ABSTRACT This study compared selected commercial bank advertisements published in 1994 with those published in 2004.Its purpose was to establish whether advertising discourses found in these texts reflect the socio-political changes that occurred in South Africa between 1994 and 2004.It further sought to identify the features of the advertisements that appeared during these periods in order to determine if there have been any shifts in discourses during this time. This qualitative research relied heavily on Fairclough’s theory and method of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) for both its theoretical framework and data analysis. In the data analysis section, a need arose to employ some of the tools of semiotic analysis as provided by Kress and Van Leeuwen’s (1996) ‘grammar of visual analysis’ as well as a limited form of Thematic Content Analysis. Data analysis began with a thematic content analysis of all 36 advertisements collected for this study in order to gain a broader perspective of the range of themes covered by these advertisements. This was followed by a comparative detailed Critical Discourse Analysis of two representative pairs of advertisements from 1994 and 2004 to illustrate the behaviour of advertising discourses at these two distinctly different historical junctures. While the research has found some reproductions of discourses from the 1994 period in the 2004 advertisements, it has also revealed that there have been shifts in the discourses between 1994 and 2004.There is also evidence to suggest that in some instances the shifts have more to do with the ways in which the discourses are communicated rather than clear changes in the discourses as such. In the main, the study found that advertising discourses, because of their hybridism and social embeddedness, tend to mirror the sociopolitical context in which they are produced and distributed. As a result, they can be said to reflect the changes and challenges faced by society at the time of their production.

Aufbauend auf neuen Zugängen zu der Ende der 1970er Jahren entstandenen Regulationstheorie, die die Strukturen und Prozesse kapitalistischer Funktionsweise mit Elementen von Akkumulationsregimen, Regulation und Krise erklärt, werden von der Autorin sowohl der klassische Zugang als auch dessen Adaptionen auf verschiedene andere sozialwissenschaftliche Theorieansätze - wie z. B. dem Neo-Gramscianismus - kritisch hinterfragt. Aus dem Blickwinkel der Entwicklungsforschung und unter Hinzuziehung verschiedener Beispiele gegenwärtiger gesellschaftlicher Transformationsprozesse und emanzipatorischer Experimente in Lateinamerika wird aufgezeigt, dass die Regulationstheorie nach wie vor eine wertvolle Analysegrundlage für den gegenwärtigen Kapitalismus darstellt, jedoch einer Schwerpunktverlagerung bedarf. / By building on new approaches to regulation theory, that emerged in the late 1970s and explained the functioning of capitalist structures and processes through accumulation regimes, regulation, and crisis, the author critically questions the classical approach as well as its adaptation to various other social science theory approaches, such as the neo-Gramscian. From the perspective of development research and by considering different examples of contemporary processes of social transformation and emancipatory experiments in Latin America, the author points out that regulation theory remains a valuable basis for analysing contemporary capitalism; however, a shift of emphasis is necessary.

