In the conventional literature on human-environment relations in the Middle East, the environment is often treated as a dominant variable in explaining adverse social, economic, and political...Show moreIn the conventional literature on human-environment relations in the Middle East, the environment is often treated as a dominant variable in explaining adverse social, economic, and political realities. This deterministic way of interpreting the relationship between the Middle Eastern environment and its inhabitants has been subject to critique from a growing body of literature on political ecology. Although some political ecology research has challenged environmental deterministic assumptions by exploring the role of natural resources in environmental challenges in the Gulf, previous works have not yet provided a comprehensive analysis of various environmental dimensions in a single case study context. This thesis aims to fill this gap in the literature by asking: What is the role of natural resources in engaging with environmental challenges in relation to water, food, and energy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)? This thesis examines the political-ecological metabolisms of three strategies employed to address environmental challenges in relation to water, energy, and food in the UAE: desalination, solar energy, and land grabs. With an explicit focus on power, this study reveals that humans and nature are intertwined, challenging the conventional academic wisdom.Show less
This thesis focuses on the geopolitical implications of China´s rise to space. Based on China´s space policy, the thesis analyses the benefits that Chinese space projects bring to Beijing. The...Show moreThis thesis focuses on the geopolitical implications of China´s rise to space. Based on China´s space policy, the thesis analyses the benefits that Chinese space projects bring to Beijing. The concept of comprehensive power is defined and is taken as the central concept of this thesis. Two fields of China´s comprehensive power are used to research the impact that Chinese space policy has for the nation. Military & Technology implications, and Natural Resource implications. The thesis concludes that China´s goals in the military aspect are to have military control over the satellites in order to control cyberspace. Once achieved, China aims to spread its soft power to countries using technology connected to Chinese cyberspace. In the resource-seeking aspect, China aims to extract Helium 3, a natural resource, in order to create a non-radioactive energy supply. Therefore, these space projects can strengthen China´s position in the global order.Show less
This thesis discusses natural resource exploitation in the Western-Sahara through 3 themes: international organization, Morocco's elite & international capital.
