The thesis deals with China's Internal Challenges and the Impact on International Relations in the 21st century. First it analyses the transformation of the middle class, urbanisation and the one-child policy. After that the thesis deals with the economic boom of China, its present position in the world economy and its domestic and foreign investments. Attention is also focused on the increasing assertiveness of China in foreign affairs, particularly with regard to its voting in the UN Security Council. Finally, the thesis analyses the problems of disputed island and interior territories that China claims.

Legal regulation of climate protection after the Paris Agreement adoption Abstract Since the early 1990s, most of the world countries have been cooperating to create a common climate protection system, which would be effective and would help to protect the Earth ecosystem for future generations without severe and irreversible changes. After more than 20 years of difficult international negotiations without any particular outcome, the ambitious Paris Agreement on climate change was adopted in December 2015. The main aim of this thesis is to evaluate whether the Paris Agreement is a suitable instrument for climate protection and if it leads to the goals set in it. The first part of the thesis analyses the international climate protection development previous to the Paris Agreement adoption. The thesis describes the development since the cornerstones of the climate protection, over the first meteorological conferences, to the adoption of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the subsequent Kyoto Protocol. It deals with the Kyoto Protocol and disappointments caused by it. The end of the first part is devoted to the Copenhagen Accord, its specific status, and further development before the Paris Climate Conference in 2015. The second part deals with the analysis of the Paris Agreement itself, its...

This study presents a qualitative analysis of the dichotomy between official HIV and AIDS policy and its implementation in a Human Rights based, United Nations (UN) agency, located in South Africa. The study demonstrates that although HIV and AIDS policy is an intrinsic part of the commitment of this large organisation, the implementation of the policy, in the form of a Workplace Wellness Programme supported by budgetary resources, is weak and incomplete. The thesis integrates detailed vignettes in drawing attention to how personnel in the South Africa office perceive and experience the implementation of HIV and AIDS policy. Additionally, the voices of bureaucrats are also integrated in an effort to interrogate management attitudes and mindsets on matters of policy and treatment of staff. The study explores staff members’ sense of being stigmatised and discriminated, when living with the virus and their responses to it. In this, I bring a personal perspective to the study, by relating my own views of living with a potentially life-threatening disease to the views of the participants in the workplace in which the study is conducted. Classical Weberian and contemporary accounts of ‘bureaucracy’ and the organisational ‘rule book‘ are drawn upon. It is argued that whilst the value systems and politics of managers in the United Nations system lead them to be defined as progressive, some of the practices within their own institutions are contradictory, indifferent and manipulative leading to the perpetuation of discrimination and anxiety amongst HIV-positive staff. Thus, human agency and ingenuity supersedes organisational structure and the rigour of organisational policies and rules. The contradictions highlighted necessitate a careful scrutiny of organisational dynamics, within the wider international development scenario, and organisational introspection within individual UN offices vis-à-vis HIV and AIDS policy implementation. It is envisaged that the study will induce the commissioning of a larger study carried out by an independent body and funded by the United Nations, enabling the validation and enhancement of the argument presented in the case study and provide more recommendations for the way forward for the United Nations. / Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Sociology / unrestricted

Portés par l’évolution rapide d’Internet, les réseaux sociaux sont devenus de nouveaux moyens d’expression pour émettre et consulter des communications de bouche-à-oreille (BAO). Les marketeurs sont intéressés pour mieux utiliser ce BAO dans une politique de communication. Ils élaborent pour cela des stratégies de « sollicitation » consistant à demander à une personne de recommander une offre à ses proches en vue d’atteindre un but. Si l’utilisation de sollicitations se développe, la question de la réponse d’un individu à une sollicitation de BAO reste en suspens. En se basant sur la théorie du comportement dirigé vers un but (Perugini & Bagozzi, 2001), cette recherche propose un modèle général de la réponse à une sollicitation de BAO qui intègre l’influence de la formulation de la sollicitation (gains vs. pertes), de l’éloignement de l’échéance et du type de projet. Le modèle est testé dans le contexte des campagnes de financement participatif où la sollicitation de BAO est fréquemment utilisée pour augmenter le faible taux de succès des campagnes (20%). Les résultats de six études montrent que (1) les individus répondent plus favorablement à une sollicitation de BAO quand l’échéance est proche et que cet effet dépend de la formulation de la sollicitation. (2) En adaptant la formulation à l’éloignement de l’échéance, une sollicitation est en mesure de rendre l’action de BAO plus désirable et de générer une émotion anticipée de fierté ce qui en retour augmente l’intention de BAO. L’effet modérateur du niveau de risque social est aussi validé dans la réponse à la sollicitation. (3) Finalement, la sollicitation de BAO permet bien de développer la visibilité et d’accroître le succès d’une campagne. / Driven by the rapid evolution of the Internet, online social networks have become new channels of expression to issue and consult Word-of-Mouth (WOM). Marketers are increasingly interested in better using WOM in a communication policy. They develop strategies of “solicitation” for asking a person a recommendation of an offer to his family and acquaintances in order to achieve a goal. If the use of solicited WOM is growing, the question of an individual's response to a WOM solicitation remains unsettled. Drawing on Goal-Directed Behaviour theory (Perugini & Bagozzi, 2001), this research proposes a general model of the response to a WOM solicitation which integrates the influence of the solicitation formulation (gain vs loss), time remaining before the deadline and the type of project. The model is tested in the context of crowdfunding where a WOM solicitation is frequently used to increase the campaigns' low success rate (20%). The results of six studies show that (1) individuals respond more favourably to a WOM solicitation when the deadline is close and that effect depends on the formulation. (2) By adapting the formulation to the deadline, a solicitation is able to make the WOM action more desirable and generate an anticipated emotion of pride which in turn increases the WOM intention. The moderating effect of social risk is also validated in the response to a solicitation. (3) Finally, a WOM solicitation makes it possible to develop the visibility and increases the campaign' success rate.