Thesis (DPhil))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The post-Cold War era has witnessed a renewed interest in global political transformation and the possibility of the emergence of a new global order. There are, however, widespread disagreements within the field of International Relations (IR) about the significance of the discontinuities of our age, which include the emergence of centres of economic and political power that erode state autonomy and sovereignty. While some theorists argue that these changes are largely insignificant, others regard them as potential harbingers of a fundamentally different future political system. The study of change in IR is thus marked by considerable confusion and hampered by a number of shortcomings. One of the main deficiencies in the existing transformnation literature has been the mainstream approaches' reluctance to concede that the study of change is an unavoidably nonnative endeavour. Additionally, much work on change has focused on the role that material factors play in facilitating change, while the role of ideational factors has been disregarded. This has lead to an incomplete and distorted view of the process of change. Lastly, guidelines by which one might evaluate and choose between contending approaches to change are sorely lacking. These issues are addressed in this study by means of an evaluation of the work of three selected authors (Alexander Wendt, John Ruggie and Robert Cox) whose combined contributions can assist us in developing a more comprehensive theory of global political transformnation. It is contended that, in order for the study of change in IR to progress, scholars need to recognise the inherently nonnative nature of the undertaking, and be explicit about their nonnative assumptions. Furthermore, clarity needs to be reached with regard to the materialism-idealism debate. The argument made is that a middle ground approach, which aims to transcend the false dichotomy between material and ideational factors, is required. In fact, it is maintained that not only is a conciliatory approach conducive to progressing the study of change in terms of the materialism-idealism debate, but that such an approach of theoretical engagement and bridge building will also contribute generally to developing a more thorough understanding of global change. Finally, if we want to make progress in IR thinking about change, we need to develop some criteria to determine which authors can assist us best. Subsequently it is proposed that a satisfactory approach to the study of change in IR should, at a minimum, fulfil the following requirements. It should (I) aim to transcend the false dichotomy between materialism and idealism; (2) be explicit about its nonnative position; (3) limit nonnative visions to what constitutes viable alternatives global political systems; and (4) identify sources of change and include a proposed plan.of action of how to achieve nonnative goals. In light of the above criteria, it is also contended that progressive global political transformation does not, as some transformative authors suggest, have to entail the demise of the state. It is quite possible that emancipatory change can take place within the confines of the Westphalian system. In summary, this study hopes to make some contribution to what is a vastly complex topic that of change in and of the global political system - by addressing three shortcomings identified in the existing change literature: the fact that the role of ideas and the nonnative implications of change have been sorely neglected, and the need for criteria by which one might choose between contending nonnative projects. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING:In die post-Koue Oorlogera het daar 'n hernieude belangstelling in globale politieke transformasie en die moontlikheid van die totstandkoming van 'n nuwe globale orde ontstaan. Daar is egter gewigtige verskille binne die veld van Internasionale Betrekkinge (IB) oor die belang van huidige veranderings soos die ontstaan van sentra van ekonomiese en politieke mag, wat state se outonomiteit en soewereiniteit bedreig. Terwyl sommige skrywers beweer dat hierdie veranderings grootliks onbeduidend is, sien ander hulle as potensiële aanduidings van 'n fundamenteel nuwe politieke stelsel. Die studie van verandering in IB word dus gekenmerk deur aansienlike verwarring en word belemmer deur 'n aantal tekortkominge. Een van die vernaamste gebreke in die bestaande transformasie literatuur is die hoofstroom benaderings se onwilligheid om toe te staan dat die studie van verandering 'n onvermydelik normatiewe paoing oor verandering gedoen is op die rol wat materiële faktore speel in die fasilitering van verandering, terwyl die rol van idees en norme verontagsaam word. Dit het gelei tot 'n onvolledige en verwronge beeld van die veranderingsproses. Laastens is riglyne waarvolgens wedywerende benaderings tot verandering geëvalueer sou kon word, afwesig. Die kwessies word in hierdie studie aangespreek deur middel van 'n evaluering van die werk van drie geselekteerde outeurs (Alexander Wendt, John Ruggie en Robert Cox) wie se gesamentlike bydraes 'n beduidende bydrae kan lewer tot die ontwikkeling van 'n meer omvattende teorie van globale politieke transformasie. Daar word beweer dat, ten einde vordering in die studie van verandering te bewerkstellig, teoretici die inherent normatiewe aard van die poging moet herken, en eksplisiet moet wees oor hul normatiewe aannames. Verder moet daar duidelikheid bereik word ten opsigte van die materialisme-idealisme debat. Die argument wat gemaak word is dat 'n middeweg benadering, wat ten doel stel om die valse digotomie tussen die materiële en die ideële te oorkom, benodig word. Daar word verder geargumenteer dat so 'n konsilierende benadering nie net bevorderlik is vir vooruitgang in die studie van verandering in terme van die materialisme-idealisme debat nie, maar dat 'n benadering wat gegrond is op teoretiese bemiddeling ook in 'n algemene sin voordelig is vir 'n meer deeglike begrip van globale verandering. Laastens, indien vooruitgang in huidige denke oor verandering bewerkstellig wil word, is dit noodsaaklik om kriteria te ontwikkel ten einde te bepaal watter outeurs se werk as grondslag vir verdere teoretisering moet dien. Op grand hiervan word voorgestel dat 'n bevredigende benadering tot die studie van verandering in IB ten minste aan die volgende voorwaardes moet voldoen: dit behoort (I) daarna te streef om die valse digotomie tussen materialisme en idealisme te oorbrug; (2) eksplisiet te wees oor die normatiewe aannames wat gemaak word; (3) normatiewe visies te beperk tot lewensvatbare alternatiewe globale politieke stelsels; en (4) bronne van verandering te identifiseer en 'n voorgestelde plan van aksie in te sluit oao hoe normatiewe doelwitte bereik kan word. In die lig van bogenoemde kriteria word daar ook geargumenteer dat progressiewe globale politieke transformasie nie, soos wat sommige transformasie skrywers suggereer, noodwendig die ondergang van die staat behels nie. Dit is moontlik dat emansiperende verandering binne die beperkings van die statestelsel kan plaasvind. Opsommend stel hierdie studie ten doel om 'n bydrae te lewer tot 'n uiters komplekse tema-naamlik verandering in en van die globale politieke stelsel - deur drie tekortkominge wat in die bestaande literatuur geïdentifiseer is, aan te spreek: die feit dat die rol van idees en die normatiewe implikasies van verandering grootliks verwaarloos is, en die behoefte aan kriteria waarvolgens daar tussen wedywerende normatiewe projekte gekies kan word.

