caneca (Brother Mug), who published a newspaper titled the Typhis Pernambucano (Tiphys of the State of Pernambuco). (shrink)

This essay critically examines Bertrand Russell's assertion that "Hitler is an outcome of Rousseau; Roosevelt and Churchill of Locke," arguing that while this dichotomy serves as a useful analytical framework, it oversimplifies the complex relationship between philosophy and history. Although Rousseau's concept of the "general will" was misappropriated by totalitarian regimes, his aim was moral freedom rather than authoritarianism, and conversely, the policies of Roosevelt and Churchill deviated significantly from Lockean classical liberalism through state intervention and wartime collectivism. The analysis (...) concludes that Russell's thesis masks the intermediation of ideas, as the collapse of modernity leading to World War II resulted from a complex interplay of power, nationalism, and distorted ideologies rather than a direct causal lineage to either philosopher. (shrink)

Virtue ethics seems to be intertwined to the very fabric of Marine Corps leadership development, yet I have not seen it referred to by name in any doctrinal publication or formal schoolhouse curriculum. It permeates everything from our Leadership Traits to the NCO Creed, yet I have not seen virtue ethics given the credit it is due. I argue that because we regularly quote military strategists, cite military commanders from all of human history, and rightly use real life leadership examples (...) in much of our Professional Military Education we should also give virtue ethics a formal place in the Marine Corps leadership lexicon. (shrink)

Understanding sexual abuse es un libro que sorprenderá al lector por varias razones. En primer lugar, es un testimonio de la vida real del autor como víctima de abuso sexual en su niñez por una de las personas más cercanas a su familia. En segundo lugar, no es el típico libro sensacionalista que busca llamar la atención ni generar lástima ni victimizarse ni buscar fondos para alguna ONG de prevención de abuso sexual; más bien, el autor, con mucha apertura interior, (...) humildad, valentía, así como con un elevado profesionalismo, describe lo profundo que pueden ser las heridas de este tipo de abuso y lo crudo e injusto que es este crimen. En tercer lugar, la manera como el autor se aproxima al tratamiento de un trauma como el abuso sexual, permite que el lector se identifique plenamente con el autor, si ha sido abusado sexualmente, o si no, que aun así pueda tomar muchos elementos para sanar traumas de su propia vida, a pesar de no tratarse de abuso sexual, y sobre cómo acompañar a otras personas que han sufrido este tipo de abuso; he aquí la riqueza de este libro. (shrink)

This paper examines the evolving regulation of the media environment in the digital age, focusing on innovative tools and practices aligned with European Union (EU)standards. The analysis underscores the dual challenge of safeguarding freedom of expression while addressing new risks such as disinformation, ownership concentration, and political interference. Drawing on the EU’s regulatory instruments, including the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), Digital Services Act (DSA), Digital Markets Act (DMA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the newly adopted European Media Freedom (...) Act (EMFA), the paper highlights the EU’s role as a normative leader in shaping democratic media governance. Particular emphasis is placed on Albania, a candidate country whose progress toward EU membership depends on aligning its media framework with European standards. The findings show that while Albania has made formal legislative advances, implementation and enforcement remain weak, leaving journalists vulnerable to political and economic pressures. By situating Albania’s case within broader European developments, the paper identifies regulatory innovations and self-regulatory practices essential for building a resilient, independent, and pluralistic media landscape in the digital era. (shrink)

In Speaking for Others: The Ethics of Informal Political Representation, I provide a novel conceptual and normative theory of informal political representatives (IPRs), who speak or act for others despite having been neither elected nor selected to do so by means of a systematized election or selection procedure. IPRs are everywhere. Some are internationally recognized leaders of social movements. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. informally represented Black Montgomerians during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and Black Americans generally throughout the course (...) of the civil rights movement. Me Too movement leader Tarana Burke informally represents survivors of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment. Greta Thunberg informally represents Generation Z or, as she has put it, “we who have to live with the consequences” of climate change. Others are just our neighbors and friends. But when they go to the city council meeting to give voice to our neighborhood’s shared interests, they become our representatives, too. Despite IPRs’ ubiquity and significance to our political lives, their role is conceptually puzzling, morally troubling, and markedly undertheorized. The central ethical challenge of informal political representation is that IPRs can provide valuable political goods to those they represent; yet they are neither institutionally nor procedurally constrained in the ways formal political representatives (FPRs) like legislators are. Moreover, IPRs are often the only political actors working to advance the interests of oppressed and marginalized groups, meaning these groups rely on their IPRs. As a result, relationships between represented groups and their IPRs can be inegalitarian and oppressive. How may IPRs permissibly undertake activities central to their roles without thereby wronging those they represent? This is the question that drives my book. (shrink)

