Since 2014, Europe has faced an explosive increase in migrants, leading Europe into a migration crisis. Political parties in European countries have responded differently to this influx of people....Show moreSince 2014, Europe has faced an explosive increase in migrants, leading Europe into a migration crisis. Political parties in European countries have responded differently to this influx of people. This study aims to clarify the relationship between the agenda of these political parties and the European migration crisis. Based on qualitative research, a content analysis was used to study the differences between left-wing, right-wing and centre-parties and how the European migration crisis has impacted these points of view. The analysis shows that political parties with different ideologies about migration react differently to the crisis. The European migration crisis has little to no effect on the agenda of left-wing parties and right-wing parties, but a major effect on the agendas of centre-parties.Show less
The Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean holds significant reserves of polymetallic nodules, making it a potential exploitation area for deep sea mining. However, the exploitation of...Show moreThe Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean holds significant reserves of polymetallic nodules, making it a potential exploitation area for deep sea mining. However, the exploitation of this shared natural resource poses challenges in terms of sustainability and resource management. This thesis examines the governing framework of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for the management of deep sea mining in the CCZ. The study draws upon the design principles for governing the commons proposed by Elinor Ostrom to analyze the policies and draft regulations of the ISA. By examining to what extent the policies and regulations of the ISA are aligned with Ostrom's principles, this research aims to evaluate the current governance framework for the management of the CCZ and its resources.Show less
This thesis analyses the effects shared norms with a country under attack have on NATO support in member states. One of the biggest challenges NATO faces, is how to avoid free riding. This makes...Show moreThis thesis analyses the effects shared norms with a country under attack have on NATO support in member states. One of the biggest challenges NATO faces, is how to avoid free riding. This makes studying the potential incentives states have for increasing NATO support essential. Past research has studied several potential material and non material incentives but has not investigated the effects shared norms with a conflict may have on NATO support. To conduct this research, a discourse analysis of the frames used parliamentary debates in the Netherlands on the Russia Ukraine war was done. The analysis revealed that although shared norms were used to frame NATO and the conflict quite often, threat perception was the most used frame.Show less
Very recently, it was revealed that Dutch citizens are now generally supportive of nuclear energy: the supporters outnumber the opponents (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek [CBS], 2023)....Show moreVery recently, it was revealed that Dutch citizens are now generally supportive of nuclear energy: the supporters outnumber the opponents (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek [CBS], 2023). Supporters cite the fact that no carbon dioxide is emitted during generation and the need to guarantee a sufficient energy supply as reasons for their support of nuclear energy (Van Engeland & Van der Schelde, 2021). Nuclear energy has not always had high favourability ratings (e.g. Pampel, 2011). One of the reasons for this low support is that nuclear energy has not only been associated with benefits, but also with substantial risks, such as the risk of meltdown and the risks related to nuclear waste (Stoutenborough et al., 2013). The fact that support for nuclear energy apparently fluctuates with time suggests that actors (e.g. the media, politicians) may be able to influence support for the technology by framing it in a certain way. Indeed, nuclear energy has been framed in various ways in Dutch media (Vossen, 2020). Existing research has found that framing can alter attitudes toward nuclear energy (Bickerstaff et al., 2008; Bird et al., 2014; Feldman & Hart, 2018; Pidgeon et al., 2008). However, research on the effect of positive framing (i.e framing designed to increase support) and negative framing (i.e. framing designed to decrease support) on attitudes toward nuclear energy has not yet been conducted in the Netherlands. Additionally, there is reason to believe that the size of the effect of positive and negative frames on support for nuclear energy depends on the values one endorses (De Groot et al., 2013; Entman, 1993; Perlaviciute & Steg, 2015). Existing research has not looked into this hypothesis. Thus, the present study addresses two research questions. Firstly, to what extent does framing affect support for nuclear energy? Secondly, to what extent does the size of the framing effect depend on the values one endorses?Show less
