Although neoliberalism has remained the major economic strategy for post- Pinochet governments, in the 1990s it was sought to be combined with a liberal democracy and an increased decentralization....Show moreAlthough neoliberalism has remained the major economic strategy for post- Pinochet governments, in the 1990s it was sought to be combined with a liberal democracy and an increased decentralization. In general, pronounced effects of both neoliberalism and decentralization is a change in the approach to governance. With the drastic attitudes of states toward the economy and social-policy making caused by neoliberal reform, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have become actors of increasing importance. Subsequently, worldwide decentralization trends, most notably in the 1990s, have moved NGOs to assume new roles as active social service-deliverers and co-workers of development. When looking at Chile, major political shifts occurred with its return to democracy. Nonetheless, the neoliberal model implemented under Pinochet has always stayed. As such, the era of the dictatorial regime vis-à-vis shows both similarities and contrasts. Comparing both areas, this thesis examines to what degree the Chilean state’s governance approach changed under its return to democracy, focusing on how NGO-state relations have changed and what roles were assumed by NGOs.Show less
The Chinese war on Uyghur terrorism is often condemned for its human rights abuses, however, this ignores the Chinese view on the issue. The conflict between the Uyghurs and the Chinese reaches far...Show moreThe Chinese war on Uyghur terrorism is often condemned for its human rights abuses, however, this ignores the Chinese view on the issue. The conflict between the Uyghurs and the Chinese reaches far into the shared history, but it has accelerated after the events of 9/11 which created a new discourse on terrorism in China. This study aims to create a better understanding of the conflict by researching the conflict as objectively as possible. The question that will guide this thesis is: To what extent does the Chinese definition of terrorism and the perceived threat of the Uyghurs align with the counterterror measures taken in comparison to counterterror measures employed by a number of Western nations? To answer the question, the Chinese definition of terrorism has been compared to an academic definition, along with a research on the Uyghur threat, and an analysis of the counterterror measures of China in comparison to the Netherlands and France. While the Chinese definitions is too broad, Uyghur terrorist organizations do form a threat, and the Chinese counterterror measures are not too different from France due to the securitization process, both countries have gone through. The thesis concludes that counterterror measures are valid in the light of the perceived threat due to the issue being securitized.Show less
This thesis is looking to examine the role of race in politics by looking at the 2008 presidential campaign, from the moment Obama announced his candidacy in February 2007 to the election night in...Show moreThis thesis is looking to examine the role of race in politics by looking at the 2008 presidential campaign, from the moment Obama announced his candidacy in February 2007 to the election night in 2008. The focus of the racial discourse lies in this period of Obama’s campaign, ending on election night. As the concept of new race politics was coined after the win, we will evaluate its effects during the campaign. By focusing solely on the campaigning period, an analysis can be made on how the candidacy was influenced by race and by extension how the perception of the role of race in politics changed. Ultimately, the question that this research is looking to answer is: “To what extent has Barack Obama’s presidential election in 2008 led to a change in perception of the role of race?”Show less
This dissertation will analyze the George W. Bush and Obama administrations with regard to foreign policy toward Iran. As these two presidents took office after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, this...Show moreThis dissertation will analyze the George W. Bush and Obama administrations with regard to foreign policy toward Iran. As these two presidents took office after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, this paper will be analyzing their foreign policy decisions and approaches toward Iran in the context of the War on Terror. Right after the 9/11 attacks, George W. Bush designated Iran as part of the ‘axis of evil’ which he considered to be foreign governments that sponsored terrorism and sought weapons of mass destruction. Interestingly enough, when Bush launched the War on Terror military campaign, his plans included the invasion of several Middle-Eastern countries but excluded Iran. Iran was known to have nuclear capabilities but was never invaded. Under Bush, relations are considered to have worsened due to the 9/11 attacks, Iran’s suspected possession of nuclear weapons, and sanctions placed by the U.N. and the United States. When President Obama was elected in 2009 however, his approach to foreign policy dramatically shifted the political environment but ultimately resulted in improved relations between the two countries. The difference in approach to foreign policy, the tactics, and the results between Bush and Obama will be the focus of this research.Show less
