Journal of Social Policy, Social Change and Development

AI-Powered Entertainment-Oriented Activism: The Emerging Form of Political Participation in Southeast Asia

2025-10-28T07:52:39+07:00

Digital activism is increasingly shaped by the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and entertainment media, yet existing theories of political participation remain inadequate to explain these emerging dynamics. This study proposes an AI-Powered Entertainment-Oriented Activism (AEA) framework, which reconceptualises digital activism across four interrelated dimensions: 1) AI Algorithmic Environment; 2) Networked Resource Mobilisation and Micro-Influencers; 3) Cultural Performance and Algorithmic Aesthetics; 4) Transnational Solidarity and Decentralisations. Given Indonesia’s youthful demographics, vibrant protest culture, and expansive social media ecosystem, this study employs Indonesia as a case study, drawing primarily on literature analysis of academic sources, media archives, and digital traces. Empirical evidence from Indonesia validates the AEA framework, revealing how actors navigate algorithmic governance, leverage AI tools for communications, and transform political dissent into culturally resonant and entertaining forms. These findings also expose structural inequalities in digital visibility, the prevalence of symbolic participation, and ethical challenges surrounding algorithmic manipulation and AI-Powered content. By theorising these dynamics, the research advances discussions within digital activism, social policy, and development studies, demonstrating that AI and entertainment are not peripheral elements in contemporary Southeast Asian political participation patterns but are progressively becoming core components. Consequently, the AEA framework offers conceptual and theoretical contributions for analysing how algorithmic infrastructures and affective cultures jointly reshape activism in Global South nations.

The Route Back Home? The Challenges of Migrant Reintegration Policies in Ecuador

2025-10-07T15:44:24+07:00

The increasing number of Ecuadorian migrants forcibly deported from the United States presents a pressing challenge to Ecuador’s social protection system. This article compares the current return plan called “Ecuador es tu Hogar” (Ecuador is your home) developed by Daniel Noboa's liberal government, with the past reintegration program “Bienvenid@s a Casa” (Welcome Home) designed during the regime of former left-wing president Rafael Correa. The objective of this study is to determine the characteristics that two distinct ideological regimes considered in their response to returnees and their reintegration. Through the Most Similar Systems Design methodology, the research sought to identify the variables that impacted the execution of these policies, as well as the influence that the ideological framework had on their construction. As such, the study demonstrates that the current reintegration policies are affected by independent variables like the profile of the returnees, the investment available, and the role of migrants in development that shaped each government. The main findings consider that reintegration policies focusing only on economic aid fall short under complex social environments and lack long-term political vision. Based on this, the study intends to contribute to the overall discourse surrounding the intersection of migration and social policy, particularly relevant through the current context of deportations and protection challenges, while arguing for a shift toward a rights-based, inclusive approach to reintegration, supported by evaluation mechanisms, intersectoral collaboration, and investment in social protection systems.

Responsible Consumption and SDG 12: A Comparative Policy and Case Study Analysis

2025-10-07T15:43:44+07:00

The paper repositions Sustainable Development Goal 12, Responsible Consumption and Production, as a central social policy concern, extending beyond its dominant treatment as an environmental or economic objective. The study draws on sustainable welfare theory, the capability approach, and international policy frameworks. It uses secondary analysis of global and national reports, supported by illustrative cases from the European Union, Canada, India, and South Korea, to develop a conceptual and policy framework that embeds SDG 12 within welfare systems. The study finds that welfare systems remain locked in a growth-first paradigm, creating a structural disconnect with SDG 12: overconsumption in affluent groups and under-consumption in marginalized groups generate inequities that current systems fail to address. Subsidies and transfers frequently reinforce unsustainable practices, while innovations such as South Korea’s RFID-enabled food waste system and Canada’s integration of Indigenous reconciliation illustrate how ecological responsibility can be embedded into welfare. The analysis highlights a pressing need for a systemic shift toward “responsible welfare systems” that align welfare with ecological sustainability and social justice. The paper advances sustainable welfare scholarship by introducing the concept of “responsible welfare systems,” reframing SDG 12 as a social policy imperative and offering new directions for theory and practice.

Reimagining Gender Justice at Workplace: The Case for Period Leave Policy in India

2025-11-01T15:02:10+07:00

Gender justice for working women calls for recognition and supportive mechanisms anchored in their menstrual health needs. However, there is a lack of policy initiatives to accommodate the diverse bodily needs of working women during menstruation, who strive to perform their obligations. This study aims to outline Indian employers’ perspectives on menstrual health and period leave policy. The paper highlights a pertinent gender justice issue in the workplace which is not adequately addressed by the labour laws in India.

The study adopts a qualitative approach to understand organisational perspectives on period leave policies in India. This cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted with 102 sample units, and the research locale is India. Content analysis and descriptive statistics were used to summarise and draw generalisations from the data. Additionally, a chi-square test was performed using SPSS 20 to examine associations between categorical variables.

The findings reveal that while organisations acknowledge the psychological and physiological impacts of menstruation, negative societal attitudes continue to hinder the adequate integration of period leave into employee welfare approaches. Although period leave policies are seen as beneficial—enhancing women-friendly workplace, enabling women to manage menstrual discomfort, improving performance, and fostering workplace inclusivity—resistant views persist. These include concerns of potential misuse of leave and perceived imbalance to gender equality. The paper presents important implications for labour laws concerning the menstrual health of women employees.

Children with Intellectual Disabilities: Impact on the Well-Being of Primary Caregivers

2025-11-05T05:12:51+07:00

Caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities experience mental, psychological, and social challenges, yet relatively limited research has examined these effects on their health and well-being. This paper adopts a literature review approach to gather information from peer-reviewed journals, online books, and reports from the last ten years. A total of 32 literature sources met the inclusion criteria. Research evidence shows the impact of early childhood intervention on the mental, psychological, and social well-being of primary caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities. The successful strategies to enhance caregiver well-being include early intervention programs that incorporate stress management, counselling, mental health support services, workplace flexibility, and financial support initiatives for caregivers. The findings indicate that caregiver well-being is a critical factor in the effectiveness of interventions for children with intellectual disabilities It is recommended that policies and programs that support family-centered early interventions be designed.