<p>Tri osnovna cilja su predmet istraživanja u doktorskoj disertaciji. Prvi cilj je da se prouče mogućnosti modelovanja poslovnih informacionih sistema kori&scaron;ćenjem ontolo&scaron;kog pristupa modelovanju informacionih sistema. Drugi cilj je da se razvije model informacionog sistema državnih garancijskih fondova baziran na primeni objektnog i ontolo&scaron;kog pristupa modelovanju. Treći cilj je da se implementira prototip informacionog sistema državnih kreditno-garancijskih fondova i da se verifikuje na slučaju Grancijskog fonda APV. Metodologija: Za modelovanje sistema je kori&scaron;ćen ontolo&scaron;ki pristup primenom metodologije METHONTOLOGY, kao i alati za modeliranje i analizu ontologija (Protege). Za implementaciju prototipa je kori&scaron;ćena Microsoft .NET platforma. Rezultati istraživanja su verifikovani i testirani sa podacima iz poslovnih aktivnosti Garancijskog fonda APV.<br />Rezultati. U ovoj disertaciji su ostvareni sledeći rezultati: Na osnovu istraţivanja iz oblasti modelovanja informacionih sistema primenom ontolo&scaron;kog pristupa i identifikovanih modela funkcionisanja državnih garancijskih fondova, kreiran je konceptualni model drţavnih garancijskih fondova koji je poslužio kao osnova za razvoj ontolo&scaron;kog modela Garancijskog fonda APV. Ontolo&scaron;ki model OMGFAPV je kreiran upotrebom Methontology metodologije. OMGFAPV semantički opisuje poziciju i hijerarhiju Garancijskog fonda APV u okvirupokrajinske administracije kao i sadržaje koji su iskori&scaron;ćeni dalji za razvoj dela informacionog sistema Garancijskog fonda APV. U okviru ovih istraţivanja ostvarena su dva naučna doprinosa. Prvi doprinos je predlog metodologije transformacije semantičkih sadrţaja koji su opisani u ontolo&scaron;kom modelu u korisnički interfejs (KI) koji je standardna komponenta informacionog sistema. Drugi doprinos odnosi se na upotrebu ontolo&scaron;kih modela za modelovanje i implementaciju poslovne logike. Ova istraţivanja su obuhvatila specifičnosti podr&scaron;ke odlučivanju u procesu izdavanja garancija u državnim garancijskim fondovima. Rezultat istraţivanja je SCORE ontologija koja predstavlja zasebnu komponentu informacionog sistema Garancijskog fonda APV. Ograničenja istraživanja / implikacije: Ograničenjapredloţenog modela OMGFAPV odnose se na potrebu njegovog pro&scaron;irivanja usled specifičnih potreba, odnosno kompleksnijih operativnih procedura u procesu izdavanja garancija.Predložena metodologija transformacije semantičkih sadržaja u ontolo&scaron;kom modelu u korisnički interfejs ograničena je na kreiranje komponenti korisničkog interfejsa za unos ulaznih podataka poslovnih procedura. Osnovno ograničenjepredložene SCORE ontologije je njena stroga specijalizovanost. Predložena ontologija implementira socijalne i ekonomske karakteristike koje su od značaja za razvoj konkretnog regiona i jedan konkretan model evaluacije izdavanja garancija baziran na indeksima prioriteta. Ontologija ne sadrži generalizacije koje bi omogućile njeno direktno kori&scaron;ćenje za druge regione ili druge modele evaluacije predloga odluke i izdavanju garancija. Praktične implikacije:<br />Kreirani model informacionog sistema obezbeđuje kreiranje i praćenje podataka i dokumenata u svim fazama procesa izdavanja garancije. Pri tome je poseban naglasak na proceni kreditne sposobnosti aplikanata i distribuciji i razmeni podataka sasvimučesnicima učesnici u procesu izdavanja garancija. Sistem obezbeđuje minimalno sintaktička i koliko je moguće semantičku interoperabilnost sa eksternim učesnicima u procesu (druge finansijske institucije, organi uprave) kao i jednostavno kori&scaron;ćenje onim korisnicima (pre svega aplikanti, ali i administrativni sluţbenici) koji ne poseduju specifična stručna znanja iz oblasti rada garancijskog fonda. Originalnost/vrednost: Ontolo&scaron;kim pristupom modeliranju sistema a posebno kreiranjem ontologija kojima je predstavljeno znanje o administrativnim procesima stvaraju se pretpostavke za tehničku i organizacionu interoperabilnost različitih drţavnih organa. Pri tome, izuzetno vaţan aspekt je fleksibilan i ekonomičan mehanizam za kreiranje korisničkog interfejsa koji obezbeđuje interakciju različitih tipova korisnika (zaposleni u administraciji, zaposleni u privrednim subjektima i građanstvo) sa sistemom eUprave. Predlog modela ontolo&scaron;ki baziranog generisanja korisničkog interfejsa koji je opisan u disertaciji predstavlja ideju da se standardizuje reprezentacija korisničkog interfejsa. Generisanje i dizajn korisničkog interfejsa su svedeni na razvoj formalizovane ontologije administrativnog procesa koja uključuje opis interakcije korisnika sa sistemom putem anotacija operativnih procedura. Ontologija u kojoj su semantički predstavljene socijalne i ekonomske karakteristike koje obuhvata oblast delovanja državnih razvojnih fondova i koje su od značaja za razvoj analiziranog regiona obezbeđuje proces odlučivanja koji omogućuje dono&scaron;enje odluka o plasmanu državnih sredstava u skladu sa državnim strategijama razvoja.