Global temperatures are rising as policymakers aim to tackle the climate challenges our world faces today. The European Union plays a leading role in climate politics and the global reduction of...Show moreGlobal temperatures are rising as policymakers aim to tackle the climate challenges our world faces today. The European Union plays a leading role in climate politics and the global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through one of its key tools, the Emissions Trading System. This thesis examines the impact of EU member states’ industrial composition on implementing the EU ETS in phase 2 through a comparative analysis of the Netherlands and Belgium. An examination of the correlation between national industries and the national implementation of the ETS has thus far remained absent in the existing literature and provides policy insights for future climate politics. An analysis of the relevant policy documents reveals how both countries varied in their implementation of the system. It demonstrates how the more pollutive industrial composition of the Netherlands caused the government to be more responsive to the affected industries’ interests in the allocation process. However, contrary to expectations, the Netherlands was not more lenient the monitoring of the system and was even more strict than Belgium in most areas.Show less
Seeking to more profoundly understand the nexus between race and class in Brazil, and comprehend its implications for political consciousness, this thesis centres the question: “How is political...Show moreSeeking to more profoundly understand the nexus between race and class in Brazil, and comprehend its implications for political consciousness, this thesis centres the question: “How is political consciousness of Afro-Brazilian emancipation movements informed by class interests?” In this capacity, class interests are interpreted as racialised consciousness, derived from the neo- Marxist theory of racialisation, a lens that figures prominently in this study. Remaining open to alternative explanations, through exploring discourse of Afro-Brazilian movement Black Coalition for Rights, this study concludes that two forms of consciousness theoretically assumed to be different are both built on similar premises that recognise the role of capitalist structures in processes of racialisation.Show less
The aim of this thesis is to explore the international component of democratization theory, asking: How has international election observers' involvement in promoting and diffusing democratic...Show moreThe aim of this thesis is to explore the international component of democratization theory, asking: How has international election observers' involvement in promoting and diffusing democratic electoral norms and practices during presidential elections in Kenya from 1989 to 2020 impacted Kenya's democratization process? First, the theoretical debate on the effectiveness of election observation in fostering democratization is explored. This part identifies that there are substantial knowledge gaps between the theory and reality of election observation, warranting exploration of the causal mechanisms and variables linking election observation and democratization. The necessity of exploring this also arises from the fact that election observation has had mixed democratization outcomes; in Kenya, there are two cases of democratic decline post-observation (2007 and 2017 elections) and four cases of democratic growth (1992, 1997, 2002, 2013). By exploring the negative and positive cases in a single and cross-case analysis, drawing on democracy promotion and diffusion frameworks, this thesis explains that prevailing assumptions of election observation that it deters fraud and cheating, promotes democratic practices, and diffuses free and fair electoral processes largely hold true. It will show that the reasons for varying democratic outcomes are shaped through how different institutions, methods, relations, channeling, extents of synergy, and ideas of "free and fair" affect this process.Show less
This thesis examines the influence the BRICS and the EU have on South African foreign policy, specifically between 2010 and 2023. South Africa and the world have witnessed much change during those...Show moreThis thesis examines the influence the BRICS and the EU have on South African foreign policy, specifically between 2010 and 2023. South Africa and the world have witnessed much change during those 13 years, between the several conflicts that erupted involving some BRICS member-states, revolutions in Africa, and the work that led up to the expansion of the BRICS into the BRICS+ format in 2024. Including a discussion on formal and informal IGOs, this study uses a constructivist theoretical framework and discourse analysis to examine South African foreign policy annual reports, BRICS joint statements, EU-AU joint declarations, and EU-South Africa joint declarations. It finds that South Africa’s foreign policy is influenced by the BRICS and the EU through two main pillars of its foreign policy, but in different manners, yet relating to the central theme of the multilateral system, particularly the UN.Show less
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been criticized for being ‘too ambitious’ and ‘ambiguous’ (Lim, Jørgensen, Wyborn, 2018 ; Hák, Janoušková, Moldan, 2016). The failing of the SDGs is...Show moreThe Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been criticized for being ‘too ambitious’ and ‘ambiguous’ (Lim, Jørgensen, Wyborn, 2018 ; Hák, Janoušková, Moldan, 2016). The failing of the SDGs is globally visible. This study will focus on the ineffective SDG implementation in western Europe. Specifically, western European countries are ‘political entrepreneurs’ being regarded as capable of adequately addressing global challenges (Silander 2019 ; Silander 2020 ; Mintrom 2020). However, the failing of the SDGs causes reputational damage to their title as policy entrepreneur. Rhetorical legitimation theory has argued that legitimacy conveys in texts produced by organizations (Halliday, Block-Lieb, Carruthers 2010). This study therefore aims to answer the following research question: What has been the role of Western-European states as policy entrepreneurs in the legitimation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? A total of 12 Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) will be examined through discourse analysis to interpret the rhetoric applied in the VNRs given the social context in which they originated. This thesis will argue that western European countries have played an active role in legitimizing the SDGs. Nevertheless, the position western European states took in the process has shifted, simultaneously with the social context, over time.Show less
