A Story Of State Transformation In The Global South: Limited Statehood And Governance In Post-Syria Lebanon, 2024 American University in Cairo
A Story Of State Transformation In The Global South: Limited Statehood And Governance In Post-Syria Lebanon, Jodor Jalit
Theses and Dissertations
This research thesis analyzes security governance in areas of limited statehood in the context of state transformation. Specifically, it examines the impact of the 2005 Syrian military withdrawal on the Lebanese state in the realm of security. Briefly, the thesis unveils the coexistence of state and non-state groups and the engagement of non-state actors in state-like practices. That is, it assesses the impact of the 2005 Syrian military withdrawal on the Lebanese state to reveal the relationship its new configuration, relationship with non-state actors, and emerging governance practices. In that sense, this thesis pretends to contribute to the larger body …
Social Movements And Resistance: Extinction Rebellion Against Dominant Structures, 2024 American University in Cairo
Social Movements And Resistance: Extinction Rebellion Against Dominant Structures, Samira M. Eltiby
Theses and Dissertations
Public dissent is the outcome of governments inaction regarding issues that populations deem as necessary. Social movements are groups that emerge due to dissatisfaction with the status quo that is presented by the current neoliberal world order. The new social movement that is studied in this thesis seeks emancipation, freedom, environmental justice and action, and the dismantlement of neoliberal capitalism as a system of production. This thesis examines the relevance of Gramscian analysis to the study of new social movements, with a focus on Gramscian hegemony and leaderless movements. The thesis uses Extinction Rebellion (XR), a UK-based movement that adopts …
Normative Orientations To Housing Activism And The Uneven Path To Nonprofitization In New York City, 1964–1989, 2024 The Graduate Center, City University of New York
Normative Orientations To Housing Activism And The Uneven Path To Nonprofitization In New York City, 1964–1989, Andrew Wilkes
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
What are the distinct contributions of normative orientations (including theological and ideological ones) in the public policy process? While the literature on policy formation in the past three decades has embraced at least some idea that ideology matters, little has focused on whether the content of their specific normative orientations leads groups to contribute to, and engage in, a policy process differently. By examining Paul Sabatier’s advocacy coalition framework in conversation with Rev. Dr. Gayraud Wilmore’s tripartite, theoethical framework of liberation, elevation, and survival, this dissertation contends that the normative commitments of advocacy stakeholders within New York City’s tenant movement …
Cancer In Pajamas: Radio, Podcasts, And The Politics Of Free Time In The Digital Age, 2024 The Graduate Center, City University of New York
Cancer In Pajamas: Radio, Podcasts, And The Politics Of Free Time In The Digital Age, Daniel Grjonko
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
The podcast, an extremely potent fermentation of the radio which was so central to many of the Frankfurt School thinkers, is an important political subject to consider in light of rekindled social discussions concerning a society straddling the line between fascism and socialism. Especially the political podcast, which has become a pulse of intellectual discussion and historical analysis, promises itself simultaneously as a medium of entertainment, pedagogy, and translation into real-world organizing for a different world, true for both the left and the right. The truth, I propose, is a sinister other experience, one which maintains the status quo …
A Pearl Ravaged: The Paradox Of Haiti And Its Socioeconomic Origins, 2024 The Graduate Center, City University of New York
A Pearl Ravaged: The Paradox Of Haiti And Its Socioeconomic Origins, Isabel Ishibe Exel
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Saint-Domingue was once the most profitable colony of the Caribbean, the so-called pearl of the Antilles. Nowadays, Haiti is known for being the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, a dramatic shift that raises the question of the factors contributing to Haiti's current state, marked by persistent violence, natural disasters, and political instability. Various discourses have framed Haiti as a country doomed for failure. However, relying on binary concepts such as success and failure is counterproductive to a refined analysis. How, then, should we structure this conversation? My ultimate goal for this work is to provide a nuanced analysis of …
