In 1973, the emergence of all-powerful statesmen in the principal European monarchies was identified by Bérenger as the Euroepan phenomenon of the minister-favourite. In 1999, Elliott and Brockliss...Show moreIn 1973, the emergence of all-powerful statesmen in the principal European monarchies was identified by Bérenger as the Euroepan phenomenon of the minister-favourite. In 1999, Elliott and Brockliss actualized and expanded the understanding of this phenomenon with the help of various scholars and the latest advances in the study of the principal minster-favourites. Taking as a reference the last studies of Orry and Dubois, this paper will analyze their memorials to measure the degree to which the context of the early 18th century promoted the reemergence of the power and state conceptualization held by the original minister-favourites.Show less
The Kurdish question of statehood has been relevant for centuries, and the debate has especially flared up in light of the Kurdish assistance against ISIS, and the 2017 referendum for a Kurdish...Show moreThe Kurdish question of statehood has been relevant for centuries, and the debate has especially flared up in light of the Kurdish assistance against ISIS, and the 2017 referendum for a Kurdish state. Up to this day, and for over a century, the Kurdish tribes have struggled to find a structure of self-governance in the form of an autonomous state. Despite having been a culture present in the Middle East in history and tradition from before the arrival of both the Turks and the Arabs, they seem to have been left out when cultures such as the two latter transformed their respective social structures to statehood. During the creation of many Middle Eastern states, and afterwards during the period in which these consolidated their domestic structures, the Kurdish tribes were involuntarily assimilated into a number of “new” states after the fall of the Ottoman empire. Once in submission of their new boundaries, the Kurdish peoples had to accept a variety of foreign realities concerning their own political, economic, and social beliefs. This thesis concerns itself with the relationship between Tribalism and Democracy, and how 'the tribe' as both a social structure and a signifier of identity can be both a stimulant and an impediment to nationalism.Show less
There is an ongoing debate in the field of political philosophy about what is an agonistic democracy and how its meaning relates to other political or philosophical concepts such as plurality,...Show moreThere is an ongoing debate in the field of political philosophy about what is an agonistic democracy and how its meaning relates to other political or philosophical concepts such as plurality, political contestation, and the state. The following thesis, on the basis of the concrete meaning of agonistic democracy, attempts to show what are the appropriate limits of political contestation and plurality within an agonistic democracy, and what is the role of the state within such a type of political community. Specifically, it investigates what are the maximum and minimum limits (thresholds) of plurality and political contestation within an agonistic democracy, and how they can be maintained in the long run. The particular form and content of the postulated threshold is based on the fundamental postulates of the theories of agonistic democracy. Moreover, it argues that if an agonistic democracy is to be maintained in the long run, it needs to incorporate in it a specific type of the agonistic state. Without such an incorporation, it is argued that either established threshold of political contestation and plurality will be transgressed by the agonistic citizenry, or this political community won't be feasible and appealing to potential democratic communities, which might be interested in its establishment.Show less
This thesis aims to address how we should seek to tackle violations of women’s rights in non-ideal societies. I argue that methodologically, the top down, or state led approach to bringing about...Show moreThis thesis aims to address how we should seek to tackle violations of women’s rights in non-ideal societies. I argue that methodologically, the top down, or state led approach to bringing about gender justice should be supplemented by bottom up, agent led initiatives. Women frequently find their rights violated and their capabilities stifled and this inequality is an indicator of a non-ideal society. We should look to our non-ideal society to decide how best to overcome gender inequalities rather than only to an ideal society. Further to this, state led approaches to achieving justice have typically been favoured over agent led ones. In many aspects state led approaches are helpful, for instance in enforcing rules to protect women, however they should be used in tandem with bottom up initiatives. Bottom up initiatives have an important role to play in encouraging a shift in societal ethos: they can empower women and help put them in a better cultural position.Show less
This thesis will be divided into three chapters. Chapter one will describe the main concepts concerned with the relationships between the state and NGOs and between local governance and NGOs, as...Show moreThis thesis will be divided into three chapters. Chapter one will describe the main concepts concerned with the relationships between the state and NGOs and between local governance and NGOs, as well as the roles NGOs play in these relationships. Furthermore, it will also explain how these relationships differ between the developed and developing regions of the world, which will be referred to as – ‘the North’ – and – ‘the South’ – respectively. Chapter two historically analyse the state-NGO in the context of Peru from 1985 to 2000. Emphasis will be placed on the different impacts NGOs had as well as the roles and regulations they took on with the state. This chapter will make use of a comparative analysis of Peru’s leadership under first the democratic leader, García (1985-1990), and second the authoritarian leader, Fujimori (1990-2000). Chapter three will be centred on a case study of the NGO Tierra de niños. This chapter will aim to discover this NGO’s 4 function in practice, by analysing its relationships with the state and the municipality in Nuevo Pachacutec. The goal here is to consider how a NGO contributes to the provision of social services to the poor, and what the result of this is on their livelihoods.Show less
This thesis analyses alternative forms of governance to manage land conflict and criminal violence in the Ixil region in Guatemala. Under conditions of weak state presence, European-centric...Show moreThis thesis analyses alternative forms of governance to manage land conflict and criminal violence in the Ixil region in Guatemala. Under conditions of weak state presence, European-centric governance approaches have been sceptical about governance in countries with a weak institutional culture and precarious democracy. However, on pointing out the democratic stance governance should achieve, they have overlooked alternative forms of order and the contribution of (non)state actors on the provision of services. In an attempt to solve this dilemma, this thesis proposes to broad the notion of governance to understand “who governs for whom, and how are governance services provided under the conditions of weak statehood?” (Risse 4). The study suggests looking at how are (non)state actors related to each other in the sense that they provide services otherwise not provided by the state. Based on a study of the Ixil region, this thesis describes operations and practices amongst an array of (non)state actors that work and cooperate, separately and together, for the provision of services through arrangements we characterise as ‘alternative governance’.Show less
Most of research concerning on Indonesian revolution period is focused mainly on political and military aspects. Much less attention is given to economic history, more specifically history of...Show moreMost of research concerning on Indonesian revolution period is focused mainly on political and military aspects. Much less attention is given to economic history, more specifically history of economic policy. This thesis examines the relationship between the economic policy and the continuity of Indonesian state during the revolution period. It analyzes how the state built its policy, what the policies were and what the implications were for the country development. I argue, despite there is a belief that considers the revolution period is “a history no change”, several economic policies had an impact to the state within the decolonization framework.Show less
To what extent is the State allowed to legitimately limit property rights in order to combat climate change? In this thesis I explore the libertarian concept of absolute property. By showing that...Show moreTo what extent is the State allowed to legitimately limit property rights in order to combat climate change? In this thesis I explore the libertarian concept of absolute property. By showing that this concept is a myth we can find a way to legitimize state intervention. In this thesis I come to the conclusion that libertarian property rights aren't sufficiently justified, meaning I'll have to offer a different basis for property rights: usufructuary righs.Show less