Thesis (MDram)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explores the representation of the white male character in various South African plays from the period 1980–2000, a time when South Africa was experiencing severe changes and upheavals as a result of the crumbling of the apartheid state and the dawning of a new, democratic and „free‟ South Africa. Taking into account a number of appropriate philosophical and sociological theories (for example 20th century western concepts of whiteness and masculinity), the thesis looks at the way in which such an enormous social and political transformation was able to influence the life and reality of the individual white man and his reactions to it. By considering the interaction of collective and personal identity within the framework of a changing South Africa, the study explores some of the ways in which such interactions may create insecurity and threaten the foundations of a particular cultural or ethnic group. . The focus of the study is an analysis of selected works by playwrights Paul Slabolepszy, Greig Coetzee, André P. Brink and Deon Opperman, and focusses specifically on three predominant themes identified in the plays, namely: recognition, dangerous insecurity (ressentiment) and the ever-present past. These themes are used to explore and illustrate a particular cultural group‟s psyche (as well that of its individuals members) during a specific period in South African history and, to a certain extent, their attempts to redefine their identities. These are characters (and thus, one may infer, playwrights) who were all trying to make sense of a tumultuous past, an insecure present and an uncertain future, and trying to understand their own contribution to and place in it. The final conclusion is that the South African white male was going (is going?) through a form of collective, existential, “mid-life crisis”, one in which they needed to accept that they had become outnumbered and were in a sense alone in their crisis. They were forced to compromise their collective identity in this new reality, a situation epitomised by the way they seek to construct (new) personal identities in order to adapt. A final conclusion is that this is an ongoing process clearly displayed by the new work on offer at contemporary arts festivals. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie bekyk die uitbeelding van die wit man as 'n karakter in verskeie Suid-Afrikaanse toneelstukke gedurende die jare 1980 tot 2000. In hierdie tyd het Suid-Afrika drastiese veranderings ondergaan as gevolg van die val van die apartheid staat en die onstaan van 'n demokratiese, "vrye" land. In die studie word dan, in die lig van toepaslike filosofiese en sosiologiese teorieë (soos bv 20ste eeuse westerse konsepte van manlikheid en witheid) meer spesifiek ondersoek ingestel na die impak van sodanige ekstreme politieke en sosiale omwentelings in 'n land op die lewe en realiteit van die individuele wit man, en sy respons daarop. In die proses word daar verder ook gefokus op die wisselwerking tussen kollektiewe en persoonlike identiteite in die raamwerk van 'n veranderende Suid-Afrika en hoe hierdie wisselwerking selfs 'n sekere kulturele of etniese groepering se fondamente kan laat wankel. Die ondersoek word onderneem aan die hand van ontledings van enkele toepaslike toneelstukke van Paul Slabolepszy, Greig Coetzee, André P. Brink en Deon Opperman, en daar word spesifiek gekyk na drie oorheersende temas wat in die stukke geïdentifiseer is: herkenning (“recognition”), gevaarlike onsekerheid (“dangerous insecurity” of “ressentiment”) en die altyd teenwoordige verlede (“ever-present past”). Hierdie temas word gebruik om die psige van 'n spesifieke kulturele groep (asook sy indivdue) te illustreer gedurende 'n spesifieke tydperk in die Suid-Afrikaanse geskiedenis en om tot 'n sekere mate sy identiteit te help her-definieer. Hierdie karakters (en selfs dramaturge) probeer sin maak uit hul onstuimige verlede, komplekse hede en onseker toekoms en hul eie bydrae tot en plek daarin. Die gevolgtrekking word bereik dat die Suid-Afrikaanse wit man wat hier uitgebeeld word 'n tipe kollektiewe eksistensiële krisis ervaar het (of steeds ervaar?) waarin hulle moes aanvaar dat hulle die minderheid was en ook op hierdie manier alleen is in hulle krisis. Hulle word geforseer om hul kollektiewe wese (=identiteit) te probeer wysig om in te pas by die nuwe realiteit waarin hulle hulself bevind. Dit word geïllustreeer deur hul soeke na (nuwe) persoonlike identiteite. 'n Finale gevolgtrekking is dat hierdie proses 'n aanhoudende een is, soos gedemonstreer deur heelwat nuwe werke wat te sien is op hedendaagse kunste feeste.

