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
Although they had been on the rise for the last few decades, Radical right parties (RRPs) across Europe enjoyed a significant surge in popularity following the refugee crisis of 2015 that saw...Show moreAlthough they had been on the rise for the last few decades, Radical right parties (RRPs) across Europe enjoyed a significant surge in popularity following the refugee crisis of 2015 that saw millions of refugees pour into Europe. While these parties traditionally tend to contest elections on their distinct positions on socio-cultural issues such as immigration and religious polarization, their attitudes and preferences on socio-economic issues such as the welfare state have received little scholarly attention until recently. This paper aims to contribute to the growing literature in this domain by examining the changes in welfare attitudes of two RRPs: Germany’s AfD and United Kingdom’s UKIP, in light of the 2015 refugee. Analysis of the two parties’ election manifestos for general elections held before and after the crisis shows that the radical-right ideology of nativism and xenophobia is more pronounced in the socio-cultural dimension for both parties in the post-crisis period. But when it comes to the socio-economic dimension and their attitudes towards the welfare state, radical-right behaviour of welfare chauvinism is more pronounced in AfD’s post-crisis manifesto compared to UKIP’s. The paper concludes by suggesting that this disparity in welfare attitudes may possibly be a result of the two countries having different types of welfare regimes more than due to their different experience with the refugee crisis itself.Show less
There is much research indicating that people’s attitudes towards immigration can influence whether or not they support redistribution programs. In accordance with one view, anti-immigration...Show moreThere is much research indicating that people’s attitudes towards immigration can influence whether or not they support redistribution programs. In accordance with one view, anti-immigration attitudes weaken support for redistribution, as those who hold negative attitudes towards immigration supposedly consider immigrants to be “free-riders” who disproportionately benefit from the welfare state. Nevertheless, there are competing views suggesting that the same negative attitudes towards immigration can arouse residents’ subjective income insecurities, which then leads them to support welfare solidarity and redistribution. This thesis analyzes evidence collected through the European Social Survey (ESS) in support of the latter view. More specifically, this research finds that negative attitudes towards immigration lead to higher support for redistribution when subjective income insecurity increases, whilst pro-immigration attitudes also lead to support for redistribution when there is a higher percentage of foreign-born citizens.Show less
Has the US-Mexico border security been redefined in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks? If so, how is this reflected in US policy and public discourse? This thesis considers...Show moreHas the US-Mexico border security been redefined in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks? If so, how is this reflected in US policy and public discourse? This thesis considers the period immediately prior to and after 9/11 and proposes to look into three distinctive policy areas, namely drug enforcement, immigration, and counter-terrorism. Incorporating theoretical insights from constructivism and the Copenhagen School of security studies, as well as conceptual accounts of discourse in post-structuralist understanding, the paper investigates the changing practice and politics of US border security before and after 9/11 and assesses implications on the US-Mexico bilateral relations. This analysis highlights a complex nexus o non-military factors that pertain to security; it contends that the border was discursively framed as a national security threat by turning it into the point of intersection between aspects traditionally perceived as "threats"- drug trafficking and immigration- and the discourse of the war on terror. Ultimately, it discusses how the US redefined the role played by its Southern border in order to serve its national interests and consolidate influence in the North American region.Show less
This paper examines South Korea’s approach towards foreign labour immigrants throughout the past 30 years and the current situation of balancing a labour shortage and South Korea’s strong sense of...Show moreThis paper examines South Korea’s approach towards foreign labour immigrants throughout the past 30 years and the current situation of balancing a labour shortage and South Korea’s strong sense of ethnic nationalism. Analysing the available information on Korea’s visa policies in relation to foreign labour immigrants has found various issues with the lacking quantity and datedness of the available information. A further analysis on the integration of long-term foreign residents in regards the labour shortage in 3-D job sectors has led to the conclusion that Korea has various means to better the integration process and prevent cultural difference-based conflict, but does not utilise it to its full extent when it comes to the country’s long-term foreign residents.Show less
Japan’s immigration policy seems to be a popular subject nowadays, due to Japan’s rapidly aging society. When looking at the subject of immigration regarding Japanese society, the common conception...Show moreJapan’s immigration policy seems to be a popular subject nowadays, due to Japan’s rapidly aging society. When looking at the subject of immigration regarding Japanese society, the common conception seems that Japan is reluctant to implement an immigration policy, being that the main reason for this reluctancy lies in Japan’s unique history. Over the years, changes have been made to Japan’s immigration policy. From introducing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to entice foreign health care workers from the Philippines and Indonesia, to the development of a point-based system for highly skilled workers, to opening up more work sectors for foreign workers that enter under the newest visa category of ‘specified skills’ in 2019. This thesis examines the current (2019) immigration policy and analyses its most recent changes, in order to find out the political sentiments behind Japan's immigration policy. This thesis illustrates the difference between policy-making and policy-outcome.Show less
This paper looks at the PvdA and the Dutch labour unions'response to the immigration flows of the 1960s and 1970s. How did the PvdA and the labour unions accommodate these new groups of immigrants...Show moreThis paper looks at the PvdA and the Dutch labour unions'response to the immigration flows of the 1960s and 1970s. How did the PvdA and the labour unions accommodate these new groups of immigrants into their policies.Show less
