Magister Philosophiae - MPhil (Political Studies)

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https://hdl.handle.net/10566/12782

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Browsing by Author "Pretorius, Joelien"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Implementing the New Parnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD): a study of the Economic and Corporate Governance Initiative (ECGI)
    (University of the Western Cape, 2009) Carolissen, Monita; Pretorius, Joelien; Dept. of Political Studies; Faculty of Arts
    In this mini-thesis, I explore the New Partnership for Africa's Development's (NEPAD) Economic and Corporate Governance Initiative (ECGI). I argue that although this initiative is not the only means to, nor the end of determining whether the NEPAD is being implemented, the ECGI can be used as a good indicator of whether one important dimension of the NEPAD is implemented. I establish whether, through an analysis of the ECGI, that dimension of the NEPAD is being implemented by looking at the countries where the ECGI was implemented. I maintain the position that through the NEPAD, good governance in African countries is promoted and that is why the authors of the NEPAD document created the ECGI.
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    The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty : a comparison of realist, liberal and constructivist views
    (University of the Western Cape, 2012) Petersen, Bradley Craig; Pretorius, Joelien
    The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was negotiated to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons, resulting from the dangers associated with the use of these weapons well visible during 1945, in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and a nuclear arms race as seen during the Cuban Missile Crisis. During NPT Review Conferences, held every five years, the strength and integrity of this treaty is tested. Evident in NPT review conferences is the disagreement between nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states over the role and importance placed on nuclear weapons and the slow pace of nuclear disarmament. The NPT has been in force for over 40 years; however the threat of nuclear weapons still exists. It then becomes necessary to understand what role the NPT plays in the international system, which differs depending on the theoretical lens used to interpret the NPT. A realist perspective of the NPT reveals that this treaty is an instrument used by dominant states to safeguard and legitimise their hold over nuclear weapons, while denying other states access to these weapons, instead protecting their allies through extended nuclear deterrence. A liberal perspective of the NPT highlights the moral influence of this treaty as an instrument for the benefit of the greater good, to shield humanity from the dangers of a nuclear explosion by delegitimizing nuclear weapons, key to shaping the perceptions of the decision makers of states regarding state security and nuclear weapons particularly. A constructivist interpretation of the NPT argues that this treaty is a social construction by states to impose a measure of order in their relations. At particular times in history, the NPT moves between a realist and liberal interpretation based on critical events that inform its direction. Social agents (decision makers of the state) through their thinking and ideas construct and give meaning to “reality” which is constantly negotiated. With that in mind, no interpretation of the NPT is fixed and for that reason, a constructivist conclusion seems ultimately applicable, namely that the NPT is what states make of it.
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    The role of diplomatic protocol in constructing a foreign policy identity: The case study of South Africa
    (University of Western Cape, 2021) Apollis, Tricia; Pretorius, Joelien
    Diplomatic protocol may come across as entailing red carpets, table settings and dress codes when diplomats come together. However, there is much more to it. This research study explores the role of diplomatic protocol in constructing a foreign policy identity in the case study of South Africa. Protocol, along with the actions and politics of a country, shapes the perception that foreign powers have of a state, in turn impacting on their relations politically, economically and culturally. The study will be focused on diplomatic protocol during the administrations of three South African presidents since 1994: Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma.
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    Russian interference in the United States (US) Presidential election in 2016
    (University of the Western Cape, 2022) Bougaard, Jodie; Pretorius, Joelien
    There is significant evidence that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 United States (US) Presidential election, including through direct attacks against US election infrastructure and internet-based disinformation. Interference in the US election in 2016 represented a particularly sophisticated intrusion due partly to the use of cyber operations as an interference tool. Open-source information provides insight into Russia's interference methods; however, the precise motivation for pursuing interference remains unknown. Russian incentives to interfere in the US Presidential elections in 2016 remain a topic of debate in academia, politics, media and popular culture.
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    Russian interference in the United States (US) presidential election in 2016
    (University of the Western Cape, 2022) Bougaard, Jodie; Pretorius, Joelien
    There is significant evidence that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 United States (US) Presidential election, including through direct attacks against US election infrastructure and internet-based disinformation. Interference in the US election in 2016 represented a particularly sophisticated intrusion due partly to the use of cyber operations as an interference tool. Open-source information provides insight into Russia's interference methods; however, the precise motivation for pursuing interference remains unknown. Russian incentives to interfere in the US Presidential elections in 2016 remain a topic of debate in academia, politics, media and popular culture. Experts in the field of International Relations (IR)
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    Terrorism and military intervention under the principle of the Responsibility to Protect: The case of Boko Haram.
    (University of Western Cape, 2020) Sibanda, Sehlule; Pretorius, Joelien
    Intervention is a controversial issue in international relations. In recent years, the issue of intervention has been further complicated by the attention given to terrorism following the 9/11 attacks on the United States (US) by the terrorist group under the name of Al Qaeda. In 2005, the United Nations (UN) member states adopted the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) principle that was coined by the Canadian government to give intervention a multilateral dimension. The R2P principle was established to protect civilians from four atrocity crimes, namely genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing. R2P gives the international community authority to intervene in situations where states are failing to protect their citizens from the aforementioned atrocity crimes.