</p> / <p>The research in this doctoral dissertation has three main objectives. The first objective is to study the possibilities of modelling information systems by using an ontological approach. The second objective is to develop a model of information system of state guarantee funds based on the object oriented and the ontological approach to the modelling. The third goal is to implement a prototype of an information system of the state credit-guarantee funds and to verify the case of the Guarantee fund of APV. Methodology: Ontological approach is used for building a model. Methodology METHONTOLOGY was used to build the ontology, as well as tools for modelling and analysis of ontology (Protege). Microsoft .NET platform was used for the implementation of the prototype. The research results are verified and tested with data from operating activities of the Guarantee Fund APV.<br />Results. In this dissertation, the following results were achieved: Based on the research in the field of modelling of information systems using the ontological approach and identified models of the state guarantee funds, the author created a conceptual model of state guarantee funds, which served as the basis for the development of the ontological model of the Guarantee Fund APV. The ontological model OMGFAPV was created using Methontology methodology. OMGFAPV semantically describes the position and hierarchy of the Guarantee Fund of APV within the provincial administration and the contents of which are used for the further development of part of an information system for the Guarantee Fund of APV. Two scientific contributions were realized within these studies. The first contribution is the proposed methodology of transformation of the semantic contents that are described in the ontological model in the user interface component of the information system. The second contribution is the use of ontological models for modelling and implementing business logic. These studies included the specifics of the decision support in the process<br />KEYWORD DOCUMENTATION<br />252<br />of issuing guarantees in the state guaranty funds. The result of this research is a SCORE ontology that represents a separate component of the information system of the Guarantee Fund APV. Research Limitations / Implications: The limitations of the proposed model OMGFAPV refer to the need of expanding due to its specific needs, or more complex operating procedures in the process of issuing the guarantees. The proposed methodology for transformation of semantic content of the ontological model in the user interface is limited to the creation of components of the user interface for entering input data of the business procedures. The key limitation of the proposed SCORE ontology is its strict specialization. The proposed ontology implements social and economic characteristics that are important for the development of a region. The ontology does not contain generalizations that would allow its direct use in other regions or other models of decision proposal in the process of issuing guarantees. Practical implications: The created model of information systems provides the design and monitoring of data and documents in all stages of the process of issuing the guarantee. It is a special emphasis on assessing creditworthiness of applicants and the distribution and exchange of information with all stakeholders, participants in the process of issuing the guarantee. The system provides minimal syntactic and semantic interoperability with external stakeholders (other financial institutions, administrative authorities) as well as ease of use to the users (primarily applicants, and administrative officials) who do not possess specific expertise in the field of labor guarantee fund . Originality / value:<br />The ontological approach to modelling systems, particularly by creating an ontology which is represented by knowledge of administrative processes creates the prerequisites for technical and organizational interoperability of the various government bodies. In addition, an extremely important aspect is a flexible and cost-effective mechanism for creating a user interface that provides interaction of different types of users (employees of the administration, employees of companies and citizens) with a system of eGovernment. The proposal of the ontological model-based generation of user interface that is described in this dissertation presents the idea to standardize the representation of the user interface. Generating and designing of the user interface is reduced to the development of formalized ontology of the administrative process, which includes a description of user interaction with the system via operating procedures annotations. The ontology in which social and economic characteristics are semantically represented, which covers the area of operation of state development funds and which is of importance for the development of the analyzed region provides the decision-making process for making decisions about the placement of state funds in accordance with national development strategies.</p>

