The Developmental State Theory

 

The developmental state theory is one that seeks to describe the manner through which East Asian industrialization took place. It is a description of the considerable connections that are witnessed within the political, financial, and bureaucratic influences within the structures of economic life that have become an essential aspect of the economies of such nations as Japan and South Korea (Caldentey 27). The developmental state is therefore an attempt at understanding the way that East Asian nations were able to industrialize based on the prevalent conditions within their societies. It shows the way that the involvement of the state in the economy was balanced with free market capitalism as a means of not only promoting economic growth, but also the advancement of a scenario where there is a close connection between the government and private sectors in a manner that allows for the government to provide guidance to the private sector. The importance of this scenario can be seen through the mutually beneficial relationship that has developed between the state and private sector. It has made it possible for the government to essentially become involved in the economy through the provision of direct support to businesses as a means of enhancing the ability of the said businesses to bring about rapid development. It is through government interventionism, especially when it came to those sectors of the economy that are deemed critical, that it has become possible for nations such as Japan and South Korea to become industrialized and has allowed for the sustenance of their economies. This paper makes an analysis of the economic development of Japan and its continued relevance using the developmental state theory.

Historically, the developmental state has existed in a diversity of countries including in Prussia during the Bismarck period and Japan during the Meiji period. In Japan, the government followed a developmental framework that was designed by the state as a means of making sure that there was the attainment of desired economic gains. This process involved the favoring of interventionism over the promotion of a liberal market, which had the potential of creating an environment within which it would be difficult for government to control the direction that the economy took. The formulation of the developmental state theory is one that is based on the way that East Asian nations, beginning with Japan, attained industrialization at par with most western nations. The achievement of this goal was directed by the state and was aimed at making sure that there was the promotion of a scenario where there was the advancement of the interests of the state through the economy. Control over the economy was considered to be of vital interests, to such an extent that there was widespread intervention by the state through the provision of expertise and funding. Industrialization in Japan, for example, was aimed at making sure that the nation overcame the potential of western dominance and instead became a dominant power in East Asia in its own right. This process also involved state-sponsored interventions in a diversity of sectors that allowed for the attainment of western education and the change of cultural practices that were considered essential for the attainment of development. In this way, governments within the developmental state model end up playing a vital role in bringing about the attainment of economic growth that aligns with the goals of the state.

Japan became a developmental state following the Meiji Restoration, which resulted in the modernization of the country. This period brought with it drastic changes in the society of this nation because there was an attempt to ensure that a strong state was developed (Lim 2). The strong state was supposed to ensure that there was not only the establishment of a national identity, based on a standard language and with a highly centralized government that would ensure the advancement of national interests. The introduction of a standard dialect was significant because it allowed for the rapid development of the realms of media, education, business and government that helped to consolidate the Japanese nation and give it a common focus. This process can be considered quite significant because it allowed for the promotion of a scenario where there was the state was able to give oversight into the direction that was to be taken by Japan as it sought to attain its developmental goals. It is noteworthy that the government of Japan during this period showed a determination to ensure that it attained industrialization so that it could operate at par with the western nations that had attained or were in the process of attaining dominance over the rest of the world. Japan desired to secure its national interests through rapid industrialization; a task that it was able to achieve within a relatively short time when compared to its western rivals. This nation further became a developmental state following its focus on the rapid development of western education in a bid to ensure that its economic base was made up of the most educated and competent individuals in society.

The developmental state of the Meiji period ushered in the modernization of Japan. It was highly influential when it came to the self-identity of the Japanese, especially with respect with its East Asian neighbors because not only did Japan industrialize at a rapid pace, it also ended up in a situation where it became a colonial power, as seen through the conquest and occupation of Korea. Japan became the first Asia nation to attain modernization which was based on the western model rather than the traditional model that had been dominant in society for centuries, as seen in the case of isolationist China where Confucianism was the dominant philosophy in society. The adoption of the ideals of the enlightenment ensured that Japan was able to establish free public education that spurred its economic growth and made it the most dominant Asian nation. The bureaucracy of the nation was also greatly enhanced through the promotion of training that encouraged duty to the state as well as to the emperor. This ensured that by the end of the Meiji period, the attendance of public schools for western-style education was quite widespread. This ensured that there was an increase in the availability of workers who were not only skilled, but essentially contributed to the industrial and economic growth of Japan. The developmental state that came about in Japan was therefore significant for its growth because it allowed it to become one of the most prominent industrialized nations in the world while at the same time creating a basis upon which its continued economic growth and development was founded.

