The thesis mainly provides insights into the Japanese government's denial of meeting the demands of the surviving comfort women. It deals with far-right arguments and how they are formed through...Show moreThe thesis mainly provides insights into the Japanese government's denial of meeting the demands of the surviving comfort women. It deals with far-right arguments and how they are formed through national memory and other institutional tools such as Particular Event Narratives.Show less
This research evaluates the framing of Nazi Germany in Turkish newspapers, Cumhuriyet and Tan, from 1939 to 1945. The articles from the historical newspaper archives were collected from a database...Show moreThis research evaluates the framing of Nazi Germany in Turkish newspapers, Cumhuriyet and Tan, from 1939 to 1945. The articles from the historical newspaper archives were collected from a database and a website which was then analyzed with Pan and Kosicki’s four categories for determining frames. There were two main reasons for choosing Cumhuriyet and Tan: because they were the two of the most published newspapers during the Second World War and second was that a clear distinction was identified between the two. By using a qualitative analysis method, the study investigates how these media outlets view Nazi Germany within the broader themes of Turkish neutrality, German propaganda, and the Rise and Fall of the Second World War-era Germany. It was found that Cumhuriyet maintained a generally positive attitude towards Nazi Germany while occasionally expressing criticism which is characterized by a measured and balanced approach. In contrast, Tan's framing was marked by a consistent and unyielding critique of the Nazi nation approaching it with a negative approach. The findings aim to contribute to the broader discussion on the role of media framing in shaping perceptions, particularly the Turks.Show less
The use of female combatants in terrorist organisations that are ideologically patriarchal and misogynistic is paradoxical by definition. The conception of an organisation such as the Islamic State...Show moreThe use of female combatants in terrorist organisations that are ideologically patriarchal and misogynistic is paradoxical by definition. The conception of an organisation such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), who defines much of their ideology on the subordination of women, allowing these women to hold frontline positions, in some ways be the face of the organisation, is puzzling in nature and shows the contradiction that the organisation purports. This thesis explores ISIS' transition to utilising female combatants and the reconciliation of their ideology with this action.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
With the advent of Quantum Field Theory, scientists increasingly believe that the best achievable scientific theories remain effective. Given the limited experimental situations we can probe, a...Show moreWith the advent of Quantum Field Theory, scientists increasingly believe that the best achievable scientific theories remain effective. Given the limited experimental situations we can probe, a scientific theory of the world appears to be underdetermined concerning fundamental entities. Effective Field Theories are however strong, successful frameworks for describing results, which should warrant a realist commitment to the entities they posit. Porter Williams’ recent paper argues for effective realism and inspires an important question: should effective entities at all scales be equally real? I will argue against this, saying that a gradient of realness is necessary, granting increasing realness to more fundamental entities, because they can explain more experimental results. I will further problematize Williams’ account by drawing on Quine’s philosophy, the chariot argument from Indian-Buddhist philosophy, and a recent critique by Laura Ruetsche. Then, I will build an effective realism inspired by Quinean naturalist ideas, picturing science as a linguistic attempt to describe the world. Using one innovation I hope to re-introduce entity-ontic realism into Quine’s account: the relation between scientist and nature is seen as communicative, such that the scientist is like a translator of natural language. Given some assumptions, this focus on the translation rather than on the interpretation of the natural world should make it easier to have epistemic optimism about effective entities, as the problem of epistemic optimism is likened to the indeterminacy of translation. Since realness is seen as a communicative rapport between nature and scientists, realness reflects an intersubjective rather than an objective truth, which allows for effective theories to be objectively false or only approximately true and yet real. Lastly, this communicative account vindicates the existential position of the scientist as engaged in a profound pursuit to understand the world around her.Show less
This thesis will evaluate cycling policies implemented by the City of San Francisco. It will provide insight into the question: “How does the City of San Francisco encourage its citizens to cycle?”...Show moreThis thesis will evaluate cycling policies implemented by the City of San Francisco. It will provide insight into the question: “How does the City of San Francisco encourage its citizens to cycle?”. The research method employed is a critical analysis of policy documents and complementary documentation, involving information on the websites of local governments, online newspaper articles and blogs about cycling policies in San Francisco. Moreover, the topic will be placed in a broader context: a literature review on successful European models will be conducted to identify best practices that can be incorporated in San Francisco’s bicycling strategy to further encourage cycling. Possible obstacles that may hinder the application of European models will also be discussed briefly. Currently, San Francisco is mainly focusing on the provision of cycling infrastructure, but neglects the importance of a multi-faceted approach including measures that reduce the attractiveness of car usage, as implemented in successful European models.Show less
This thesis discusses the question as to how Yoshiwara was envisioned as a virtual place of escape in prints of the Edo-period (1603-1867). This is done through visual analysis of woodblock prints...Show moreThis thesis discusses the question as to how Yoshiwara was envisioned as a virtual place of escape in prints of the Edo-period (1603-1867). This is done through visual analysis of woodblock prints as primary sources, and information and arguments of academic literature as secondary sources. Overwhelmed by the strict Tokugawa society and the many calamities ravaging the city, the people of Edo could find a place of escape in the concept of the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters depicted in print. The practice of gayū (travelling whilst laying down) and the concepts of tsū (refinement) and iki (an urban aesthetic), are essential to this understanding.Show less
