Despite decades of extensive oil extraction, the inhabitants of the Niger Delta remain very poor. This thesis addresses this issue by questioning the role that Shell plays in the Niger Delta. In...Show moreDespite decades of extensive oil extraction, the inhabitants of the Niger Delta remain very poor. This thesis addresses this issue by questioning the role that Shell plays in the Niger Delta. In order to do so, Shell is related to five common negative practices of multinational presence: not taking care of the environment, social conditions and labour rights as well as contributing to corruption and conflict. After explaining the wider system of neocolonialism that Nigerian people are subjected to, it is stated that Shell is an active player in this system. Shell is involved with all five practices and this phenomenon is explained by referring to dependency theory and world-system theory.Show less
South-South Development Cooperation (SSDC) has gained increasing attention since the turn of the century due to Southern development aid donors taking on a larger role than they used to have. These...Show moreSouth-South Development Cooperation (SSDC) has gained increasing attention since the turn of the century due to Southern development aid donors taking on a larger role than they used to have. These new donors use a different narrative to promote development cooperation compared to the hierarchical approach used by Northern countries. SSDC as promoted by Brazil emphasises a horizontal relationship between partners. In 2014 Brazil was considered by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development to be the 6th largest non-traditional supplier of aid that is similar to official development aid and Brazil’s contribution to SSDC goes beyond this, e.g. through the provision of bureaucrats and expertise on social programs. This thesis tries to fill the gap in research about the possible effects of SSDC on the dependency of developing nations. The research question guiding this thesis is: what effect has South-South Development Cooperation had on Brazil’s dependency on Northern countries?Show less
The thesis examines the successes and limitations of Evo Morales's alternative model of development called "Vivir Bien" and how the need for alternative development arose in the first place....Show moreThe thesis examines the successes and limitations of Evo Morales's alternative model of development called "Vivir Bien" and how the need for alternative development arose in the first place. Therefore, it expounds the country's trajectory towards dependence on the export of primary resources and the deteriorating effects that development models conceived in the global North and applied in the global South, particularly in Bolivia, had. Evo Morales assumed presidency in 2006 with the promise of overcoming the primary-resource-exports dependency and centering development around local needs, stressing indigenous knowledge and a communitarian lifestyle. His proposal is formulated in the so-called Plan Nacional de Desarrollo, which was issued in 2007. In order to overcome extractivism and raw materials exports, however, the Morales administration suggests to utilize the very extractivism to generate the capital needed to industrialize the extractive sectors and to later diversify the economy. However, the industrialization levels have not increased, and neither has the economy shown notable signs of diversification, on the contrary. As extractivism is a self-reinforcing activity, it does not weaken ties of dependency, does not improve the extracting country's position in the world economy or promote autonomy in the global capitalist system. Further on, extractivism under Morales has led to clashes with the population that Evo Morales supposedly caters to in particular - the indigenous and peasant communities. Therefore, extractivism is not suited to drive alternative development because it contradicts too strongly with a goal of development that takes into account local needs. In fact, it reinforces ties of dependency to the capitalist center and neglects the aspect of citizen participation in political processes.Show less
This thesis examines the incentive structures pertaining to palm oil conflicts in Sumatra and Kalimantan. The author has adopted a historical perspective in order to explain the development of the...Show moreThis thesis examines the incentive structures pertaining to palm oil conflicts in Sumatra and Kalimantan. The author has adopted a historical perspective in order to explain the development of the current ownership arrangements that are argued to foster land ownership disputes. Other themes include deepening issues involving increased resource scarcity, and negative externalities imposed by palm oil companies. Three case studies have been selected to support Abram et al.'s hypothesis that proximity to rain forests contributes to an increased likelihood in palm oil related conflicts.Show less
