Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item In Creativity Begin Responsibilities: Analyzing Creativity in Relation to Social Commitment and Individual Development in Haruki Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore(2017) Bidetti, Alice; Russell, Shannon; De Luca, CarolinaThis thesis investigates the connection between creativity and social responsibilities in the novel Kafka on the Shore, by Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami. Murakami’s personal ideology of the artist’s social responsibility influences the novel in terms of both style and plot. Chapter 1 analyzes the figure of the artist, discussing both Murakami as the committed artist and the artistic characters in Kafka on the Shore. Chapter 2 focuses on art as a source for selfdevelopment, analyzing the evolution of the characters of Kafka and Hoshino.Item ISIS: Its Emergence and ways to Combat it(2017) Almaghlooth, Muhannad; Driessen, Michael; Scarpa, SilviaThe thesis deals with understanding the emergence of the terrorist state ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) and its difference from previous terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda. It will also attempt to answer the following questions: how did ISIS manage to spread in important territories in Syria and Iraq? Who finds ISIS and how does it promote its aesthetics of horror globally? How it does it make use of the most technological postmodernist aspects of the media to spread terror? The thesis will also deal with understanding the theoretical and academic explanations to its emergence so that it can offer suggested solutions to ways in which we can combat it. One of the main questions that the thesis poses: is it enough for the United States and the Western world to combat ISIS by using military force, or are there more effective and more humanitarian ways in which this terrorist group can be combatted? The thesis also poses this question: how far is the United States hegemony responsible in creating those terrorist groups that have excessive hatred for the West, socially the United States? In other words, what are the lessons that the United States can learn from the emergence of such a threatening terrorist group?The thesis deals with understanding the emergence of the terrorist state ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) and its difference from previous terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda. It will also attempt to answer the following questions: how did ISIS manage to spread in important territories in Syria and Iraq? Who finds ISIS and how does it promote its aesthetics of horror globally? How it does it make use of the most technological postmodernist aspects of the media to spread terror? The thesis will also deal with understanding the theoretical and academic explanations to its emergence so that it can offer suggested solutions to ways in which we can combat it. One of the main questions that the thesis poses: is it enough for the United States and the Western world to combat ISIS by using military force, or are there more effective and more humanitarian ways in which this terrorist group can be combatted? The thesis also poses this question: how far is the United States hegemony responsible in creating those terrorist groups that have excessive hatred for the West, socially the United States? In other words, what are the lessons that the United States can learn from the emergence of such a threatening terrorist group?Item Ed Ruscha’s Deadpan Mise-en-Scène(2022) Antonova, Yuliia; Linford, Sarah; Gianni, IlariaEd Ruscha’s artworks have often been discussed in relation to both cinema and deadpan aesthetics. While both issues have been extensively researched separately, they were not discussed concerning one another within Ruscha’s art practice, especially his oil paintings. What is more, even though the impact of cinema on Ruscha’s paintings and photographs has been extensively analyzed, his artworks have never been viewed through film theory itself. By focusing on Large Trademarks with Eight Spotlights (1962) as a case study, this thesis engages with the cinema, both Old Hollywood and experimental, film theory, and deadpan aesthetics in order to show the uniqueness of Ruscha’s use of deadpan aesthetic through the visual devices of cinema.Item Italy and the European Union: how do young Italians see this relationship?