Interdisciplinary Journal of Humanities Studies

Cultural Barriers to Community Participation in Drug Control: A Case Study of a Village in Kanchanaburi Province

2025-05-05T08:45:45+07:00

This study aims to (1) explore the patterns of community participation in addressing drug-related problems, (2) analyze the cultural factors and values that hinder community involvement, and (3) explain the relationship between social structures, intra-community relationships, and the behavior of indifference towards drug problems. A participatory qualitative research methodology was employed, involving in-depth interviews, participatory observations, and focus group discussions with community members, local leaders in a village in Kanchanaburi Province.The findings indicate that community participation is limited to awareness and discussions within families or close-knit groups, with a lack of proactive actions or reporting to government authorities. Cultural factors, such as the values of “not wanting to interfere with others' business” and “keeping a pleasant exterior,” contribute to the silence of villagers, even when they are aware of drug trafficking in the area. Reflections from community members include phrases like “I know, but I won't speak out; it might cause trouble,” or “I see it, but it's not my business.” This indifference is closely tied to the social structure within the community, which emphasizes maintaining face, harmony, and avoiding conflicts with relatives or close associates.The research suggests that promoting community participation should align with the local cultural context. A model could be developed that utilizes natural leaders or trusted relational mechanisms, such as extended family networks, as intermediaries for informal communication and information sharing, fostering community empowerment without violating traditional cultural structures.

The Study of Cultural Diversity and Acceptance in Modern Society

2025-05-23T13:33:29+07:00

This article focuses on the study of cultural diversity and the importance of embracing differences in modern society. It begins with an analysis of fundamental concepts and principles of diversity, including an exploration of relevant theories such as multiculturalism and a comparison of approaches to managing diversity across different countries. The article also highlights the positive impacts of embracing diversity in social, economic, and educational dimensions, such as reducing conflicts, fostering a skilled and diverse workforce, and promoting open-minded learning. Furthermore, the article addresses critical challenges arising from exclusion and stereotyping, as well as issues of inequality related to race, religion, and gender. Global challenges, such as racial discrimination and religious conflicts, are also discussed. The article proposes strategies for promoting diversity through education, comprehensive policy development, the role of media, and the creation of spaces for dialogue among diverse groups.

The Role of Art in the Process of Post-Crisis Social Recovery

2025-06-25T06:20:42+07:00

This academic article analyzes the role of art as a critical mechanism in post-crisis social recovery, encompassing the individual, community, and structural levels. Drawing upon contemporary social theory—including Bourdieu’s concept of cultural capital, Habermas’s theory of communicative action, and the collective memory framework developed by Halbwachs and Assmann—the article argues that art should not be viewed merely as an aesthetic or entertainment activity. Rather, it functions as a cultural process with the potential to heal, reconstruct relationships, and challenge dominant powers within the public sphere.At the individual level, art offers a therapeutic space for those affected by trauma, enabling the symbolic transformation of pain and the reconstruction of identity through creative practices. At the community level, art fosters collaboration, restores a sense of collective ownership, and strengthens social capital, especially in diverse or previously conflicted communities. Simultaneously, art plays a vital role in memory-making and justice-seeking, by giving visibility to the voices and narratives of marginalized or silenced groups. At the political level, art can challenge official discourse, construct alternative public spaces, and contribute to the development of new political imaginaries in transitional societies.

Psychology and the History of Justice and Human Rights

2025-07-18T16:01:34+07:00

This interdisciplinary academic article aims to analyze and explicate the concepts of justice and human rights through an integration of knowledge from social psychology, political psychology, and the intellectual history of social thought. It emphasizes that justice and human rights are not merely abstract or legal ideals, but are deeply intertwined with human experiences—shaped by learning, emotions, memory, and socio-cultural contexts across different historical periods. The article begins with a historical overview of the idea of justice, from its early appearances in Mesopotamian law and Greek philosophy to the Enlightenment, which gave rise to the modern conception of human rights. It then explores the development of international human rights regimes in the 20th century. Subsequently, it discusses psychological dimensions of justice, including justice sensitivity, moral reasoning, and the emotional drivers—such as anger, empathy, and guilt—that shape human responses to injustice. Furthermore, the article investigates the psychological mechanisms of perpetrators, victims, and bystanders within contexts of human rights violations. It analyzes the role of collective memory in post-crisis social healing, highlighting the significance of public truth-telling, symbolic expressions through art and memorials, and institutional mechanisms such as truth and reconciliation commissions. In addition, the article introduces a structural psychological perspective, drawing on theories such as system justification and ideological cognition, to show how power relations and institutional design can reinforce or challenge social norms surrounding justice and rights. It contends that true justice is not achievable through legal frameworks alone, but must be supported by culturally sensitive institutions and educational processes that foster moral awareness and inclusive participation.The article concludes by proposing that a deeper understanding of justice and human rights requires a psychological lens—one that acknowledges the emotional, cognitive, and social processes involved in their construction. Such an approach holds potential for informing more human-centered policies, education, and reconciliation strategies in diverse socio-political settings.