The treatment of mental health problems has had limited success in both England and Ireland. Since the Percy Commission in 1957 in England, and the Commission of Inquiry into Mental Illness in 1966...Show moreThe treatment of mental health problems has had limited success in both England and Ireland. Since the Percy Commission in 1957 in England, and the Commission of Inquiry into Mental Illness in 1966 in Ireland, both countries have strived to modernise and improve the quality of their mental healthcare systems. Despite this, they have experienced several shortfalls surrounding funding, staffing and community care amongst other issues. As a result of these problems, both countries have some of the highest rates of mental illness in Europe, with 18.5 percent of Irish people and 17.7 percent of English people experiencing at least one mental illness. While both England and Ireland inherited a similar system based around asylums and a focus on long-term institutionalisation the outcomes for the respective countries were vastly different. Additionally, both countries have moved towards a community-based approach in the hope to rehabilitate and reintegrate patients into the community. Though, England has seen lower rates of hospitalisation and shorter hospital stays for mental illness than in Ireland, as well as historically having lower rates of mental illness. However, since the 1990s, English rates of mental illness have been increasing gradually. As a result, English rates of mental illness are nearly that of Ireland. By discussing the historic developments in mental healthcare in the two countries and issues around welfare and healthcare, the causes for this discrepancy as well as the recent increases in the rate of mental illness can hopefully be explained.Show less
The study aims to investigate whether applying the shame-resilience theory (SRT) could increase debtors’ willingness to contact their creditors (Brown, 2006). Shame is associated with two elements:...Show moreThe study aims to investigate whether applying the shame-resilience theory (SRT) could increase debtors’ willingness to contact their creditors (Brown, 2006). Shame is associated with two elements: powerlessness and being trapped. Feelings of being trapped occur when debtors feel that they have failed to adhere to societal norms due to a lack of alternatives (Frye, 2001). Powerlessness occurs when debtors experience a lack of control. We hypothesized that, by reducing the feelings associated with shame, powerlessness and being trapped, could lead to an increase in the debtors’ willingness to contact (WTC). The data was gathered through an online survey from 182 participants who were divided into four conditions; control, power, trapped and combined. The results provided evidence that reducing the feeling of powerlessness leads to an increase in debtors' willingness to contact. However, reducing the feelings of being trapped or a combined reduction did not produce similar results.Show less
Deze studie richt zich op het effect van multidimensionale armoede op de mentale gezondheid van Nederlanders met behulp van de EU 2020 Poverty Index. Deze index combineert verschillende elementen,...Show moreDeze studie richt zich op het effect van multidimensionale armoede op de mentale gezondheid van Nederlanders met behulp van de EU 2020 Poverty Index. Deze index combineert verschillende elementen, waaronder inkomensarmoede, materiële deprivatie en werkloosheid. Eerdere studies die het effect van armoede op de mentale gezondheid hebben onderzocht zijn voornamelijk gericht op inkomensarmoede. Echter brengen indicatoren van inkomensarmoede onvoldoende de diversiteit in de levensomstandigheden van huishoudens in armoede in beeld (Fusco et al., 2011). Mensen die leven in armoede ervaren aanzienlijke stress als gevolg van hun levensomstandigheden. Het is daarom van cruciaal belang om deze levensomstandigheden in overweging te nemen om het effect van armoede op de mentale gezondheid te kunnen begrijpen. In dit onderzoek wordt eerst het effect van elke armoededimensie op de mentale gezondheid afzonderlijk onderzocht. Vervolgens worden deze gecombineerd tot één meetschaal waarbij moet worden voldaan aan minimaal één van de dimensies: hetzij onder de inkomensarmoededrempel, op of boven de materiële deprivatiedrempel of zich verkeren in een onvrijwillige werkloosheid status. Aansluitend wordt getoetst of multidimensionale armoede een sterkere voorspeller is van de mentale gezondheid dan inkomensarmoede. Het onderzoek maakt gebruik van het LISS-panel en past het fixed effects model toe. Uit de resultaten blijkt dat inkomensarmoede en werkloosheid geen significant effect hebben op de mentale gezondheid, terwijl materiële deprivatie wel een negatief significant effect toont. Hoewel de rol van multidimensionale armoede als voorspeller van mentale gezondheid nog niet duidelijk is, zijn er aanwijzingen dat het mogelijk een betere voorspeller is dan inkomensarmoede. De bevindingen van dit onderzoek benadrukken de noodzaak van verder onderzoek naar multidimensionale armoede en de impact ervan op de mentale gezondheid. Het begrijpen van de bredere context van armoede kan helpen bij het ontwikkelen van effectiever beleid ter bevordering van de mentale gezondheid van mensen die leven in armoede.Show less