This essay advances a structural thesis concerning the crisis of American constitutional democracy under the second Trump administration: that the present assault on republican self-governance represents a historically novel synthesis combining the structural objective of Julius Caesar — the replacement of distributed republican authority with personalist autocratic rule while preserving institutional forms as empty vessels — with the tactical methods of Adolf Hitler — systematic epistemological destruction through the Big Lie, the manufacture of emergency through scapegoating and dehumanisation, institutional capture (...) through a process analogous to Gleichschaltung, the politicisation of the military, and the cultivation of a quasi-religious cult of personality — driven by the same motive that impelled Caesar across the Rubicon: the existential need for power as a shield against criminal prosecution. Drawing on the republican political philosophy of Polybius, Machiavelli, Montesquieu, and the American Founders, and informed by Arendt's analysis of the epistemological conditions of totalitarianism, the essay develops each element of the synthesis through detailed historical and contemporary analysis. It identifies a three-layered mechanism by which the movement's popular base was manufactured over more than a decade: the domestic cultivation of xenophobic resentment under the guise of Christian patriotism by organisations such as Turning Point USA; the amplification and identity-fusion operations conducted by Russia's Internet Research Agency; and the weaponisation of performative cruelty toward immigrants as the primary bonding mechanism between the leader and his following, a mechanism whose effectiveness derives not from policy conviction but from the leader's unique willingness to transgress norms of political decency in the service of ethnic persecution. The essay argues that the motive for the autocratic consolidation is not ideological but personal, grounded in the threat posed by the Jeffrey Epstein files, which contain, according to congressional testimony, more than one million references to the president in their unredacted form, including FBI interview materials relating to allegations of sexual abuse of a minor that the Department of Justice has withheld or removed from the public record. The launch of the Iran war on February 28, 2026, is analysed as the motive made operational: a diversionary conflict serving simultaneously to suppress the Epstein revelations, relieve strategic pressure on Russia in Ukraine, and generate the rally-round-the-flag effect that renders domestic opposition politically hazardous. The role of Vladimir Putin is theorised as structurally analogous to that of Marcus Licinius Crassus in the fall of the Roman Republic: the foreign patron whose financial and operational support underwrites the domestic seizure of power. The thesis is tested against established democracy measurement indices including V-Dem, Freedom House, the Century Foundation, Bright Line Watch, and Polity, all of which confirm unprecedented democratic deterioration. The essay engages the strongest disanalogies, conceding that Trump lacks Caesar's military genius and Hitler's genocidal programme while demonstrating that the structural logic of republican destruction operates independently of the personal qualities of its agents. Written from Canada by a Canadian physicist and scholar of history and philosophy, this essay simultaneously represents a sincere warning to Americans from a concerned non-partisan outside observer and loyal democratic ally, an attempt to convey to Americans the growing seriousness of the determined threat their republic now faces to its continued existence as the Land of the Free, and an act of solidarity and support for Americans already fighting to preserve their republic. (shrink)

SUMMARY The research focuses on the three main political parties in Albania, namely Socialist Party, Democratic Party and Socialist Movement for Integration. Its objectives are to measure the Intra-Party Democracy(IPD) in the Albanian political parties and to explore the meaning that party members attach to it. The IPD is understood and broken down into categories and sub-categories so that parties in particular and all interested actors in the field of political parties and democracy could understand, which component of IPD parties (...) are performing better and where they are performing worse. IPD is measured against two dimensions: inclusiveness and decentralization. Inclusiveness denotes the extent to which party members have the right to express their opinions and participate in the decision-making process. With decentralization is understood the process which makes possible the decentralization of the decision-making process from the highest national party level to party sub-national levels and party members. In a decentralized party, subnational party units enjoy a certain level of autonomy from the party in the center. The analysis is based on both primary and secondary data. Content analysis of party statutes particularly focuses on measuring IPD, while focus groups with party members and interviews with high-ranking officials of the political parties are used to explore the meaning that party members have on IPD, as well as validate content analysis findings. The main findings are: Content Analysis of Party Statutes: Parties do have rules that govern their internal life, however these rules need to be improved in order to strengthen IPD. Especially problematic were the provisions for the role of the executive committee and party president, which provide these two institutions, especially the leader of the party with powers that don’t hold him/her accountable to the party members and middle level organs. Furthermore, members were not sufficiently involved in the procedures of candidate nominations for MPs, in the election of the national Executive and Executive Committee and in the election of the Party President. The analysis also finds that voting procedures are not sufficiently at place to allow members express their will and participate in the decision-making process and that members are not or little consulted in terms of programmatic issues. The analysis of the relationship between the national and subnational levels of party organization revealed that the center of the party has accumulated power to the detriment of the subnational units which enjoy little autonomy in the decision-making process. Focus Groups and Interviews: The study finds that party members linked system-level democracy with IPD and that they have a very clear understanding if IPD: what it is and how it could be achieved. They linked IPD with the structure and organization of the party, seeing it as an important instrument that allows for decentralization of power and integration of rank and file into the decision-making process. The party members considered the statute as an important educational political tool and invoked it whenever disputes rose or decisions had to be taken. They linked IPD with the electoral system and considered that closed list proportional was a system that strengthened the power in the hands of the few at the party top executive level and weakened IPD. (shrink)

