This thesis investigates the visual promotion of government-constructed female identities and addresses the question of how the North Korean government visually constructs the ideal female citizen....Show moreThis thesis investigates the visual promotion of government-constructed female identities and addresses the question of how the North Korean government visually constructs the ideal female citizen. It does so to uncover the underlying narratives that the North Korean state seeks to promote about womanhood, national identity, and allegiance to the regime. It conducts extensive literature research on the current field of study to generate theories and variables to test. Using a mixed methods approach, it examines 130 North Korean propaganda posters and 272 depicted characters between 2000-2010. This study finds that the posters greatly emphasise a dichotomy between male and female duties and characteristics. The North Korean regime employs diverse strategies in symbolism and composition that equate most female identities to docile and demure and put them in charge of delegating traditional culture. It can be interpreted that the regime seeks to visualise nationalised womanhood that connects the citizens through tradition, culture, and community.Show less
Times of transition, from one world order to another, are perhaps some of the most volatile periods in history for any existing structures of power. Great power shifts are often most acutely felt...Show moreTimes of transition, from one world order to another, are perhaps some of the most volatile periods in history for any existing structures of power. Great power shifts are often most acutely felt by those who find themselves on the fringes of those structures. The following thesis will attempt to investigate the status of de facto states within the current international system, as well as the impact that any major system changes, predominantly those that occur in the transitional periods between two, often opposing, world orders, have on the entities which are not officially recognized as full members of the international community. It will look at the history of the notion of state recognition, as it evolved over time and how it is still understood in contemporary politics. In the final section it will look at the example of Taiwan in the context of the ongoing US-PRC tensions.Show less
This thesis examines the role of Confucian concepts in Sino-U.S. relations during Xi Jinping's tenure (2012–2024). A review of the current scholarship asserts a comprehensive understanding of the...Show moreThis thesis examines the role of Confucian concepts in Sino-U.S. relations during Xi Jinping's tenure (2012–2024). A review of the current scholarship asserts a comprehensive understanding of the topic and the apparent gaps in the literature. Next, A dataset comprising 100 items, such as speeches, official reports, and media articles, was constructed and subjected to automated content and discourse analysis. The methodology includes quantitative and qualitative analysis, applying automated content analysis (ACA) across all sources for breadth and critical discourse analysis (CDA) on two selected sources for depth. The research finds an increased trend in Confucian-related word usage in official party narratives related to Sino-U.S. relations aimed at English-speaking audiences. Several Confucian themes are uncovered in CCP discourse, as demonstrated by two speeches by Xi Jinping that suggest a strategic application of Confucian-related words in its constructed narratives. The findings applied to the existing scholarship suggest that Contemporary CCP politics embody a strategically designed party ideology that incorporates reemerging Confucian values in the wake of the post-Mao weakening of the radical Marxist-Leninist party influences.Show less
In 2019, Chilean K-pop fans mobilised in a collective effort through online activism to support the anti-government protests raising awareness and voicing their political opinion by utilising K-pop...Show moreIn 2019, Chilean K-pop fans mobilised in a collective effort through online activism to support the anti-government protests raising awareness and voicing their political opinion by utilising K-pop mechanics. In 2021 Chilean K-pop fans organised a presidential campaign endorsing candidate Gabriel Boric. Similarly, Thai K-pop fans played a significant role in the 2020 prodemocracy movement by raising awareness of the movement and organising fundraisers to support protesters with equipment and providing legal advice. In both instances, fans used Kpop tactics to effectively and meaningfully contribute to the political causes they deemed important. Thus, through the analysis of fans' activities and content shared online, aided by news articles reporting on fans' actions, this thesis aims to research the following questions: How did Chilean and Thai K-pop fans engage in political activism? What factors contribute to the politicisation of these K-pop fan communities? How did their actions influence public discourse and social change? This thesis concludes that both Chilean and Thai K-pop fans have effectively leveraged fandom tactics for political activism. Their actions underscore the intersections of cultural and political participation, highlighting how these K-pop fandoms can evolve into relevant and meaningful political forcesShow less
This research will examine how single women are portrayed in mainstream media in China and the United States. Specifically, it will compare the representations of “leftover women” in China with...Show moreThis research will examine how single women are portrayed in mainstream media in China and the United States. Specifically, it will compare the representations of “leftover women” in China with those of single women in the United States. This thesis offers a comprehensive analysis of the academic literature regarding the developments of “leftover women” in China and single women in the US. Additionally, it will analyze the portrayal of single women in mainstream media by utilizing newspaper articles sourced from the online databases of The People’s Daily and The New York Times. The goal of this thesis is to increase public understanding of issues of gender inequality and contribute to a discourse about single women that advances gender equality.Show less