What Does One Billion Dollars Look Like?: Visualizing Extreme Wealth, 2024 The Graduate Center, City University of New York
What Does One Billion Dollars Look Like?: Visualizing Extreme Wealth, William Mahoney Luckman
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
The word “billion” is a mathematical abstraction related to “big,” but it is difficult to understand the vast difference in value between one million and one billion; even harder to understand the vast difference in purchasing power between one billion dollars, and the average U.S. yearly income. Perhaps most difficult to conceive of is what that purchasing power and huge mass of capital translates to in terms of power. This project blends design, text, facts, and figures into an interactive narrative website that helps the user better understand their position in relation to extreme wealth: https://whatdoesonebilliondollarslooklike.website/
The site incorporates …
The Roaring Lion Of Berlin: The Life, Thought, And Influence Of Eugen Dühring, 2024 University of Missouri, St. Louis
The Roaring Lion Of Berlin: The Life, Thought, And Influence Of Eugen Dühring, Arden Roy
Undergraduate Research Symposium
The life and influence of 19th-century German polymath Eugen Dühring remain but a mere footnote in the history of ideas, being primarily relegated to the status of little more than a theoretical rival to Marxism in the German socialist movement and the occasional object of Freidrich Nietzsche's rhetorical flogging. Despite the current consensus on the subject, Eugen Dühring was a scholar of vast, remarkable learnedness, contributing greatly to philosophy, economics, and the natural sciences. The aim of this talk will be to clear the fog surrounding the life and work of the controversial blind scholar and give an account of …
The Role Of Mayors In Achieving Brunei Darussalam’S Wawasan 2035, Lessons From China, 2024 Fudan University & Universidad del Desarrollo
The Role Of Mayors In Achieving Brunei Darussalam’S Wawasan 2035, Lessons From China, Brice Tseen Fu Lee, Ayidana Asihaer, Juan Pablo Sims
Journal of Strategic and Global Studies
Brunei Darussalam's national vision, WAWASAN 2035, sets forth ambitious goals for the nation's development, emphasizing a centralized governance paradigm. However, the potential of decentralized governance, as exemplified by China's mayor-led districts, offers a compelling model for achieving national aspirations. This research explores the feasibility and potential benefits of introducing mayors in Brunei's districts, drawing insights from China's successful decentralized governance structure. By fostering inter-district competition and allowing for localized policy tailoring, Brunei can enhance its adaptability and responsiveness to local nuances. Drawing from China's experiences, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of how Brunei might optimize its governance structure to …
Advocacy Coalitions And Canadian Energy Policy Decision: Navigating Four Pipeline Projects, 2024 University of Windsor
Advocacy Coalitions And Canadian Energy Policy Decision: Navigating Four Pipeline Projects, Md Jannatul Ferdous Nayeem
Major Papers
The conflicting goals of sustaining the Canadian economy through energy and prioritizing climate action lead to diverse interest groups with varying views on policies advocating their positions to government. Despite energy's economic importance, climate change remains central for the Liberal government under Justin Trudeau. The management of pipeline proposals such as Transmountain, Northern Gateway, Energy East, Keystone Xl under this government showcased its balancing act between economic interests and environmental commitments. Applying the Advocacy Coalition Framework, this paper examines how governments and regulatory authorities modify the process for accepting or rejecting pipeline proposals, the evolution of interest groups in shaping …
Decentralizing The Nigerian Police Force: A Plausible Approach To Hinterland Securities, 2024 Department of Public Administration Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State - Nigeria
Decentralizing The Nigerian Police Force: A Plausible Approach To Hinterland Securities, Amobi P. Chiamogu, Uchechukwu P. Chiamogu
Journal of African Conflicts and Peace Studies