Japan is a pertinent reflection of the developmental state theory because it falls directly between a centrally planned economic model and the liberal open economic model. The transformation witnessed in this country came about through a conscious effort by its government to make sure that it was able to hold its own in a world that was dominated by western imperial powers. It was a decision by the Japanese government, ushered in by the Meiji Era, to leave behind the traditional way of life that had dominated society and instead adopt the western way of life as a means of enhancing their economic and cultural development. Furthermore, there was the promotion of a scenario where the government undertook the process of making sure that there was the creation of a conducive environment for its citizens to attain the level of education that was given in western nations. This was done so that the Japanese people would be equipped to take on the developmental challenges that lay ahead of the nation as it sought to attain industrialization. It is noteworthy that the interventionist power of the state ensured that it was able to guide investment in a manner that allowed for a single vision for the Japanese economy. This is a form of state involvement in the economy that not only ensured that it aligned with national goals, but also provided the actors involved in the private sector with the means through which to work for their own benefit while at the same time making sure that they worked in the interest of the state. Consequently, the state, through its regulation of the political and economic relationships that supported industrialization, ensured that Japan became an industrialized nation within a short time.

Japan has remained a developmental state where the state provides oversight for the development of the economy. This nation has established a strong bureaucracy which works hand in hand with business interests in a manner that can be considered complementary. The latter is seen through the way that these institutions work together when it comes to the shaping of the policies essential for the attainment of developmental goals. Japan has, since the Meiji era, ensured that there is the establishment of a cooperative behavior between the politicians, businesses, and the government bureaucracy in the establishment of norms that are pertinent to their working together towards common goals. The intervention of the state in this case has been aimed at helping in the attainment of state autonomy while at the same time ensuring that there is the maintenance of effective economic development and growth. It is also noteworthy that Japan has also taken on a foreign policy that is aimed at ensuring that its economic interests are protected. As one of the biggest exporters in the world, Japan considers it as part of its interests of make sure that it makes use of economic diplomacy tools such as development assistance to other nations as a means of safeguarding its markets. It is also essential to note that it has ensured that it remains one of the leaders in science and technology and this has been done through the state promoting this image for both the domestic and international audiences. The state has therefore made sure that it invests in or directs science and technology in a way that allows for the creation of industries as well as supporting Japan’s economy, which is export-oriented.

Japan as a developmental state can also be seen through the way that the state has control over finance. It has also sought to ensure that it maintains control over labor relations while at the same time allowing for considerable autonomy for the economic bureaucracy. This is a linchpin of the nation because it allows for the combination of command structures and incentives aimed at encouraging economic development. The state also plays a vital role when it comes to having control over interest rates as well as the provision of bank loans which have continued to be the primary source of industrial finance. This is opposed to equity capital, which involves the raising of capital from private sources. The substitution of equity capital with state-sponsored loans that are supported with low interest rates, especially during the post-war period, ensured that Japan was not only able to achieve rapid recovery from the devastation of the war, but also become one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Moreover, the state intervention allowed for the inducement of transformative investment decisions which played a critical role in making sure that there is the achievement of rapid industrial development. The involvement of state financial institutions and their willingness to ensure the backing of industrial debt allowed for the expansion of new industries. State oversight also ensured that loans for industrial purposes was allocated through the Japan Development Bank, with the approval of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, in addition to the provision of tax incentives and the regulation of industrial competition (Caldentey 28). In this way, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry was placed in the position of being able to influence decision-making as well as allowing for the attainment of the goal of promoting the economic interests of the nation.

