The year 2020 marked 81 years since the start of the Second World War and Ireland’s declaration to abstain from it. As time continues, we become further and further detached from the events in...Show moreThe year 2020 marked 81 years since the start of the Second World War and Ireland’s declaration to abstain from it. As time continues, we become further and further detached from the events in human past that have so greatly affected the world we live in today, however, the study of history can bring these events closer to the modern human experience. This artificial closeness can be used as a tool to explain how and why historical events occurred as they did and allow us to learn more about not only the world of yesterday but also the world of tomorrow. This thesis will use Ireland’s 1939-1945 policy of neutrality to test neorealism and liberalism to assess what can be learned not only about said theories, but too the history they are applied to. This can hopefully shine more light on how current theories can be applied outside of the modern world.Show less
One of the main impediments to the Syrian conflict, has been the absence of sufficient food aid to the local population. For the past nine years, the Syrian government has systematically blocked...Show moreOne of the main impediments to the Syrian conflict, has been the absence of sufficient food aid to the local population. For the past nine years, the Syrian government has systematically blocked humanitarian aid from entering its territory, based on the principle of sovereignty. Theoretically, international aid organizations have impartial access to deliver humanitarian aid when necessary, based on the fundamental humanitarian principles. Paradoxically, these fundamental principles have limited aid organizations to execute their work and compromises needed to be made with the Assad government in order to obtain access. Ever since the beginning of the conflict, humanitarian aid has been unequally distributed via government channels between government- and opposition controlled areas in Syria. It has become a strategy of warfare for the Assad regime, perpetuating violence and advancing legitimization and support for the nation’s regime. Simultaneously, international aid organizations created cross-border operations in order to circumvent this demonstration of the politicization of humanitarianism. This thesis extensively addresses this phenomenon and its consequences, by examining the central research question: To what extent has the politicization of humanitarianism impeded neutral emergency food aid delivery by international aid organizations in the Syrian conflict between 2011 and 2019?Show less
While NATO has served as Europe’s main security provider for decades, the European Union is developing its own role as an international security actor. This role of the EU has become especially...Show moreWhile NATO has served as Europe’s main security provider for decades, the European Union is developing its own role as an international security actor. This role of the EU has become especially relevant after the Ukraine Crisis, which increased tensions between the EU and Russia. Sweden and Finland, two member-states of the EU, fear for additional Russian hostilities; they seek more security after the Ukraine Crisis. However, due to their neutrality policies, they are not members of NATO. While Sweden and Finland now have a higher demand for security, they cannot turn to NATO in order to attain it. This research aims to find out whether Sweden and Finland therefore look more to the EU for their security by approaching the following question: to what extent have Sweden and Finland become more in favor of European defense integration after the Ukraine Crisis? Sweden and Finland will be analyzed separately. To find out what their preferences towards EU defense integration are, the following variables will be studied: government reports ; statements made by government officials ; expenditure on common EU defense capabilities ; and total defense expenditure. The findings before the Ukraine Crisis will be compared to the findings after the Ukraine Crisis, so that a comparison can be made. In this way, conclusions can be drawn as to whether or not the countries became more in favor of EU defense integration after the Ukraine Crisis. To explain the findings, a cost-benefit analysis will be made based on the theory of rational choice institutionalism.Show less
The thesis looks at the opinions of various classical Islamic scholars on neutrality. It then examines the relation between Abyssinia and the Islamic world in order to see if it can be classified...Show moreThe thesis looks at the opinions of various classical Islamic scholars on neutrality. It then examines the relation between Abyssinia and the Islamic world in order to see if it can be classified as a neutral relation. The thesis concludes by saying that the relationship cannot be classified as neutral.Show less
In this thesis I have defended the claim that a state which is neutral about the different conceptions of the good in society, cannot guarantee the personal autonomy of its citizens.
