Research master thesis | Latin American Studies (research) (MA)
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In deze scriptie wordt de ideologische ontwikkeling van de Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) beschreven tijdens het presidentschap van Álvaro Uribe (2002 - 2010). Aan de hand van...Show moreIn deze scriptie wordt de ideologische ontwikkeling van de Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) beschreven tijdens het presidentschap van Álvaro Uribe (2002 - 2010). Aan de hand van het marxisme-leninisme en belangrijke gebeurtenissen in de Colombiaanse historie wordt geanalyseerd in hoeverre de FARC is veranderd in het uitdragen van haar ideologie.Show less
According to the conservatives, during the last decade Latin America has been influenced by the demonized “gender ideology”. Gender ideology is the presumption that Western countries and...Show moreAccording to the conservatives, during the last decade Latin America has been influenced by the demonized “gender ideology”. Gender ideology is the presumption that Western countries and institutions are imposing gender theory, which is the theoretical assumption that gender is a social construct. According to this presumption, Western countries are aiming to make structural changes regarding the positions of women and the LGBTQA community. The purpose of this study is to determine to what extend this claim can be hold by using a postcolonialism method, discourse analysis. The discourses of the representatives of Latin American countries were analyzed to see to what extent they are similar, and to see if they are comparable with Western countries. By looking at the Latin American region, this study tries to avoid methodological nationalism. The results of this study appear to not support the claim that Latin American countries are forced by external actors. However, the results do show that there exists a connection between female empowerment and higher acceptance of the LGBTQA community.Show less
Venezuela has one of the largest oil resource in the world and the oil sector is one of the most prone sectors to corruption. As the Corruption Perception Index shows is the level of corruption in...Show moreVenezuela has one of the largest oil resource in the world and the oil sector is one of the most prone sectors to corruption. As the Corruption Perception Index shows is the level of corruption in Venezuela also one of the highest of Latin America. In this thesis the level of influence of corruption on the resource curse will be assessed, specifically looking at the case study of Venezuela during the Bolivarian Revolution of Hugo Chávez. First, a theoretical framework is created in order to understand the relation between corruption and the resource curse. Second, a contextualization is provided through analyzing the Punto Fijo Pact which preceded the Hugo Chávez government. In this chapter increasing dissatisfaction of the Venezuelan population is shown, which together with the Caracazo massacre, created a platform for Hugo Chávez to gain power and popularity. In the third chapter, the theoretical framework will be applied to Chávez’s Venezuela and its consequences. Whereas the theoretical framework suggests that the resource curse is strengthened by corruption and thus will prevent a country with an abundant resource from developing, the case of Venezuela appears to be have proved the contrary. After analyzing the resource curse in Venezuela it shows that even though an abundant resource is present and corruption is still increasing, the oil revenues have allowed Hugo Chávez to fund several new socioeconomic programs which largely have benefitted the Venezuelan development.Show less
This study involves the idea of citizen security to the community policing projects in Rio de Janeiro called the UPP. In the discussion of security a Western lens is used in most studies, whereas...Show moreThis study involves the idea of citizen security to the community policing projects in Rio de Janeiro called the UPP. In the discussion of security a Western lens is used in most studies, whereas in the case of Latin America there is not a sense of public security, but rather citizen security. This study tries to examine how citizen security has been effected through the UPP projects. This is done through the theories of citizenship, police-citizenship relationships, and community policing.Show less
This thesis analyses alternative forms of governance to manage land conflict and criminal violence in the Ixil region in Guatemala. Under conditions of weak state presence, European-centric...Show moreThis thesis analyses alternative forms of governance to manage land conflict and criminal violence in the Ixil region in Guatemala. Under conditions of weak state presence, European-centric governance approaches have been sceptical about governance in countries with a weak institutional culture and precarious democracy. However, on pointing out the democratic stance governance should achieve, they have overlooked alternative forms of order and the contribution of (non)state actors on the provision of services. In an attempt to solve this dilemma, this thesis proposes to broad the notion of governance to understand “who governs for whom, and how are governance services provided under the conditions of weak statehood?” (Risse 4). The study suggests looking at how are (non)state actors related to each other in the sense that they provide services otherwise not provided by the state. Based on a study of the Ixil region, this thesis describes operations and practices amongst an array of (non)state actors that work and cooperate, separately and together, for the provision of services through arrangements we characterise as ‘alternative governance’.Show less
