This study aims to contribute to the ongoing debate on whether self-esteem plays a central role in discrimination by exploring its influence in discriminatory behaviors within cooperative contexts...Show moreThis study aims to contribute to the ongoing debate on whether self-esteem plays a central role in discrimination by exploring its influence in discriminatory behaviors within cooperative contexts under unequal conditions. We measured discrimination using the Unequal Prisoner's Dilemma Game in which participants from the USA and the UK (N=200) were tasked with allocating resources to both ingroup and outgroup members while assuming an advantaged (resources multiplied by 2.5) and a disadvantaged role (resources multiplied by 1.5). Subsequently, we measured their self-esteem. We tested an association between discrimination and self-esteem to explore three hypotheses: a) people with low self-esteem will discriminate more; b) people with low self-esteem will discriminate less; c) people with low self-esteem will discriminate in an all-or-nothing fashion. Our analyses found no support for these hypotheses, showing a lack of association between self-esteem and discrimination. Moreover, self-esteem was not associated with whether individuals discriminated in an all-or-nothing trend. In essence, our findings suggest that self-esteem is not significantly associated with discrimination in the context of cooperation under unequal settings. This evidence highlights the need for future research to explore other traits to identify the core origins of discrimination.Show less
South Korea is a prosperous country and its citizens have enjoyed some of the benefits brought on by said prosperity. However, South Korean citizens still lack a comprehensive law that protects...Show moreSouth Korea is a prosperous country and its citizens have enjoyed some of the benefits brought on by said prosperity. However, South Korean citizens still lack a comprehensive law that protects them against discrimination. While there are some individual anti-discrimination laws in place that cover certain areas of discrimination there is yet to be one comprehensive anti-discrimination law that serves as general protection against discrimination for all citizens. South Korea does currently not have comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation but there have been multiple attempts at implementing such legislation over the years. So, why exactly is it that 14 years after the first anti-discrimination bill attempt Korea still finds itself without anti-discrimination legislation? By looking at both the past and the present of anti-discrimination legislation in South Korea we will be able to get a better understanding of the legislation’s future and its prospects. To see why South Korea so far been unable to implement comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation and if there is a chance for this legislation to come into being in the forseable future.Show less
In the last decade, Japan has seen a sharp increase in labour migrants and research shows these migrants don’t always integrate easily and are often the subject of discrimination. Research on...Show moreIn the last decade, Japan has seen a sharp increase in labour migrants and research shows these migrants don’t always integrate easily and are often the subject of discrimination. Research on migrants, however, has mostly focussed on either the barriers to integration on the work floor or on the policies of the government, without focus on integration. This thesis links these two important research bodies, by studying immigration policy in relation to integration on the work floor. Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and a case study of the recent amendments of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition act, it studies the attention given to the topics of labour, national security and human security. Results show that even though the government its policies play a key role in integration, the act holds little attention to the social aspect of integration. This social aspect consists of preventing discrimination and creating mutual understanding between Japanese citizens and migrants. Analysis shows that even though more labour opportunities to enter Japan were created in the amendments in 2014 and in 2018, migrants taking those opportunities (HSM, Technical Intern Trainees, SSW and health & care workers) still have difficulty integrating in Japan.Show less
The current paper studies whether domestic political equality and membership of a discriminated group influence trust in the national parliament, and whether these effects spill-over to trust in...Show moreThe current paper studies whether domestic political equality and membership of a discriminated group influence trust in the national parliament, and whether these effects spill-over to trust in the European Parliament. To do so, existing data from the European Social Survey (n=38,691) is combined with domestic political equality scores created by Freedom House. The study provides new insights as previous research has focused on different geographies, specific marginalized groups, or only on either the national or European Parliament. Results seem to indicate that domestic political equality has a significant positive relation with trust in national parliament. Additionally, members of discriminated groups show significantly lower trust in the national parliament than those individuals who do not consider themselves to be part of a discriminated group. The results also indicate a positive relationship between trust in national parliament and trust in the European Parliament. Additionally, it is shown that most of the effects of domestic political equality and membership of a discriminated group on trust in the European Parliament are mediated by trust in national parliament. Nonetheless, there are significant residual direct effects in which both domestic political equality and membership of a discriminated group negatively impact trust in the European Parliament. While membership of a discriminated group exercises a negative direct effect on both trust in national parliament and European Parliament, domestic political equality shows a positive direct effect on trust in the national parliament but a negative direct effect on trust in the European Parliament. This seems to indicate that individuals living in politically unequal countries are more likely to trust the European Parliament unless they have high trust in the National parliament, and vice versa. There also seems to be an indication that the basis upon which individuals are discriminated against influences trust in both national parliament and the European Parliament. While those discriminated based on nationality, age, disability, language and 2 3 ‘other unspecified factors’ display decreased levels of trust in both national and European Parliament, those discriminated based on sexuality display increased levels of trust but only in the European Parliament. Individuals member of a group that is discriminated against based on race, ethnic group, or gender do not display different levels of trust in the national and European Parliament compared to those who are not discriminated against. In order to ensure trust in the national parliament it seems important to strive for the social inclusion of individuals who are part of a group that is currently discriminated against. National parliament might increase the level of trust of citizens towards the parliament by maximizing domestic political equality. Furthermore, the European Parliament should aim to increase trust in the national parliament as this will likely translate into increased levels of trust in the European Parliament as well.Show less
