After a brutal war, ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) lost its significant territorial areas. How to deal with the organization’s members returning back to their home countries, has been...Show moreAfter a brutal war, ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) lost its significant territorial areas. How to deal with the organization’s members returning back to their home countries, has been subject to heated debate. By focusing specifically on the role of the organization’s female members this paper explores the differences in the judicial approaches to the returning ISIS-women, through a case study analysis of Norway and Sweden. By discussing the differences in the expansion of national terror legislation, its implementation in relation to the women of ISIS, and the possible contributing factors to the different approaches, this paper answers the following research question: how do Norway and Sweden differ in their judicial approach to the Norwegian and Swedish women of ISIS returning back home between 2012-2022? Moreover, what are the main contributing factors leading to the differences in the approaches? The paper argues that Norway is more punitive towards returning women than Sweden. This is due to Norway’s legislation on terrorism participation, which allows for prosecution without classifying which actions count as participation. Furthermore, the paper argues that this differs from Sweden’s legislation on participation, which requires evidence of grave terrorist crimes committed in order to prosecute. This, the paper demonstrates, results in Sweden lacking the legal framework to prosecute its female nationals returning from ISIS. Lastly, the paper explores possible factors contributing to the different judicial approaches and highlights the Swedish legislative council, the effect of recent terrorist attacks, and loud critics as the most significant. Through the use of the case study, this paper contributes to knowledge on the implications domestic judicial differences can have in combatting transnational threats like terrorism.Show less
This thesis examines United Kingdom foreign aid to Ethiopia between 2015 and 2020 and the extent to which it promotes environmentally sustainable development. Ethiopia is a country sensitive to...Show moreThis thesis examines United Kingdom foreign aid to Ethiopia between 2015 and 2020 and the extent to which it promotes environmentally sustainable development. Ethiopia is a country sensitive to environmental degradation. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation are amongst the top three environmental threats to Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Government has been able to achieve substantial economic growth, making Ethiopia the fastest growing economy in Africa. Nonetheless, the country remains economically poor and lacks the financial resources to achieve sustainable growth. Over the last decades, Ethiopia has been amongst the top-three recipient countries of UK foreign aid. Aid towards the climate is done through three departments – FCDO, BEIS, and DEFRA – who together fund the International Climate Finance (ICF). This research is qualitative and analyses projects financed through UK official development assistance (ODA) that concern climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation. It finds that UK ODA has made significant contributions towards climate change adaptation measures in Ethiopia, such as cooperating with smallholder farmers to increase crop productivity and building resilience to climate change. Moreover, UK ODA has been successful in addressing underlying, indirect causes of biodiversity loss and land degradation (deforestation). In this sense, UK ODA has been partially successful in promoting environmentally sustainable development in Ethiopia, but more can be done to increase its impact – on a more systemic level as well as more long-term impact.Show less
This thesis analyzes the influence of NAFTA on the agricultural sectors of the United States and Mexico between 1984 and 2004. The thesis is subdivided in three chapters, with each chapter...Show moreThis thesis analyzes the influence of NAFTA on the agricultural sectors of the United States and Mexico between 1984 and 2004. The thesis is subdivided in three chapters, with each chapter presenting one dimension of 'agricultural sector.' These dimensions are, production efficiency (1), trade competitiveness (2), and agricultural employment (3). Three general conclusions were made. NAFTA positively influenced Mexican and American production efficiency (1), NAFTA positively influenced American trade competitiveness, but negatively influenced Mexican trade competitiveness (2), and NAFTA barely influenced agricultural employment in the United States (3).Show less
Police brutality in the United States has sparked a national outcry, as this year again far too many black people have fallen victim to police shootings. Though activists have been advocating for...Show morePolice brutality in the United States has sparked a national outcry, as this year again far too many black people have fallen victim to police shootings. Though activists have been advocating for change and scholars have examined the current flawed system, they have not studied the black struggle from a contemporary genocide lens. This thesis examines American policing practices in lights of genocide, and it offers a brief history of policing practices and slavery, as well as discusses the various findings of African American Studies scholar. This thesis shows how after decades of slavery there are still genocidal tendencies in the police force, which is analysed through Stanton’s stages of genocide, as well as notions of indirect genocide. The findings indicate that policing practices pass the first six stages of Stanton, classification, symbolisation, discrimination, dehumanisation, organisation and polarisation. Though fortunately, not all stages have been realised, this thesis wishes to elucidate the deeply entrenched racial biases that are causing unbearable living situations for black Americans and to listen to those who have been silenced over the years.Show less
