In the past two decades, as the public debate about sustainable development has increasingly gained attention, sustainability goals have also reached the tourism sector, especially in lowand middle...Show moreIn the past two decades, as the public debate about sustainable development has increasingly gained attention, sustainability goals have also reached the tourism sector, especially in lowand middle-income countries. Subsequently, sustainable tourism alternatives like pro-poor, community-based, eco-, or Indigenous tourism emerged, aiming to provide inclusive economic and socio-cultural benefits to the host communities and thus contribute to broader goals like poverty alleviation and regional sustainable development. This thesis focuses on Indigenous tourism, as a particular form of alternative tourism, and assesses its potential in serving as a tool for sustainable development of the tourism sector and the host communities, taking Peru as case study. Whereas singular aspects of Indigenous tourism have already been discussed in prior research, this thesis aims to provide a full overview of the impacts of Indigenous tourism by combining insights from an economic and socio-cultural perspective. The analysis utilizes a mixed-method approach that combines qualitative literature-based research with primary data analyses and is based on neoliberal and Marxist economic theory as well as sustainable tourism studies, critical development, and post-colonial theory. Discussing the various prospects and challenges (both economic and socio-cultural) of Indigenous tourism in Peru, this research identifies clear requirements for successful development and subsequently advocates for the promotion of Indigenous tourism as a mean toward more inclusive and sustainable development of Peru´s tourism sector and the host communities.Show less
In the wake of massive protests in 2019, Chile embarked upon a massive project to rewrite the constitution. This process was started by a plebiscite in which the citizens voted on whether or not...Show moreIn the wake of massive protests in 2019, Chile embarked upon a massive project to rewrite the constitution. This process was started by a plebiscite in which the citizens voted on whether or not they wanted a new constitution, and who would be writing it. In 2022 another plebiscite sealed the fate of the resulting proposal. Direct democracy also ushered in the return of democracy and the end of 18 years of dictatorship. It is also often presented as a solution to declining rates of participation in elections. This thesis will make a start into exploring the relationship between participation and direct democracy. By contrasting interviews with several experts to the existing literature it provides a tentative overview. The findings point towards direct democracy not having a strong influence by itself on political participation. There are however several positive signs with regards to participation.Show less
By conducting a comparative analysis between Argentina and Chile this thesis examines the experiences of neoliberalism between 1980 and 2016 in relation to the development of the political economy...Show moreBy conducting a comparative analysis between Argentina and Chile this thesis examines the experiences of neoliberalism between 1980 and 2016 in relation to the development of the political economy of those counties. Additionally, this thesis analysis whether market-oriented reforms have improve the reduction of unemployment, poverty, and income inequality. By comparing the experiences of neoliberalism in Argentina and Chile over time, this thesis observes different results of the premises of the processes. While Argentina improves its GDP as well as its reduction in unemployment, poverty and income inequality, in times of state-oriented reforms, Chile continuously implements neoliberal market policies and decreases its level of poverty, while income inequality remains stable.Show less
In Nicaragua, the field of development aid has undergone a considerable change over the last decades. The donor landscape has become more diverse, and the types and compositions of aid have changed...Show moreIn Nicaragua, the field of development aid has undergone a considerable change over the last decades. The donor landscape has become more diverse, and the types and compositions of aid have changed. As a result of a radical new direction that was taken by the latest Nicaraguan government in which country ownership became a more central focus to development, many traditional aid donors have scaled down their aid to Nicaragua, while emerging donors, mainly Venezuela, have become increasingly involved as providers of largely unconditional aid. This paper researches how effective project aid, budget support and Venezuelan aid to Nicaragua have been in lowering poverty levels, by testing these on the factors of conditionality, alignment with the recipient government’s objectives, harmonisation and country ownership. On the basis of these four factors, this research finds that both project aid and budget support have generally had limited effects in Nicaragua, whereas Venezuelan aid seems to have had more significant effects on reducing poverty levels.Show less
