This research evaluates the framing of Nazi Germany in Turkish newspapers, Cumhuriyet and Tan, from 1939 to 1945. The articles from the historical newspaper archives were collected from a database...Show moreThis research evaluates the framing of Nazi Germany in Turkish newspapers, Cumhuriyet and Tan, from 1939 to 1945. The articles from the historical newspaper archives were collected from a database and a website which was then analyzed with Pan and Kosicki’s four categories for determining frames. There were two main reasons for choosing Cumhuriyet and Tan: because they were the two of the most published newspapers during the Second World War and second was that a clear distinction was identified between the two. By using a qualitative analysis method, the study investigates how these media outlets view Nazi Germany within the broader themes of Turkish neutrality, German propaganda, and the Rise and Fall of the Second World War-era Germany. It was found that Cumhuriyet maintained a generally positive attitude towards Nazi Germany while occasionally expressing criticism which is characterized by a measured and balanced approach. In contrast, Tan's framing was marked by a consistent and unyielding critique of the Nazi nation approaching it with a negative approach. The findings aim to contribute to the broader discussion on the role of media framing in shaping perceptions, particularly the Turks.Show less
There is a constant rise of populism spreading around the world. This can be observed in Latin America, North America and Europe among others. Europe is a continent which has for years stood for...Show moreThere is a constant rise of populism spreading around the world. This can be observed in Latin America, North America and Europe among others. Europe is a continent which has for years stood for democracy, human rights, liberalism and the idea of a common people with a common market and a common history. However, today more than ever before, these ideas are being challenged by the growing trend of right-wing populism. This thesis will therefore explain and assess the following question: “What factors determine the success of right-wing populism?”. The focus, of this thesis, is on two European countries specifically, Italy and Germany, where populist parties have had different success.Show less
The thesis explores the different opinions of three different EU institutions (The European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union) about the future of the...Show moreThe thesis explores the different opinions of three different EU institutions (The European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union) about the future of the European Stability Mechanism.Show less
Public opinion has become increasingly important when it comes to furthering European integration. This thesis looks into the dichotomy of public opinion in Bulgaria, in which support for the EU...Show morePublic opinion has become increasingly important when it comes to furthering European integration. This thesis looks into the dichotomy of public opinion in Bulgaria, in which support for the EU has remained relatively high for the period since the country’s accession to the EU, while support for the euro has become relatively low. By employing a benchmarking theory, which posits that people’s attitudes towards the EU and its policies are formed in comparison to national contexts, this thesis seeks to explain this dichotomy. The analysis of Eurobarometer data from the past 13 years combined with analysis of online news media data provides an insight into why Bulgarians support the EU (as a regime) more than the euro (a specific policy). This thesis finds that while distrust in national institutions and the bleak economic performance boosts support for the EU, the same distrust might play a role in the negative perceptions towards the euro. While Bulgarians tend to trust the EU’s institutions and evaluate the EU economy better than the national one, they fear price increase, loss of control over economic policies, and even losing a part of their national identity when it comes to euro adoption.Show less
The thesis examines the factors (experience of communism, secret police, government post-1989 and lustration) that led to the post-1989 transitional justice methods utilised in both Hungary and...Show moreThe thesis examines the factors (experience of communism, secret police, government post-1989 and lustration) that led to the post-1989 transitional justice methods utilised in both Hungary and Estonia.Show less
This thesis looked at how political parties utilize social media platforms as part of their electoral strategies. To that end, the research explored the case study of Latvia through the center...Show moreThis thesis looked at how political parties utilize social media platforms as part of their electoral strategies. To that end, the research explored the case study of Latvia through the center-right populist party Kam pieder valsts [Who Owns the State] and center-right Jaunā konservatīvā partija [New Conservative Party] using content analysis methods on the parties’ pre-election Facebook entries. The research found that the two Latvian political parties utilized social media platforms predominantly to broadcast information, news, party stances/program, criticisms and attacks, and other content that does not utilize the interactive potential of social media. Furthermore, the populist party made extensive use of social media to advertise its on the ground activities, supplementing its offline strategy.Show less
This dissertation aimed to understand why countries who were initially against enhanced cooperation within PESCO, subsequently joined the initiative upon its establishment in 2017. In answering...Show moreThis dissertation aimed to understand why countries who were initially against enhanced cooperation within PESCO, subsequently joined the initiative upon its establishment in 2017. In answering this question, it was essential to understand what explains change over time in the security and defence policy of a state. To answer why countries change their perspectives on enhanced cooperation, this dissertation has applied the theory of neoclassical realism. Neoclassical realism understands that interaction between two actors influences international outcomes, while taking into account how domestic factors influence these outcomes. Neoclassical realism is based on a struggle for power and security between states and helps to understand foreign policy outcomes at different times. This theory was applied to the Netherlands, to analyse how changes in the external environment of the Netherlands affected its security and defence policy.Show less
This thesis aims to understand why Britain removes its restrictions on migrants from Central and Eastern Europe and not Germany. Since the EU enlargement in 2004, different attitudes towards CEE...Show moreThis thesis aims to understand why Britain removes its restrictions on migrants from Central and Eastern Europe and not Germany. Since the EU enlargement in 2004, different attitudes towards CEE migrants arise between Britain and Germany. Through the free movement of labour, Britain is more likely to accept migrants into the domestic labour market than Germany.Show less
