The European microstates Andorra, Liechtenstein and the Holy See have only been partially integrated into the multi-level framework of the European Union (EU). What is puzzling to academics...Show moreThe European microstates Andorra, Liechtenstein and the Holy See have only been partially integrated into the multi-level framework of the European Union (EU). What is puzzling to academics specialized in European Integration is the stark contrast to the degree of integration into the European Union experienced by Malta and Luxembourg which have both fully integrated into the European community in comparison to these microstates. The resultant regulatory and political discrepancies between each of these microstates is investigated in this paper with an investigation into the possibility of further integration for the unincorporated microstates. The different routes to integration of economic, political, and diplomatic arrangements follow in line with the 2013 Association Framework agreement established by Brussels which this paper will use to conceptualize an analysis into wider microstate integration. This paper assumes that intergovernmental agreements between microstates and their EU member state neighbors reduce the incentives for integration into the European Union. Other assumptions rely on an investigation into the value that European microstates have in maintaining their sovereignty at the expense of gains through European integration. It also investigates economic development of these microstates to their degree of integration as a control variable, of which there is less of an impact than intergovernmental agreements. The findings of this paper highlight the importance that microstates show towards intergovernmental agreements over supranational integration.Show less
Few policy areas are as closely guarded by the member states of the European Union as their foreign policy. This is visible on the EU-level, in the Common Foreign and Security Policy and its...Show moreFew policy areas are as closely guarded by the member states of the European Union as their foreign policy. This is visible on the EU-level, in the Common Foreign and Security Policy and its individual policies, as the CFSP is considered to be a salient example of intergovernmentalism’s hold on aspects of EU policy-making. However, there have been some examples of small states influencing EU foreign policy. Malta is a relevant object for this study, as it is undoubtedly a small state. This makes it an interesting case study, as it, nonetheless, has clearly defined interests in the Southern neighbourhood. The Southern neighbourhood aspect of the ENP has itself been an under researched area in recent years, as it is widely considered a failed policy, and the interest of EU-scholars has largely shifted away from the Southern neighbourhood to the Eastern neighbourhood, where the threats to the EU, and its influence on the ‘ring of friends’ it aims to create, seem more pressing. Has Malta, despite its status as a small state, and the current general disinterest in the Southern neighbourhood, managed to capture EU policy-makers’ attention and successfully Europeanised its domestic foreign policy preferences? Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis, which traces frames and discursive constructions across the domestic level, to the European level, before concluding with a comparative analysis of two EU foreign policy documents, this study demonstrates that Maltese policy preferences were uploaded to the level of EU foreign policy, more specifically, the ENP's Southern Neighbourhood component.Show less
Corporate tax avoidance is an aspect of tax haven activity that is under significant scrutiny by the international community. This lies in the belief that corporations should pay their fair share,...Show moreCorporate tax avoidance is an aspect of tax haven activity that is under significant scrutiny by the international community. This lies in the belief that corporations should pay their fair share, and that tax competition serves to lower overall corporate taxation. The narrative in host countries is often within the realm of job creation and economic performance, which this thesis seeks to look into and explore. Does the host country of capital flight and profit shifting actually benefit on a socioeconomic basis or are they merely being affected by the financial curse? This study seeks to explore these concepts by applying them to two tax competitive jurisdictions in the EU, Malta and Ireland, in order to explore the validity of the aforementioned political rhetoric or whether the two countries are experiencing wealth inequality due to the influx of FDI via competitive taxation.Show less
This thesis analyzes the impacts of over-financialization and illegality on Malta's economic development. This is done through examining Malta's four different financialization strategies between...Show moreThis thesis analyzes the impacts of over-financialization and illegality on Malta's economic development. This is done through examining Malta's four different financialization strategies between 2013-2019 to investigate their impacts on Malta's economic development by applying the theory of Finance Curse. These impacts are analysed in terms of three risks: political, economic and societal, to study the net contribution of financialization to Malta. The result shows that the net growth of Malta's economy is lower when illegality intertwined with financialization due to the exposure of the three risks.Show less