(2015) Mereo, Federica; Rensmann, Lars; Clough Marinaro, IsabellaThis senior thesis is the result of a lack of knowledge regarding the public opinions about the EU of specific groups of people. Since the Maastricht Treaty of 1992, the European Union has seen its role in the domestic affairs of the Member States significantly increased. It now has a voice in several sectors of domestic policies, such as economy, education, and the health system, through directives and regulations that aim at guaranteeing some common standards in all member states. The ultimate target of this institution is the EU citizen. Regardless of their nationality, EU citizens have common rights deriving from their state’smembership to the EU. Therefore, the way in which the EU is perceived by the public opinion is of significant importance for understanding how much citizens approve the EU’s modus operandi. Because of this, the European Commission has established a yardstick to measure how citizens perceive the EU, i.e. the Eurobarometer. Since 1973, the EC has conducted surveys in all the member states in order to measure if people in each country were led toward a positive consideration of the EU, or if they were opposing it, thus being Eurosceptic. The main problem with the Eurobarometer - and cause and driver of this thesis - is the consideration of the public opinion of a nation as a whole, without differentiation for age or economic group. The EB has showed the public perceptions about the EU by Italians throughout four decades without subdividing the population into specific groups. Moreover, there is the absence of an analysis about the forces driving the different opinions. What if Italian young people are completely Eurosceptic, or women are all pro-EU? What if the choice of a job or the education path completed does determine a specific attitude toward the EU? The aim of this thesis is to understand if Italian young people (20-30 years) are Eurosceptic and if the theory of domestic proxies by Christopher Anderson can explain their attitude.Item The Populist Regime of François Duvalier: The Role Of Ideology, Terror, and Foreign Policy(2013) Giacché, Joshua Maurizio; Ogle, Gene; De Caprariis, LucaThis thesis examines the Duvalier regime under the reign of Franfois Duvalier. Duvalier, commonly referred to as “Papa Doc”, came to power in Haiti in 1957 on a populist platform. After a short time he became a corrupt dictator who no longer had the masses interests at heart. The Duvalier regime was one of the most oppressive and authoritarian in the Caribbean and Greater Latin American world, but Duvalier enjoyed much popular support during his entire reign. One cannot help but wonder how Duvalier and his regime managed to have widespread support when the masses were being terrorized and the standard of living declined for the large peasant population in Haiti. This thesis argues that Duvalier’s populist regime reflects the dangers of populist movements worldwide. Since Haitian Independence in 1804, there has always been tension between the Mulatto elite and large Black population. Much of previous Haitian political history was authoritarian, corrupt and did little good for the Haitian people. Furthermore, the majority of previous political leaders had always neglected Haiti’s African past. Duvalier however, valued Haiti’s African historical and cultural past. Overall, the Duvalier regime managed to survive and Papa Doc had much popular support for two main reasons. First, because of the pervasive Terror carried out by Duvalier’s paramilitary organization. Second, because of the appeal of his Black mi Nationalist ideology. In the eyes of many. Papa Doc was the best political option Haiti had to offer. Lastly, as a staunch anti-Communist, Duvalier managed to use the tensions of the Cold War to his advantage.Item The thought of annihilation : the non-human in the poetry of Wordsworth, Shelley, and Keats(2016) Capparelli, Jacopo M.; Russell, Shannon; Klausner, LewisThe purpose of this thesis is to gain a better understanding of the poetry of Wordsworth, Shelley, and Keats by amending the traditional view of their poetry as one which seeks to establish human subjectivity in a position of primary importance as a reaction to the depersonalizing forces of industrialization. Its amendment consists in the contention that this prioritizing of human subjectivity is based necessarily on the sublation or acceptance of the non-Human, which is defined as the complete opposite of the Human. Definitions of the terms non-Human, Human, and Humanity will be provided, as they are key to the renewed understanding of the poets in question. The thesis will also endeavor to outline the peculiar ways in which these poets articulate this necessary sublation or acceptance by first analyzing their stated theoretical positions, and then applying the results of this analysis to concrete instances of their poetry. Specifically, it will feature analyses of Wordsworth’s “Preface to Lyrical Ballads”, Shelley’s “A Defence of Poetry”, and Keats’s letters on negative capability; it will then look at Wordsworth’s “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”, Shelley’s “Hymn to Intellectual Beauty”, and Keats’s “Ode to a Nightingale” and “Ode on a Grecian Urn”. It will conclude that while both Wordsworth and Shelley sublate the non-Human for the renewal of the Human, respectively as a poet of ‘imaginary reaction’ and of ‘apocalyptic revolution’, Keats is the poet of quietistic stasis.Item Administrative Detention in Italy: From Immigration ‘Control’ to Immigration ‘Management’ through Alternatives to Detention(2015) Vari, Elisa; Harris, Pamela; Clough Marinaro, IsabellaThe purpose