This research is a crafted investigation of how Nigeria's foreign policy frameworks formed the country's external relations under the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo's civilian...Show moreThis research is a crafted investigation of how Nigeria's foreign policy frameworks formed the country's external relations under the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo's civilian administration (1999–2007). The study attempts to uncover the variants of strategies used during the administration of President Obasanjo to deal with the complexities in international diplomacy against the background of Nigeria's historic orientations and the complex problems it encountered within the time frame of the study. This study investigates Nigeria's diplomacy, regional engagement, and international alliances in that particular era, and it tries to provide insights into the complex approach it was used by Nigeria in order to establish its international influence. This paper aims to explore the underpinning elements determining the nature of Nigeria's foreign policy strategy of Constructive and Beneficial Concentricism through a systematic investigation of its objectives and application with other countries, international organizations or regional blocs. Also, a critical assessment is done on how successful these types of diplomacy have built the national interests of Nigeria, promoted stability in the region and stimulated economic development. This study aims to reveal those variables that matter for the foreign policy of Nigeria as well as discover the reasons for the changing place of the country in the world community via a thorough examination of the successes and failures of the foreign policy of Nigeria. In addition to secondary literature and expert analysis, this paper improves the primary sources like official documents, policy statements and diplomatic letters to project the big picture of Nigeria's foreign policy trajectory during the Obasanjo administration. The research advances the understanding of the dynamics that made Nigeria interact with the international community to strengthen external relations and offers the reader helpful insights for individuals with an interest in the nation's diplomatic efforts.Show less
This thesis explores the the impact of U.S. foreign policy on Chinese international status, focusing on two case studies: The Paris Climate Agreement and the 2020 Trade War. The research...Show moreThis thesis explores the the impact of U.S. foreign policy on Chinese international status, focusing on two case studies: The Paris Climate Agreement and the 2020 Trade War. The research incorporates both realism and status frameworks to analyze the complex Sino-American relationship, arguing that a purely realist perspective is insufficient for understanding the current dynamics. The findings suggest that U.S. foreign policy has a significant impact on Chinese status, with cooperative policy enhancing it and competitive policy diminishing it. This study contributes to international relations research by proposing an integrated approach of realism and status to evaluate major power relations, particularly between the United States and China.Show less
The Dutch company ASML produces internationally indispensable machines that manufacture advanced semiconductor chips. As a small state, the Netherlands are now caught between China and the US,...Show moreThe Dutch company ASML produces internationally indispensable machines that manufacture advanced semiconductor chips. As a small state, the Netherlands are now caught between China and the US, which are both interested in securing ASML technology. The purpose of this study is to look at the small state strategies employed by the Netherlands in reaction to US pressure to adopt export controls and what the impact is of ASML as a critical node on the power sources of the Netherlands. It proposes that a critical node mostly affects a small state’s intrinsic power (positively) and collective power (negatively). This will be researched by looking at official Dutch and American policy documents and interviews with government officials. It aims to add work on small state power and foreign policy strategies.Show less
Using political science literature focused on democratic transitions and peace-making this paper explores the possibilities of a negotiated democratic transition in Venezuela. Often is the pacted...Show moreUsing political science literature focused on democratic transitions and peace-making this paper explores the possibilities of a negotiated democratic transition in Venezuela. Often is the pacted transitions considered to be the most lucrative path to a democracy due to its peaceful nature. However, domestic challenges in Venezuela make a sustainable transition to democracy challenging. Venezuela has seen massive levels of democratic backsliding under the presidency of both Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. Particularly, Maduro’s presidency has been riddled with severe economic crisis and human rights abuses. While the international community has been involved for several years, their use of negotiations and sanctions have not been successful in causing a regime change. By analyzing the literature on Venezuela and policy papers I identify the obstacles to a democratic transition. As the COVID-19 pandemic made a deep impact on the world, I will also analyze whether the pandemic has created incentives for the regime to democratize or if it has made the regime’s hold on power stronger.Show less
This thesis tries to research the JCPOA and the German / French official and medial reaction to it and to establish a connection of this with the state of European foreign policy.
