Initial Moluccan migrants and (grand)children of around 50 years and older in the Netherlands (A-group) have undergone the hegemony of Dutch standard language ideology through language policy along...Show moreInitial Moluccan migrants and (grand)children of around 50 years and older in the Netherlands (A-group) have undergone the hegemony of Dutch standard language ideology through language policy along with the influence of the Alifuru concept trough RMS-ideology that promotes a ‘one language, one people’ policy, resembling Moluccan Malay standard language ideology. This group has undergone two heavily competing language ideologies at the height of tensions between the Moluccan diaspora and Dutch state during the 60’s and 70’s. The unexpected consequences of these language ideologies may influence the strength of language attitudes, language decisions and intergenerational transmission. Furthermore, these may express themselves in the concepts of authority, authenticity, ownership and language concealment. Consequently, the strong influence of these ideologies in the so-called A-group, may lead to tensions between speakers. One questions to what extent age plays a role in language attitudes pertaining to standard language ideology and what role authenticity, ownership, authority and concealment play with regards to language attitudes of Moluccan Malay standard language ideology. What’s more, this leads us to the overall research question that questions to what extent the Moluccan diaspora’s members currently express agreement with standard language ideology.Show less
Popular religious beliefs hold an ambiguous position in China. 2009 marked the first time China nominated intangible heritage practices to UNESCO, and three practices of these initial nominations...Show morePopular religious beliefs hold an ambiguous position in China. 2009 marked the first time China nominated intangible heritage practices to UNESCO, and three practices of these initial nominations contained elements of popular religious beliefs. As previous research has shown that heritage serves to aid Chinese interests domestically and internationally in heritage strategies, this study considers the international image China presents of these three practices. Close reading of Dragon Boat festival, Mazu belief and customs and the Qiang New Year festival UNESCO nomination files reveals a strategic Chinese governmental desire of directly managing and altering folk practices on national and international levels.Show less
This study compares two novels, Oeroeg by Hella Haasse and Bumi Manusia by Pramoedya Ananta Toer. It focuses on two books that feature the same scene: the historical phenomenon of Dutch Colonialism...Show moreThis study compares two novels, Oeroeg by Hella Haasse and Bumi Manusia by Pramoedya Ananta Toer. It focuses on two books that feature the same scene: the historical phenomenon of Dutch Colonialism in the Dutch East Indies. This thesis examines how two novelists present their perspectives on colonialism in the Dutch East Indies and the initial stages of Indonesia's struggle for independence. While dealing with the same topic, the two novels present differing perspectives on the subject matter. The aim is to adopt a neutral stance by selecting two authors representing opposing perspectives on colonialism in the Dutch East Indies. Haasse represents the colonizer (the Dutch), while Pramoedya represents the native Indonesian. This comparative study identifies motifs common to both novels and illustrates the impact of colonialism on the characters and their actions. This analysis engages with the interrelationship between literature and colonialism. The authors' background is also examined to understand how it shapes both the writers' stances and the creative process. Furthermore, this thesis investigates how the socio-cultural conditions portrayed in both novels manifest in racial differentiation, the colonial education system, and identity issues. In the discussion, the disparate positions of the two novelists are revealed. Haasse, a second- generation individual born in the Dutch East Indies, does not experience any sense of guilt regarding the events that transpired. Conversely, she believes she lost her homeland. On the other hand, Pramoedya experienced firsthand the cruelty and injustice during that period. Through Minke, he perceived the positive value of Western modernity. However, the discrepancy in status in court and social life did not align with his perspective. Ultimately, colonialism can be observed as a coin with two sides. Heads and tails provide different perspectives but remain intertwined with each other.Show less
This thesis aims to gain a broader understanding of Xi Jinping’s nationalist narrative since the start of his rule as Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader by drawing an under researched comparison...Show moreThis thesis aims to gain a broader understanding of Xi Jinping’s nationalist narrative since the start of his rule as Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader by drawing an under researched comparison with Chiang Kai-shek. To attempt this, it executes a comparative discourse analysis of two speeches per leader on the socialist core values of individual development, ethnic unity and national prosperity occurring. The question to guide the research is as follows: To understand Xi Jinping’s current rise in nationalist rhetoric in socialist core values since he came to power in 2013, how does this compare with Chiang Kai-shek’s political language during his nationalist ruling period in the 1930-40’s? Since the academic debate focusses at CCP leadership starting from Deng Xiaoping as including nationalism into socialist narrative and