Since the referendum in 2016, Brexit has had an undeniable effect on the International relations scene, showing that not all countries invite globalisation, in what is a rapidly globalising world....Show moreSince the referendum in 2016, Brexit has had an undeniable effect on the International relations scene, showing that not all countries invite globalisation, in what is a rapidly globalising world. The decision has been researched to a large extent already, but what most dominant literature debating the topic of Brexit currently neglects, is understanding local causes and reasons for this outcome. Whilst it has been sufficient thus far to categorize reasons into wider meta narratives, this thesis instead aims to take a different scope and understand what has happened at a local level to uncover why the British public came to this conclusion. This will be done by analysing data from local counties, with a focus on two counties in particular: Lincolnshire and Essex. These two regions were some of the most pro-Brexit out of the whole of the United Kingdom it came to show, but this thesis looks to understand how and why, in order to produce differing conclusions to compare to one another. This is with the aim to prove that local level needs to be looked at instead of meta narratives, which we see for example in the current domination discourse of culturally left behind vs socioeconomic reasons. By comparing these contrasting reasons, my thesis hopes to help us understand something beyond public opinion surveys and understand different streams of opinion which may have made up the Brexit coalition, and bring light to a new method of analysing causes of Brexit. In a time where major International organisations such as the European Union aim to delegate more power to local communities, this new method of analysis can help understand where improvements to communication and power can be made on a local scale.Show less
The Irish involvement in the South African War (1899-1902) was a paradox, to say the least. Being part of the British empire, Irishmen served in the British army but at the same time Ireland had...Show moreThe Irish involvement in the South African War (1899-1902) was a paradox, to say the least. Being part of the British empire, Irishmen served in the British army but at the same time Ireland had one of the most notable pro-Boer movements, thereby supporting the opposite side. Politicians and society at large were simultaneously experiencing the rise of Irish nationalism and a growing call for home rule. This thesis takes a look at to what extent the Irish identity determined the reaction to the war and its legacy by analysing Irish political and public debate at the beginning of the twentieth century.Show less
In dit onderzoek staan de electorale hervormingsvoorstellen in het Verenigd Koninkrijk tussen 1990 en 2011 centraal. In deze periode zijn er drie concrete voorstellen voor het vervangen van het...Show moreIn dit onderzoek staan de electorale hervormingsvoorstellen in het Verenigd Koninkrijk tussen 1990 en 2011 centraal. In deze periode zijn er drie concrete voorstellen voor het vervangen van het karakteristieke First past the post-systeem met een ander kiesstelsel te onderscheiden. Dit waren de Plantrapporten, het Jenkinsrapport en het AV referendum. Deze scriptie analyseert aan de hand van de debatten in het House of Commons en de berichtgeving in de Britse kranten in hoeverre deze opeenvolgende voorstellen tot electorale hervormingen beïnvloed werden door de discussies rond de eerdere voorstellen.Show less
