The study of Indian Ocean archaeology has often focused on individual sites and has tended to focus primarily on connections between major port sites without the inclusion of smaller sites and the...Show moreThe study of Indian Ocean archaeology has often focused on individual sites and has tended to focus primarily on connections between major port sites without the inclusion of smaller sites and the spaces in between these major sites. Within this thesis I focus on the role of Sri Lanka within the broader context of the Indian Ocean trade networks. Sri Lanka has long been thought to have been a central point within these aforementioned trade networks due to its geographical location at the “center” of the Indian Ocean, coupled with its natural topography that made it an ideal safe port of call for ancient merchants. However, most of Sri Lanka’s prominence in this context is based off historical texts and sporadic archaeological evidence from major sites such as Mantai and Anuradhapura. This research will focus on a wider range of sites and archaeological evidence in order to see what exactly was Sri Lanka’s role within the broader Indian Ocean trade networks. In order to accomplish this I will create an overview of all the available evidence such as archaeological reports, scientific articles and publications related to this topic. Following this I will also provide suggestions for the continuation of this research so that it may benefit the wider academic community. These suggestions will include the application of digital techniques in the field such as LiDAR, in order to properly understand the spaces in between the major sites so that a more complete picture is gained rather than one that focuses mainly on famous urban sites. Alongside this I will also discuss methods to properly store and disseminate the data related to this research in a way that makes it more accessible to the wider academic community. Through the creation of an overview of all the available material as well as the aforementioned suggestions, I will provide a framework for the next steps to be taken in terms of research into Sri Lanka’s role in the Indian Ocean trade networks.Show less
The evolution of security provision generated a shift from government to governance. As a consequence, security is increasingly being pursued by networks consisting of public as well as private...Show moreThe evolution of security provision generated a shift from government to governance. As a consequence, security is increasingly being pursued by networks consisting of public as well as private actors. With the aim of addressing wicked security problems, these actors try join their efforts by exchanging information, coordinate joint responses and in this way generate knowledge regarding the security issue. The Community Fathers ‘Al-Wasl’ are such a security network which aims to address complex security problems within the district Laak in The Hague. Since security networks encounter serious challenges in their efforts to solve these problems that affects the level of legitimacy and effectiveness. Through the evaluation of Community Fathers ‘Al-Wasl’ by qualitative research techniques, this thesis aims to find an answer to the question: “What are the challenges that affect the legitimacy and effectiveness of the Community Fathers ‘Al-Wasl’ in The Hague?”. This thesis argues that Community Fathers ‘Al-Wasl’ experiences great internal and social legitimacy but lacks external legitimacy. Furthermore, Al-Wasl is effective from a network-level and organizational-level perspective but lacks scientific evidence to prove the effectiveness on a community-level. However, this thesis argues that Al-Wasl is effective on a community-level since the social-societal contributions to the community being served can be regarded as priceless.Show less
The hierarchical vertical structures of security networks are increasingly making way for horizontal networked structures. One of these security networks is the Neighbourhood Watch group of...Show moreThe hierarchical vertical structures of security networks are increasingly making way for horizontal networked structures. One of these security networks is the Neighbourhood Watch group of Schipluiden, which strives for less crime and a better quality of life within their municipality. It is aimed at reducing crimes such as robberies, burglaries, violence, vandalism and destruction of property. Even though these initiatives gained quite some popularity in the Netherlands, they remain prone to several challenges. Therefore, this thesis examines what challenges are affecting the effectiveness and legitimacy of the Dutch Neighbourhood Watch group of Schipluiden. Through qualitative research methods, this thesis combined several criteria in order to evaluate the effectiveness and legitimacy of the Neighbourhood Watch group of Schipluiden at different levels of analysis. After using a combination of content analysis and expert interviews, this thesis concludes that the NHWS is a legitimate security network that is currently effective, yet prone to several challenges that could affect the effectiveness in the future.Show less
This thesis provides an insight in how cross-cultural relations took place and how the VOC legal system functioned in the 17th century in a multi-cultural place like Cochin on the southwest coast...Show moreThis thesis provides an insight in how cross-cultural relations took place and how the VOC legal system functioned in the 17th century in a multi-cultural place like Cochin on the southwest coast of India. This is done through legal sources that are from fort Cochin. Of these legal sources the emphesis lies on cases between non-Europeans vs Europeans and non-Europeans vs non-Europeans.Show less
Many systems can be studied by representing them as multilayer networks. Multilayer networks are mathematical structures consisting of a set of objects with multiple kinds of possible relations...Show moreMany systems can be studied by representing them as multilayer networks. Multilayer networks are mathematical structures consisting of a set of objects with multiple kinds of possible relations between the objects. The study of various multilayer networks such as the network of international trade using statistical models with the assumption that the layers are independent leads to the observed overlap in the network being significantly different from the overlap predicted by the model. In an attempt to solve this issue we introduced interdependencies between the layers of a multilayer network in the model by explicitly including the overlap in our model. We then analytically derived the maximum likelihood equations for this model. Using numerical methods, we tested the validity of these obtained equations which proved to be highly accurate when compared to the numerical simulation data. Additionally, we have shown that the overlap of a network for a given number of links can be increased by either increasing the heterogeneity of the network or the value of the coupling parameter that we have introduced into the model. This allows us to create multiplexes with a specific amount of overlap for a given of number of links, given that it is within the theoretical limits. Finally, we conclude that the empirical overlap in the network of international trade is not merely a result of the correlation between the degrees of the different layers but requires a nonzero coupling between the layers in its modeling.Show less
While Margaret Beaufort (1443-1509) has often been portrayed as a religious woman, as the mother of King Henry VII of England and as a figure with political influence, the crucial network she...Show moreWhile Margaret Beaufort (1443-1509) has often been portrayed as a religious woman, as the mother of King Henry VII of England and as a figure with political influence, the crucial network she surrounded herself with is rarely touched upon. This thesis proposes to bring light to the influence that these networks of kinship and patronage had on the formation and preservation of the then brand-new Tudor rulership. Using the primary source material, we can examine these relationships and their influence as well as the impact of female agency on Margaret Beaufort’s abilities to establish and maintain these networks. Unraveling the role of Margaret Beaufort and her networks will lead to a better understanding of the formation and maintenance of Tudor rulership and a deeper knowledge of how female networks of power functioned.Show less
Research master thesis | Asian Studies (research) (MA)
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Hong Kong, a former British colony and now Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, has a long standing tradition of well networked political protest. Particularly the pro...Show moreHong Kong, a former British colony and now Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, has a long standing tradition of well networked political protest. Particularly the pro-democracy movement had gathered wide ranging public support in the years following the 1997 handover. In recent years this movement and the spectrum of the political opposition split and diversified. This thesis argues that the responsibilities and the question of leadership in the activist network of Hong Kong are contested and that existing hierarchies complicate protest action. This became particularly visible during the 2014 'Umbrella Movement'. Based on this example this thesis takes on the question whether contemporary pluralist networks can overcome power hierarchies. Through an analysis of original interviews with activists from the 'Umbrella Movement' the contesting narratives of leadership in the movement are explored and mapped. This helps to understand how the activists position others and themselves within a broader network, and shows how existing hierarchies affect the image of leadership in the network. The analysis also highlights other factors that influence the activists' understanding of power. Eventually it is shown that a number of leaders existed in the movement, which processes were perceived as complication for equal participation opportunities for all activists, and that hierarchies were neither absent nor static.Show less
