1,720,978 research outputs found
ACTA and Power
No full textThe following project addresses the treaty called ACTA (Anti-Counterfeit Trade Agreement). Taking a look at what the treaty formulates how it was constructed and how it was received are the main agendas of this project. The project applies three core theories, in order to cover as much ground on ACTA as possible: “Hegemony”, “Framing” and “Power, a Radical View”. Our project uses these theories to analyze and determine the power structures in contemporary society and their relation and involvement to the treaty ACTA. The project also investigates context and complications of the treaty and why it had such negative public reception.The following project addresses the treaty called ACTA (Anti-Counterfeit Trade Agreement). Taking a look at what the treaty formulates how it was constructed and how it was received are the main agendas of this project. The project applies three core theories, in order to cover as much ground on ACTA as possible: “Hegemony”, “Framing” and “Power, a Radical View”. Our project uses these theories to analyze and determine the power structures in contemporary society and their relation and involvement to the treaty ACTA. The project also investigates context and complications of the treaty and why it had such negative public reception
'Indvandrere'?
No full textIndeværende projekt omhandler diskursbrugen i det danske samfund. Der rettes fokus mod de dis-kurser, der bruges i forbindelse med omtalen af etniske minoriteter og deres børn, og det undersøges hvilken indvirkning de forskellige diskurser har på, hvorledes disse mennesker positioneres af andre samt af dem selv. Projektet er forankret inden for socialkonstruktionismen og der arbejdes endvide-re med både positioneringsteorien, internaliseringsteorien samt kritisk diskursanalyse. Der analyseres på den overordnede diskursbrug i medierne for at vise et billede af hvilke dis-kurser, der er fremtrædende i samfundet. Ud fra denne autoritative diskurs analyseres der senere på dokumentaren ”En anden vej”, der handler om et projekt, TrygVesta gik ind i, hvor de inviterede fire unge fyre med anden etnisk baggrund end dansk til Nordspanien for at vandre El Camino sam-men med koncernchefen. Alle drengene havde plettede straffeattester og oplevede en stor udvikling ved pludselig at blive hørt og taget seriøst. Til sidst diskuteres de fundne ting ud fra Schou Nielsen og Andreassens bøger omhandlende samme problematik.Indeværende projekt omhandler diskursbrugen i det danske samfund. Der rettes fokus mod de dis-kurser, der bruges i forbindelse med omtalen af etniske minoriteter og deres børn, og det undersøges hvilken indvirkning de forskellige diskurser har på, hvorledes disse mennesker positioneres af andre samt af dem selv. Projektet er forankret inden for socialkonstruktionismen og der arbejdes endvide-re med både positioneringsteorien, internaliseringsteorien samt kritisk diskursanalyse. Der analyseres på den overordnede diskursbrug i medierne for at vise et billede af hvilke dis-kurser, der er fremtrædende i samfundet. Ud fra denne autoritative diskurs analyseres der senere på dokumentaren ”En anden vej”, der handler om et projekt, TrygVesta gik ind i, hvor de inviterede fire unge fyre med anden etnisk baggrund end dansk til Nordspanien for at vandre El Camino sam-men med koncernchefen. Alle drengene havde plettede straffeattester og oplevede en stor udvikling ved pludselig at blive hørt og taget seriøst. Til sidst diskuteres de fundne ting ud fra Schou Nielsen og Andreassens bøger omhandlende samme problematik
Virkelighed under konstruktion - en analyse af BP's kommunikation under krisen i Den Mexicanske Golf
No full textIn 2010 the oil company British Petroleum (BP) attracted the medias attention, when an explosion and subsequent oil leak from the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig caused what has been labeled the greatest environmental disaster in the history of the United States. This caused BP to defend its image and respond to the reality of the crisis that was presented in the media. The aim of this study is to examine how BP constructs the reality of the oil spill in the Golf of Mexico in April 2010. The report is based on analysis of 12 press releases from BP during the period from 21st of April 2010 to 29th of September 2010. Theoretically the thesis draws on two main research areas within crisis communication: the study of form and the study of content. Thus William Benoit’s image restoration strategies and W. Timothy Coombs theories inspire the analysis. By applying a social constructionist approach it is argued that BP through its press releases constructs a specific reality of the crisis in order to rebuild the company’s image and gain social legitimacy. At the same time this reality is meant as a counter response to the reality constructed by the media. Through the analysis it is shown that BP, by using certain image restoration strategies creates a reality where the company shows willingness to correct the crisis, but without accepting responsibility. This is exemplified by undertaking initiatives to clean up the oil spill as well as undergoing internal changes in the company, while at the same time indirectly shifting the blame to the contractor and framing the explosion as an accident. Finally it is argued that BP’s construction of the reality of the crisis in the Golf of Mexico is inconsistent with the company’s CSR-policy by not meeting the guidelines for responsible behavior.In 2010 the oil company British Petroleum (BP) attracted the medias attention, when an explosion and subsequent oil leak from the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig caused what has been labeled the greatest environmental disaster in the history of the United States. This caused BP to defend its image and respond to the reality of the crisis that was presented in the media. The aim of this study is to examine how BP constructs the reality of the oil spill in the Golf of Mexico in April 2010. The report is based on analysis of 12 press releases from BP during the period from 21st of April 2010 to 29th of September 2010. Theoretically the thesis draws on two main research areas within crisis communication: the study of form and the study of content. Thus William Benoit’s image restoration strategies and W. Timothy Coombs theories inspire the analysis. By applying a social constructionist approach it is argued that BP through its press releases constructs a specific reality of the crisis in order to rebuild the company’s image and gain social legitimacy. At the same time this reality is meant as a counter response to the reality constructed by the media. Through the analysis it is shown that BP, by using certain image restoration strategies creates a reality where the company shows willingness to correct the crisis, but without accepting responsibility. This is exemplified by undertaking initiatives to clean up the oil spill as well as undergoing internal changes in the company, while at the same time indirectly shifting the blame to the contractor and framing the explosion as an accident. Finally it is argued that BP’s construction of the reality of the crisis in the Golf of Mexico is inconsistent with the company’s CSR-policy by not meeting the guidelines for responsible behavior
