The rise of right-wing populism has received much attention in academic literature. However, most of the research on right-wing populism focuses on what drives the electoral success of these...Show moreThe rise of right-wing populism has received much attention in academic literature. However, most of the research on right-wing populism focuses on what drives the electoral success of these parties. Less light has been shed on factors that mitigate voting on right-wing populist parties, although there are indicators that the welfare state can play a key role here. Therefore, this thesis investigates the relationship between welfare state generosity and right-wing populist vote share. Using a Tobit analysis, this thesis analyses 91 elections in 16 countries over the period 1997-2018. The results of this model indicate that a generous welfare state can weaken the positive effect of trade globalization on electoral support for right-wing populist parties.Show less
As a dedication to the necessary move away from cultural essentialism, this research explores one of its prominent counter-concepts, cultural hybridity, by combining the following research...Show moreAs a dedication to the necessary move away from cultural essentialism, this research explores one of its prominent counter-concepts, cultural hybridity, by combining the following research questions; What is meant by the concept of cultural hybridity? How does this concept apply to Kengo Kuma's (隈研吾) (1954-) life and his architecture? Labeling Kuma’s architecture as a continuation of an essential Japanese timeline through claims about the embeddedness of a ‘Japaneseness’, despite the relatively recent invention hereof after the Meiji revolution, could be legitimizing stereotyping of the past, and is questionable. When applying the concept of cultural hybridity one can acknowledge that the formation of Kuma’s architecture is influenced by numerous intercultural flows. It has been informed by practices and philosophies from in- and outside the Japanese island region, and is underlied by an entanglement of sub- and trans-national—as well as personal—influences.Show less
“During 21st century, right-wing populist parties in Europe have gained an unprecedented momentum and are slowly changing its political realms. World events of 2016 such as the UK’s vote to exit...Show more“During 21st century, right-wing populist parties in Europe have gained an unprecedented momentum and are slowly changing its political realms. World events of 2016 such as the UK’s vote to exit the European Union and United States’ presidential election of Donald Trump further underlined the general turn to the populist right. Therefore, it becomes increasingly important to identify and explain the key triggers of voting preferences for such anti-establishment parties in a previously democratic context. The research presents the top five traditional scholarly explanations for increasing support for the populist far-right (immigration, Euroscepticism, new media, globalization, modernization and economic crisis), and further tests them through a comparative analysis of two distinct European states largely affected by the populist resurgence – Hungary and France. The analysis in this paper is based on polling data from the Eurobarometer survey, alongside secondary literature, and attempts not only at testing the above-mentioned scholarly explanations, but pinpointing the similarities and differences of voting preferences for the populist far-right between Eastern and Western European voters, which currently remain under researched.”Show less
Neo-Palladianism in the United Kingdom followed a clear formula when it was first introduced in the 1720s: small and compact villas, a central portico and references to the Villa Emo or La Rotonda....Show moreNeo-Palladianism in the United Kingdom followed a clear formula when it was first introduced in the 1720s: small and compact villas, a central portico and references to the Villa Emo or La Rotonda. This concept changed significantly till the 1750s: wings were added, the complexes became wider and references became more diverse. The early 18th century was also a time of change for the political and social situation in the United Kingdom. The Hanoverians took over the throne from the Stuarts in 1714 and the Whigs governed the country for almost three decades. At the same time the world had become more global thanks to colonization and Britain was constantly in conflict with continental Europe. This meant that the collective identity of the British elite had to be newly created. This thesis discusses how Neo-Palladian country houses on the English countryside were used to create this new collective identity of the British elite in the 1750s?Show less
Although Japan started participating in the commercial international art world during its so-called ‘bubble period’ between 1986 and 1991, very few Japanese artists currently enjoy international...Show moreAlthough Japan started participating in the commercial international art world during its so-called ‘bubble period’ between 1986 and 1991, very few Japanese artists currently enjoy international art market visibility. Furthermore, Japan’s own art market and market actors remain understudied. This study aims to provide insight in Japan’s position in the international art world, focusing on contemporary art galleries, important gatekeepers of the art market. Through quantitative data analysis of Tokyo’s contemporary art galleries, this thesis identifies two factors to measure art galleries’ globalization: their ‘home bias’, which is the degree in which galleries represent artists from the country it is based in; and its participation in international art fairs. Although data for both factors show a relatively high national focus, Japan’s galleries’ home bias is especially large. Furthermore, Japan’s own art market stays underdeveloped and does not sufficiently succeed in attracting international art crowds. These factors pose difficulties for international participation and obtaining international relevance. On a larger scale, this study of Japan functions as a case study for drawing conclusions on globalization of art markets in general, and the validity of the concept of a ‘global art world’.Show less
This thesis differentiates neoliberalism as an academic paradigm, an ideology, a style of regulatory policy, and a global development model. It tracks the process neoliberalization within each of...Show moreThis thesis differentiates neoliberalism as an academic paradigm, an ideology, a style of regulatory policy, and a global development model. It tracks the process neoliberalization within each of these four spheres over the past half a century in order to decide upon a practical periodization of the Age of Neoliberalization.Show less
