Political Theory Commons^™

Escaping On Uncertain Tides To Uncertain Jurisdictions: Explaining Root Causes Of A Persistent Trend Across The Mediterranean, Thomas Brown

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

Thousands have died in their quest to cross the Mediterranean to some countries in mainland Europe. These voyages have been attributed to many believable reasons: escaping violence or economic hardship according to reports by transnational non-governmental organizations and intergovernmental organizations. Can we attribute these voyages, wholly, to economic factors and conflicts? What is the root cause of these travels that defy rationality? I argue in this paper that accounts by migrants is just like showing us a storey building standing at its basement. And that the root cause of escaping on uncertain tides to uncertain jurisdictions is fundamentally the politics …

Girl Child Education For Inclusive Sustainable Development, Mollin Mandaza

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The socio-economic marginalization of females derived from gender disparities, lack of access and quality education leads to subsequent youth unemployment, working poverty, poor standards of living, diminished career choices, unequal salaries and economic exclusion. It is therefore imperative for leaders and governments to invest in girl-child education for Africa's development by castigating gender-based violence, sexual discrimination, gender stereotypes and obliterating early-child marriage. The blatant repudiation of girl's fundamental rights to access equal and quality education is the indictment of a continent that has failed young women and their broader continuous struggle for emancipation, equality and power. This paper lays out …

Hydropower Development And Regional Integration In The Greater Horn Of Africa, Temesgen Aschenek Zeleke

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

Inadequate and poor regional infrastructure networks posed an impact for escalation of insecurity and political instability in the greater horn of Africa. To deal with such problems, filling resource gaps through sharing resources in the way that maximizes mutual benefit is the major approach to be implemented. In this respect, fostering interdependence through infrastructural development of power interconnections is a best mechanism for energy led integration in the region. The purpose of this article is to analyze the major roles that Ethiopian hydropower development is playing in regional integration schemes. To this end, qualitative research methodology is employed to investigate …

Employability Education: The Nexus Between Education And Market Needs, Elmohanad Elsayad

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

This paper aims to focus on the literature of employability skills education. The research done investigates the compelling reasons behind the need for employability skills education as a means to achieving economic development. First, the research shows us evidence that there is a gap between education and market needs. It uncovers how the phenomenon of a massive increase in enrollment rates did not actually achieve the desired outcomes in terms of economic development. Following this, the research shows us that the need for anew strategy to connect studying with reality has become pressing. Next, the research further digs into the …

Policy Implications Of The Disruptive Impact Of China's Slowdown On Commodity Trade With The Developing World, Peaceful Mathebula

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The economic relations between China and developing mineral-rich countries have primarily been on the bases of the mineral resources of these developing countries. Hence, China's rapid economic growth ofrecent had positive disruptive impacts on these developing States. Conversely, China's economic recline more recently has had adverse, disruptive effects on these developing States. Based on the findings of the spillover effects of this decline in SA's mineral export value to China, this paper aims to instigate the policy-makers of these developing States (including SA) to see the need for their current policies to be re-assessed. This re-assessment is for determining whether …

The Impact Of Entrepreneurship Education On Self-Employment Initiatives Among Fourah Bay College Students, Kamara Abdulsalam

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

Entrepreneurship education is a catalyst for the diminution of unemployment in Sierra Leone. The study evaluates the causal nexus between entrepreneurship education and self-employment initiatives among Fourah Bay College students. Using regression analysis, data collected were primary data through the administration of questionnaires and simple percentage ranking techniques were used to analyze the questionnaires. The result shows that entrepreneurship education is an important policy and it has positive effect on self-employment initiatives. From the study, the following are some of the recommendations: The University of Sierra Leone should establish a center for entrepreneurship and innovation that will offer degree programs …

Foreign Direct Investment Regulation: Should Africa Avoid Performance Requirement?, Marga F. Angerasa

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

This article assesses how African states should regulate Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). In particular, it focuses on whether African states should employ or avoid performance requirements as mechanism of regulation of FDI. The imposition of performance requirements, also known as operational requirements, in IIAs remains controversial. There is no consensus either on their effectiveness in helping countries to promote development, or in their distorting effects. Some host developing countries consider performance requirements to be an effective policy tool for enhancing the benefits of FDI and consider their disciplining to be undue interference with their policy space. In this paper argues …

