International Journal of Arts and Humanities

Feminist IR Theory: A Challenge or Rhetoric to International Politics?

Ishmael D. Norman — 2025-04-14

The inquiry is focused on what the Feminist International Relations (IR) Theory challenge is and how the challenge is articulated? The author tried to identify the “feminist challenge” or the “feminist standpoint in IR” to gain understanding of the much touted ‘feminist challenge’ in IR. Qualitative literature review was adopted, and content analysis of the literature on the subject conducted. The identified papers through internet searches of various websites and content providers in the scholastic literature domain on IR, Feminism and Gender Studies, were selected for use, assessing the validity and trustworthiness of each paper. The identified papers were selected purposively, using the snowball effect by mining the reference pages of the leading papers with appreciable number of citations, until saturation was reached. The feminist standpoint appears to be all about the determination of sheer intellectual discourse or discussion and publications as legitimate feminine voices and position in IR studies by a few good researchers? In actual diplomatic practice, Feminist IR Theory is not universally adopted or applied to international politics and diplomacy. It was or is difficult to identify the results that the Feminist challenge has produced in the conduct of international relations and politics. State realism raised on male masculinity and patriarchal viewpoints and dominance in IR is still the prevailing approach to IR practice. There is a need for a better articulation of the feminist standpoint in IR since it invokes other competing standpoints such as the Masculine Standpoint, Black African Standpoint, African American Standpoint, Chinese Standpoint, etc., due to the need for objectivity, Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity on the world scale. The conclusion suggests that the Feminist Standpoint Theory in IR appears to be an invalid concept or, at best, has limited application in practice in world politics.

African Philosophy: The Question of Periodization and African Historical Events from Ancient Era to 21ˢᵗ Century

Anayochukwu Kingsley Ugwu — 2025-03-31

This paper set out to interrogate periodization attempts on African Philosophy. There were versions of perspectives to those attempts, as well as factors behind the intellectual activities that characterized them. While some could be conceptual, others could be as a result of alignment with the Western periodization scheme. Here comes the problem. Following the point that some of these scholars had conceptual misguide and aligned with the Western periodization scheme, they dated African philosophy from the 19^th and 20^th Centuries. Pondering on this, the paper found out that there were two cardinal factors behind this, namely: 1) misconception of what philosophy really means and implies, 2) Western influences which had not only questioned African wisdom but also politicized African philosophical history. It is against this backdrop that the paper argued that dating African philosophy should extend backwards to ancient era and then to the events of today so as to postulate what would be the future of African Philosophy. In the end, the paper presented an African view of philosophy that would not only justify its arguments but would also give a direction to what philosophy means and implies. It also gave a direction on how not to always copy everything trending in Western philosophical tradition and address it as an African Philosophy. Finally, it further interrogated today’s events that are threats to humanity, all of which that raise philosophical questions and beg for philosophical and historical documentation as they are life-changing events. The paper adopted historical and conceptual analyses as methods. The historical method helped in interrogating previous scholars and African events that shaped African experience. Conceptual analytic method helped in an insightful postulation of a better periodization option than those already had through a critical analysis of African experiences.

Beauty and the Goat: A hypothesis on the relationship between beauty and tragedy

Kostas Terzidis — 2025-03-21

This article attempts to explore the concept of beauty using Greek and Chinese etymology. In Greek, the word 'tragedy' means 'song of the male goat'. In Chinese, the word 'beauty' means 'big goat'. Why is the goat so important? Is there a reason for the presence of this animal in the definition of aesthetics of two completely different cultures? The article hypothesizes that there may be an archetypical reason: beauty and tragedy are related not only to aesthetics but also to a hidden code.