of this research is to show that immigration detention in Italy is ineffective, unethical, and carried out in a way that is detrimental to the detainees’psychological and physical wellbeing as well as to Italy’s long-term public policy interests, and that alternatives to detention are practicable. In order to achieve this goal, this dissertation explores the legal framework regulating immigration detention, the Italian detention system and its functioning, and the alternatives to detention discussed among the epistemic community. The findings that will follow may not only prove that Italy -and the EU- has an obligation to shift policy from migration ‘control’ to migration‘management’, but may also raise awareness on the issue.Item Acknowledging the Political Nature of the Responsibility to Protect’s Framework: A Qualitative Assessement of the Potential of NGOs to Influence the International System and States’ Foreign Policy(2016) Tracci, Cristian Michael; Harris, Pamela; Driessen, MichaelFifteen years after the framework of the Responsibility to Protect was designed by the ICISS, the theory lacks practical implementation, despite having reached a wide conceptual agreement. As it was institutionally adopted by the UN Global Summit in 2005, it became clear that no actions could be undertaken outside of the UN system. This resulted in a deadlock at the level of the UNSC due to the veto power of the P5. Given the inherent political nature of the cases addressed by R2P -genocide, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and war crimes - the solution must necessarily be political, moving away from the initially predominant moral stance. Many actors have the potential to create political capital, such as politicians, journalists, scholars or institutions. This research specifically investigates the role played by R2P-related NGOs in influencing the international system and states’decisions. The analysis has been based on interviews - with representatives of two centers (GCR2P and CCR2P) and a government official - and on the factual observation of reality. A deeply constructivist approach clashed with structural constraints, material factors and power politics. Therefore, it has been hard to find a significant positive correlation between R2P-related NGOs and changes in the international system or states’ foreign policy. NGOs have a great potential; indeed,their efforts have been extremely valuable, leading to some important improvements, but at this point it is still hard to identify a constant pattern of influence. They should rather be considered indirect determinants and contributors to this normative and political change.Item Rethinking the Human Rights-Based Approach to Social Protection: A Critical Analysis of its Efforts to Eliminate Food Insecurity(2015) Spallino, Camilla; Harris, Pamela; Driessen, MichaelThis work discusses the human rights-based approach to social protection in its aim of eliminating food insecurity. From the theory behind the creation of the approach to its current application in development programs, human rights have been critically analyzed In light of their greatest successes and possible implementations. The mood of this thesis encourages readers to critically read and think about the importance of the topic and to try, to any possible extent, to grasp the contribution that anyone can make.Item Italian development cooperation: how and where it is carried out, and the problems it encounters(1994) Salini, FrancesThe following analysis of the Italian Development Cooperation is an attempt to see whether the impeedements to a successful cooperational project (as would have been the Tana-Beles Project), lie in the way the pertinent laws are formulated, in the way they are executed, or in the way they are implemented.Item The Role of Language and Media in Shaping the International Criminal Law’s Approach to Gender Based Violence in Regards to World War II, the Rwandan Genocide, the Yugoslav Wars and the Syrian Civil War(2013) Rossi, Alexia Noah; Harris, Pamela; Scarpa, SilviaThis thesis discusses international criminal law in regards to sexual violence against women. In the specific the thesis focuses on two particular factors that can influence and be influenced by international criminal law. These factors are language and media coverage. They are applied to the post-World War II trials, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and the recent civil war in Syria. The first chapter is dedicated to language. The main argument is that the language used by the international criminal tribunals to prosecute sexual violence against women has changed during the years. Rape, sexual assault, forced pregnancy, prostitution and sterilization went from being almost invisible to becoming a very important part of international criminal law. This chapter charts this change and tries to explain it. The second chapter is dedicated to the media. The main analysis of this chapter delves into the CNN Effect and how it, and media coverage more in general, can influence