Young African Leaders Forum (Yalf) Projects, Teresa Abila

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The Young African Leaders Forum (YALF) is an independent pan-African organisation whose major objective is to effectuate sustainable development in every African nation. We achieve this by detecting the root causes of Africa's developmental problems, researching and proffering workable solutions to them as well as executing these strategic solutions. We also work to empower Africa's young people to participate actively in the society so that they can improve their own lives by representing and solving their needs whilst also advocating for those of others. Our organization is incorporated and headquartered in South Africa - and has members and representations in …

Challenges Of Sustainable Urban Governance In Africa, Urban Informality In Zimbabwe, Darlington Tshuma, Clifton Dawanyi

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The paper discusses the challenges associated with sustainable urban governance in Zimbabwe. Urban formality in Zimbabwe, while it has roots in the colonial period, intensified in the last decade of the 20th century with the adoption of Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) that sought to restructure the economy through massive cost cutting budgetary measures. It later exacerbated post-2000 with the decline of the formal economy which threw thousands into the informal economy. In the face of growing urban informality, the governement of Zimbabwe has exhibited a hostile attitude towards the informal sector, often inconsistent with the situtation obtaining on the ground. …

Stagnant Corruption In Bosnia-Herzegovina: Then, Now, And What Is To Come, Megan Uren

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Bosnia-Herzegovina, a country recently torn apart by ethnic violence in the 1990s, remains standing yet has struggled for the past two decades to materialize dynamic reform from political corruption and has failed to progress to a more stabilized society. Matters of ethnic divisions, political corruption, and economic underdevelopment all contribute to a deadlocked society vulnerable to further destabilization. The Dayton Peace Agreement produced an environment fit to maintain political corruption with elite entrenchment and governmental deadlock that continues to freeze the county in 1995 and inhibits true ethnic reconciliation. Economic insecurity and high unemployment rates add to grievances in a …

Review Of Buddhism & Political Theory By Matthew J. Moore, Charles W. Wright

The Journal of Social Encounters

Buddhism & Political Theory, by Matthew J. Moore, proposes to extract a political theory from the Pali language texts of the Buddhist religious tradition that is palatable to Western academic sensibilities so that it might be ushered into the company of contemporary political and ethical philosophy. "Let me introduce you," the book in essence says to the world of Western philosophy, "to a long overlooked, unusual, and interesting perspective on political and ethical theory that you really ought to include in your conversations."

Radical Islamist English-Language Online Magazines: Research Guide, Strategic Insights, And Policy Response, Robert J. Bunker Dr., Pamela L. Bunnker

Books, Monographs & Collaborative Studies

Radical Islamist online magazines first appeared in November 2003 with the publication of Sawt al-Jihad (Voice of Jihad) in Arabic. This magazine discontinued publication in April 2005 after 29 issues, having been shut down by the Saudi security services. The magazine was produced by the Saudi branch of al-Qaeda that later evolved into al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). It called upon other al-Qaeda groups to develop and franchise their own magazines. Besides the plethora of radical Islamist online magazines in Arabic that has been produced since 2003—along with those in many other languages including Urdu, Russian, German, French, and …

Current Russia Military Affairs: Assessing And Countering Russian Strategy, Operational Planning, And Modernization

Books, Monographs & Collaborative Studies

No abstract provided.

Non-Traditional Transitional Justice Mechanisms And Perceptions And Symptoms Of Victimization Among Diasporic Individuals: Members Of The Coptic Christian Diaspora In The United States As A Case Study, Samy S. A. Gerges

Doctor of International Conflict Management Dissertations

Transitional justice measures are state-centered measures articulating atrocities committed by officials and occurring within the borders of a specific state. Questioning members of a Diaspora about the impact of transitional justice on their self-classification as victims and their experienced symptoms of victimization may therefore support attempts to expand the field of transitional justice. This study contributes to a body of work promoting understanding of the possibilities and constraints of transitional justice mechanisms, in the context of hate crime against Copts by Muslims in Egypt. To analyze the impact of restored relationships on self-classified victimhood and experienced symptoms of victimization, the …

The Right To An Image, Sharon Sliwinski

Data and Test Instruments

No abstract provided.