The development state theory is significant because it has brought with it a number of outcomes in Japan. The first of these is the development of a highly competent bureaucracy, which allowed for the promotion of a scenario where industrial interests benefitted greatly from the advice and actions taken by the state. The bureaucracy allowed for the creation of a planned process aimed at the development of the economy, as seen in the case of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Johnson 34). This agency played a critical role in bringing about a scenario where the best economic minds were staffed in the ministry and charged with the task of directing the course of the development of Japan in a manner that was in line with the vision of the state. The high level of legitimacy and prestige that is enjoyed by the Ministry is a sign of the considerable success that it has achieved in the attainment of its objectives. It has utilized the policy tools available to it to not only give it additional authority, but also to make sure that there is the achievement of the goal of the recruitment of outstanding personnel who can further enhance its functions. In this way, Japan has been able to develop considerable state capacity to ensure that there is the effective formulation of its policies for economic development as well as to allow for their effective development. It is through this process that Japan has maintained its position as one of the largest economies in the world while at the same time ensuring that it has global leadership. In this way, a competent bureaucracy has given Japan the policy direction that it has followed towards its continued success.

Another aspect of the developmental state theory is that it allows for the embedding of autonomy within the bureaucratic makeup of the state. This is seen through the way that the state has maintained a strong relationship with the nation’s business sector in such a way that it has a role to play when it comes to giving direction as well as funding for industrial investment (Miao 64). Embedded autonomy is a concept that can be used to describe the relationship between the local business sector and the state and the way that the developmental state, such as that of Japan, has been able to use this relationship as a means of advancing national economic interests. The embedding of the developmental state in Japanese society has ensured that it is better able to influence the economic direction that is to be taken. It makes it possible to bring about a scenario where there is the promotion of national interests in a manner that is acceptable to the population. The state has therefore become a trusted partner to the private sector because it is through its support that the latter is able to thrive. State intervention has allowed for the establishment of a social infrastructure where it is able to provide the private sector with direction without getting directly involved in the running of their operations. This arrangement has ensured that the private sector is able to thrive within an environment where it can rely on continued government support while at the same time undertaking their activities in a manner that best suits their organizational interests. The particular interests of the state are therefore put into consideration without any risk of the state interfering in their operations.

In conclusion, the developmental state theory is significant because it shows the way that Japan was able to industrialize significantly ahead of its Asian neighbors while also maintaining its economic development into the 21^st century. The role of the state in the economy is one that is in line with this theory because it shows the manner through which Japan was able to establish independent institutions that have played a role in providing direction for its economy. However, while there has been state intervention through control over interest rates as well as the provision of loans, the state does not interfere in the internal running of organizations. Instead, it has a competent bureaucracy, especially at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, which provides guidance to the private sector concerning the direction that should be taken. In this way, a symbiotic relationship between the state and the private sector has developed, which ensures that there is the promotion of both national and private interests. Japan has therefore remained a developmental state and it is because of this that it has become possible for it to remain a dominant industrial power over the decades since the end of the Second World War.

Economic inequality and the appeal of authoritarian populism

 

A considerable number of western democracies have seen a wave of populism that has not been witnessed since the end of the Second World War. This form of populism has taken on the characteristic of nationalism and a shift to the right by many of the populace in numerous nations, including the United States. The decades of political development that shifts towards the left have been eroded due to the rise of inequality in society that has created an environment where there is a lot of dissatisfaction on the part of the population towards the political establishment.[1] This has created an environment within which it is easier for what were once considered to be fringe ideas and political parties to take on center stage in a way that has not been seen in almost a century. The rise of populism and populist ideas in the modern world has created significant divisions in society, with most of those supporting them viewing them as a viable alternative to the current unequal conditions that are prevalent in society.[2] The appeal of authoritarian populism has therefore become a matter of concern in the western world because it shows the manner through which there are efforts to ensure that the political establishment listens to the people. This paper considers the rise of President Trump in the United States based on the significant inequality that has developed in the country. It shows the way that this individual was able, with his populist ideas, to create and influence a powerful political base among Americans that felt disenfranchised by the establishment.

