This thesis focuses on the potential of integrating the principles of Ubuntism into Good Governance techniques in order to re-legitimise democracy in South Africa. With the plea for unity and...Show moreThis thesis focuses on the potential of integrating the principles of Ubuntism into Good Governance techniques in order to re-legitimise democracy in South Africa. With the plea for unity and national reconciliation prompted by Nelson Mandela, the country now faces several challenges in preserving its democratic institutions amid rising authoritarianism in the region. This thesis utilises a normative comparative analysis of the UN Good Governance framework, and argues for the integration of the values inherent in Ubuntism, to propose a governance model that is more representative, inclusive, and effective. Further, through the use of value theory this thesis examines case studies exhibited by the UN Good Governance framework, in order to argue that values such as survival, compassion, and respect can combat corruption and state capture, ultimately enhancing the legitimacy of South Africa's present day democracy. This thesis acknowledges the limitations of its argument most notably: the narrow scope of strategies analysed and the absence of empirical research. However, it further calls for a more in- depth and extensive exploration of Ubuntism’s impact on governance. With the upcoming 2024 national elections in South Africa, this research highlights how imperative it is for structural changes in governance in order to prevent the erosion of its democratic principles. The integration of Ubuntism into governance ultimately offers a promising approach to addressing governance failures and fostering a more interconnected and accountable government within the country that inherently contributes to the broader fight against authoritarianism in Africa.Show less
Based on the comparison of Hungary and Poland during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, this study determines that the party ideology of the ruling party does not have a significant impact on...Show moreBased on the comparison of Hungary and Poland during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, this study determines that the party ideology of the ruling party does not have a significant impact on financial crisis response. Based on results derived from the National Bank and IMF reports of both countries in 2008 and 2009. Despite having ideologically different parties in power the government responses are not particularly divergent. I demonstrate that any particular response to a crisis is impacted by several factors both internal and external. In Hungary the social democratically oriented government was pushed to abandon ideology in favour of dominant economic neoliberalism. While Poland stayed the course but also deviated from ideology slightly. Thereby demonstrating that ideology becomes secondary in times of financial difficulty, particularly when international institutions are involved.Show less
This thesis investigates the political effect of the United States’ African Growth and Opportunity Act, a non-reciprocal trade agreement granting eligible Sub-Saharan African states tariff free...Show moreThis thesis investigates the political effect of the United States’ African Growth and Opportunity Act, a non-reciprocal trade agreement granting eligible Sub-Saharan African states tariff free access to the US-American market. In both the scholarly literature and real-world politics, the threat of AGOA suspension seems to spook African leaders. The exclusion mechanism is highly exploitable and political compliance therefore important to stay included in the agreement. The economic impact of AGOA is however highly limited. This thesis tackles the puzzle of why an agreement with no major economic impact leads to political compliance to the US by its member states. My argument is the limitation of AGOA’s utilization to a capacity-abundant elite, which can afford to overcome the utilization barriers (high transportation costs, permits, etc.) and earn the agreements benefits. Following the elite theory, this benefitting elite is then able to influence its government to comply with US policies, in order for AGOA benefits to retain.Show less
Indigenous people possess valuable knowledge of land management due to their traditional nature- based lifestyle. Furthermore, land often has spiritual, political, and cultural value to indigenous...Show moreIndigenous people possess valuable knowledge of land management due to their traditional nature- based lifestyle. Furthermore, land often has spiritual, political, and cultural value to indigenous people, incentivizing them to sustainably manage the land and its natural resources. It has therefore been argued that effective protection of the rights of indigenous peoples may advance sustainability outcomes. With a case study of New Zealand, this thesis examines the causal mechanisms through which the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples may enhance the promotion of sustainable land resource management. Consequently, this thesis aims to contribute to the ongoing debates on how to achieve environmentally sustainable development models, especially in industrialized countries.Show less
In light of intensifying climate change, cities face the task of adapting to climate change impacts and mitigating climate change, as more than half of the world’s population live in urban areas....Show moreIn light of intensifying climate change, cities face the task of adapting to climate change impacts and mitigating climate change, as more than half of the world’s population live in urban areas. Drafting climate resilience strategies, it is important to consider environmental justice to ensure that no one is left behind, and all citizens have the equal right and possibility to live in a just and sustainable way. So far, research has barely considered the difference of how and whether cities in the Global North advance urban environmental justice, compared to the Global South. This global comparison is important as it enables mutual learning from cities that face the task of adapting to climate change impacts worldwide. This comparative research focuses on Jakarta in the Global South and Miami in the Global North, seeking to investigate how urban environmental justice is advanced in their climate resilience strategies. Findings show that Miami’s strategies pay significantly more attention to recognitional justice. On the other two justice dimensions - procedural and distributive justice - smaller differences were found. All in all, it can be said that Miami’s strategies include more detailed and comprehensive accounts of environmental justice. These findings can be partly attributed to the unique characteristics of both cities, which is why it is difficult to generalize from these two cases to differences in regard to Global North/South. Further research should look at more cases to be able to make a clearer statement about the differences of Global North/ Global South differentiation. Additionally, it could be investigated to what extent these climate resilience strategies are backed with action.Show less
The energy sector’s role in addressing climate change is undeniable. Accounting for over 73.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, the transition will require the engagement of all...Show moreThe energy sector’s role in addressing climate change is undeniable. Accounting for over 73.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, the transition will require the engagement of all stakeholders, from citizens to industry leaders. Trade-offs in terms of sustainable development, energy equity and energy security have led to increased calls for the grounding of policy in principles of justice to ensure a societally benefitial transition for all. However, the issue is complexified by the notion that reduced inequalities with regards to one principle of justice can aggreative inequalities within other justice principles. Thus, there is a need to evaluate energy transition policy from a comprehensive justice perspective. This study conducts qualitiative content analysis of Swedish national energy policies and climate action plans in the time period 2018-2024 from a comprehensive energy justice lens. It furthers the literature on energy justice by investigating to what extent Swedish national energy transition policy advances comprehensive energy justice. Building on pervious research the comprehensive energy justice framework encompasses principles of procedural justice, distributional justice, recognition justice and restorative justice. Contrary to the theoretical expectation, the findings show that comprehensive energy justice has not been advanced in the investigated time period.Show less