The World Bank hails hydropower as the sustainable development tool to challenge the energy needs and alleviate poverty in countries. These large dams entail complex and multidimensional social...Show moreThe World Bank hails hydropower as the sustainable development tool to challenge the energy needs and alleviate poverty in countries. These large dams entail complex and multidimensional social impacts on local communities. This thesis assesses the social impacts on the resettled communities affected by the newest developmental project of the World Bank, the Nam Theun 2. Relocation leads to disappearance of traditional practices and the uptake of a modern market-based life style. Deploying the Matrix Framework find that this resettlement is not without its setbacks and impactful changes. Livelihood activities that are far removed from the traditional cultural practices fail to mature, while other activities closer connected to the previous lifestyle performed above expectations in providing villagers with a sustainable source of income. All with all, The World Bank failed to implement sustainable livelihoods for the resettled communities that suited their traditional cultural practices and livelihoods.Show less
National parks in the global South are increasingly marked by a trend of militarised conservation, whereby park rangers receive military training and firearms for anti-poaching operations....Show moreNational parks in the global South are increasingly marked by a trend of militarised conservation, whereby park rangers receive military training and firearms for anti-poaching operations. Especially in conflict situations where violence poses a security threat to conservation efforts, these policies are justified as an effective solution. This can be attributed to the Western discourse that fuels the politics of conservation and is based on a strict dichotomy between nature and society. Within this discourse, poachers and charcoal producers are characterised as villains and the context and motivations behind their actions is ignored. To exemplify the negative repercussions of this process, this thesis analyses militarised conservation in Virunga National Park in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and argues that this form of nature protection infringes on livelihood strategies of the local people in North Kivu. Militarisation in Virunga is intended to demobilise militias who exploit the park’s natural resources, but has a much stronger impact on the local population, who depend on Virunga’s forests for their livelihoods. These people therefore increasingly collaborate with rebel groups, blurring the lines between ‘good’ and ‘evil’ that the Western conservation discourse is built on. This collaboration leads to further resource exploitation and an escalation of violence. Therefore, this thesis claims that, due to the complexity of the situation in Virunga, militarised conservation is counterproductive and leads to a vicious circle of violence.Show less
This thesis discusses natural resource exploitation in the Western-Sahara through 3 themes: international organization, Morocco's elite & international capital.
This dissertation provides a new light on the role of the Russian Federation in the Eurasian Economic Union’s (EEU) formation and its economic integration. It looks and assesses the level of...Show moreThis dissertation provides a new light on the role of the Russian Federation in the Eurasian Economic Union’s (EEU) formation and its economic integration. It looks and assesses the level of current integration of the EEU as well as its prospects, epitomized by Russia’s willingness to push for a monetary union. To do so, the Data Analysis section investigates both current and prospects of Russia’s economic integration with the EEU. In sum, the analysis results reveal Russia’s economic motivation towards increasing its further integration with the Eurasian Economic Union. Further remarks point to data limitation and potential future research on the matter.Show less
The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie was created to stimulate cooperation between its members, to whom the French language is important. However, it was established shortly after...Show moreThe Organisation internationale de la Francophonie was created to stimulate cooperation between its members, to whom the French language is important. However, it was established shortly after decolonization and many of its first members were former colonizers and former colonized countries. This raises the question to what extend the Francophonie really is a decolonized organization. To answer this question, three countries have been analysed more closely. These are France, Senegal and Vietnam. History shows that all three have a long colonial history. France as colonizer, Senegal and Vietnam as colonies. Vietnam gained independence earlier than Senegal, but with more bloodshed. All three countries have been members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie since its establishment. This organization has developed over the years, with membership expanding in all global directions and addressing themes in more domains than at its start. Analysis through close reading of the contributions made by the three countries at the general summits shows that relations of dependency still exist. When it comes to economic independence, it is clear that Senegal and Vietnam need the contributions that France makes to the organization. However, when it comes to political independence, the three countries appear to be equal to each other.Show less