A perennial challenge in efforts to deal with environmental issues is the question of how to simplify. As such, where and when one simplifies is often a source of conflict, but perversely also paramount to finding a solution. This thesis focuses on one long-standing environmental issue, the whaling debate. Specifically, it performs a strategically sited microethnography of Faroese whaling, grindadráp, exploring linkages between actions on local and international scales. This thesis aims to contribute to environmental sociological efforts to analyse and resolve complex socio-environmental problems. The five papers that together constitute this thesis collectively provide a description of grindadráp from the local scale of the bays where pilot whales are killed to the international forums where whaling as a whole remains an issue at the heart of an on-going, deadlocked conflict. Primarily based on three months’ fieldwork in the Faroe Islands, this thesis combines observation, interviews, media and other literature. The theoretical lenses employed are that of the ‘ontological turn’ and the ‘theory of sociocultural viability’ (cultural theory). The former utilised as a tool for ethnographic practice with the latter used to analyse how different perspectives on reality manifest throughout the whaling conflict. This thesis demonstrates that grindadráp has changed through time as a result of the interactions between actors with different views on the matter at hand. However, in contrast to the global whaling debate, this interaction has been mostly constructive, with appropriate changes in practice ensuring grindadráp’s continued popularity within the Faroe Islands. Furthermore, its continuation will likely depend on grindadráp’s continued ability to balance different perspectives. This thesis thus echoes environmental sociological calls for improved dialogue in the framing and resolution of environmental disputes, suggesting that cultural theory provides a tool that balances relativism and pragmatism in dealing with complex environmental problems.

Ce projet de mémoire de maîtrise portera sur Descartes et la preuve dite "ontologique" de l'existence de Dieu. La présentation qui sera faite de cette preuve, de ses tenants et de ses aboutissants, tiendra compte: premièrement, du rôle et du statut de celle-ci dans l'ordre des raisons métaphysiques; deuxièmement, des relations entre la preuve "ontologique" et la preuve dite "par les effets"; et troisièmement, des différentes oeuvres de Descartes dans lesquelles il est question de l'argument ontologique. Ainsi, cette analyse permettra de noter les différences relatives qu'il pourrait y avoir chez Descartes quant au fond ou à la forme de cet argument. Nous évoquerons notamment la position différente qu'occupe cette preuve dans deux écrits, soient les Méditations métaphysiques (1641) et les Principes de la philosophie (1644). Ce genre d'analyse nous permettra de nous pencher sur le débat initié par Martial Guéroult et Henri Gouhier concernant la place de la preuve "ontologique" de l'existence de Dieu au sein de l'ordre des raisons métaphysiques ainsi que ses relations avec la preuve "par les effets". La postérité de ce débat sera également considérée. Aussi, nous serons à même de poser la question à savoir s'il y a une évolution de la preuve "ontologique" de l'existence de Dieu au fil des oeuvres dans la pensée de Descartes. En résumé, dans ce mémoire, nous aborderons deux problématiques: la question de l'autonomie ou de la non autonomie de la preuve "ontologique" par rapport à la preuve "par les effets", et le questionnement quant à la possibilité d'une évolution de la place et de la nature de la preuve dite "ontologique" de l'existence de Dieu dans les écrits de Descartes. / This master thesis project will focus on Descartes and the "ontological" proof of the existence of God. The presentation will be made of this proof, its ins and outs. It will take into account: first, the role and status of the latter in the order of metaphysical reasons; second, the relationship between the "ontological" proof and the "through the effects" proof; and third, the various writings of Descartes in which it is question of the ontological argument. Thus, this analysis will note the differences there might be in Descartes thought regarding the substance or form of this argument. We will discuss on the different position this proof occupied in two writings: the Meditations (1641) and the Principles of Philosophy (1644). This type of analysis will allow us to focus on the debate initiated by Martial Guéroult and Henri Gouhier concerning the place of the "ontological" proof of the existence of God in the order of metaphysical reasons as well as its relations with the "through the effects" proof. The posterity of this debate will also be considered. Also, we will be able to ask the question whether there is an evolution of the "ontological" proof of the existence of God in the thought of Descartes over his writings. In summary, in this thesis, we address two issues: the question of autonomy or non-autonomy of the "ontological" proof in relation with the "through the effects" proof; and the question about the possibility of an evolution of the place and nature of the "ontological" proof of the existence of God in the writings of Descartes.

