The year 2020 marked 81 years since the start of the Second World War and Ireland’s declaration to abstain from it. As time continues, we become further and further detached from the events in...Show moreThe year 2020 marked 81 years since the start of the Second World War and Ireland’s declaration to abstain from it. As time continues, we become further and further detached from the events in human past that have so greatly affected the world we live in today, however, the study of history can bring these events closer to the modern human experience. This artificial closeness can be used as a tool to explain how and why historical events occurred as they did and allow us to learn more about not only the world of yesterday but also the world of tomorrow. This thesis will use Ireland’s 1939-1945 policy of neutrality to test neorealism and liberalism to assess what can be learned not only about said theories, but too the history they are applied to. This can hopefully shine more light on how current theories can be applied outside of the modern world.Show less
To what extent should the German government help address the level of inequality experienced in Namibia, particularly through the issues of land redistribution and colonial reparation? The two main...Show moreTo what extent should the German government help address the level of inequality experienced in Namibia, particularly through the issues of land redistribution and colonial reparation? The two main elements of the research question are the processes of land redistribution in Namibia, and the progress made in receiving colonial reparations from Germany. These two topics are approached in a manner which allows for a possible symbiotic relationship to be examined. Only in the last twenty to twenty-five years has the Namibian genocide been gaining traction in the eyes of governments and academics, with the topic not being raised in German political spheres due to fear of repercussions. However, now after much legal and social pressure the German government is beginning to acknowledge and deal with its colonial past in South-West Africa.Show less
In the face of complex and interrelated ecological and social sustainability crises, the outstanding responsibilities of Western industrial nations are frequently underlined. As political awareness...Show moreIn the face of complex and interrelated ecological and social sustainability crises, the outstanding responsibilities of Western industrial nations are frequently underlined. As political awareness for these crises has arguably increased in the past decade, political language concerning them has too. However, altered discourses have not led to more sustainable and just policies. The world, and most importantly the largely responsible industrial states, continue to fail in combatting and mitigating global ecological and social hardhships. This thesis uses the young critical theoritcal body of Postcolonial Ecocriticism to scrutinise political discourses of Austrian and German political parties, revealing underlying attitudes and motives regarding sustainability politics, which might explain this inability or unwillingness for counteractions. Finally, it concludes that majorities in both countries show concerningly ignorant and uncritical crisis perceptions. In fact, the analysed parties' discourses often do not reflect the severity and complexity of global crises, and frequently neglect and perpetuate existing exploitative dynamics.Show less
In the course of the last decade, the previously confident notion that European integration is a one-way street has been shattered. The successive and concurrent Eurozone, Schengen and Brexit...Show moreIn the course of the last decade, the previously confident notion that European integration is a one-way street has been shattered. The successive and concurrent Eurozone, Schengen and Brexit crises have rocked the landscape of European integration discourse. The nature and impact of this “age of crisis” has seen the near collapse of the European Union’s common currency, a migration crisis that caused the temporary suspension of the Schengen agreement and the first case of a European Member State in the history of modern European integration. Since the “original six” members consisting of France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg signed the Treaty of Paris in 1952 the European integration process has never faced such a rapid development of crises before. The resulting flurry of academic discourse has led to a renewed focus on European integration theory and questioned the ability of the three “grand” European integration theories of Liberal Intergovernmentalism, Neofunctionalism and Postfunctionalism to explain this rapid succession of crises. This thesis argues that rather than being in a single state of integrational stability or instability there are in fact “two Europes” at play. Economic Europe is a stable integration process with a strong base and steady support from its Member States. Political Europe, on the other hand, is only marginally integrated, lacking in support, and in constant danger of being either abandoned or “put on the back burner”.Show less
This thesis looks at the collective memory of trauma and its affect on European integration. It does so by analysing two migrant groups from the first decade after WW2, ethnic minorities surviving...Show moreThis thesis looks at the collective memory of trauma and its affect on European integration. It does so by analysing two migrant groups from the first decade after WW2, ethnic minorities surviving the Holocaust, and displaced German migrants reintegrating into West Germany, and how their experience influenced European integration. I discuss trauma theory, with reference to these two cases, to show its significance in relation to the integration of migrants into European multicultural society, providing further scope for analysis in academia. After a section on global perspectives of migration and multiculturalism, this thesis argues that trauma is a fundamental part of the migrant identity, which influences their integration into their new society. As European multiculturalism began to be rethought in Germany after WW2, trauma and memory of the war was the main cultural similarity between these two cases of migrants and local Germans, which began to reform integration perspective. This perspective of collective trauma and the socio-economic gains migrants brought to the economy would mark these reforms in European integration. This research can offer a niche in the debate on modern day political issues, for example populism and anti-globalisation rhetoric, as European states share different experiences on migrant trauma, and contrasting views on integration as a result of their multicultural perspective.Show less
