Celebrity politics is described as a phenomenon in which celebrities create a ‘buzz’ around certain issues or crises regarding development. Or, differently put, in celebrity politics celebrities...Show moreCelebrity politics is described as a phenomenon in which celebrities create a ‘buzz’ around certain issues or crises regarding development. Or, differently put, in celebrity politics celebrities use their stardom to inform the greater public about a certain humanitarian crisis or issue. Existing studies on celebrity politics mostly discuss celebrities from the global North, attracting attention to the global South’s need for development. Though, there have some been studies on celebrity politics practised by celebrities from the global South. Studied regions include Francophone sub-Sahara Africa, the Middle East, East Asia, South-East Asia and Latin America. One of the regions from the global South that has not been studied much is East Africa. Whereas East African celebrity politics has been studied on a regional level, no major political studies have been conducted at the national level. Exhaustive studies on celebrities with nation-wide fame who use that fame to engage with national politics have hitherto not been done for this part of Africa. So, how useful are existing frameworks for understanding celebrity politics when applied to East Africa?Show less
This article analyses the paradoxical behaviour by China in the Diaoyu/Senkaku islands dispute by using the theory of ontological security, security of the Self. The analysis demonstrates that...Show moreThis article analyses the paradoxical behaviour by China in the Diaoyu/Senkaku islands dispute by using the theory of ontological security, security of the Self. The analysis demonstrates that China uses securitization, the severe politicization of the islands dispute, as a means of protecting its core interests, territorial integrity, sovereignty, and development. China has adopted a more assertive stance in the dispute since the 2010 boat collision and the 2012 ‘nationalization’ of the islands by Japan, heightening tensions between the two powers in the region. China does not seem to bargain on its core interests as to solve the islands dispute in the (near) future.Show less
Following mass demonstrations in Brazil for the impeachement of Dilma Rousseff and the increasing relevance of local city governments in global politics this paper examines and analyses the...Show moreFollowing mass demonstrations in Brazil for the impeachement of Dilma Rousseff and the increasing relevance of local city governments in global politics this paper examines and analyses the possible effects of 'glocal' governing on the Brazilian population. This paper takes the city government and population of São Paulo as Case Study.Show less
Rwandan president Paul Kagame is a much debated political figure. By many world leaders he is seen as the hero who liberated Rwanda of the genocide in 1994 after which he and his government brought...Show moreRwandan president Paul Kagame is a much debated political figure. By many world leaders he is seen as the hero who liberated Rwanda of the genocide in 1994 after which he and his government brought development and prosper to the country. Yet, reports on his human right violations inside Rwanda and, perhaps more visible, in neighbouring Congo, raise questions about his violent rule. Strong censorship and reconciliation policies have been set in place to protect the Rwandan government and Kagame himself, making him an untouchable leader, but a voice of criticism on his rule grows. This thesis explores the theory of authoritarian rule, discussing how Kagame's political actions in Rwanda and Congo display elements of a personalist rule.Show less
Based on the resent Venezuelan economic crisis turned political crisis, this paper discusses how this transition influenced the treatment of protesters. To analyse these events and their...Show moreBased on the resent Venezuelan economic crisis turned political crisis, this paper discusses how this transition influenced the treatment of protesters. To analyse these events and their interconnectivity, politicisation and militarisation were consulted. Moreover, the effects of continues politicisation on Venezuela's public security were discussed in connection with an increase in militarisation. Through this research securitisation was identified as the connecting element for an increase in militarisation as a result of continues politicisation.Show less
This thesis deals with the repatriation of Rwandan refugees to Rwanda. In the following paper, Megan Bradley's Theory of Just Return is applied to a new case study, the situation of Rwandan...Show moreThis thesis deals with the repatriation of Rwandan refugees to Rwanda. In the following paper, Megan Bradley's Theory of Just Return is applied to a new case study, the situation of Rwandan refugees in Uganda and their return to Rwanda. By focusing on the policies implemented to facilitate the reintegration of the returnees, this thesis explores the new relationship between state and returnee as well as the importance of redress in repatriation.Show less
Comparing corruption with an infectious disease, the United Nations Convention Against Corruption refers to corruption as “an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on...Show moreComparing corruption with an infectious disease, the United Nations Convention Against Corruption refers to corruption as “an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on societies” (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime 2004, iii). With this in view, corruption is considered to be systemic to Mexico. Corrupt behaviour on highest political and economic levels is passed down across society and excludes the poorest from access to social and public services, economic participation and support. Given the stagnating poverty level, with an estimated 47,3% of people living in poverty in 2016, corruption is seen as a major impediment to economic and social development in Mexico (CONEVAL 2016; Castro and Nevárez 2015, 220-1). Although the Mexican government has, time and again, made efforts to introduce binding anti-corruption laws, these legislative changes have proved inefficient due to weak rule of law and the lack of transparency in the political administration (Davis 2008, 55-6, Tromme and Otaola 2014, 573). The structural digitisation of bureaucratic processes in the public sector is seen as a possible means to curb corruption by establishing transparency, efficiency and the rule of law (Boucher 2017 12; Kshetri and Voas 2018, 