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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Climate Torts And Ecocide In The Context Of Proposals For An International Environmental Court, Patrick Foster Jan 2011

Climate Torts And Ecocide In The Context Of Proposals For An International Environmental Court, Patrick Foster

Dissertations and Theses

"This thesis is an exploration of two questions that are neither novel nor lacking in exploration: Is an International Environmental Court (IEC) needed? Is such a court feasible? Proposals for an IEC have a rich history, are well founded and numerous. On the issue of necessity, this thesis attempts to pull together historical and current information on two distinct areas of international environmental law and use these analyses to contextualize the need for an international environmental tribunal. Arguments for and against an IEC are presented within a discussion of environmental diplomacy. This thesis begins with a legal discussion of potential …


Failure To Adapt; Intelligence Failure And Military Failure As Functions Of Strategic Failure?, David Firester Jan 2011

Failure To Adapt; Intelligence Failure And Military Failure As Functions Of Strategic Failure?, David Firester

Dissertations and Theses

The following paper looks at intelligence failures and military failures through the lens of adaptation failure. This paper asserts that there is reason to believe that certain causal elements of alleged intelligence failures reside more so in the province of politics, than in the collection and analysis domain of intelligence tradecraft. This is not to say that failures are exclusively of a political nature, but that looking at politics and the relationship of policymakers to the Intelligence Community yields a preponderance of causal evidence. Secondly, it is suggested that a parallel set of underlying assumptions evident in adaptation failure theory …


The Legal And Political Foundations Of Kosovo's Independence, Mensur Deva Jan 2011

The Legal And Political Foundations Of Kosovo's Independence, Mensur Deva

Dissertations and Theses

The case of Kosovo's independence raised concern regarding setting a precedence for other pro self-determination movements in the world. The critical question is if the Kosovo case actually sets a precedent for these movements or if it is a unique case due to its sui generis situation. This paper is an attempt to analyze the legality and the legitimate right of Kosovo to become an independent state. The study examines the phenomenon of the creation of new states in the world, looking at historical events such as decolonization and the dissolution of communist countries in Eastern Europe. In addition, I …


The Implementation Of The Rights Of The Child; Transcending The Traditional Practice Of Child Marriage In Niger, Yemen, And Thailand, Evette Rivera Jan 2011

The Implementation Of The Rights Of The Child; Transcending The Traditional Practice Of Child Marriage In Niger, Yemen, And Thailand, Evette Rivera

Dissertations and Theses

"Child marriage is a harmful traditional practice that affects approximately 60 million children around the globe. This thesis examines the different laws that protect children from this practice and analyzes its implementation in countries where traditional practices violate children’s rights. International provisions, such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child, charges state parties with the responsibility to protect their children. Each state has the capacity to transcend traditional practices and implement local laws that protect their children. This thesis claims that mobilization of advocacy groups is vital in promoting the well-being of children even when the norms established …


The Modern Day Gold Rush ; Private Military Corporations, Deirdre Kornhiser Jan 2011

The Modern Day Gold Rush ; Private Military Corporations, Deirdre Kornhiser

Dissertations and Theses

Since wars have existed, there have been soldiers for hire. As the state evolved, originating during the peace of Westphalia, and matured, the definition and the business of mercenarism have gone through many mutations. Today, and particularly since the 1970s, mercenaries have banded together, incorporating themselves as private military firms, some of which are units of multinational corporations. Private Military Corporations (PMCs) offer expertise ranging from construction to logistics but a number of contractors have been accused of human rights violations, particularly in the current theatres of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The theme of this thesis is that PMCs …


Never Again; Working Toward An Effective Early Warning System For Genocide Prevention, Alyssa Lopez Jan 2011

Never Again; Working Toward An Effective Early Warning System For Genocide Prevention, Alyssa Lopez

Dissertations and Theses

“Never again” expressed the commitment made by allied forces for the prevention of genocide. In the 59 years since the adoption of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, it has evolved into an erga omnes obligation and a jus cogen (preemptory) norm. Genocide prevention, however, remains a highly controversial issue as it draws from the concept of universality central to human rights discourse at the same time as it changes dominant conceptualizations of state sovereignty. This thesis assesses the effectiveness of existing practices, norms and risk assessment/ genocide early warning systems in reducing the …


Private Sector Engagement For Poverty Reduction;The Experience Of Undp And Lessons For G-20, Fareeda Ehthesham Jan 2011

Private Sector Engagement For Poverty Reduction;The Experience Of Undp And Lessons For G-20, Fareeda Ehthesham