The structure of the Nigerian police has overtime depicted a centralized composition that negate principles of power sharing in a federal system of government. The complexities and diverse nature of policing in Nigeria remains the bane to effective and virile administration and management of the organization. The office of the Commissioner of Police vis-à-vis those of State Governors spell contradictions in power configuration from both the Constitution and the Police Act. The enactment of vigilante services and neighbourhood watches by state governments are indicative of a failing security system especially at the component units of the Nigerian federation. The hinterlands …
A Political Theory Of Engineered Systems And A Study Of Engineering And Justice Workshops, 2024 Dartmouth College
A Political Theory Of Engineered Systems And A Study Of Engineering And Justice Workshops, Dominic David Carrese
Dartmouth College Master’s Theses
Since there are good reasons to think that some engineered systems are socially undesirable—for example, internal combustion engines that cause climate change, algorithms that are racist, and nuclear weapons that can destroy all life—there is a well-established literature that attempts to identify best practices for designing and regulating engineered systems in order to prevent harm and promote justice. Most of this literature, especially the design theory and engineering justice literature meant to help guide engineers, focuses on environmental, physical, social, and mental harms such as ecosystem and bodily poisoning, racial and gender discrimination, and urban alienation. However, the literature that …
The Trilateral Challenge: The Impact Of Russian And Chinese Nuclear Threats On U.S. Strategy, 2024 Claremont Colleges
The Trilateral Challenge: The Impact Of Russian And Chinese Nuclear Threats On U.S. Strategy, Catherine Murphy
CMC Senior Theses
The article explores the United States’ nuclear deterrence strategy in the context of rising nuclear threats from Russia and China. The U.S. arsenal has 1,770 deployed warheads across intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and bombers. A posture set by the presidential administration continues to reject a No First Use policy, focusing on modernization and renewed arms control with Russia and China. Russia, with 1,674 deployed warheads, suspended the New START Treaty following its invasion of Ukraine. China’s secretive nuclear program estimates 500 warheads, projecting growth and emphasizing its ICBM stockpile. The China-Russia partnership poses a significant risk …
Strategic Narrative And Global Public Opinion On The Russia-Ukraine Conflict, 2024 Claremont McKenna College
Strategic Narrative And Global Public Opinion On The Russia-Ukraine Conflict, Jason Rhett
CMC Senior Theses
Through analyzing the cases of public opinion in Russia and South Africa, this thesis explores the nature of strategic narratives and the effects that they have on public opinion. Using the Russia-Ukraine conflict as a case study, it is conclusive that while strategic narratives are important and impactful, they are not the only factor that shape domestic and international public opinion. In Russia, while narrative has swayed a large portion of the population, there are those who’s stances can be attributed to the pressure to conform to the Russian nationalist majority. In South Africa, the country’s leadership has taken a …
Theorising Political Legitimisation: From Stasis To Processes, 2024 Technological University Dublin, Ireland
Theorising Political Legitimisation: From Stasis To Processes, Paddy Dolan, Stephen Vertigans, John Connolly
Articles
Legitimacy remains a key concept in political sociology, and perhaps even more so in lay understandings of political processes and structures, as evidenced by conflict over territories and regimes around the world. However, the concept suffers from a rather static representation, and even when addressed in processual form, in terms of specific moments in the process, such as conditions favouring legitimacy or its effects. Building from an Eliasian perspective, we argue for a more processual concept of legitimisation to encompass the dynamic social networks (figurations) that constitute the more unintentional context for deliberate legitimation claims. As networks expand and intensify, …
Displaced Worker Angst And Far Right Populism, 2024 University of Louisville
Displaced Worker Angst And Far Right Populism, Thomas E. Lambert
Faculty Scholarship
Background
Nothing causes more anguish and frustration than downward social mobility such as that experienced by less-educated workers and especially by displaced workers. Those who lose economic status lose more than income because they become so socially isolated that they are further frustrated through loneliness (Case and Deaton 2020). Hanna Arendt points out that lonely men are susceptible to authoritarian influence (1973, p. 475).
