This thesis examines the success of the African Union's intervention in Darfur from 2004 to 2007, focusing on the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) while providing a nuanced comprehensive...Show moreThis thesis examines the success of the African Union's intervention in Darfur from 2004 to 2007, focusing on the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) while providing a nuanced comprehensive framework with success criteria, which are necessary to ensure humanitarian interventions are held to a uniform standard. Through a thorough analysis of existing literature, the identification and development of 4 specific success criteria. The study uses these criteria to evaluate the effectiveness and success of AMIS, going beyond achieving the mission’s mandate. The analysis recommends the African Union Mission in Sudan be assessed using the 4 success criteria: (1) reduction of violence, (2) lessening human suffering, (3) stability in the region, and (4) the attainment of long-term positive peace. This paper argues for a nuanced understanding of a humanitarian intervention’s success, recognizing the interplay between immediate outcomes and long-term stability within the country. Recommending collaboration with international actors and organizations to further empower African-led humanitarian initiatives. Drawing lessons from the Darfur experience, this paper provides valuable insights for future humanitarian interventions, stressing the need for a framework to be created to utilize immediate relief via decreasing violence, lessening suffering with sustainable development, and implementing long-lasting peace initiatives. Ultimately, the thesis underscores the potential the African Union has to become a legitimate regional actor in conflict mediation, given adequate resources provided and support from the international community.Show less
Muralism is known as a highly politicised form of art in Post-revolutionary Mexico. The movement is best known for works by painters such as Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siquieros and José Clemente...Show moreMuralism is known as a highly politicised form of art in Post-revolutionary Mexico. The movement is best known for works by painters such as Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siquieros and José Clemente Orozco; together referred to as Los Tres Grandes. The last of these three, Orozco, refutes any political interpretation of his work, but is that justified? The thesis shows that, in Katharsis, through visual language and subject matter, suggestions are generated about the artist’s views on Mexico’s sociopolitical context at the time. These reflections are in line with elements of anarchist theory.Show less
Stadia, the currency of major international sporting events, have become emblematic of an escalating arms race that has spiralled out of control over the years. Research—both academic and...Show moreStadia, the currency of major international sporting events, have become emblematic of an escalating arms race that has spiralled out of control over the years. Research—both academic and journalistic—consistently shows that host countries often gain little from these events beyond fleeting memories, white elephant stadia, and squandered millions. Despite numerous cautionary examples, the trend of constructing stadia that remain empty post-event continues unabated and is likely to persist. By comparing the stadium programs of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, this dissertation explores the challenges of utilizing these venues once the events conclude, serving as a warning to hopeful future World Cup bidders.Show less
African countries in their quest for independence have leveraged their natural resources in boosting economic growth, but with limited success in diversifying productive activities and alleviating...Show moreAfrican countries in their quest for independence have leveraged their natural resources in boosting economic growth, but with limited success in diversifying productive activities and alleviating poverty in the continent. The Resource Curse Hypothesis (RCH) suggests that their abundance in natural endowments paradoxically constrains developmental efforts. However, decades of study have failed to find a consensus on whether the curse exists and what are its driving factors. This thesis proposes an idiographic approach through process tracing to scrutinize policies and strategies used when managing natural resources and their derived revenues. Angola is the selected case study due to its high dependence on the petrol sector and its intimate connection to politics. Examining the economic trajectory in Angola evidenced how the concentration of political power, economic prioritization, and institutional development affected resource governance and, consequently, the way extractive sectors influence economic development. The conclusion is that the Angolan authoritarian regime prioritized its survival over the improvement of domestic market conditions, with limited positive impacts for the population while constraining durable economic development by over-relying on the petrol industry.Show less
This thesis investigates the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) response to Kais Saied's 2021 Coup d'État and the consequent backdrop of Tunisia's decade-long struggle for a democratic system....Show moreThis thesis investigates the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) response to Kais Saied's 2021 Coup d'État and the consequent backdrop of Tunisia's decade-long struggle for a democratic system. After presenting the historical and sociological roots of the UGTT, its role in the aftermath of the Arab Spring in Tunisia, and its participation in civil society and the democratisation process, it presents the recent events from 2021 until today. Employing a classoriented and social movement-based approach, this research dwells into the UGTT nature looking at both internal and external bondages. Hence, by analyzing a different array of sources, this thesis aims to fill a gap both in terms of time, being a recent event which is still unfolding, and of theory, believing that a theoretical framework both based on social movements and workers' theory could benefit the present literature. Furthermore, the research considers whether the actions of the UGTT signify a lost decade of seemingly successful democratization, or if the contemporary situation represents merely a temporary setback in Tunisia's pursuit of democracy, perhaps even an ulterior push in that direction. Finally, this thesis highlights the UGTT's role in Tunisia as a model for understanding global labour union involvement in political transformations.Show less
This BA Thesis investigates how the Russian state depicts society, war, and governance in Russian-occupied Kherson Oblast, in the context of Russian annexation and the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war...Show moreThis BA Thesis investigates how the Russian state depicts society, war, and governance in Russian-occupied Kherson Oblast, in the context of Russian annexation and the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war. Studying this is relevant in order to understand how Russia seeks to integrate Ukrainian regions, annexed in september 2022, into its broader political-cultural framework. It does so by analysing a selection of 143 Telegram messages posted in february to march 2024 by Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed governor in occupied Kherson, using a reflexive thematic analysis approach to qualitative data analysis. The findings are grouped in three overarching themes: governance, the war, and society. The Russian-appointed government is characterized as effective and responsive, serving the needs of the local population, as opposed to Ukrainian corruption and neglience. The war is depicted as a serie of decisive Russian triumphs over a weak and predatory Ukrainian military that intentionally targets civilians. Kherson society is depicted as having returned to a correct historical trajectory in Russia, with its people happily interacting with the various peoples and cultures of the Russian Federation. These findings contribute to a better understanding of Russia's conduct in occupied Ukraine and how Russia seeks to integrate Kherson into the Russian Federation.Show less
