In classical Athens there used to be a clear separation between those considered citizens, women, and foreigners. This separation used to be recognized and formally accepted in society. The notion...Show moreIn classical Athens there used to be a clear separation between those considered citizens, women, and foreigners. This separation used to be recognized and formally accepted in society. The notion of ‘citizen’ was used to legitimize the fact that a small minority of people living in the territory of Athens at that time held exclusive decision-making power. This legitimization was mainly founded on a cultural level but also had ramifications in the social and political realms. In present-day Europe, as well as in classical Athens, people of different social, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds coexist in close proximity, but interact differently. Distinctions between citizens and non-citizens are still present, but their characteristics have changed, and although the differences might appear to be less clear-cut, it is not always the case. In present-day Europe, with waves of migration and populism on the rise, people are trying to define what it means to be a citizen of a country. Although this notion is more distinctly defined from a political perspective, the socio-cultural aspect is not so clear-cut. Following intense migration fluxes in Europe during the past century, and the last decade in particular, the notions of ‘citizen’ and ‘foreigner’ have been questioned repeatedly. Therefore, it might be relevant and useful to look back in history at examples of these two notions, and examine the factors that constituted them and ways in which they were different. In doing so it will be easier to locate patterns in History that have already proven to be harmful for the coexistence of different groups of people within the same territory. Therefore, the purpose and driving question of the present thesis is ‘how can citizenship in classical Athens help us consider the contemporary inclusion and exclusion of individuals in a cultural, social and political sense?’Show less
This thesis examines how European states employ banknote iconography to build national identity and transnational identity, as well as to seek state legitimacy. Using methods and theories from...Show moreThis thesis examines how European states employ banknote iconography to build national identity and transnational identity, as well as to seek state legitimacy. Using methods and theories from cultural studies and related fields, the thesis demonstrates this use through three case studies: the British pound, Danish krone, and the euro.Show less
Through an in-depth analysis of the EU's response to the European migrant crisis of 2015-2016, the shortcomings of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) are revealed. This study investigates...Show moreThrough an in-depth analysis of the EU's response to the European migrant crisis of 2015-2016, the shortcomings of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) are revealed. This study investigates what factors led EU member states (MSs) to violate the CEAS' principles of solidarity and fair responsibility-sharing in their response to the European migrant crisis of 2015-2016. Whereas a collective response in a spirit of solidarity was expected, MSs implemented unilateral measures driven by their national political interests. Through qualitative research and content analysis of the CEAS' legal setup as well as a case study of Hungary and Germany's responses to the migrant crisis, this study has identified two dominant factors that explain for the lack of solidarity and fair responsibility-sharing in the EU's response to the crisis. Firstly, this study argues that insufficient compliance rates with the CEAS as well as some of its dysfunctional legal instruments, such as the Dublin Regulation, have led MSs to violate the principles of solidarity and fair responsibility-sharing. Secondly, it argues that national political climates and interests have affected the MSs’ willingness and ability to comply with the CEAS' principles of solidarity and fair responsibility-sharing. In order to prevent a similar crisis from unfolding in the future, the CEAS' legal instruments must be revised, however, any attempt at creating a reformed CEAS should take into account individual interests and contexts of MSs.Show less
This thesis investigates the political aspects of desertification in Spain. The research analyzes the strengths and shortcomings of water and soil policies targeting desertification in the period...Show moreThis thesis investigates the political aspects of desertification in Spain. The research analyzes the strengths and shortcomings of water and soil policies targeting desertification in the period 1900 to 2020. The ''Tragedy of the Commons'' is used as specific lens. The results show that economic gain in the agricultural sector strongly impacted desertification. Over time, environmentalism became for growing importance in policy making which positively impacted soil and water management affecting desertification. Nonetheless, desertification remains a significant issue in Spain, further policies are necessary to tackle desertification.Show less
The European can be described as a geopolitical actor. This can be done by looking at the way the European Union has ‘deepened’ and ‘widened’ throughout its existence. The European Union has...Show moreThe European can be described as a geopolitical actor. This can be done by looking at the way the European Union has ‘deepened’ and ‘widened’ throughout its existence. The European Union has deepened itself through policies such as the Single European Act and the European Monetary Union. These are key examples of policies adopted by the European Union in order to advance collaboration between its member states. The widening of the European Union has happened through the enlargement of the Union throughout different stages. During these stages of enlargement more countries became members of the European Union. The European Neighbourhood Policy also belongs to the widening approach of the European Union. Through this policy, the European Union has found a way to gain more influence over states that are not a member of the Union. The deepening and widening of the European Union has been felt by the Russian Federation in a number of negative ways. As the European Union continued to deepen and widen, the Russian Federation felt its geopolitical power diminish. This feeling became particularly strong as the European Union began to establish closer ties with Ukraine. Increased activity by the European Union in the Russian near abroad gave the Federation a reason to stand its ground through military action. This was done by annexing Crimea.Show less
When making decisions, people often make use of short-cuts to facilitate this process. This can lead to systematic errors and biases, leading to sub-optimal decisions and sometimes irrational...Show moreWhen making decisions, people often make use of short-cuts to facilitate this process. This can lead to systematic errors and biases, leading to sub-optimal decisions and sometimes irrational decision making. These biases can be correlated to the phenomenon of post-truth, where influencing emotions is the focus when presenting information, rather than actual facts. This paper investigates the correlation between several cognitive biases and post-truth, applied to case studies on Brexit and Donald Trump. It concludes that biases such as motivated reasoning, system 1 and 2 thinking and the availability bias, can reinforce or facilitate post-truth, and that we can see this correlation play out in both case studies.Show less
EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is traditionally characterized as a delicate policy area in which Member States reach agreement through tardy intergovernmental decision-making...Show moreEU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is traditionally characterized as a delicate policy area in which Member States reach agreement through tardy intergovernmental decision-making procedures. However, from 2015 onwards new initiatives in the CSDP have revealed unprecedented policy progress. Several scholars have applied state-centred- and realist approaches in accounting for the suggested policy impetus. To offer a more complete account, this Thesis seeks to contextualise the impetus from a historical institutionalist perspective. By analysing the evolvement of the European External Action Service (EEAS) since the Treaty of Lisbon, the main findings suggest that inter-institutional interplays and institutional autonomy have weakened the influence of Member States in CSDP’s policymaking process. As a consequence, institutional bodies like the EEAS found a legitimate way to considerably influence the innovative policy initiatives.Show less
The explanatory and predictive power of theoretical analysis has played a fundamental role in shaping European monetary integration. The ambition to integrate into a solidified and sustainable...Show moreThe explanatory and predictive power of theoretical analysis has played a fundamental role in shaping European monetary integration. The ambition to integrate into a solidified and sustainable monetary union has often been evaluated against a framework of economic convergence and creation of an effective supranational institution. However, the turn of events over the last decade has changed the perception about monetary integration in Europe. The Eurozone crisis, one of the biggest crises encountered in Europe, forced European Union’s institutions to take measures that could overcome the crisis and simultaneously facilitate integration. The need to understand the narrative that drove monetary integration during the Eurozone crisis has become significantly important due to its widespread impact and lasting repercussions. In analysing such consequential events, the purpose of this research is to compare and contrast the ambitions of European Monetary Union to the realities that drive monetary integration within Europe. This study will undertake the critical analysis of two crisis management responses adopted to tackle the Eurozone crisis, namely the Stability and Growth Pact and the European Stability Mechanism. Utilising these responses, this research attempts to construct the theory of Liberal Intergovernmentalism and understand the general pattern that drove monetary integration in Europe since the Eurozone crisis.Show less