Populism in this paper is a term that will be used to describe the way that politicians will often claim to represent the true will of the people over those of self-serving political elite. This is a term that can be used to describe the manner through which the populist leaderships over the last five years have been able to advance their agenda. The Brexit vote and the victory of Donald Trump in 2016 are pertinent examples of the way that this term can be applied, as seen through the way that the latter was able to ensure that he established a powerful support base among conservatives and some liberals which allowed him to be voted into office.[3] It is noteworthy that the case of President Trump has garnered more attention due to the fact that it was out of character of the American political establishment. Trump was able to defeat establishment candidates both within the Republican and Democratic parties in order to attain the presidency; a sign of the way that populism has essentially become a phenomenon that covers a wide range of contexts that appeal to the populace.

The rise in inequality has created an environment within which populism has become more appealing. In the United States, for example, there have been concerns over a diversity of issues that are believed to have caused the inequality that has become prevalent in society. Among these are developments in the modern world such as automation, globalization, and the financial crisis, which have spawned a transformation of labor markets while at the same time creating an environment within which there is widespread economic insecurity and dislocation.[4] This has made it extremely difficult for individuals without higher education as well as those that have specialized in specific jobs that have become redundant to seek a solution in avenues other than what that are used to. Furthermore, it is important to note that these issues have eroded the trust that individuals had in the political system, with those on the losing side opting to seek out populist leaders and political parties that offer solutions based on the breaking of the status quo. An example of this is the trade protectionism and nationalism that has made Trump widely popular; especially among working class white Americans.

The rise of populism in the United States has come about because of both economic and cultural factors. Both of these factors are major causes of inequality in society based on the idea of disenfranchisement. A consequence of this scenario is that it has allowed for the rise of Donald Trump during a time when a considerable part of the population, specifically the conservatives, were seen to be on the losing side based on the left-leaning policies that have been implemented by governments in the decades prior to Trump’s winning the presidency.[5] The conservative base that leans towards Trump is made up of individuals who believe that their interests have long been thwarted by the liberal political establishment to such an extent that they have essentially been neglected. These individuals believe that there is the need to make sure that there is the reversal of policies that are considered harmful to them through the advancement of economic and cultural protectionism. This is the reason why Trump’s campaign stances on the economy as well as immigration were so appealing.

The role of economic insecurity among Americans cannot be underestimated when considering the appeal of authoritarian populism and the rise of Donald Trump. Trump’s populist ideas were aimed at appealing to those individuals in American society who felt that they had lost their economic security due to the policies of the political establishment.[6] The belief that it was the failure of the government to ensure that their jobs were protected against corporations that undertook offshoring as well as uncontrolled immigration that made wages cheaper, is one that has fed the populist base and one that populist leaders often take advantage of as a means of advancing their own agendas. President Trump was able to appeal to his political base because of the promises that he made concerning the need to radically change the government policies of the United States and to put American first and make America great. The significance of his pronouncements is that it appealed to the nostalgic aspect of his support base because they believed that he would take America back to the era when there was greater equality in society.

Economic inequality is a concept that can be directly associated with the rise of populism. The idea of economic inequality is one that has essentially created significant divisions in society. This is based on the manner through which the increase in the number of individuals that feel disenfranchised at both the economic and cultural levels have ended up in a scenario where they feel the need to regain the power that they once had.[7] The appeal of Trumpism is therefore one that was brought about because of the belief that it would lead to a return to prosperity among Americans. Most Americans who have lost their jobs because of the establishment of globalization and automation have come to believe that the only way to regain the economic prosperity that they enjoyed is through regaining their jobs. The latter can only be undertaken through a total overhaul of the political establishment, which is believed to serve the individual and corporate interests over those of society. Trump’s appeal in this case is therefore one that can be considered to have come about because of his stance on the reversal of offshoring as well as the creation of jobs at the domestic level.

Populism in the 21^st century can be considered to have come about because of the desire to seek out alternative solutions to those presented by the political establishment. The appeal of Trumpism in this case can be seen through the way that it offered an alternative to the stance taken by the American establishment concerning how to tackle the economic inequality that has become prevalent in society because of globalization and the development of new technologies that have made human participation in some jobs redundant.[8] Economic factors were the primary reason behind the shift of the conservative base towards Trump because he is an individual that advanced the views of the people who felt that they had been left behind by the political establishment as it undertook its liberal agenda. The closure of numerous factories within the manufacturing industry in the United States and their offshoring to other countries where production costs were lesser had left many Americans out of work and the risk of such events taking place had created economic insecurity. Therefore, Trump’s declaration that he would reverse this trend made him the more appealing candidate since he was the only one that sought to bring about a complete overhaul of the political establishment’s economic priorities.[9] In this way, the populist vote in the United States was shaped and it allowed Trump to not only win the presidency, but also become the most dominant force in the Republican Party.