The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is seen as the fourth time that a series of technological innovations will revolutionise the production and movement of goods. The prospect of a 4IR also...Show moreThe fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is seen as the fourth time that a series of technological innovations will revolutionise the production and movement of goods. The prospect of a 4IR also sprouted a debate surrounding the socioeconomic implications that may come with these technological innovations. The 4IR could have grave consequences for low-skilled labourers. For example, the automation of production may result in a predicament where human labour can no longer compete with machines, which may decrease demand for low-skilled labour or make it redundant. As a result, in highly developed countries growing job insecurities may accelerate the growth of a “new dangerous class” called the precariat. This class could put pressure the political foundations of capitalist democratic societies. Moreover, in developing countries, automation of production may result in companies deciding to relocate their production back to highly developed countries where most of their consumers are based. As a consequence, developing countries can no longer depend on their comparative advantage of having an abundance of cheap labour. Hence, one can argue that the development strategy of development by way of industrialisation may become unworkable. In short, the 4IR may increase the gap between rich and poor, decrease social mobility and increased labour insecurity; all of which resonate with some of the contradictions that Karl Marx thought were endemic to the capitalist economy. This thesis will investigate this predicament through an analysis of the socioeconomic effects emerging from the 4IR and relating this to Marx’s critique of capitalism. The thesis aims to add to existing literature on Marx by considering the relevance of Marx in the 21st century.Show less
This thesis seeks to explore what the results of the 2011 Libya intervention have been for the Responsibility to Protect principle (R2P). In order to achieve this thesis conducts a Critical...Show moreThis thesis seeks to explore what the results of the 2011 Libya intervention have been for the Responsibility to Protect principle (R2P). In order to achieve this thesis conducts a Critical Discourse Analysis into Russia and China. The choice of Russia and China is to remedy the overreliance on Western thinking on R2P present in the existing literature. This thesis argues that the Libya intervention has resulted in increased difficulties for the R2P, though deepening existing scepticism as well as providing more evidence as to the damaging results of military interventions.Show less
The prevalent phenomena of "leftover women" has gained increasing attention from the media and different scholars in Chinese society. The term "leftover women" refers to urban and professional...Show moreThe prevalent phenomena of "leftover women" has gained increasing attention from the media and different scholars in Chinese society. The term "leftover women" refers to urban and professional women who remain unmarried by the time they are in their late twenties or early thirties. This phenomena frequently addresses questions pertaining to why such working women are not married, whether they are willing to marry and their attitudes towards marriage. The Chinese media has also produced many dramatic television series reflecting the situation and marital prospects of leftover women. Within the media, these women are stigmatised as money-worshipers, snobbish or picky. However, it has become evident that leftover women present themselves online as economically and spiritually independent entities who prefer compatibility over financial security in their romantic relationships. Upon comparing depictions of such women in the media to their self-representations, this paper makes a twofold argument: on one hand, media representations controlled by the dominant male discourse are criticising women for being money-oriented and picky so they become losers in the marriage market. On the other hand, women have realised their right to freely choose their own partners and decide when to get married. Hence, the discourse of leftover women actually represents a conflict between traditional patriarchy and potential burgeoning of a women's rights movement in the PRC.Show less
Populism is a current political phenomenon in Europe. During the last ten years, the number of immigrants in Europe has intensified. Far-right populist political parties propose anti-immigration,...Show morePopulism is a current political phenomenon in Europe. During the last ten years, the number of immigrants in Europe has intensified. Far-right populist political parties propose anti-immigration, suggest xenophobic sentiments and take advantage of this significant European issue to gain popularity. By using a cultural and political perspective, this thesis has considered two case studies: Italy and Poland, which show to have high levels of xenophobia. The paper aimed at showing how Italian and Polish populists governing parties use a strategic reference to the constructed national identity and anti-EU rhetoric to instigate fear and xenophobia.Show less
