Historical memory plays an important role in the aftermath of a conflict for exposing the atrocities that happened and demanding accountability. Currently, Colombia is experiencing a ´memory boom´...Show moreHistorical memory plays an important role in the aftermath of a conflict for exposing the atrocities that happened and demanding accountability. Currently, Colombia is experiencing a ´memory boom´ even though the conflict has not ended yet. The crisis of displacement is going on for years, and these internal displaced persons that have resettled in the large cities are sharing their stories of violence and claiming recognition. This thesis is the result of a research to understand the role of historical memory in processes of reconciliation for victims of displacement in Bogota, Colombia between 2011-2015. This study analyzes the construction of the Center for Memory Peace and Reconciliation in Bogotá and its role in promoting memory building in the city. It shows how the internally displaced persons use these memory practices to claim citizenship in the capital: by enhancing their self-esteem and confidence, establishing a place where they belong, contesting the negative discourse and by forming social organizations claiming human rights.Show less
This thesis tries to identify the effect of transparency on the perception of corruption and the level of political trust. The thesis consist of a broad theoretical framework and a specific case...Show moreThis thesis tries to identify the effect of transparency on the perception of corruption and the level of political trust. The thesis consist of a broad theoretical framework and a specific case study on a transparency law that was implemented in 2002 in Mexico. The transparency law seemed the result in a lower political trust, which was caused by a higher level of perception of corruption.Show less
This paper is able to provide a new perspective on the current issue of indigenous participation. The common perception of Bolivian politics is that of a country, emphasizing inclusionary methods...Show moreThis paper is able to provide a new perspective on the current issue of indigenous participation. The common perception of Bolivian politics is that of a country, emphasizing inclusionary methods and economic justice. This essay will test that perception and attempts to contribute to the research of the shift in the Andean ideology.Show less
This thesis seeks to analyse a very relevant and important topic in current Latin America, namely that of the use of rhetoric and external crises as a distracting strategy in order to redirect...Show moreThis thesis seeks to analyse a very relevant and important topic in current Latin America, namely that of the use of rhetoric and external crises as a distracting strategy in order to redirect attention from internal problems. This strategy, mostly used through rhetoric, is a common feature between the two dominating political streams in the region; a rightist or neoliberal-oriented one and the leftist, or the so-called Pink Tide current. The empirical study analyses the relation between the Colombian government under Álvaro Uribe’s presidency and the Venezuela government under Hugo Chávez’ presidency, in combination with press coverage over internal problems.Show less
In 2003, Argentina took an apparent left turn, and a power couple, Néstor Kirchner and his wife Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, ruled the country from 2003 until the final month of 2015. This work...Show moreIn 2003, Argentina took an apparent left turn, and a power couple, Néstor Kirchner and his wife Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, ruled the country from 2003 until the final month of 2015. This work is interested in looking at the reorientation of Argentine foreign policy during the Kirchner administrations from alignment with Washington to enhanced friendship with Chávez’ Venezuela. It attempts to answer the following research questions: “What are the main reasons for Argentina’s close relations with Venezuela from 2003 to 2015?”, “in how far can the deepening of this relationship be explained and understood by Argentina’s domestic economic and political factors?”, and, lastly, “to what extent has pragmatism shaped Argentina’s rapprochement with Venezuela?”Show less
The topic of this thesis is Colombian nation branding. That is, this thesis is devoted to demonstrating how Colombia aims to design an attractive world-renowned country brand by exercising nation...Show moreThe topic of this thesis is Colombian nation branding. That is, this thesis is devoted to demonstrating how Colombia aims to design an attractive world-renowned country brand by exercising nation branding through both conventional and digital promotional campaigns. On the example of “The Answer is Colombia” campaign this thesis critically analyzes how Colombia attempts to create a desirable nation brand by embracing nation branding practices that would confront its prolonged weak and stigmatized nation image. For a thorough comprehension of the analyzed entities qualitative content analysis, based on a critical interpretation of the literature available on nation branding, is employed.Show less
This thesis seeks to give an answer to which changes in both Cuba and the United States have resulted in the reopening of the bilateral relation between the two countries after Raúl Castro took...Show moreThis thesis seeks to give an answer to which changes in both Cuba and the United States have resulted in the reopening of the bilateral relation between the two countries after Raúl Castro took power in the island state in 2008. This is a highly relevant issue, as the reopening of the relation between these two nations took place very recently. The relation between Cuba and the United States is one of the most studied themes modern Latin American history. The student has used relevant academic sources and other complementary information in order to investigate the topic. The definition of the problem investigated has been defined in a clear manner. There is continuance throughout the entire work which means that the student keeps to the most relevant historical, political and current news issues in his assessment of the problematique. The theoretical chapter discusses both ideological and pragmatic behaviour in bilateral relations, which the student manages to link to both the contextual chapter and in the case study. This is a less innovative approach though, as similar approaches in the academic debates about bilateral relations have analysed pragmatic and ideological behaviour on numerous occasion in the past. A limited number of authors have been used quite frequently. A more diverse and less pronounced usage of these would have been preferable. This has also been mentioned on several occasions during the thesis writing process by the supervisor. All in all, the thesis has a logical structure, where the most central historical and political issues in order to analyse the bilateral relation between Cuba and the United States have been addresses. External as well as internal factors are also taken into account during the analysis of the topicShow less
Chile's main police force, the Carabineros de Chile, is publicly perceived as the most legitimate institution of the country with even higher levels of confidence than the one of the government or...Show moreChile's main police force, the Carabineros de Chile, is publicly perceived as the most legitimate institution of the country with even higher levels of confidence than the one of the government or the Catholic Church. This is surprising and exceptional in the Latin American context, since the Carabineros have been actively involved on the side of the military regime during the dictatorship. Moreover, crime rates have kept rising since the return to democracy in 1990. This thesis seeks to investigate how the Chilean police has been able to construct such high levels of police legitimacy from 1990 to 2015. Furthermore, it explores the role of the media and the perception of insecurity in constructing police legitimacy.Show less
This thesis explores theory surrounding violence and its justification. Drawing upon key literature, it explores the radicalisation of social movements and the notion of state terror in order to...Show moreThis thesis explores theory surrounding violence and its justification. Drawing upon key literature, it explores the radicalisation of social movements and the notion of state terror in order to understand common motivations behind violent action. The case study of the civil war in Peru in the 1980s is used to illustrate these concepts. An analysis is given of the principal justifications used by actors in the war to explain their use of violence.Show less
