Cuba's alignement with the Soviet Union during the Cold War is often regarded as a dependency on the part of Cuba. However, while this may be largely true in the economic and security domains,...Show moreCuba's alignement with the Soviet Union during the Cold War is often regarded as a dependency on the part of Cuba. However, while this may be largely true in the economic and security domains, different viewpoints can certainly be elaborated in terms of politics. This thesis will show that under certain circumstances Cuba was able to influence Soviet policies, suggesting that Cuba was a Super Client.Show less
Abstract In this study is analyzed whether the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Moreno-Ocampo (2003-2012) and Bensouda (2012-2021), consistently selected situations for...Show moreAbstract In this study is analyzed whether the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Moreno-Ocampo (2003-2012) and Bensouda (2012-2021), consistently selected situations for investigation and whether the appointment of Bensouda influenced decisions of the Court in favor of African situations. Although the ICC wants to serve all parties involved, there extends a severe chance for being influenced via the Prosecutor, especially while the Prosecutor enjoys much discretion to influence the situation selection via the gravity threshold reducing the legitimacy the ICC. Both Prosecutors have been criticized for being inconsistently selecting African situations. Although the second Prosecutor was an African official, her appointment did not lead to a decrease of criticisms. Therefore this study investigates whether both Prosecutors consistently applied the selection procedures for investigation and whether the appointment of Bensouda influenced the process in favor of African situations. This is done by evaluating how both Prosecutors handled with respect to the gravity threshold; the onliest component within selection on which the Prosecutor actually can insert its influence. Thus is concluded that both Prosecutors approached gravity differently. Whereas Moreno-Ocampo defined the gravity of a given situation in terms of the number of victims, Bensouda determined the gravity of a crime in terms of its scale, nature, manner of commission and impact. This study concludes that Moreno-Ocampo policies were really consistently pointing towards the gravest crimes, whereas Bensouda’s policies were less consistent. She selected some situations that were less serious in terms of gravity than situations rejected. Although Bensouda’s policies were less consistent in character, her policies don’t follow a pattern selecting in favor of African states. This study concludes by stating that Bensouda’s policies were less consistently focused on the gravest crimes of concern, while her qualitative formulation of gravity led much room to apply discretion, but that there is no reason to assume that her policies tended in favor of African situations.Show less
With the emergence and rise of populists like Pim Fortuyn and Geert Wilders, the Netherlands joined an international trend of rising populism. In the last twenty years, researchers began to...Show moreWith the emergence and rise of populists like Pim Fortuyn and Geert Wilders, the Netherlands joined an international trend of rising populism. In the last twenty years, researchers began to determine and explain the extent to which these populist parties impact domestic politics and policies, to grasp their effect on these important domains. Much of the resulting literature focused on specific policy domains, like immigration or integration, policy issues which these parties are seen to ‘own’. This thesis will try to add to this growing body of literature by exploring the policy influence on immigration- and integration related policy by the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV). It will do so by trying to answer the following research question: to what extent has the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV) influenced Dutch immigration and integration policy and politics from 2010 to 2017?Show less
Small states occupy a minor, yet important, aspect of the study of international relations. While large states and great powers are still accorded the lion’s share of agency in international...Show moreSmall states occupy a minor, yet important, aspect of the study of international relations. While large states and great powers are still accorded the lion’s share of agency in international politics and negotiations, scholars have long recognised that small states are not passive actors and can influence developments on the international stage despite their limited resources. This is accomplished mainly through a variety of strategies that small states apply on the international stage. The effectiveness of these strategies are subject to conditions in the wider international or institutional context, but are still the major avenue through which small state governments exercise agency outside of their national borders. These strategies have been closely examined by scholars, particularly in the context of the European Union, where the highly formalised institutional environment offers both obstacles and opportunities for small states to pursue their agendas at the supranational level. The case study of Ireland, a small state on the periphery of the EU, will be examined in order to determine how peripheral small state governments attempt to affect the development of EU policy. Irish attempts to influence EU foreign and security policy will be investigated, policies that have traditionally been dominated by analyses of large state actors. However, an increasing amount of scholarship argues that small states have the ability to affect the EU in this field as well. This thesis seeks to place the interaction between Ireland and the EU in the wider global context by examining the role a third party international organisation, the UN, has on Ireland’s influence at the EU.Show less
Despite the media attention surrounding the influence of India’s Godmen and their relationships politicians, not a great deal has been written in academia concerning this connection. Moreover, what...Show moreDespite the media attention surrounding the influence of India’s Godmen and their relationships politicians, not a great deal has been written in academia concerning this connection. Moreover, what has been studied has predominantly focused on the prominent role of Hindu Godmen in promoting ‘soft Hindutva’ - endorsing Hindutva policies and politicians. With this in mind, the case of the Dera Sacha Sauda and their current leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan challenges existing assumptions about the influence of Godmen in India. In addition, the symbolic character of the 'world renouncer' and the rhetoric of 'humanitarianism', are examined in the context of the Godman's influence over his followers. The theories of Weber and Gramsci, among others, are explored and highlight that Godmen engage with politics in dynamic, locally orientated and pragmatic ways.Show less
