This thesis presents an analysis of the aims that (sections of) the Chinese government has expressed in the context of Djibouti, Senegal and Zambia and assesses the extent to which these expressed...Show moreThis thesis presents an analysis of the aims that (sections of) the Chinese government has expressed in the context of Djibouti, Senegal and Zambia and assesses the extent to which these expressed aims are viable. The findings suggest that although the expressed aims are viable, the viability these aims is constrained primarily by the lack of support from local populations.Show less
In my work, I will be discussing specifically the recent Chinese influence on transportation in Nigeria, mostly through investments in railways. I will present it in a frame of China-Africa...Show moreIn my work, I will be discussing specifically the recent Chinese influence on transportation in Nigeria, mostly through investments in railways. I will present it in a frame of China-Africa relations with the history and specifics of China-Nigeria relations included. To explain the partnership on railway development, it will be essential to present the condition of Nigerian transportation and its struggles. I will also discuss the significance of transportation infrastructure in general. For a better understanding of conclusions, I will also explain the relative and absolute gains theory. As I mentioned, there already are plenty of works discussing different aspects of China-Africa relations. Therefore, I will include the main points emerging from the existing analyses with my comment on it. It is significant for my framework to present the debate on China-Africa relations as it contains general arguments on the advantages and disadvantages of the partnership for Africa. I will address those in my analysis. The literature review will also contain phrases and language used in the public debate that was crucial in shaping the relationship. In the final chapters, the data and the discussion about it will be analysed from the perspective of relative and absolute gains.Show less
Feminist movements have existed since the late 19th century but the most recent wave of feminism has been particularly significant in South Korea. In 2018 numerous women came forward with...Show moreFeminist movements have existed since the late 19th century but the most recent wave of feminism has been particularly significant in South Korea. In 2018 numerous women came forward with allegations of sexual violence against people in power under the MeToo movement. This movement was popularized in the United States on social media and soon reached other parts of the world where it gave marginalized women a voice. The movement gained momentum in South Korea after prosecutor Seo Ji-hyeon opened up about sexual harassment allegations against a high-level prosecutor and spoke of pressure by state bodies to keep silent. The MeToo movement brought sexual violence issues from the private sphere to the public sphere and showed women that the country’s patriarchal system is unacceptable. In the following years there was a rise in gendered activism such as the “Escape the Corset” movement, that rejected South Korea’s rigid beauty standards, and anti-digital sex crime movement. This paper seeks to answer, “how successful has gendered activism been in South Korea since 2018?” The reason 2018 has been selected as starting point for the thesis is due to the start of MeToo movement that particular year. This topic will be analyzed by use of feminist theory due to it being one of the rising frameworks that is growing in importance and relevance. Feminist theory is focused on gender inequality and addresses many issues that the Korean women challenged in their movements. Along with feminist theory, the history of gendered movements is crucial when discussing feminist movements in South Korea and will therefore be examined in the literature review. To further establish the definition of success of contemporary gendered movements, the historical background of gendered movements in South Korea will be explored. By analyzing the history of gendered movements in South Korea dating back to the 1980s up to now, this chapter defines success and how success of feminist movements has been determined in the past. These case studies will be analyzed through a feminist lens to ascertain the degree to which they have been successfulShow less
The relationship between Thailand and China is very vast topic. It is very extensive and has played a big part in influencing the Thai culture. Migration of Chinese to Thailand is a part of the...Show moreThe relationship between Thailand and China is very vast topic. It is very extensive and has played a big part in influencing the Thai culture. Migration of Chinese to Thailand is a part of the Thai Chinese relationship that this thesis will be examining. Evidence of Chinese settlers has been dated back to the 12th century. History has shown that through circumstantial reason and cultural similarity Chinese migrants has adapted to the Thai society to the point of becoming a part of it. Despite this, in the modern time, newer Chinese migrants and the host country are facing challenges within a world that has becomes more complicated than the ones in the past. This leads to the question of viability of Chinese assimilation in modern times. This thesis seeks to draw a comparative analysis of two different waves of Chinese migration to Thailand from the year 1918-1955 and the year 1979- present. This will be done through examining the governmental policy and international relation that surrounds the migration from both Thailand and China.Show less
