Cartels have undermined the Mexican government's legitimacy with corruption and excessive violence, while some violent acts committed by cartels breach the threshold of what constitutes a crime...Show moreCartels have undermined the Mexican government's legitimacy with corruption and excessive violence, while some violent acts committed by cartels breach the threshold of what constitutes a crime against humanity. Based on the given jurisdiction of the ICC on crimes against humanity, the effects of a potential ICC intervention in the Mexican conflict on the legitimacy of the present conflict actors are investigated. Changes in the dependent variable 'Legitimacy' based on the following five independent variables 'Conflict Narratives'; 'Individual Framing'; 'Warrant-Stigmatization'; 'Self-Referral'; 'Kingpin-Strategy' are highlighted. This paper conducted a single-country case study to gain in-depth insights into the conflict and to ensure that the generated results have high internal validity. Mixed findings do not give one conclusive answer whether an ICC intervention de- or increases the legitimacy of either conflict party. A Mexican self-referral shapes conflict narratives that represent state actors as good, while the prosecuted cartels are vilified, enabling the Mexican government to regain legitimacy. Another particular effect of an ICC intervention would be an increase in violence. Prosecuting high-ranking cartel members widens splits within cartels, opens power vacuums, and destabilizes the conflict, leading to more violence and ultimately undermining the state's legitimacy.Show less
This Master thesis tries to argue South Africa’s uncertain future as regional leader on the African continent. It builds on Geldenhuys’ description of South Africa as ideational leader almost a...Show moreThis Master thesis tries to argue South Africa’s uncertain future as regional leader on the African continent. It builds on Geldenhuys’ description of South Africa as ideational leader almost a decade later. South Africa’s intended withdrawal from the ICC’s jurisdiction of which they notified the world in October 2016, will be used as a case study to substantiate this argument. The intended withdrawal was a political move which at the time caused international chaos, but now 2 years have passed, there needs to be a reassessment of what has changed and what impact this decision had. Therefore, this thesis subsequently serves the purpose of creating a chronological overview of the events between 2002 and 2018 regarding the ICC, the African Union and South Africa.Show less
This thesis examines how US foreign policy behavior affects legitimacy of the ICC since the events of September 9/11, 2001 on American soil. Since the establishment of the International Criminal...Show moreThis thesis examines how US foreign policy behavior affects legitimacy of the ICC since the events of September 9/11, 2001 on American soil. Since the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2002, a hot topic under debate concerns its usefulness for international individual prosecution. The jurisdiction of the ICC consists of specific offence crimes namely, the prosecution of individuals committing genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression. Supporters in favor of the debate argue that the ICC serves as a useful tool and thus is accountable for creating coherence in terms of justice, peace and stability. In contrast, challengers do not recognize the ICC as a useful institute to achieve more order and to realize effective prosecution of individuals worldwide. As one of the challengers, the United States decided not to ratify the established ICC in its current structure. The US accuses the ICC of being a bearer to disorder in international prosecution of individuals. Moreover, the legitimacy of the ICC remains questioned and therefore, its sustainability. For a significant part, the sustainability of the ICC seems dependent on consent of its support and its legitimacy.Show less
This paper will explore the context of Hissène Habré conviction in 2017 of crimes against humanity, which is unusual as many other former heads of state committed far more serious crimes but were...Show moreThis paper will explore the context of Hissène Habré conviction in 2017 of crimes against humanity, which is unusual as many other former heads of state committed far more serious crimes but were never charged or called upon to account for their actions. This paper hypothesizes that the primary reason that Habré, unlike these other individuals, was charged and convicted, is the development of an anti-impunity or accountability norm in International Law and International Relations. This paper will seek to test this hypothesis by exploring two ideas. The first is whether or not there can be said to be a developing norm of accountability in international relations and international law. The second idea the paper will test is whether the completion of the trial of Hissène Habré can be attributed to this norm of accountability.Show less