The Japanese video game industry used to be a leading force in the world. During the 90’s and the early 2000’s, Japanese video games dominated the international market. Recently, however, during...Show moreThe Japanese video game industry used to be a leading force in the world. During the 90’s and the early 2000’s, Japanese video games dominated the international market. Recently, however, during the end of the last decade and the start of the current decade, Japanese video games experienced a huge dip in their sales. Japan has been attempting to use the ‘Soft Power’, the concept of influence generated by its popular culture overseas, to its advantage. The link between the Japanese video game industry and the concept of Soft Power have not been sufficiently examined as of now, hence why it was the focus of this study. The aim of this study was to come to an understanding of why these fluctuations in the market occurred, as well as look for the potential influence of Japanese video games and their popularity overseas on Japan’s Soft Power. By asking questions, in the form of a survey, to experts from the Dutch video game industry, the objective was to come to new insights on the matter and open up possibilities for further research. Results from the survey showed that previously underrepresented factors contributed to the fall in popularity of Japanese video games in the West. Elements like ease of use, lingual nuances, as well as intrinsic differences in preferences of the Japanese domestic audience and the Western audience, were identified. The link between the performance of Japanese video games overseas and Japan’s Soft Power was also confirmed. Respondents acknowledge the capability of Japanese video games to influence the consumer’s image of Japan, albeit not always in a purely positive way. Arguments were also raised that the Japan portrayed in video games is often not the real Japan. This holds true, but in order to make a target audience think more positively about Japan, the ‘real’ Japan does not need to be represented accurately. Thus, it can be argued that popularity of Japanese video games overseas does indeed correlate to an increase in Japan’s Soft Power.Show less
This thesis examines the contribution of the two Russian think tanks – the Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) and the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) – to...Show moreThis thesis examines the contribution of the two Russian think tanks – the Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) and the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) – to the development of Russia’s foreign policy in the Arctic. Given an increasingly significant role played by think tanks in the foreign policy-making process, it appears important to consider whether and how Russian think tanks could be involved in this specific policy area. The thesis applies the case study method and draws on the documentary analysis in order to answer the research question: How and to what extent have Russian think tanks influenced the development of Russia’s foreign policy in the Arctic? The analysis presented in this thesis indicates that, by providing specific ideas and policy options, both thinks tanks have affected the Arctic foreign policy process, especially problem identification and agenda-setting. Overall, the thesis finds that examining the impact of Russian think tanks on Russia’s Arctic foreign policy helps to explain more fully its nature and dynamics.Show less
For years, Mexicans have migrated to the United States in search of the American Dream. From the moment a Mexican becomes an American citizen, the immigrant is expected to assimilate to the country...Show moreFor years, Mexicans have migrated to the United States in search of the American Dream. From the moment a Mexican becomes an American citizen, the immigrant is expected to assimilate to the country’s culture and politics. This thesis addresses whether these assimilating immigrants actually have any influence on local politics in Texas, specifically El Paso, since 1965. The research answers this question from an individual and local-level perspective of first person accounts in El Paso Texas on political discontent and influence, as well as a local perspective on the assimilation of Mexican immigrants in El Paso.This type of study has not been done before on the local level in El Paso and therefore helps contribute to research on Mexican immigration. Historians and sociologists have focused mainly on the difficulties Mexicans face when migrating into the US, but have not explored the after-effects of these migrations. Three main topics create the foundation of this research, namely assimilation, political representation, and immigration policies for Mexican immigrants in El Paso, Texas. By using literary research as well as interviews with Mexicans who live or have lived in, or close to, El Paso it was found that Mexican immigrants are assimilating to American ways, yet they remain distant when it comes to politics. Because of this distance and disinterest in the subject, Mexicans have little-to-no influence on the politics of the country. Because of the growth in their population, they have become increasingly powerful and have managed to increase their representatives in politics. Yet, when it comes to officially voting or changing policies, Mexican immigrants do not practice this power. Thus, it is very unlikely that there will be a lot of influence on politics by the Mexican community. There has been an increasing influence on the representation of Mexicans, which has empowered them slightly; however, the Mexican community is so detached from the local political system, that it is not likely to create major changes in politics in the coming years.Show less
This research tries to scrutinize the influence of pro-migration interest group arguments towards the immigration policy of the European Union. As a case study the influence of different kinds of...Show moreThis research tries to scrutinize the influence of pro-migration interest group arguments towards the immigration policy of the European Union. As a case study the influence of different kinds of arguments of pro-migration interest groups used as an answer on a public consultation about the Common European Asylum System in 2007 is chosen to investigate. Via a documentary analyses the influence between human rights-based arguments and cost arguments were tried measured. This was not possible, because the pro-migration interest groups almost only made human rights-based arguments. There is though evidence found that suggest that the Commission copied mainly recommendations that were in line with the aims that the Commission stated in the Green Paper. This seems to suggest that the Green Paper is an agenda-setting power tool that diminishes the amount of influence that pro-migration interest groups can have on the European immigration policy.Show less
