Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
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A global narrative has emerged in which the West are selfless, compassionate givers in times of crisis for their poor, "third-world" neighbours. This thesis critically examines the aid response in...Show moreA global narrative has emerged in which the West are selfless, compassionate givers in times of crisis for their poor, "third-world" neighbours. This thesis critically examines the aid response in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake to assess how much of its ensuing consequences were not exceptions to the rule, but in fact, direct and predictable results of the aid policies themselves that call this narrative into question.Show less
After the influx of Central American unaccompanied child migrants to the U.S. southern border in 2014, the Northern Triangle governments of, Honduras, and Guatemala, and El Salvador, partnered with...Show moreAfter the influx of Central American unaccompanied child migrants to the U.S. southern border in 2014, the Northern Triangle governments of, Honduras, and Guatemala, and El Salvador, partnered with the Obama administration to implement the Alliance for Prosperity plan, a development initiative introduced by Northern Triangle governments to stem irregular migration through promoting regional economic growth and security. To support the Plan, the U.S. financed $1 billion in foreign aid assistance and programming. In reality, the Alliance for Prosperity plan was a continuation of the same neoliberal economic model in existence between the U.S. and Northern Triangle region for decades, which has been found to secure national security and business interests over that of inclusive growth among Central American societies. Considering President Biden’s $4 billion commitment to build on this model, the case study that follows seeks to explore through qualitative analysis the hypothesis that the previous Alliance for Prosperity plan was used to perpetuate neocolonial mechanisms of economic dependency, resource extraction, and territorial control, to undermine the Plan’s objective to inspire inclusive growth among the Central American people. The findings reveal that the Plan perpetuates neocolonialism by consistently implementing policies that exacerbate local inequalities and neglecting to enforce measures of transparency and accountability. Maintaining the status quo affords the U.S. favorable economic and security interests while at the same time ensuring the dominance of a Central American elitist class. Both partners lack an incentive to change development approaches, serving as an explanation to why foreign aid to address the Central American migrant crisis has undermined its own efforts.Show less
As a result of intensifying China-Africa relations, China has signed multiple resources-for-infrastructure deals with African nations. These deals consist of loans for infrastructure development...Show moreAs a result of intensifying China-Africa relations, China has signed multiple resources-for-infrastructure deals with African nations. These deals consist of loans for infrastructure development which are to be repaid with profits gained from oil or mineral extraction. They are heavily criticized, and China’s role is often scrutinized for being neocolonial. This study focuses on the largest and most well-known resources-for-infrastructure deal, the Sicomines agreement, which was signed between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Through in-depth examination of the Sicomines case and a study of Kwame Nkrumah’s conceptualization of neocolonialism, this research has found that although a number of aspects of the Sicomines deal are not beneficial to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Sicomines agreement cannot fully be considered neocolonialist.Show less
Going beyond the Eurocentric perspective that is predominant in the discipline of International Relations (IR), this thesis demonstrates the valuable insights that can be gathered by starting an...Show moreGoing beyond the Eurocentric perspective that is predominant in the discipline of International Relations (IR), this thesis demonstrates the valuable insights that can be gathered by starting an analysis of an internationally relevant topic such as energy security from the viewpoint of commonly marginalised actors. The term ‘marginalised’ refers to actors geographically located in the ‘Global South’ (in this case North Africa) and previously analytically marginalised actors within IR, such as non-state actors. Moreover, this paper provides an informed response to the allegedly neocolonial character of the controversial Desertec project, a transnational energy partnership between the European Union and Middle Eastern and North African states. To be able to do so, the paper adopts an African (Moroccan) agency perspective based on the analytical framework provided by William Brown and a number of selected determinants of agency such as political bargaining power, image management or popular resistance. The paper finds that in its original form, that is, as Desertec was envisioned by its founding father Gerhard Trieb, the Desertec project cannot be described as a European neocolonial project. Yet, in its attempted realisation, Desertec – both the original large-scale project and the following individual projects – certainly had hegemonic features. Its hegemonic character, however, did not exclude and was even partly based upon African actors’ agency. Thus, while European actors still seem to determine the type of international relations held with African countries, North African state and non-state actors demonstrated significant, yet highly uneven agency in the Desertec context, thereby disproving generally held prejudices about African states’ passivity and inferiority in the international system.Show less
Volunteer tourism as an alternative form of tourism has gained popularity since mass tourism became increasingly criticized. In Costa Rica conservation volunteer projects are especially popular,...Show moreVolunteer tourism as an alternative form of tourism has gained popularity since mass tourism became increasingly criticized. In Costa Rica conservation volunteer projects are especially popular, due to the big focus on ecotourism in the country. However, the effects of volunteer projects are often not sufficiently discussed and considered. The analysis of this thesis shows how the way these projects are advertised and carried out by volunteer sending organizations, and the way they are perceived by returning volunteers enforces neocolonialist thinking and reproduces stereotypes. It also highlights some socioeconomic effects the projects can have on the local communities.Show less
