University College Stockholm
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On the Ethics of External States in Peacebuilding : A Critical Study of Justification
Even the most obvious actions require justification. The need for justification of peacebuilding involvements is always present. This thesis argues that justification is particularly needed when there is a prevalent power asymmetry between an external state and a host community. The dissertation addresses how the attempts of states to justify their engagement in peacebuilding should be evaluated in the light of justification theory. The study’s research questions are addressed by developing a theoretical framework based on justification theory that is combined with empirical case studies. As a result, the starting-point for this dissertation is both descriptive and normative. It builds upon and develops the theory of justification offered by Rainer Forst, by testing Forst’s formal criteria of reciprocity and generality on two case studies, the Republic of South Africa and the Russian Federation. The thesis attempts to scrutinize the role played by the justifications made by external states engaged in peacebuilding. The focus on how Russia and South Africa view, act, and try to justify their peacebuilding efforts, serves to further nuance our theoretical understanding of the justification of external states in peacebuilding processes. The study is exploring which justification strategies are being used and how. By combining ethical analysis with empirical research and by building on an analysis of the case studies, the study presents two typologies of the attempts at justification which Russia and South Africa make in their foreign policy discourse. In order to accomplish this, the thesis uses different methods, including case studies, expert interviews, and document analysis. This study is written within the critical discipline of social ethics. By making a critical analysis of the official Russian and South African foreign policy discourses on peace engagements, this dissertation aims to contribute to existing literature both empirically and theoretically. The analysis shows that Forst’s formal criteria are useful, but not sufficient, to analyse states’ justificatory attempts. The study aims to contribute both to our understanding of Russian and South African engagements in peacebuilding processes abroad, as well as justification of peacebuilding and the role of ethics and morality in foreign policy generally
Honor Crime
Våld mot kvinnor är en kränkning av de universella mänskliga rättigheterna som baseras på alla människors lika värde och rättigheter. Flera internationella konventioner har antagits som ger staten skyldighet att skydda kvinnor, oavsett om våldet mot kvinnor sker i den privata eller offentliga sfären. Det hedersrelaterade systemet är ett komplext system som är väldigt strukturellt och organiserat. Denna karaktär innehåller olika former av förtryck och anses inte som enskilda och isolerade händelser utan dessa bör ses i tidsföljd och ingår i ett större organiserat sammanhang. De komponenter som förekommer i en hederskontext är: tradition, kultur, religion, könsmaktsordning, utanförskap, individuella/ psykologiska komponenter[1]. Här i Sverige finns unga personer som lever med tanken att de aldrig får dra skam över familjens heder vilket leder till ett ständigt hot i deras vardag. När man pratar ”hdrv” så är det inte enbart en man som misshandlar en kvinna utan oftast planeras detta av hela familjen som utövas både av släktingar utanför (män och kvinnor) eller enbart av den närmaste familjen[2]. Syftet med denna studie är att jag ska försöka ta reda på så mycket information och fakta för att kunna förstå olika diskurser kring hedersförtryck, hedersvåld och förhoppningsvis kunna nyansera hederskultur i relation till kultur, normer och religion
A revolution or a racist movement? : A narrative analyses of two news sites description of the alt-right movement
This thesis examines the alt-right movement through two conservative American news sites. The sites that were looked at were Breitbart and National Review. Five articles that discussed the alt-right movement were chosen from each news site. The articles that were chosen had all been written under 2016. This specific year was chosen due to the presidential election that was held that year. It is also because of the increased media coverage that the alt-right movement was receiving due to their connection to then candidate Donald Trump. The purpose of this thesis is to examine if there is a difference in the way the alt-right movement is described by the two new sites. To examine this, three factors were chosen as a foundation for the thesis. The factors dealt with the description of the members of the alt-right, racism and western values. The result showed a significant difference in how the alt-right movement was being portrayed by the articles form Breitbart and National Review. The articles from Breitbart showcased a positive description by sympathizing with their fight against the conservative establishment. The articles from National Review had a complete different outlook on the movement and deemed it as racist and threatening to the foundation of conservatism in the United States.
