Decolonisation and independence in Africa resulted in new beginnings, as well as imagined futures. For a number of postcolonial African nation-states, these imagined futures were rooted in a new...Show moreDecolonisation and independence in Africa resulted in new beginnings, as well as imagined futures. For a number of postcolonial African nation-states, these imagined futures were rooted in a new political ideology – African Socialism. In an attempt by a number of African leaders to find a postcolonial identity, African Socialism was thought to satisfy the demands of newly independent African nation-states.Show less
This thesis utilizes a comparative perspective in analyzing the perceived differences between how people with albinism (PWA) are treated in Benin, Cameroon, The Democratic Republic of the Congo ...Show moreThis thesis utilizes a comparative perspective in analyzing the perceived differences between how people with albinism (PWA) are treated in Benin, Cameroon, The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, by examining the variables of ethno-religious composition and socio-economic conditions in the countries. This research has shown that although the differences might be small, they are of crucial importance in how a PWA is perceived in these countries and how these notions have changed over time; from PWA being revered in pre-colonial Yorubaland and the old Kongo Kingdom, to today’s experiences of stigma and discrimination in name-calling, mutilations, and killings. Similarly, a stark contrast also exists amongst some of the countries – from PWA in Benin being revered, to PWA fearing for their lives in Tanzania due to a higher demand for PWA body parts to be used in witchcraft. Tanzania is also the African country that has garnered the most international attention for its treatment of PWA, and although the government and the state attempt to limit the extreme discrimination, it continues to persist. Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that the problems of stigma and discrimination as experienced by PWA are not limited to Tanzania, but exist all over the African continent.Show less
For the last decade, a new trend has emerged in both the academic as well as political debate which identifies a decline of American domination and a rise of “the rest”. In other words, a movement...Show moreFor the last decade, a new trend has emerged in both the academic as well as political debate which identifies a decline of American domination and a rise of “the rest”. In other words, a movement towards multipolarity. A particular topic of dispute among both scholars and politicians is the degree to which this multipolar world order is either regionalising or globalising the world. One of the domains that has been impacted by the study of regionalisation is the domain of security. A particular topic of debate amongst politicians and scholars concerns peace operations and the role of the United Nations (UN) and regional organisations. Within the African context, the question arises if the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) should take on the role of regional peacekeepers. This paper sets out to analyse the regionalisation of peace operations in Africa and question the viability of regional organisations as an alternative to the UN as main actor in peace operations. To this end, it will measure the ability of RECs to organise and execute peace operations. It will become clear that the regionalisation of security is a logical consequence of the regional and cross-border characteristic of African conflicts and that regional organisations bring some merits to the table in terms of local legitimacy and willingness. Nevertheless, the case of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will show that a long way still lies ahead and that the organisation currently only manages to bridge some of the same shortcomings as the UN encounters, without offering much advantages.Show less
This bachelor thesis seeks to identify the relevant actors in the medical and muti markets for organs in South Africa. Firstly a theoretical background is presented, in order to identify the...Show moreThis bachelor thesis seeks to identify the relevant actors in the medical and muti markets for organs in South Africa. Firstly a theoretical background is presented, in order to identify the relevant theories and concepts needed to understand organ markets. A brief overview of the two markets to be compared is also given. This background serves to support the central research question: Who are the relevant actors in the medical and muti markets for organs in South Africa and how do the respective actors interact and how do these interactions flow? A methodology for answering the above question is also presented. The method used in this bachelor thesis consisted of a review of the relevant literature and media sources in order to build an overview of actors in each market. These overviews are then used to construct actor network diagrams for each of the markets. The overviews and diagrams are then discussed. The study has shown that the markets are indeed comparable, and that they share a similar flow of organs. However, the muti market is a decentralized one with a strong linear flow from the source person to the recipient. The medical market on the other hand was found to be a distributed network, with organs and interactions flowing between and through a number of actors rather than from one side to another.Show less
Why are many countries in Africa still underdeveloped? This thesis argues that the enduring political instability is fundamentally caused with the colonial structures inherited from the colonial...Show moreWhy are many countries in Africa still underdeveloped? This thesis argues that the enduring political instability is fundamentally caused with the colonial structures inherited from the colonial power before decolonization. While the African revolution started to liberate themselves from the colonizers, they have not liberated themselves from the colonial systems.Show less
This thesis is in fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of the International Studies Bachelor Program. First, the aim of this thesis is to ascertain the perceived effectiveness of the...Show moreThis thesis is in fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of the International Studies Bachelor Program. First, the aim of this thesis is to ascertain the perceived effectiveness of the 2015 Tanzanian Witchdoctor Ban as a countermeasure to the violence being perpetrated against people with albinism from the standpoint of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Tanzanian Government, and various NGOs actively engaged in the welfare of people with albinism in the region. The second chapter illustrates the state of the art of the literature concerning the Tanzanian societal witchcraft paradigm, status of PWA in traditional culture, occult-legislation, and indicators of legislative efficacy. The third chapter explains the multi-indicator document analysis conducted to determine each actor’s perception of the ban’s efficacy. The fourth chapter relays the results of the analysis, where it was determined that the United Nations Human Rights Council held a neutral perception of the effectiveness of the Witchdoctor Ban, the Tanzanian Government held a positive perception, and the various NGOs held a negative perception. This thesis henceforth concludes with a critical examination of the results and methodology, and a conclusory statement that further research into efficacy indicators and occult-legislation as an institutional countermeasure towards the violence against people with albinism can be facilitated by the foundation built through this research and its accompanied findings.Show less