international law. The chapter analyzes how the lack of the CNN Effect during World War II, its distortion in the Rwandan genocide, its importance in the Yugoslav wars and its possible relevance in the Syrian civil war impacted the international prosecution of the crimes committed against women.Item Net-working worlds(2010) Gabai, Sara; Lopez, Antonio; Sarram, PaoloParticipatory communication is the basis for democratic action. With the rise of m new media and the critical and conscious use of them, citizens’ civic engagement may improve, freedom of speech may be amplified and the demarcation in today’s societies between the cultural, the social, political and economic realms may be decreased. I will r»i discuss new media as an anti- sectarian, egalitarian and collective system that plays a determinant role in unmasking the systems of dominance and subordination strongly imprinted in the texture of our cultures and societies and deconstructing ideologies. hegemonic structures and barriers raised among individuals and nature. Culture is a dynamic process of interactions, exchanges and negotiations among individuals. As new meanings, trends and ideas of how we conceive the world emerge. we, as cultural and political agents fully immersed in the continuous process of change. can decide whether to embody the role of custodians of our old values and codes of behavior, or to project ourselves into the future, perceive reality in a new way and build new values for a globally sustainable world. New media, as a tool for political action, are becoming a powerful channel through which people’s voices may be heard and new forms of democratic action and m collective struggle may take place. One does not have to necessarily be a business’ executive or a politician to make a change; by being responsible and active citizens in society, it is possible to create sustainable and healthy environments that guarantee human beings’ universal rights such as freedom of expression, freedom to elect our leaders, the right to have food and shelter and education and employment beyond discriminations and social divisions. The shift from our current unsustainable life model mi R n1 to a new and sustainable one cannot take place through aggression, domination and i separation, rather, through the acknowledgment of our kinship with others and mutual I cooperation to serve humanity’s commdri interests.Item Men’s Reflection of Women’s Anger in Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights(2024) Cucci, Giada; Dews, Carlos; Sacchetti, LiviaThis analysis of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë focuses on the feeling of anger and how it shapes the dynamic between the main characters of the novels. This thesis will explore the sentiment of ire in the novels, focusing on its origin and identifying it mainly through a feminist lens. In Jane Eyre I will focus on the shift from expression of anger to repression of anger, concerning the character of Rochester, and the contrary regarding Jane, all the while identifying the source of their rage as their inability to fit into society. In Wuthering Heights I will analyse Catherine and Heathcliff’s shifts from expression, to suppression, to expression once again, by taking into consideration their roles as misfits.Item Breaking the Cycle of Violence: Cybernetics, Information, and the Path to Coexistence in the Israeli Palestinian Conflict(2024) Hagar, Aviv; Antomarini, Brunella; Driessen, MichaelThis thesis examines the cybernetic paradigm of knowledge and its application in the political and social realities of today. Drawing from systems theory, it challenges the modern scientific notion of humanity’s relationship with the environment, emphasizing the importance of understanding circular causal relationships in systems rather than the linear models traditionally used in modern science. By adopting a systems theory perspective, the thesis reframes political and social conflict as systemic relationships within complex environments, where negative feedback loops allow for the exchange of information and mutual adjustment between components. The rapid rise of digital media has intensified global conflicts, often portrayed in oversimplified, linear cause-and-effect narratives. This approach fosters polarization and misrepresents the complexity of conflicts, obstructing deeper understanding and peaceful resolution. Through a case study of the Israel-Hamas conflict, this thesis demonstrates how systems theory, especially the concept of feedback loops, provides a more comprehensive understanding of complex conflicts. The Israel-Hamas conflict is not simply a series of linear events, but a dynamic system in which the actions of both sides perpetuate cycles of violence and division. Recognizing these interdependent relationships, the thesis advocates for a shift away from linear narratives, suggesting that conflict resolution requires an understanding of mutual influence and the potential for mutual adjustment. By acknowledging the interconnectedness of all actors, systems, and