Partindo de um contexto social demarcado por transformações sociais, como o incremento do uso de tecnologia e a inserção da mulher no mercado de trabalho, com a necessidade de maior flexibilização e preparo para nele se inserirem os cidadãos, bem como por transformações no âmbito das relações interpessoais, em especial as familiares, objetivamos, nesta tese, compreender como homens na meia-idade vivenciam esta fase do seu desenvolvimento. A meia-idade é um período demarcado por mudanças, em especial psicológicas para os homens. Isso porque a percepção do envelhecimento, da proximidade da fase adulta dos filhos e a competição com pessoas mais jovens no mercado do trabalho podem deflagrar a chamada “crise da meia-idade". Esse momento pode tanto levar a uma reflexão e a um re-direcionamento existencial como a uma estagnação, demarcada pelo marasmo e receio de empreender mudanças, pois pode haver uma percepção de que a proximidade da morte faz parte de sua vida. Nosso olhar para os homens, nessa fase do desenvolvimento, norteou-se pelas facetas da paternidade, da sexualidade e de seus projetos de vida. A metodologia utilizada foi a fenomenologia ontológico-hermenêutica de Martin Heidegger em que a interpretação do existir humano é a principal tônica. Foram entrevistados sete homens com idade entre 41 e 52 anos, nível socioeconômico A e B, casados e com filhos adolescentes. Os resultados evidenciam que a inautenticidade – modo de ser em que o referencial são “os outros" – mostrou-se como principal norteadora da vida desses homens, embora a autenticidade – assunção das responsabilidades existenciais –, também tenha se revelado. A afetividade, desvelada na preocupação com os filhos foi o principal sentido dos discursos. A inautenticidade revelou-se quando o futuro pessoal dos homens mesclou-se ao dos filhos, não havendo uma percepção de indivíduo, mas sim de que seu papel social norteia seu existir. A autenticidade foi vislumbrada quando a preocupação com suas relações afetivas e seus projetos de vida foram colocados em pauta. O envelhecimento mostrou-se tanto como impeditivo de mudanças, tendo no comodismo sua principal marca, como despertou questionamentos a respeito do modo de vida individual e afetivo. Esses aspectos evidenciam que a meia-idade, vivenciada no mundo pós-moderno, pode propiciar, por meio dos questionamentos que envolvem o existir humano, oportunidades de transformação no contexto das relações interpessoais, abrangendo o mundo familiar, bem como o social mais amplo. Essa fase do desenvolvimento pode proporcionar às novas gerações valores e crenças que lhes oportunizem reflexões e modelos de conduta que sejam alternativos aos que estão presentes nos relacionamentos sociais. A aproximação entre as gerações e a transmissão de questionamentos, dúvidas e anseios podem ser importantes caminhos a serem trilhados por todos os que se preocupam com o existir humano. Como horizontes, percebemos que os sentidos e significados do existir humano são múltiplos e que a fenomenologia ontológico-hermenêutica pode trazer contribuições para a ampliação da compreensão da existência ao desvelar, por intermédio da linguagem, nosso modo de ser. / Starting from a social context marked by social transformations such as the improving use of technology and the influx of working women in the job market and the necessity of a greater flexibility and education of the citizens to make part of it, as well as the transformations occurring in the interpersonal relations, specially those happening within the family, this thesis aims at understanding how the middle-aged men act and experience this development phase of life. The middle age is a period that is marked by changes, specially those psychological ones to men. This happens due the perception of getting old, the proximity of the adult phases of the children and the competition with younger people in the job market, which can blow up the “middle age crisis". This moment can lead to a deeper thinking and to a re-direction of his existence as well as it can lead to stagnation marked by apathy and fear of making changes once the perception of the proximity to death makes part of his life. The glancing to the men at this phase of development was given emphasizing aspects as paternity, sexuality and projects of life. The method employed was based on the Martin Heidegger’s ontological-hermeneutical phenomenology, which focuses the human