There is yet another aspect to the downward social mobility of low skilled men, namely that they are losing ground not only relative to social norms but also relative to the wages of low-skilled women. In …
India's Security Threats From Chinese Military Funding And Economic Development In South Asia, 2023 Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages - Information Technology
India's Security Threats From Chinese Military Funding And Economic Development In South Asia, Tran My Hai Loc
Global: Jurnal Politik Internasional
Since gaining independence in 1947, India's population, expansive land size, robust economic position, and historical and cultural ties have enabled it to dominate South Asian neighbours with comparatively less developed economies and weaker military strength. Since Narendra Modi assumed office as the Prime Minister of India in 2014, the “Neighbourhood First” policy was coined to enhance India's influence in South Asia, creating a favourable environment for its ascent as a global power. However, China's increasing military presence and influence in South Asia through financial and military support to neighbouring countries have disrupted the region's security architecture. This article uses qualitative …
Brand Activism And Democratic Legitimacy: Exploring Pitfalls Through A Habermasian Analysis, 2023 Leuven
Brand Activism And Democratic Legitimacy: Exploring Pitfalls Through A Habermasian Analysis, Roxan Degeyter
Emancipations: A Journal of Critical Social Analysis
Brand activism has emerged as a prominent practice among corporations, as they publicly take a stand on contentious socio-political issues such as gender inequality, climate change, or discrimination, often through advertising. While extensive research has been conducted on the impact of brand activism as a marketing tool, examining its effects on sales, brand image, consumer attitudes, and authenticity, only a limited number of studies have studied its influence on public debate and processes of democratic legitimation. The latter have portrayed brand activism as an empowering force for the supported social movements, the public sphere, and democratic legitimacy, largely ignoring the …
A General Model Of Good Executive Leadership In Policy Contexts, 2023 University of Richmond
A General Model Of Good Executive Leadership In Policy Contexts, Thad Williamson
Interdisciplinary Journal of Leadership Studies
This commentary stipulates a general model of policy leadership, encompassing decision-making, implementation, and evaluation. The model stresses attaining clarity about the nature of the issue being addressed, the values at stake, and the possible outcomes of alternative courses of action. While focused on the context of elected executives in municipal government, the stipulated model has broader applicability to other contexts. The article contends that following the model may both improve the effectiveness of political leaders and help build consensus (or compromise) among distinct political actors.
France In The Middle East: A Democratic Justification For Military Interventions In Iraq And Beyond., 2023 London School of Economics & Fudan University
France In The Middle East: A Democratic Justification For Military Interventions In Iraq And Beyond., Nicolas Demeure, Brice Tseen Fu Lee
Journal Of Middle East and Islamic Studies
How did France’s refusal to take part in the war on Iraq in 2003 has created the conditions that legitimizes its future military interventions abroad? In this paper, a discourse analysis of the official French Foreign Policy Discourse is done to show why saying no to war in 2003 paradoxically allows France to carry out military interventions in 2015. This paper argues that France, while perpetrating an existing discourse of democracy opposing the civilized against the uncivilized that legitimates Foreign policy as a security tool, by its refusal, transformed military intervention a latent policy andlegitimized the French Self as …
Saudi Arabian Foreign Policy And Hedging: Playing Its Cards Right, 2023 University of Windsor
Saudi Arabian Foreign Policy And Hedging: Playing Its Cards Right, Jaclyn Alexandra Kouleas
Major Papers
This paper illustrates Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy through the lens of hedging theory. Under the neoclassical realism umbrella, hedging is a foreign policy strategy that middle power states use to accommodate for future risks of a declining hegemonic global power. Saudi Arabia endorses strategic hedging in its external relations to accommodate both the United States and China, reaping the benefits of both relationships. This paper addresses the following two questions: 1) What is Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy through the lens of strategic hedging theory? And 2) How will strategic hedging help Saudi Arabia prepare for a multipolar world? How countries …