12; Hughes 2017, 661-3). Yet, in the Mexican case, although a collective political will to implement such strategies for structural digitisation is visible, there is adverse evidence to the effectiveness of such efforts as systemic corruption seems to be perpetuated at individual level, undermining collective efforts. Given these circumstances, Blockchain technology has recently emerged as a technological solution to many of these issues related to corruption. In fact, the technology has been ascribed the potential “to fundamentally shift the way in which society operates” (Wright and De Filipi 2016, 2). As such, the proposed paper hypothesises that a government-led application of Blockchain technology in public administration and services could indeed facilitate a structural eradication of the prevalent systemic corruption in Mexico. Based on this assumption, a practical framework is suggested for the structural implementation of Blockchain technology in Mexico’s public administration and services.Show less
The purpose of this thesis is to use a new lens through which to analyse terrorist recruitment tactics. This will be done by examining how Al-Shabaab has manipulated the collective memory of the...Show moreThe purpose of this thesis is to use a new lens through which to analyse terrorist recruitment tactics. This will be done by examining how Al-Shabaab has manipulated the collective memory of the Kenyan ‘military intervention’ through their tweets during the Westgate terrorist attack of 2013. In order to answer this question, the tweets will be analysed through the field of memory studies, paying special attention to postmemory, collectivisation of memory, false memory creation and the establishment of imagined communities. This thesis concludes that Al-Shabaab and other terrorist organisations on a more global level are able to acquire recruits through manipulating how memories are represented in social media. By mediating the narrative of the Kenyan intervention in Twitter, Al-Shabaab is able to transmit the memory to a larger audience ensuring the continuity of their struggle against Kenya throughout varying social spheres and different generations.Show less
This Thesis has analyzed whether and to what extend the US occupation of Iraq can be considered as just. A just occupation would satisfy all principles set forth by jus post bellum. The research...Show moreThis Thesis has analyzed whether and to what extend the US occupation of Iraq can be considered as just. A just occupation would satisfy all principles set forth by jus post bellum. The research question was answered using a qualitative analysis based on a collection of secondary sources, which were analysed using the jus post bellum framework proposed by Orend (2006). The thesis came to the conclusion that the US occupation of Iraq was highly unjust as America failed to satisfy and in some cases clearly violated key principles set forth by jus post bellum. Most importantly the principle of rehabilitation was violated both on the political as well as military level. However, also the jus post bellum principles of Rights Vindication; Discrimination; Punishment #1 and #2; and Compensation were not satisfied if not violated. The failure to follow a just post bellum in Iraq, may explain the prolonged conflict that ensued in Iraq following the US led invasion.Show less
In this thesis, the relationship between the U.S. and Iran will be researched, focusing on trade between the two countries, U.S. interests in the region and Iran's nuclear program, following a time...Show moreIn this thesis, the relationship between the U.S. and Iran will be researched, focusing on trade between the two countries, U.S. interests in the region and Iran's nuclear program, following a time line from Iran's Revolution in 1979 until recent times and uses the Groupthink and Polythink theories to explain and show hostility in the bilateral relationship.Show less
Populism is becoming more and more a predominant political phenomenon with several European countries. Many are the debates concerning the real nature of populism, its political affiliation, agenda...Show morePopulism is becoming more and more a predominant political phenomenon with several European countries. Many are the debates concerning the real nature of populism, its political affiliation, agenda and particular features. Although there is not a comprehensive and clear definition of populism yer, many scholars have proposed a set of themes aimed at grouping populist parties according to some specific characteristics. One of these themes is Euroscepticism. Indeed, common understanding refers to populist parties as profoundly Eurosceptic. However, this thesis argues that populist parties are not intrinsically Eurosceptic, rather their Euroscepticism depends on their intrinsic need to create an adversary, an enemy to combat that can take countless forms as the European Union. This thesis investigates one example, the Italian populist 'League' party, which has recently achieved an important electoral victory. The party's ambiguous rhetoric and agenda will be considered. This in order to highlight the natural behaviour of the League, always keen on identifying one enemy to battle per time. Three are the periods taken into consideration and, accordingly, three are the enemies upon which they have focused their agenda: the southerners, the European Union and the Immigrant.Show less
The thesis deals with resistance and Hegemony in between tribal Bhil Communities in South Rajasthan. The case study is based on field reasearch I personally conducted in 2017 in the Udaipur...Show moreThe thesis deals with resistance and Hegemony in between tribal Bhil Communities in South Rajasthan. The case study is based on field reasearch I personally conducted in 2017 in the Udaipur district. The main finding of this reasearch is the political capacity of the local tribes to shape the historical events around them.Show less
