Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Environmental skepticism, or the belief that environmental problems are exaggerated or worse, has reached new levels. The assortment and diversity of skeptical environmental polemic and scholarship has become a serious thread, particularly in global environmental politics. Titles such as The Skeptical Environmentalist, Satanic Gasses, Eco-Imperialism, The Real Environmental Crisis, and Skeptical Environmentalism among many, many other titles have become popular. Many accusations have flown around about the “bias” of skepticism, and skeptics are happy to reverse the charge. What has been missing is an academic analysis of how this “bias” fits within ideological positions. I find that the ideology of skeptics largely adheres to the tenets of conservatism through the notions of prudential wisdom, stability, the status quo, tradition, and their notion of “good knowledge.”

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: In recent decades, audience alternatives for current affairs information have been multiplying. Both globalization and media segmentation present citizens with alternative outlets for political information, in addition to those offered by the mainstream communication channels, which once dominated every nation state. In this paper, survey data gathered in Israel (n = 1122) are analyzed to examine the association between media skepticism and exposure. Findings show that skepticism toward the mainstream news media is indeed related to alternative news consumption; however, it is not related to consumption of alternative media exclusively. Results are discussed in light of theories of the public sphere.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: In the field of transitional justice, we tend to take for granted the need to seek the truth. Truth is said to have the remedial power to enable justice, the healing power to enable repose and even forgiveness, and even the power to make reconciliation possible. But I would like to sound a note of caution about the search for truth. While truth may be useful, it can also be an impediment to the progress that transitions promise, and can even pose certain dangers that exacerbate volatile transitional situations. Thus, I would like to propose some ways of thinking about the search for the truth that would alleviate some of these concerns and help us to gain a deeper understanding of the role of truth in transitional settings.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper assess theoretical rational that explain public attitudes towards EU expansion based on existing literature. More specific, it assesses domestic determinants of Polish domestic political and public attitude towards the EU Constitution and more generally, the Polish integration with particular reference to its growing Euro-skeptic stances. After the “No” vote in the referenda in France and the Netherlands in June 2005, a period of reflection over the future of the EU was expected to launch a new phase in the construction of a common Europe. In most EU countries debates started on how to find a way out of the current constitutional stalemate. The discussions focused on what the 21st century Union is and what it should be. In Poland EU issues hardly played any role as measured by Polish’s continued “hold out” status on the Constitutional treaty (CT), and last year's electoral campaigns in which the CT was treated as unworthy of any deeper reflection. This article surmises that the current situation in Poland evinces a paradox. On one hand, a vast majority (80%) of Poles support EU integration and Poland’s membership in the Union with generally positive attitude towards polish accession to the Union. On the other hand, the same Poles have elected what is considered the most Euro-skeptic parliament since post 1989 Poland. We argue that this is perhaps due partly to deep rooted distrust for the EU and especially towards the biggest EU states - France and Germany. That the Polish coalition government is perceived as taking position that oppose a closer European integration explains Polish stagnation in ratifying the Constitutional treaty.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This study examined Chinese consumers’ skepticism toward advertising for five media types (television, radio, newspaper, magazine, and the Internet) and six product categories (cosmetics, automotive, drug, retail, food, and real estate) as well as different media use habits. Based on a survey of 310 Chinese respondents in Beijing and Guiyang, the study has revealed some important findings. First, Chinese consumers held a general tendency of moderate disbelief toward advertising no matter in which market such as Beijing and Guiyang where the development of the advertising industry differs remarkably. Second, Chinese respondents’ skepticism toward advertising seemed to be stronger for print media such as newspapers and magazines than for television. Furthermore, the Internet was viewed as the least reliable medium for advertising claims. Third, advertising skepticism in the Chinese market was discovered to differ by product type. Chinese consumers perceived food and automotive as relatively trustworthy advertising categories. Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and real estate were the categories of which they were least trustful. This is probably due to misleading and deceptive advertising that overstate the benefits of products being prevalent in those industries. Fourth, hierarchical multiple regression analyses on the collected data indicated that media use was linked to advertising skepticism through the role of media as sources of both news and product information. Media consumption time did not show significant relationships to advertising skepticism, with an exception for reading the newspaper, which was negatively associated with the level of skepticism toward newspaper advertising.