This thesis problematises the finding that resource-rich rebels do not govern civilians because of their short-term perspectives and fixation on looting which results in predatory behaviour....Show moreThis thesis problematises the finding that resource-rich rebels do not govern civilians because of their short-term perspectives and fixation on looting which results in predatory behaviour. Therefore, this thesis investigates under what conditions resource-rich rebels do engage in rebel governance. I argue that the characteristics of natural resources affect the exploitation strategy of rebels, which comprises extraction, kidnapping and theft. Those exploitation strategies and the presence or absence of armed competition over resource-rich territory, determine the extent to which resource-rich rebels govern civilians. Three rebel groups are analysed through a focused structured comparison in combination with process tracing. The analyses have revealed that rebels who enjoy both a complete and partial monopoly on resource-rich territory have the ability to divert their resources to rebel governance. Further findings have revealed that rebel groups who adopt extraction as an exploitation strategy engages in governance. In particular, rebel groups mobilise civilians to extract resources in order to acquire economic rents as well as establish civilian administrations to impose taxes and provide security and welfare services. To obtain profits from natural resources, rebels depend on civilians for physical labour. Therefore, rebels establish contractual relations with the local population which results in rebel governance. Hence, resource-rich rebels perceive civilians as valuable assets who can sustain their rebellion. These findings provide an intriguing theoretical framework which renders the first tools to unravel the conditions under which resource-rich rebels govern.Show less
This thesis aims to examine the news coverage of military aid sent to Ukraine after the escalation of the conflict on February 24th 2022. Over a period of one year, 169 news articles from the six...Show moreThis thesis aims to examine the news coverage of military aid sent to Ukraine after the escalation of the conflict on February 24th 2022. Over a period of one year, 169 news articles from the six most popular Dutch news outlets are analysed. The prevalence of five media frames is examined through a deductive study and framework set out by prior research. Whereas the conflict, economic consequences and responsibility frames are all found to be used in Dutch news coverage on the delivery of arms to Ukraine, the human impact and morality frames fail to reach the 0.5 threshold. Differences between news outlets are found when ranking them on a sensationalist-serious axis as well as their attitude towards the military aid. Additionally, seven phases of military aid are identified in which several important actors and context are disclosed to affect the arms send to Ukraine.Show less
Abstract Recently, major powers retreated from their long-term foreign interventions. Their latest withdrawal from both Afghanistan and Mali has been mainly addressed under the scope of...Show moreAbstract Recently, major powers retreated from their long-term foreign interventions. Their latest withdrawal from both Afghanistan and Mali has been mainly addressed under the scope of international failure within the academic literature. Therefore, this thesis aims to go beyond the international failure spectrum by focusing on the timing of these retreats. To do so, the paper investigates when and why major powers retreated by providing an extensive overview of the international and national socio-political environment of major powers in the last twenty years. Thereby, it proposes a theoretical framework composed of the three following answers; the Completion of Initial Goals; the Normative and Legitimacy Concerns; and a National Strategic Interest. This thesis defends that major powers retreated mainly due to Normative and Legitimacy Concerns as well as National Strategic Interest reasons. It uses process tracing components as well as a comparative structural approach between the cases of the United-States and France. In fine, it provides valuable insights into the general patterns of the major power’s foreign interventions’ mechanisms and retreats. It incorporates a discussion of major powers’ history, their use of media, as well as other topics in the field of international relations influencing the timing of their long-term foreign intervention retreat.Show less
While the European Union’s Global Gateway project aspires to promote employment and the creation of “decent”, that is stable, safe, and sustainable jobs around the world, its prospects for success...Show moreWhile the European Union’s Global Gateway project aspires to promote employment and the creation of “decent”, that is stable, safe, and sustainable jobs around the world, its prospects for success are hardly assured, particularly as past experience shows similar initiatives' outcomes to be profoundly mixed and highly contingent on conditions across sectors and countries. The global cocoa industry is a particularly significant arena in this regard, as it has been seen as both an engine for growth and employment and as a site of widespread labor violations. Written against the backdrop of the Global Gateway project, this thesis examines the experience of the EU's involvement in similar initiatives in Africa in the period 2016-2021, through a case study of the EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in Ghana.Show less