This thesis consists of three studies that discuss and analyse Sweden's immigrant and integration policy from different perspectives. The main aim is to provide an understanding of and try to explain why the goal to develop an equal status and situation for immigrants and refugees in Sweden not has been realized. The first study, which also is a licentiate thesis, investigates national and local immigrant policy. It focuses on the political application in Umeå, a community in the north of Sweden. The second study extends the analysis by investigating interests and values that have dominated in the process which led to the Swedish integration policy of 1997. The third study extends the discussion about shifts in interests and values in Swedish immigrant policy. Its focus is on the recent increase in interest for questions about integration and repatriation respectively. The three studies are also discussed in introductory and summarizing discussions. The integration problems are here discussed from an extensive theoretical and analytical perspective with focus on questions about integration, citizenship and human rights. One main conclusion is that fundamental organisational, social, economical and political problems must be solved before the goals of Swedish immigrant policy can be reached. In addition it shows that Swedish immigrant and integration policy has developed parallel to, and been influenced by similar developments in other European immigration countries. In addition, international agreements on 'immigrants' and 'refugees' legal position have been of great importance in this development process as well. Accordingly a conclusion is that Swedish immigrant and integration policy not can be seen as an isolated Swedish phenomenon, but must be studied in relation to the development in both Sweden and to its international context. The results of the study of Swedish integration policy show that the moral foundation for this 'new' policy is both well informed and ambitious. It deals with the burning need to abandon the former immigrant policy that stigmatized and often segregated the people it was supposed to support. Yet these ambitions have been restricted by world events, Sweden's financial problems and disagreements among politicians, local workers and affected actors about political practice. The study shows that pragmatic economical considerations largely determine the development of this political field. It also shows that the contemporary debate about Sweden's integration policy consists of tensions between different perspectives, values, interests, ideologies and the like. These kinds of tension are revealed in the study of Swedish integration and repatriation policy as well. I show that both arguments for integration and repatriation political efforts can be built upon apparently humanitarian motives. An argument put forward is that two parallel and often conflicting approaches to what is meant by 'humanitarian efforts' for immigrants and refugees have developed. One approach means that fundamental structural problems in society must be solved before conditions for immigrants and refugees can be more similar to those of the majority. The other approach means that Swedish society only can offer them a life with social, economical and political marginalisation and that the best solution is to set them free from this fate. This later approach is discussed and criticized for being ambiguous and for involving moral political dilemmas. An argument put forward is that it is doubtful whether a repatriation policy can be justifed from a moral and human perspective. In the introductory and summarizing discussions I argue in favour of expanded citizenship and expanded human rights as means to promote participation in a multiethnic and multicultural democracy. / digitalisering@umu

This thesis seeks to examine the post-Soviet political transformation in Ukraine between 1991 and 2004. Since Ukraine declared independence in 1991, the problems of political transformation to democracy in Ukraine have affected the outbreak of the Orange Revolution. The thesis attempts to examine the problems of post-Soviet political transformation in Ukraine under Leonid Kravchuk and Leonid Kuchma in order to analyse the dynamics of the Orange Revolution in 2004. The dynamics of the Orange Revolution are in part a result of the mass movements against the ongoing problems of the post-Soviet political transformation to democracy in Ukraine. This thesis also argues that the Orange Revolution does not indicate the conclusion of the political transformation in Ukraine, since the problems of the political transformation in Ukraine still remain as it has been seen in the short-term evolution of the political progress of Viktor Yushchenko, who elected to the presidency in the 2004 presidential elections.