Machiavelli’s theory as described in The Prince has been a great influence on the theories of acquiring political power. Because Machiavelli’s name is connected with deceit and immorality,...Show moreMachiavelli’s theory as described in The Prince has been a great influence on the theories of acquiring political power. Because Machiavelli’s name is connected with deceit and immorality, especially in early modern England, many Elizabethan playwrights engaged with his doctrine to excite their audiences. This thesis argues that Marlowe engages with Machiavelli in two distinct manners. On the one hand there is the simplified, misinterpreted Machiavellian. These characters may appear to follow Machiavelli’s doctrine. However, because their actions go against Machiavelli’s doctrine, they are not able to achieve their goals. On the other hand there are the true Machiavellian characters, who are able to show the power of the individual by following Machiavellian doctrine. These characters can overcome their troubles and achieve actual political power. An analysis of The Jew of Malta and Tamburlaine the Great makes this distinction clear. Although Barabas is introduced as a Machiavellian by Machevill himself, his actions continuously go against his doctrine. The secondary, Christian character Ferneze does use his tactical planning skills to turn unpredictable situations to his advantage. Tamburlaine uses these same Machiavellian tactics on an epic skill. Although Tamburlaine’s cruelty is extreme, Machiavelli would approve as they are essential to his reputation and conquest. In Doctor Faustus, although often overlooked in this discussion, Marlowe depicts the importance of focus and knowledge in the acquirement of political power. Lucifer and Mephistopheles use Machiavelli’s doctrine to victory. In Doctor Faustus, Machiavellianism truly is the devil’s doctrine.Show less
Het Malta-verdrag is meer dan 25 jaar geleden getekend. Welke invloed zien we hiervan terug in de gehanteerde lesmethoden op middelbare scholen? In dit onderzoek is er gekeken naar de rol van de...Show moreHet Malta-verdrag is meer dan 25 jaar geleden getekend. Welke invloed zien we hiervan terug in de gehanteerde lesmethoden op middelbare scholen? In dit onderzoek is er gekeken naar de rol van de prehistorie in het geschiedenisonderwijs aan de hand van de verschillende lesmethodes op verschillende schoolniveaus. Is het vele archeologische onderzoek ook verwerkt in deze lesmethodes?Show less
In 1992 the European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage, also known as the Malta Convention, was held. The treaty was signed by The Netherlands the same day. However, it...Show moreIn 1992 the European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage, also known as the Malta Convention, was held. The treaty was signed by The Netherlands the same day. However, it was not ratified until 2007, and implemented in a new set of laws known as the revised Monument Act of 2007. This act ensured that the principles behind Malta, mainly aimed at preservation of archaeology for the future, were now legal boundaries through which archaeology was practiced. The developments in archaeology had started before the Convention 1992, at least for The Netherlands. And at the point of ratification in 2007, a lot of changes in regards to archaeological process had taken place. Archis, the database for registering all archaeological research, started in the beginning of the 90’s, followed by quality regulations for reports set up by the KNA at the turn of the millenium, and since the last decade a system of regulated private companies has been working alongside the previous monopolists: the government and the universities. These changes have caused archaeologists to approach excavations in a different way. But the question of how these changes have impacted archaeology are still being answered. It is believed that the amount of excavations has risen in the last decades, but that the size in excavations has decreased. Trying to touch on the subject of excavation size, this thesis is aimed at answering the question: Has the ratification of the Malta Convention, in 2007, and the revised monument act, which followed the ratification, caused a decrease in the size of excavations between the years 1999 and 2008? This thesis is based on excavation reports from the years 1999 and 2008. These reports have all necessary data pertaining to the size of excavations. The two years also give a good overview of the difference between the data in reports before and after the ratification of the Malta Convention. The data shows that there is an increase in excavation size between 1999 and 2008. In both urban and rural settings. Where the main discussion was leaning towards the impression that large-scale excavations are a thing of the past, nothing seems less likely. It is however very interesting to see the time needed to excavate these larger areas. And the assumption that excavations are becoming smaller seems to be more related to the difference in temporal factors, than in actual square meters.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
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This thesis discusses the role of Roman Catholic values in the treatment of boat refugees in southern Europe. It is assumed that documents issued by the Vatican reflect the values of the Church,...Show moreThis thesis discusses the role of Roman Catholic values in the treatment of boat refugees in southern Europe. It is assumed that documents issued by the Vatican reflect the values of the Church, which, it is argued, are the foundation of the practical involvement of Church-affiliated organisations and individuals with refugees. A qualitative case study is conducted in which the values of the global Church are translated into the Church’s hands-on work with boat refugees in southern Europe from 2006 until now. It becomes evident that the Church adopts a much broader definition of ‘refugee’ than international law does, which affects the extent and nature of aid activities of Church-affiliated NGOs and individuals to refugees arriving on Malta and Lampedusa. It is argued that the concept of brotherhood, stemming from the Biblical ideal of being one’s ‘brother’s keeper’, is the underlying logic to the Church’s views on and work with refugees, and that brotherhood is built on trust. The findings of this research are of particular interest to anthropologists studying the interaction between religious NGOs and refugees. As anthropologists are called to be cultural brokers, they must familiarise themselves with the values of beneficiaries as well as donors.Show less