In the last 20 years, populism has undoubtedly become a prominent political phenomenon in Europe, manifesting itself in almost every one of its states. Indeed, it has been observed how many...Show moreIn the last 20 years, populism has undoubtedly become a prominent political phenomenon in Europe, manifesting itself in almost every one of its states. Indeed, it has been observed how many populist parties in this region have transitioned from being labelled as “political outsiders”, to becoming among the biggest parties in their respective countries. But why has populism grown so much in such a limited period of time? Among other causes, populism is believed to be a symptom of a malfunctioning of liberal democracy. As modern societies have become increasingly complex and diverse, liberal democratic systems are perceived to be unable to conciliate its two main institutional guarantees, that is, the representation of a popular majority and the protection of minority rights. Populism upholds the representation of the popular will, which, according to populists, has been obscured by an excessive appeasement of different group and minority interests. However, scholars and political theorists have indicated how a populist style of politics can lead to the circumvention of constitutional checks and balances in order to achieve a more efficient representation of the vox populi. This thesis seeks to answer the following question: can populism be considered as beneficial or threatening to liberal democracy? To this end, it will start with an analysis of the nature of populism which will be followed by a theoretical discussion of its potential benefits and threats to liberal democracy. This theory will be put in practice through a case study that compares the Five Star Movement (M5S) in Italy and the National Rally (RN) in France.Show less
The impact of Margaret Thatcher on the British political and economic landscape has been wide and far ranging. This influence is especially strong on the Conservative party, which was forever...Show moreThe impact of Margaret Thatcher on the British political and economic landscape has been wide and far ranging. This influence is especially strong on the Conservative party, which was forever changed by her party leadership. Since the election of Boris Johnson, the party has undergone some changes that have set it apart from the previous governments, particularly Cameron's. This thesis thus questions whether Boris Johnson's discourse still shows the influence of Thatcherite ideology on the party. It does so by first defining the key elements of Thatcherism, which is a broad concept that needs further investigation. Then, discourse analysis is employed on Johnson's key political speeches to uncover elements of Thatcherite discourse.Show less
This thesis explores the theory of ecological imperialism. The term eco-imperialism refers to a postcolonialist critique of environmentalist initiatives, as they are argued to portray imperialist...Show moreThis thesis explores the theory of ecological imperialism. The term eco-imperialism refers to a postcolonialist critique of environmentalist initiatives, as they are argued to portray imperialist characteristics. It claims that ideas from the Global North are imposed on the Global South, reinforcing their political and economic dominance. This thesis aims to test this theory on the case of the fires in the Brazilian Amazonian rainforest. Deforestation can be portrayed as a devasting process internationally, but at the same time, as progress and economic development locally. This discrepancy between local and international perspectives possibly portrays imperialist patterns. A critical discourse analysis is performed on international governmental and non-governmental sources covering these fires. This analysis aims to find proof of imperialist rhetoric. In addition, the Brazilian reaction to such discourse will be analyzed to strengthen this argument and find possible implications of current environmentalist discourse and counter-productive effects. The analysis finds numerous instances of discourse that point toward imperialist power relations in both governmental and non-governmental sources. However, especially NGOs repeatedly described the Amazon as being theirs and excluded local perspectives. With increasing international environmental attention and cooperation, it is important to ensure that initiatives are not counterproductive, and that equal agency is provided globally in order to guard itself from past mistakes in international interventions.Show less
This paper aims at making a historical-comparative analysis of the battle of Dien Bien Phu and the Tet Offensive in terms of their Intelligence failures. In the two battles, the Americans and the...Show moreThis paper aims at making a historical-comparative analysis of the battle of Dien Bien Phu and the Tet Offensive in terms of their Intelligence failures. In the two battles, the Americans and the French failed dramatically to understand their opponent. This research analyzes the events from the perspective of the Western powers on the one hand, and from the point of view of the Vietnamese Communist on the other hand. On the side of the French and the Americans, three elements are analyzed, namely 1) Overconfidence, 2) Lack of clear policy goals, and 3) Lack of adjustment to Guerilla Warfare. To analyze the events from the perspective of the Vietnamese Communists, the following three elements are being studied, 1) Capabilities, 2) Motivation, and 3) Deception. Those six elements contributed to the intelligence failures of those two battles.Show less