While in power from 1999 to 2013, Hugo Chávez demonstrated a bold foreign policy rhetoric, based on the ideology of the Bolivarian Revolution. To promote the revolution and accomplish Bolivarian...Show moreWhile in power from 1999 to 2013, Hugo Chávez demonstrated a bold foreign policy rhetoric, based on the ideology of the Bolivarian Revolution. To promote the revolution and accomplish Bolivarian foreign policy objectives, Chávez leveraged his country's oil reserves, the largest in the world. This thesis examines Chávez's use of oil diplomacy, an essential foreign policy tool,to build strategic regional and international alliances that would enable him to achieve his objectives.Show less
The thesis centers in the analysis of what would be the consequences or influences on the Brazilian state and the Brazilian society would be, by the privatization of security. It first analyzes the...Show moreThe thesis centers in the analysis of what would be the consequences or influences on the Brazilian state and the Brazilian society would be, by the privatization of security. It first analyzes the different elements of Private security. Elaborating on what Private Security involves, the difference between private and public security and illustrating the different factors that could stimulate the growth of Private Security. Moreover,it looks on the consumption of Private security. It analyzes the role of Private Security in Latin America, starting with the analysis of criminality and the falling of security, continuously looking at the influence of neoliberalism and the further expansion of Private security in the Latin American region. Lastly, it introduces the example of Brazil. It starts by elaborating on the actual Brazilian situation towards security ,then it analyzes the current debate on Private security in Brazil. The analysis of this debate is done by going through all of these before mentioned points.Show less
Latin America is one of the most violent regions in the world. There have not been consistent policies to improve this situation in Latin America, due to lack of proper reform and bad cooperation...Show moreLatin America is one of the most violent regions in the world. There have not been consistent policies to improve this situation in Latin America, due to lack of proper reform and bad cooperation between state institutions. The Unidades de Polícia Pacificadora are a relatively new community policing program that has been implemented in Rio de Janeiro, in order to bring down violence in the favelas. The process of implementation of the UPPs of Santa Marta, Complexo do Alemão and Rocinha will be discussed and evaluated.Show less
The influence of political discourse in mass media has been a topic of discussion over the years among academia, due to the complexities and discussions this topic have created. On the one hand,...Show moreThe influence of political discourse in mass media has been a topic of discussion over the years among academia, due to the complexities and discussions this topic have created. On the one hand, democratic regimes have aimed to separate politics from mass media in order to protect freedom of speech and press. On the other hand, totalitarian regimes and military regimes have fully controlled what is said or written in the different channels of in order to reinforce and impose their political views. However, in some Latin American countries this relation is more complex to explain and study due to the different socio political issues that have created a hostile relation between these both. For Instance, and despite the fact that Colombia is the oldest democracy in Latin America this relationship has been connected throughout history. As political discourse has exerted and still exerts influence in mass media, especially in the narrative of written mass media. This thesis analyzed the influence of political discourse in two of the most important newspapers in Colombia “El Tiempo” and “El Espectador”, in order to understand the different roles that mass media have played in the politics of this country. This analysis will allow the reader to understand why this country represents an especial case in the region.Show less
