Essays

The Concept of Sustainable Development

anon • Jul 27 2011 • Essays

Sustainable Development is a concept that at its core is revolutionary, yet difficult to pragmatically define. The history behind sustainable development is one that does not stretch far. Tensions that can be found within this idea are numerous, ranging from its ambiguous and vague definition, to the failure of attaining a universal pragmatic and operational framework.

Towards a New Paradigm for Transitional Justice?

Andrew Baines • Jul 27 2011 • Essays

This dissertation will focus on a critical comparison of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Guatemalan Commission for Historical Clarification and the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This study will look at several key aspects of these commissions in order to attempt to establish whether the adoption of certain elements over others enabled these truth commissions to have a greater impact with regards to their titular mandate.

To what extent can the 1990 sanctions placed on Iraq be judged according to Humanitarian Law?

Jessica Henry • Jul 26 2011 • Essays

This essay will briefly explain the importance of sanctions, along with their uses and failings. These will be evaluated in regard to the particular case study of the economic sanctions on Iraq during the 1990s, to illustrate the real problems of applying humanitarian law to sanctions.

Cold War containment: the role of the military

Simon Schoon • Jul 26 2011 • Essays

The policy of containment led directly to a radical change in the global positioning of the U.S. In the early period of Truman’s presidency U.S. armed forces were undergoing a large-scale programme of demobilisation, yet by its end in 1953 military and economic alliances were held with states in virtually every continent of the globe.

Why has it often proved more difficult to reintegrate than to demobilise soldiers following civil wars?

Emma Gordon • Jul 26 2011 • Essays

This essay will address the challenges faced during reintegration based on the levels presented above – individual, community, and national. In the latter of these, it will seek to address the impact of complications arising in the early stages of national DDR programmes, particularly during demobilisation.

Bush and Blair: the impact of a special relationship on national interests

John Laidlaw • Jul 26 2011 • Essays

This dissertation argues that the ‘special’ relationship shared between Tony Blair and George W Bush while they presided over their respective countries’ had a greater effect on their own individual pursuit of national interests than conventionally acknowledged.

Assessing China and India’s New Role in Africa

Tom McCarthy • Jul 26 2011 • Essays

This dissertation seeks to explore the rise of China and India in Africa, arguing that the two countries represent a second generation of donors that are able to free-ride on the previous reforms imposed by Western donors, and are then re-interpreting this to announce a new way of providing assistance, centred around ‘non-interference’ and respect for state sovereignty.

How Appealing are CBRN Weapons to Terrorist Groups?

James Robertson • Jul 26 2011 • Essays

Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) terrorism is often portrayed as one of the greatest threats facing the world. But to the rational terrorist, acting with concern to the strategic considerations of external support, possible retaliation and mass-casualty outcomes, CBRN weapons are of limited appeal.

‘Globalization’ and economic development: why Geography still matters

Ben Partridge • Jul 26 2011 • Essays

Interrogating the concept of globalization and examining the differentiated materialities which have both facilitated its development and continue to shape its future direction shows quite clearly that new and complex social relations have arisen which are not easily mappable onto existing territories.

Islam and foreign policy making in Turkey

Harriet Fildes • Jul 26 2011 • Essays

This essay argues that the AKP’s foreign policy is based upon pragmatism. This has resulted in the emergence of Turkey as an important global actor. Recent claims and traditional understandings of the Justice and Development Party’s foreign policy as Islamized are simplistic and derive from misleading theories and political propaganda.

Please Consider Donating

Before you download your free e-book, please consider donating to support open access publishing.

E-IR is an independent non-profit publisher run by an all volunteer team. Your donations allow us to invest in new open access titles and pay our bandwidth bills to ensure we keep our existing titles free to view. Any amount, in any currency, is appreciated. Many thanks!

Donations are voluntary and not required to download the e-book - your link to download is below.