This thesis explores Bollywood's homogenizing potential through the lens of "soft power," positing Bollywood as a national conduit that obscures the hegemonic tendencies of the BJP and Prime...Show moreThis thesis explores Bollywood's homogenizing potential through the lens of "soft power," positing Bollywood as a national conduit that obscures the hegemonic tendencies of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The analysis is focused on the function of Bollywood as a platform for promoting and perpetuating dominant national narratives and cultural norms, thereby discrediting minority considerations. In addition, this research shall expand its scope to explore developments in celebrity discourses and the growing politicization of social media. Through these inquiries, the thesis aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted influence of Bollywood on Indian society and politics.Show less
South Korea, Japan, and China are struggling with loneliness in their respective societies. As prolonged feelings of loneliness can have large and lasting consequences for one’s health, it should...Show moreSouth Korea, Japan, and China are struggling with loneliness in their respective societies. As prolonged feelings of loneliness can have large and lasting consequences for one’s health, it should be avoided at all costs. People found solace in watching livestreams; the streams are very personal and it feels like the hosts are in the room with you. In South Korea, mukbangs became popular as more and more people are living in single-person households and therefore more frequently eat alone as well. VTubers made it possible for Japanese people to interact with anime characters, giving life to large communities as a growing number of people are looking at technology to fulfill their social needs. Nǚ zhǔ bō streams provided young Chinese men that are unable to find real girlfriends a virtual girlfriend experience. Livestreaming is a breeding ground for parasocial relationships, as the relationship between streamer and viewer feels very intimate and real. Ideally would viewers find comfort in the company not of the streamers, but in the community as a whole, in which actual meaningful relationships can be formed.Show less
Using hitherto unexplored archival materials, this study explores the extended negotiations leading to the 1972 Dutch-Sino joint communique in which the exchange of embassies was settled. It...Show moreUsing hitherto unexplored archival materials, this study explores the extended negotiations leading to the 1972 Dutch-Sino joint communique in which the exchange of embassies was settled. It identifies two accelerators and hurdles in the process. Richard Nixon's 1971 visit announcement initiated talks between the Netherlands and the PRC, while the PRC’s admission to the UN removed an important difficulty in their bilateral ties. Hurdles arose during discussions on how to communicate the elevation of bilateral ties to the ambassadorial level and on the formal language regarding Taiwan in the joint communique. The addition of the 'anti-Brezhnev doctrine' showcased the Netherlands' departure from the Brezhnev Doctrine, emphasizing peaceful coexistence. Beyond the negotiation intricacies, the study highlights the agency of smaller states. The Netherlands intentionally deviated from U.S. foreign policy in the UN-vote on Chinese representation and included discussions with Romania on European security and limiting superpower actions in its negotiations with China.Show less
This study explores the role of the qipao in shaping the representation and perception of Chinese women’s modern cultural identity during the early twentieth century. In a period of societal...Show moreThis study explores the role of the qipao in shaping the representation and perception of Chinese women’s modern cultural identity during the early twentieth century. In a period of societal instability, Chinese women sought a modern identity that harmonized with their cultural values. Utilizing visual research and literature analysis, the research underscores the qipao’s significance as both a tool and a symbol in popular visual culture forming women’s identities. Emphasizing the socio-historical context, the study highlights the qipao’s role as a bridge between tradition and modernization in Shanghai’s cosmopolitan environment. Through magazines, calendar posters, and cinema, the qipao emerges as a dynamic cultural dress, influencing representations and perceptions of the modern woman’s cultural identity.Show less
This thesis delves into the intersection of Buddhism, medicine, and art through the lens of seventeenth-century Tibetan paintings known as the Blue Beryl series. These intricate artworks not only...Show moreThis thesis delves into the intersection of Buddhism, medicine, and art through the lens of seventeenth-century Tibetan paintings known as the Blue Beryl series. These intricate artworks not only serve as repositories of medical knowledge but also reflect the cultural, religious, and political values of their time. Central to these paintings is the representation of indigenous Tibetan perspectives on spirit-caused illnesses, which focus on the existence of elemental spirits deeply rooted in local beliefs and landscapes. The research aims to investigate the indigenous Tibetan beliefs surrounding spirit causation and illness as depicted in the Blue Beryl paintings, offering a deeper understanding of these often misconstrued spiritual entities. By closely analyzing the iconography within these artworks, the study seeks to unveil the presence and significance of non-Buddhist beliefs and practices within Tibetan psychiatry, shedding light on a less-explored aspect of Tibetan medicine and spirituality.Show less
For millions of people in Southeast Asia, Buddhism is more than a religion in the Western sense; it is a lifestyle. Theravada Buddhism in Thailand is intimately connected to Thai governance,...Show moreFor millions of people in Southeast Asia, Buddhism is more than a religion in the Western sense; it is a lifestyle. Theravada Buddhism in Thailand is intimately connected to Thai governance, society, and culture. Since the 1980s Thai Buddhism has created links with environmentalist movements. The Buddhist Environmental movement in Thailand has two terms related to monks: firstly, Development Monks or phra nak phatthana, and secondly, Forest Monks or phra nak anuraksaa. By 1991, there were some 250-300 Development Monks, comprising an important network in village grassroots communities, especially rural communities, and premised the desire to introduce a ‘Buddhist way of sustainable development'.Show less