C/P/106. Dissertation. Neo-liberalism and "new" Russia: factors shaping political economy of Russia today

The dissertation looks at the transition of Russia from a socialist state to a neo-liberal state. Literature is reviewed on neo-liberalism theories and ideology discussing their role in shaping Russia's economy. Political scenarios within Russia are described; international factors that influence Russian politics and economy are considered; Russia's new approach to world politics is indicated arguing that Russia has adopted a unique policy. 

S/P/314. Master's Dissertation. State Sovereignty versus Individual Human Rights in Rwandan Genocide of 1994

The dissertation looks at the genocide of Rwanda's government against its citizens in 1994 addressing the contradiction between the observance of the country's independence from foreign interference, on the one hand, and the violation of human rights within the country, on the other hand. Literature is reviewed on the theoretical aspects of state sovereignty, human rights law, the causes and consequences of Rwandan genocide, the role of the media, the church, international organisations such as IMF and World Bank (WB), etc. Research is conducted into the attitudes of citizens about Rwanda's sovereignty to determine whether it was used as a shield to conceal individual rights' violations from international view. The methods of primary data collection (through questionnaires within a sample group) are combined with the research of secondary data. Conclusions are made about the current human rights observance in Rwanda and the functions of the international human rights bodies suggesting recommendations about their work in times of crisis.

P/E/499. Dissertation. Political, economic and ethical aspects of Kyoto Protocol

The dissertation investigates political, economic and ethical aspects of the Kyoto Protocol (KP) on the reduction of atmospheric carbon emissions. The history and implementation of KP are discussed including the Protocol measures, the technique of CDM (clean development mechanism); the programme of the carbon market, the policies and mechanisms of the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, etc. The practices of BP in GHG reduction are reviewed. Conclusions are made about the role of international cooperation and the investment into environmental technologies.

P/P/315. Dissertation. Evaluating credibility of BushÒs justifications for Iraq war

The dissertation explores the credibility of BushÒs justifications for starting the war in Iraq defining the political paradigm of neoconservatism, and evaluating the arguments of the US administration in theoretical and empirical context using intelligence data related to Saddam Hussein, Al Qaeda, the weapons of mass destruction, etc. The study uses the method of secondary research based on the review and analysis of relevant literature. Conclusions are made about the lack of justification behind the Iraq war.

S/P/69. Dissertation. Solutions to Israeli-Palestinian conflict: obstacles and possibilities

The dissertation addresses the issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict providing its historical overview, sharing the authorÒs personal experiences related to Palestinian Intifadas (uprisings) in Israel, and arguing whether Israel should withdraw from the Palestinian territories. The obstacles to the crisis solution are identified; the possibility of creating a Palestinian state and its implications are discussed; the policy of Arafat is reviewed; the role of economic development in facilitating peace between Israel and Palestine is argued.

S/P/72. Dissertation. Situation in the Middle East over the last century

The dissertation analyses the situation in the Middle East (ME) over the last century reviewing related literature are providing commentary on the issues of the ME history and development, the crisis of education in the Arab world, the strengthening of radical Islam, the caliphate system, the current Islamic movements, the clash between Islam and Christianity, the notion of pan-Arabism, the post-war policy of the Arab and Israeli leaders, the roots of Arab-Israeli conflict, the Suez war, the radical Palestinian movements, the effects of oil reserves exploration, the problems of immigration, the conflicts over water, etc.

S/P/71. Dissertation. USA military and political activity in the Middle East

The dissertation seeks to investigate whether the USA should get involved in the Middle East problems reviewing the history of its financial and military aid to Israel, the aims of Islamic extremism, the policies of the Middle East leaders, the 11/9 terrorist attack on New York, the ethical aspects of the US war on terrorism, the contrasting opinions on the US war against Iraq, the issues of Persian Gulf security, the issues of democracy in the Muslim Middle East, the problem of racial profiling in the USA, etc.

P/P/275. Dissertation. Place of the USA in contemporary world

The dissertation investigates the concept of ÑAmerican empireÒ providing an extensive review of literature on the fundamental characteristics of an empire, historical examples of empires, the political position of the USA in the contemporary world, its domestic and foreign policy, its place in international relations (IR), etc. The prospects for the future development of the USA are discussed.