Strength Through Diplomacy: A Fundamental Review Of The Relationship Between North Korea And The United States, Benjamin D. Blackstone

CMC Senior Theses

At the time that this thesis is printed, we are reminded of the tumultuous relationship between North Korea and the United States every day. If we follow the mainstream news regularly, it seems like we are on a steady path to war. Ultimately, this paper is centered around the question: what is the best foreign policy strategy for both countries to achieve respective goals, without descending into armed conflict? Specifically, I evaluated the failures of the last three U.S. Presidents and used their shortcomings to explain limitations in current foreign policy strategy. I also attempted to show North Korean concerns …

Faith-Based Resistance, Human Rights, And Emancipatory Practices, Curtis Kline

Biennial Conference: The Social Practice of Human Rights

Progressive political theologies can expand and deepen both the strength and the conceptualization of human rights advocacy. However, not all political theologies are an effort to defend human dignity; neither are all understandings and practices of human rights. The validation of progressive political theologies as well as the validation of human rights conceptualizations comes from their capacity to concretely change the lived reality of poor and oppressed peoples of the world.

As with political theologies, there is a constant struggle over the control of how to conceptualize what constitutes a human rights issue. While many communities of faith find liberating …

The Cross-Cultural Experiences Of Saudi Sojourners In The United States: A Study Of Intrapersonal Identity Conflict, Ahmed M. Asfahani Ph.D.

Journal of Interdisciplinary Conflict Science

What are the cross-cultural experiences of Saudi sojourners studying in the United States that lead to intrapersonal identity conflict? Sojourner identity conflict is a foundational issue in culture shock and can promote or limit positive relationships between Saudi and American students. It is important to study Saudi sojourners’ cultural backgrounds and the factors that inhibit or promote assimilation into their host culture to ensure the success of cultural exchange through providing data needed to learn how to best ameliorate the dissonance caused by identity conflict. By employing a phenomenological approach, this research provides findings relating to acculturation strategies of sojourners …

Sloan On Geopolitics, Geography, And Strategy History In Geopolitics, Bert Chapman

Libraries Faculty and Staff Scholarship and Research

Geopolitical literature is experiencing a renaissance and scholars representing classical and critical perspectives in this field bring multifaceted assessments to historical and current international political and security issues. Sloan’s Geopolitics, Geography and Strategic History, which is part of Routledge’s Geopolitical Theory Series, examines connections between geography, strategy, and history and is the subject of this review and analysis. Three thesis questions examined by the author include why the geographical scope of political objectives and following strategies of nation states change, how do these changes occur, and over what time period do these changes occur. Sloan examines why the geopolitical theories …

Subject Formation, Fundamentalism And Instrumentalist Nationalism In Zimbabwean Politics, Joram Tarusarira Dr.

Peace and Conflict Studies

This article argues that despite presiding over a failed economy, the Zimbabwe African Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) led by Robert Mugabe, has willing and enthusiastic supporters. There are claims that the large crowds witnessed singing and dancing at ZANU PF rallies are mobilized by force because the attendees do not benefit anything from supporting the regime. In a divergence from the consensus of the literature, this article surfaces other explanations than coercion for the huge turnout at rallies, rented crowds, handouts, and well-articulated election manifestos. The psychological dimension, especially the fundamentalist mindset created by instrumentalist nationalism, is one such …

Women And Peace: Female Political Empowerment & The Prevention Of Civil Violence, Piper D. O'Keefe

Student Publications

Today conflict mainly occurs within nations (as opposed to between nations), and the importance of women in creating and maintaining peace (which can be most simply defined as the absence of violence) through informal and formal leadership roles has also become known, offering much for the possibility of the reduction of violence within nations. Testing this relationship through a Poisson regression for the hypothesis that countries that have higher political empowerment for women will have less civil violence in their nations than countries with a lower level of political empowerment for women, this study is able to reject the null …

Thresholds Of Atrocity: Liberal Violence And The Politics Of Moral Vision, Kristofer J. Petersen-Overton

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

All political communities set normative limits to the acceptable use of force. A threshold of atrocity indicates the point at which acceptable violence meets the boundaries of the unacceptable. In liberal democratic states such norms are ostensibly set higher. Hence, there is a theoretical threshold to the modern state’s ability to act in ways that violate norms it claims to uphold. Paradoxically, thresholds of atrocity are almost never breached and unconscionable violence occurs regularly. This study seeks to explain the persistence of extreme violence by developing a theory of atrocity grounded in moral vision. Liberal democratic nation-states are able to …

