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This paper aims to examine the crucial historical events that have influenced Swedish arms export policy between 1980 and 2018, using the theories Policy Diffusion and Punctuated Equilibrium Theory to examine the results in a more nuanced and broader way. The study aims to provide a deeper understanding of how changes in domestic policy, international cooperation, security concerns and technologic

This study investigates why certain EU member states, notably Sweden, are underrepresented among civil-servants employees in EU institutions, with a focus on the influence of economic factors. Using a quantitative approach with linear regression analysis and secondary data from eurostat, the study examines how national average wages, civil-servant salaries, and unemployment rates relate to a repre

This study examines the relationship between foreign aid and security levels in low- and lower-middle-income countries between 2008 and 2023. Using a fixed effects panel regression approach, the analysis includes both general aid (as a percentage of GNI) and sector-specific development aid across 71 countries. The dependent variable is a modified version of the Global Peace Index, capturing both s

This thesis investigates the underlying causes of the 2018 trade conflict between the European Union and the United States. It employs a mixed-methods research design, combining quantitative time series analysis to identify shifts in power with qualitative, theory-testing process tracing to assess levels of dissatisfaction. Power transition theory serves as the analytical framework, within which t

This thesis applies Bent Flyvbjerg’s theory of megaprojects to analyze whether the construction of the new swimming facility in Kiruna has been characterized by optimism bias and strategic misrepresentation. Using process tracing and two interviews, the study explores both internal and external factors behind the project's significant cost overruns and delays. The findings indicate that while

In this study, I will analyse and compare the political justifying factors that drive the selective application of international law in Western states. By delving into the national interests of states and the rationale of the ‘Rules-based International order’ this study can analyse the different political positions and tools that enables US, UK, French and German selectivity. Through a qualitative

Young adults consistently show lower levels of political participation compared to older citizens which is a pattern that threatens democratic inclusiveness. While there exists research that has emphasized structural and resource-based explanations, this study aims to investigate whether Self-Determination Theory (SDT) can offer additional insights into this gap. Using survey data from the Europea

This thesis investigates whether corruption levels in European Union (EU) member states have changed following their accession, with a particular focus on countries joining after the establishment of the Copenhagen Criteria in 1993. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study first conducts a quantitative analysis of corruption trends on a year-by-year basis across all post-1993 accession countr

This thesis examines how different colonial governance systems have shaped the institutional foundations of democracy in postcolonial states, focusing on the cases of Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, former colonies of Britain and France, respectively. Through a qualitative comparative case study, the analysis explores how the British model of indirect rule and the French centralized, assimilationist

This thesis explores how Swedish civil society organisations (CSOs) navigate transnational partnerships under civic space restrictions in India. Against the backdrop of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) and shrinking Swedish aid, the study analyses how CSOs adapt to legal, political, and relational constraints. Drawing on four semi-structured interviews and guided by the concepts of

With rising powers on the global scene, foreign policy decisions are shaped by multiple theories of rationality. Culture and national identity are increasingly essential in actors’ decisions and play a significant role in foreign policy. This paper examines foreign policy rationality through the lenses of realism and constructivism, applying Mearsheimer and Rosato’s process-oriented definition of

Uppsatsen syftar till att synliggöra och problematisera hur omfattningen av domens negativa rättskraft förhåller sig till konsumentens rättigheter härrö-rande ur EU-rätten. Efter en jämförelse mellan HD:s rättspraxis och EU-domstolens avgöranden i konsumenträttsliga mål är min slutsats att den rätts-kraftslära HD utvecklat kan försämra konsumenträttens genomslag och såle-des strida mot den EU-rättThis essay aims to illustrate and problematize how the extent of res judicata rules relates to EU-regulated consumer rights. After a comparison between case law from the Swedish High Court (HD) and the European Court of Jus-tice (ECJ), I’ve concluded that the HD-created jurisprudence regarding res judicata might be incompatible with the EU principle of effectiveness. This is due to its potential i

This thesis explores how the European Union, through the East StratCom Task Force’s Disinformation Reviews, discursively frames Russia in its response to disinformation, and how this constructs the Union’s identity. Drawing on Thomas Diez operationalisation of Normative Power Europe as well as Strategic Narrative Theory, this study applies a critical discourse analysis of all reviews published wit

This thesis investigates how Swedish municipalities perceive and interpret their responsibilities within crisis management, specifically regarding the provision of food to schools and care facilities. In the context of Sweden's civil defense there is considerable uncertainty about the division of responsibilities between governing actors. By analyzing how they perceive and try to fulfill their

This study examines how young people are discursively constructed in Swedish policy documents addressing the proposed lowering of the criminal responsibility age from 15 to 14 years, amid ongoing criminal policy debates. Using Fairclough's critical discourse analysis supplemented by responsibility theory and critical age studies, the research analyzes government directive "Skärpta straff

The health and well-being of women and girls is vital and is reflected in various indicators of the sustainable development goal three. An agreement between Tanzania and the UN has influenced Tanzanian health policies and plans for women. The health and well-being of women and girls is also a global health challenge, particularly in developing countries such as Tanzania, resulting in several healt

This essay aims to study how Vladimir Putin's view of Russia and Ukraine, presented in his interview with far-right journalist Tucker Carlson from 2024, can be understood from a nationalist perspective. Further, this essay also aims to understand Putin’s aim with the interview. The chosen theoretical perspective is Ernest Gellner’s theory of nationalism. To examine this view Seymour Chatman’s

The World Bank Group (WB) has often faced critique due to their inconsistency in keeping to their stated humanitarian or environmental goals in their efforts to promote economic development and the world-economy. Their practices are known and their stated goals. That leaves the question: What are their actual goals? In a time of increased mineral extraction due to the energy transition, facing the

This thesis explores how the Swedish system of regulated prostitution and the Inspection Bureau (Besiktningsbyrån) were legitimized during the late 19th century, with a focus on the 1880s. Using David Beetham’s theory of legitimacy - which includes legality, normative justification, and consent - the study conducts a qualitative content analysis of historical texts that defended the Bureau’s role

Why do some states shame norm-violating states when others remain silent? Inter-state “naming and shaming” is typically viewed as a political tool and a calculated act to shame rivals and highlight allies. In this study I investigate why countries shame conflict related sexual violence in the Universal Periodic Review, based on domestic factors. This study explicitly seeks to answer the following