The purpose of this thesis is to study the power and capacity of the UN Human Rights Council to promote and protect human rights through the recommendations by the Special Procedures and the Universal Periodic Review. The aim is then to analyse the recommendations and their effect by using the Concept of power by Robert Dahl (2007). The essay aims to answer the question if the Human Rights Council has power over the countries Russia and Afghanistan together with the questions about the effect of the recommendations. The method chosen for this thesis is qualitative one as it is a comparative case-study. As a theory is used as a lens to analyse the findings it is an abductive study. The conclusion of this study is that the recommendations have not succeeded to promote or protect human rights in Afghanistan or Russia and thus the Human rights Council has no power.

Puisque l'institution judiciaire dans les sociétés démocratiques est le garant des droits et libertés des individus, cette institution doit disposer tous les atouts qui lui garantissent de jouer ce rôle. La Mauritanie a connu à l'époque moderne l’instauration de ce pouvoir judiciaire, durant deux étapes importante, la première sous le contrôle du colonialisme français, qui a soumis le pays depuis plusieurs décennies, et la dernière après l’indépendance où la codification de la première organisation judiciaire en Mauritanie en date du 27 juin, 1961 avec la loi N° 61-012. En Mauritanie la justice dans son ensemble souffre de certain de maux, et l’accès à la justice pour l’ensemble des citoyens est entravé par beaucoup d’obstacles, et menacé par un certain nombre des insuffisances, et de nos jours, le droit à un procès équitable est un droit primordial, garanti par un ensemble de principes issus des conventions internationales dans le domaine de protection de droit de l’Homme. Le droit à un procès équitable est donc parmi des droits fondamentaux de l'être humain .il y a un certain nombre de conditions qui doivent être remplies pour assurer un procès équitable afin de protéger les droits des personnes. Afin de mettre en évidence et de clarifier les obstacles observés sur ces aspects, cette étude passe en revue l’organisation de la justice au pays, ainsi qu’une analyse des lieux des faille, tant sur le plan des empêchements issus des raisons socioéconomiques et organisationnelle, que celui de la non-conformité aux exigences internationales en la matière. Cette étude a présenté un ensemble de propositions, soient la révision de nos textes afin d’introduire davantage une manière plus efficace de ces principes, en particulier le principe de la collégialité, la publicité, et les droit des défenses. En renforçant les compétences du juge unique au niveau des tribunaux de première instance. Sans oublier d'assurer une plus grande spécialisation des magistrats tant au niveau des tribunaux des premières instances qu’au niveau de la cours d'appel. Toutes ces propositions ont pour but d’essayer d‘améliorer la situation actuelle, pour faire en sorte qu’il ait au moins l’existence de conditions minimales pour un procès équitable, car la violation du droit à un procès équitable, reste toujours une cause de préoccupation pour toute l’humanité. / As the judicial institution in democratic societies is the guarantor of the rights and freedoms of individuals, such institution must have all the means that allow it to play this role. Mauritania has known in its modern history the establishment of the judicial power, through two important steps. First was in the French colonialism, which has ruled the country for several decades, and the last was after independence with the codification of the first judicial organization in Mauritania on June 27, 1961 by Law No. 61-012. In Mauritania, justice had as a whole suffered from several problems and access to justice for all citizens is hindered by many obstacles, and threatened by a number of shortcomings. Today, the right to a fair trial is a primary right, guaranteed by a set of principles derived from international conventions as a part of human rights. The right to a fair trial is recognized as the fundamental among the human being rights but there are some conditions that must be met to ensure a fair trial in order to protect the rights of individuals. In order to highlight and clarify the obstacles observed in these aspects, this study reviews the organization of justice in the country, as well as it tries to provide an analysis of the places of the deficiencies as well as the impediments causing by socioeconomic reasons and organization and also the non-compliance with the international requirement in this area. This study gives some proposals, through the revision of the texts by introducing more strongly some principles. in particular the principle of collegiality, and the right of defense and by strengthening the prerogatives of the unique judge in the first instance courts and also in providing more specialization of the magistrates as well at the courts of the first instances as at the level of the appeal court. All these proposals aim to improve the current situation, for setting up the minimal conditions for a fair trial, because the violation of the right to a fair trial remains great concern for all humanity.

