This research paper delves into a case study of the Indian farmers’ protest of 2020-2021, focusing on the state actor’s response to the event and its ensuing impact on the country’s sociopolitical...Show moreThis research paper delves into a case study of the Indian farmers’ protest of 2020-2021, focusing on the state actor’s response to the event and its ensuing impact on the country’s sociopolitical landscape. While considerable literature discusses, for example, the farmers’ strategies in the movement and scholars have used the case to test various theories, the long-term consequences of the Indian state’s response to the protest remain underexplored. This paper makes use of qualitative content analysis to analyze a wide range of sources and the framing theory to gain insight into the state’s handling of the movement. The findings indicate that the Indian government used repressive measures to a notable extent and that the protest had significant, lasting impacts on Indian society, governance, and democracy. Through a detailed examination of the protest events and state action, this research sheds light on state-society dynamics and democratic challenges present in contexts as diverse as India’s.Show less
The moral rights of nature, and especially the rights of ecosystems, have been difficult to establish within the conceptual boundaries of traditional moral theories. Underlying assumptions of...Show moreThe moral rights of nature, and especially the rights of ecosystems, have been difficult to establish within the conceptual boundaries of traditional moral theories. Underlying assumptions of interests and individuality, as well as complications with adequately defining ecosystems, have culminated into what I call the ecosystem dilemma. In this thesis, I argue that these ontological and ethical problems can be resolved by employing Indigenous traditional knowledge (TK), represented by Mi'kmaq concepts such as netukulimk. By expanding our ways of thinking about the world and our place within it, we can break the ecosystem dilemma. Utilizing the Mi'kmaq's holistic approach to the environment supports the case for the moral concern of ecosystems. Yet, no single point of view should dominate the discussion – the 'map of moral concern' aims to collect different concepts that are to be used in coadjuvancy to resolve moral dilemmas. Cooperation can be achieved by combining values (traditional Western thinking) and employing two-eyed seeing (Mi'kmaq TK). My thesis tries to showcase the value of immersing oneself fully in a different way of thinking to resolve well-documented problems – essentially this is an argument for radical openmindedness to ultimately strengthen the concept of moral rights of nature.Show less
