In the contemporary age, e-governance as an approach to urban politics aims at strengthening the connectivity amongst various stakeholders. Avenues for discourse between governments and the public...Show moreIn the contemporary age, e-governance as an approach to urban politics aims at strengthening the connectivity amongst various stakeholders. Avenues for discourse between governments and the public are provided through digital platforms. This is done with the intent of establishing a citizen-centric environment. In South Korea, succeeding democratization in the late 1970s and 1980s, citizens as integral to public administration came to the forefront in contemporary urban life. Seoul and Incheon represent two major smart cities, for which digital technologies are the foundation. In South Korea, swift developments in e-governance have consequently resulted in a research gap. To challenge this, the study considers the primary digital government platforms of Seoul and Incheon. Through a content analysis, the effectiveness of the platforms in building social capital and citizen-centricity is deduced. Then, the outcome is interpreted through a revised ladder of citizen participation. The results signify various opportunities and flaws in its e-governance. In Seoul, connectivity as a means of boosting civic empowerment is addressed effectively. Still, citizens are limited in the co-creation process of daily urban policies. In Incheon, basic elements of open data and communication are addressed. Yet, consequences of citizen’s input remain largely unaddressed. South Korean policy makers may therefore take note of these repercussions to establish a more effective and efficient digital platform apparatus.Show less
The Eurozone crisis is an example of how democratic regimes can be threatened under emergencies, and it revealed two contributing phenomena – the state of exception and technocracy. This thesis...Show moreThe Eurozone crisis is an example of how democratic regimes can be threatened under emergencies, and it revealed two contributing phenomena – the state of exception and technocracy. This thesis aims to understand the link between the two in the context of emergency politics, through the paradox of politics. This paradox, which can be traced back to Rousseau, brings to light an aporia in democratic politics, where we need good citizens to make good laws and good laws to make good citizens. This thesis starts by analysing each phenomenon individually and the way they threaten democracy. It then interprets them through the paradox of politics as arrangements meant to resolve that paradox, but infringing upon the ideal of democracy it subscribes to (inspired by the analysis of political theorist Bonnie Honig). Finally, it analyses the link between them and the potentials for the democratization of emergency politics. The main conclusions are 1) in emergency politics, technocracy and exception display a link of mutual reinforcement that infringes upon democratic politics (empirically and conceptually), and 2) the democratization of emergency politics requires not only a deexceptionalization of emergency (as suggested by Honig), but also a process of detechnocratization of democracy.Show less
This research investigates the increasing importance of the Kazakh language in Kazakhstan, a process referred to as Kazakhization, and its implications for employment opportunities and economic...Show moreThis research investigates the increasing importance of the Kazakh language in Kazakhstan, a process referred to as Kazakhization, and its implications for employment opportunities and economic outcomes. The study highlights several key factors contributing to this linguistic shift, including governmental language policies, educational reforms, and the rising bilingual requirements in the job market. Concurrently, the study highlights that demographic shifts, particularly the decreasing proportion of ethnic Russians and the increasing share of ethnic Kazakhs, further bolster the use of Kazakh. Contrary to earlier findings that suggested a significant income gap between Russian and Kazakh speakers caused by language proficiency in Russian, this research demonstrates that income disparities are more influenced by demographic and socio-economic factors such as age and regional economic conditions rather than linguistic factors.Show less
