This thesis explores collective action problems in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the post-Soviet era. Collective action theory does not have plain explanations for the fact that...Show moreThis thesis explores collective action problems in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the post-Soviet era. Collective action theory does not have plain explanations for the fact that NATO is still operating. As long as member states invest in the alliance in terms of financial contributions and by participating in operations, NATO is likely to persist. By focusing on the case of the Netherlands, the study addresses a state’s incentives for contributing to NATO-led out-of-area operations. More specifically, this thesis has selected Kosovo Force, Resolute Support, and NATO Mission Iraq to analyze why the Netherlands has participated in NATO missions. Through a content analysis of letters in which the government justifies its decision for participating in these missions, the study can collect, categorize, and interpret the arguments of the Dutch government. Following the theories of institutionalism and constructivism, this research argues that the Netherlands has contributed to NATO-led out-of-area operations because it strived to sustain the institutional assets of NATO and to promote liberal-democratic values.Show less
Australia has struggled for the past 20 years to maintain a single climate policy. This thesis seeks to identify the ways the Australian Liberal party has been successful in preventing progressive...Show moreAustralia has struggled for the past 20 years to maintain a single climate policy. This thesis seeks to identify the ways the Australian Liberal party has been successful in preventing progressive climate policy. More broadly, this thesis asks how does conservative party ideology play a role in the development of climate policy? Previous literature has provided examples of the Liberal party successfully preventing climate policy; however, there is little literature that conducts a longitudinal case study focusing on party ideology. This thesis attempts to fill that void by comparing the Abbott (September 2013 - September 2015) and Morrison (August 2018 – Current) governments to find evidence that party ideology transcends a single administration and that the Australian Liberal party has been successful though various administrations in preventing strong climate policy. By applying the theory of anti-reflexivity, this thesis will observe the ways conservative governments have created doubt and uncertainty regarding the science of climate change. This will be done by utilizing a discourse analysis to explore primary sources such as party manifestos and legislative documents.Show less