World society has been an eyewitness to a couple of actions during the 21st century that has disturbed the peaceful coexistence of neighbouring countries. As a consequence of this disturbance some parts of one of the countries was expropriated. These cases were events that took place in Georgia 2008 and Ukraine 2014. It is also obvious that it was the same country that contributed to these dramatic developments of the situation in the regions. Based on these facts, one of these two cases were chosen in order to analyse the development of the events before the occurrences took place. This study will primarily be focused on finding reasons for differences in the views of Russia and the UN on the occurrences that took place in Ukraine 2014. This regards the fact that Crimea peninsula being a part of Ukraine during the second half of 20th century and the beginning of the 21th century once again has become a part of Russia as an assignee of former Soviet Union. This event has a historical explanation because it was during the Soviet time that Crimea peninsula became a part of Ukraine. To find an explanation for the difference in views the current study will use a qualitative study of different academic articles, treaties and resolutions. / Världssamhälle har under 2000-talet vittnat vissa händelseutvecklingar som har kränkt en fredlig samexistens av grannländerna och som konsekvens av denna drabbning ett av länderna har förlorat en del av sitt territorium. Dessa fall har ägt rum i Georgien 2008 och Ukraina 2014. Det är dessutom självklart att ett och samma land har bidragit till sådana dramatiska händelseutvecklingar i regionerna. Undersökningen kommer att utgå från dessa uppgifter och analysera ett av dessa två fall för att följa utvecklingen av händelserna strax innan kravallerna bröt ut i regionen. Denna studie kommer framför allt fokuseras på att hitta anledningar till skillnaderna i Rysslands och General Församlingens medlemsmajoritet syn på de händelserna som har ägt rum i Ukraina 2014.  Med detta menas naturligtvis att Krimhalvön efter att vara en del av Ukraina under den andra hälften av 1900-talet och början av 2000-talet återigen blivit en del av Ryssland som är en arvtagare till före detta Sovjetunionen. Faktum att Krimhalvön återigen har blivit en del av Ryssland har en historisk förklaring eftersom Krimhalvön har blivit en del av Ukraina under Sovjetunionens tid. Undersökningen kommer att använda en kvalitativ textanalys för att analysera olika akademiska artiklar, avtal samt resolutioner och hitta förklaringen till skillnaden i synen på att Krim återigen har blivit en del av Ryssland.

Creating a competitive advantage is often contextualized as the finding the Holy Grail of strategy. This study examines how Nordic sports businesses incorporate sustainability and how it can be used as a strategy to create a competitive advantage. The climate change debate, and increased consumer environmental consciousness has compelled companies to endeavor for a sustainable development. The sport industry has in general lacking behind in the green transition. However, they are now progressively trying to reconstruct their businesses model to a more sustainable approach. Consequently, more companies are today trying to market their brands to be perceived as sustainable. Although, the challenge is to how position a brand as sustainable without being accused for greenwashing. The thesis structure is based on three segments. Corporate sustainability, sustainability marketing and corporate transformation. The study was based on a qualitative research method, based from six case study interviews with companies from Sweden and Finland. The main research findings was that sustainability has become an increasingly important issue for Nordic sports businesses. The driving force behind the sustainable development is three different stakeholder. Customers, policy makers and employees at the own organization. The Agenda 2030 can be seen as a powerful and tangible set of framework, used to better implement sustainability. Another finding is that sustainability is mostly communicated on product level rather than on corporate level because of the fear of greenwashing accusation. Finally, creating a competitive advantage through corporate sustainability is the main objectives. In order to accomplish that desired outcome, the strategy have to been based on sound businesses practices which depends on how the company is using, and absorbing both internal and external resources and capabilities.

Targeted sanctions have become a commonly used conflict management tool over the last decades. Yet, operating in the state-centric context, previous research has highlighted the unintended negative effects of the instrument. What remains understudied is the effects of targeted sanctions on rebel groups' behavior. Acknowledging that sanctions are never imposed in isolation, this thesis seeks to explore the effects of targeted sanctions on rebel groups' violence against civilians and how the presence of peacekeeping influences this. This thesis argues that targeted sanctions increase a rebel group's violence against civilians through the mechanism of constrained resources and decreased capabilities to provide selective incentives to its fighters. Peacekeeping counter this mechanism by acting as a physical barrier between the combatants and the civilians, ultimately altering the cost-benefit analysis. UNITA in Angola and RUF in Sierra Leone are examined using a within-case and an across-case comparison. The findings lend mixed support to the notion that targeted sanctions increase a rebel group's violence against civilians. However, the results support the second hypothesis; peacekeeping appears to counterbalance the adverse effects of targeted sanctions on rebel groups' violence against civilians.

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