Since the rise of Black Lives Matter and Rhodes Must Fall, both had the same goal: putting an end to racism and white supremacy. Although it would be logical that both movements follow a similar...Show moreSince the rise of Black Lives Matter and Rhodes Must Fall, both had the same goal: putting an end to racism and white supremacy. Although it would be logical that both movements follow a similar path, Black Lives Matter seems to be more popular and Rhodes Must Fall protests seem to be more violent. This research is about analyzing the differences in success between the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States and the Rhodes must Fall movement from South Africa. Success can be measured in a way of looking at accomplishments, but this literature study will compare successes in mobilization strategies. Grievances from institutionalized racism created comparable grievances in The United States and South Africa. Other factors that will be analyzed in this study are resource mobilization, mobilization strategies, networking strategies and media representation. This research will argue that the Black Lives Matter movement adapted better mobilization strategies overall.Show less
In early 2011, the 20 February Movement took place in Morocco in the wider context of the Arab Spring. The movement in Morocco did not lead to thorough change or governmental over-throw, as it was...Show moreIn early 2011, the 20 February Movement took place in Morocco in the wider context of the Arab Spring. The movement in Morocco did not lead to thorough change or governmental over-throw, as it was the case in other North African countries. Morocco’s political institutions re-mained stable after a quick response of the government and monarchy. This thesis is conducted by relying on institutional theory and the use of qualitative research methods to explore the following research question: Why has the 20 February Movement in Morocco led to the con-tinuation of political institutions and not initiated governmental change? The results show that Morocco’s authoritarian political institutions remained stable and widely unchanged because of the legitimacy of the monarchy and the king as head of state. Even though the constitution was reviewed as a response to the protests that demanded democratisation, the position of the king was not questioned. Historical, religious, social and political factors legitimise the position of the king, which make him a source of stability for the regime and decreases the likelihood of experiencing political conflict and violence.Show less
The concept of affective polarization has emerged as a hot topic in the last decade. Affective polarization captures the extent to which people have positive feelings towards their in-group and...Show moreThe concept of affective polarization has emerged as a hot topic in the last decade. Affective polarization captures the extent to which people have positive feelings towards their in-group and dislike and distrust the opposing group. While previous research focused on explaining this phenomenon via moral conviction theory, this research focuses on attitude importance and applies this theory to the abortion issue. This thesis aims to explain why different attitudes on abortion enhance affective polarization in the United States. Affective polarization can have negative consequences because it can lead to the erosion of democratic norms. Using data from the ANES, this paper argues that people who feel close towards a presidential candidate on the abortion issue and people who deem abortion an important topic are more highly affectively polarized than people who do not stand close to a presidential candidate and do not find abortion an important issue.Show less