The thesis has investigated the use of child soldiers by the actors involved in the decades-long conflict of Somalia. The thesis has reviewed the main academic debates on child soldiering and...Show moreThe thesis has investigated the use of child soldiers by the actors involved in the decades-long conflict of Somalia. The thesis has reviewed the main academic debates on child soldiering and described the theoretical foundations to better comprehend the answer to the research question posed. In the analysis, the different rationales for each side to the conflict to explain their use and recruitment of child soldiers were examined. Finally, the thesis argued that among the several factors that seem to be valid in explaining the phenomenon of child soldiering in Somalia, only two are found to be true for both the extremist organization al-Shabaab and the government, with their allied forces. First, children may voluntarily join the army because they lack alternatives outside of the armed groups. In fact, they cannot receive a proper education and they suffer extreme poverty, water scarcity, malnutrition and devastation. Second, Somali children were born in a constant climate of violence and insecurity that has ‘normalized’ the concept of fighting, leading them to take up arms in a desperate attempt to put an end to a war they do not understand, but that has been lacerating their country for too long.Show less
The research question is to what extent are international relations theories able to explain the foreign policy of Oman between 1970 and 2020? To answer the main research puzzle and the questions...Show moreThe research question is to what extent are international relations theories able to explain the foreign policy of Oman between 1970 and 2020? To answer the main research puzzle and the questions consists of three steps. First, at the outset of the study, the thesis defines the conceptual basis of small states and to choose and apply an appropriate definition. With this step, the reader will know when the chosen state can be considered small, and which actors in a particular region / globally can be included in this category. The second step considers the determinants of the small states’ foreign policy, including geography, the characteristics of the international political and economic system, the conditions of statehood, internal institutions and norms, and the identities and national interests that society and leadership have. This provides a sound basis for the third stage of the analysis, where the chapter aims to compare the practical applicability of theoretical schools and the role of intangible resources through a case study and to draw attention to the importance of flexible use of theoretical frameworks.Show less
The thesis looks at how the pre-famine conditions in the Yemen civil war are being portraied through photography in late 2018, early 2019 and, at its core, discusses the lack of systematic,...Show moreThe thesis looks at how the pre-famine conditions in the Yemen civil war are being portraied through photography in late 2018, early 2019 and, at its core, discusses the lack of systematic, institutionalised ethic regulations in humanitarian photography and its impact on the future of understanding humanitarian tragedies. It explores three different ways of photographic representation that all aim for charity as main purpose: case oriented, illustrative human rights photography (Doctors Without Borders), dehumanising and objectifying tendencies of mass media photography spectacles (New York Times) and the inbetween, using sequential narratives to generate context (United Nations Crisis Relief/UNOCHA). The following discussion explores the use of photography as visual spectacle rather than portraying human beings in a context that grounds them as human beings. This bases in the recent discourses of visual global politics (Bleiker, Hutchinson, Chouliaraki, Robinson, Pruce et al.). At last, it expands the discussion towards modern means of visual media (sequential photography, video, virtual reality, augmented reality, 4d)and explores the vast possibilities of integrating alternative media formats in humanitarian causes as well as its possible dangers that 'do-good' humanism can cause for humanitarian organisations in the long run.Show less
The War on Drugs emphasised the weak socioeconomic status of the African American population. The punitive laws and media rhetoric influenced all facets of their daily lives. In thesis, I focussed...Show moreThe War on Drugs emphasised the weak socioeconomic status of the African American population. The punitive laws and media rhetoric influenced all facets of their daily lives. In thesis, I focussed on the power and prestige and income and wealth factor of socioeconomic status. These variables helped position the relevance of the inequalities in American society. The historical and contemporary experiences have influenced the intergenerational disenfranchisement. The War on Drugs rhetoric of tough on crime affected the poverty, social exclusion, unemployment and stereotyping of the African American peoples.Show less
This thesis examines the following research question: how did US Arctic policy concerning oil drilling change from 2001-2017 (Bush and Obama administration)? By researching this question, this...Show moreThis thesis examines the following research question: how did US Arctic policy concerning oil drilling change from 2001-2017 (Bush and Obama administration)? By researching this question, this thesis will examine how their policy discourses and actual policy strategies differed from each other. The thesis contains a comparative case studies between the Bush and Obama administrations, and gives an insight in the debate about (current) energy challenges and environmental issues. The theoretical framework is drawn from constructivist and discursive approaches, and consists of different elements which are subject to individual discourse analysis.Show less
