UCP Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (HEC Recognized-Y Category)

The Political Foundations of Economic Development in China: Lessons for Pakistan

Muhammad Zaka Ullah Khan Warraich — Mon, 06 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

China’s unique governance system involving centralization - decentralization mixture, political meritocracy, and the institutionalization of leadership succession has facilitated its economic miracle during the reform era. Substantial political reforms have been implemented in Chinese polity during past four decades ranging from the power succession system to decentralized local administration. Both these parts of political reform have provided China not only with enhanced political stability and legitimacy but also with the fruits of good governance and efficient administration. The Chinese development is a state-led development with regional decentralization. Pakistan also needs a proactive role of state in a decentralized framework to stimulate economic development. The Pakistani state needs to devolve its economic, fiscal and administrative functions to lower levels of government. The element of political decentralization by encouraging citizens’ participation in public decision making is also critical for improving governance standards.

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue: India’s Strategic Ambiguities in the Indo-Pacific Region

Dr Sadia Rafique, Ahsan Shah — Mon, 06 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD) involving Australia, India, Japan, and the United States of America began in 2017 following a decade-long gap, with the objective of ensuring a liberal Indo-Pacific area. These prolonged constraints temporarily harmed Quadrilateral cooperation, but they are not permanent due to the four countries' shared interests in preserving a regional balance of influence, access to the seas, a free economic order based on laws, combating political debt trapping, and reining in China’s assertiveness to claim territories. China's new leadership has been more aggressive and stronger, actively promoting its interests in South China and East China seas and also developing the BRI in order to display hegemonic ambitions. On the other hand, the QUAD States have already responded to China's growing aggressiveness by strengthening their collaboration in a variety of sectors, therefore multiplying the Allied States' capabilities. Despite the enormous harm caused by the Covid-19 epidemic, which presented a serious threat to the member states' economic development, coordination is likely to continue in order to fulfil common goals. The study discusses QUAD's response as well as India's strategic uncertainties in the Indian Ocean owing to China's growing influence in the blue waters. Due to the differing analyses of the threats faced by China, the paper reflects the view that India plays a critical role in the dialogue between the four countries. However, this does not prevent the QUAD Alliance from cooperating more closely on standards, strategic communications, economic policies, and military cooperation in order to preserve the democratic order that has benefited all of them.

Examining the Impact of Childhood Experiences, Perceived Stress, and Coping Strategies on Internet Gaming Disorder in Adolescents

Warda Batool, Dr. Rabia Iftikhar — Mon, 06 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Besides being a major leisure activity, online gaming also has its role in recreation and
education purposes. But this has also been a leading cause of many psychological problems.
The objective of the present research is to examine the impact of perceived stress, childhood
experiences and coping strategies on adolescents with Internet Gaming Disorder. Correlational
research design was used along with purposive sampling to gather data from boys (n=158) and
girls (n= 98) of about 13-18 years of age. The participants must be utilizing at least 4-6 hours
on internet gaming on daily basis. Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen S. K., 1983) , Childhood
Experiences Questionnaire (CEQ-58, (Styła, 2018) , Measure of Adolescents Coping Strategies
scale (MACS) (Sveinbjornsdottir, 2017 ) and 10-item Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT-10)
(Király, 2015)) were used as measures for the research. The study revealed a noteworthy
positive correlation between coping strategies, perceived stress, childhood experiences, and
Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). Negative childhood experiences were predictive of Internet
Gaming Disorder (IGD). The study found that coping strategies played a significant mediating
role in the association between childhood experiences, perceived stress, and Internet Gaming
Disorder (IGD). There were no significant results observed regarding gender differences and
Internet Gaming Disorder. Instead of facing stressful situations, some people find their escape
in online gaming and shift their focus maladaptively from stressful situations to the game. This
maladaptive shift to online games makes the person feel he/she still can control things and
temporarily helps them to forget about the stressful event. The outcomes of this research could
be used as a mode of teaching and inculcating healthy and effective coping in adolescents who
believe that their time and energy should only be worthy if invested in game related difficulties.

China-Afghanistan Relations: Implications for China in the Post-US Military Exit from Afghanistan

Dr Azhar Javed Siddiqui, Sahima Naureen — Mon, 06 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The post-US military exit from Afghanistan has produced a new opening for Chinese
engagement in Afghanistan. Two aspects, security concerns and economic opportunities to this
effect, are significant and will determine the contours of paradigm that will guide China’s new
engagement in Afghanistan. Two things will determine the stability in the region: China’s
assessment of the implications and policy response to fill in the vacuum, and, secondly, how
China balances its security apprehensions with economic openings. Otherwise, chaos might
spell not only in its western border but the region in its backyard might slide to chaos and will
enhance Chinese security concerns. The purpose of the research is to evaluate the nature of
security concerns and their impact on Beijing’s economic interests. ‘Great Cohesive Power’
framework has been employed to explain China’s New Neighborhood Diplomacy that is aimed
by Beijing to balance between security concerns and economic interests.

Relationship between Socioeconomic Status and Academic Achievements

Mon, 06 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The present study finds out the relationship between socioeconomic status and academic
achievements. The study analyzed individual differences among students, the socio-economic
conditions, and academic achievements at the higher secondary level. It carried out in
Jaranwala, a tehsil of district Faisalabad, Punjab. Data were collected through questionnaire
and analyzed by using SPSS Version-21. Statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean,
standard deviation, and rank order were utilized for data analysis and interpretation. To
determine an order of importance, we multiplied the score value assigned to each category of
the scale by the number of times that category appeared in the data. The averages were
determined by dividing the total by the total number of measurements taken. After that, the
average values of each factor were considered as they were ranked. As an outcome of the
indirect caciques, it was shown that children’s Academic Achievements were significantly
impacted by their socioeconomic status. The study came to conclusion that occupations, income,
social status residential area and other indicators of socioeconomic status of a household
influenced the academic achievements of students.

Lost in the Translation: Punjabi Identity and Language in Pakistan

Rabia Sarfraz Sarfraz Ahmed — Mon, 06 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Punjabi identity in Pakistan is primarily motivated by the language. The discussion around the
Punjabi language or identity has received criticism in the contemporary political milieu of
Pakistan compared to other ethnic identity politics. Many leftists render the debate around
diminishing Punjabi identity and language as an insignificant question because Punjabis
constitute majority. Despite numerical dominance, Punjabi usage and vernacular are waning
compared to Eastern Punjab. These developments are demoted with Punjabi identity as
secondary to supporting perceived threats to the federation since Fall of Dhaka and Punjabi
elites' preference for Urdu. Regardless of the profound historical and cultural richness of the
Punjabi culture and language, as evidenced by literary contributions and vast historical
demographic, their cultural identity is paradoxically relegated to mockery and jest.