policy, the Republic of China (ROC) period is often forgotten in academic research, this thesis aims to find out if the temporal space of Chinese nationalism can be broadened and the research gap can be narrowed. It concludes that similarities can be seen, and Chiang Kai-shek also used the narrative of the socialist core values by Xi Jinping in his speeches, but in his own historical context of wartime. Chiang Kai-Shek’s ‘Self’ as the Chinese people must be morally educated to be one nation and develop Chinese society, with the ‘Other’ as aggressor, whilst Xi Jinping views the ‘Self’ morally superior to the ‘Other’, however still affirming this narrative to achieve China’s full economic potential. Due to the limitations in the design of this thesis, further research on the topic must be conducted to further fill in the research gap in the context of a constantly developing society.Show less
This thesis investigates how North Korea’s military provocations impact regional stability, through a case study approach using a thematic coding analysis. This research used two case studies,...Show moreThis thesis investigates how North Korea’s military provocations impact regional stability, through a case study approach using a thematic coding analysis. This research used two case studies, these being the DPRK’s first solid-fuel ICBM and its launch of a reconnaissance satellite. This thesis has explored different aspects of these case studies, such as the implications of the actual events, their perceived capabilities, and an assessment of North Korea’s possible motives for pursuing them. Furthermore, this thesis has highlighted different foreign policy responses by the US, ROK, and Japan to these case studies and their impact on regional stability. These analyses have led to the following conclusion: the solid-fuel ICBM tests and reconnaissance satellite have directly contributed to increasing instability in the region due to foreign policy responses by the US and its allies. However, it is implausible that this was because of the perceived threat these case studies would pose through their capabilities. Instead, it is more likely that they invoked these policy responses by being a continuation of North Korean provocations and possibly embody concerns with regards to Russian-North Korean relations.Show less
This research is concerned with the dynamics of infrastructure investments between China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Japan’s Partnership for Quality Infrastructure (PQI). It explores the...Show moreThis research is concerned with the dynamics of infrastructure investments between China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Japan’s Partnership for Quality Infrastructure (PQI). It explores the past and present political and economic relationship between the two countries, how both initiatives came into being, and contextualizes them within the contentious political relations between the two countries. Where most literature on the topic adopts a zero-sum confrontational approach, this research uses a comparative case study analysis and explores the overlapping strategies, seeking whether competition or cooperation is present in Japanese and Chinese infrastructure investments. As the BRI has received more attention in recent years, the primary focus of this research is thus on Japan’s PQI. Furthermore, it answers the question if cooperation is viable, depending on either party’s interests. The cases discussed are primary regions in the formulations of both the BRI and PQI and include Pakistan, the Greater Mekong subregion, and Kenya. Based on the findings of this research it concludes that cooperative outcomes are possible through the initiatives’ complementarity and by making use of both country’s comparative advantages in the recipient countries. Comparative advantages mainly present themselves by China’s large-scale, risky, and high investments vis-à-vis Japan’s technical knowledge and cost-benefit assessments. Competition is in turn rarely evident, but the potential for aligning the two initiatives remains untapped.Show less
My thesis focuses on a specific Dehua porcelain Guanyin statue in the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A 19-1886), a mother-like Guanyin holding a boy-like child in her arms with Buddhist symbols...Show moreMy thesis focuses on a specific Dehua porcelain Guanyin statue in the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A 19-1886), a mother-like Guanyin holding a boy-like child in her arms with Buddhist symbols around them. This statue and its variations flooded into Europe in the eighteenth century, arousing discussions about the iconography of Child-giving Guanyin. Their popularity in Europe has been generally attributed to the resemblance to Madonna and Child. This thesis disagrees with the conventional interpretation, and explores Buddhist images in the context of transcultural objects from the 15th to the 18th century. This approach highlights the interactions between material change, religious representations and transcultural objects. Porcelain Guanyin statues worked as mediators between the deity and worshippers. V&A 19-1886 depicts Guanyin of the South Sea holding a child, which represents compassion and nurturing. Such Buddhist images emerged in the late Ming, when the cult of Guanyin underwent popularization and secularization, and attracted a universal appeal in the transcultural context. Instead of reducing the Child-giving Guanyin porcelain statues to mere visual parallels with Madonna and Child, this analysis underscores the significance of contextual shifts in transforming religious objects across diverse cultural landscapes, and enriches our understanding of the dynamic process.Show less