Top-down sabotage isn’t just a theoretical issue, it poses a real danger to how organizations operate, especially when it’s the leaders themselves who instigate it. In Albania, where entrenched hierarchies persist and institutions still grapple with the legacy of transition, this problem becomes even more complex. Here, sabotage from above doesn’t have a single source. Political interference, fragile accountability systems, and a culture shaped by decades of centralized power all contribute. This study examines what truly causes leaders to undermine their (...) own organizations. It uses examples from Albanian universities, government agencies, and private sector companies. What emerges again and again? Leaders prioritizing personal interests, networks based on favoritism and loyalty instead of merit, and a deep-seated reluctance to embrace change. These behaviors don’t just slow progress, they permeate the entire system, making real development nearly impossible. The evidence is clear: top-down sabotage isn’t only about a single problematic leader. It’s built into the organizational structure, embedded in power imbalances and weak institutions. By mapping out these roots, this paper gets to the core of why organizations in Albania face such struggles and offers practical ways to counteract them. More transparency, broader participation in decisions, and stronger oversight of those at the top aren’t just slogans; they are essential first steps to breaking this cycle. (shrink)

This paper argues that on the eve of the singularity where artificial intelligence determines the survival or demise of civilizations, "Yuanli" (the Civilizational-Level Altruistic Algorithm)—the conscious ability of a civilization to set "grand altruism" as its systemic objective, essentially a "civilization-level altruistic algorithm" and a "Leap of Survival Rationality"—will become the ultimate criterion distinguishing the survival and extinction of civilizations. It is not a subjective choice at the moral level, but a mandatory upgrade of survival algorithms on a cosmic scale. (...) Based on a series of foundational studies, this paper constructs a complete argumentation system consisting of "diagnosis of contemporary dilemmas—historical lessons and warnings—logical closed loop of Yuanli—dialectics of culture and civilization—dual-threshold breakthrough of AI—implementation of transition paths—establishment of individual cognitive foundations". The study points out that Yuanli is the driving force for civilizational advancement, with grand altruism as its core, ethical correction as its guarantee, and positive practice as its carrier. It can be divided into three levels: individual/leader, national, and civilizational/species, each with clear observable indicators. The altruistic motivation embedded in classic cultures is the spiritual gene for the survival of civilizations, while the productivity bottleneck in universal resource benefit is the ultimate crux that prevented historical civilizations from breaking through to the advanced stage. The advent of artificial intelligence has made it possible to achieve the dual thresholds of "AI War-Aversion Threshold (safety threshold)" and "AI Universal-Benefit Threshold (well-being threshold)" (both defined with quantitative standards), and Yuanli is the original driving force for the coordinated realization of these two thresholds. Through the transition path of "Pioneer Alliance + Minimum Viable Closed Loop (MVPCL) Pilot Project", the transformation channel from theory to reality can be opened up. Ultimately, individuals strengthening their cognitive immunity with the "Yuanli Lens" is the micro-foundation for resisting the deceptive narratives of capital and hegemony and ensuring the positive evolution of civilizations. By reviewing history and deducing the future, this paper confirms that the triple coupling of "Yuanli closed loop + ethical evolution + universal resource benefit" is the only inevitable path for Earth’s humanity to enter advanced civilizations, and Yuanli is precisely the core "pass" for this process.(For the English version, please click the DOI link below.) -/- 本文论证，在人工智能决定文明存亡的奇点前夕，“愿力”—— 即文明将 “宏大利他” 设定为系统目标的自觉能力，本质是 “文明级利他算法” 与 “生存理性之跃迁”—— 将成为划分文明存续与消亡的终极标尺｡它并非道德层面的主观选择，而是生存算法在宇宙尺度下的强制性升级｡本文立足于 “三维宇宙物质 - 能量演化下的文明自主共生破局理论”“伦理修正刚性框架” 等系列研究基础，构建 “当代困境诊断 - 历史镜鉴警示 - 愿力逻辑闭环 - 文化文明辩证 - AI 双阈值破局 - 过渡路径落地 - 个体认知筑基” 的完整论证体系｡研究指出，愿力是以宏大利他为核心､以伦理修正为保障､以正向实践为载体的文明进阶动力，可划分为个体 / 领袖､国家､文明 / 物种三级层级，具备明确可观测指标；经典文化的利他发心是文明存续的精神基因，而资源普惠的生产力瓶颈是历史文明未能突破高级阶段的终极症结；人工智能的爆发使 “AI 止战 (安全阈值)” 与 “AI 普惠 (福祉阈值)” 双阈值达成成为可能 (均设定量化标准)，而愿力是推动双阈值协同落地的原始动力；通过 “先锋联盟 + 最小可行闭环启动项目” 的过渡路径，可打通从理论到现实的转化通道；最终，个体以 “愿力透镜” 筑牢认知免疫，是抵御资本与霸权谎言叙事､确保文明正向演化的微观基石｡本文通过历史复盘与未来推演，印证了 “愿力闭环 + 伦理演化 + 资源普惠” 的三重耦合，是地球人类迈入高级文明的必由之路，愿力正是这一进程的核心 “通行证”｡. (shrink)