The attempt to explain Trump’s 2016 electoral victory is one that is tied to the economic inequality that has plagued the United States with the advent of globalization. A significant number of individuals within the population, as stated above, ended up becoming losers to globalization while others reaped significantly from it. Moreover, a considerable part of the basic products used in the United States were no longer being produced domestically and instead, there was the creation of an environment within which China accounted for a large share of the imports that came into the United States.[10] Consequently, Trump’s appeal can be considered to be one that promoted the advancement of the interests of those who had lost from globalization, which allowed him to win even those states that were previously considered to be staunchly Democrat. The adverse shock that came from the imports from China made it possible for Trump to gain the sympathy of the working class Americans who believed that he was willing to take on the unequal trade balance with China while at the same time repatriating American jobs. Thus, not only was he appealing through the populist perspective, but also from the nationalist one as well. Therefore, without the negative impact of globalization through the creation of economic inequality in the United States, it would have been extremely difficult for the populist stance of Donald Trump to be given credence.

Trump’s rise to the presidency came about because of the economic insecurity of voters. This followed a trend that came about following the 2008 financial crisis that saw a large number of individuals in society facing economic insecurity for the first time in their lives.[11] In the aftermath, many of these individuals shifted their political views to the right, essentially blaming the liberal establishment as well as globalization for the problems that they were facing. As a consequence, the political shift to the right came about because of the desire to weaken some of the global or international institutions that were seen as having been responsible for the financial crisis and the significant losses that came about as a result. Thus, while the overall support for populist of modest, the effect of economic insecurity in voting patterns favoring them cannot be underestimated because populist leaders and parties will often end up receiving what can be termed as protest votes. These circumstances allowed for the rise of Trump and provided him with the leverage that he needed to take over the Republican Party as well as dominate it throughout his term in office. Moreover, his stance on economic issues greatly appealed to his support base to such an extent that it ensured that the support was maintained as he undertook policies that were quite controversial, including unilaterally pulling out of international trade agreements.

Another aspect of the economic causes for the election of Trump is those involving immigration. This is a most salient issue for voters and parties that promote populist ideas. For a number of decades in the United States, there was the belief that migrant workers from Mexico that came to the country would often work for less wages that local workers; resulting in a scenario where there was a preference for migrant labor.[12] A consequence of this scenario is that there is widespread belief among many conservatives in the nation that migrant labor, especially illegal migration, is one of the biggest causes of the economic insecurity that is being experienced by parts of the American population. Therefore, it is important to ensure that there is the prevention of illegal migration as a means of allowing for greater access of jobs for locals since it is the migrants that take away these job opportunities. Trump’s appeal in this case came from his tough stance on immigration and the policies that he proposed to ensure that illegal immigration was curbed while at the same time promoting policies that discouraged immigration to the United States altogether. The latter can be considered pertinent to understanding the widespread support that this individual gained once he was established as the clear frontrunner in the Republican primaries. Not only was he seen as a force for change, but the change that he advocated for went against the way that the political establishment had become used to handling things.

However, it is essential to also consider that the rise of the appeal of populism came about because of long term structural and social changes. These changes, such as an increase in access to higher education, ethnic diversity, as well as urbanization created an environment where progressive cultural shifts were inevitable.[13] While this may have been the case, a significant number of individuals in society, especially those who had held economic and social dominance for a long time, lost the privileges that they had once taken for granted as their right. This might explain the considerable resentment towards progressive values amid the displacement of the traditional social values that they hold dear. There is resentment, especially among the white working class, towards the political establishment and the social actors that made these changes possible, with the result being that there is hostility towards what are termed as foreign influences that come with globalization and create a demographic and cultural threat. Therefore, the appeal of Trump’s populism can be considered to have come about because of the stance that he took towards immigration and the social and economic changes that had taken place in society. The conservatives saw in him a champion to advance their cause in a political climate that was increasingly hostile towards them.