This thesis analyses how environmental degradation caused by the oil exploitation by oil companies in the Niger Delta has an effect on the Niger Delta Crisis. It focuses on both political as well...Show moreThis thesis analyses how environmental degradation caused by the oil exploitation by oil companies in the Niger Delta has an effect on the Niger Delta Crisis. It focuses on both political as well as economic aspects of the Crisis, and tries to describe how the exploitation of oil not only worsens the quality of the environment in the region, but consequently also worsens the livelihoods of the inhabitants in various ways.Show less
The intention of this thesis is to research the successfulness of microfinance initiatives (MFIs) at alleviating poverty in Ghana. The correlation between poverty alleviation and microfinance has...Show moreThe intention of this thesis is to research the successfulness of microfinance initiatives (MFIs) at alleviating poverty in Ghana. The correlation between poverty alleviation and microfinance has been researched before, but all of these examinations had case-selection bias. Even though they tried to make suggestions for improvement, these suggestions did not seek for development of a fact-based risk scoring framework. Most scholars make a convincing argument that MFIs do help alleviate poverty. They are not able to provide absolute data on the level of improvement, which made it impossible to give a quantitative answer to how successful microfinance is at helping alleviate poverty. Therefore, this thesis objectively analyses the positive and negative aspects of MFIs and the possibilities to improve the functioning of MFIs by creating a framework to further alleviate poverty in Ghana.Show less
In 2016 it would have been difficult to imagine that Ireland and Spain once shared similar economic contexts. While in 2007 they were both experiencing similar macroeconomic conditions, and...Show moreIn 2016 it would have been difficult to imagine that Ireland and Spain once shared similar economic contexts. While in 2007 they were both experiencing similar macroeconomic conditions, and underwent similar processes in dealing with the crisis, nine years later the Irish economy had managed to regain its pre-crisis standards, whereas Spain’s continued to lag behind. Particularly telling of these developments are poverty trends, with Ireland presenting an overall decrease in its At-Risk-of-Poverty or Social Exclusion (AROPE) figures over 2007 and 2016, and Spain being unable to do so. Consequently, given their similarities prior to the Great Recession, the question of “what explains the diverging poverty trends between Ireland and Spain between 2007 and 2016?” arises. Turning to the academic and theoretical literature, the paper identifies four variables which could explain these outcomes: economic growth and income inequalities; (un)employment levels and conditions; welfare state effectiveness; and political inequality. These variables were assessed with reference to Eurostat and OECD data, with the analysis being complemented by NGO reports and government publications. Overall, findings indicate that three principal factors can explain these diverging poverty trends: I) the fact that income inequalities were widespread in Spain, even during periods of growth, while they were relatively stable in Ireland; II) Spain’s inability to avoid an increase in rising labor precariousness, and; III) the effectiveness of Ireland’s welfare state in reducing poverty levels. The fourth variable under investigation, the role of political inequalities, provided inconclusive results.Show less
By conducting a comparative analysis between Argentina and Chile this thesis examines the experiences of neoliberalism between 1980 and 2016 in relation to the development of the political economy...Show moreBy conducting a comparative analysis between Argentina and Chile this thesis examines the experiences of neoliberalism between 1980 and 2016 in relation to the development of the political economy of those counties. Additionally, this thesis analysis whether market-oriented reforms have improve the reduction of unemployment, poverty, and income inequality. By comparing the experiences of neoliberalism in Argentina and Chile over time, this thesis observes different results of the premises of the processes. While Argentina improves its GDP as well as its reduction in unemployment, poverty and income inequality, in times of state-oriented reforms, Chile continuously implements neoliberal market policies and decreases its level of poverty, while income inequality remains stable.Show less
Between 1990 and 2010, approximately during the democratic governments of president Cardoso and Lula, Brazil witnessed a strong improvement in economic development. During this period, poverty...Show moreBetween 1990 and 2010, approximately during the democratic governments of president Cardoso and Lula, Brazil witnessed a strong improvement in economic development. During this period, poverty rates had fallen in astonishing numbers, while inequality levels declined significantly. This thesis investigates to what extent the neoliberal economic policies implemented by Cardoso, and the neo-structural economic reforms instituted by Lula, resulted in the economic development that Brazil experienced during the said period. The main hypothesis of the thesis is that both economic models have been complementary in facilitating economic development in Brazil. The first chapter of the thesis concerns itself with defining the most important concepts and terminology related to the topic under investigation, such as ‘economic development’, ‘neoliberalism’ and ‘neo-structuralism’. Then