This thesis on the political repercussions of the Holocaust aims to contribute to the understanding of the repercussions of the Roma's genocide, and their current discrimination. It also aims at...Show moreThis thesis on the political repercussions of the Holocaust aims to contribute to the understanding of the repercussions of the Roma's genocide, and their current discrimination. It also aims at understanding the ways found by this community to deal with its marginalization, and how has the Council of Europe responded to the state of the Roma people.Show less
This thesis offers a qualitative approach to understanding the interactions between the European Parliament (EP) and the European Central Bank (ECB). The European Parliament supervises the ECB...Show moreThis thesis offers a qualitative approach to understanding the interactions between the European Parliament (EP) and the European Central Bank (ECB). The European Parliament supervises the ECB through the Banking Dialogue and the Monetary Dialogue. By doing this, the EP actively seeks to demand accountability from the ECB. The extent to which the EP does this is examined in this work. An interactionist qualitative model is used to analyse 10 hearings (1,5-3 hours) between April 2018 and June 2019. It is found that althought the European Parliament is restrained in its possibilities to demand accountability, members of the EP make effective use of the tools they have: they engage in informed and targeted dialogue, and demand accountability through scrutiny and justification requests.Show less
This thesis departs from dominant approaches to outward Chinese FDI, which tend to focus primarily on China's aggressive expansionism and its grand strategy with regards to the Belt and Road...Show moreThis thesis departs from dominant approaches to outward Chinese FDI, which tend to focus primarily on China's aggressive expansionism and its grand strategy with regards to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). After identifying gaps in these prevailing approaches, there appeared to be a need for investigating the agency of host countries. The methodology used here was derived from earlier research conducted on China's long-standing engagements in Africa. The arguments made in this thesis reveal more locally-driven elements of Greece's relations with China and highlight the consequential role of Greek agency in these relations. At various scales and levels, Greek actors have used their respective capacities to facilitate, mediate and even resist Chinese presence and investments in Greece, while also carving out opportunities for their own personal or commercial progress. What is apparent here, is that China is not necessarily imposing on Greece with hegemonic intent, as is generally perceived, but is being ushered in by Greeks themselves as an indispensable benefactor of the Greek economy. An important implication for further research is that host countries of Chinese FDI must not be looked at as passive actors in their relations with China, but rather, as agents acting in self-interest. Moreover, the case of Greece can be considered an indication to the EU to reconsider its policies vis-à-vis post-recession recovery in weaker member states.Show less
This thesis outlines how Aircraft construction brings and pulls European nations together. The case studies used in this thesis are Airbus and the Eurofighter, to illustrate how non-state actors,...Show moreThis thesis outlines how Aircraft construction brings and pulls European nations together. The case studies used in this thesis are Airbus and the Eurofighter, to illustrate how non-state actors, of technicians, scientists and engineers interact amongst each other, during the process of building the aircraft. This thesis hopes to add in to the argument of how one could approach European integration without the necessary focus of politically tied institutions such as the 'EU' itself, but to offer an another view point, on how non-state actors through the construction of an aircraft brings European countries together.Show less
This thesis offers a qualitative descriptive analysis to explain what drivers affect the development of Euroscepticism within the Conservative Party (UK) between 1990 and 2016. Three drivers are...Show moreThis thesis offers a qualitative descriptive analysis to explain what drivers affect the development of Euroscepticism within the Conservative Party (UK) between 1990 and 2016. Three drivers are found to have enormous impact on Conservative Euroscepticism. These are as follows: inner party divide, radical right threat and issue salience within party strategy. The Conservatives became increasingly divided over European integration throughout the time frame. Through the attempts to mend this divide by Conservative leaders, most importantly John Major and David Cameron, they increasingly adopted harsher Eurosceptic policies to please their pro/anti EU divided party. UKIP, a radical right party, experienced electoral success throughout the time frame, which is seen as a threat towards the Conservatives, and thus a driver of Conservative Euroscepticism. Lastly, UKIP’s success largely interplays with issue salience. This thesis sees issue salience as a driver of Conservative Euroscepticism, as both parties adopted shifts in political strategy in order to compete for electoral success in light of EU issue salience. All three factors interplay; meaning the one affects the other.Show less
In 2016 it would have been difficult to imagine that Ireland and Spain once shared similar economic contexts. While in 2007 they were both experiencing similar macroeconomic conditions, and...Show moreIn 2016 it would have been difficult to imagine that Ireland and Spain once shared similar economic contexts. While in 2007 they were both experiencing similar macroeconomic conditions, and underwent similar processes in dealing with the crisis, nine years later the Irish economy had managed to regain its pre-crisis standards, whereas Spain’s continued to lag behind. Particularly telling of these developments are poverty trends, with Ireland presenting an overall decrease in its At-Risk-of-Poverty or Social Exclusion (AROPE) figures over 2007 and 2016, and Spain being unable to do so. Consequently, given their similarities prior to the Great Recession, the question of “what explains the diverging poverty trends between Ireland and Spain between 2007 and 2016?” arises. Turning to the academic and theoretical literature, the paper identifies four variables which could explain these outcomes: economic growth and income inequalities; (un)employment levels and conditions; welfare state effectiveness; and political inequality. These variables were assessed with reference to Eurostat and OECD data, with the analysis being complemented by NGO reports and government publications. Overall, findings indicate that three principal factors can explain these diverging poverty trends: I) the fact that income inequalities were widespread in Spain, even during periods of growth, while they were relatively stable in Ireland; II) Spain’s inability to avoid an increase in rising labor precariousness, and; III) the effectiveness of Ireland’s welfare state in reducing poverty levels. The fourth variable under investigation, the role of political inequalities, provided inconclusive results.Show less
