Description

Journal of Policy and Society (JPS) is a fully open access peer-reviewed journal covering a broad range of topics in Public Policy and Administration. It publishes themed sections that encourage in-depth, critical analyses of specific policy areas. The journal welcomes scholarly papers - both theoretical and empirical - which analyse any aspect of social policy and its relationships with society from different angles. Contributions on teaching and learning issues within the discipline are also welcome.

Latest Articles

  • Open Access

    Article

    Article ID: 2800

    Global Solutions & Outreach Programs: Humanity’s best chance to resolve global warming, Part 1: Global warming challenges

    by Richard W. Hutchinson, Thomas E. Rehm

    Journal of Policy and Society, Vol.3, No.1, 2025;

    In June 2024, the world’s largest standalone public opinion poll covering 77 countries, Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024, reported that “89% of people [want] to see more climate action from their governments”. That is all well and good. However, how are policymakers being informed on the viability of climate solutions? Policymakers are typically not engineers or scientists. They must rely on others for advice. Many who provide that advice are influenced by four types of bias: Corporate vested interests, career vested interests, public passions, and political agendas. In combination with business-as-usual, these biases are destroying humanity’s chances of resolving global warming. They are detrimentally affecting current global projects to resolve global warming. To mitigate these biases, the Global Solutions and Outreach Programs (GSOP) proposal will be undertaken by multiple teams of engineers, economists, social experts, and policy experts within each country, using a Wicked-Problem Approach. This work will be done outside of, yet informing, governments, the marketplace, and public opinion. Country action plans will be rolled up to regional and global levels. The GSOP work will be iterated until the global action plan provides a resolution of global warming at the scale of Earth. Part 1 describes the challenges we face and a problem-solving approach to resolving it. Part 2 will describe our GSOP proposal using that approach.

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  • Open Access

    Article

    Article ID: 2457

    Current trends in the development of the Russian economy as a challenge to vocational higher education

    by Valeria Valeryevna Semenova, Ekaterina Anatolyevna Svistunova, Yuri Vasilyevich Egorov, Vladimir Vladimirovich Mazur, Ivan Sergeevich Petukhov

    Journal of Policy and Society, Vol.3, No.1, 2025;

    The article is an analysis of the current directions of development of the Russian economy in the context of sanctions pressure from technologically developed countries (countries of opponents). Sanctions restrictions determine many areas of the development of socio-economic processes in Russian society, acting as a kind of catalyst for the formation of technological sovereignty, rethinking their own capabilities to ensure national interests, and the formation of national mental security. The conditions in which the Russian economy has to develop represent a strategically important transition from the state of consumption of technological innovations that were proposed by the global external environment to the state of creation, production and scaling of its own technological solutions that determine the prospect of strengthening national technological and intellectual sovereignty. The innovative development of the Russian economy in the context of severe restrictions on world interaction and equal exchange of knowledge and resources requests national human capital, since it is he who is the key strategic resource that determines state competitiveness in the field of creating and developing current technological innovations that can provide and maintain the necessary pace of socio-economic development, as well as strengthen intellectual and technological sovereignty. In order for the national human capital to be able to provide the necessary level of socio-economic development in extreme conditions, high-quality vocational education is needed in the course of which highly qualified specialists of a new generation are formed with a set of knowledge, competencies, skills and personal qualities that can ensure technological sovereignty, mental security of the state and effective implementation of national interests.

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  • Open Access

    Article

    Article ID: 2505

    Research on the change of China’s elderly service policies—An empirical analysis based on 117 policy texts

    by Sujun Liu

    Journal of Policy and Society, Vol.3, No.1, 2025;

    Population aging has emerged as a significant global concern. This article analyzes 117 policy texts in China since the reform and opening-up, borrowing Rothwell and Zegveld’s classic policy instrument theory to create a two-dimensional analysis framework. The X-dimension of the framework represents the three fundamental policy tools of supply, environment, and demand, while the Y-dimension consists of internal elements such as service subjects, service targets, service content and methods, and guarantee measures. Using this framework, the elderly service policies are categorized into three stages: the budding stage, the developing stage, and the perfecting stage. The study finds that China’s elderly service policies are primarily driven by environment-type tools, with supply-type and demand-type tools serving as secondary tools. The policy system is structurally imbalanced as a result. Over the long term, the trend is towards an increasing number of issuing subjects for Chinese elderly service policies. Moreover, the number of policies jointly issued by different departments is gradually increasing, and the issuing subjects are becoming increasingly diverse. The positioning of responsibilities among government, market, society, and family has been optimized, and the role of the government is becoming more rationalized.