existence as main point. Seven men with age ranging from 41 to 52 years old were interviewed, having a socio-economical level A or B, married, and having adolescent children. The results show that inauthentic existence - a way of being where the reference is based on the “others" - revealed that main guiding line to those men in this period of their life, although the authentic existence – the assumption of existence’s responsibilities – has been shown up. The affection mixed up the deep worries towards the children was the main sense in the discourses. The inauthentic existence appeared when the future of the children was mixed up with their future, not existing a perception of the individual but the social role that guided his existence. The authentic existence was glimpsed when his worries and preoccupations with affective relations and projects of life were put in evidence. The aging process showed as being an obstacle to changes due to the self-indulgence as well as it raised some questions about of his individual and affection way of living. Those aspects put in evidence the middle age happening in a post-modern world may cause by means of questioning the human existence, in a series of transformation opportunities in a context of interpersonal relations, including the family and the society. This phase of development may proportionate to the coming generations values and beliefs that may give them opportunity to reason over the models and behavior patterns that are alternative ones to those present in the social relationships. The coming up of generations and the transmission of questionings doubts and hopes may be important tracks to be followed by those who really worry about the human existence. We can perceive as horizons that the meanings of the human existence are multiple and the phenomenology ontological-hermeneutical may contribute to wide the comprehension of the existence and may unveil by means of the language our way of living.

L’éthique de Lacan et Levinas répond au dire d’ex-sistence, demande de soin à la fois diachronique et mé-ontologique où l’Autre prime sur l’Etre. Levinas convoque le secret, rupture de la durée historique, dont la racine est la différence : à la fois temporisation, temps différé, ajournement, et Altérité (dissemblance polémique et allergique, différance derridienne), temporalité de la trace (ichnologie). Lacan traite parallèlement de discontinuité signifiante (S1//S2) et de coupure subjective.La vérité synchronique n’est que semblant, seuls mi-dire (Lacan) et vérité monosyllabique (Levinas) n’ont droit de cité. A cet exil de la langue, la temporalité de l’écho (Un lévinassienne, Nom-du-Père lacanien), ou hénologie, est une première modalité de traitement de cette articulation hétérogène, à la fois dans le champ de la construction subjective (clinique de l’Un ichnologique), et dans le champ interprétatif (premier tour de L’étourdit). Nonobstant, l’oeuvre lévinassienne, tout comme la pratique auprès de sujet en souffrance, manifestent un reste embarrassant à cette opération qui repose surl’enjeu de la transmission. A l’Un d’exception qui ex-siste à l’Autre et en assure un fondement par l’évidement de la totalité, Lacan développe l’Un du sinthome qui dépasse toute dimension de filiation, invention. Cet Un sans Autre repose sur le paradigme de l’invention, sort du paradigme du signifiant et d’une temporalité de l’écho, mène à une autre modalité de nouage subjectif et d’interprétation / Lacan and Levinas' ethics answers the ex-sistence’s saying, both diachronic and me-ontological care demand where the Other takes precedence over the Being. Levinas asks the secret, the break of historic duration, whose root is the difference: at the same time temporizing, batch mode, postponement, and Otherness (polemical and allergic disparity, Derrida’s differance), temporality of traces (ichnology). Lacan deals simultaneously with significant discontinuity (S1//S2) and subjective cut. Synchronic truth is only appearance, only half-saying (Lacan) and monosyllabic truth (Levinas) can be established. To this exile of language, the temporality of echo (levinassian One, lacanian Father’s Name), or henology, is a first approach to treat this heterogeneous articulation, both in the field of the subjective construction (clinic of the ichnological One), and in the field of interpretation (first round of L’étourdit). However, the levinassian work, as the practice with the speaker who suffers from, shows an embarrassing remainder of this operation based on the issue of transmission. From One’s exception which ex-sist to the Other and assures him a foundation by the scraping out oftotality, Lacan develops sinthome’s One which exceeds any dimension of filiation, invention. This Otherless One is based on the paradigm of invention, gets out of the significant’s paradigm and the temporality of echo, leads to another subjective modality of knotting and interpretation

