With the echoes of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21) still ringing, it is clear the climate change is not just a reality but a series of formalised and not yet formalised threats to life as...Show moreWith the echoes of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21) still ringing, it is clear the climate change is not just a reality but a series of formalised and not yet formalised threats to life as we know it. Climate change is multi-faceted and complex, a challenge that can only be tackled with multi-levelled cooperation that involves actors from the international to the local levels and leverages new technologies and methodologies to create innovative and sensible adaptation and resilience models. A quote attributed to Albert Einstein sums up the current state of affairs, “Problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them”. Big Data can be that new ‘out of the box’ thinking and mythologies that drive and bring about solutions to the most challenging problems that future generations face.In Peace Review, Erin McCandless introduces the Journal of Peacebuilding and Development where she is Chief Editor. She states that the journal’s mission amounts to understanding the “intersections of conflict, development and peace” (McCandless 505). In order to do so, she argues that, there is a need to “firmly question dominant paradigms and conceptual and methodological framings, linking debates to real cases on the ground, and encouraging alternative visions and choices for action” (McCandless 505). The contention here is that Big Data is that critical vantage point that McCandless much seeks after. Big Data can provide the facts through numbers and correlations than can provide the counter-arguments to much acclaimed traditional patterns of thought by providing the raw data collected on the ground.Show less
This thesis concerns the developments in the Western Sahara after the Spanish withdrawal of colonial authority. It takes into account the extertion of influence of non-African nations in the Cold...Show moreThis thesis concerns the developments in the Western Sahara after the Spanish withdrawal of colonial authority. It takes into account the extertion of influence of non-African nations in the Cold War context and especially elaborates on the approach of the Organization of African Unity in order to solve this dispute. The analysis moreover includes relevant transcripts of diplomatic meetings between Henry Kissinger and other important political figures in the years after the conflict´s emergence, which undermine the international significance.Show less
Diamonds have played a crucial part in Namibia’s development to become a growing and stable country (Cleveland 6). This thesis will examine the positive impact of the Namibian diamond industry on...Show moreDiamonds have played a crucial part in Namibia’s development to become a growing and stable country (Cleveland 6). This thesis will examine the positive impact of the Namibian diamond industry on the economical and political development of the country since independence. Unlike many other African states rich in natural resources, Namibia was able to enjoy a stable development since its independence. It is thus considered to be one of the few success stories regarding economic growth in Africa (Cleveland 2,6). This thesis hypothesizes that resource rich states benefit from political stability as it leads to economic growth and prosperity. In support of this hypothesis, the paper gives first an overview of the topic, before providing a detailed analysis of possible reasons, including on the basis of historic, political, and economic parameters.Show less
The way people dress in Africa is often overlooked and interpreted as traditional or fixed. Nevertheless, interaction between the African ways of dressing and western styles of fashion has occurred...Show moreThe way people dress in Africa is often overlooked and interpreted as traditional or fixed. Nevertheless, interaction between the African ways of dressing and western styles of fashion has occurred over time increasingly. Especially during colonialism, the influence of the western styles of dressing had on the Africans has increased. As a result of this, the African ways of dressing have changed among many different areas on the continent. In all the various regions of the continent the ways of dressing have developed in different directions and with the colonial influences the changes have been developing via several roads as well. Therefore, each case has its own answers and reasons for why people dress the way they do and its own reasons to reject or embrace the western styles of dressing. Within the following pages the political and cultural reasons for people to embrace or reject the western ways of dressing will be examined.Show less
As a result of increased interest in women’ s development, microfinance has received considerable attention. Microfinance is seen by some as an effective way of giving women the chance to come out...Show moreAs a result of increased interest in women’ s development, microfinance has received considerable attention. Microfinance is seen by some as an effective way of giving women the chance to come out of poverty and empower themselves. Microfinance is heavily criticized by others since they believe it does not do any good to impoverished women. This study investigates whether microfinance contributes to women’s empowerment in Tanzania through a case study on BRAC Tanzania. This research has found that BRAC’s microfinance projects contribute to the empowerment of a selected group of Tanzanian women.Show less
As the second most-traded commodity in the world, coffee is an essential part of world trade. In 2002 a crisis hit the global coffee sector and prices hit their lowest point in a century. As the...Show moreAs the second most-traded commodity in the world, coffee is an essential part of world trade. In 2002 a crisis hit the global coffee sector and prices hit their lowest point in a century. As the birthplace of coffee, and home to some of the most unique varieties of coffee, Ethiopia was hit hard by this crisis. Since then many reforms have taken place in Ethiopia's coffee sector in order to improve its standing within the global coffee trade, however in order to understand the success of these reforms and the potential for more to be done, it is essential to truly understand the value chain of Ethiopia's coffee. This thesis is an analysis of Ethiopia's coffee sector, and provides an insight into some of the ways in which Ethiopia may be able to capitalise from the rarity and quality of its coffee varieties.Show less
The digital world and its relationship to history are ones of the most debated issues of our times as well as a major problem related to such relationship: the future of archives. In Italy the...Show moreThe digital world and its relationship to history are ones of the most debated issues of our times as well as a major problem related to such relationship: the future of archives. In Italy the debate is still in its infancy and this thesis places the case study of the Biblioteca IsIAO.Show less
An analysis of the economic partnerships that both the European Union and China have on the African Continent and whether or not those partnerships are beneficial for Africa.