environments, this research offers new insights into how we can approach conflict resolution in a more constructive and sustainable way. The challenge lies not only in addressing immediate grievances but in rethinking the systems of power and information that sustain these conflicts, locally and globally. Only by recognizing the complexity of these interconnected systems can we hope to move toward a resolution that breaks the cycle of self-destruction and allows for peaceful coexistence.Item The “Pagan” Influence on Christianity: An Analysis of Cultural and Iconographical Transitions from the 1st Century BCE to 5th Century CE(2024) Arguello, Isabella; Conti, Fabrizio; Walters, ErikThis paper will explore and analyze the transitional period of the Late Roman Empire during its transition from a pagan dominated culture to a Christian one. The aim of this thesis is to highlight the events over this transition as well as question the efficacy and how linear/progressive the victory of Christianity was over the Roman world at a cultural level and whether “paganism” really transitioned quietly. To find this, I will be referencing translated primary sources, reviewing scholarly interpretations of certain myths both Christian and pagan, and analyze art works and archaeological sites in relation to texts provided. From this it can be seen that a mix of social and political factors over a period of time growing from tolerance as well as a backing from the upper and elite class of Roman citizens aided in a public acceptance of Christianity. However, this did not entirely succeed in diminishing the footprint of paganism especially in artworks adapted to fit the Christian narrative as well as possible adaptation of myths. This then can show that despite a major shift in religions during the Late Roman Empire not only was there an explicit shift from pagan to Christian but also a more subtle shift in Christianity with its roots in the Roman myths, thus revealing the complicated relationship between the two.Item The European Union as Democratizing Actor Through Conditionality: A Comparative Perspective on Hungary and Romania’s Accessions(2024) Esposito, Federico; Startin, Nicholas James; Costagli, SimonaFrom travel freedom to economic integration, the European Union has shaped the European way of life reinforcing democratic values. This dissertation will analyse the democratizing role of the European Union through political conditionality. In adhering to democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights, and good governance, conditionality acts as leverage through which the European Union acts as a democratising actor. In analysing the correlation between democracy and EU conditionality, this thesis will tackle the following research question: how does EU conditionality address the democratisation process in Europe? The thesis is developed on the idea that the EU exerted conditionality throughout the pre-accession and the negotiation process through which the countries examined. In this case, the Eastern European countries (EEC), in particular Romania and Hungary, strengthened the quality of their democratic institutions to qualify for EU membership, resulting in enhanced democracies between 1990s and 2000s. By analyzing this process, the thesis aims to contribute to the broader academic literature on the role of EU conditionality in fostering democratization, offering insights into the relationship between external incentives and domestic political reforms in transitioning democracies.Item Protest Escalation in Hong Kong’s Pro-Democratic Movement (2014-2019)(2024) Wu, Cristina; Fardella, Enrico; Roman, CamilThis thesis examines the transformation of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement from nonviolent resistance to violent confrontation between 2014 and 2019, focusing on the Umbrella Movement, the Fishball Revolution, and the Anti-Extradition Law Protests. It investigates the research question: why did the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong escalate into violence? Employing a relational and process-oriented approach, the study integrates theoretical insights on repression, emotional dynamics, and collective identity with an in-depth analysis of protest escalation. Drawing on primary accounts, protest symbols, and historical context, it highlights how repression, coupled with the evolving socio-political tensions in a hybrid regime, influenced shifts in contentious tactics. Findings reveal that the interaction between state actions and protestor responses drove the radicalization of tactics. Repressive measures by Beijing and the Hong Kong government— including the use of police force and legal mechanisms—intensified public outrage and fostered a sense of moral obligation among activists. Emotional flashpoints, such as police violence and symbolic desecrations, galvanized mobilization, while culturally resonant symbols like the Lennon Wall reinforced collective identity and sustained resistance.Item Political Inclusion of Roma: Optimizing the National