In the course of my thesis I will explore ideas surrounding the ownership and meaning of tradition and national identity from the perspective of the nation and the community, in the specific...Show moreIn the course of my thesis I will explore ideas surrounding the ownership and meaning of tradition and national identity from the perspective of the nation and the community, in the specific context of makkŏlli culture in South Korea. Paying particular attention to the works of Eric Hobsbawm, Stephen Vslatos, Dean MacCannel, and Richard Sennet, I seek to illuminate the ways in which the nation and community speak to one another and to a larger, global audience through cultural expression and a renegotiation of national tradition. The recent revival of interest in makkŏlli began with small communities of brewers and has expanded through craft movements leading to a modern re-invention of the practice. However, the beverage only gained attention domestically after it gained popularity abroad in 2009. As governing elites have become aware of the economic power embedded in associating national identity with a particular ‘brand’, certain aspects of popular or traditional culture have been mobilized to serve this end. In the process we encounter a double dynamic between small community actors and larger political entities both interested in the same objects, in this case makkŏlli — yet their motivations and interests speak to entirely different, and often contradictory concerns.Show less
Today, art from China is very different from that of the 1980s and 1990s. Contemporary Chinese urban art is critical of the modernization China has been experiencing the past decades. It is mostly...Show moreToday, art from China is very different from that of the 1980s and 1990s. Contemporary Chinese urban art is critical of the modernization China has been experiencing the past decades. It is mostly done in the media of photography, sculpture and installation art. Most obviously this criticism can be seen in the cityscape. This cityscape is most times a pastiche of construction, combining into a vast city. Many installation artists construct such a city by using real cities as model, and they often use consumer items as material. But also many photographers create cityscape montages; they use digital software to combine photographs of the urban space into one big collage. There are five themes that prominently express the artists’ concerns over China’s urbanization: futurism, globalization, negativity, sinification, and disconnection. Artists apply (often several of) these themes onto the urban space they depict.Show less
Over the last thirty years, the globalization debate within the (contemporary) art discourse has gained and generated a lot of attention. However, in 2015, a real change has yet to happen. In this...Show moreOver the last thirty years, the globalization debate within the (contemporary) art discourse has gained and generated a lot of attention. However, in 2015, a real change has yet to happen. In this thesis I will lay out the debate, as well as look at how the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and the Tropenmuseum relate themselves to not only the discussion of globalization, but also to contemporary art with a global outlook (e.g. art from all over the world, as well as art that critically looks at the discussion of 'non-Western' art within art history). Even though the debate is going on for thirty years, the same questions are being asked, but what has really changed?Show less
This thesis mainly focusses on the extent to which the modernist ideology of a monolingual Japan prevails and how this ideology is affected by an increasing inflow of English loanwords and English...Show moreThis thesis mainly focusses on the extent to which the modernist ideology of a monolingual Japan prevails and how this ideology is affected by an increasing inflow of English loanwords and English language use. In addition, a small survey on the use of loanwords in interviews with Japanese rock bands derived from SHOXX magazine will be included in order to investigate what kinds of loanwords are used in this Japanese rock subculture.Show less
The trade in humans for forced labor is the fastest growing criminal industry, with estimated annual profits of $150 billion, whereby trafficking for commercial sexual services (henceforth sex...Show moreThe trade in humans for forced labor is the fastest growing criminal industry, with estimated annual profits of $150 billion, whereby trafficking for commercial sexual services (henceforth sex trafficking)generates $100 billion alone and hereby is responsible for the largest proportion of the profit (Luscombe, 2014). Advanced communication and widespread Internet access, often considered positive outcomes of globalization, in fact help the trafficking industry to function efficiently. Popular tourist destinations in Panama and Mexico with high demand for sex tourism are researched to assess their role as sex hubs in the trafficking debate.Show less
Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
open access
In Hindu North India marriage is a family-centred event. The vast majority of marriages is arranged, which means that family elders have an important input in the choice for a prospective spouse...Show moreIn Hindu North India marriage is a family-centred event. The vast majority of marriages is arranged, which means that family elders have an important input in the choice for a prospective spouse for their younger members. When arranging a marriage, the family seeks to form an alliance with another family with whom they share a number of characteristics and whose background is thus considered compatible in terms of caste, class and religion. Therefore, apart from the formation of new kinship ties, marriage is a crucial act in confirming and reproducing existing social and economic boundaries. However, the marital landscape appears to be changing as young individuals increasingly prefer what they label as love marriages. In this thesis I focus on how such love marriages are perceived amongst Hindus in North India and in which manner they differ from arranged marriages. Furthermore I look at how this increased preference for love marriages impacts local family and gender relations. I argue how love marriages are not dichotomous to arranged marriages but instead show a lot of overlap. I show how not only young individuals, but their family elders and close kin as well creatively invent strategies in order to adapt marriages to the changing socio-economic circumstances.Show less
