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Research Article
Cooperativism and Population Aging: A Substantive Approach Based on Karl Polanyi
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 1, February 2026
Pages:
1-9
Received:
10 September 2025
Accepted:
29 December 2025
Published:
9 January 2026
Abstract: This article aims to understand, from Karl Polanyi's perspective, how cooperativism can contribute to building sustainable solutions to population aging, with an emphasis on rural contexts. The global phenomenon of population aging, characterized by a proportional increase of older adults in the total population due to declining birth rates and increased life expectancy, presents significant and complex challenges, particularly in rural areas where structural weaknesses and the scarcity of effective public policies are more pronounced. In this context, the study argues that cooperativism emerges as a viable and robust alternative for social inclusion, care, and autonomy for older adults. The theoretical framework is anchored in Polanyi's critique of the commodification of social life, particularly his concept of the “disembeddedness” of the economy from the social fabric. The analysis connects Polanyi's principles of reciprocity, redistribution, and domesticity with the core values and principles of cooperativism, highlighting the capacity of this model of economic organization to promote the “re-embedding” of the economy into social norms and values. The study adopts a qualitative, bibliographical, and documentary approach, utilizing data from key national and international organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations (UN), the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), to characterize the demographic shift and identify the practical role of cooperatives. The analysis presents concrete examples of the actions of different branches of cooperativism in addressing aging in rural areas, accentuating their contribution to the appreciation of traditional knowledge, income generation, and the strengthening of community networks. The findings indicate that cooperativism represents not only an economic response to the challenges of aging but also an integrated and supportive regional development strategy. It is capable of transforming aging into an opportunity for the collective reconstruction of territories, strengthening the dignity and empowerment of older adults by promoting a more socially and environmentally sustainable economic model.
Abstract: This article aims to understand, from Karl Polanyi's perspective, how cooperativism can contribute to building sustainable solutions to population aging, with an emphasis on rural contexts. The global phenomenon of population aging, characterized by a proportional increase of older adults in the total population due to declining birth rates and inc...
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Research Article
Perceptions and Representations of Drought in the Oued El Abid Watershed
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 1, February 2026
Pages:
10-19
Received:
17 October 2025
Accepted:
24 December 2025
Published:
9 January 2026
Abstract: This study analyzes perceptions and representations of drought among residents of the Oued El Abid watershed in Morocco, based on a structured field survey conducted with 150 households. The results reveal a high level of awareness of drought, with 95% of respondents acknowledging its occurrence and 80% considering their area to be directly affected. Nearly 75% of the surveyed population report having personally experienced its impacts, particularly reduced precipitation, water scarcity, and the drying up of springs and streams. Local populations perceive a significant deterioration in climatic conditions, as 58.4% currently consider precipitation to be low compared to 45.6% who previously described it as abundant. In addition, 72.2% of respondents report an increase in temperatures, and 70.4% identify recent decades as the driest. Drought is described as a multidimensional phenomenon encompassing climatic, hydrological, agricultural, and socio-economic aspects, with direct repercussions on water resources, agriculture, and livestock. The study highlights critical impacts on water supply, marked by reduced flows in springs, rivers, and wells, as well as significant economic consequences, including crop losses, declining agricultural yields, and livestock mortality, thereby increasing the socio-economic vulnerability of local populations. Furthermore, adaptation strategies such as the semi-nomadic mobility of herds illustrate the capacity of communities to adjust their practices in response to environmental constraints. Overall, these findings emphasize that drought represents a major environmental and socio-economic challenge in the Oued El Abid watershed, and that integrating local perceptions is essential for developing sustainable water resource management strategies and strengthening community resilience to climate change.
Abstract: This study analyzes perceptions and representations of drought among residents of the Oued El Abid watershed in Morocco, based on a structured field survey conducted with 150 households. The results reveal a high level of awareness of drought, with 95% of respondents acknowledging its occurrence and 80% considering their area to be directly affecte...
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Research Article
More on the Mortality Conjecture: The Components of Demographic Mortality
Giuseppe Alberti*
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 1, February 2026
Pages:
20-31
Received:
25 October 2025
Accepted:
19 November 2025
Published:
9 January 2026
Abstract: In a previous preprint article, the author presented a conjecture on the trend of demographic mortality as the life span progresses. That article also provided a mathematical formulation of the statistical distribution to which mortality would tend in this case. In the present work, we show the possibility that the demographic mortality at high ages would be given by the sum of four main components. The four components were derived by iteratively solving the Fredholm equation that can be associated with the model. These solutions are presented for three demographic cases based on statistical data available in the public databases and literature. These are: mortality data in the US from 1970 to 2017, in Italy from 1974 to 2019 and in Japan from 1974 to 2019. In all cases, similarities and invariant components are noted and presented in graphs and numerical data. The four aforementioned components appear on average equally spaced in the age peaks (in the case of females ~50, ~63, ~77, ~90 ages) and are always present for all sample years and in all three countries. These same components can be used to reconstruct the qx datum, at advanced ages, of the considered Life Tables. A correlation with a more recent study using a multi-omics approach is pointed out.
Abstract: In a previous preprint article, the author presented a conjecture on the trend of demographic mortality as the life span progresses. That article also provided a mathematical formulation of the statistical distribution to which mortality would tend in this case. In the present work, we show the possibility that the demographic mortality at high age...
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Research Article
Indigenous Justice and Punishment in Traditional Nupe Communities of Nigeria
Onoseme Fortune Afatakpa*,
Adelakun Oludolapo Olufunmilayo
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 1, February 2026
Pages:
32-42
Received:
18 December 2025
Accepted:
30 December 2025
Published:
23 January 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.hss.20261401.14
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Abstract: This study examines the concept, types, causes, and social functions of punishment in traditional Nupe society, highlighting how indigenous justice mechanisms contributed to order, peace, and communal cohesion prior to colonial legal impositions. Drawing on a qualitative research design anchored entirely on secondary data, the study analyses ethnographic, historical, and socio-legal literature to identify the nature and logic of punitive practices among the Nupe. Findings show that punishment was deeply restorative, with mechanisms such as gyara (reparation), mediation by elders, public apology, oath taking, community service, and ritual cleansing designed to repair relationships, restore harmony, and prevent future conflict. More severe sanctions-including corporal punishment, ostracism, banishment, and limited forms of capital punishment-were reserved for serious offenses like murder, witchcraft, or violations of sacred taboos. The study demonstrates that punishment in Nupe society functioned not only to deter wrongdoing but also to reinforce communal values, maintain spiritual balance, and ensure collective security. This aligns strongly with Restorative Justice Theory, which emphasises healing, accountability, and reintegration rather than retribution. The findings further reveal that traditional institutions such as elders, lineage heads, and the Etsu Nupe played critical roles in administering justice, lending legitimacy and moral authority to the process. Overall, the study underscores the sophistication of indigenous Nupe jurisprudence and highlights its relevance for contemporary justice reform. By drawing on decolonial perspectives, the research argues that integrating indigenous restorative practices into Nigeria’s modern legal framework can strengthen community-based corrections, enhance social cohesion, and promote culturally grounded approaches to peace and security.
Abstract: This study examines the concept, types, causes, and social functions of punishment in traditional Nupe society, highlighting how indigenous justice mechanisms contributed to order, peace, and communal cohesion prior to colonial legal impositions. Drawing on a qualitative research design anchored entirely on secondary data, the study analyses ethnog...
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