Crowdfunding is increasing rapidly as an alternative source of financing business and other projects. Some see in crowdfunding a lot of potential for Sub Saharan Africa. Crowdfunding in this...Show moreCrowdfunding is increasing rapidly as an alternative source of financing business and other projects. Some see in crowdfunding a lot of potential for Sub Saharan Africa. Crowdfunding in this context, however, has never been studied. This research is an explorative empirical study into crowdfunding in Ghana. The main finding is that crowdfunding is still very limited with only two crowdfunding platforms showing serious activity. By linking crowdfunding to entrepreneurship theory it is argued that contemporary crowdfunding in Ghana has no significant contribution to economic growth and innovation.Show less
In 2005, the WTO Aid for Trade initiative was launched, with the aim of intensifying the involvement of developing countries in global trade to stimulate development. Various aspects of the program...Show moreIn 2005, the WTO Aid for Trade initiative was launched, with the aim of intensifying the involvement of developing countries in global trade to stimulate development. Various aspects of the program have been praised and criticized. However, the activities of multinational companies in the context of Aid for Trade seem to have been neglected. Western companies have been supported by Western governments to conduct business in Africa, as a result of Aid for Trade. As such, Corporate Social Responsibility becomes increasingly important as these companies are expected to be contributors to development. This paper examines to what extend Corporate Social Responsibility can contribute to development in Africa. Research is conducted through case studies of Western, responsible companies that are active in Africa. Analysis of these cases shows that, despite extensive CSR-programs, companies tend to favor their own interest over the African interest, resulting in very limited, or no actual contributions to development in African countries.Show less
This thesis examines the relation between post-colonial Kenyan nationalism and ethnicity, and the construction of modern Kenyan identities. It analyses how hybrid identifications are created in...Show moreThis thesis examines the relation between post-colonial Kenyan nationalism and ethnicity, and the construction of modern Kenyan identities. It analyses how hybrid identifications are created in light of a Western colonial education in Kenya, as well as increased urbanisation and Westernisation.Show less
While such a large part of the world is moving towards more acceptance of homosexuality, this seems to not be the case in Uganda or in many other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Which poses the...Show moreWhile such a large part of the world is moving towards more acceptance of homosexuality, this seems to not be the case in Uganda or in many other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Which poses the question “If attitudes towards homosexuality are shifting towards more positivity in the West, why is the opposite happening in Uganda?”.Show less
China has been changing its soft power strategy in Africa since the time of negative media coverage in the early and mid 2000s. A stronger focus is being put on a people-to-people approach of...Show moreChina has been changing its soft power strategy in Africa since the time of negative media coverage in the early and mid 2000s. A stronger focus is being put on a people-to-people approach of interaction, trying to foster stronger personal bonds between Africans and Chinese citizens as well institutions. Education, culture and health care have the strongest positive impact on average African citizens, and China is increasing its efforts in these fields through cooperation agreements.Show less
With the echoes of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21) still ringing, it is clear the climate change is not just a reality but a series of formalised and not yet formalised threats to life as...Show moreWith the echoes of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21) still ringing, it is clear the climate change is not just a reality but a series of formalised and not yet formalised threats to life as we know it. Climate change is multi-faceted and complex, a challenge that can only be tackled with multi-levelled cooperation that involves actors from the international to the local levels and leverages new technologies and methodologies to create innovative and sensible adaptation and resilience models. A quote attributed to Albert Einstein sums up the current state of affairs, “Problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them”. Big Data can be that new ‘out of the box’ thinking and mythologies that drive and bring about solutions to the most challenging problems that future generations face.In Peace Review, Erin McCandless introduces the Journal of Peacebuilding and Development where she is Chief Editor. She states that the journal’s mission amounts to understanding the “intersections of conflict, development and peace” (McCandless 505). In order to do so, she argues that, there is a need to “firmly question dominant paradigms and conceptual and methodological framings, linking debates to real cases on the ground, and encouraging alternative visions and choices for action” (McCandless 505). The contention here is that Big Data is that critical vantage point that McCandless much seeks after. Big Data can provide the facts through numbers and correlations than can provide the counter-arguments to much acclaimed traditional patterns of thought by providing the raw data collected on the ground.Show less
China claims to be one of the main followers and protectors of the principles of non-interference and sovereignty. It often invokes these principles either in order to protect itself from...Show moreChina claims to be one of the main followers and protectors of the principles of non-interference and sovereignty. It often invokes these principles either in order to protect itself from interference from Western states, or to defend its alternative approach to aid engagement in African countries (Pang 244-245). However, China also violates the principle of non-interference by putting conditions on other countries’ internal affairs, such as demanding that the government does not support issues that China is against, in return for its continued bilateral cooperation. Therefore, China’s foreign policy approaches and especially its use of conditionality seem contradicting. Such contradicting foreign policy approaches can be challenging to understand and counter for other states if the motivations are not known. The academic debate on China’s use of conditionality and foreign policy in general has failed to take into account a wide enough range of foreign policy approaches, something I attempt to do in my paper.Show less
