This diploma thesis critically examines traditional positivist interpretations concerning the birth of four core norms of the current legal regime governing activities of states in Outer Space: a) non-militarization, b) peaceful use, c) non- appropriation, and d) freedom of access. Traditional interpretations often explicate the emergence of the aforementioned principles in static terms, either as a result of universal aspirations of mankind to peaceful explore the final frontier, or alternatively as a product of rational calculations of self-interested states. Analysis of the first decade of the space age through the lens of post-structural genealogical method proposed by Richard Price reveals a much more complex picture. Application of critical genealogical approach indicates that the emergence of the four norms in question was contingent on the presence of particular historical circumstances and cognitive structures of the Cold War: a) fear of nuclear weapons, b) policy of containment, c) trauma of the Second World War, and d) highly politicized outer space discourse due to the presence of the space race. The findings also indicate that without the presence of the particular historical circumstances and cognitive structures that necessitated their emergence, the four principles in question are...

In this article, I locate the Critical Theoretic and Republican themes of misrecognition and domination in transnational democracy, viewed as an emancipatory project. Contrary to John Dryzek, I argue that transnational democracy requires an appropriate account of mutual recognition and personal integrity in order to ground the emancipatory dimension of this project, especially given Dryzek's analysis of transnational contests in forming personal identifications. Beyond this, I argue that the same themes are needed to supplement James Bohman's account of the normative powers of dominated persons to initiate deliberation in circumstances of injustice. Primarily, my claim has been that the idea of personal integrity remains essential not only to motivating the project of transnational democracy, but also modifying the appeal to normative powers in the interest of enabling dominated persons to enter into communicative relationships and engage in public processes of critical self-examination.

In a global system of increasing instability and civil society protest movements, it is important for IR to pay attention to revolutions. In the past, Marxist-structuralist theories have contributed to the research on revolutions and the international but are insufficient to explain recent cases and a contemporary generation of scholars has provided more multivariate and processual theories about revolutions.Within this field, this thesis concerns the theory development about revolutions and their international dimension. The guiding argument guiding is that revolutions are international events which are being shaped by and shaping the international system. Using the concept of “negotiated revolutions” by George Lawson, the Armenian “Velvet Revolution” 2018 is analysed as a comparative case-study to describe its international aspects. By applying the theory to a new case, it can be explored whether it still holds in another context beyond the cases with that Lawson established it.The analysis uses qualitative data from multiple sources, employing an intersociety approach and incorporating different contemporary explanations into the analysis of the case and its characteristics. It is concluded that the concept negotiated revolution is well suited to explain the dynamics of the Armenian Revolution in relation to the international system.

The Sundance Film Festival has transformed from being a fringe festival to a leading showcase for independent cinema. This research shows that studios now descend upon the festival to acquire films for commercial distribution. The Sundance Film Festival seems to currently operate as a marketplace for films rather than an independent festival. This research seeks to examine how Hollywood studios have been able to infiltrate and commodify independent projects from the Sundance Film Festival and what the potential ramifications are for emerging independent filmmakers seeking to have their projects screened at the festival. In other words, have Hollywood studios coopted the Sundance Film Festival and if so, what does this process look like? This research seeks to answer these questions through an analysis of Sundance Film Festival data and interviews with festival informants.

This thesis identifies changes in the meaning of “security”—that is, the conditions characterizing “the good life”—among millennials in postrecessional neoliberal states. The Great Recession of 2007–2009 affected everyday life by deepening wealth inequalities and normalizing downward mobility; however, no work has been done on how popular understandings of “the good life” are shifting in the wake of the recession or what conditions are driving such changes in common sense. In response to this gap, this thesis unpacks millennial expressions of security in Ireland, the United States, and Canada to uncover long-standing senses of security eroding among millennials, the ways in which postrecessional neoliberal governmentality is shattering these ideals, and emerging alternative understandings of security. In Ireland, I find that expansionary monetary policy—a regulatory technology of neoliberal governmentality—is preventing millennials from securing themselves through enriching property ownership and giving rise to a sense that security may instead be rooted in minimizing deprivation. In the United States, millennial expressions suggest that a technology of the self that I call “branding with goals” is frustrating the idea that security means making oneself legible as a popularly affirmed kind of subject; in its wake, security emerges with exploration and pleasure. In Canada, popular pedagogies in universities—disciplinary technologies—are shaking a sense that security can be achieved by completing a university degree to become in-demand human capital; this failure makes room for pedagogies that teach students to dwell with conflict and uncertainty. Together, these findings evidence that postrecessional governmentality is corroding senses of “security” rooted in the liberal ideal of self-determination and suggest that “security” may alternatively be caught up with a sense of collective, if differential, vulnerability. Broadly, this thesis contributes to critical theory by offering novel insights on postrecessional regulatory ideals and governmentality in neoliberal polities. / Thesis / Candidate in Philosophy / The Great Recession impacted significant trends, such as the distribution of wealth and fertility rates, especially among the millennial generation. This thesis explores how the meaning of security is changing in and for millennials in English-speaking, Western neoliberal cultures amidst these shifts in everyday life and the forces responsible for these changes. Specifically, the thesis conducts this exploration by performing case studies of postrecessional expressions of “insecurity” in three neoliberal states: Ireland, the United States, and Canada. I argue that understandings of “security” as a state of being that can be realized by acquiring property, being legible to others, and becoming an in-demand worker are faltering as neoliberal norms make it increasingly difficult for younger adults to realize these ideals. Notably, these collapsing conceptions of “security” are rooted in liberalism’s driving ideal of self-determination; accordingly, the study suggests that neoliberalism may be frustrating the viability of liberalism’s historic promise.