In April 2014 an armed conflict broke out between pro-Russian separatists and the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Donetsk and Luhansk (Donbas) regions in Eastern Ukraine. The extent to which the...Show moreIn April 2014 an armed conflict broke out between pro-Russian separatists and the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Donetsk and Luhansk (Donbas) regions in Eastern Ukraine. The extent to which the Russian government supports the separatists of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics remains a topic of scholarly debate. Numerous academics have come up with interpretations on Russian foreign policy towards Ukraine but these fail to explain the behaviour of the Russian government in Donbas. This thesis will assess what the foreign policy objectives of the Russian government are in Donbas and how these have changed since April 2014. During the first phase of the conflict, the Russian government attempted to introduce the neo-imperial myth of Novorossiya in order to justify separatism throughout South-Eastern Ukraine. This project failed as the separatist drive did not spread to the regions of Kharkiv and Odesa. Thereafter the Russian government started to focus on keeping the conflict ongoing by militarily intervening to prevent the Ukrainian Army from defeating the separatists but not letting the separatists win the armed conflict either. The Russian government governs the separatists republics without participation of Ukrainian separatists, provides them with necessary financing but at the same time drains the region of its economic resources. The main goal of the Russian government in Donbas is to destabilise Ukraine and keep the armed conflict ongoing by sustaining two highly disruptive separatist republics.Show less
Throughout the 20th century the region of Latin America has been widely influenced by external actors such as the United States or international organizations, like the IMF or the World Bank. The...Show moreThroughout the 20th century the region of Latin America has been widely influenced by external actors such as the United States or international organizations, like the IMF or the World Bank. The influences of those actors gave rise to “dependency theory”, which highlights the inequalities between more powerful actors of the so-called “center” of the world and those of the “periphery”. As a response, Latin American countries have engaged in different attempts to decrease the influence of those external actors, while increasing their own. In the early 2000s, due to changes in its foreign policy, the focus of the United States on Latin America has decreased. The risen gap has allowed the recently grown superpower China to focus on the region. Consequently, the East-Asian country has become the first or second biggest trade partner for states like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico or Venezuela. Next to the risen trade other bilateral relations, such as investments, combined attempts of development and political relations, have increased. While there are several apparent benefits for both sides, criticism has been voiced regarding a new version of dependency on China replacing that towards the United States. However, such criticism has mainly focused on assessing the international relations between China as a state and Latin America as an entire region. Therefore, by addressing the rising dependency, this paper will show that, in regard to Sino-Latin American relations, the region of Latin America cannot be analyzed as a whole but has to be divided into its nation states. By comparing the two case studies Chile and Venezuela and their respective relations with China the varying levels of dependency between China and different Latin American states will be portrayed.Show less
Despite their deeply patriarchal and macho culture, Latin America, and more recently Turkey, have seen a rise of female leaders in national politics. This paper’s intention is to explain this...Show moreDespite their deeply patriarchal and macho culture, Latin America, and more recently Turkey, have seen a rise of female leaders in national politics. This paper’s intention is to explain this phenomenon by studying the impact of local culture and the gender roles that it engenders on the political behaviour of female politicians, and how female leaders make use of those gender roles to gain popularity and support. The paper runs through the local history and culture of the aforementioned regions with respect to female presence in politics, and exposes the male/female leadership models used by female politicians. Thence, it takes a deeper look into three contemporary female political figures, each corresponding to a different female leadership model: Cristina Kirchner for “wife”, Michelle Bachelet for “daughter”, and Meral Akşener for “neither”, signifying an independent female leader. The results obtained through visual and Critical Discourse Analysis reveal that the three scrutinized female politicians resort to both female and male gender roles, enabling them to benefit from the advantages of both gender roles, consequently increasing their political popularity and grip on power.Show less
All over the world many indigenous communities leave their lands and move to the cities in order to conduct a new life. At the same time, these communities find themselves in a very vulnerable...Show moreAll over the world many indigenous communities leave their lands and move to the cities in order to conduct a new life. At the same time, these communities find themselves in a very vulnerable position, considering that they often face discrimination and struggle to fully adapt to their new environments. This research focuses on the case study of Chile and of the Mapuche community in particular. For historical and economic reasons, many Mapuche had to migrate to Santiago and other cities and as for 2002, two thirds of the whole Mapuche community lived in the city. Through the analysis of David Añiñir's collection of poems and the website of the political and social organization Meli WIxan Mapu, both residing in Santiago but of Mapuche heritage, this thesis argues that there is still a strong attachment to the indigenous community. The analysis is embedded within the theoretical framework of ethno-symbolism, an approach on identity developed by British sociologist Anthony Smith. The analysis sheds light on how ethno-symbolism contributes to a deeper understanding of how the Mapuche people living in the city relate to their identity.Show less
Abstract: The concept of economic diplomacy and its possible benefits for smaller economies has received relatively little scholarly attention. This thesis researches the Swedish-Sino economic...Show moreAbstract: The concept of economic diplomacy and its possible benefits for smaller economies has received relatively little scholarly attention. This thesis researches the Swedish-Sino economic diplomacy from 2010-2018 and concludes that the exchanges have been beneficial for both Sweden and China according to the variables of trade and investments. However, Sweden has seen less value of Chinese investments after the acquisition of Volvo Cars in 2010 and this trend is likely to continue in the near future.Show less
