The European Union (EU) is facing a crisis of territorial integrity: one of its member states and several of its candidate members have had parts of their territory under occupation as a result of...Show moreThe European Union (EU) is facing a crisis of territorial integrity: one of its member states and several of its candidate members have had parts of their territory under occupation as a result of foreign aggression, with the occupation ongoing for an extended time period in each case. It is unclear whether action taken to recover territory from long-running occupation is legal under the law on self-defence. Treaty law does not rule out such an option, but its approval is implicit at best. Furthermore, publicists are split on the matter between those who favour the preservation of the right to self-defence throughout time, especially for weaker victims of aggression, and those who prefer to regard the restored peace and new status quo resulting from long-running occupation. These divisions warrant a turn to customary law for answers. A case study of state practice and opinio juris in the question of Cyprus, the sole member state of the EU under partial military occupation, reveals contrasting findings. The international community, through the positions of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and the General Assembly, has repeatedly condemned the occupation and considered any new status quo as illegal. At the same time, the Security Council undertook measures under Chapter VII of the UN Charter to cease the right of Cyprus to self-defence, including by non-forcible means, although these measures were ineffective in attaining the end of occupation and the withdrawal of unauthorised foreign troops from the island. This raises the question whether the formulation of Article 51, requiring “necessary action” by the Security Council to end the right to self-defence while not mentioning sufficiency, is adequate in cases of long-standing aggression.Show less
Self-defence has been a longstanding foundational concept of international law. However ambiguity still remains over its content and requirements. In particular, this research examines the critical...Show moreSelf-defence has been a longstanding foundational concept of international law. However ambiguity still remains over its content and requirements. In particular, this research examines the critical yet neglected requirement of proportionality in self-defence under international law. The research aims to explore whether states have adhered to the requirement of proportionality in their military actions of self-defence. By operationalizing a framework on the concepts relevant to the research question, the research conducts an exploratory normative analysis on the cases of the US invasion of Iraq and the Gaza War of 2008-09, otherwise known as Operation Cast Lead. Utilising both qualitative and quantitative data from secondary sources and independent official reports. The result of the analysis reveals a lack of adherence to proportionality in self-defence as a result of the excessive scale and gravity of states military actions which far exceeded what would be proportionate in terms of scale and gravity relative to its declared intentions and objectives. In this way the research emphasises the need for clearer definitions and frameworks of the requirements in order to tackle the ambiguities of proportionality in the discourse of self-defence.Show less
Global health is a broad area that spans across many fields. Political science is questioning why global health policies come to be, yet no definitive answer has been found. This research conducts...Show moreGlobal health is a broad area that spans across many fields. Political science is questioning why global health policies come to be, yet no definitive answer has been found. This research conducts a historical analysis of the EU global health policy to recast the wider question of which structural factors drive policies of global health. It does so through the application of middle range theories of policymaking. Political attention and policy formulation are the main factors that influenced the policy output of the EU global health policy.Show less
This thesis focuses on the potential of integrating the principles of Ubuntism into Good Governance techniques in order to re-legitimise democracy in South Africa. With the plea for unity and...Show moreThis thesis focuses on the potential of integrating the principles of Ubuntism into Good Governance techniques in order to re-legitimise democracy in South Africa. With the plea for unity and national reconciliation prompted by Nelson Mandela, the country now faces several challenges in preserving its democratic institutions amid rising authoritarianism in the region. This thesis utilises a normative comparative analysis of the UN Good Governance framework, and argues for the integration of the values inherent in Ubuntism, to propose a governance model that is more representative, inclusive, and effective. Further, through the use of value theory this thesis examines case studies exhibited by the UN Good Governance framework, in order to argue that values such as survival, compassion, and respect can combat corruption and state capture, ultimately enhancing the legitimacy of South Africa's present day democracy. This thesis acknowledges the limitations of its argument most notably: the narrow scope of strategies analysed and the absence of empirical research. However, it further calls for a more in- depth and extensive exploration of Ubuntism’s impact on governance. With the upcoming 2024 national elections in South Africa, this research highlights how imperative it is for structural changes in governance in order to prevent the erosion of its democratic principles. The integration of Ubuntism into governance ultimately offers a promising approach to addressing governance failures and fostering a more interconnected and accountable government within the country that inherently contributes to the broader fight against authoritarianism in Africa.Show less
Based on the comparison of Hungary and Poland during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, this study determines that the party ideology of the ruling party does not have a significant impact on...Show moreBased on the comparison of Hungary and Poland during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, this study determines that the party ideology of the ruling party does not have a significant impact on financial crisis response. Based on results derived from the National Bank and IMF reports of both countries in 2008 and 2009. Despite having ideologically different parties in power the government responses are not particularly divergent. I demonstrate that any particular response to a crisis is impacted by several factors both internal and external. In Hungary the social democratically oriented government was pushed to abandon ideology in favour of dominant economic neoliberalism. While Poland stayed the course but also deviated from ideology slightly. Thereby demonstrating that ideology becomes secondary in times of financial difficulty, particularly when international institutions are involved.Show less
This thesis investigates the political effect of the United States’ African Growth and Opportunity Act, a non-reciprocal trade agreement granting eligible Sub-Saharan African states tariff free...Show moreThis thesis investigates the political effect of the United States’ African Growth and Opportunity Act, a non-reciprocal trade agreement granting eligible Sub-Saharan African states tariff free access to the US-American market. In both the scholarly literature and real-world politics, the threat of AGOA suspension seems to spook African leaders. The exclusion mechanism is highly exploitable and political compliance therefore important to stay included in the agreement. The economic impact of AGOA is however highly limited. This thesis tackles the puzzle of why an agreement with no major economic impact leads to political compliance to the US by its member states. My argument is the limitation of AGOA’s utilization to a capacity-abundant elite, which can afford to overcome the utilization barriers (high transportation costs, permits, etc.) and earn the agreements benefits. Following the elite theory, this benefitting elite is then able to influence its government to comply with US policies, in order for AGOA benefits to retain.Show less