"At the end of the Second World War, the French territory was ravaged. France suffered a humiliating defeat in 1940; however, it managed (thanks to the allies) to end up in the side of victors....Show more"At the end of the Second World War, the French territory was ravaged. France suffered a humiliating defeat in 1940; however, it managed (thanks to the allies) to end up in the side of victors. Nonetheless, France desperately needed American aid to rebuild itself in order not to fall in the Soviet orbit. In the first years of the Cold War, the fourth Republic seemed to have traded the American military umbrella for an independent foreign policy. Moreover, the birth of NATO in 1949 appeared first to unify the West against the Soviet threat. Nevertheless, tensions between France and the United States were already rising. Their main issue concerned the decolonization, but the number of problems involved would only increase with time. Those tensions would, indirectly, bring the downfall of the fourth Republic and, ironically, bring back De Gaulle to power. President De Gaulle would, in the first four years of his term, remain close to the United States, despite some divergences with the American administration. The end of the decolonization process ended a burden for France, freed the French ambitions. The policy of "Grandeur" was launched. The French and the Americans would have, in the years following 1962, significant divergences which would almost ruin the dialogue between the two countries".Show less
Soft power has become increasingly important for emerging states to establish themselves on the global landscape. Sports mega events present the perfect opportunity to do so in allowing the host...Show moreSoft power has become increasingly important for emerging states to establish themselves on the global landscape. Sports mega events present the perfect opportunity to do so in allowing the host country to engage in nation-branding and image promotion. Academic literature suggests that hosting a sports mega event contributes extensively to the host country’s soft power. With an unfavorable international reputation, Russia recognized the necessity to improve on its soft power and hosted the 2018 FIFA World Cup. However, Russia’s soft power remained seemingly unchanged despite the expected soft power impact of hosting a sports mega event. Academic literature fails to account for the crucial role of the media in determining the success of a sports mega event in combination with the fragile nature of soft power. This thesis argues that negative media narratives resulted in Russia’s inability to increase its soft power despite hosting a sports mega event, and, thereby, that the role of the media has been largely neglected in sports mega event discourse. Negative effects of sports mega events are identified, and corresponding keywords are applied in a qualitative content analysis to analyze negative media narratives in newspaper articles. Subsequently, it is explained what role the media played in the impact Russia's hosting of the 2018 FIFA World Cup had on the country's soft power based on narratives of corruption and human rights violations as well as Russia’s projection as international ‘bad guy’.Show less
India has a mixed stance on the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) norm due to its partial support to only pillars one and two and not pillar three. The first two pillars go hand in hand with the...Show moreIndia has a mixed stance on the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) norm due to its partial support to only pillars one and two and not pillar three. The first two pillars go hand in hand with the country’s foreign policy on humanitarian assistance. The third pillar that states the responsibility of the international community to protect citizens from mass atrocities using militarily intervention is incompatible with Indian foreign policy’s longstanding commitment to sovereignty and non-intervention. To comprehend India’s stance on the R2P norm, this thesis traces India’s views on the earlier principle of humanitarian intervention. India’s past humanitarian interventions into its neighbours have taught the country that social change cannot be achieved through forced military intervention. While India has always been suspicious of western intentions behind intervention, the R2P norm is also a direct threat to India’s own sovereignty as it focuses on India’s domestic vulnerabilities such as its human rights situation. Combining Amitav Acharya’s theory of norm localisation and feedback, and Negron-Gonazales’ and Contarino’s theory on compatibility between strategic interests and local norms, this thesis argues that localization of the R2P norm has not been possible in India due to incompatibility of its strategic interests, domestic norms or both with the third pillar of the R2P norm. In order to localize and accept the norm, India has attempted to limit the definition of mass atrocities under the norm to ease the threat on India’s own sovereignty.Show less
The Nation-building Operation in Libya: A Two-sided Critique on Incapable Nation-builders and on the Claims of Postmodern Imperialism that Surround the Intervention
The 2008 war between Russia and Georgia led to the lowest point in the two countries relationships in the post-Soviet history. In both countries the state and the Orthodox Church work closely...Show moreThe 2008 war between Russia and Georgia led to the lowest point in the two countries relationships in the post-Soviet history. In both countries the state and the Orthodox Church work closely together in a so-called symphony model. During and after the 2008 war the Orthodox churches of both countries remained loyal to the state by supporting the position of their state in the conflict, but at the same time condemning the bloodshed (of Orthodox Christians killing one another) and calling for peace. In this thesis the role the Orthodox Churches played in this conflict was analysed. This thesis argues that their influence was significant. Not only did the churches call for peace and maintain positive relations with each other, they also prevented alienation between citizens of the countries by asserting that it was wrong that Orthodox Christians were at war with one another. Together the churches were also the most important way in which diplomatic relations between the countries were maintained. Finally the influence of the Orthodox Church on all levels of government cannot be underestimated.Show less
The research question in this paper is twofold: How has othering Turkey contributed to the construction of European Collective Identity? And: What does Europe’s ambiguous attitude towards Turkey...Show moreThe research question in this paper is twofold: How has othering Turkey contributed to the construction of European Collective Identity? And: What does Europe’s ambiguous attitude towards Turkey tell us about the current status of the EU’s Self-perception? In order to demonstrate Turkey’s constitutive role in the formation of EU’s identity, the present inquiry will rely on a socio-historical analysis of the ways in which the Turkish Other has been represented in the EU political discourse.Show less
