Het doel van deze scriptie is om meer inzicht te verschaffen in de manieren waarop de Japanse overheid het shōshika probleem aanpakt, in het bijzonder hoe konkatsu programma’s daarbij worden...Show moreHet doel van deze scriptie is om meer inzicht te verschaffen in de manieren waarop de Japanse overheid het shōshika probleem aanpakt, in het bijzonder hoe konkatsu programma’s daarbij worden ontwikkeld. De case study van konkatsu programma’s georganiseerd door de lokale overheid van Tokio, de Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) zal als een voorbeeld worden genomen. De centrale onderzoeksvraag van deze scriptie luidt als volgt: In welke opzichten is de aanpak van de Japanse overheid om shōshika terug te dringen, te zien aan de inhoud van konkatsu programma’s door de TMG? Door een analyse van konkatsu programma’s die onderdeel zijn van het Japanse beleid tegen shōshika, zal ik proberen een antwoord te formuleren op deze vraag. Ik zal proberen een overzicht te geven van hoe konkatsu programma’s uiteen worden gezet door de TMG, omdat bestaande onderzoeken zich vooral richten op konkatsu programma’s binnen de commerciële sector. Het zou goed mogelijk zijn dat de konkatsu programma’s door de Japanse overheid worden gepresenteerd vanuit een onverwachte hoek.Show less
This thesis analyses the construction of Hong Kong national identity in online discussions about the high speed rail connecting Hong Kong to Mainland China and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai sea bridge in...Show moreThis thesis analyses the construction of Hong Kong national identity in online discussions about the high speed rail connecting Hong Kong to Mainland China and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai sea bridge in localist Facebook groups. The paper argues that the Hong Kong identity constructed in these discussions is indeed nationalist, i.e. based on the belief that the members of the nation share a common origin, and is built on the following themes: antiMainland Chinese sentiment, anti-CCP thought, and the importance of money as identity constructing entity in Hong Kong society. As a result, the construction of Hong Kong national identity by Hong Kong localists relies heavily on Othering Mainland Chinese, while there are few references to Hong Kongese cultural characteristics. The contributions of this paper are that it argues for the possibility of a Hong Kong identity to be seen as national identity and how this national identity is constructed by localists.Show less
In this research, I discuss whether Islamic principles may serve as a valid alternative approach for economic development. Specifically, I test whether being an Islamic country since the Islamic...Show moreIn this research, I discuss whether Islamic principles may serve as a valid alternative approach for economic development. Specifically, I test whether being an Islamic country since the Islamic revival of the 1970s affects the country’s total factor productivity (TFP). Using statistical methods of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the ordinary least squares (OLS) regression on cross-country data between 1974–2017, I find that the Islamic revival of the 1970s in Muslim countries is not associated with the countries’ total factor productivity (TFP), measured as the relative value against the benchmark of the United States’ total factor productivity (TFP).Show less
This thesis analyses the changes in the United States (U.S.) South China Sea (SCS) security strategy since the start of the Trump administration. By researching the rhetoric and the actions of the...Show moreThis thesis analyses the changes in the United States (U.S.) South China Sea (SCS) security strategy since the start of the Trump administration. By researching the rhetoric and the actions of the Trump administration and recent previous administrations in a realist framework, this paper tries to determine the impact of the current presidency in this field. This research argues that the SCS security strategy of the Trump administration is significantly different from its predecessors. Its rhetoric is transactional instead of value-driven, holistically confrontational instead of partially cooperative and erratic instead of long term. The actions of the Trump administration remain focussed on strategic deterrence but have increased in intensity and have discarded the risk-averse nature of past policies.Show less
Family companies have played an important role in Japan for decades, but listed family companies only recently gained scientific interest. This research, focuses on the occurrence of agency...Show moreFamily companies have played an important role in Japan for decades, but listed family companies only recently gained scientific interest. This research, focuses on the occurrence of agency conflicts in listed family companies. Upon acknowledging different types of agency conflicts, it becomes easier to gain insight in the agency costs in listed family firms.Show less
The aim of this thesis is to assess the role of the European Union in transboundary water relations between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) since the Oslo II Accords, and in...Show moreThe aim of this thesis is to assess the role of the European Union in transboundary water relations between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) since the Oslo II Accords, and in particular the extent to which EU policy is reinforcing Israel's position regarding the shared water resources. The research shows that EU policy contributes towards the further consolidation of Israeli control over Palestinian resources, an important aspect of the occupation which undermines the possibility of the emergence of a viable Palestinian state. The research is based on Marxist views of political economy, arguing that power relations play a determining role in the way in which transboundary water interaction takes place between Israel and the OPT. Using the framework of hydro-hegemony and Steven Lukes three dimensions of power, the analysis shows that there is a discrepancy between EU rhetoric and practice which results in the EU sustaining Israel's hydro-hegemony.Show less
This thesis investigates discursive trends on the topic of productivity and entrepreneurship in resource-rich Middle East countries (specifically Gulf Cooperation Council states). It provides both...Show moreThis thesis investigates discursive trends on the topic of productivity and entrepreneurship in resource-rich Middle East countries (specifically Gulf Cooperation Council states). It provides both qualitative and quantitative analyses of the existing literature. General findings point to the dominant role that the Rentier State Theory has had in shaping the discourse.Show less