The Trouble with triclosan. Risk Governance: A new policy approach.
No full textConcern has been growing as to whether or not the biocide triclosan leads to antibiotic resistance despite risk assessments stating that the chemical is safe to use. The development of new technologies generates new hazards to which consumers are involuntarily exposed. The risks arising from the use of these substances are unknown, unexplored and misunderstood, but their use continues. Consumer exposure to hazardous substances in personal care products and their effects on human health are not new problems, yet current so-called solutions are not always effective; a precautionary approach must be implemented to ensure that health is safeguarded, safety promoted, the priority of environmental protection is observed, and past mistakes not repeated. We argue that current risk analysis is not sufficiently effective to handle the concerns and well being of citizens and the environment. One approach offering reason for optimism striving to increase transparency and accountability, creating public awareness and policy coherence is risk governance. The fundamental goals of risk governance require a shift in citizens’ understanding and mentality with respect to the most effective types of government. Governments have a responsibility and duty to maintain health and well-being and should aim for absolute safety and well-established trust. This thesis looks at risk governance and the presence of the biocide triclosan in products used on a daily basis, and the role of the government in communicating these risks to the public. Whether or not triclosan leads to the development of resistant bacteria, it is possible that exposure to such harmful chemicals might lead to drug resistance, inadvertently affecting the health of human populations and the environment. The overall aim of this thesis is to investigate how to strengthen consumer protection against hazardous chemicals in household products.Concern has been growing as to whether or not the biocide triclosan leads to antibiotic resistance despite risk assessments stating that the chemical is safe to use. The development of new technologies generates new hazards to which consumers are involuntarily exposed. The risks arising from the use of these substances are unknown, unexplored and misunderstood, but their use continues. Consumer exposure to hazardous substances in personal care products and their effects on human health are not new problems, yet current so-called solutions are not always effective; a precautionary approach must be implemented to ensure that health is safeguarded, safety promoted, the priority of environmental protection is observed, and past mistakes not repeated. We argue that current risk analysis is not sufficiently effective to handle the concerns and well being of citizens and the environment. One approach offering reason for optimism striving to increase transparency and accountability, creating public awareness and policy coherence is risk governance. The fundamental goals of risk governance require a shift in citizens’ understanding and mentality with respect to the most effective types of government. Governments have a responsibility and duty to maintain health and well-being and should aim for absolute safety and well-established trust. This thesis looks at risk governance and the presence of the biocide triclosan in products used on a daily basis, and the role of the government in communicating these risks to the public. Whether or not triclosan leads to the development of resistant bacteria, it is possible that exposure to such harmful chemicals might lead to drug resistance, inadvertently affecting the health of human populations and the environment. The overall aim of this thesis is to investigate how to strengthen consumer protection against hazardous chemicals in household products
Agriculture and Rural Development in Cameroon: Empowerment of rural communities followed by a case analysis in the Mbere division – Cameroon:A field study conducted by Napi Wouapi, March-April 2006
No full textUntil the economic recession in the mid 1980s, Cameroon had relatively long sustained period of economic growth and agriculture was one of the main contributor of this growth due to the states subsidies to the farmers in terms of agriculture inputs, equipments, transfer of technology and finances. However, due to the fall in prices of raw materials in the world market, Cameroon went into economic crisis and the government withdrew its subsidies to the farmers and other priority sectors vital to the economy. With this development, farmers and especially the smallholders among them, who constitute of about 70% of the total population, were greatly affected. When the state has failed to meet society’s increasingly complex needs, organizations of civic society and voluntary unions then moved towards initiatives that were earlier in the hands of the state. However, some recent scientific journals and reviews pointed out the general weakness of developmental aid mechanism as a whole in systematically identifying and documenting their strong effect or impression in the struggle against poverty, injustice and marginalisation of vulnerable groups. The question then becomes: What can be the effective way to empower the farmers (in our case the smallholder farmers, the so-called poorest among the poor in the rural zones), to get them better organised so that they will be able to experience a sustainable livelihoods? The method used here consisted into two steps. First, to be able to build up the theory, we have been reviewing documents and relevant literatures