The present paper explores the myth of Japanese homogeneity in relation to current multicultural challenges existing in Japan and analyses them in contrast with the country’s endeavours in...Show moreThe present paper explores the myth of Japanese homogeneity in relation to current multicultural challenges existing in Japan and analyses them in contrast with the country’s endeavours in anticipation of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In order to do so, fundamental theories on multiculturalism, nationalism, identity politics, and intercultural communication are first examined and then applied to the literature on the organisation of mega-events—such as the Olympics. The focus being on the case of the coming Tokyo Olympics, this paper has a more in-depth look at the current situation in terms of tourism and multiculturalism—briefly looking at the past Olympics celebrated in Tokyo 1964. Special attention is devoted to perceptions towards immigrants and foreigners in Japan, as well as the approaches and regulations taken by the government in terms of immigration, tourism, and hospitality, particularly regarding demographic and economic challenges. The final findings suggest that both political and social change are strongly interconnected and are equally crucial in achieving the goal of a more welcoming and accessible Olympics.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
Populism is becoming more and more a predominant political phenomenon with several European countries. Many are the debates concerning the real nature of populism, its political affiliation, agenda...Show morePopulism is becoming more and more a predominant political phenomenon with several European countries. Many are the debates concerning the real nature of populism, its political affiliation, agenda and particular features. Although there is not a comprehensive and clear definition of populism yer, many scholars have proposed a set of themes aimed at grouping populist parties according to some specific characteristics. One of these themes is Euroscepticism. Indeed, common understanding refers to populist parties as profoundly Eurosceptic. However, this thesis argues that populist parties are not intrinsically Eurosceptic, rather their Euroscepticism depends on their intrinsic need to create an adversary, an enemy to combat that can take countless forms as the European Union. This thesis investigates one example, the Italian populist 'League' party, which has recently achieved an important electoral victory. The party's ambiguous rhetoric and agenda will be considered. This in order to highlight the natural behaviour of the League, always keen on identifying one enemy to battle per time. Three are the periods taken into consideration and, accordingly, three are the enemies upon which they have focused their agenda: the southerners, the European Union and the Immigrant.Show less
This thesis explores how the discourse around immigration in Russia is shaped by the government, and by society segmented in actors disapproving or favorable of immigration. From the selected...Show moreThis thesis explores how the discourse around immigration in Russia is shaped by the government, and by society segmented in actors disapproving or favorable of immigration. From the selected primary sources, four main themes of discussion and four subsequent main techniques of persuasion used in argumentation around the themes are identified and scrutinized through critical discourse analysis. The main themes are economy, security, lifestyle and demography; the main techniques are play on emotion, anecdotal approach, comparison and statistical manipulation. The main findings of this paper constitute the following. The government pursues a dual policy to maximize the number of its adherents, and in its rhetoric most noticeably uses comparison for the purpose of justifying its policies. Anti-immigrant groups exploit all techniques extensively and mostly build their numerous arguments around economic, security and lifestyle concerns. Immigrant advocacy groups refrain from thorough discussion of security issues, present a limited amount of economic arguments, and focus instead on lifestyle and demography. They use all techniques as well but mainly play on emotion and narrate individual stories, displaying the immigrants’ perspective and encouraging leniency.Show less
With this contribution I propose to expand the research on crimmigration by conducting two sets of analyses focused on Facebook posts and tweets: a qualitative data analysis and a qualitative...Show moreWith this contribution I propose to expand the research on crimmigration by conducting two sets of analyses focused on Facebook posts and tweets: a qualitative data analysis and a qualitative discourse analysis. In particular, this paper will be focused on the question: How is immigration criminalized in contemporary Western European democracies and how is this discourse exploited by the right-wing populist parties through social networking sites (Facebook and Twitter)?Show less
Migration has been one of the most prevailing issues in European public, political and academic debate over the last few years. Due to its specific geographical location within Europe and its...Show moreMigration has been one of the most prevailing issues in European public, political and academic debate over the last few years. Due to its specific geographical location within Europe and its reputation as a stable welfare state, Austria has become an important country of asylum. Today, it is one of the European countries which hosts most asylum seekers relative to its population. At the same time, politically and legally, Austria embodies one of the most conservative integration regimes in Western Europe. At a societal level, integration is widely negatively connoted―especially with reference to Muslim immigrants―and islamophobia and hostility towards Muslims has increased. In the light of the recent inflow of migrants from Muslim-majority countries, Austria seems to be forced to effectively engage with the adoption of integration measures that fit a country of immigration with sensibility towards the general public’s islamophobic tendencies. To investigate into the topic further, my thesis aims at covering integration from three perspectives: the role of the Austrian government, the predominant perceptions of Austria's society and of immigrants from the Middle East, including my own data collection. My thesis therefore focuses on the following question: What are some of the legal, political and socio-cultural aspects that have influenced and determined the integration process of Middle Eastern immigrants in Austria since 9/11?Show less