In the quest for natural resources, indigenous and underdeveloped communities are often sacrificed as states turn their interests toward bolstering their economies. The Human Rights Council (HRC)...Show moreIn the quest for natural resources, indigenous and underdeveloped communities are often sacrificed as states turn their interests toward bolstering their economies. The Human Rights Council (HRC) of the United Nations stands at the forefront of championing human rights and operates as both norm maker and primary monitor of human rights standards. By using institutionalism as a framework, this thesis considers the robustness of the HRC and seeks to understand its effect in protecting local communities in underdeveloped states subjected to often arguably unfair land grab deals. Through discourse analysis, the research delves into the language, narratives, and discursive strategies deployed within text and content produced by the HRC. Through comparative analysis that considers the two sample cases of Myanmar and Cambodia, the research considers under what conditions the HRC successfully contributes to the protection of these vulnerable communities.Show less
The dynamics of power in international relations are inherently fluid and subject to ongoing change. There is a growing recognition that the influence within the European Union is gradually moving...Show moreThe dynamics of power in international relations are inherently fluid and subject to ongoing change. There is a growing recognition that the influence within the European Union is gradually moving away from powers like France and Germany towards countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The aforementioned transition was precipitated, among other factors, by the Ukrainian-Russian conflict, which has significantly impacted geopolitical terrain. Poland, a nation with significant economic and military prowess and a sizable population, is positioning itself as a key player aiming to rebalance power dynamics in favor of Central and Eastern European member states that have historically been marginalized. This study seeks to answer the question concerning the presence of a power shift within the European Union, and to identify the fundamental causes driving this change.Show less
The rise of populism within the European Union (EU) threatens the protection of human rights, including gender-equality. Although several studies tried to explain the effect of populism on gender...Show moreThe rise of populism within the European Union (EU) threatens the protection of human rights, including gender-equality. Although several studies tried to explain the effect of populism on gender-equality, they do so by using case study analyses focusing mainly on populist rhetoric. To deepen the understanding of previous research, this study reanalyzes the effect of populism on gender-equality. I add to the existing literature by taking a quantitative approach studying the effect of right-wing populism on gender-equality within the EU. Using an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis, I combine several datasets to explore the relationship between 2010 and 2021 within all EU member states. I hypothesize that countries which contain a higher share of right-wing populist posts as part of the total cabinet posts, show lower levels of gender-equality. To test this hypothesis, I identify right-wing populist parties within the EU by using data of the Supplement to the Comparative Political Data Set – Government Composition 1960-2021 dataset (CPDS). Moreover, I operationalize gender-equality consulting the Gender Equality Index (GEI) measured by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE). The results illustrate the effect of populism on gender-equality is context-dependent, meaning that populism only influences some areas of gender-equality.Show less
Vietnamese modern history has always been in opposition to China’s economic and geopolitical interests, rejecting further encroachment upon their economy for their geopolitical independence. In...Show moreVietnamese modern history has always been in opposition to China’s economic and geopolitical interests, rejecting further encroachment upon their economy for their geopolitical independence. In spite of this opposition, Vietnam joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China’s development project that serves as their geoeconomic tool to gain further influence upon its members. I theorise that Vietnam was coerced into entering the BRI against its interest by two main factors: Chinese firms’ economic dominance over Vietnam, and Vietnam's unreliable trade partners. With a focus on the causal mechanisms and the causal link that drove this event to happen, this paper will use process tracing as the method of research. Through this research, I seek to expand upon the underexplored academic gap of a least likely case against Chinese geoeconomic encroachment.Show less