The focus of this study is to analyze in what way the historical novel can be convincing and if the interaction between fictional and factual narration within this genre influences the degree to which it can be convincing. The three novels chosen are Les Naufragés De L’Île Tromelin by Irène Frain, Les Enfants d’Alexandrie by Françoise Chandernagor and Bison by Patrick Grainville, for which all three authors received Le Grand Prix Palatine. In the introduction are presented the general characteristics of the genre as well as its capability of being convincing, outlining that there is a possibility for a fictional work to seem more convincing than a purely factual one. Also defined are differences between the contemporary and the classical historical novel. This is done in order to take into account in the analysis what might be learnt from the contemporary historical novel. The theoretical framework consists of the semantic definitions of fictional versus factual narration as presented by Jean-Marie Schaeffer, as well as theory of how the reader’s immersive experience enables ontological crossings. What the analysis is able to show is that all three novels include four types of truth claims, that the reader can be convinced of all four and that this conviction is connected to the context to which the reader associates the historical/literary character. The analysis also brings forth what can be thought of as the historiographical pact, a term analogous with Philippe Lejeune’s term ‘the autobiographical pact’, which establishes a referential link with history. What is in the end considered the most convincing literary device is the inclusion of factual markers referencing real-world sources. In all three novels, it is also possibly to identify truth claims concerning human nature.

This thesis critically analyses, reconstructs and deconstructs the Living Educational Theory (LET) approach. It examines, challenges and modifies it, dialectically transforms it and offers a more suitable alternative to it. Whilst LET has not been well received in academia for two decades, this thesis is being written at a point in time when LET has greater recognition and influence. The thesis is composed of three parts. The first part examines and reconstructs the LET approach as a theoretical possibility and a practical methodological and heuristic approach. It introduces the LET approach and its key features, components, intentions and practices. It examines and interrelates the writings of the developers of that approach and its history and development. It also relates that approach to educational, action, reflective practice, practitioner and ontological research and the work and educational development of this author. The second part criticises, deconstructs and transforms the LET approach and proposes an alternative heuristic tool, solution and approach. It criticises the claim of living educational theorists that LET is an improved approach to the theorisation of a human existence and the educational, ontological, professional and epistemological development of practitioners. As well as criticising the new directions which the LET approach has recently taken, it introduces an alternative educational action research heuristic tool and approach that is based on self-dialectical reflective enquiry. The proposed alternative is based on creative and auto-phenomenological writing, self-dialectical and cathartic logging, public blogging and enquiring-within-writing logging into the question: how do I lead a more meaningful existence in the world for myself? It seeks to transform the LET approach into a deeper ontological, auto-phenomenological, and self-therapeutic auto-analysis, self-reevaluation and auto-empowerment. The third part concludes the thesis and reflects on my learning from my engagement with the LET approach and my hopes and intentions for the future.

