Madhuvanthi Rajkumar, Researcher

COP27 was a much-awaited climate summit as vulnerable developing countries and low-and middle-income countries were expecting definitive action to be taken in light of the growing visible impacts of climate change. Up until this year, COPs had a reputation of unkept promises and ambitions. But after the devastating impacts of climate change in the form of extreme weather events, the planet was awaiting real action by world leaders. COP27 was nicknamed the ‘implementation COP’ since the promises and expectations of yesteryear’s COPs were pending action.

‘Pop culture’  otherwise known as popular culture refers to the mainstream cultural elements of people’s lives at a given point in time. It is  often driven by the West and  can include any popular and ‘in vogue’ music, fashion, art, television and movies, food habits, physical wellness and even relationships. Pop culture can also be called consumer culture since it reflects people’s and society’s lifestyle choices as a consumer and is often associated with trends of mass consumption.

Social contract theory suggests that people enter into an unwritten contract with the ruler (government) to be protected and served with the basic necessities of life in exchange for which the peoples acknowledge and recognize the legitimacy of the ruler’s sovereign authority. Be it a monarchy, democracy, or any other form of government, the most fundamental duty of the State is to fulfil its people’s basic needs  to lead a life with dignity and protect them against injustice.