This thesis aims to discuss how modern-day sanctions came to be. It argues that sanctions are a direct result of World War One Entente economic and financial policies towards the central powers,...Show moreThis thesis aims to discuss how modern-day sanctions came to be. It argues that sanctions are a direct result of World War One Entente economic and financial policies towards the central powers, which were then repurposed to be used in peace time after the war as an instrument to enforce the will of the newly established League of Nations.Show less
In February 2022, the worst humanitarian and refugee crisis since 1940 unfolded in Europe, following the Russian war against Ukraine (OECD International Migration Outlook 2022, 4). In 2015 already,...Show moreIn February 2022, the worst humanitarian and refugee crisis since 1940 unfolded in Europe, following the Russian war against Ukraine (OECD International Migration Outlook 2022, 4). In 2015 already, Europe had faced a sharp increase in demands for asylum, following the Syrian civil war. Immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers have been generally marginalized in recent years in Europe, through an ‘us and them’ rhetoric. The welcoming of Ukrainian refugees however, demonstrated a never seen before impetus for support and integration, proving the European ability to set up effective and quick responses to humanitarian crisis. Why then, were such means never deployed before? Why did European member-states never demonstrate a similar level of cohesion before? And what does that say about the ways in which the European Commission sets its migration policies? This thesis will shed light on the European Commission’s setting of policy- responses on migration, through a comparative study of the Syrian and Ukrainian migration crises, to explore the potential ‘double-standard’ on refugees.Show less
This paper examines how the Iranian diasporic community in the United States frames the current women-led movement in Iran. In particular, using Erving Goffman’s question of “what is it that is...Show moreThis paper examines how the Iranian diasporic community in the United States frames the current women-led movement in Iran. In particular, using Erving Goffman’s question of “what is it that is going on” to identify whether Ajam Media Collective and the Iranian Diaspora Collective are aware of the many forms of feminism that exist in Iran or whether they continue to enforce the dominant Western feminist doctrine in their framing of Iranian women and their participation in the current movement. In the examination, the focus is on the traditional narratives of the protection scenario and Orientalism to better understand the politics of pity and how the research by Joanna de Groot, Saba Mahmood, and Sara Mameni provides alternative understandings of what it means to be a feminist. Concluding that even though both organizations have a different approach in the framing of Iranian women and their feminism, it becomes clear that the dominant feminist doctrine did influence the diasporic community.Show less
This study explores the fundamental causes of the Afghan Republic's demise and considers how it affected numerous facets of internal and foreign affairs. The study utilizes a range of sources,...Show moreThis study explores the fundamental causes of the Afghan Republic's demise and considers how it affected numerous facets of internal and foreign affairs. The study utilizes a range of sources, including scholarly articles, policy papers and news articles to test four key hypotheses. These theories look at the possible effects of different variables on political legitimacy and economic growth, including the use of power, diversity, historical conflicts, socioeconomic disparity, and geographical differences. In-depth case studies and comparative analysis are used in the research to examine the relationships between these factors and how they contribute to state disintegration. The findings suggest that various internal and external factors that played a part in the collapse of the Afghan republic government. This includes issues, like corruption, eroding state institutions tensions exacerbating disputes, and socioeconomic inequalities undermining government legitimacy. The implications of this study are significant as they enhance our understanding of the mechanisms that determine state stability or collapse.Show less
An analysis of educational policy changes towards the Irish language after c.1959 that resulted in a 62% decline in primary and post primary schools outside of the Gaeltacht regions teaching...Show moreAn analysis of educational policy changes towards the Irish language after c.1959 that resulted in a 62% decline in primary and post primary schools outside of the Gaeltacht regions teaching through the medium of Irish within c.20 years.Show less
The US embargo against Cuba is the longest-running economic sanctions package that has ever been implemented. This thesis analyses the factors influencing the effectiveness of sanctions in the US...Show moreThe US embargo against Cuba is the longest-running economic sanctions package that has ever been implemented. This thesis analyses the factors influencing the effectiveness of sanctions in the US-Cuba case.Show less
