Studying Political Science in London | Undergraduate Dissertations
Senior Seminar Dissertations: Spring 2010
STACY TOURTIN
The Middle Way between Cultural Relativism and Universalism: The Human Rights Debate in China
This paper analyzes both the Cultural Relativist argument and the Universalist argument in term of Human Rights. Using China as a case study, it attempts to find a middle way that integrates both theories in order for human rights to progress within the specificities inherent global politics.
FAISAL AL-SAUD
The Impact of Morality on a Realist Foreign Policy: An Assessment of the Merits of Ethical Realism from a Classic Realist Perspective
This paper argues that it is rational to assume that any implementation of a moral agenda would only be detrimental to the successful execution of a foreign policy based on the strict principles of realism.
MARY GRACE WYVILLE
How Lu Xun’s Literature Played a Major Role in Instigating the Chinese Revolution in the 20th Century
This paper assess the role of Lu Xun’s literature, which deals with awakening of the Chinese people prior to the Chinese Revolution. It argues that Lu Xun identified issues which were inherent to Chinese society, such as the role of education, community and equality. These issues which were written about by Lu Xun as symbolic for China’s problems at the beginning of the 20th century, were necessary to be addressed in order for the development of a new China.
Senior Seminar Dissertations: Fall 2009
ANA CORREA
Does Immigration have an effect in the rise of Populist Parties? A Case Study of Polish immigration in Britain and the rise of the BNP and UKIP
This paper examines whether the recent popularity of the British National Party (BNP) and the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) is a result of the exploitation of voters’ fears of a threat on their “heartland” rather than on an alignment with the party’s platforms. The perceived threat is immigration, particularly from Poland. This paper tests the hypothesis by analysing electoral results, campaign speeches and newspaper opinion articles in communities with high levels of Polish migration.
ALEX KOEHLER
The GM Revolution – Help or Hindrance to Development?
This paper examines the worldwide propagation of Genetically Modified crops, addressing the arguments for and against their continued cultivation. Primarily, it seeks to asses whether or not GMO’s can be used successfully to aid problems of food production and distribution as well as concerns of starvation and malnutrition in the developing world.
YASMEEN HAYAT
Imposing Democracy from the Outside: Explaining Iraq’s Transition
This paper examines the legitimacy of Iraq as a representative democracy. It argues that Iraq is not a democracy due to democracy being imposed from the outside rather than from within,
TIM WISNIEWSKI
Implement Instant-Runoff Voting to Increase Voter Turnout in the United States
By implementing Instant-Runoff Voting (IRV), a system whereby voters can rank candidates on the ballot in the order of their preference, voter participation in US elections can increase. IRV gives elections more legitimate winners, gives voters more options, guarantees no votes are wasted, and saves millions of taxpayer dollars spent on election costs.
Senior Seminar Dissertations : Spring 2009
MINERVA CHAVEZ
The Effects of New Media on Voter Behaviour
This dissertation looks at the 2008 presidential campaign of Barack Obama and analyzes how Obama’s new media strategy, including the use of the internet and TV advertising, contributed to an increase in participation of young voters.
Senior Seminar Dissertations : Fall 2008
TREVOR TANIGUCHI
Neo-Instrumentalism in Ethnic Nationalism: A New Approach to Examining Nationalist Populism
This dissertation examines the existing theories of nationalism, including Modernism, Primordialism and Neo-Marxism. However, Neo-Instrumentalism as a new paradigm has emerged in the post-Cold War epoch. This theory is applied to the Yugoslav ‘Civil Wars.’
JOSEPH B. LOMOTEY III
Conflict Resolution and International Organizations
International organizations are more capable of approaching conflict resolution than unilateral and bilateral actions. This is argued in relation to Kosovo and Serbia.
BLAKE BOND-UPSON
The Impact of New Media on American Politics: An examination of the 2008 Presidential Campaign
This dissertation examines the impact of new media on American politics, specifically addressing the 2008 presidential campaign. It argues that the internet has a transformative impact on American politics based on its ability to bring about a greater level of political involvement.
Senior Seminar Dissertations : Spring 2008
MARIA SALAMANCA-MEJIA
Conflict Resolution Theories and their Applicability to Modern Low-intensity Conflicts using the Colombian case
This dissertation will assess the flexibility of conflict resolution theories by evaluating them through the analysis of the Colombian civil conflict. It will argue that the dynamic nature of modern armed conflicts has made it increasingly difficult for theories to offer equally dynamic alternatives to conflict resolution.
TACIANA CUNHA REGO
Multiethnic States and Affirmative Action in Brazil
Multiethnic states have developed multiethnic policies to deal with social inequalities. Brazil, which was internationally known for being a racial democracy, has declared that it is a racist country. In order to deal with racial inequality it has adopted affirmative actions in the form of racial quotas in public universities. The subject is highly controversial and this research paper will assess its success.
JUSTINE GRANNIS
The Public Policy Process: Think Tanks in the NATO Enlargement Debate
Think Tanks arguably play a significant role in the public policy process and their influence on the NATO Enlargement Debate of the 1990s proves this to be true.
DANIELLE WILLIAMS
IMF and World Bank Sustainable Development Failures in the Central African Republic
This essay examines the contradictory sustainable development policies in the Central African Republic introduced by the IMF and World Bank and how these policies have increasingly reduced the chance of development within the CAR.
AUGUST LIETZ
China’s ‘One Child Policy’ and its Consequences
China’s ‘One Child Policy’ can be considered a failure on numerous grounds and this paper addresses its unintended consequences Some of the consequences include the creation of demographic problems, such as massive age gaps, and the inability of the Chinese state to provide social security for the elderly.
Link to this page: http://www.richmond.ac.uk/s/913.aspx