P/P/252. Dissertation. American independence movement: roots and influences of Thomas PaineÒs political philosophy

The dissertation aims to investigate the contribution of the 18th century philosopher and political figure Thomas Paine to the American War of Independence examining the roots of his political ideology and its influence on the historical development of Europe and the USA. The review of literature touches upon the independence movement in the American colonies, Thomas PaineÒs life and political views, philosophic ideas of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Milton, John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, etc. Conclusions are made about the influence of the Enlightenment on the political and liberal mentality of the period.

P/E/399. Dissertation. Implementation of the EU Cohesion policy in Italy

The dissertation investigates the socio-economic situation in Mezzogiorn, a group of Southern Italian regions, focusing on the implementation of the EU Cohesion programme that aims to promote harmonious development between regions. The review of literature touches upon Italian regional policy over the post-War period, the European influence on Italy during 1990s, the EU Cohesion Policy, etc. Conclusions are made about the reasons why some regions are more successful than others in implementing the EU Cohesion Policy.

P/P/207. Dissertation. Deutsche Mark in the unification of Germanys

The dissertation aims to investigate the impacts of introducing the Deutsche Mark (DM) into the German Democratic Republic (GDR) as a result of the Treaty on the economic, monetary and social unification of the two Germanys. A historic overview of the period around 1990 is presented providing a review of literature on political theory and the countries economy, finance, legislation and politics. Conclusions are made about the consequences of extending the DMs currency area to include the GDR. This dissertation is written using Footnote system of referencing.

P/P/205. Dissertation. Implications of international cooperation in outer space

The aim of the dissertation is to explore social, political and economic impacts of the international cooperation in outer space providing a review of literature on the history of European and US-Soviet/Russian cooperation in space, the activities of the European Space Agency (ESA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Russian Space Agency (RSA). Conclusions are made about the implications of the International Space Station (ISS) for international cooperation.

P/E/260. Dissertation. Role of EU in Bosnias reconstruction

The dissertation investigates the role of the EU participation in the reconstruction of Bosnian economy after the war of 1992 - 1995. A review of literature covers the European Unions foreign policy, direct and indirect forms of involvement in the transition of Bosnia. The role of EU special representatives and the European Commission is discussed highlighting institutional coordination between them.

P/P/183. Dissertation. Mechanisms of corruption in US presidents administration

The dissertation looks at historical, social and political aspects of corruption offering a study of the US administration practices during the presidencies of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Literature of the subject of corruption is reviewed; the influence of big business and private money on Clintons and Bushs administration is revealed through analysis and case studies.

P/P/146. Dissertation. South Africa: political make-up

The dissertation aims to analyse the political make-up in South Africa seeking to estimate the role of SA local governments. The concept of power is identified and characterised in philosophical, social and historical terms emphasising the role of political parties. Party politics in South Africa are discussed along the lines of the existing conflicts reflecting various sources of power in the country. The combination of quantitative (statistical data) and qualitative (interviews) research methods is used. Conclusions are made about the interests behind administration of political parties.

P/P/145. Dissertation. US intelligence agencies: history and current practices

The dissertation aims to investigate the activities of the United States Intelligence Community (USIC) in the changing political environment of the early 2000s. The difficulties in facing new challenges are outlined. An overview of the world history after the cold war is presented followed up by the survey of the US intelligent agencies practices and the analysis of their current problems.

P/P/144. Dissertation. The right to bear arms and political instability in the USA

The dissertation aims to uncover the implications of the legalised bearing of arms in the USA. The history of the American military system is reviewed highlighting the issues of liberty, political freedoms and defence practices as reflected in the Constitution. Cultural, social and political reasons for the rise of the militia are discussed. The dangers of an increasing presence of guns in American culture are highlighted. Constitutional protection of the right to bear arms is claimed to be creating potential instability in American politics.