As a result of intensifying China-Africa relations, China has signed multiple resources-for-infrastructure deals with African nations. These deals consist of loans for infrastructure development...Show moreAs a result of intensifying China-Africa relations, China has signed multiple resources-for-infrastructure deals with African nations. These deals consist of loans for infrastructure development which are to be repaid with profits gained from oil or mineral extraction. They are heavily criticized, and China’s role is often scrutinized for being neocolonial. This study focuses on the largest and most well-known resources-for-infrastructure deal, the Sicomines agreement, which was signed between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Through in-depth examination of the Sicomines case and a study of Kwame Nkrumah’s conceptualization of neocolonialism, this research has found that although a number of aspects of the Sicomines deal are not beneficial to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Sicomines agreement cannot fully be considered neocolonialist.Show less
Previous academic research has operated in a paradigm whereby women, the raped, are pitted against men, the aggressor, meanwhile this research is slightly more complex. This thesis aims to...Show morePrevious academic research has operated in a paradigm whereby women, the raped, are pitted against men, the aggressor, meanwhile this research is slightly more complex. This thesis aims to investigate if the victim's rights are honoured, not just in practice but most importantly in reality - is justice truly received? The paper seeks to reveal this through feminist literature in understanding justice. Two particularly interesting cases to which gender-based atrocities took place, were the Japanese Imperial Army’s sexual slavery and prostitution of Korean women in The Second World War (hereafter, WWII) and Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo of the Democratic Republic of Congo (hereafter DRC) involvement in war crimes having taken place during the Second Congo War in 2002. Both cases pursued different justice mechanisms. The case of Japan-Korea adopted a reconciliation process they having only recently confronted their war past, while Bemba faced the International Criminal Court being trailed for crimes against humanity. The dominant narrative dealing with sexual crimes in the post-war era are present in both cases of Japan-Korea and Congo, and employ similar motifs where the prosecution rests after charging those accused. Without carrying out further inquests to support and determine justice for the victims and further their integration within society. This begs the question: Who actually benefits from the current justice system? To what extent do these opposing techniques ultimately provide justice for the victims and in changing the justice system? And what are the factors prohibiting justice? These sub-questions are important as they break down and help answer the broader research question of: To What Extent do Current Post-Conflict Justice Mechanisms Provide Justice for Victims of Sexual Violence During Armed Conflict in the Cases of The DRC and Japan-Korea?Show less
This thesis explores the ongoing international dispute between Japan and South Korea concerning the issue of WWII sex-slaves known as ‘comfort women’. The main focus lies on the question how...Show moreThis thesis explores the ongoing international dispute between Japan and South Korea concerning the issue of WWII sex-slaves known as ‘comfort women’. The main focus lies on the question how Japanese official apologies for this issue contribute to the successful reconciliation between South Korea and Japan. By using soft power theory to look at the transmission, context and reception of three major Japanese apologies from the 1990s until today, this thesis finds that, Japanese national apologies do not contribute to successful postwar reconciliation. Due to a mismatch between Japanese presentation, compensation and South Korean expectation, the apologies do not lead towards soft power. Domestic political context only further amplifies the gap between transmission and reception, while international pressure does not manage to bridge the gap either. Therefore, this thesis argues that current Japanese apologies for the issue known as the ‘comfort women issue’ do not positively contribute towards successful reconciliation. The potential that future apologies can contribute however, cannot be ruled out.Show less
Studies on China’s involvement in Africa have proliferated in the past 20 years, reflecting China’s increasing political and economic interests in the continent. China is keen to portray itself as...Show moreStudies on China’s involvement in Africa have proliferated in the past 20 years, reflecting China’s increasing political and economic interests in the continent. China is keen to portray itself as a new partner in Africa, unfettered by colonial ties. This thesis focuses on Kenya’s biggest infrastructure project since independence in 1963, a railway linking the port city of Mombasa with the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. It looks at official Chinese pronouncements on the rationale for Chinese involvement in the context of China’s “win-win” rhetoric; explains Kenya’s drive to improve its infrastructure and the potential benefits not only for Kenya but for the East African region; and investigates the extent to which the China-Kenya deal on the new railway is, or could turn out to be, a “win” for Kenya.Show less