This thesis aims to assess the impact of the European Union's normative power in promoting human rights and democratic norms in Mexico between 2000 and 2015. Manners' (2002) introduction of the...Show moreThis thesis aims to assess the impact of the European Union's normative power in promoting human rights and democratic norms in Mexico between 2000 and 2015. Manners' (2002) introduction of the concept of ‘normative power Europe’ (NPE) has raised increasing interest among scholars, especially those concerned about how the European Union (EU) shapes the world’s conception of what is ‘normal’. Nevertheless, extensive research focuses on the NPE’s ontological conceptualisation and its effectiveness in EU candidate countries, while fewer studies explore the EU’s normative power implications in countries with no possibility of joining the Union. This research addresses this gap by focusing on the EU’s normative power impact in Mexico, a country with no prospect of membership. In 1997, Mexico became the first Latin American country to sign a free trade, political and cooperation agreement with the EU, also known as the Global Agreement. This qualitative study shows that the EU has positively impacted the Mexican norms in democracy and human rights by implementing political conditionality in the Global Agreement. The study's broader implications reflect the EU's growing international role and its effectiveness in promoting its constitutive norms around the world.Show less
This research investigates the continuity of European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia in the aftermath of the 2014 Crimea annexation, highlighting the diversity of member state attitudes...Show moreThis research investigates the continuity of European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia in the aftermath of the 2014 Crimea annexation, highlighting the diversity of member state attitudes towards Russia. The research question that will be answered is: How does the interaction between domestic- and EU-level, within both conciliatory and hardline member states, influence the continuity of EU sanctions against Russia? Putnam's two-level game theory is employed, providing a framework to analyze the interaction between domestic political considerations and international negotiations. This study formulates two hypotheses: Hypothesis 1 posits that dissatisfaction with a larger sanction package among hardline states facilitates agreement in the European Council, and Hypothesis 2 suggests that satisfaction with a larger sanction package among conciliatory states similarly facilitates agreement. A qualitative comparative analysis between Hungary and Poland tests these hypotheses. It utilizes national policy papers, position tracing through secondary literature, and public opinion polls to examine the rationale behind each country's approach, the satisfaction among political leaders, public opinion, and business elites on the EU sanction package against Russia. The analysis finds evidence in support of both hypotheses, demonstrating the ways in which the domestic public can influence negotiations within the European Council, particularly concerning sanctions against Russia.Show less
Sexual violence against girls and women in times of conflict is a widespread and devastating human rights violation worldwide. With this issue increasingly recognized as an international security...Show moreSexual violence against girls and women in times of conflict is a widespread and devastating human rights violation worldwide. With this issue increasingly recognized as an international security issue, the international community has begun to take steps to address it. Yet, despite a large number of measures implemented by the United Nations (UN), conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) persists. This thesis explores the UN’s ineffectiveness in combating CRSV. Drawing on a comparative case study of the Iraq war and the South Sudan conflict, this paper seeks to understand how the UN’s legitimacy and resources may be at the root of this ineffectiveness. The results of this research contribute to a better understanding of the complexities of sexual and gender-based violence in different conflict contexts, and provide insight into strategies to strengthen the UN’s capacity to prevent and respond to these violations of human rights.Show less
India's transformation from being a participant in environmental discussions to assuming environmental responsibilities on the global stage has been remarkable. Since endorsing the Paris Agreement,...Show moreIndia's transformation from being a participant in environmental discussions to assuming environmental responsibilities on the global stage has been remarkable. Since endorsing the Paris Agreement, India has exhibited substantial progress in aligning global policies with domestic initiatives. The objective of this thesis is to grasp the determinants behind changes in India's discourse on climate change through an examination of Indian climate politics and textual analysis across different time periods. The research builds on compliance theory and contributes to the study of compliance in climate change discourse in India since the Kyoto Protocol of 1997. The case study presented in this research demonstrates how a shift to a pragmatic diplomatic approach and India’s aspiration to become a globally responsible leader may alter a nation’s behaviour in international environmental negotiations.Show less
The existing academic literature explores the causal relationship between ethnic cleavage and the outbreak of war, with a particular emphasis on repression, resistance, and identity. While scholars...Show moreThe existing academic literature explores the causal relationship between ethnic cleavage and the outbreak of war, with a particular emphasis on repression, resistance, and identity. While scholars recognize the importance of these concepts, they typically examine two distinct areas: the interaction between repression and resistance, and the isolated analysis of identity. This compartmentalized approach overlooks the interplay between these concepts and their combined impact on the path to war. The dissertation addresses this gap by testing the theory of the nexus of repression, resistance, and identity in the case of Kosovo from 1981 to 1998. To explore this relationship, the study integrates data from secondary sources, semi-structured interviews with individuals involved in the activities leading up to the Kosovo War, and archival material.Show less