Dissertations and Theses

"The Group of Twenty countries has recently adopted its first development plan called the “Seoul Development Consensus for Shared Growth” with an unprecedented focus on inclusive development and increased participation from the private sector. The statement from the heads of state of the G-20 group calls for ""financial inclusion"", ""private investment and job creation"" and trade, among other required steps toward economic development and achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The traditional approach to development has been through development assistance and aid flowing from developed to developing nations. This approach has had some successes, but with the large numbers of people …


Marxist Insurgencies And Indigenous Rights; The Cases Of Guatemala And Peru, Cocco Valentina Jan 2011

Marxist Insurgencies And Indigenous Rights; The Cases Of Guatemala And Peru, Cocco Valentina

Dissertations and Theses

"The main purpose of this research is to understand the nature of the relationship between leftist armed guerrillas and indigenous rights in the Latin American region. I argue that the ethnic component and indigenous mobilization have greatly determined the political and social achievements of Marxist insurgencies active in many countries of the sub-continent during the second half of the twentieth century. In order to test my hypothesis, I devote particular attention to the historical exposition and critical analysis of both the ethnic problem and Marxism, in its European, Russian, Chinese, and Latin American versions. Subsequently, I focus on the case …


Haitian Diaspora Impact On Haitian Socio-Political And Economic Development, Sharleen Rigueur Jan 2011

Haitian Diaspora Impact On Haitian Socio-Political And Economic Development, Sharleen Rigueur

Dissertations and Theses

"There is a new perspective developing within the international community on Diasporas and their potential to assist in the development process of their country of origin. The discussion began from the realization that transnational flows of remittances from sending countries (core) to receiving countries (periphery) increasingly surpass donor contributions to developing countries. The argument further discusses different socio-economic strategies to use when diasporic communities residing in developed countries (core) are assisting their homeland (periphery). This paper will look at the Haitian Diaspora in the United States and its active transnational link to Haiti. Since the days of post-Duvalierism, the Haitian …


The West Africa-Latin America Drug Trafficking Epidemic; An Institutional Analysis, Madi Ceesay Jan 2011

The West Africa-Latin America Drug Trafficking Epidemic; An Institutional Analysis, Madi Ceesay

Dissertations and Theses

"West Africa, like any other region in the world, has had to swallow its fair share of modern-day political, economic and social dilemmas. One phenomenon that has had huge negative implications on the political, economic and social spheres of almost every country on the face of the earth is the production, trafficking, marketing and consumption of illicit drugs. The countries in West Africa have not been spared of the negative consequences of illicit drugs. While some countries have an illicit drug production problem, others have a consumption problem. The countries in West Africa have an illicit drug trafficking problem. The …


The Difficult Relationship Between Haiti And The Dominican Republic, Wilfred Morfa Jan 2011

The Difficult Relationship Between Haiti And The Dominican Republic, Wilfred Morfa

Dissertations and Theses

No abstract provided.


Extra-Sovereign Institutions; The Ties That Bind, Daniel Spitaliere Jan 2011

Extra-Sovereign Institutions; The Ties That Bind, Daniel Spitaliere

Dissertations and Theses

"Governance, globalization, and regionalism are all statements regarding the nature of integration in the current international relations system, but they do not readily explain what brings nation-states together in the first place. At first glance, regional institutions seem to be established on a basis of proximity, suggesting a spatial model of regional integration. However, a deeper investigation of the motivations and factors that lead to the creation of these institutions show this is not the case. In considering regional integration movements, this study establishes three core principles. First, that the creation of a successful extra-sovereign institution is dependent on specific …


The Impact Of Domestic Politics On Foreign Policy Decision-Making In Turkish-American Relations, Sevda Ceren Ozgur Jan 2011

The Impact Of Domestic Politics On Foreign Policy Decision-Making In Turkish-American Relations, Sevda Ceren Ozgur

Dissertations and Theses

"This study is an analysis of the impact of public opinion on the foreign policy decisionmaking process in Turkish-American relations. The aim of the study is to understand the construction and the mobilization of public opinion, and its the impact on the decisionmakers. Turkey and the United States have a long history of friendship dating back to the late 18th century. Public opinion has had a substantial influence on Turkish-American relations. There are various actors, such as lobby groups and the media, involved in the construction and the mobilization of public opinion in both countries. Understanding how they work and …


Usa Vs China; Energy Security Politics Challenges Of Peak-Oil And Climate Change, Tania Hoppe Jan 2011

Usa Vs China; Energy Security Politics Challenges Of Peak-Oil And Climate Change, Tania Hoppe

Dissertations and Theses

"Energy is a critical basis for state survival. This thesis aims at examining the different energy-security strategies of the USA and China and the political means necessary to implement clean-energy development beyond marginal results. The success of China’s lead in its devotion to clean-energy production raises the question of what infrastructural and political challenges the US must overcome to further develop its clean energy industry. While China focuses on its competitive edge in the global energy market, can its domestic energy goals offset population density and addiction to coal? Despite economic competitiveness that comes with market globalization, society’s only means …


