This thesis analyzes the ideological and political dynamics behind the intention of reversing the Family Planning Law in Iran (implemented in 1993)during the Ahmadinejad's administration(2005-2013)...Show moreThis thesis analyzes the ideological and political dynamics behind the intention of reversing the Family Planning Law in Iran (implemented in 1993)during the Ahmadinejad's administration(2005-2013). I argue that the pronatalist line of thinking of the last decade was due to the worsening of the Iran's economic conditions and to the worsening of the international relations with the United States and Europe.Show less
In the context of the current 2011 uprising across the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, the Syrian conflict is the only one that has been described by different media, academic analysts and...Show moreIn the context of the current 2011 uprising across the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, the Syrian conflict is the only one that has been described by different media, academic analysts and even some politicians as a sectarian struggle. This paper questions the accuracy of this assumption by raising doubts regarding the fair distribution of power and resources within Syria during the period of Bashar Al-assad’s rule, and suggesting that this may be the main reason behind the 2011 uprising. I study the reforms introduced in the year 2000 and later by Bashar Al-assad and argue that the 2011 struggle over power in Syria results not from sectarianism, but from different economic and political variables. The situation exploded in March 2011 in reaction to the limitations and restrictions on the economic and constitutional reforms instituted during the time of Bashar’s rule from late 2000 up to 2012.Show less