Roma and Sinti equality, inclusion and participation strategy (2021-2030)(2024) Stefanelli, Ginevra; Clough Marinaro, Isabella; Scarpa, SilviaThis research investigates the political participation of the Roma communities in Italy within the framework of the new National Roma and Sinti equality, inclusion and participation strategy (2021-2030). Previous studies have already addressed several issues surrounding the Roma, ranging from being accused of causing an emergency because of their lifestyle and precarious living conditions in institutionalized camps to debates on their legal status, citizenship, antigypsyism, and the limitations of the previous National Strategy (2012-2021). However, insufficient attention has been given to political inclusion as a means for Roma empowerment. This study aims to suggest optimizations to the current National Strategy (2021- 2030) to address antigypsyism through the promotion of political inclusion. A qualitative approach to data-collection is employed, combining semi-structured interviews with the analysis of existing documents. The theoretical discussion critiques Kymlicka’s liberal multiculturalism, advocating a political process perspective to address the Roma’s diverse identity and activism while avoiding tokenism in representation. The findings of this research clearly show a discontinuity between the normative side presented by the National Strategy (2021-2030) and the way in which the strategy is being implemented to foster Roma participation. This research is of importance as it attempts to address the political emancipation of a historically vulnerable group, by providing suggestions to improve an already existing strategy, and it conveys the message that marginalised communities, like the Roma, must be genuinely included in policy formulation. Keywords: Roma, National Roma and Sinti equality, inclusion and participation strategy (2021-2030), Political inclusion, Law 482, Activism, Antigypsyism.Item Reversed Populism: A Strategic Response to Right-Wing Populism(2024) Sarra, Riccardo; Startin, Nicholas James; Bryson, Annette MerlePopulism, traditionally associated with divisive right-wing rhetoric, has evolved to include progressive and inclusive adaptations. This study examines the shifting paradigms of populist rhetoric by contrasting right-wing populism, as exemplified by leaders like Giorgia Meloni and Donald Trump, with a new wave of “Reversed Populism” championed by figures such as Kamala Harris, Pedro Sánchez, Emmanuel Macron, and Donald Tusk. While right-wing populists use nationalism, cultural nostalgia, and binary narratives to galvanize support at times through disinformation and emotive appeal, reversed populists reclaim those very same tools to speak out in the name of fairness, social justice, and democratic participation. Showcasing speeches, social media strategies, and policy designs, this study highlights the transformative potential when facing modern challenges as a unifying force for the protection of democratic integrity.Item Fields Of Fervour: The Use of Football For The Promotion Of Nationalism By Authoritarian Regimes Within Regionalised States(2024) Rawcliffe, Joseph Callan; Wilcox, Vanda; Keenan, TaraIn the contemporary political climate, several authoritarian politicians are attempting to use football as political vehicle for the promotion of nationalist sentiment within their respective states. Over the last few decades, a significant amount of scholarly literature has analysed the theory regarding the relationship between football, collective identity, and nationalism. Using the three historical case studies of fascist Italy, Francoist Spain, and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, this thesis explores the practical application of such theory analysing whether football is indeed an effective political tool for the promotion of nationalism within the specific context of regionalised states. The research finds that, despite placing significant emphasis on football for the promotion of nationalism, the regimes’ efforts are often unrealised in the context of the sport. International football, in its banal representation of the state, does provide a platform which can unite the populace and help facilitate state nationalist sentiment. Such impact is, however, fleeting given the infrequency of international football matches, and the fact that in divided states the official national team is often not seen to truly represent the whole population. Domestic football, on the other hand, whilst lending itself to more frequent appropriation by the regime, thrives on rivalries between clubs. As a result, domestic football often maintains or exacerbates divisions within society as clubs becoming bastions of sub-state nationalism in states containing several national identities. Although football must be understood as one part of authoritarian regimes’ wider cultural policy, this thesis demonstrates the limitations of the sport in promoting nationalist sentiment in states characterised by regional and national division.