This paper seeks to find out commonalities within the foreign policy of populist governments. This paper will explore populism from various angles and contextualize it within the sphere of...Show moreThis paper seeks to find out commonalities within the foreign policy of populist governments. This paper will explore populism from various angles and contextualize it within the sphere of international politics. Populism is often seen as a reaction to globalization and the eroding of national sovereignty, which will be shown by the case examples of Hungary and Turkey. This paper finds that how much 'populist' populists' foreign policy depends on the underlying thicker ideology, not just populism alone.Show less
An overview of the Belarusian foreign policy of the past 5 years not including the ongiong situation on Ukraine. Looking with mostly realist views at the evolution of the Belarusian foreign policy,...Show moreAn overview of the Belarusian foreign policy of the past 5 years not including the ongiong situation on Ukraine. Looking with mostly realist views at the evolution of the Belarusian foreign policy, this paper has found, that Belarus has, after a period of decline in relations, been slowly looking to rekindle past relations.Show less
Donald Trump has frequently been labelled an idiosyncratic aberration and has equally been accused of breaking with American foreign policy tradition. However, by applying the foreign policy...Show moreDonald Trump has frequently been labelled an idiosyncratic aberration and has equally been accused of breaking with American foreign policy tradition. However, by applying the foreign policy traditions uncovered by Mead (Wilsonianism, Hamiltonianism, Jeffersonianism and Jacksonianism), scholars began arguing that Trump was perfectly traditional because he adhered to one or more of these historic traditions. Simultaneously, scholars argued that Trump rejected the myth of American exceptionalism that informs said traditions. This begs the question of how one can be traditional, yet also reject their foundational myth. Scholars had failed to consider these two facets in tandem, and had only focussed on Trump’s campaign and early presidency therefore failing to provide a prudent analysis of Trump’s entire foreign policy. This thesis aimed to rectified both by asking the following question: how has Trump’s re-interpretation of American exceptionalism influenced the utilisation of the dominant traditions in American foreign policy in his foreign policy discourse? Through the use of a critical geopolitical analysis, it was uncovered that Trump redefined American exceptionalism to an conditional state of objective greatness that only he could achieve and maintain, rather than an inherent trait. This allowed him to argue that his predecessors had made America unexceptional, stirring feelings of betrayal that he could then mobilise for his own political gain. This demagogic ‘exceptional me 2.0’ strategy shaped his application of all the four traditions wherein he blames Wilsonianism for American decline and aims to rally disappointed Hamiltonians, Jeffersonians and Jacksonians against them in order to effectuate a great reset of American foreign policy and domestic politics.Show less
China and the European Union have, for a long time, sustained a cooperative, yet at the same time, antagonistic relationship. The surge in Chinese FDI in Europe, after the global financial crisis,...Show moreChina and the European Union have, for a long time, sustained a cooperative, yet at the same time, antagonistic relationship. The surge in Chinese FDI in Europe, after the global financial crisis, exacerbated unfavorable opinions of China, due to skepticism surrounding the intentions behind this investment increase. There is in place the belief that Chinese investment is negatively contributing to EU cohesiveness, by putting member states against each other to curry for China’s favour and secure investments, thus putting at risk the European order. The period post-2008 financial crisis saw Portugal becoming an important recipient of Chinese FDI, and as such, this paper analyzes the impact Chinese FDI has in Portuguese foreign policy and its integration in the EU. Portugal proves to be a unique case in comparison with other member states, due to its long-lasting relationship with China, and positive track record as a member of the EU. This dissertation examines this issue by using liberal intergovernmentalism and motivations behind Chinese investment, to argue that Portugal’s domestic interests play an important role in how it handles both China and the EU, as well as to defend that Chinese investment in Portugal as shown to be economically motivated. The results suggest that Portugal maintains a consistent and unchanged, for the most part, China policy. Furthermore, since most of Portugal’s domestic interests are met by the EU, according to liberal intergovernmentalism, in this way, it continues to contribute to its integration in the union. All in all, Chinese FDI in Portugal shouldn’t pose as a concern to the EU, seeing as the data reveals that Portugal’s top investors continue to be fellow member states, with China comprising a modest and slowly decreasing percentage. Therefore, the novelty of Chinese FDI in Europe continues to perpetuate an exaggerated anxiety, along with often unnecessary concerns, regarding the impact of said investment in Portugal.Show less