Be glad and rejoice forever in what I create
This essay aims to answer the question of if and how the theologian Sallie McFagues modelfor understanding God that she presents in her book The Body of God can be furtherdeveloped to be more fitting for church and individual today. To answer this question I havecompleted a comparative text analysis of Andrew Linzeys book Why Animal SufferingMatters , Elisabeth A. Johnsons book Ask the Beasts and Rosemary Radford Ruethers bookGaia & God . The views of the three theologians is presented thematically: firstly in regardsto animal rights, secondly in regards to human environmental impact.Based on the fact that animals are sentient; that they are unable to communicateeffectivly with humans; and that animals are equally created by God as humans are, Linzey,Johnson and Radford Ruether argues that animals should not be unnecessarily harmed.With regard to environmental impact the three theologians argues that the whole ofcreation belongs to God and that God made humans stewards of it. The stewardship meansthat we have a responsibility to care for the earth rather than exploiting it.Based on these arguments I find that McFagues model can be further developedmainly by creating a more clear animal theology and by making a connection betweenenvironmental impact and social injustices
God, the sun and the law : A study of how the imagery converges in Psalm 19
Uppsatsens syfte är att studera huruvida bildspråket i psalm 19 strålar samman och kan ge enbild över hur psalmen kan läsas som en enhet. Psalmen är till synes två sammansatta psalmersom avslutas med en personlig bön. Uppsatsens ärende är inte varför eller när de här tvåpsalmerna har satts samman. Frågan är närmare hur psalm 19 kan läsas som en enhet trots detvå psalmernas olika stil och sannolikt olika ursprung. Jag delar upp psalmen i tre delar, de tvåpsalmerna och den avslutande bönen där jag analyserar varje del för sig. Sedan analyserar jaghur de två psalmerna konvergerar med varandra, jag försöker hitta hur bildspråket strålarsamman i psalm 19 som stöd för att de två psalmerna vill säga samma sak men på olikaframställningssätt. Därefter ställer jag den tredje delen, den personliga bönen mot de bådapsalmerna för att ta reda på om psalmen strålar samman på mer än ett sätt. Jag menar att det ären grund till att de säger samma sak trots sina olika stil och framställningssätt. Slutligen sätterjag den sista versen i psalmen -Ta i nåd emot mina ord, mitt hjärtas bön till dig Herre, minklippa, min hjälpare i relation till hela psalm 19 där jag tolkar att psalmisten binder ihop helapsalmen med ett bildspråk likt ett mosaikmönster
”I am Mokgadi Caster Semenya. I am a woman and I am fast.” : A Philosophical Analysis Surrounding Justices Within the Elite Sports Level in Relation to IAAF:s Regulations Concerning Women With Disorder of Sex Development
The aim of this thesis has emphasised on justice within the regulation constructed by The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) concerning the eligibility for the female classification (athletes with Difference of Sex Development). Different arguments in IAAF:s regulation has been examined throughout a philosophical analysis to examine the validity of the regulation. The IAAF:s regulation validity is examined through the capabilities approach, which aims to promote individual justice of an individual and what the individual can become to her fullest. The other theory of justice originates from utilitarianism which is a type of justice that aims to bring the most fortune to the greatest amount of people. IAAF:s regulation is a governing tool which controls participation of female athletes in the elite level sport in races at international competitions. The women who get affected by its implementation are women who suffer from DSD (Disorder of Sex Development). The regulation requests that women with DSD, who develop higher amount of testosterone than the average woman, must undergo medication to participate in international competitions in different races. The effect of the medication results in the deterioration of their natural physiological health. IAAF considers it necessary since some women with DSD has an advantage in comparison to the average female athletes in the same race events. Throughout the capabilities approach this may seem as an unjust type of regulation for women with DSD. The theory of utilitarianism may see it as justice for the majority of female athletes. When applying these two types of justice, the capabilities approach and utilitarianism, the result will differ. The sports organisation IAAF has also been compared to other sports organisations. The comparison lies within what sport aims to be for the athlete. Before beginning with the analysis, the history of different control mechanism of the female athletes’ bodies will be presented to show the reader the complexity that lies in the female category of elite sports level
Housing situation for Polish migrant workers in Sweden
This thesis is about Polish migrant workers’ housing situation in Sweden. The primary purpose is to show how the housing situation looks like for Polish migrant workers who live in Sweden. The second purpose is to highlight how complex the right to housing is and show how this right influence their living standard. The conclusion is based on a content analysis of surveys which were completed by 427 Polish migrant workers. Some information was a result of a content analysis of reports and statistics from different governmental authorities and housing ads from the website poloniainfo.se. The result shows that the majority, 81 percent, either own a flat or have a lease/rental contract of their accommodation. However, what is considered being alarming is that at least 18 percent of respondents are homeless according to The National Board of Health and Welfares (Socialstyrelsen) definition of homelessness. Cramped housing accommodation and ethnic discrimination occurs. There is also an increasing risk for poverty among these people due the deficit on the housing market.