In Japan there are three legal ways in which a spouse can get divorced: through negotiation or mutual consent (kyōgi rikon), mediation (chōtei rikon), and adjudication or litigation (saiban rikon)....Show moreIn Japan there are three legal ways in which a spouse can get divorced: through negotiation or mutual consent (kyōgi rikon), mediation (chōtei rikon), and adjudication or litigation (saiban rikon). Those opting for litigation consist of a mere 1% of all cases. While it has been argued that Japanese are averse to formal litigation and have a cultural preference for informal ways of resolving disputes in order to maintain the social harmony, others have attributed the popularity of ADR to institutional and structural factors, being cheaper and quicker than formal litigation. This thesis attempts to find out what theory, if any, holds true with regards to (the lack of) Japanese litigiousness by looking at divorce mediation as its case study.Show less
This study aims to shed light on the controversial discussion surrounding Nord Stream 2, a sister gas pipeline of Nord Stream doubling the direct gas transport capacity from Russia to Germany, and...Show moreThis study aims to shed light on the controversial discussion surrounding Nord Stream 2, a sister gas pipeline of Nord Stream doubling the direct gas transport capacity from Russia to Germany, and to be completed at the end of 2019. It is argued that through this latest trade agreement with Russia, Germany has indirectly become an important factor in managing European stability. This thesis provides more insight into these German-Russian bilateral energy relations and its implications, by analyzing existing and new empirical data, and tracing the causal relations between Nord Stream 2, Germany’s national interests, and the political stability of the European Union. N.B. When reading this thesis, it needs to be taken into account that given the novelty and strong political implications of this topic, many notions and drawn conclusions could still be susceptible to change still. Therefore, the conclusion functions merely a description of current state of affairs and a prognosis of the future.Show less
In 1983 betoogde historicus Neil McKendrick dat er in de achttiende eeuw in Engeland een consumptierevolutie plaatsvond, waarbij alle lagen van de bevolking meer consumptiegoederen kochten....Show moreIn 1983 betoogde historicus Neil McKendrick dat er in de achttiende eeuw in Engeland een consumptierevolutie plaatsvond, waarbij alle lagen van de bevolking meer consumptiegoederen kochten. Sindsdien hebben verschillende historici in het buitenland zich gericht op consumptiegeschiedenis. Sommigen van hen betoogden dat diefstallen in de achttiende een belangrijke rol speelden in de consumptierevolutie, al is er geen overeenstemming over wat deze rol precies inhield. In deze scriptie onderzoek ik daarom in hoeverre er een verband bestond tussen diefstallen en de vraag naar consumptiegoederen in Leiden tussen 1811 en 1834.Show less
This essay examines whether or not Chinese firms differ in CSR approach, focusing on sustainable development, when compared to Western MNCs in the PRC. To do so, corporate identity, output and CSR...Show moreThis essay examines whether or not Chinese firms differ in CSR approach, focusing on sustainable development, when compared to Western MNCs in the PRC. To do so, corporate identity, output and CSR reporting were compared for three case study firms: BMW Group (Western MNC), Brilliance China Automotive Holdings (Chinese firm), and BMW-Brilliance (a joint venture between the other two firms). The joint venture was included, because of certain ownership restrictions in the PRC in the automotive industry and the Western firm as a sole entity could not be examined in the PRC. The results showed that the Western MNC outperformed the other cases on all three categories, the joint venture came in at a close second, and the Chinese firm lacked far behind on all three categories. Comparing the results between the Western MNC and the joint venture seemed to indicate that the joint venture is merely used as a vessel for the Western MNC to sell/produce vehicles in the PRC due to the ownership restrictions. The context of the PRC did not seem to matter significantly, as BBA and BMW showed strikingly similar results. Results did show that certain theories surrounding CSR practicing in the PRC can be applied to Western MNCs in the PRC as well.Show less
This dissertation tries to provide a clear, complete image on the reasoning behind labor market deregulation in Japan, looking beyond often given reasons such as increased competition and the...Show moreThis dissertation tries to provide a clear, complete image on the reasoning behind labor market deregulation in Japan, looking beyond often given reasons such as increased competition and the weakened position of labor unions.Show less
In dit onderzoek bekijken we hoe de 2019 Hongkong protesten in Chinese nieuwsmedia worden besproken. Met behulp van een kwalitatieve discoursanalyse analyseer ik veertien nieuwsartikelen die...Show moreIn dit onderzoek bekijken we hoe de 2019 Hongkong protesten in Chinese nieuwsmedia worden besproken. Met behulp van een kwalitatieve discoursanalyse analyseer ik veertien nieuwsartikelen die gerelateerd zijn aan de protesten. Deze zijn afkomstig uit de Xinhua en People’s Daily. Uit het onderzoek blijkt dat zowel Xinhua als People’s Daily de protesten als uitsluitend negatief beschouwt door de protesten op een negatieve manier te framen. Verder draagt mijn onderzoek bij aan de literatuur over het gebruik van Chinese nieuwsmedia door de CCP.Show less
This thesis discusses how secular purity culture in vegan online cultic milieus can impact the justification methods in defense of the taken stance. It also looks into the way in which purity...Show moreThis thesis discusses how secular purity culture in vegan online cultic milieus can impact the justification methods in defense of the taken stance. It also looks into the way in which purity culture helps to expand and maintain communities. Special attention is given to the online communities based on YouTube, and how purity can be reinforced through online media and community.Show less