It is noteworthy that the discussion above considers rise of populism embodied by President Trump in the United States based on the significant inequality that has developed in the country due to the social and economic changes that have taken place as a result of globalization. This form of populism came about because of the economic insecurities that came from such incidents as the financial crisis, offshoring, and globalization in general that created an environment within which a part of the population felt that it had been left behind. A consequence is that there was a turn to populism as a means of making sure that their voices were heard by the political establishment that had long neglected their opinions and had instead undertaken the promotion of their own selfish interests.

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[1] Vlastimil Havlík, "Technocratic Populism and Political Illiberalism in Central Europe," Problems of Post-Communism 66, no. 6 (2019): 369.

[2] Benjamin De Cleen, "Populism and Nationalism," (Oxford University Press Oxford, 2017), 342.

[3] Tom Vine, "Brexit, Trumpism and Paradox: Epistemological Lessons for the Critical Consensus," Organization 27, no. 3 (2020): 467.

[4] Philip Stephens, "Populism Is the True Legacy of the Global Financial Crisis," Financial Times 30 (2018).

[5] Thomas Rudolph, "Populist Anger, Donald Trump, and the 2016 Election," Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties  (2019): 2.

[6] Robert C Rowland, "The Populist and Nationalist Roots of Trump's Rhetoric," Rhetoric and Public Affairs 22, no. 3 (2019): 344.

[7] Richard Nunan and Mark C Navin, "Introduction: Conceptualizing Populism, Democracy, and Truth," in Democracy, Populism, and Truth (Springer, 2020), 1.

[8] Donald Moynihan and Alasdair Roberts, "Dysfunction by Design: Trumpism as Administrative Doctrine," Public Administration Review 81, no. 1 (2021): 153.

[9] Eliot A Cohen, "America's Long Goodbye: The Real Crisis of the Trump Era," Foreign Aff. 98 (2019): 138.

[10] Tao Liu and Wing Thye Woo, "Understanding the Us-China Trade War," China Economic Journal 11, no. 3 (2018): 338.

[11] Yotam Margalit, "Economic Insecurity and the Causes of Populism, Reconsidered," Journal of Economic Perspectives 33, no. 4 (2019): 152.

[12] Garrett Graddy-Lovelace, "Us Farm Policy as Fraught Populism: Tracing the Scalar Tensions of Nationalist Agricultural Governance," Annals of the American Association of Geographers 109, no. 2 (2019): 404-05.

[13] Dani Rodrik, "Why Does Globalization Fuel Populism? Economics, Culture, and the Rise of Right-Wing Populism," (National Bureau of Economic Research, 2020), 5.

Dating violence

 

Dating violence is a situation where there is any sexual, psychological, or physical violent behavior perpetrated from one individual towards another in a dating relationship. The latter often come about when individuals are either in a current or former relationship and it creates a scenario where the individual involved is forced to endure this form of violence at the hands of their dating partner. A considerable number of individuals of both genders will often undergo this form of violence and despite this, very few cases are actually reported. However, among those that are reported, there are often reports of individual being slapped, physically hurt, or hit on purpose by their partners. In certain populations, there are higher proportions of individuals who are either perpetrators or victims of domestic violence (Sjödin et al., 2017). This is especially the case when it comes to the economic situation of the individuals involved, with those that are fairly well off tending to report fewer cases than those from the working class. Individuals with a history of exposure to violence will often end up being perpetrators and this creates a cycle that is quite difficult to break. It is therefore pertinent to consider the way that cases of dating violence are handled and the manner through which this problem can be prevented in a society that has become more diverse and therefore should have the facilities available to ensure that there is the promotion of mutual respect among individuals that are dating. This paper makes an analysis of dating violence and its ramifications from a legal perspective.