De opkomst van YouTube-sterren brengt nieuwe manieren om je te verontschuldigen met zich mee. Deze verontschuldigingen worden aangeboden binnen het zogenaamde actietype YouTuber apology. In deze...Show moreDe opkomst van YouTube-sterren brengt nieuwe manieren om je te verontschuldigen met zich mee. Deze verontschuldigingen worden aangeboden binnen het zogenaamde actietype YouTuber apology. In deze scriptie wordt onderzocht welke strategische manoeuvres worden ingezet in YouTuber apologies om tot een verzoening te komen tussen de beledigers en beledigden. Daarnaast wordt er ook gepoogd antwoord te vinden op de vragen “Hoe is het mogelijk dat de naam van een actietype niet strookt met de daadwerkelijke inhoud?” en “Wat zijn dan wel de voorwaarden voor het actietype YouTuber apology?” Om deze antwoorden te vinden, wordt er een corpusonderzoek gedaan op basis van checklists die zijn opgesteld aan de hand van de theorieën beschreven in hoofdstuk 2. Als eerste wordt er een volledige uiteenzetting van het actietype YouTuber apology gegeven, om daarna, aan de hand van deze uiteenzetting, de strategische manoeuvres die gebruikt worden in de YouTuber apologies te duiden. Al met al worden er twee strategische manoeuvres consequent gebruikt in de YouTuber apologies, namelijk het inspelen op de vriendschapsband met het publiek en het opwekken van medelijden door afbreuk aan het zelfbeeld. Deze strategische manoeuvres zijn beide van de categorie “aanpassing aan het publiek” en spelen specifiek in op de band die YouTubers hebben met hun fans. Het is dus meer van belang dat ze verantwoording afleggen aan hun fans, dan dat ze hun verontschuldiging aanbieden aan de originele beledigden. Daarnaast is het zo dat een actietype een naam krijgt van het publiek en niet van onderzoekers. Hierdoor is het mogelijk dat de naam van een actietype niet strookt met de inhoud ervan. Het is van belang om in het achterhoofd te houden dat een actietype niet gelijk is aan een taalhandeling. Wanneer een onderzoeker de randvoorwaarden van een actietype onderzoekt, is het dus aan hen om cultureel bepaalde randvoorwaarden te omarmen en niet om ze uit te sluiten.Show less
The present thesis takes on the topic of how polarity focus works in the Catalan language. It focuses on the sequences formed by a polarity element sí “yes” or no “no”, combined with que to...Show moreThe present thesis takes on the topic of how polarity focus works in the Catalan language. It focuses on the sequences formed by a polarity element sí “yes” or no “no”, combined with que to introduce a clause, forming sí que, sí que no and no que no sentences. These sequences have been studied in the literature individually, but not a lot has been said in terms of comparison. Thus, the aim of this thesis is to compare and analyze the sentences introduced by these sequences, as well as their distribution based on their triggers and the context they appear in. The account given indicates various findings. Firstly, sí/no + que sequences can introduce answers to polarity questions, as well as respond to a previous utterance indicating polarity emphasis. Moreover, they can also be used in contrastive settings. However, the three sequences cannot always appear in the same contexts unrestrictedly. Case and point, it is argued that sí que no and no que no are not interchangeable, despite both of them seemingly denoting negative polarity emphasis.Show less
This thesis explores the framing of the burqa ban in the Dutch media over the past decade, focusing on the divergence between left-wing (Volkskrant) and right-wing (Telegraaf) newspapers, potential...Show moreThis thesis explores the framing of the burqa ban in the Dutch media over the past decade, focusing on the divergence between left-wing (Volkskrant) and right-wing (Telegraaf) newspapers, potential polarizing frames, and the shifts in media narratives pre and post-implementation of the ban. The analysis is guided by framing theory, which shows the dominant frames visible in the newspapers and explores the dynamic interplay between media, public opinion, and politics. A framework of five frames, guided by Semetko and Valkenburg’s frames, has been constructed for this research. These are the Moral, Political, Societal Impact, Policy Conflict, and Security frames. The Volkskrant is characterized as progressive and socially oriented. The dominant frame between 2012 and 2022 has been the Societal Impact frame, emphasizing the ban’s consequences for society. In contrast, the Telegraaf, known for its activist and critical stance, used the Political Conflict frame the most often, focusing on discussions around implementing the ban. Contrary to expectations, the study has not identified a polarizing trend over time in the analysis. Moreover, it was concluded that the newspapers are growing convergent with their opinions concerning the burqa ban. When looking at the impact the implementation of the burqa ban has had on the dominant frames, a shift is visible post-implementation. Both newspapers have increased the use of the Societal Impact frame, increasing attention to the law’s implications. Looking forward, this thesis suggests additional research, including an exploration of the beginning of the debate in 2005, the recent victory of Wilders’ PVV, and other newspapers.Show less
