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Analysis of Recent Legislation on Religious Attire in France
Title
An Analysis of Recent Legislation on Religious Attire in France.
Creator
Ahmad, Moshtayeen, Program in International Affairs
Abstract/Description
This thesis aims to situate the controversy surrounding Muslim women's attire in France in a historical context of this country, specifically the development of the French concept of laïcité. In 1905, there occurred an important development in the law, pertaining to the separation of church and state. In France, this is called laïcité and was "informed by and predicated upon French secularism and later inculcated in the ideals of French citizenship (liberté, egalité, and fraternité) through ...
Show moreThis thesis aims to situate the controversy surrounding Muslim women's attire in France in a historical context of this country, specifically the development of the French concept of laïcité. In 1905, there occurred an important development in the law, pertaining to the separation of church and state. In France, this is called laïcité and was "informed by and predicated upon French secularism and later inculcated in the ideals of French citizenship (liberté, egalité, and fraternité) through 'neutral' civic education" (Gordner 2008, 75). The relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and the state was the main reason for this judicial development that lead to laïcité. Its main purpose was to curb the influence of the Cahtolic Church in state matters. However, in the later part of the 20th century, Islam has taken the place previously associated with the Catholic Church in that its influence was seen as being in contrast with a laïque society and has become "the new focal point for the state secular policy in France" (Gordner 2008, 72). Obviously, there are far fewer Muslims in France than there were or are Catholics, but the concept of laïcité is invoked with regards to limiting certain Islamic practices in public spaces. This shift caused several tensions between French citizens and North African immigrants as France tried to preserve its traditional French culture. As a result, in 2004, a law was passed in France to ban "ostentatious religious symbols" in public schools. Even though the law applies to all religious symbols, most observers would argue that it was really intended towards Muslim girls wearing the Muslim headscarf, hijab. "The wearing of small Christian crosses, for example, is not disallowed and therefore the law can be interpreted to be directed at the wearing of the Muslim headscarf" (Gray 2008, 101). In this Honors Thesis I will explore the question if the French bans on select religious attire in public schools (2004) and the niqab in public spheres (2011) are specifically related to the religion of Islam or if other factors, such as immigration, social exclusion, "otherness" of Muslim minorities etc. play 5 a role. I also will explore the history of laïcité in France and its current application. I further my research by looking into other Francophone countries dealing with similar issues. Much research is available on the 2004 law banning ostentatious religious symbols in public schools. Since the 2011 controversy surrounding the full-face veil is relatively new, there is little scholarly research published at this time. My literature research is also limited due to the fact that I have no background in the French language. However, this topic is of interest because France has the largest Muslim minority in a Western country and therefore the way France deals with this population is of interest to other countries as well.
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Date Issued
2012
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0103
Format
Thesis
Becoming American
Title
Becoming American.
Creator
Amar, Monika, Program in International Affairs
Abstract/Description
This thesis examines various aspects of modern American culture and addresses potential causes and effects of American individualism and of the current mainstream American family dynamic. Discussing the effects that Americanism can have on interaction within immigrant families, as well as on society at large via globalization, this thesis evaluates historical, political and technological aspects of American society, which attribute to present-day functioning of individuals living in America...
Show moreThis thesis examines various aspects of modern American culture and addresses potential causes and effects of American individualism and of the current mainstream American family dynamic. Discussing the effects that Americanism can have on interaction within immigrant families, as well as on society at large via globalization, this thesis evaluates historical, political and technological aspects of American society, which attribute to present-day functioning of individuals living in America and beyond. Attributing changes in the way people communicate within the family realm and with others, this thesis analyzes the detrimental effects of overuse and dependence on information and communication technologies — mainly the Internet and the mobile phone — as well as the diffusion of capitalism into various realms of American society and even on a global scale as humans have become more interconnected. The intention of this thesis is to highlight the developing elements of mainstream American culture and to expose the potential for a worldwide community with the increased progressive industrialization and urbanization of more and more countries.