Affirmative Action Act Emasculates Men in Ghana

Ishmael D. Norman — 2025-02-25

Introduction: Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act of 2024, (Act 1121) emasculates male masculinity, autonomy of women and human flourishing in Ghana. It creates the delusion that patriarchal society is paternalistically protecting women no matter how evanescent.
Methods: This is an exploratory review of the Affirmative Action law, using the case-study approach to explain the law, identify the implementation challenges likely to emerge and the effect on male masculinity and human flourishing. Content analyses of complimentary legislation and policies on human rights were conducted, aided by lessons from other jurisdictions with Affirmative Action laws.
Results: Act 1121 of 2024 provides Schedules for implementation that is likely to cause institutional misalignment and upheaval due to the pre-fixed quotas for women to be employed by public institutions without regard to meritocracy. The Act promotes gender-conscious discrimination against certain classes of men by denying them equal opportunity. It denies autonomy of some women, who may not need the program in order to flourish. It creates exceptionalism for women for employment, appointments and promotes entitlement mentality among women. The validity of the Act is evanescent, which could lead to new forms of discrimination, mediocrity in task performance, and social exclusion of women. The key question is: How long would the Affirmative Action program in Ghana last?
Conclusion: Compelling society to accept Affirmative Act Law as designed by the Executive is unconstitutional. It goes against the spirit of the international conventions that were relied upon to promulgate Act 1121 of 2024, making it an illegal Act “ab initio”. Singapore, a somewhat comparator nation, practices meritocracy which provides a just and equal opportunity for all, an example which Ghana could have followed.

IJE-ỤWA: An Existentialist Discourse on the Uncertainties of Life

Anayochukwu Kingsley Ugwu — 2025-01-21

Life itself is a mystery, characterized by risks and uncertainties. Life is like a moving train; human beings participate in it simply by living it. This means that no one can be certain of any experience or event in life. The issue, therefore, is that even when man proposes solutions through sciences, divine revelations, acts of reason, or natural occurrences, the outcomes remain uncertain. These are the ideas that the term Ije-ụwa represents. But here are the research questions: (1) Why is the human life full of uncertainties even with human intelligence over and above other creatures? (2) Can anybody avoid risks and uncertainties of life? (3) What is then the responsibility of man to survive the phenomenon of Ije-ụwa? It is in contemplation on these questions that this paper defended that life is characterized by risks and uncertainties; and that these are existential wake-up-calls unto human beings for authentic living. This paper is expected to (1) analyze and expose the concept of Ije-ụwa and how existentially philosophical it is, and (2) stand as a huge academic contribution to existentialist discourses from an Igbo-African perspective. The paper adopted hermeneutical approach to analyze and expose the philosophical contents of the term Ije-ụwa.

From Aristotle to AI: Exploring the convergence of deepfakes and persuasion and their societal consequences

Amaka Peace Onebunne — 2025-01-10

From the foundational tenets of Aristotle’s rhetoric to the digital complexities of today’s AI-driven technologies, the path of persuasive communication involves a variety of tools and tactics. At the center of this technological evolution are ‘deepfakes’, which are advanced AI-generated videos that are almost indistinguishable from real content. This study uses critical discourse analysis to examine how rhetorical techniques manifest in deepfakes, demonstrating how these videos not only exemplify Aristotle’s rhetorical principles but also amplify them in an indistinguishable way. By doing so, this research raises pressing concerns about the spread of misinformation and the erosion of trust in media and political discourse. By juxtaposing classical rhetoric with contemporary AI technology, the study explores this new dimension of persuasion, offering insights into its broader implications while proposing pathways for handling the challenges of an increasingly AI-infused communication landscape.

An analysis method: Artistic value inheritance of Silk Road Flower Rain

Manyu Dou — 2024-12-25

This paper investigates development of Dunhuang music and dance drama Silk Road Flower Rain, highlighting its significance in promoting Dunhuang culture. It examines the artistic innovation and cultural connotations that influence the artistic value of the work. Through quantitative methods such as surveys and respondents evaluations, the study assesses various indicators of artistic value, including music composition, artistic innovation, emotional expression, and cultural depth. The findings reveal that the overall artistic value scores of Silk Road Flower Rain is 3.407 out of 5, indicating a high level of artistic quality. Key factors affecting this value include music composition, artistic innovation, and cultural connotation. The study emphasizes the importance of balancing traditional artistic characteristics with modern innovations to enhance the work's appeal to contemporary audiences. In conclusion, Silk Road Flower Rain serves as a significant cultural emblem of Chinese music and dance, contributing to international cultural exchanges and enhancing the global influence of Chinese arts. The research provides insights into the preservation and development of Dunhuang performing arts, emphasizing the need for continuous innovation while respecting traditional roots.