In 2003 India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) formalised a dialogue forum regarding shared international political concerns, including democracy, personal freedom and human rights. By doing so they...Show moreIn 2003 India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) formalised a dialogue forum regarding shared international political concerns, including democracy, personal freedom and human rights. By doing so they created a new global justice discourse shedding light on the North South divide. Since its creation IBSA has gained greater influence in the global political order by increasing their presence in global institutions such as the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations. Acknowledging the difficulty of being accepted in large institutional councils (e.g. the UNSC) they have opted for a subtler approach and created diplomacy networks and steering committees. IBSA uses a soft power governance method known as orchestration to follow up on their founding document, the Brasilia Declaration. The IBSA initiative has sparked a new voice from the South which is challenging the current western dominance in international politics. The IBSA initiative aims to change the current course of international politics through international institutions. This article will delve into the method of orchestration and how IBSA uses it. This thesis will look at how IBSA uses orchestration theory to reach their goals.Show less
Terrorism has been a controversial and focal point for discussion with many perspectives on the subject.The objective of this thesis is to present the justifications of suicide terrorism, focusing...Show moreTerrorism has been a controversial and focal point for discussion with many perspectives on the subject.The objective of this thesis is to present the justifications of suicide terrorism, focusing on Al-Qaeda and ISIS in Iraq with a comparative analysis. The gendered interpretation is also taken into account to present how this contradicts female participation in terrorism. The purpose of this thesis is to engage in terrorism studies from a different perspective and stress the inclusion of the role of women as this is often underestimated and hence used strategically by terrorist groups. In terms of justifications, this thesis investigates the strategic, social and individual logics set out by Pape (2005) in order to analyse the different reasons behind suicide terrorism and how terrorist organizations can justify their acts in relation to the broader goal. The gendered interpretation concept refers to the existence of masculine and feminine ideals that are connected to specific roles and activities in society. In this sense, prejudice based on gender is often the result and women’s capabilities to perform an attack are underestimated. The similarities and differences of Al-Qaeda and ISIS are teased out in terms of deployment of women and logics of suicide terrorism. The findings show that foreign presence in Iraq tend to drive both terrorist groups to their acts to free the territories. By connecting the Islamic ideology to the organizations, recruitment and support among the communities are facilitated. Individual motivations to participate in terrorism are mostly related to identity and religious attachments. By referring to terrorism as a masculine activity, women’s capabilities are underestimated based on their image and traditional feminine ideals. Hence, the dangers of a gendered interpretation are presented as this strategy can be used by terrorist organizations to conduct deadly attacks with many casualties by deploying women suicide bombers.Show less
Over the last decades, the processes of Europeanisation and globalisation have resulted in a reduction of economic barriers between countries and an increasing pace of connectivity among them. For...Show moreOver the last decades, the processes of Europeanisation and globalisation have resulted in a reduction of economic barriers between countries and an increasing pace of connectivity among them. For cross-border urban areas, facing increasing economic challenges and competition from large financial powerhouses such as London and Paris, ensuring cross-border economic integration has become a pivotal strategy. From the 1957 Rome Treaty, to current cohesion funds such as Interreg and legal cooperation mechanisms such as the EGTC, the EU has aimed to assist these areas in their challenges and ensure economic progress. The Greater Copenhagen Area, consisting of the cities of Copenhagen and Malmö and the Eurometropolis, comprising the cities of Lille, Kortrijk and Tournai, are two cross-border areas which have profited considerably from EU funding and have established various projects. Although both regions share many geographic and organisational similarities, their economic conditions and strategies differ considerably. While the Greater Copenhagen area has become a relatively developed area and established a decentralised cooperation structure based on Interreg funding, the Eurometropolis is defined by considerable local differences and, through the EGTC programme, has established a cross-border partnership of a legal nature. After several decades of EU regional financial assistance and increasing critical rhetoric towards EU policies, the thesis aimed at examing economic development in the Greater Copenhagen area and the Eurometropolis by focussing on two areas, namely infrastructure and mobility and employment. In the case of the former, the construction of the Oresund Bridge provided an opportunity for local authorities to enhance cooperation among local authorities and introduce new infrastructure projects. Further integration in Danish and Swedish employment markets was identified and aims to further enhance mobility between Copenhagen and Malmö. Development in the Eurometropolis in terms of mobility and employment has been significant, however, large infrastructure projects between the cross-border areas have not been realised, albeit the strong opportunities to do so. Considering the aforementioned developments, it is argued that EU influence has indeed provided for considerate economic development in both areas. Although progress in both infrastructure and mobility and employment has been indicated, the research has established as well challenges to further cross-border integration, some of which being a lack of national authorities to increase cross-border cooperation and their inability to fully advantage EU financial assistance.Show less