This study explores the religious developments on the Maltese archipelago from the Neolithic period until the incorporation of the islands into the Byzantine Empire in 535 CE. By chronologically...Show moreThis study explores the religious developments on the Maltese archipelago from the Neolithic period until the incorporation of the islands into the Byzantine Empire in 535 CE. By chronologically analyzing evidence for religious activities on the islands, gleaned from the corpus of published works, in a diachronic perspective and using an explorative approach, the continuity of traditions, sites and possibly beliefs are systematically studied. The result then is a religious biography of the islands, discussing mainly the continuity of phenomena and the development of religious activities. The Maltese archipelago was subjected to many different cultural influences, which is reflected in the development of religious activities. A gradual evolution from the early Neolithic up till the start of the Bronze Age can be witnessed, during which foreign influences can be recognised. After the Bronze Age, which was fundamentally different in religious traditions than its predecessor, the Orientalising influence brought upon by the Phoenicians shaped the religious landscape of the archipelago, laying the fundaments for the succeeding millennium-and-a-half. The rise of several powers in the Mediterranean area (such as the Etruscans, Greeks and the Romans) influenced Malta indirectly. During the Punic and Roman phases the religious activities are affected by Hellenising influences, seen in material culture and the identification of deities. Under Roman Imperial rule the population gradually adopts more Roman religious customs. There is some evidence for some of the Eastern mystery cults of Mithras and Isis, but future research should help to elucidate this. From the fifth century CE onwards there is enough evidence to confirm the presence of a Diaspora Jewish community, as well as infer that a good amount of the population at that time followed the religion of Christianity. The religious developments show how insularity at one hand encouraged local development of traditions, while the high connectivity due to the geographical location of the islands encouraged the introduction of new traditions. As a result a clear line of development can be traced and influencing trends can clearly be distinguished. There are still some areas, such as some of the iconography encountered, which require further exploration to provide a better understanding of the religious developments on the islands.Show less
This thesis presents a study of the Neolithic assemblage of tools and implements from the megalithic temple complex of Tarxien, Malta. This complex was built and used by a Neolithic society between...Show moreThis thesis presents a study of the Neolithic assemblage of tools and implements from the megalithic temple complex of Tarxien, Malta. This complex was built and used by a Neolithic society between 3600-2400 BC. The Maltese archipelago boasts over 30 similar megalithic complexes, spread across the islands. For over a century, these megalith complexes have been intensively studied, but while there is a general consensus that these so-called temples held ritual or religious functions, many contradicting hypotheses about the origin of the complexes and their societal significance have been formulated by various scholars. These theories have been discussed to create a referential framework for this thesis and to emphasise how little attention has been paid to Neolithic tools and implements in earlier studies. In order to make a contribution to this debate, this study concentrated on this neglected group of artefacts: the Neolithic tools and implements from Tarxien. By means of a systematic analysis of these tools and implements this thesis was able to identify a number of activity patterns that might have played a role inside Tarxien. Based on the results achieved in the process of this thesis, it can be claimed that the temples did not only fulfill ritual and/or religious purposes, but a number of other activities can be associated with the Temple complex. Various activities, such as preparing food and the production of materials and other goods have been present at the site and it seems very likely that the complex was inhabited by a (small) group of people. Furthermore, based on the archaeological evidence examined by this study, it seems possible that the complex held a central function concerning the storage and (re)distribution of food (and/or other goods).Show less
This thesis was written with the objective to re-examine the Aegyptiaca on Malta and Gozo during the Phoenician and Punic phases, in order to achieve a better understanding of the cultural exchange...Show moreThis thesis was written with the objective to re-examine the Aegyptiaca on Malta and Gozo during the Phoenician and Punic phases, in order to achieve a better understanding of the cultural exchange processes, which would have occurred during the first millennium BCE. Because of the geographic location of the islands in the middle of the Mediterranean, Malta holds a unique position, where several different cultures meet and merge. Based on previously published material (Hölbl 1989 and Sagona 2005), every object has been critically discussed and analyzed within its archaeological and cultural context. While some of the objects were created in Egypt, others were good copies of Egyptian originals, produced elsewhere. While a number of the objects might have been associated with purely aesthetic values, some of our objects allow for a deeper religious association. On Malta we see a convergence of Egyptian and Levantine influences, merged together in Phoenician art. This is not a strange phenomenon, as the Phoenicians themselves already adopted and changed many aspects of different cultures, which they again distributed across the Mediterranean. Where cultures meet they can merge together to form a new culture, but that is not always the case. People can also resist a new dominating culture by falling back on an older culture. This feat is shown in the numismatics of Malta and Gozo, as even under the new Roman domination coins were minted with Punic and Phoenician deities and motifs displayed on them.Show less