This study employs process tracing to investigate public goods provision within two renowned tax havens, Switzerland and Ireland. Contrary to the general belief associating tax havens with under...Show moreThis study employs process tracing to investigate public goods provision within two renowned tax havens, Switzerland and Ireland. Contrary to the general belief associating tax havens with under-provision of public goods, these cases present intriguing differences in their levels of public goods provision. Through the analysis of government policies, transparency, political systems, and historical contexts, this thesis deciphers the complex factors shaping this provision. The findings reveal nuanced dynamics in tax havens, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of their societal implications and informing potential policy improvements.Show less
Air pollution is a major concern in India, the world's most populous country, and as the country continues to grow rapidly, it confronts various challenges in implementing air pollution policies....Show moreAir pollution is a major concern in India, the world's most populous country, and as the country continues to grow rapidly, it confronts various challenges in implementing air pollution policies. In federal India, the municipal, provincial, and federal governments have all worked jointly to manage air pollution. Numerous studies have examined the effects of federalism on environmental policy, although frequently the studies place more of an emphasis on the federal structure than on the interests of sub-national entities in terms of the difficulties that arise in the implementation of environmental policy. Despite having federal frameworks that take into account diversity, India has trouble overcoming subnational interests. The geographical, socioeconomic, and political disparities between regions had distinct consequences on environmental governance. Even Though environmental laws are mostly designed to shield citizens from the tragedy of the commons it continues to be a central theme in many environmental problems. Thus, air pollution policy implementation is a Common Pool Resource management issue. Therefore, this thesis employs a qualitative content analysis on the Ambiguity-Conflict Model of Policy Implementation by Richard E. Matland to investigate the effect of sub-national interest on air pollution policy implementation in India. The results demonstrated a Low Ambiguity and High Conflict paradigm which conveys the effect of sub-national interest as Political Implementation of air pollution policies in India.Show less
As the Internet and information and communication technologies (ICTs) continue to permeate social and political life, transformations of basic institutions have occurred. The network of governance...Show moreAs the Internet and information and communication technologies (ICTs) continue to permeate social and political life, transformations of basic institutions have occurred. The network of governance comprising the state, civil society organizations, businesses, and other actors, has likewise been impacted by the information age. Integration of digital products into the authoritative institutions and decision-making processes is reshaping how actions within governance are being conducted. The transformative nature of digitalization thus begs the question of how governance practices are being affected by the phenomenon. Dividing governance practices into measures of performance and procedural values gives nuance to how governance actors are weighing the importance of effective policy with public values. As digitalization is a process, observations over the long term allow for trends to be observed. A panel study was thus conducted. In the lack of definitive results of the relationship, critical insights into how the research was conducted are presented. Additionally, paths to be taken in future studies are suggested as the information age will only continue to reshape social and political structures.Show less
As the ice thaws, the Arctic hosts a new political arena for geostrategic, economic, environmental, and military interests. Existing literature focuses on the disruptive nature of militarisation...Show moreAs the ice thaws, the Arctic hosts a new political arena for geostrategic, economic, environmental, and military interests. Existing literature focuses on the disruptive nature of militarisation and neglects it as a form of governance This study examines the effects of military presence and related tensions on cooperative intentions in the Arctic by testing Elinor Ostrom's design principles as indicators of successful cooperation. By examining the policy statements of the relevant actors, this research challenges the negative stigma associated with militarisation. This study finds that militarisation can enhance cooperative efforts and can contribute to local collaboration. Ultimately, this thesis concludes that militarisation does substitute a platform for cooperation.Show less
The prevalent theory of burden-sharing in NATO today did not accurately predict contributions in ISAF. Through an analysis of parliamentary debates in the United Kingdom and Germany, this paper...Show moreThe prevalent theory of burden-sharing in NATO today did not accurately predict contributions in ISAF. Through an analysis of parliamentary debates in the United Kingdom and Germany, this paper argues that domestic factors are important predictors in contributions to alliances. Domestic and international concerns interact in a two-level dynamic, where a valuation of alliance membership and support by domestic elites play a central role.Show less
