ABSTRACT: The scope of this dissertation serves to analyze the Islamic Republic of Iran not as a distinctive formation of state processes and legalities, as it is typically categorized, but rather as a standard model of authoritarian state organization. Through the use of the revised-WZB model proposed by Carsten Schneider and Seraphine Maerz, this claim of Iran’s “uniqueness" is tested and exemplified in six frames of analysis to join the classic ‘hybrid structure’ that Iran is routinely classified as with to the more common authoritarian structure that is present in the majority of non-democratic states. This effort is conducted to establish how and why Iran utilizes public consensus-building techniques as a means to remain in power. The title of this work, The Dolphin Show, depicts the findings of this dissertation as an historical allegory from a brave journalist, Masoumeh "Masih" Alinejad-Ghomi. During the administration of Iran’s sixth president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2005-2013), Masih wrote a groundbreaking article, Avaz-e Dolphinha (The Song of the Dolphins) published in the Etemad Melli (a former opposition newspaper that is now completely censored—including all copies Avaz-e Dolphinha). Masih claims that Ahmadinejad conducts his administration in the same manner a dolphin instructor would conduct training, handing out “food” (money) in exchange for a desired behavioral outcome. This example, although funny and equally individual, captures the complexity and accuracy of consensus-building-processes within Iran today.
Brussels, Rome, Budapest, More Distant Than Ever: The EU’s Inability to Manage the Refugee Crisis.
CITATION: Amati, Alessandra. 2019. "Brussels, Rome, Budapest, More Distant Than Ever: The EU’s Inability to Manage the Refugee Crisis". BA Thesis, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy.
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this thesis is to understand the effectiveness of the European Union and its member states response towards the refugee crisis, and why the implementation of a leading migration policy has been difficult. By doing this, the paper will first demonstrate a literature review on the different concepts as to why the EU has acquired difficulties towards enforcing a policy, due to the fact that there has been an institutional crisis within the EU. These ideas will be linked to the case studies on Italy and Hungary, and their association to Europe’s refugee crisis. Further on, the thesis will examine the history of migration into Europe from the 1950s-forward and compare it to the current migration flows. This will portray a comparative analysis because it is necessary to understand the patterns on migration through a historical aspect. The thesis will then draw its attention towards the progression of the enforced EU migration policies which had the potential to restrain the flows but were insufficient to do so. Eventually, the paper will progress into its represented case studies of Italy and Hungary, which will introduce their securitization and restrictive border control notions due to the influence of both of their right-wing governments towards managing the situation. The conclusion will precisely bring up the question if this crisis will be able to surpass to a certain extent, and what will the future dictate for the European Union and its allocated member states.
Fitzpatrick, Gabrielle Mae
ABSTRACT: This paper will describe the multi-levelled, polymorphic nature of the European Union’s migration management. Beginning with an examination of the key institutions and decision-making bodies which have contributed to the regulation of migration at the EU level, this analysis will go on to demonstrate how, in its failure to create a common framework for the management of migration flows, the EU is left instead with a patchwork of policies as a result of other actors coming in to fill that vacuum. This lack of uniformity allows for the abuse of vulnerable third-country nationals and undermines the Union’s ability to manage migration at the supranational level.
ABSTRACT: This thesis first of all offers a brief review of the main theories about Populism criticized by Moffitt and Tormey. Moreover, Benjamin Moffitt and Simon Tormey will build upon the weaknesses of these dominant theories in order to present their alternative model of Populism as a Political Style. My goal is to validate Moffitt and Tormey’s model by applying it to three case studies (UK, Italy and France) in order to conceptualise the expression of the phenomenon, and eventually make predictions for Europe. The question I will systematically seek to answer is how populism as a political style has expressed itself in the UK, Italy and France. Applying the chosen model to my three case studies will lead us to three hypothetical options regarding the expression of populism. First, this expression of Populism as a Political Style in the UK, Italy and France, varies according to the socio-political context in which it emerges. Second, the expression of the Populist phenomenon creates tensions towards the European community. Third, the expression of populism creates tensions within the country, resulting in social/domestic instability. I will conclude that Populism itself is a phenomenon that evolves through time, therefore the definition of the term may also vary through time. In this current context, the model is efficient today although it might be so in the future.
ABSTRACT: The objective of this thesis is to determine the effectiveness of the 2008 Lacey Act amendment in reducing the import, trade, and consumption of timber derivatives in the US that contribute to deforestation and illegal logging worldwide. The analysis involves deductive qualitative research on the global phenomenon of illegal logging by first outlining the social and environmental issues connected to the illicit practice. The history of the Act is then examined, from its initial implementation in 1900 under Congressman Lacey followed by the 1935, 1969, 1981, and 2008 amendments. Theories by legal and environmental scholars are discussed, followed by major case studies brought forth under the Act. The analysis is then concluded with the understanding that the 2008 Lacey Act amendment has been relatively effective in reducing the flow of illegally sourced wood into the US, which has had positive effects for both environmental conservation and market competition. The final chapter also suggests potential solutions for strengthening the Lacey Act.
Movileanu, Daniela Roxana
ABSTRACT: Between 2013 and 2019, Matteo Salvini, Italy’s radical-right populist leader, successfully transformed the Lega from a regionalist into a nationalist party. This transformation culminated in June 2018 with the formation of a coalition government led by the Lega and the anti-establishment Five Star Movement. Salvini’s electoral success was mainly determined by his emphasis on immigration during the electoral campaign. By 2018, voters regarded the Lega as the only party capable of stopping irregular migration to Italy and of opposing the European Union. Salvini skillfully built such image of his party during the so-called European migration crisis begun in late 2013. With this context as a premise, this thesis investigates the following question: What is the role played by the migration crisis in Lega’s transformation into a national party? The research conducted in the thesis shows that the migration crisis offered Salvini a vehicle for channeling anti-immigrant, Eurosceptic, nationalist, and sometimes xenophobic sentiments. To show why this is the case, the thesis analyzes the policies adopted by the EU and by the Italian government in response to the migration crisis and Salvini’s rhetoric in reaction to them. Such analysis is mainly based on material gathered from politicians’ social media accounts and from the main left- and right-wing Italian newspapers. While recognizing that immigration is not the raison d'être of radical-right populist parties, this thesis suggests that it acted as a major catalyst for success in the Italian context.