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  • Open Access

    Article

    Article ID: 2278

    Digitalization’s role in energy demand and renewable energy integration: Evidence from BRICS + countries

    by Samet Gursoy

    Journal of Policy and Society, Vol.3, No.1, 2025;

    This research examines the effect of digitalization on energy consumption and the integration of renewable energy in the energy mix in BRICHS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia) from 2015 to 2023. Panel regression models, including the fixed effects model and the random effects model, were employed to analyze within-country and between country variations. The Hausman test confirmed the appropriateness of the fixed effects model for country-specific analysis. Cointegration tests, such as the Pedroni Panel Cointegration Test and the Kao Residual Cointegration Test, were used to evaluate long-term equilibrium relationships, while Granger causality tests were conducted to identify directional relationships. Robustness checks included the Breusch-Pagan test for heteroskedasticity and the Durbin Watson test for serial correlation, ensuring the reliability of the findings. The findings reveal that digitalization contributes to intensive energy consumption, particularly in fossil fuel-rich countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia. However, countries such as Brazil and China interpret this situation differently due to their significant levels of installed renewable energy capacity, which partially offsets the impact of digitalization on energy demand. Furthermore, the increasing use of mobile data has replaced mobile broadband infrastructure in India, a rapidly digitizing economy, mitigating the energy-intensive nature of broadband systems. Thus, this study highlights the need for a balanced view of digitalization, such that technology fosters a sustainable energy transition rather than undermines it. The integration of digitalization with sustainable energy policies offers a greater chance of realizing benefits, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving a seamless energy transition. This duality presents a significant challenge for policymakers in balancing energy transitions and underscores the need for strategies that maximize the benefits of digitalization while minimizing its adverse effects on energy consumption.

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  • Open Access

    Article

    Article ID: 1710

    Examining gender disparities in obesity clinic utilization: An analysis of sex and gender influences via the X.0 wave theory

    by Hamid Mattiello, Diana Mattiello

    Journal of Policy and Society, Vol.3, No.1, 2025;

    Background: Obesity is a growing global health issue with significant social, psychological, and physical consequences. Despite a higher prevalence of obesity among men, women have historically been the predominant patients in obesity treatment centers. However, recent trends show an increasing male involvement in bariatric surgery. Understanding the motivations and societal influences driving these gender-based differences is critical to addressing obesity treatment disparities. Objectives: This paper investigates gender disparities in obesity clinic utilization and bariatric surgery motivations through the lens of the X.0 Wave Theory, as a comprehensive framework conceived, invented, introduced, and developed by Prof. Dr. Hamid Mattiello. The X.0 Wave Theory segments human history into transformative epochs characterized by significant advancements in knowledge, technology, and business. These epochs include the Agricultural Age (X.0 = 1.0), the X.0 Wave/Tomorrow Age (2.1 ≤ X.0 ≤ 2.2), and the current Age of Artificial Intelligence (X.0 = 4.0), with projections into the Human Age (X.0 = 5.0) and Transhuman Age (X.0 = 6.0) and beyond. Methods: We conducted a survey with 75 participants (69% women, 29% men) to investigate gender-based differences in motivations for seeking bariatric surgery. The survey captured various factors, including aesthetic concerns, health reasons, self-confidence, and quality of life, alongside the influence of societal pressures and social media. Results: The findings revealed distinct gender-based differences in motivations. Women primarily cited aesthetics, self-confidence, and social pressures, while men were more focused on health concerns and improving quality of life. The study also highlighted that women faced greater societal expectations and were more likely to engage with social media for information regarding treatment options. Discussion: The X.0 Wave Theory offers valuable insights into how emerging technological, social, and cultural waves influence decision-making in bariatric surgery. By understanding these gender disparities within the context of shifting societal norms and digital engagement, this study advocates for the development of gender-sensitive interventions in obesity management. The findings underscore the importance of addressing these differences to improve treatment approaches and outcomes. This research also offers predictions on how future technological and societal shifts may continue to shape gender disparities in healthcare decisions.

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  • Open Access

    Article

    Article ID: 2330

    Exposing the hidden costs of ‘free’: Personal data commodification in the digital economy via X.0 Theory, Fuzzy Delphi, thematic analysis, and problem-solving frameworks

    by Hamid Mattiello

    Journal of Policy and Society, Vol.2, No.2, 2024;

    In this article, various techniques such as Fuzzy Delphi, thematic analysis method, and Creative Problem Solving (TRIZ Algorithm) are investigated to model the antecedents and consequences of personal data commodification in the digital economy in the post-truth world, through the X.0 wave/era theory. The article’s findings highlight and reveal the hidden costs of ‘free’ products and services that are offered in exchange for personal data. To address these issues, there is a growing need for increased regulation and transparency in the digital economy, as well as greater awareness among consumers about the value of their personal data and their rights to privacy. The article draws upon the metaphor of ‘free cheese and mousetrap’, which emphasizes how individuals can be lured into providing their personal data, only to be exploited or used for someone else’s benefit. Additionally, this article addresses three topics that have become increasingly relevant in recent years. Firstly, it is crucial to, beware of products that appear to be free—they’re not intended for your benefit, but rather to exploit you as a commodity. Secondly, the article examines the ‘velvet revolution’ that has taken place, which has facilitated the commodification of personal data in the digital economy. Thirdly, the article explores the intersection of hybrid, cognitive, and disinformation warfare with information disorder, which is used to control social and cultural capital.

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