concerning the concept of empowerment. The next step has consisted to conduct interview -through a case study related to a locality in Cameroon- with the target groups themselves and other key informants. The fieldwork was then based on participant observation by being immersed in the natural settings of the smallholder farmers in the Mbere division in Cameroon. Lastly, the most important conclusions we have drawn is that smallholder farmers in the Mbere actually operate in an environment which is not conducive. The lack of public goods, the limited access to information, equipment and adequate trainings are amongst other exogenous factors, their main barriers towards empowerment. To these external factors may be added their weakness and even reticence to constitute strong initiative groups made up of members who actually share the same interests, pursue a common goal and who are all participants in the decision making process.Until the economic recession in the mid 1980s, Cameroon had relatively long sustained period of economic growth and agriculture was one of the main contributor of this growth due to the states subsidies to the farmers in terms of agriculture inputs, equipments, transfer of technology and finances. However, due to the fall in prices of raw materials in the world market, Cameroon went into economic crisis and the government withdrew its subsidies to the farmers and other priority sectors vital to the economy. With this development, farmers and especially the smallholders among them, who constitute of about 70% of the total population, were greatly affected. When the state has failed to meet society’s increasingly complex needs, organizations of civic society and voluntary unions then moved towards initiatives that were earlier in the hands of the state. However, some recent scientific journals and reviews pointed out the general weakness of developmental aid mechanism as a whole in systematically identifying and documenting their strong effect or impression in the struggle against poverty, injustice and marginalisation of vulnerable groups. The question then becomes: What can be the effective way to empower the farmers (in our case the smallholder farmers, the so-called poorest among the poor in the rural zones), to get them better organised so that they will be able to experience a sustainable livelihoods? The method used here consisted into two steps. First, to be able to build up the theory, we have been reviewing documents and relevant literatures concerning the concept of empowerment. The next step has consisted to conduct interview -through a case study related to a locality in Cameroon- with the target groups themselves and other key informants. The fieldwork was then based on participant observation by being immersed in the natural settings of the smallholder farmers in the Mbere division in Cameroon. Lastly, the most important conclusions we have drawn is that smallholder farmers in the Mbere actually operate in an environment which is not conducive. The lack of public goods, the limited access to information, equipment and adequate trainings are amongst other exogenous factors, their main barriers towards empowerment. To these external factors may be added their weakness and even reticence to constitute strong initiative groups made up of members who actually share the same interests, pursue a common goal and who are all participants in the decision making process
Buried in Boreholes -- an Analysis of Water Policy Implementation via Institutions and Power relations in Northern Ghana
No full textRural water policy in the Northern Ghana is failing to meet articulated targets set out by donors based on regime targets. The Gusheigu District is considered one of the poorest and most remote districts in Ghana. Combined with a semi-arid climate and the highest illiteracy rate in Ghana (86%), rural communities within our case study in the Gusheigu district receive significant aid in the form of water projects from multilateral and bi-lateral donors along with international NGOs. Agents engaged in water policy process and its implementation techniques are involved in dynamic relationships involving negotiations between formal institutions and customary rule in a complex socio-political environment. By entering the agency-structure debate, the study includes experiences and perceptions of agents within formal institutions as well as community members engaged in development. Institutional frameworks including laws, acts, and policies are placed within a context of decentralized reform and reveal a weak government. At the same time, communities engaged in water development projects pursue their own strategies and resources to address water uses, needs, and preferences. The study analyzes policy implementation through theories of institutions and power, whereby questions of legitimacy and representation reveal that current aid is weakening local agents to “own” their policy and ultimately development. Investigating the various relationships and implementing objectives of agents reveals that external donors have the ability to pursue their agenda without sanctions or a high degree of disruption from the central government. Concepts such as “NGO” and “water development” are used as legitimizing tools for donors and their partners to legitimize their activities. Several constraints are noted that impede not only policy implementation but also contribute to mistrust between the three main categories of actors which are the state agents, international donors and communities. The current relations are leading towards dual system and to aid dependency. It is argued that current donor practices weakening a concept of local ownership, referring to the ability of local communities and the local government of shaping and maintaining their own water development. We suggest that there are viable local options to water management and allocation that exist in Gusheigu that are not reflected in current policy, and that the current policy must become flexible. This involves becoming more involved in existing community institutions and resources, and understanding broader “needs” of communities. Increased political will towards a commitment of decentralization to all line ministries and cooperation and coordination which includes local realities can and should occur. Aside from policy, it is important that local NGOs stop competing with each other and with the district government and begin to understand a role of