Questions the viability of Kenya’s transitional justice mechanisms as vehicles for social and political transformation? In particular, the dissertation assesses the efficacy of transitional justice mechanisms adopted by Kenya as a tool for democratic transformation. By focusing on the current delicate political situation in Kenya and the different approaches adopted in various contexts, the study could make a contribution by providing clarity on these issues. / Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Law University of Pretoria, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Law (LLM in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa). Prepared under the supervision of Dr. Atangcho N Akonumbo, Faculte de Sciences Sociales et de Gestion Universite Catholique D’Afrique Centrale Yaounde Cameroun. / Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / http://www.chr.up.ac.za/ / Centre for Human Rights / LLM

Práce se zabývá vývojem ekologického hnutí v Československu. Svoji pozornost zaměřuje především k vývoji ekologických iniciativ a ekologického diskurzu v době komunistické nesvobody a v době celospolečenských změn v listopadu 1989 do období rozpadu Občanského fóra v roce 1991. Nedílnou součástí je rovněž analýza vzniku a vývoje Strany zelených, která se stala předmětem scénářů a pokusů o provedení politických reforem v rámci komunistického režimu. Cílem práce je zjistit, jak téma ochrany přírody rezonovalo především v oblasti opozičních a režimních struktur a jaký osud jej následoval v období porevolučního vývoje následovaný otázkou, proč došlo k postupnému úpadku ekologického povědomí ve společnosti. Ke splnění cíle práce byla využita metoda orální historie, jež zprostředkovává pohledy oslovených narátorů - pamětníků problematiky úlohy ekologické karty. Tímto přístupem se snaží nahradit především chybějící archivní materiály. Formou obsahové analýzy a komparace se práce pokouší srovnávat procesy probíhající v západní Evropě s ekologickou tématikou v Československu. Práce se oborově nachází na pomezí historie, politologie, ale také sociologie, přičemž zdůrazňuje akcent historicko-politologický. Ze závěru práce vyplývá, že ekologická karta v rámci československé společnosti získala silnou tradici,...

This study is a participatory action research (PAR) project, which means that the study is conducted with participants as co-researchers who shape the process, instead of ‘study objects’. The project revolves around sustainability in a rural setting in central Germany, but the focus of this thesis is on the process rather than the content. While PAR literature is sensitive of participants’ perspectives and power dynamics, and tends to be self-reflective, there are only few studies that focus on the researcher’s perspective. On the other hand, literature presents the need for individual and real stories of researchers, that are not ‘beautified’ by the usual way of presentation in academic research. This study was conducted in the municipality of Bad Emstal by initiating a project on rural sustainability. The methods include semi-structured interviews (with 11 actors)and unstructured interviews, as well as the analysis of secondary data, two focus groups and a researcher diary. All data was analysed through a thematic analysis, and reflected on through feedback loops with participants. The analysis shows that due to many shared experiences, the perspectives of the researcher, participants and politicians overlap a lot in the rural context. Two themes influenced the role of the researcher in this study significantly: Age and the past, as well as the rural setting. Several learnings for researchers in similar contexts are formulated based on the data gathered throughout the project. They can be summarised in three responsibilities the researcher can take over to improve their work in PAR:1. Creating a space that is open for (re-)connecting with others and trying out new structures and topics.2. Setting boundaries for themselves and facilitating a clear definition and communication of boundaries for the project.3. Supporting the community in making their efforts visible and setting realistic goals that can be reached and celebrated.Thus, it is concluded that the researcher - while having an agenda themselves - can enact their role as a change agent by being in a position of support to the community they work in.

The aim of this master thesis is to analyze political regime of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and to find out some possible effects, which could have had an influence on its stability and survival in the last 25 years. The Jordanian political regime had gone through several crises in the examined years. Not only did it survive all of them but also became stronger. Which factors caused the survival of the regime? In the first part of the thesis we typologize the regime from three possible perspectives (institutional, formalistic and legitimation). The second part deals with an analysis of factors, which enable the survival of Jordanian political regime. The emphasis is given on the role of institutions.