C/P/31. Dissertation. The Irish Human Rights Agenda and the Good Friday Agreement

The dissertation addresses the relevance of the human rights agenda to the Irish peace process. The author considers, in the first instance, the state of human rights protection in the Republic of Ireland; in particular, the effects of "Catholic" morality, enshrined in legislative provisions over the years, which ostracized minority groups and undermined the peace process. The consequences of the Good Friday Agreement for Dublin are assessed in light of important changes in the framework for human rights protection in Ireland (establishment of the Human Rights Commission, incorporation of the ECHR into the Irish domestic legal order). Secondly, the paper considers human rights abuses in Northern Ireland, their significance as both a symptom and a cause of sectarianism. The Catholic grievances, leading up to the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, are briefly discussed. The author shows how the British Government attempted to address these grievances in the 1970s and 1980s and why these efforts did not go far enough. The paper discusses emergency powers exercised by the government authorities in Northern Ireland (detention and interrogation of terrorist suspects) to show how these powers, irrespective of their importance for preserving stability in Northern Ireland, further undermined the peace process. Finally, the author considers the effects of the Good Friday Agreement on the human rights situation in Northern Ireland: institutional changes (establishment of the Human Rights Commission) and the debate on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

P/P/139. Modern terrorism and counter-terrorism

The dissertation aims to analyse the concept of security in the 21st century in the context of the terrorist attacks on the USA. An overview of the history of terrorism and WMD (weapons of mass destruction) is given on the basis of a literature review. Counter-terrorism measures taken at the global level are discussed highlighting the obstacles to their effective implementation. Examples from the history of various countries are drawn to support the arguments. Conclusions are made about the aims and forms of modern terrorism.

P/P/119. Dissertation. Geographic mobility in Europe

The aim of the dissertation is to study geographic mobility between the countries of Europe focusing on legal migration. The author's objective is to show economic, social and cultural benefits brought about by the removal of barriers to movement across Europe contributing to economic integration of EU. The methods of the research are based on the combination of theoretical assumptions and empirical evidence provided by the Labour Force Survey, Eurostat and Council of Europe sources. The trends of geographical mobility in Europe are outlined and compared to those in the USA. The paper concludes that immigration policies across the EU are successfully implemented.

P/P/118. Dissertation. What prevented Britain from colonising West Africa?

The dissertation aims to analyse the impact of the disease environment in West Africa in the first half of the nineteenth century. The objective of the author is to study the correlation between the spread of the diseases in Africa and the nature of the British colonial expansion. The paper outlines the effects of the tropical climate on the Europeans and their lack of understanding of its dangers. A historical overview of the British settlement and military presence in West Africa is given showing the relationship between the theories of the disease environment and the imperial activity of Britain. The conclusion is made that disease was the main barrier for the colonial expansion in the West Africa.

P/P/101. Russian parliament as a 'puppet' of president Putin

The dissertation aims at examining the current political situation in Russia focusing on the President / Parliament relationship. The author's objectives are to contend that president Putin has all the constitutional power to control the Duma (Russian parliament) and to compare Yeltsin's and Putin's presidency. The literary review based on books, journals, documents, speeches and interviews, allows the author to outline the structure and make-up of parliament and discuss its functioning in the light of the relationship between executive and legislative bodies. The study is mostly conducted using the comparative method and the methods of analysis and observation. These allow the author to conclude that present-day Russia has a hybrid system of power with the features of both, democratic and authoritarian regime.

P/P/95. Dissertation. USA hegemony in the world and its new National Security Strategy (NSS)

The aim of the dissertation is to analyse the implications of the USA's hegemonic position in the world. The author's objective is to show that by projecting power over other countries in search of security, the USA makes the world less secure and encourages the return of competition between great powers. The study is based on an extensive literature review with a focus on the works by R. Gilpin, who comes up with the theory of hegemony, and G. John Ikenberry who develops this theory and looks at different versions of hegemony. Using the method of analysis and generalisation the author gives definitions of the key terms, such as ásecurity, áhegemony, áunipolarity, ápre-emption, etc. applying them to the USA in the existing international situation and projecting the analysis to the historical background, which shows that there have been no major conflicts since the period of the Cold War. Discussing Americas search for security the paper focuses on the Bush Doctrine, or new National Security Strategy (NSS), that acts to spread US liberal values towards the periphery. The dissertation concludes that the main obstacle to the new NSS is unilateralism that gives reasons for seeing the USA as ápolicing the world; the increased use of unendorsed power decreases the benign nature of the USA, the most striking example being Iraq War in 2003.