cooperation based on the local socio-political realities of the communities they are intending to help.Rural water policy in the Northern Ghana is failing to meet articulated targets set out by donors based on regime targets. The Gusheigu District is considered one of the poorest and most remote districts in Ghana. Combined with a semi-arid climate and the highest illiteracy rate in Ghana (86%), rural communities within our case study in the Gusheigu district receive significant aid in the form of water projects from multilateral and bi-lateral donors along with international NGOs. Agents engaged in water policy process and its implementation techniques are involved in dynamic relationships involving negotiations between formal institutions and customary rule in a complex socio-political environment. By entering the agency-structure debate, the study includes experiences and perceptions of agents within formal institutions as well as community members engaged in development. Institutional frameworks including laws, acts, and policies are placed within a context of decentralized reform and reveal a weak government. At the same time, communities engaged in water development projects pursue their own strategies and resources to address water uses, needs, and preferences. The study analyzes policy implementation through theories of institutions and power, whereby questions of legitimacy and representation reveal that current aid is weakening local agents to “own” their policy and ultimately development. Investigating the various relationships and implementing objectives of agents reveals that external donors have the ability to pursue their agenda without sanctions or a high degree of disruption from the central government. Concepts such as “NGO” and “water development” are used as legitimizing tools for donors and their partners to legitimize their activities. Several constraints are noted that impede not only policy implementation but also contribute to mistrust between the three main categories of actors which are the state agents, international donors and communities. The current relations are leading towards dual system and to aid dependency. It is argued that current donor practices weakening a concept of local ownership, referring to the ability of local communities and the local government of shaping and maintaining their own water development. We suggest that there are viable local options to water management and allocation that exist in Gusheigu that are not reflected in current policy, and that the current policy must become flexible. This involves becoming more involved in existing community institutions and resources, and understanding broader “needs” of communities. Increased political will towards a commitment of decentralization to all line ministries and cooperation and coordination which includes local realities can and should occur. Aside from policy, it is important that local NGOs stop competing with each other and with the district government and begin to understand a role of cooperation based on the local socio-political realities of the communities they are intending to help
Community Based Natural Resource Management in Cambodia
No full text#Community based natural resource management (CBNRM) is a fairly new concept to be implemented in natural resource management in Cambodia. The implementation process is still going on and the political, social and economic situation in the country plays a major role in this process. The history of Cambodia tells about a country affected by changing regimes, genocide, corruption and lack of social capital and this have an effect on the implementation of CBNRM. This project is discussing the implementation of community based natural resource management (CBNRM) in Cambodia with emphasis on participation by the local population since these are the target group in CBNRM. The organisational structure of Cambodian society is a constraint when implementing CBNRM since there is no tradition for people’s organisation within communities and the patron-client relationship brings further implications when power structures are reproduced in the decisionmaking processes and hindering poor people to have a say in the decision-making. Power relations play a big role in decision-making concerning natural resource management in Cambodia and participation at all levels of society is thus difficult to obtain. Government authorities are reluctant to transfer power to local people, and national and international agencies implementing CBNRM are also hesitant to include the local population in the decision-making process. Hence in many instances of the decision-making and implementation of CBNRM it is business as usual, where authorities and powerful people make decisions and local people are only participating to a minor extent.#Community based natural resource management (CBNRM) is a fairly new concept to be implemented in natural resource management in Cambodia. The implementation process is still going on and the political, social and economic situation in the country plays a major role in this process. The history of Cambodia tells about a country affected by changing regimes, genocide, corruption and lack of social capital and this have an effect on the implementation of CBNRM. This project is discussing the implementation of community based natural resource management (CBNRM) in Cambodia with emphasis on participation by the local population since these are the target group in CBNRM. The organisational structure of Cambodian society is a constraint when implementing CBNRM since there is no tradition for people’s organisation within communities and the patron-client relationship brings further implications when power structures are reproduced in the decisionmaking processes and hindering poor people to have a say in the decision-making. Power relations play a big role in decision-making concerning natural resource management in Cambodia and participation at all levels of society is thus difficult to obtain. Government authorities are reluctant to transfer power to local people, and national and international agencies implementing CBNRM are also hesitant to include the local population in the decision-making process. Hence in many instances of the decision-making and implementation of CBNRM it is business as usual, where authorities and powerful people make decisions and local people are only participating to a minor extent
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