Definition

The way that individuals in society interact in their domestic environment, with their peers and other members of society contributes to whether or not there is an increase in their risk or protection against dating violence (Lewis & Fremouw, 2001). The latter comes about because of the way that individuals are brought up. When a person is brought up in a nurturing environment within which there are no incidents of violence, especially among their parents, it is likely that they will end up developing a positive sense of security that will be reflected in their dating life. Moreover, such a person is more likely than not to report incidents of domestic violence perpetrated against them than those who have been raised within and experienced violence in their lives. Additionally, it is essential to consider that those individuals that experience peer violence are at a higher risk of experiencing violence when in romantic relationships. Those individuals that victimize their romantic partners tend to be those that have grown up within violent environments to such an extent that they view their actions as a normal part of relationships. They do not recognize the fact that they are actually causing harm to their partners and should therefore desist from their actions. Dating violence has become prevalent from a very early stage in the lives of individuals, often beginning in their adolescence. Thus, when an adolescent experienced violence in one relationship, there is an extremely high risk factor that they are likely to experience similar forms of violence in another relationship. It is rare for individuals to seek help from formal sources such as legal professionals and this is a factor that has led to the increase in the perpetration of such violence.

Aspects of dating violence

Dating violence is not restricted to the physical, and can instead take place at emotional or psychological levels. There are instances where individuals will end up being forced into a scenario where they undergo forms of abuse that are aimed at harming their self-worth (Parker et al., 2017). Thus, a partner will often seek to ensure that they control the activities of the ones they are dating to such an extent that they not only force them to let go of those activities that they enjoy to undertake, but they also create an environment within which it is difficult for their partners to socialize effectively; essentially isolating themselves from their families or friends. A number of steps have been taken to ensure that there is the prevention of dating violence. However, the various approaches have not been effective because of the way that they fail to deal with the issue of dating violence in close relationships. It is noteworthy that there is the need for a revision to the aloof approach that has been adopted to tackle this problem through the promotion of means to ensure that there is a consideration of the potential ways that dating violence can take place and how they can be prevented from early on. Such incidents tend to begin when individuals are in their adolescence meaning that it is critical for there to be initiatives aimed at studying the way that peer contexts that among teens can lead to bad violent experienced when they are in close relationships. There have been efforts, within the justice system, aimed at the prevention of dating violence from this early stage as a means of making sure that the individuals involved do not end up becoming serial victims or perpetrators during their adult years.

Petitioners have the right to make a request to courts to ensure that their personal safety is promoted at all times. Furthermore, there is the need to make sure that the age of the petitioner is considered, because increasingly, teenagers are becoming victims of dating violence; a sign of the need to deal with the root causes of dating violence from an early age (Lemay Jr et al., 2019). It is essential to note that for those petitioners under the age of 18, there is the need for one of the parents to sign the petition on behalf of the individuals involved. It is also noteworthy that the parent of a minor has the authority to seek an injunction for the protection of their child against dating violence on behalf of the victim of this act. However, in order for this to be effective from a legal standpoint, the parent must have been an eyewitness or have affidavits of eyewitnesses or physical evidence that serves as the basis for the petition. The necessity of the latter comes about because of the desire by the law to only consider genuine cases, because there are instances where some petitions can be made for malicious purposes. While this may be the case, it is noteworthy that there is the need to note that dating violence is a real legal problem that has to be handled with the seriousness that it deserves. This is the reason why most courts and prosecutors will often seek to focus their attention on cases with prior records as a means of curbing the problem before it gets out of control. It is because of the latter that courts are increasingly coming up with innovative strategies aimed at promoting deterrence of dating violence.

Conclusion

Dating violence is a serious problem whose incidence has become more prevalent in recent years. This paper has made an analysis of dating violence and its ramifications from a legal perspective and the manner through which protections can be provided to victims through court injunctions. The discussion above has shown the way that dating violence takes place, including its signs and the manner through which it can cause serious problems for the victims, including physical and psychological harm that creates conditions for abuse in future relationships. It has shown the necessity of making sure that there is the promotion of effective measures aimed at providing the most basic of protections for victims and potential victims so that the incidents of dating violence can be reduced. Moreover, it is pertinent to consider that there are instances where the justice system has undertaken the establishment of creative measures aimed at bringing about the discouragement of dating violence among perpetrators. Therefore, the use of injunctions, in addition to other measures, has allowed for a level of prevention of dating violence from taking place. However, more studies are needed to determine whether the measures taken are effective in the long-term.