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Date Issued
2014
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0337
Format
Thesis
Effect of Economic Globalization on Transnational Terrorism a Pooled Time Series Analysis
Title
The Effect of Economic Globalization on Transnational Terrorism a Pooled Time Series Analysis.
Creator
Parks, Danielle M., Department of Economics
Abstract/Description
This research analyzes the effect of economic globalization on the number of transnational terrorist attacks within a country. The pooled time series analysis, conducted on a sample of 160 countries from 1968 to 2014, is an updated, expanded, and revised version of Li and Schaub (2004). The analysis first replicates Li and Schaub (2004) proving the accuracy of the tests. Next, it examines the effect of a larger sample and time period. Finally, existing variables are revised and new variables...
Show moreThis research analyzes the effect of economic globalization on the number of transnational terrorist attacks within a country. The pooled time series analysis, conducted on a sample of 160 countries from 1968 to 2014, is an updated, expanded, and revised version of Li and Schaub (2004). The analysis first replicates Li and Schaub (2004) proving the accuracy of the tests. Next, it examines the effect of a larger sample and time period. Finally, existing variables are revised and new variables are added in order to improve the test. Countries have not only become more interconnected, but also the nature of transnational terrorism has radically evolved since prior research was conducted. Following the September 11, 2001, Pentagon and Twin Tower attacks, the world has been facing a new form of terrorism. Empirically, the amount of transnational terrorist attacks globally has been decreasing after the September 11, 2001, transnational terrorist attacks. Overall, the results show that international economic integration has overtime had a greater effect on the number of transnational terrorist attacks than research had previously suggested. Specifically, foreign direct investment (FDI) and portfolio investment have a statistically significant negative effect on transnational terrorist attacks within a country. However, trade openness no longer has a direct effect on transnational terrorism. Additionally, a country's economic globalization and partners' economic globalization does not have a statistically significant effect of reducing the amount of transnational terrorist attacks that a country experiences. As a result, the analysis provides policymakers with a greater understanding on what specific economic conditions may currently promote or inhibit the transnational terrorist attacks from occurring within a country.
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Date Issued
2015
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0566
Format
Thesis
Importance of Sea Power
Title
The Importance of Sea Power: China's Modernizing Navy and its Effects on Regional International Affairs.
Creator
Brockman, Daniel, Department of Political Science
Abstract/Description
Analysts in the United States fear the unprecedented growth and modernization of China's Navy could lead to problems for the U.S. and its allies, upsetting America's political influence and economic interests in the Southeast Asia maritime region. I argue that China's naval modernization has increased China's political influence—and decreased that of the U.S.—over countries in the China Sea region that do not maintain defense agreements with the United States. Hypotheses from this argument...
Show moreAnalysts in the United States fear the unprecedented growth and modernization of China's Navy could lead to problems for the U.S. and its allies, upsetting America's political influence and economic interests in the Southeast Asia maritime region. I argue that China's naval modernization has increased China's political influence—and decreased that of the U.S.—over countries in the China Sea region that do not maintain defense agreements with the United States. Hypotheses from this argument are tested using voting data from United Nations proceedings and naval tonnage data. I find that there is a connection between China's growing Navy and how often countries in the China Sea region have voted in agreement with China (increasing) and the United States (decreasing). Furthermore, it was found that countries in this region with a U.S. military pact acted differently than those that do not maintain such an arrangement, increasing agreement with the United States relative to China.
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Date Issued
2014
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0371
Format
Thesis
Nature of Consultative Status
Title
The Nature of Consultative Status: An Examination of the Relationship between NGOs and the UN.
Creator
Lawrence, Emily, Program in International Affairs
Abstract/Description
This thesis relates to the consultative status arrangement between NGOs and the UN. It explores the ability of NGOs to maintain consultative status when raising awareness for human rights violations that member states would prefer to keep hidden. The work focuses on an NGO's reputation, political ties and accreditation methods as the main factors of relevance. Internal dynamics within the Economic and Social Council's Committee on NGOs are also considered.
Date Issued
2013
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0249
Format
Thesis