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Our ocean is undergoing drastic changes. In the circumpolar north, this reality is highly visible. Social-ecological systems thinking informs that social and ecological systems are intertwined, yet hegemonic governance systems appear unable or unwilling to reorient themselves to promote planetary health amidst the climate crisis. To rethink our relationship with the ocean, I explore the research question, “What can I learn from Inuit perspectives about the ocean and marine governance within Inuit Nunangat, and how does this relate to planetary health?” This study applies critical theory methodologies. In particular, feminist standpoint theory informs the approach of engaging with knowledge and lived experience of marginalized or oppressed populations. Inuit knowledge in the form of a purposefully sampled collection of publicly available Inuit documents that relate to the marine environment is the primary evidence that informs analysis. Inuit produced declarations, websites, and reports are analysed using thematic analysis. This study does not depend on ethics review or community engagement; research using publicly available information is exempt from these ethical requirements. Nevertheless, the positionality I strive to embody is allyship with Inuit. Two main themes are interpreted from analysis. First, the meaning of the marine contains the key ideas: Inuit culture relies upon marine ecosystems; rapidly social-ecological systems have cultural implications; and environmental protection focuses on marine areas of significance. A rights-based approach reflects the assertions: Inuit are rightsholders not stakeholders; political equality is still hindered by systems of racism and oppression; and collaborative governance approaches are the path forward. Governance mechanisms that recognize Indigenous rights have the capacity to promote planetary health. Inuit self-determination is health promotion, supporting marine protection, equitable marine governance, and strengthening Inuit culture. Decision-making systems that are characterized by polycentricity, community collaboration, and a respect for Indigenous knowledge present a path forward. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

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This paper takes Heidegger’s notion of world disclosure and uses it for extended thematic analyses of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In contrast to the majority of Shakespeare critics who treat Shakespeare’s use of magic as an epistemological issue, I argue that the main action of the play develops through an inherent contradiction between the magical and non-magical ontological states of the characters and the love that results. Borrowing from German philosopher Martin Heidegger, I demonstrate magic’s role as a catalyst in giving certain kinds of love a “shift of existence.” I show that the characters come more fully into being, not because of what they know, but by means of how they love, thus answering the question of magic’s ultimate role in the play: what happens when the characters react to the idea that “the course of true love never did run smooth”? When looking at this play through Heidegger’s lens one can see that magic is the catalyst for discovering new planes of existence for the character’s to enter, each one of these planes based on love.

The term ‘disability’ is laden with medical origins and medical meanings, which contribute to exclusion and oppression for persons labeled as ‘disabled’. Moreover, these processes are amplified by constructing disability as an individual burden or personal tragedy. Medicalizing disability keeps it a personal matter, a personal problem that needs to be treated, rather than addressing the social processes that actually restrict or constrict the disabled person’s life. Rehabilitation Science and my lived experience of disability and walking serve as contexts that assist me as I explore how my subjectivity as a disabled woman and clinician helps me understand the theoretical tensions of five key themes: independence, power, client-centred practice, ableism, and the social model of disability in relation to disability and rehabilitation. These themes offer me a way to analyze my experiences, and how I have come to access and engage with Disability Studies literature in order to deepen my understanding of the critiques on disability and rehabilitation. As an insider, my research explores three decades of personal narrative. Through critical reflexivity as part of autoethnography, I work to increase my own awareness and that of my readers on the tension and complexities with respect to disability and rehabilitation. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)