This thesis will analyse the influence Mexican DTOs have on the Guatemalan state and local life. In specific, it will look at the presence of the Sinaloa cartel and Los Zetas in Guatemala’s coastal...Show moreThis thesis will analyse the influence Mexican DTOs have on the Guatemalan state and local life. In specific, it will look at the presence of the Sinaloa cartel and Los Zetas in Guatemala’s coastal and border provinces from the year 2000 onwards, and investigate how the fall of the Mexican PRI possibly contributed to the upsurge of these DTOs in Guatemala. It shall centre on the central question of how the Sinaloa cartel and Los Zetas are disintegrating the Guatemalan state and affecting public security, and how the collapse of the Mexican PRI played a role in this. In order to answer this central issue, this thesis will be separated into three chapters, together arguing that the DTOs are placing an immense threat on Guatemala’s public security and the state. Additionally, it will be argued that the collapse of the PRI contributed to this issue by causing uncontrolled competition between the DTOs after they gave up their hegemonic position within Mexico’s political system. Chapter one shall focus on the theoretical background surrounding this topic, expanding on three central concepts guiding this thesis: transnational organised crime, the state, and public security. Chapter two is where the historical-political context of the problematic issue is elaborated upon, analysing how both Mexican and Guatemalan national occurrences are factors contributing to the threat the Guatemalan state is facing now (O’Neil; Schirmer). Here, it shall also be shown that it is not only the presence of the Mexican cartels that are disintegrating the Guatemalan state; there are other factors, coming from within Guatemala’s national history, that are an influence on the weakening of the state (Molina Mejía). Lastly, chapter three is the chapter in which the Sinaloa cartel and Los Zetas are analysed in the context of Guatemala’s border and coastal provinces, investigating the effect these groups have had on the state and local life from 2000 onwards (Dudley; Pérez).Show less
This thesis investigates whether vigilante self-defense groups in Mexico's Tierra Caliente (Michoacán)can be considered legitimate in the context of the state failing to provide security to its...Show moreThis thesis investigates whether vigilante self-defense groups in Mexico's Tierra Caliente (Michoacán)can be considered legitimate in the context of the state failing to provide security to its citizens.Show less
“A República Federativa do Brasil buscará a integração económica, política, social e cultural dos povos da América Latina, visando à formação de uma comunidade latino-americana de nações” - 1988...Show more“A República Federativa do Brasil buscará a integração económica, política, social e cultural dos povos da América Latina, visando à formação de uma comunidade latino-americana de nações” - 1988 Brazilian Constitution In the Brazilian constitution of 1988 it was already determined that regional integration of Latin America on various levels would be of great relevance to Brazil’s future foreign policy strategies (Gratius and Saraiva 3). Throughout history, Brazil has used its geographical size, population, and large economy as motives for Brazil to expand its influence in the international order. Economically, Brazil has the 7th highest GDP in the world (World Bank). Much has been written about Brazilian foreign policy during various periods and under different leaders (Burges “Brazilian” 6). This thesis examines Brazil’s foreign policy during Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s and Dilma Rousseff’s presidencies. Through a theoretical framework of the concepts of pragmatism, autonomy, and regionalism, Brazil’s role in the international arena is examined. Although pragmatism and autonomy are relatively continuous elements of Brazilian foreign policy which have been discussed in academic literature extensively, their relation to the regional integration and increasing international influence of Brazil has not been researched as much. The theoretical framework thus aims to create a foundation on which further analysis of Brazil since 2003 can be based. Through a contextual analysis of post-Cold War Brazil in relation to the theoretical framework, insight is given in order to further understand Brazil’s foreign policy strategy since 2003. Thus by combining the theoretical framework with the historical background of Brazilian foreign policy, a case study of Brazilian foreign policy can be executed. Within the case study Brazil’s ambition to exert itself as a regional leader, and consequently gain influence in the international arena is discussed through Brazil’s position in Mercosur and other (regional) bodies. An analysis of Brazil’s foreign policy decisions under Lula and Rousseff regarding these aforementioned concepts give insight into the rising influence of Brazil. Furthermore, through this comparative analysis the policy implications for Brazil’s (near) future can be outlined. Thus this thesis answers the question in what ways has Brazil further established its regional and international presence through foreign policy decisions regarding regional bodies, such as Mercosur, since Lula became president in 2003? in order to gain greater insight into Brazil’s future position in the international order.Show less