Right-wing populism is becoming increasingly popular in Western Europe, this is also evident when looking at the Netherlands. Geert Wilders, party leader of the Partij Voor de Vrijheid (PVV), has...Show moreRight-wing populism is becoming increasingly popular in Western Europe, this is also evident when looking at the Netherlands. Geert Wilders, party leader of the Partij Voor de Vrijheid (PVV), has been the face of right-wing populism in the Netherlands for a long time, however, it seems that he has now been replaced by Thierry Baudet. Baudet is the party leader of the Forum voor Democratie (FvD), the two-year-old party has managed to win the provincial elections back in March of this year. With the rise of right-wing populist rhetoric, also the exclusion of people has become prominent. This thesis aims to research and analyse how the rhetoric of contemporary right-wing parties contributes to discrimination and xenophobia in the Netherlands.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
Da'esh (also known as the Islamic State in Syria and/or Levant) rose after the Western intervention in Iraq. The group is quite unique in that it uses social media to gain supporters and lure...Show moreDa'esh (also known as the Islamic State in Syria and/or Levant) rose after the Western intervention in Iraq. The group is quite unique in that it uses social media to gain supporters and lure Muslims worldwide to join their so- called jihad. The figures of foreign fighters from Europe is unknown, yet the director of Europol, Rob Wainwright, estimated the number at 3,000 to 5,000 as of January 2015, from this number approximately 250 come from the Netherlands. The National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism in the Netherlands states that terrorism is “preceded by the process of radicalisation”, but this thesis will argue that there is a more diverse range of factors that push Dutch Muslim youth to join Da’esh, namely the process of radicalisation, the isolation effect, political discrimination, the rise of Islamophobia and propaganda by Da’eshShow less
The thesis discusses to what extent do popular media contribute to the reduction of stigmatisation and discrimination against homosexuals in post-colonial India? The hypothesis is: development and...Show moreThe thesis discusses to what extent do popular media contribute to the reduction of stigmatisation and discrimination against homosexuals in post-colonial India? The hypothesis is: development and expansion of media improves public awareness of the taboo topic of homosexuality which will in turn reduce the stigmatisation. The first chapter describes the socio-legal context of homosexuality in India, explaining the foundations for stigmatisation and discrimination against homosexuals and identifies who the main discriminators are. The second chapter uses Appadurai’s theory of scapes and in particular mediascape to help establish the influence such a scape has in reducing stigmatisation and discrimination against homosexuals in postcolonial India. This chapter draws similarities and conclusions from anthologies, auto biographies and biographies, newspaper articles and magazines, Bollywood films and Indian television. The final chapter is focussed on a case study of a growing influential homosexual social group in Mumbai named Gay Bombay that uses the media as a powerful tool in creating a safe haven for homosexuals since the late 1990s. The results have shown that homosexuality is a taboo topic with the current law criminalising the act. The extent of which media influence public opinion has grown with increased globalisation and the introduction of the internet. Some popular media outlets portray non-glamourized depictions of homosexuals more often than ever before but the stereotypical portrayal of the group is still common. It is definite that the public’s perception is directly influenced by media presentations and so if the media has the ability to promote a positive image of homosexuality one questions why they do not. Word of mouth belief is identified as one of the main problems that prevent change in opinion. Changing several million people’s opinions on such a taboo topic is a distant dream for homosexuals, especially whilst the law is still in place. One questions whether India has the political will to repeal its anti-homosexual legislation even if the media increases positive awareness of homosexuality.Show less
This research aims to shed light on the effects that high-profile incidents of police brutality can have on police practices. More specifically, the thesis asks the question of how and to what...Show moreThis research aims to shed light on the effects that high-profile incidents of police brutality can have on police practices. More specifically, the thesis asks the question of how and to what extent the high-profile police brutality case of Rodney King has influenced the culture and practices of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The thesis concludes that the LAPD has underwent major reforms that have quite successfully addressed the problems of racism and excessive use of force. The LAPD has done so by focusing on building stronger partnerships with the different communities that it serves, and by changing its style of policing from a 'professional' model towards a 'community-based' model.Show less
This thesis offers an insight into the hardships of Japan’s largest minority group, the Burakumin. Whilst the generally accepted explanation for their social ostracism is that they are descendants...Show moreThis thesis offers an insight into the hardships of Japan’s largest minority group, the Burakumin. Whilst the generally accepted explanation for their social ostracism is that they are descendants of Japan’s former feudal outcaste community, this narrative, when held up to the light, contains sporadic, ambiguous and unempirical building blocks. All the same, it remains the master narrative in most of the discussion, even in those who are inherently victimized by it and those who wish to end this discrimination, such as Buraku activist groups. What this thesis will attempt to research then, is in how far this Buraku master narrative influences Buraku self-identity and the possible solutions to the Buraku issue.Show less
