The main idea behind this thesis is to explore how exactly legitimacy has influenced Chile’s instability, and how this lack of legitimacy has led to protests and crises. The central question to...Show moreThe main idea behind this thesis is to explore how exactly legitimacy has influenced Chile’s instability, and how this lack of legitimacy has led to protests and crises. The central question to this thesis is as follows: “What is the role of legitimacy in the social uprising in Chile in October 2019?”. The question is answered by analyzing relevant topics such as legitimacy, governability, the transformation of a military dictatorship to democracy, challenges of a democracy, the concertación and social movements. Resulting in the following conclusion: legitimacy played a big role in the social uprising in Chile. As was found for this thesis, Chile has faced many problems with neoliberalism, social movements, as well as with legitimacy. Legitimacy, therefore, is only one of the many factors leading up to the crisis in Chile. Chile will continue to draft a new constitution that will hopefully unite Chile once again.Show less
This thesis analysed the hydropolitical relations between Argentina and Paraguay during the period from 1960-1994. More specifically, it applied the framework of hydro-hegemony on the hydroelectric...Show moreThis thesis analysed the hydropolitical relations between Argentina and Paraguay during the period from 1960-1994. More specifically, it applied the framework of hydro-hegemony on the hydroelectric Yacyretá Dam, shared by Argentina and Paraguay. By analysing semi-structured interviews and secondary sources, it was found that Argentina aimed to establish its hegemony over Paraguay and to consolidate the Yacyretá Dam's resources during the period under scrutiny. It did not succeed in this endeavor, however, since Argentina was balanced by Brazil, for which Paraguay could maintain pendular diplomacy.Show less
In the past two decades discussion has emerged about socio-economic inequality in access to higher education in developing countries. This thesis focuses on the case of the 2011 Chilean student...Show moreIn the past two decades discussion has emerged about socio-economic inequality in access to higher education in developing countries. This thesis focuses on the case of the 2011 Chilean student movement in which growing discontent with the existing social inequalities in access to higher education has led to the controversial demand for gratuity. Consequently, the main question that motivates this research is how questions of unequal access to higher education are being related to issues of socio-economic inequality in the gratuidad debate. To answer this question, the first part of the thesis explores the globally frequently observed approaches that explain inequality in higher education. The second part examines the historic and political context of access to higher education in Chile during three crucial periods of time. Ultimately, the third part closely identifies and evaluates the key arguments of both the student movement and the institutional perspective on the significance and viability of the gratuity measure. As the main conclusions indicate, there is a general disagreement about the original cause of socio-economic inequality in the first place. While the student movement often blames neoliberal political ideology for generating inequality, institutional actors tend to accuse specific policies that do not tackle matters of inequality efficiently. Though strong and weak points can be found in the arguments of both perspectives, this thesis concludes that not enough attention is being paid to the underlying factors of general classism and social discrimination in Chilean society as the root causes of socio-economic inequality in higher education.Show less
This thesis will aim to provide an answer to whether Brazil’s economic autonomy was significantly enhanced under president Ernesto Geisel's new foreign policy spearhead: responsible pragmatism....Show moreThis thesis will aim to provide an answer to whether Brazil’s economic autonomy was significantly enhanced under president Ernesto Geisel's new foreign policy spearhead: responsible pragmatism. Drawing on Peter Evans’ theory of the relationship between economic development and classical dependency, this thesis argues that Brazil's new attitude did not represent a major breaking point in Brazil’s foreign policy, but managed to strengthen its bargaining power on the international theatre.Show less