Mikhail Gorbachev And His Role In The Peaceful Solution Of The Cold War, Natalia Zemtsova Jan 2011

Mikhail Gorbachev And His Role In The Peaceful Solution Of The Cold War, Natalia Zemtsova

Dissertations and Theses

"The role of a political leader has always been important for understanding both domestic and world politics. The most significant historical events are usually associated in our minds with the images of the people who were directly involved and who were in charge of the most crucial decisions at that particular moment in time. Thus, analyzing the American Civil War, we always mention the great role and the achievements of Abraham Lincoln as the president of the United States. We cannot forget about the actions of such charismatic leaders as Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, Winston Churchill, and Franklin D. Roosevelt …


The United Nations Security Council A Review Of The Security Council And Their Ability To Uphold The Charter, Kristin Parker Jan 2011

The United Nations Security Council A Review Of The Security Council And Their Ability To Uphold The Charter, Kristin Parker

Dissertations and Theses

Under the United Nations Charter the Security Council was mandated to ensure the maintenance of international peace and security. Within the Security Council, the five permanent members, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russian Federation and China have special veto powers that have enabled them to greatly impact the international crisis across the globe. During the Cold War, the United States and then Soviet Union exercised the veto to enforce their political and ideological will rather than to uphold the UN Charter. Several events such as the Korean War, the Suez Canal Crisis and the fight for Namibian independence …


Cooperation Or Conflict In The Arctic? Unclos And The Barents And Beaufort Sea Disputes, Dovile Petkunaite Jan 2011

Cooperation Or Conflict In The Arctic? Unclos And The Barents And Beaufort Sea Disputes, Dovile Petkunaite

Dissertations and Theses

The predicted prosperity of the Arctic has propelled countries to compete over territory and natural resources lying beneath the water. There is no doubt that a huge amount of potential natural resources in the disputed areas can cause significant tensions between the countries. Therefore, this paper aims to assess the cooperation and conflict dilemma in the Arctic. I examine the Barents Sea dispute and the Beaufort Sea dispute as case studies to demonstrate the potential for cooperation in the Arctic. I claim that the settlement of the Barents Sea dispute between Norway and Russia gives important lessons on how to …


State And Nation-Building, Stabilization, And Development In Afghanistan, Maedeh Asadzadeh Barzi Jan 2011

State And Nation-Building, Stabilization, And Development In Afghanistan, Maedeh Asadzadeh Barzi

Dissertations and Theses

"Afghanistan is emerging from more than two decades of conflict, capped by a severe nationwide drought in 1999-2001, and faces a complex, interrelated set of political, administrative, economic, and social challenge. The objective of this study was to analyze Afghanistan's human development based on specific criteria such as economic inequality and poverty, corruption, public health and most specifically children and women's health. This thesis identifies Afghanistan's challenges and impediments to development and state-building in the past nine years. I further argue that Afghanistan was successful in economic and public health matters due to the institutions that were built at the …


Sexual Gender-Based Violence In The Democratic Republic Of Congo, James Aldworth Jan 2011

Sexual Gender-Based Violence In The Democratic Republic Of Congo, James Aldworth

Dissertations and Theses

"This thesis explores the issue of Sexual Gender-Based Violence in the Democratic of Congo, focusing specifically on the Eastern region of the country. An analysis of the United Nations peacekeeping operation forms a large part the study because the operation remains the most significant multilateral attempt to protect Congolese civilians from sexual violence and other human rights abuses. The objective of the thesis is to highlight the issue of Sexual Gender-Based Violence, describe the background to the continued violence in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and offer an explanation of the causal factors behind the sexual crimes …


Neofunctionalism Vs Liberal Intergovernmentalism; The Creation Of The European Stability Mechanism And The Limits Of Political Theory, Holger Scheidt Jan 2011

Neofunctionalism Vs Liberal Intergovernmentalism; The Creation Of The European Stability Mechanism And The Limits Of Political Theory, Holger Scheidt

Dissertations and Theses

"The aim of this study is to determine the expanatory and predictive value of the two predominant schools of thought on state integration, namely neofunctionalism and liberal intergovernmentalism, of supranationalist or state-centric theory, with respect to the creation of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and the ""Pact for the Euro"" on March 25, 2011 in Brussels. After a 14-month long period of great controversy among the supranational agentsof the European Commission and the representatives of member states of the Economic and Monatery Union (EMU) during 2010, the European Council established a permanent mechanism, which is supposed to grant the stability …