The research paper analyzes the first decade of the relationship between Iran and Hizbullah, one of the world’s most notable proxy relationships. By applying principal-agent theory to this...Show moreThe research paper analyzes the first decade of the relationship between Iran and Hizbullah, one of the world’s most notable proxy relationships. By applying principal-agent theory to this relationship, the study seeks to illustrate the mechanisms which state actors employ to ensure that their non-state agents do not endanger their strategic objectives. Concretely, it is argued that state actors have three distinct mechanisms at their disposal which work to mitigate their proxies’ harmful behaviors. States can mitigate shirking behavior 1) by building monitoring and reporting structures that reduce information asymmetry, 2) by modifying the proxy’s scope of authority, and 3) by offering incentives or 5 levying sanctions on the proxy based on its activities and behavior. As such, the paper provides insights that serve the international community and security policymakers by illustrating potential avenues for undercutting the relationship between malign state actors and their non-state agents. Moreover, understanding the early decades of the relationship between the Iranian administration and Hizbullah may be crucial to comprehending Hizbullah’s current position within Lebanon as well as its linkages with Iran.Show less
The thesis critically examines major theories within the debate concerning authoritarianism, resource wealth and economic development in order to explain developments in Libya’s economy in the past...Show moreThe thesis critically examines major theories within the debate concerning authoritarianism, resource wealth and economic development in order to explain developments in Libya’s economy in the past 50 years. The literature review presents some perspectives regarding authoritarianism as a factor of economic stagnation and as a requirement for initial stages of economic development. With regard to resource wealth, the paper mainly relies on the resource curse theory and the staple thesis, which conceive resources respectively as a curse and a blessing. The focus of this paper is analysing how these two factors, namely authoritarianism and resource wealth, have remarkable effects on economic development through their debilitative effects on institutions, while arguing that effective and accountable institutions are fundamental in fostering economic development due to their contribution in setting a legal framework marked by a good rule of law, anti-corruption policies and regulations. The institutional question is therefore central to this paper, which presents the developmental prospects of the Libyan economy as being undermined by the country’s statelessness, perpetrated by weak institutions and lack of capacity. The conclusion is that the underdevelopment of Libya’s institutions, fostered by authoritarian rule and resource wealth, was the driving force in undermining Libya’s economic development.Show less
A discovery of natural resources in your back garden. A blessing or a curse for the relationship with your neighbours? It is precisely this question that this paper is concerned with. Discoveries...Show moreA discovery of natural resources in your back garden. A blessing or a curse for the relationship with your neighbours? It is precisely this question that this paper is concerned with. Discoveries of enormous natural gas fields in the Eastern Mediterranean are having a paradigm shifting effect on the international relations of the region. Hence, the research question that drives this thesis is the following. What will the impact of the natural gas be on the international relations of the states of the Eastern Mediterranean? This paper will show that natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean has led to greater cooperation and regionalisation and will continue to do so in the future. However, this paper will also show the limitations of the beneficial effects of cooperation over natural resources. The relevancy of this topic stems from it alluding to an important question, whether natural resources are a blessing or a curse. For many countries the discovery of natural resources has led to great wealth and development. However, for many others it has been a burden leading to less development and growth or even weakening democracy. Resources and the competition over them can also lead to conflict and it is this realm of the international political consequences of the resources that this paper is focused on.Show less
Economic sanctions have frequently been used as a foreign policy tool against the Islamic Republic of Iran since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The consequences of these sanctions have been...Show moreEconomic sanctions have frequently been used as a foreign policy tool against the Islamic Republic of Iran since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The consequences of these sanctions have been investigated for instance in the context of basic human rights. However, the quality of life for Iran’s local communities is also largely defined by trends of environmental change, particularly those relating to water, such as more frequent droughts and flooding. As economic sanctions have, directly or indirectly, led to diminished resources at the national and local level, the capacity of local communities to adapt to environmental change is also hindered. An analysis of these international-national-local relations through the lens of environmental justice suggests that such community-level indirect effects should be better taken into account in evaluating the consequences and justification of economic sanctions.Show less
This research has investigated the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) attempts to transition to a knowledge-based economy (KBE), in accordance with UAE Vision 2021. Using systems theory and based on...Show moreThis research has investigated the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) attempts to transition to a knowledge-based economy (KBE), in accordance with UAE Vision 2021. Using systems theory and based on interviews conducted with experts on the Gulf, this study focuses specifically on the pillars of education and innovation within the existing education system. The findings indicate that the UAE’s focus on improving its gains in the four pillars of education, innovation, ICT infrastructure and the institutional regime have yielded some progress over time. However, since the existing education system does not effectively address local obstacles on the national, institutional and cultural levels, the above-mentioned hurdles remain and continue to negatively affect the UAE’s journey toward becoming a KBE. As such, in accordance with the suggestions of key experts in education, it is important for the Emirati government to identify specific education-related challenges in order to address these local issues instead of focusing almost exclusively on global indicators.Show less
Economic diversification is understood as an important factor in stabilizing an economy based on the export of natural resources. As one of the richest countries per capita in the world, Qatar has...Show moreEconomic diversification is understood as an important factor in stabilizing an economy based on the export of natural resources. As one of the richest countries per capita in the world, Qatar has gained most of its wealth from the export of natural gas. At the same time, the reliance on this export might lead to a vulnerable flow of income, with a changing energy market and volatile prices on oil and gas. Economic diversification has therefore become an important policy tool for Qatari leaders to ensure a sustainable future for the economy. However, even though diversification has been seemingly enhanced through economic policies, this thesis argues that there are several structural problems to the diversification process. Making use of the framework from the rentier state theory to explain these underlying structures, the thesis concludes that the structura problems to diversification in Qatar is the reliance on expatriate labour (1), a dominant public sector (2), redistributive politics (3) and the established social contract between state and citizens (4).Show less
This thesis demonstrates that the Triple Bottom Line (3BL) analysis is not only a useful tool for assessing the state of sustainability in corporations, but also on a country level. To do so, Saudi...Show moreThis thesis demonstrates that the Triple Bottom Line (3BL) analysis is not only a useful tool for assessing the state of sustainability in corporations, but also on a country level. To do so, Saudi Arabia is employed as a case study. The three sectors of economy, environment, and society are analyzed. Results show that the 3BL analysis is valuable to achieve sustainable development for nation-states, nevertheless the assessment tool should be developed further to reach its full potential.Show less
The aim of this thesis is to assess the role of the European Union in transboundary water relations between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) since the Oslo II Accords, and in...Show moreThe aim of this thesis is to assess the role of the European Union in transboundary water relations between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) since the Oslo II Accords, and in particular the extent to which EU policy is reinforcing Israel's position regarding the shared water resources. The research shows that EU policy contributes towards the further consolidation of Israeli control over Palestinian resources, an important aspect of the occupation which undermines the possibility of the emergence of a viable Palestinian state. The research is based on Marxist views of political economy, arguing that power relations play a determining role in the way in which transboundary water interaction takes place between Israel and the OPT. Using the framework of hydro-hegemony and Steven Lukes three dimensions of power, the analysis shows that there is a discrepancy between EU rhetoric and practice which results in the EU sustaining Israel's hydro-hegemony.Show less