War propaganda : Analytical study of Bashar Al-Assad's propaganda during the Syrian uprising.
The ongoing Syrian conflict is one of the most violent, bloody and complex conflicts that broke out in modern time. The Syrian people were inspired by the Arab spring, where popular demonstrations and peaceful protests demanded freedom and democracy. The Syrian regime declared that Syria is in a serious war against terrorism. This essay will try to analyze the Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad’s propaganda during the revolution against his government in March 2011. The analysis will go through a few of Al-Assad’s speeches and interviews during the Syrian uprising between 2011 and 2012. The study will be based on several fundamental researches that explain the relationship between the Syrian regime and the jihadi Islam in many dimensions before and after 2011. The study will answer the following question: How has the Syrian regime used fight terrorism as propaganda to serve its own political interest during the Syrian uprising 2011? In my study, I use argumentation analysis as a method, this method is used to assess the credibility and sustainability of text or politics in context. In an argued text, the author aims to convince the reader of something in a critical and reasonable manner of argument. The method used is both descriptive and appreciative of Bashar Al-Assad’s arguments. The study concluded that Al-Assad from the beginning of his presidency has played a major role of producing Islamists to achieve his own political objectives in the region and was able to take advantage of them while trying to crackdown the Syrian revolution in 2011 through many political acts.Denna uppsats analyserar den syriska presidenten Bashar Al-Assads propaganda under upproret mot sin regering i mars 2011. Analysen kommer att gå igenom några av Al-Assads tal och intervjuer under det syriska upproret mellan 2011 och 2012. Studien baseras även på olika politiska hållpunkter som förklarar förhållandet mellan den syriska regimen och islamister före och efter 2011. Studien kommer att svara på följande fråga: Hur har den syriska regimen använts sig av kampen mot terrorism som propaganda för att tjäna sina egna politiska intresse under syriska upproret 2011? I min studie använder jag argumentationsanalys som metod. Denna metod används för att bedöma text eller politikens trovärdighet och hållbarhet i sammanhang. I en argumenterande text syftar författaren till att övertyga läsaren om någonting på ett kritiskt och rimligt sätt. Metoden som används är både beskrivande och värderande av Bashar Al-Assads argument. Studien drar slutsatsen att Bashar Al-Assad har använts sig av terrorism-propaganda för att kunna överleva situationen. Analysen av Al-Assads argument visar att Al-Assads teser strider emot det som äger rum i Syrien och har även låg beviskraft. Uppsatsen kommer fram till att sedan början av Al-Assads presidentskap har han spelat en viktig roll för att producera islamister i syfte att uppnå sina politiska mål i regionen och kunde dra nytta av dem för att förtycka det syriska upproret 2011 genom att frisläppa islamister från Saydnaya-militärt fängelse genom en presidentsamnesti som utfärdat i maj 2011
From Reproduction to Norm Reflection : An Interviewbased Study of the Sex Education in Three High Schools in Sweden
This thesis investigates how three high schools based in Stockholm organize their sex education. Do the schools meet the guidelines and policies for sex education or in which way do they not? The study is based on interviews with school staff and is analyzed through a new institutional theoretical perspective. According to the Swedish National Agency for Education, sex education overbridge various subjects; concepts like sexuality, equality, sex and relations are expressed in several high school curriculums. The Swedish National Agency for Education further explain that all teachers are affected by these questions, since it is related to the schools basic principles and values. The main result shows that the quality of sex education is dependent on the commitment from teachers, headmasters and students. Together they create certain norms, values and atmospheres which makes sex education to a very big challenge and sometimes a success.
Police violence against African Americans : An analysis oftheories from a human rights perspective
Polisvåld mot afroamerikaner är ett stort problem i USA. Våldet är ett tydligt rasistiskt uttryckgentemot en specifik grupp i samhället som utsätts oproportionerligt, vilket innebär att derasrättigheter inskränks. Syftet med studien är att undersöka vilka faktorer som ligger till grund förpolisvåldet mot afroamerikaner i USA samt hur våldet påverkar deras rättigheter. Fokus i dennastudie ligger på två teorier som hävdar att det är olika psykologiska och politiska faktorer, samtrasistiska strukturer som ligger till grund för polisvåldet.Polisvåld är ingenting som endast påverkar enstaka individer, utan har en indirekt/direkt påverkanpå alla afroamerikaner. Detta innebär att även de personer som inte utsätts för fysiskt våld kanpåverkas på ett psykiskt sätt, vilket har en stor påverkan på hälsan