This International Studies Master Thesis adds to the existing explanations of the outbreak of the border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia, from 1998 till 2000. In order to do so, the thesis...Show moreThis International Studies Master Thesis adds to the existing explanations of the outbreak of the border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia, from 1998 till 2000. In order to do so, the thesis makes use of the insights derived from the theory of Chiozza and Goemans (2011). This theory takes on a starting position in which an (authoritarian) leader faces domestic opposition. Chiozza and Goemans argue that when, in such a situation, an ‘exogenous shock’ favours the position of the opposition, the leader might rationally choose to use international conflict to secure his/her position in office. Embedded in this framework, the thesis finds that the relationship between the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) and the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has been problematic from the start, in particular because the EPLF was not prepared to let go its superior status. Furthermore, during the 1990s the EPLF turned into an authoritarian regime, centred around Isaias himself. Despite the fact that official opposition within Eritrea was impossible due to the repressive measures, foreign opposition emerged, including the ethnic minority groups of the Red Sea Afar peoples and the Kunama peoples, which were both supported by the Ethiopian government. At the same time, the balance between the EPLF and TPLF was changing; the EPLF had to accept the TPLF as the ‘senior partner’ as they had become the leader of a more powerful country, Ethiopia. This also implied that the ethnic minority groups were supported by a more powerful actor, which could have been the ‘exogenous shock’ that favoured the opposition, mentioned by Chiozza and Goemans. Therefore, Isaias might have rationally chosen to initiate the border war as a means to regain his power.Show less
Even though Zimbabwe has regular elections, the country is often regarded as an authoritarian regime. In this research, Zimbabwe's results in the EIU index of democracy are analyzed. The main...Show moreEven though Zimbabwe has regular elections, the country is often regarded as an authoritarian regime. In this research, Zimbabwe's results in the EIU index of democracy are analyzed. The main question to answer is to what extent is Zimbabwe democratic or authoritarian and how does the media influence this image of Zimbabwe.Show less
Research master thesis | African Studies (research) (MA)
open access
This thesis examines the lives of two prominent artisan trade union organisers active in late-nineteenth century Sierra Leone: S.H.A. Case (1845-1901) and J.T. Ojukutu-Macauley (1846-1904). It...Show moreThis thesis examines the lives of two prominent artisan trade union organisers active in late-nineteenth century Sierra Leone: S.H.A. Case (1845-1901) and J.T. Ojukutu-Macauley (1846-1904). It argues that both men were deeply involved in the colony's middle-class social and religious life. This small and tightly-knit community transmitted a particular set of norms - an emphasis on self-improvement through education, a desire for social prestige- through informal networks, which Abner Cohen called the 'cult of eliteness'. These connnections provided both men with support for their endeavours to improve the social and economic position of the colony's artisans. While both men emphasised a distinct artisan identity and class consciousness, they also aspired to middle class status. This thesis shows how both men navigated the complex position of artisans vis-a-vis other wage workers and the white-collar middle class of the colony.Show less
The African Union (AU), whose main objective is to coordinate and intensify cooperation for development of the African region, presents itself as an energetic and ambitious driving force for change...Show moreThe African Union (AU), whose main objective is to coordinate and intensify cooperation for development of the African region, presents itself as an energetic and ambitious driving force for change in the continent’s human rights landscape. In June 2014, the AU adopted the Protocol on Amendments to the Protocol on the Statue of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights, often referred to as the Malabo Protocol. The Malabo Protocol extends the jurisdiction of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights (ACJHR) and empowers it to try serious crimes of international concern such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Although the ACJHR is not yet an operational court, it has the potential to bring positive contributions to a continent tormented by persistent conflicts and a culture of impunity. AU member states now stand before various paths in the realization of human rights and they have been involved in an ongoing discussion on Universal Jurisdiction and its life-form, the International Criminal Court (ICC). A thorough consideration of all the grounds for the AU’s decision to give the African Court jurisdiction over international crimes will then show that the process has been motivated by other reasons than late anti-ICC sentiment alone. This study will not only examine the ICC versus Africa debate, it will also go beyond it. In this way, an African perspective will be offered that explains a larger focus on regional processes of African human rights law not only as a result of growing anti-ICC sentiment. Instead, it will be argued that there has been a legal and historical necessity for the development of an African perspective to international human rights law that is not necessarily meant to duplicate or impede on the work of the ICC.Show less