In de afgelopen jaren is er steeds meer aandacht voor verschillende vormen van diversiteit binnen de jeugdliteratuur, zoals gender, seksuele, etnische en culturele diversiteit. In dat rijtje...Show moreIn de afgelopen jaren is er steeds meer aandacht voor verschillende vormen van diversiteit binnen de jeugdliteratuur, zoals gender, seksuele, etnische en culturele diversiteit. In dat rijtje ontbreekt neurodivergentie; aandacht voor groepen van wie het brein anders werkt. Hoewel daarbij meestal wordt gedacht aan ASS of ADHD, valt ook hoogbegaafdheid onder deze noemer. Daarom staat in deze scriptie de representatie van hoogbegaafdheid in recente jeugdliteratuur centraal. Aan de hand van een brede definitie van hoogbegaafdheid, waarin intellectuele en creatief-productieve vaardigheden gecombineerd worden met ondersteuning uit de sociale omgeving, analyseer ik zes jeugdboeken. Daarbij heb ik oog voor de werking tussen gender en intelligentie. Uit mijn onderzoek is gebleken dat deze zes boeken een beeld van een succesvolle hoogbegaafde neerzetten. De protagonisten zijn bijna zonder uitzondering sterk intrinsiek gemotiveerd en hebben weinig last van perfectionisme of faalangst. Daarnaast komt de combinatie van uitzonderlijk talent op het gebied van muziek, wiskunde en taal meermaals voor. Dit roept het beeld op dat hoogbegaafden op alle terreinen uitblinken. De onderzochte boeken schenken minder aandacht aan creatief-productieve capaciteiten. De hoogbegaafde protagonisten passen op sociaal gebied in twee narratieven. Het eerste narratief veronderstelt de protagonist als een autonome Einzelgänger, die weinig vriendschappen heeft en daar ook niet actief naar op zoek is. In het tweede narratief heeft de protagonist meer vrienden, maar wordt tegelijkertijd ook gepest. De vrouwelijke protagonisten passen niet binnen de perceptie van vrouwelijke hoogbegaafdheid die Reis (2005) presenteert, waarbij vrouwelijke hoogbegaafden meer twijfelen aan hun toekomst en minder succes behalen. Het (accuraat) weergeven van neurodivergentie in jeugdliteratuur draagt bij aan zelfherkenning voor hoogbegaafde kinderen en erkenning door hun sociale omgeving. Met deze masterscriptie hoop ik de urgentie van de representatie van neurodivergentie in jeugdliteratuur te benadrukken.Show less
The present study challenges the image of pessimism associated with modernist poetry. By exploring the poetry of T. S. Eliot, W. B. Yeats, and Ezra Pound using Ernst Bloch’s principle of hope, it...Show moreThe present study challenges the image of pessimism associated with modernist poetry. By exploring the poetry of T. S. Eliot, W. B. Yeats, and Ezra Pound using Ernst Bloch’s principle of hope, it becomes apparent how, for all three poets as well as for Bloch, language is bestowed with a foundational faith. Hope manifests itself in a desire to overcome the waste land’s teleological void in Eliot, to come to terms with the totalitarian inescapability of death in Yeats, and, in Pound, to articulate absolute essence.Show less
This thesis delves into the captivating world of Dutch genre prints from the 16th and 17th centuries, focusing on the communicative meaning of eye contact made by the depicted figures with the...Show moreThis thesis delves into the captivating world of Dutch genre prints from the 16th and 17th centuries, focusing on the communicative meaning of eye contact made by the depicted figures with the contemporary viewer. Through several case studies, divided into the categories: “stereotypes”, “companies” and “couples”, it investigates how eye contact is used to capture attention, deliver commentary and prompt the contemporary beholder to reflection. The meaning behind the returned gaze aligns with the dual role of genre prints as sources of entertainment and moral instruction. This study affirms that “eyes speak”: conveying emotions and the complexities of 16th and 17th-century society. The conclusion highlights the need for further research on the gaze in different media.Show less