P/P/96. Dissertation. The role of Chancellor Adenauer in the post-war history of West Germany

The dissertation investigates the implications of the foreign policy of West Germany after 1949 and the role of Chancellor Konrad Adenauer in the process of European Integration. The aim of the dissertation is to evaluate the domestic political sphere in West Germany in historic perspective. The author's objective is to comment on the influence of the Western Allies in the sphere of the country's foreign policy. Proceeding from a literature review of the works of Altmann, (1960), Binder (1969), Crawley (1973), Donhoff ( 1982) Bark (1993), Boehling (1996), etc., the paper highly rates the achievements of Konrad Adenauer in FRG's economic recovery and its speedy integration into the Western European community. Using the method of observation and analysis the dissertation admits that these challenges were largely facilitated by financial and military support of other countries, particularly the United States of America. However, as the author writes in conclusion, this positive impact ruled out the possibility of immediate unification with the German Democratic Republic, which was mostly due to the Chancellor's aggressive proÃWestern foreign policy. Close affiliation with France that antagonized other members of the European Economic Community and Great Britain, is considered among his other political faults.

S/P/15. Sovereignty or Human Rights: The Dichotomy of the Organisation of African Unity

This dissertation considers the impact of the principle of state sovereignty on the Organisation of African Unity as a mechanism for the promotion and protection of human rights. It considers the Charter of the OAU, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the Human Rights Commission, The dissertation includes a case study of human rights abuses in Uganda under Idi Amin. The dissertation concludes with a discussion on the principle of sovereignty and a consideration of the development of the African Union. Document includes appendices (Charter of the OAU, African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights).

C/P/23. Dissertation. CNN effect and media framing: Living room wars and lessons of 9/11

The dissertation considers inter-relationship between mass media and power-wielding elites. In particular, the paper looks at the importance of the "CNN effect", that is - the ability of the news companies to broadcast live pictures of events that could shock the public conscience and thereby prompt the policy-makers into action. Such ability is the result of breakthroughs (many of them very recent) in the field of reporting technologies. Another issue that is very much in focus in this paper is media framing, that is - the presentation of facts by reporters in such a way as to highlight desired aspects of a certain issue at the cost of doing prejudice to other aspects. Finally, the paper looks into the dynamic of the policy-media relations. We find that within a relatively free, democratic political system (such as that, which does not openly suppress freedom of expression and freedom of press), the relationship between media and policy is that of a mutual give-and-take. Elites are influenced by what mass media bring to the screen, but journalists themselves share the views of the policy elites. Under such circumstances, when elite circles are in consensus on a policy issue, it is unlikely to receive negative attention in the media. When, however, policy-making community is divided and policy is uncertain, media may take sides in the debate.

P/P/68. Masters Dissertation. Anglo-Soviet Relations: 1917-1939

The dissertation aims critically analyse and discuss the Anglo-Soviet relations between 1917 and 1939 (Further information is available on request)

P/P/59. Dissertation. Chemical terrorism: assessing the threat

This dissertation aims to assess the threat posed by neo-terrorists armed with chemical weapons. Dissertation looks at the terrorists motivations; whether terrorists are capable to acquiring serious chemical weapons, assessing whether Sub-State Terrorist Attack with Chemical Weapons is a Viable Threat and if the State-Sponsorship of Neo-Terrorists is the Only Viable Method of Mounting a Chemical Attacks.

P/P/54. Dissertation. Hawala Financial Transfer System - Prohibition of Terrorism: The Case of Al Qae'da

The dissertation aims to analyse the hawala financial transfer system and to discuss how such system can forbid the transfer of terrorists' money, in particularly Al Qae'da. (Further information is available on request)

P/L/15. Dissertation. Human Rights Act 1998

The dissertation critically evaluates the Human Rights Act 1998, identifies the rationale behind this Act and assesses the worth of the Act

C/P/18. Dissertation. Is the Globalization end of the Nation State?

Conclusion: The globalisers of our day claim that a new world order is upon us. The nation state is a thing of the past, it is being replaced by networks of all kinds. This paper shows, if anything, that this view is too optimistic. We have shown that neither the multinational corporations nor the transnational financial flows undermine the writerity of the nation state; that the state retains its inherent regulatory capacity. Likewise, the growth in telecommunications technologies, development of cross-border networks have not greatly infringed on the state's powers or where they have - the state has devised effective counter-strategies to deal with these challenges. While some states have been more successful historically at dealing with globalisation, others have been run over. Yet the system of states as a whole is still going strong, it is not falling apart, nor will it fall apart in the foreseeable future.

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