This paper aims at analysing how these two periods of Somalia’s recent history influenced and laid the foundations for rivalries between different factions within the country, which eventually...Show moreThis paper aims at analysing how these two periods of Somalia’s recent history influenced and laid the foundations for rivalries between different factions within the country, which eventually exploded in an excruciating conflict. Firstly, the aim of this paper is to assess how and why the Italian administration of Somalia was overall a failure, and to which extent it was harmful for the future of the country as a whole. Indeed, the targets that the United Nations demanded Italy to achieve within a decade were out of reach for a newborn country that was still struggling with mending the wounds of the Second World War. Hence, there will be in-depth focus on the structural flaws that characterised the establishment of the Italian administration and it mistakes on a social and political level once operational in the country. Secondly, this thesis will analyse the societal structure of Somalia, which is for the vast majority based on clan divisions (Paolo Tripodi 361). The objective of this section to examine how such divisions played a crucial role in combination with the policies implemented by the colonial and post-colonial administrations, which proved to lack any specific knowledge of the “very complex system of clan families” (Richard Dowden 97). Thirdly, this paper will aim at analysing the influence of Siad Barre’s regime, and how the policies he attempted to implement acted as gunpowder for a perfectly mixed explosive machineryShow less
This thesis outlines constraints and challenges faced by informal workers in Kenya. Informal workers in relation to authorities are highlighted by particularly investigating legalities concerning...Show moreThis thesis outlines constraints and challenges faced by informal workers in Kenya. Informal workers in relation to authorities are highlighted by particularly investigating legalities concerning informal workers. Whereas the informal economy Jua Kali, is adopted in the development plans as the Kenya Vision and is argued to have the potential to drive inclusive economic growth and reduce poverty, actual regulations show the opposite of inclusion. The Nairobi City Council is restrictive towards street vendors in the urban environment and authorities are abusive towards hawkers. Obtaining a licence is costly, time consuming, and legislation of licencing is contradictory; these legalities result in many street vendors choosing informality. The similar is observed for the small-scale business sector. Legislatory problems regarding the access to finance, education, courts, and instutional problems within ministery coordination result in the increase of workers preferring employment in informality.Show less
The year 2010 marks the beginning of a series of protests and uprisings in North Africa, which sparked a revolution that Western media would soon refer to as “The Arab Spring Uprisings”. The...Show moreThe year 2010 marks the beginning of a series of protests and uprisings in North Africa, which sparked a revolution that Western media would soon refer to as “The Arab Spring Uprisings”. The protests are mostly conducted by the youth of the MENA region who are discontent with the government. This generation realizes that due to unemployment, high inflation, poverty, human rights abuses and corruption they are caught in a vacuum, with no bright future with progress and evolution of their country and blame this on the Arab dictators. Tunisia and Morocco both experienced the Arab Spring differently in terms of violence by the state, but in both countries the protests are effective and big changes are promised. In Tunisia the Ben Ali Presidency is overthrown, while in Morocco King Mohammed VI remains king. Also, in both countries the desired democracy is established and democratic elections take place. However, the circumstances do not really change the civil lives. Unemployment remains a problem, police violence still occurs, the freedom and human rights are still violated and the rule of law does not change the situation in favour of the community. The frustrated youth seeks new ways to clear the void in their lives. In the same time period, the Islamic State is upcoming and recruits these frustrated youngsters. Especially Tunisian youngsters are susceptible for the promises of the Islamic State, as they are promised a future, with money, women and weapons. The official count of Tunisian foreign fighters is 6.000, while Morocco remains at the bottom of the list of foreign fighters, supplying officially 1.200 foreign fighters. The question is why there is such a big difference in number of supplied foreign fighters between these two countries. Trying to find an answer to this question this thesis inquires if the Arab Spring is the underlying cause. Therefore, this thesis’ research question is How have the results of the Arab Spring caused the extreme flow of frustrated Tunisian youth to the Islamic State, while a similar country as Morocco remains at the bottom of the list of Islamic State’s foreign fighters? The frustration-aggression theory of John Dollard and Robert E. Miller and colleagues is applied to explain the incentive of young Tunisians and Moroccans to go the Islamic State. By analysing the contemporary situation in Tunisia and Morocco in terms of unemployment, state repression and the influence of Saudi Arabia, this thesis concludes that the Arab Spring is the driver for the frustration amongst the youth, leading up to expression of aggression, wherefore the Islamic State provides space to utter it. Tunisia’s institutional failure created by the Arab Spring drives Tunisian youngsters frustrated and they are now either planning new uprisings, or are leaving for the Islamic State. The government is still dealing with the collapse of the institutions, therefore is not able to handle the frustrated youth. Morocco is not left in institutional chaos and can now focus on the terrorist threat, with a strong security system. It can brace the country against the Islamic State. According to this thesis, this is what makes the difference between the foreign fighters’ amount of Tunisia and Morocco.Show less
The DRC has been a conflict-ridden country since pre-colonial times, it is paradoxical that a country so rich in natural resources remains so poor and underdeveloped. This thesis attempts to...Show moreThe DRC has been a conflict-ridden country since pre-colonial times, it is paradoxical that a country so rich in natural resources remains so poor and underdeveloped. This thesis attempts to discover whether the modern, industrialised countries play any role in the perpetuation of the conflict situation in the DRC regarding the exploitation of 'Coltan' which is a widely used mineral for the manufacturing of smartphones and other electronic devices. The historical legacies of the DRC will be explored, an analysis of the conflict situation in the eastern provinces of the DRC will be provided and the commodity chain of coltan will be discussed.Show less
