The 2008 economic crisis and the subsequent austerity measures have given a great push for research related to gender issues. These studies indicate a link between austerity measures and gender...Show moreThe 2008 economic crisis and the subsequent austerity measures have given a great push for research related to gender issues. These studies indicate a link between austerity measures and gender effects. In line with these contributions, this research will present a study on Spain as an exemplary case for the interrelatedness of gender and austerity measures in the period 2008-2014. By analysing whether gender perspectives were taken into account in austerity measures on both the labour market and welfare policies, it is shown that gender perspective were rarely included. Additionally, the second part of the analysis focusses on the actual status of gender to see the effect of this lack of a gender perspective in the austerity measures. This gives a dual answer, whereby gender differences are not visible for all used labour market indicators. In general, this research shows the complexity of the austerity measures situation from a feminist GPE perspective, which results in an advise of incorporating gender perspectives on a regular basis as policy-makers, in order to be able to take gender and gender effects better into account in future economic policy-making.Show less
As the largest developing nation of the world, it is the self-professed Chinese Dream to build a “democratic, culturally-advanced and harmonious modern socialist country” that projects a “new type...Show moreAs the largest developing nation of the world, it is the self-professed Chinese Dream to build a “democratic, culturally-advanced and harmonious modern socialist country” that projects a “new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation,” (Arab Policy, FMPRC 2016). China’s economic rise in the 21st century has received immense speculation of both mainstream and Critical International Political Economy (IPE) scholars as to whether the country and its political establishment presents an ideological or economic challenge to neoliberal hegemony and the ideology of the Washington Consensus institutions. In the context of neo-Gramscian theory, this paper will focus on China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) as a case study to determine how China may be building a counter-hegemonic challenge through the promotion of this “new type of international relations”. What began as a far-flung dream of recreating the ancient Silk Road through the Eurasian continent has now evolved into a serious endeavor including more than 60 countries. Besides offering these countries richer ties to the global economy, the OBOR allows for wide-ranging projects to build super highways and bullet trains, to pipelines and deep sea ports linking a global supply chain for the swift transportation of goods and services. Accelerated development of the OBOR initiative spawn from two recent experiences which have fundamentally changed China’s position in the international political economy.Show less
This thesis explores the durability of Libya's authoritarianism before and during the Arab Spring. By using a conceptual framework on Arab authoritarianism, this thesis argues that Gaddafi's system...Show moreThis thesis explores the durability of Libya's authoritarianism before and during the Arab Spring. By using a conceptual framework on Arab authoritarianism, this thesis argues that Gaddafi's system of governance survived for 42 years due to the structure of the state, its economic and foreign policies, and its claims on various forms of nondemocratic legitimacy. The argument is that these elements of Libya's governance resulted in a situation whereby the regime initially was able to withstand mass protests, but that the regime's actions also led to the military intervention that played an important role in the downfall of the regime.Show less