Considering Clausewitz Across Contexts, Laura Salter

Tenor of Our Times

Carl von Clausewitz’s On War has been heralded as one of the most influential theories of war. It has influenced statesmen as diverse as Dwight Eisenhower, Vladimir Lenin, and Adolf Hitler. After having been incorporated into various schools of thought, taught to soldiers and studied extensively, it begs the question: what explains the continuous relevance of Clausewitz’s theory, despite changing contexts and technology? This paper posits that Clausewitz presented war as an extension of politics composed of a trinity of forces, used methodology that would transcend eras, and wrote about war’s very nature. In doing so, On War gained its …

Young African Leaders Forum (Yalf) Developmental Projects, Terea Abila

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The Young African Leaders Forum is actively engaged in developmental projects that would see a sustainable Africa in the near future. The young leaders have committed themselves to undertaking specific projects in their countries. These projects keenly focus on playing a major role in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. YALF passionately undertakes these developmental projects because we believe that Africa has the enormous potential to empower her people and ensure her challenges are solved in an amicable manner. The youth leaders have dedicated themselves to serving voluntarily in their communities and this has …

The State Of African Economy And A Way Forward, Florian Cyril Mshanga

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The current emerging market downturn in economic powerhouses like China, has already negatively affected African economic growth. For resource-rich countries, it is a chance to improve their public investment management (PIM) system, which could help boost growth; although from experience drawn, Sub-Saharan oil resourced countries on average score lower in PIM, reflecting weak administrative capacity and low transparency in the use of public resources, especially at the project appraisal and evaluation stages of the PIM process. Countries that have successfully diversified their economies will suffer less than those that have not and they will enjoy less stress than countries depending …

The Impact Of Oil Price On Ghana's Inflation, Albert Mcbell Ninepence

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

World oil price is a momentous determinant of global economic performance. In most cases, when oil prices skyrockets, it leads to a transfer of income from importing countries to exporting countries through trade shifts. The link between oil and inflation is mostly seen as being correlational. The direct relationship between oil and inflation was evident in the 1970’s nevertheless this relationship started to deteriorate after the 1980’s. Quite a cornucopia of researchers have made relentless inquiry on the macroeconomics impact of world oil price shocks and hikes on economic growth and consumer price inflation on importing countries. Also, an infinitesimal …

Impact Of Conflict On Availability Of Selected Non-Timber Forest Products Around Omo Forest Reserves Of Ogun State, Nigeria, Aluko O.J.

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

This study aimed at assessing the impact of conflict on the level of availability of selected non-timber forest products around Omo forest reserve of Ogun State. Data was collected with the aid of well-structured questionnaire on one hundred and twenty marketing households using multistage sampling technique. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, categorization method and t-test. The data analysis targeted socio-economic characteristics, the level of availability of NTFP before/afer the conflict in the study area. It was revealed that majority (69.2%) were farmers and (75%) had experienced conflict more than 3 times. It was discovered that the selected NTFPs …

When Your Teachers Fail You: The Necessity Of Improving Teachers Training For Quality Education In Cameroon, Monique Kwachou

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

With the underlying hypothesis that the quality of a teachers’ training is directly proportional to the quality of education pupils eventually receive, this essay explores and critiques the basic education teacher training process in Cameroon, using two notable educational theories to assess the possibility of quality education resulting from Cameroonian government-trained basic education teachers. It was found that there is dire need to improve the quality of teachers we train to ensure that they can deliver the quality of education we seek. A brief outline of suggestions is made towards improving the flawed training system.

"Black" Colonialism Is The Leading Cause Of Zimbabwe's Collapse, Sensewell Chingwaramusee

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

Black colonialism is the neo-oppression of black people by other black elite groups within a certain area according to the researcher. In this instance, some war veterans who fought for the liberation of Zimbabwe and other politicians seem to have fought in order to replace the white oppressive regime. Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980 from the Ian Smith colonial rule and for a while, independence meant enjoying self-black majority rule till the elected politicians began to ignore the needs of their masses. This article serves to explicitly express the effects of black colonialism in Zimbabwe and how the wrath of …

The Position Of African Women Within The Realm Of Culture, Patriarchy And The Law: A Case Of Kenya, Liz Guantai

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The world is on a quest to achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5), which seeks to promote gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. Women have been oppressed overtime in most societies. Statistics continue to project increasing rates of various acts of gender based violence such as domestic violence, sexual violence, cultural and economic abuse and so on. These acts of abuse are accelerated by several factors pertinent to our social systems such as culture, patriarchy and the Law. Using Kenya as a case study, this paper examines how these three factors contribute to differential gender treatment. …