This study focuses on the effects of ostracism on party discourse. By examining whether the rhetoric of radical right parties about ‘others’ (i.e., referring to democracy, its institutions and...Show moreThis study focuses on the effects of ostracism on party discourse. By examining whether the rhetoric of radical right parties about ‘others’ (i.e., referring to democracy, its institutions and political parties) has changed after an experience of exclusion, this study aims to determine whether the discourse tends to radicalise or moderate. A qualitative content analysis of 1,000 tweets from two excluded radical right parties in the Netherlands - the PVV (Party for Freedom) and FVD (Forum for Democracy) - and their front men in different periods has shown that their discourse became more radical after their exclusion from coalition negotiations. In addition, the results indicate that the measured effects are more pronounced with the first exclusion than with a subsequent exclusion.Show less
This thesis is about power relations behind the development of historically themed videogames set in the Global South. The thesis has taken into account games released in the Western World as well...Show moreThis thesis is about power relations behind the development of historically themed videogames set in the Global South. The thesis has taken into account games released in the Western World as well as in the Global South between 2000 and 2020. The main argument is that historically themed videogames set and developed in the Global South do not have the power to add to, differ from or change the representations made about their countries in the Western World.Show less
Several studies have shown that media play a huge role in constructing national identities. These studies are often carried out in the context of ‘othering’, since a collective dissociation of ‘the...Show moreSeveral studies have shown that media play a huge role in constructing national identities. These studies are often carried out in the context of ‘othering’, since a collective dissociation of ‘the other’ in many cases strengthens the feeling of nationalism. Studies on how African media play a role in the formation of national identities are scarce, however. A regularly used example of ‘the other’ is the refugee and one of the largest refugee-hosting countries world-wide is Uganda. This thesis therefore studies how the New Vision, one of the biggest Ugandan newspapers, covers news on refugees and how the New Vision then contributes to the construction of a national identity in Uganda. Three methods were used: a participatory research in the form of an internship, a discourse analysis of text and finally a discourse analysis of pictures. The results show that the New Vision focuses on the idea that the government does everything in its power to help refugees and portrays ‘the Ugandan’ as very welcoming towards refugees.Show less
The agon is the democratic political arena in which all social groups are meant to participate in. Historically, however, certain social groups have been systematically denied this access to the...Show moreThe agon is the democratic political arena in which all social groups are meant to participate in. Historically, however, certain social groups have been systematically denied this access to the agon. Using Chantal Mouffe's theory of agonism and antaongism I will explore a new term, anti-agonism, to demonstrate how certain groups violently deny other groups this access. The two key periods involved are political protests surrounding Selma (1965) as well as key protests surrounding Ferguson (2014). Anti-agonism is always based on the othering and dehumanization of others, in this case it is othering of African Americans by White Americans, specifically police and state officials. This framing of African Americans as the Other allows for anti-agonism to thrive. This paper aims to reframe the conflict, illustrating that the problem is not whether disenfranchised social groups attempt to access the agon peacefully or through violence, but the response to that is problematic. While disenfranchised groups are othered, it remains difficult for them to partake in the political arena.Show less
¬This paper examines political discourse in the scope of states’ responses to the global refugee situation around 2015 where the “inhumane treatment of people has become socially acceptable”. It...Show more¬This paper examines political discourse in the scope of states’ responses to the global refugee situation around 2015 where the “inhumane treatment of people has become socially acceptable”. It examines both the blatant and covert ways in which discourse and rhetoric have been used by politicians as tools for maintaining power and order (particularly in the securitization of refugee issues) in the modern era. Through two speeches by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, the Australian context is utilized as a case study to challenge this dominant narrative which reinforces the historically inequitable relationship between the Global North and South. This critical discourse analysis examines commonly drawn upon themes in postcolonial literature of “othering” that is being attributed to refugee persons. This intersectional study utilizes the framework of [what the author has deemed] the three C’s of colonialism, including: Conquest, Civilization, and Christianity. This paper aims to expose the significance of soft power notions in International Relations such as discourse and rhetoric.Show less
Turkey has applied to be member of the European Community already in 1987. Up to this day however, it has not joined and the negotiations have come to a halt. The debate about whether Turkey should...Show moreTurkey has applied to be member of the European Community already in 1987. Up to this day however, it has not joined and the negotiations have come to a halt. The debate about whether Turkey should join the European Union and whether it is compatible with its community has been highly politicised over the last years. The discussion usually revolves around whether Turkey is Eu- ropean enough to be a part of the Union, whether it fulfils all the fundamental criteria to join on an economic, political and social level as well as whether Turkey’s membership would bring about a form of cultural clash. The discourse around the topic and the language employed by policy makers has so far not been as well researched. This paper therefore explores the following research questi- on: “What is the role of an ‘othering’ discourse in the Turkey EU membership negotiations?”. It explores the theoretical framework of Othering and how it connects to the concept of Orientalism. Building on how Europe historically defines itself against an Other, both sides will be analysed on their language. Using methods of critical discourse analysis, the language of Turkish and EU insti- tutional policy makers is examined. Based on this research, tentative conclusions are drawn about the underlying meaning of speeches and remarks and how they fit into the framework of Othering.Show less