Esta pesquisa foca na natureza caótica e paradoxal de Água viva, de Clarice Lispector, obra publicada em 1973 pela editora Artenova. Entre os vários aspectos estudados, prezouse trabalhar com o conceito de Kháos empregado na Teogonia, de Hesíodo; bem como com as mais distintas visões da crítica de Lispector a respeito dos princípios de alteridade, de análise do objeto, da ruptura com o cronotopo e do abandono aos padrões romanescos. A autora luta por provar que a qualidade de sua obra está diretamente relacionada ao enfrentamento ontológico e à reflexão aprofundada, captada no momentoinstantâneo e transcrita em imagens no texto. Mais do que uma obra recheada de personagens, de farto enredo, de situações espáciotemporais e de diálogos, Água viva é uma narrativa livre de molduras, que erige para registrar a coragem literária de uma escritora que não teme trabalhar, sem rédeas ou convenções, com a matériaprima do pensamento. / This research focus on the chaotic and paradoxical nature of Água viva, from Clarice Lispector, published in 1973 by Artenova Books. Among innumerous aspects, it was settled the study of the concept of Kháos applied in the Theogony of Hesiod; as well as the most peculiar visions of the Lispectors critics in relation to the principles of alterity, the analysis of the object, the rupture of the chronotope, and the Romanesque patterns. The author struggles to prove that the quality of her book is directly related to the ontological questioning, and to the deep reflection, captured in the instantaneousmoment, afterwards transcribed into text images. Much more than a production filled with characters, plot, spacetime situations and dialogues, Água viva is a narrative free of frames, rising up to register the literary courage of a writer who does not fear to work with, free of leashes or conventions, the raw material of the thought.

The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate the significance of identity as a driving force behind Swedish security policy change. By studying social identity constructions of Russia in Swedish defence propositions from 1992, 2004 and 2015, the thesis concludes that these constructions might have resulted in shifts in Swedish security policy. The thesis uses discourse analysis to examine how Russia was socially constructed as 'difference' in the propositions. Drawing on self/other theories in IR, the study concludes that Russia was constructed in more or less antagonistic forms of ‘otherness’/’difference’ in the different propositions. In 1992, Russia was constructed as a neutral other and a temporally radical other. In 2004, Russia was constructed as a connected other. In 2015, Russia was constructed as a radical other, mostly due to the Russian aggression against and annexation of Crimea. Moreover the article concludes, through a qualitative content analysis, that these perceptions of Russia may have generated ontological (in)security for Swedish political identity. Drawing on Mitzen (2006) and others, the thesis demonstrates that ontological (in)security may have been a driving force behind security policy change. This thesis argues that the search for ontological security may have resulted in European integration for Sweden in 1992, expanded cooperation with Russia in 2004 and a proposition on a strengthened defence capability in 2015. In relation to existing research on Swedish security policy change, this thesis highlights the importance of identity and perceptions of 'others' as a driving force behind security policy change.

This thesis analyzes how the need for ontological security (OS), the ‘security of being’,impacts the foreign policy decision-making of states. Traditional security studies focus primarily on physical threats to the state. By contrast, an OS framework argues individuals feel secure when they are able to maintain communal narrative. This narrative in turn becomes the lens through which policymakers, and thus states, analyze events, while also becoming a potential source of conflict if challenged. Therefore, while physical security is still important, one is better positioned to account for perceptions of physical (and non physical) threats, and subsequent policies seemingly contradictory to traditional security studies, by employing an OS framework. While this will be explored within the context of the DPRK, the applicability of such a framework is far greater, holding key insights for International Relations and Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA). DPRK narrative formed out of the postcolonial nationalism of Japanese occupation, culminating into the hyper-nationalist ideology of Juche. North Korea’s seemingly ‘abnormal’ behavior might in turn be indicative of its unique national narrative and history of colonization and humiliation, leading to a different set of behavioral expectations than states whose narratives do not encompass such stories or reference points. While not all states are expected to act in the same manner as North Korea, the framework would expect them to defend and promote their respective national narratives. Moreover, while narratives can double as sources of legitimacy, as seen increasingly in the DPRK, this in no way detracts from, and merely compounds, the emphasis on narrative maintenance. Examining the historical record, it is argued the OS framework is consistently better at accounting for DPRK policies than traditional security studies. Therefore, more broadly in FPA, by taking seriously group narrative as a key component of OS, one can better account for perceptions and foreign policy decision-making.