in the second chapter, the paper will deal with the historic context of the economic problems Brazil faced before the economic development, and how Cardoso and Lula sought to deal with these problems. Finally, using social and economic indicators relevant to economic development, a comparative analysis will be made between the influence that Cardoso’s neoliberal economic policies, and the influence that Lula’s neo-structural economic reforms had on the long term economic development of Brazil. The thesis concludes by stating that the comparative analysis has demonstrated that the two economic models, neoliberalism and neo-structuralism respectively, were indeed complementary in achieving Brazil’s long term economic development. The relevance of this research to the wider academic debate is that it has provided some insight into the extent to which neoliberalism and neo-structuralism can be complementary in the facilitation of economic development for countries still in the early stages of development.Show less
This thesis explores the link between migration and food security in Egypt, both in the short and longer term. Instead of relying on predictions and extrapolations typical of traditional...Show moreThis thesis explores the link between migration and food security in Egypt, both in the short and longer term. Instead of relying on predictions and extrapolations typical of traditional forecasting techniques, it uses the novel concept of 'scenario'. The question guiding this research can be summarized as follows: "What do the certainties and uncertainties of possible future migration trends reveal about food security issues in Egypt?". The research results in two scenario matrices, of which two possible scenario outcomes are further elaborated on.Show less
Renewable energy (RE) has become increasingly important in the past decades, and it is expected that renewable energy will play a significant role in mitigating greenhouse gases and other negative...Show moreRenewable energy (RE) has become increasingly important in the past decades, and it is expected that renewable energy will play a significant role in mitigating greenhouse gases and other negative consequences of climate change (Sathaye et al. 714). Out of all renewable energy technologies, Solar Photovoltaic has grown particularly fast in the last years and Africa is often portrayed as the perfect place for its installations. Given that the majority of the world’s poorest population is living in rural areas in Africa, it is posited that it will be valuable to examine the potential consequences of promoting renewable energy use on the African continent. The conclusion of this work's analysis is t that despite the fact that Solar PV systems appear to be beneficial within the context of the sustainable development goals of the international community (e.g. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development) it can be said within reason that the contributions of Solar PV to the global society are relatively insignificant and capital intensive. All things considered, and given the unique local circumstances, the promotion of Solar PV systems for the purpose of poverty alleviation and sustainable development ought, as of this moment, not be endorsed in Kenya.Show less
Since the turn to democracy in 1985, Brazil has experienced a dramatic rise in violence in its big cities. This article will look at the rise in violence, attempting to research which parts of...Show moreSince the turn to democracy in 1985, Brazil has experienced a dramatic rise in violence in its big cities. This article will look at the rise in violence, attempting to research which parts of society are affected most by the violence. One of the main arguments is that Violence perpetuates poverty already present within Brazilian favela communities. Favelas communities endure most of the violence and as a result are often inhibited in their development. In order to see what effect the violence has to the development of favela inhabitants, this essay will use the Capability approach as developed by Martha S. Nussbaum, making it possible to look further than only monetary measurements of poverty when researching the effects of violenceShow less
The intention of this thesis is to contribute to a broader understanding of what economic development means for inequality and poverty levels in Brazil. This thesis will focus on the period 2003...Show moreThe intention of this thesis is to contribute to a broader understanding of what economic development means for inequality and poverty levels in Brazil. This thesis will focus on the period 2003-2011, in which Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva was president. There are several reasons for choosing this timeframe. Lula was inaugurated right after Brazil was named one of the most important emerging economies, demonstrating the growing potential and role the Brazilian economy began to play worldwide. Furthermore, it has been mentioned that Lula’s presidency was unlike any other. He is said to have been truly dedicated to advancing economic growth, while also aiming for social change and reducing inequality levels. Can the three phenomena mentioned in the nexus be combined and tackled simultaneously? Consequently, by focusing on the Lula era (2011-2013) this thesis will attempt to answer the following research question; to what extent can economic growth go hand in hand with a reduction in poverty and inequality? Is this trinity possible?Show less
