The prevalent theory of burden-sharing in NATO today did not accurately predict contributions in ISAF. Through an analysis of parliamentary debates in the United Kingdom and Germany, this paper...Show moreThe prevalent theory of burden-sharing in NATO today did not accurately predict contributions in ISAF. Through an analysis of parliamentary debates in the United Kingdom and Germany, this paper argues that domestic factors are important predictors in contributions to alliances. Domestic and international concerns interact in a two-level dynamic, where a valuation of alliance membership and support by domestic elites play a central role.Show less
Through an analysis of the federal electoral manifestos of the Alliance 90/The Greens and the Alternative for Germany political parties of Germany, Ronald Inglehart's theory of postmaterialism is...Show moreThrough an analysis of the federal electoral manifestos of the Alliance 90/The Greens and the Alternative for Germany political parties of Germany, Ronald Inglehart's theory of postmaterialism is investigated. Results of this analysis are utilized to answer whether manifestations of postmaterialism within these "new" political parties represent wider prospects for European cultural integration between Eastern and Western Germany. The result is that the case study of Germany displays the particularity of postmaterialism in new parties in both the West and East of Germany in periods where new issues become salient. This consequently provides grounds for commonality between eastern and western Europe on postmaterialism, despite the wide range of viewpoints that fall under this categorization.Show less
In this paper, I observe policy changes by established parties which react strategically to new right challengers with a hard stance on migration/integration policies. By assessing parliamentary...Show moreIn this paper, I observe policy changes by established parties which react strategically to new right challengers with a hard stance on migration/integration policies. By assessing parliamentary speech data in a quantitative text analysis with Wordscores in combination with a manual content analysis, I contribute to the ongoing debate of how and when mainstream parties change their positions on the migration/integration dimension. I focus on Germany from 2011 – 2018 to evaluate the effect of the new right challenger “Alternative für Deutschland” (AfD) which became successful in the light of the so called ‘refugee crisis’. Both the quantitative text analysis and the manual content analysis find no effect for established parties before the AfD entered the parliament and observe a clear adversarial strategy of left Parties when the AfD entered parliament.Show less
In this paper the author looks at the media perspective of American newspapers after the Second World War on Japan and Germany and whether these perspectives differed. The hypothesis is that there...Show moreIn this paper the author looks at the media perspective of American newspapers after the Second World War on Japan and Germany and whether these perspectives differed. The hypothesis is that there will be a racial difference in the portrayal of these countries.Show less
For a long time, Europe has played a significant part on the global development of ideology owing to its strong economy. This is no longer the case as the Chinese economy has grown rapidly since...Show moreFor a long time, Europe has played a significant part on the global development of ideology owing to its strong economy. This is no longer the case as the Chinese economy has grown rapidly since undergoing major economic reforms, to now becoming an influential actor in global economy. This thesis aims to investigate the extent in which the booming Chinese economy has impacted the ability of the EU to continue and pursue its liberal agenda. By looking at the complexity of the current global economic system, I will expose the vulnerability of EU in the face of an increasingly assertive China, particularly through the German-Sino and French-Sino relations in regards to their rhetoric on human right.Show less
It has become conventional wisdom under many scientists, official organisations and politicians that the diffusion of solar (and wind) power is becoming an essential and integral part in the...Show moreIt has become conventional wisdom under many scientists, official organisations and politicians that the diffusion of solar (and wind) power is becoming an essential and integral part in the mitigation of climate change and the resolution to the extremely elevated levels of GHG-emissions. As with any (relatively) new technology, the penetration of solar power heavily depends on the level of new investments in solar capacity and storage. This paper considers four main factors of influence on the level of investment in solar power in a specific country: technology and innovation, country-specific characteristics, economic developments and political (and cultural) institutions. This research paper focusses on the manner in which political institutions affect the level of investment in the deployment and infrastructure of solar power. The transaction cost approach on the study of potential investments analyses the possible costs involved in the transaction or investment. Two elements have been demonstrated to increase the costs that incur when engaging in a certain transaction: uncertainty and opportunistic behaviour, either from one of the contracting parties or from a third party, whose interests oppose that of the transaction. Institutions, particularly political and cultural institutions, have a significant effect on the success of a certain transaction. This effect is magnified when it concerns highly specific assets and when the products that result from the transaction (investment) are consumed widely. Investments in solar power are prone to both types of transaction costs. Stable regulatory frameworks, regulatory contracting, relational contracting and a moderate degree of political fragmentation and third-party influence increase the feasibility and credibility of policy regimes. In the early stage of solar power deployment a number of countries, including Italy and Germany, the protagonists of this research paper, have successfully introduced feed-in-tariff support schemes to ease uncertainty for investors and stimulate further investments in solar technology and capacity. However, unilateral opportunistic behaviour from the Italian government that introduced retrospective changes to existing regulation and contracts has demonstrated to significantly damage investors’ trust and the dynamics of solar power investments. In addition, entrenched practices of clientelism and corruption in Italy considerably abate the possibility of foreign investments, necessary to increase the penetration of solar power in Italy. The ‘Italian style’ of relational contracting between private investors and the public agent, appears to be a functional solution in avoiding transaction costs for tenders, concession contracts or public private partnerships. Illustrative for the German market, in order to mitigate the hazard of third-party opportunism, characteristic to parliamentary democracy (with elevated levels of scrutiny and room for opposition), a rapprochement to market mechanism appears to be a suitable option. In addition, enhanced transparency and a penetrative governmental communication strategy could provide for broader public support and incentivise future investments in solar power.Show less
This thesis explores how geopolitical developments and circumstances have influenced Germany’s and Japan’s political position so that Germany can exercise the use of force and Japan cannot as of...Show moreThis thesis explores how geopolitical developments and circumstances have influenced Germany’s and Japan’s political position so that Germany can exercise the use of force and Japan cannot as of the date of this thesis. Post-war history is outlined and explored, looking at historical data and academic reports. This overview focuses on the allied occupations, war trauma, geographic circumstances and demilitarization. By looking at the geopolitical circumstances in history, this thesis explores how these shaped the legal debate on the use of force in the military. Three case studies concerning the use of force are explored, discussing the political stance and military actions taken by Germany and Japan. The case studies include the Kosovo crisis, the war in Afghanistan, and the invasion of Iraq. Through these case studies, a trend can be discovered, enabling prediction for future military action and the use of force by either of these countries.Show less