American superhero films have become a more popular genre in the film industry after September 11. The narrative structure has largely been the same since the start of comic books in the 1930’s;...Show moreAmerican superhero films have become a more popular genre in the film industry after September 11. The narrative structure has largely been the same since the start of comic books in the 1930’s; there is a bad guy who causes trouble, countered by a hero to save the day. The film industries basing themselves on comics serves entertainment purposes, but can they also be seen as something more politically relevant? American foreign policies have focused on the ‘war on terror’ after the September 11 terrorist attacks and an ‘us’ versus ‘them’ rhetoric has been more present ever since. The ‘axis of evil’ speeches of former president Bush jr. have been televised globally, and this mantra of ‘outsiders are enemies’ is continuously echoed in the current “from now on it will be America first” tactics of president Trump (and many more politicians worldwide). A binary division is not new in the history of mankind, especially when one examines the colonialism and imperialism of the West of past centuries. Its aftermath still has dire consequences for minorities, and it is relevant to examine whether popular culture reflects and comments on this. This thesis will analyse whether and to what extent certain policy trends and historical events are mimicked or reprimanded in the characters and narratives of box office hits of the Marvel and DC superhero films. This thesis will discuss the narratives of superhero films and their portrayal of characters with a relationship parallel to some of the American (foreign) policies of the past decades. It is important to consider to what extent government propaganda is reflected in this form of popular culture that both have a global reach and possibly extensive effects. In short, to what extent do the films reflect the fear of the ‘other’ and portray the gap between ‘us’ (heroes) and ‘the other’ (villains), and can we elucidate a tangible change in the these processes in the 2001-now timeframe?Show less
This thesis investigates various ways the other versus national self -setting is constructed in three Russian blockbuster movies: Flight Crew (2016), Viy (2014) and Legend no. 17 (2013). The...Show moreThis thesis investigates various ways the other versus national self -setting is constructed in three Russian blockbuster movies: Flight Crew (2016), Viy (2014) and Legend no. 17 (2013). The theoretical framework of othering will be employed as a device to analyze the movies. It is suggested that the varying others in various contexts of these movies each cause different aspects of Russian national identity to resurface and be emphasized. As especially mass-produced blockbuster movies are the major form of entertainment for a significantly wide audience, it is argued that they can provide valuable insight into how post-Russian national identity is being negotiated in Russia.Show less
European states have increasingly come to make use of surveillance technologies to control people’s mobility at –and beyond- the external EU borders. The use of surveillance technologies and...Show moreEuropean states have increasingly come to make use of surveillance technologies to control people’s mobility at –and beyond- the external EU borders. The use of surveillance technologies and techniques at state borders, however, does not stop at the geographical borderlines of a territory: the state’s focus has shifted from an emphasis on border control to a more general focus on the control or management of people’s mobility. Not all people, however, are faced with the same level of surveillance. All those regarded as (potential) deviants and/or as ‘not-belonging’, are being treated as an ‘Other’; and consequently, are subjected to intensified surveillance (Walby 2005: 184). In this thesis, I have investigated if and how these various intensity-levels of state surveillance affect people’s right to freedom of movement. In doing so, I have tried to find (an) answer(s) to the following question: How does the use of surveillance technologies at the border, as conducted by the EU, influence people’s degree of mobility?Show less
This thesis examines the cinematic cyborg as a figure which embodies technophobic fears expressed in film. By exploring the cyborg's representation, I will show how its portrayal in film expresses...Show moreThis thesis examines the cinematic cyborg as a figure which embodies technophobic fears expressed in film. By exploring the cyborg's representation, I will show how its portrayal in film expresses these technophobic fears, which are, as I will show, interwoven with xenophobia. The cyborg is viewed here as a figure in which technophobia and xenophobia collide. I will examine the so-called preferred meaning expressed in my case studies, which are eight films featuring a cyborg protagonist released in a period of three decades. Moreover, I will compare these messages to see if and how the expressions of technophobia differ and whether they change over time.Show less
Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
open access
Within the field of critical museology, western museums are considered to be the social institutions which demonstrate the politics of domination, especially through presenting non-western cultures...Show moreWithin the field of critical museology, western museums are considered to be the social institutions which demonstrate the politics of domination, especially through presenting non-western cultures, and they also generate social inclusion, exclusion and different identifications based on the concept of race or class (Bulter 2000, Fujitani 1997, Sachedina 2011 and Strong 1997). This research on the special exhibition: Longing for Mecca: The pilgrim’s journey will focus on how social inclusion of Islamic communities in Dutch society is made by the exhibition in Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde. The concept of social inclusion implies at least three things in the case: displaying the underrepresented (Dutch Muslim communities) in the national system of representation (Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde), collaborating with local communities, and being more accessible for those communities. This research is based on the three implications of social inclusion of Longing for Mecca exhibition to demonstrate how social inclusion has been imagined and generated by museum staff, and to point out advantages and conflicts that the implications contain. Furthermore, I will also explain how these implications intertwine with visitor experiences that broaden the meaning of visiting Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde.Show less