Visual arts as a catalyst for social change: Communicating powerful messages

Parisa Zaeri — 2024-11-05

This study examines the crucial role of Visual Arts as a catalyst for social change, focusing on its potential to communicate powerful messages that provoke thought, inspire action, and foster empathy. By investigating various contemporary art forms, such as street art and digital art this research aims to highlight the ways in which artists harness their work to address pressing social issues and promote positive change. Through an analysis of case studies featuring renowned artists and their impactful pieces, the study illustrates how visual arts can transcend language barriers, evoke emotional responses, and inspire individuals to engage in critical reflection and dialogue. In addition, this research underscores the potential of visual arts to create shared experiences and unite diverse communities around common causes, ultimately fostering understanding and paving the way for transformative societal advancements. In doing so, the study seeks to emphasize the unique and potent ability of visual arts to communicate powerful messages, drive social change, and cultivate a more informed, empathetic, and connected global community by leveraging various forms of visual communication, including linguistic signs and symbols, to convey meaning and provoke thought.

The trajectory of kingship institution in Olomu of the Western Delta of Nigeria up to 1995

Oke-Oghene Ophori — 2024-10-30

This study traces the development of the kingship institution in Olomu kingdom of the Urhobo people in the West Niger Delta of Nigeria, from pre-colonial times through 1995, examining how it adapted to changing political and social contexts over this period. It employed the narrative and descriptive historical methods of research based on primary and secondary sources. The narrative approach was used to chronologically recount key events and transitions in Olomu's kingship institution over time. The descriptive method allowed for detailed explanations of the structure, roles, and cultural significance of the kingship at different historical stages. These methods provided a comprehensive historical account of the institution's evolution. Data were collected from oral histories, interviews, and archival materials. The study delves into the processes of succession, the rituals associated with kingship, its role in mediating between the spiritual and temporal realms. It also considers the impact of colonialism and post-colonial policies on kingship, and challenges of modern governance. By 1995, the kingship institution in Olomu had adapted to new realities, preserving key traditional elements. This research contributes to understanding how traditional leadership structures like those in Olomu have navigated change, maintaining relevance and authority within the broader context of Nigerian statehood.

The effect of the Public Order Act of 1994, (Act 491) on Democracy in Ghana

Ishmael D. Norman — 2024-10-10

Background: The thirty-year-old Public Order Act of Ghana of 1994 (Act 491), is seen as archaic legislation over the people’s civil libertarian rights to assemble in protest against inimical and corrupt government actions. It has become the bane of democratic development in Ghana, preventing the citizens right to conduct non-violent civil disobedience acts, and seen as anti-establishment act. Methods: This is an exploratory as well as retrospective review of government security apparatchik’s interpersonal relationship with the Ghanaian public who engage(d) in non-violent demonstrations and protests since the promulgation of the act. Results: The assessment revealed that, for the average Ghanaian citizen, his or her only means of getting the attention of government is through public demonstration or protest. The Parliamentarians for their constituencies are disconnected from them giving them no avenue for the redress of grievances. It also found that, the international development partners operating in Ghana are perceived to be siphoning the life-blood out of the people of Ghana, sort of domestic economic hit men, who promote Ghana as a democracy despite the realities on the ground, due to the effect of their role on increasing income inequalities among the populations. Conclusion: Despite the persistent denial of the public’s right to assemble and protest against government conduct: corruption, stealing, extravagant living and spending, denial of meritocratic job placement, and the harm caused to their freedoms, the international development partners and nations continue to issue endorsements to the government as running a democratic system, despite evidence-based corruption, indebtedness to both international and domestic creditors and poor socio-economic outcomes for the people of Ghana due poor leadership and management of the economy.