This study investigates how political activism evolves and changes from the homeland to the diasporic setting through an analysis of the case of Egypt. Drawing from interviews with four Egyptian...Show moreThis study investigates how political activism evolves and changes from the homeland to the diasporic setting through an analysis of the case of Egypt. Drawing from interviews with four Egyptian activists now residing in Europe, the research highlights how, fleeing repression under an authoritarian regime, Egyptian activists continue to engage in activism and politics in the host countries. In this sense, different forms of activism are explored: human rights, online, grassroots and journalistic activism. The findings reveal that activists tend to shift from a mostly domestic to an international focus, using the opportunities and the freedom they experience abroad as a tool to engage in broader human rights issues. Egyptian activists are inserted into transnational networks and foster diasporic connections with other exiled activists. These influence the forms, goals and perception of their activism, as they facilitate collective actions that exceed state borders, especially around causes such as Palestine. Due to the limited scope and sensitive nature of the research, a small number of interviews have been conducted. However, the paper is able to provide relevant insights into the reality of exile and into different forms of engagement of political activism in the diaspora. The paper thus contributes to the academic debate on the political potentials of diaspora, calling for further research on exilic activism, particularly in contexts of repressive regimes.Show less
This thesis revolves around the representation of exile in Chinese exile literature, specifically the fiction of Ma Jian: how is exile represented in Ma Jian’s fiction? The aim of the project is to...Show moreThis thesis revolves around the representation of exile in Chinese exile literature, specifically the fiction of Ma Jian: how is exile represented in Ma Jian’s fiction? The aim of the project is to primarily shed a light on the ‘personal’ engagement of exile by Ma Jian, as exile is neither a mechanical nor a predictable affair, as it crucially involves individual choices and strategies by the author in question. Secondly, to show the importance and significance exile still has nowadays, as characterized and interrelated with the given socio-political, economic, and cultural context.Show less
In 1940, Tenzin Gyatso was enthroned as the 14th Dalai Lama in Tibet. During that time, Tibet was still a quiet area without any Chinese influences. Tenzin was 5 years old back then, but was...Show moreIn 1940, Tenzin Gyatso was enthroned as the 14th Dalai Lama in Tibet. During that time, Tibet was still a quiet area without any Chinese influences. Tenzin was 5 years old back then, but was treated with respect. The Dalai Lama is considered the highest authority, the spiritual and political leader by the Tibetans. A regent took over the governing tasks until the Dalai Lama was 18 years old. Meanwhile, in neighbouring China, something happened that drastically changed the calm situation in Tibet. In 1949, Mao Zedong comes to power in China and the Chinese republic’s days are numbered. Mao founds the People’s Republic of China on the first of October that year and China becomes a communist state; a state in which people are ‘raised’ to think and live according to communist manners. In the political field there is only one party possessing all power. Mao organizes the Chinese People’s Liberation Army - known as ‘the Red Army’. The Red Army enters Tibet in October 1950 and does not fear the Tibetan army’s resistance, as it is much smaller and poorly armed. The government of Tibet gives all the power to the Dalai Lama, who is 15 years old at that time. China decides that Tibet is an integral part of China now and gives the Dalai Lama a position in the Chinese government, in which he has little to nothing to say. This is considered the start of the Chinese oppression. During the Tibetan New Year in 1959, riots break out and the Tibetans massively protest against Chinese domination. The Chinese react to the protest by killing thousands of Tibetans; already 87,000 people are killed in the Lhasa region only. Villages and monasteries are burned down and the Tibetan government is dissolved. The Dalai Lama flees to Dharamsala, India, where he forms a government in exile. After this incident, more than 7,000 Tibetans cross the border and ask for political asylum in India. The diaspora of Tibetans and religious leaders leads to a spread of Tibetan Buddhism around the world, with the Dalai Lama’s influence not only limited to the community in Dharamsala. Other influential tulkus and lamas (such as Kaly Rinpoche, Ole Nydahl, Chogyam Trungpa and Khenchen Palden Sherab) found Tibetan monasteries in all parts of the world. In 1998, according to the Tibetan Planning Council, 111.170 Tibetans were living in exile (85,000 in India). A government in exile was formed just like other kinds of Tibetan institutes. This research study focuses on the role of the 14th Dalai Lama in the Tibetan communities in exile. In more detail, it provides the reader with an insight into the changes the Dalai Lama has undergone from political- to only spiritual leader and points out his primary concerns for the Tibetan communities. In addition, research on China’s role in the influence of the Dalai Lama is carried out. A final conclusion will link existing literature and give an answer to the main question by inserting my own interpretations. A study on this subject, furthermore, helps to better understand the Tibetan diaspora around the world and China’s role in the story today. This thesis consists of books from the Leiden University Library, focusing on the current Dalai Lama and Tibetan communities in exile and journals from different disciplines, such as sinology, anthropology, sociology, politics and religious studies.Show less
Research master thesis | History: Societies and Institutions (research) (MA)
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In this thesis a systematic comparison between the writings of two prominent English polemicists is made, both of whom were active in the period 1618 and 1628: the Catholic Richard Verstegan and...Show moreIn this thesis a systematic comparison between the writings of two prominent English polemicists is made, both of whom were active in the period 1618 and 1628: the Catholic Richard Verstegan and the Puritan Thomas Scott, both of whom were in a religiously-tinted exile in the Low Countries in this period – the former in Antwerp, and the later in Utrecht. While of different generations and religious orientations, both urgently wanted to influence English public opinion on the continental conflicts of this period. Their polemics, such as Vox Populi and Londons Looking-glasse, are subjected to a comparative analysis. The goals and expectations of these polemicists in regards to the religious upheaval in Europe – such as the renewed conflict between Spain and the United Provinces and the escalating Bohemian crisis – are explored, as well as their subsequent appeals for war or peace.Show less
