During the 20th Century, both Germany and Spain had atrocities committed against specific groups of people at home under fascist leaderships. Both countries democratised with the death of their...Show moreDuring the 20th Century, both Germany and Spain had atrocities committed against specific groups of people at home under fascist leaderships. Both countries democratised with the death of their leader, leaving members from the previous regime in power. However, two very different approaches to reconciliation were taken. Germany prosecuted the leaders of the old regime, implemented collective guilt across the population, and either destroyed fascist memorials and insignias or actively challenged them with counter-memorials. As opposed to following the German path to reconciliation, the fruits of which could be seen during the democratisation of Spain, the new democracy decided to implement the 1975 Pact of Forgetting, an unwritten agreement to not bring up the atrocities committed under Franco for fear of retribution. In order to understand the events that led to two very different outcomes through the use of interviews, analysis of the Suárez’s cabinet, and analysis of the use of memorials in both cases, this paper will ask why did Spain choose to avoid a similar reconciliation process to the one taken by West Germany thirty years prior despite being in a similar state and what role did public history play?Show less
Contemporary violence in Mexico has moved beyond the state, making it harder to find solutions to the ever-growing number of homicides country the country. Public security in Mexico is now...Show moreContemporary violence in Mexico has moved beyond the state, making it harder to find solutions to the ever-growing number of homicides country the country. Public security in Mexico is now identified as having three particular problems: it is seen as illegitimate, infused with impunity, and distrusted by citizens. Altogether, this has instigated citizens to find a way to protect themselves from the rising violence without having to turn to the state; private security. Private military and security companies have boomed exactly within the time frame in which Mexico was quickly trying to adapt to a more democratic rule. Having to deal with this many changes within a short time frame, regulations for PMSCs have fallen short and thus created an informal market. Policing the private security market has failed, creating the opportunity for corruption: impunity prevails.Show less
This study has been conducted to examine the situation of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, more closely Israel, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Starting from a neorealist perspective, the study...Show moreThis study has been conducted to examine the situation of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, more closely Israel, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Starting from a neorealist perspective, the study argues that balance of power is needed in the region and nuclear proliferation may be a balancing tool. Consequently, the study hypothesizes that strategic stability, which is an outcome of nuclear deterrence, offers a solution to the to the situation among these three countries. Strategic stability can be achieved by nuclear proliferation therefore this study proposes that Iran and Saudi Arabia should proliferate to counterbalance Israel’s nuclear hegemony in the region. When strategic stability is achieved, then as the theory holds, nuclear powers will not confront each other and thus, the region will be more stable. The study utilizes the work of Waltz, Mearsheimer, Kissinger, Parsi, Walton, Long, Colby, and Steinbruner to name a few. The findings have revealed that in theory strategic stability would be a viable solution to overcome the current situation, however given the complexity of the region and the relations among these countries, it is very unlikely to be achieved.Show less
It is widely recognized that the climate is changing. Research is now done on the effects of climate change on human security. There is controversy about the relation between climate change and...Show moreIt is widely recognized that the climate is changing. Research is now done on the effects of climate change on human security. There is controversy about the relation between climate change and violent conflict. Supporters of the relation argue that climate change can cause violent conflict through resource scarcity and migration, but others argue that there is too much disagreement between studies to draw strong conclusions. This thesis examined the relation between climate change and violent conflict within Sub-Saharan Africa and bridged the gap between qualitative and quantitative research. The qualitative research showed that violent conflict is a complex phenomenon, that cannot be explained through one cause. The legacy of colonialism, ethnicity, neopatrimonialism and resources have all been identified as causes of violent conflict in Africa. The quantitative research showed a relation between the climatic variables and violent conflict. Lower levels of precipitation and higher levels of temperature were related to violent conflict in the continent. Furthermore, the effect of temperature on violent conflict was mediated by government effectiveness. It was concluded that climate change can indeed cause violent conflict, but never as a sole-cause. It is a threat multiplier, because it exacerbates the already existing causes to violent conflict, and therefore human security.Show less
Just as the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement recognizes the fact that developing countries have fewer capabilities to combat climate change and should thus receive assistance from the developed...Show moreJust as the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement recognizes the fact that developing countries have fewer capabilities to combat climate change and should thus receive assistance from the developed world. Through the transfer of technology and monetary aid, developed countries are obliged to help developing countries in achieving sustainable growth. This structure of North-South cooperation was translated into the Clean Development Mechanism in the Kyoto Protocol. My thesis analyzes the implementation of this mechanism in Colombia and Peru and answers whether its goals of emission reduction, sustainable development and technology transfer have been achieved. Through a case study of two Clean Development Mechanism projects this dissertation shows the success of current climate change mitigation mechanisms in the context of two Latin American countries. Finally, I will study the equivalent of the “Clean Development Mechanism” in the Paris Agreement to answer whether problems encountered in the Clean Development Mechanism have been addressed in the Paris Agreement.Show less
