This thesis set out to answer the research question “In what ways has the phenomenon of Black Tax intersected with social justice in post-apartheid South Africa and how does this dynamic inform the...Show moreThis thesis set out to answer the research question “In what ways has the phenomenon of Black Tax intersected with social justice in post-apartheid South Africa and how does this dynamic inform the country’s contemporary development?” The resulting hypothesis posits that Black Tax in the form of remittances, combined with effective government policies, can facilitate development. Black Tax refers to the financial and material support that higher-earning black individuals provide to their (extended) family members. Although the chosen case study for this research is South Africa, the system carries global significance as diasporas are participating in similar patterns worldwide. The research method utilized is exploratory qualitative data, pursuing a process tracing approach, including academic literature, an informational interview, personal narratives, and policy reports. The resulting analytical framework examines the influence of different historical underpinnings on various development outcomes, as seen through a social justice lens. By applying this analytical framework to four causal processes it became clear that the hypothesis is partially true. While some aspects of Black Tax aid in driving development outcomes, others impede effective development efforts. The main conclusion drawn from this research argues that Black Tax needs to be seen as a two-edged sword since it can both constitute a poverty trap for the participants as well as offer a path toward development. Consequently, further research needs to be conducted to investigate the structural barriers that hinder the effectiveness of Black Tax and social justice efforts in promoting sustainable development.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
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This thesis delves into the intersection of investigative aesthetics and multimodal methodologies in the context of anthropological ethnographic inquiry. Focused on three investigative projects–the...Show moreThis thesis delves into the intersection of investigative aesthetics and multimodal methodologies in the context of anthropological ethnographic inquiry. Focused on three investigative projects–the Visual Investigations Team of The New York Times, Forensic Architecture, and Earthrise Studio–the thesis explores how these initiatives harness the power of multimodal storytelling to uncover hidden truths, expose injustice, and promote accountability. Examining the rise of investigative Aesthetics within the media landscape, the thesis sheds light on the challenges of information overstimulation, misinformation, and distrust in media and scientific knowledge. It highlights how investigative projects act as beacons of truth amidst the chaos, offering an avenue to navigate complex global issues with integrity and depth. Furthermore, the thesis presents the implications of investigative endeavors for Public Anthropology, underscoring the significance of embracing innovative approaches to enhance the impact and reach of anthropological research in the digital age.Show less
In this thesis I have argued that Collins' The Hunger Games trilogy forms a sandbox for Young Adults to consider and play around issues of social justice. I have linked the events in the books to...Show moreIn this thesis I have argued that Collins' The Hunger Games trilogy forms a sandbox for Young Adults to consider and play around issues of social justice. I have linked the events in the books to events in historical or contemporary societies and have done so by making use of Foucault's political theory of a control and disciplinary society.Show less
Abstract: This thesis analyses the economic policies of three Islamist parties that have come to power in the aftermath of what has come to be known as the Arab Spring. Campaigning on a platform...Show moreAbstract: This thesis analyses the economic policies of three Islamist parties that have come to power in the aftermath of what has come to be known as the Arab Spring. Campaigning on a platform emphasizing social justice and wealth redistribution, these parties have likewise embraced neoliberal economic policies. This thesis investigates how the Egyptian Freedom and Justice Party, the Tunisian Ennahda party and the Moroccan Party for Justice and Development have justified these two apparent contradictions and whether these parties perceive the latter as being antithetical to the former. On the basis of a wide range of primary and secondary sources, I conclude that the main channels through which these parties believe social justice and wealth redistribution are to be achieved in a neoliberal economy is through ‘trickle-down economics’ and wealth redistribution through zakat and other forms of individual charity. Evaluating the respective parties’ periods in power, one would have to conclude that as far as securing social justice is concerned, the reality is quite different from the campaign rhetoric. This has to some large extent been caused by demands raised by international financial institutions in exchange for loans to these countries, but likewise occurred prior to engaging in negotiations and eventually signing agreements with these institutions. Especially in the realm of labor laws, minimum wage laws, stimulating small and medium size enterprises and reducing subsidies on much needed consumer goods, the parties have not lived up to their earlier promises.Show less
