title: Populism and the domestic-international nexus: The Cases of the United States and Brazil

authors: Bauerfeind, Courtney Tegan

subjects: Populism

abstract: Populism has become an increasingly important feature of politics in recent decades due to a rapid wave of populist parties spreading across the world from Europe to the United States, and South America. This motivates and necessitates renewed attention into understanding populism’s functions, origins and implications for international relations. In particular, as state identities reconstruct themselves in line with domestic political shifts (in this case leading to new populist identities), the importance of understanding the process of identity formation increases. To engage this issue, this research examines and utilises interrelated ideas and theories including identity formation, the role of social groups, group psychology and constructivist international relations theory. This thesis will examine whether identity politics influence domestic politics, and in extension empower populist movements. This will analyse how the state acts as an extension of the people that reside within it. It also provides scope to explain how domestic regimes and their changing identities inform international state behaviour by, firstly, looking at the effects of populism in recent years on the state of democracy globally and, second, through two case studies: the US (during the Trump administration), and Brazil (during the the Lula and Bolsonaro administrations). It will determine whether or not there were significant changes to US/Brazil foreign policy as a result of populism, and if so, how this affects international relations. In doing so, this research advances understanding of how domestic populism has had a significant influence on international behaviour. Additionally this research aims to continue and strengthen constructivist analysis by building on the existing academic literature through the understanding of psychological theories. Through it’s analysis it finds that populism has weakened democracy globally and that there are significant similarities between the foreign policy of right-wing populist parties in different countries, and differences between these parties and the foreign policy pursued by left-wing populists. It also identifies state behaviours, in terms of foreign policy, that align with principles of group identity behaviours and identifies areas where future research is warranted.

text: Populism and the domestic-international nexus: The Cases of the United States and Brazil Populism has become an increasingly important feature of politics in recent decades due to a rapid wave of populist parties spreading across the world from Europe to the United States, and South America. This motivates and necessitates renewed attention into understanding populism’s functions, origins and implications for international relations. In particular, as state identities reconstruct themselves in line with domestic political shifts (in this case leading to new populist identities), the importance of understanding the process of identity formation increases. To engage this issue, this research examines and utilises interrelated ideas and theories including identity formation, the role of social groups, group psychology and constructivist international relations theory. This thesis will examine whether identity politics influence domestic politics, and in extension empower populist movements. This will analyse how the state acts as an extension of the people that reside within it. It also provides scope to explain how domestic regimes and their changing identities inform international state behaviour by, firstly, looking at the effects of populism in recent years on the state of democracy globally and, second, through two case studies: the US (during the Trump administration), and Brazil (during the the Lula and Bolsonaro administrations). It will determine whether or not there were significant changes to US/Brazil foreign policy as a result of populism, and if so, how this affects international relations. In doing so, this research advances understanding of how domestic populism has had a significant influence on international behaviour. Additionally this research aims to continue and strengthen constructivist analysis by building on the existing academic literature through the understanding of psychological theories. Through it’s analysis it finds that populism has weakened democracy globally and that there are significant similarities between the foreign policy of right-wing populist parties in different countries, and differences between these parties and the foreign policy pursued by left-wing populists. It also identifies state behaviours, in terms of foreign policy, that align with principles of group identity behaviours and identifies areas where future research is warranted.

year: 2022

title: Researching perceptions of childhood sexuality: Using vignettes in interviews with teachers, counsellors, parents and young children

authors: Flanagan, Paul G.

abstract: Adults interpret children’s actions from their own positionings within culture and gender discourses. Children’s ‘sexual’ actions or ‘sexualised behaviour’ is responded to from ideas of innocence and indifference to moral panics and protective interventions. Adults express discomfort and uncertainty about how to understand and respond to young children acting this way.
Researching sexuality traverses social and cultural environments in which people live. Frayser (2003) refers to ‘shifting cultural maps’ as constructions of sexuality move from reproductive to relational and recreational understandings. “An expanded view of sexuality has meant an expanded interpretation of what is sexual; Words, looks, touches, pictures, and movements can all be construed in sexual ways” (Frayser, 2003, p. 267). Mitchell (2005), researching children’s sexuality in the Australian context, noted limitations in the literature, including the conceptualisation of sexuality; the difficulty of defining ‘normal’ sexual development when children’s sexuality is not considered in a wider, social and cultural context; and the dearth of research about children’s understandings of sexuality.
This paper describes a New Zealand doctoral study exploring discourses shaping constructions of sexuality in childhood. In particular, the paper focuses on the methodological approach of using vignettes.
Primary school teachers, parents, counsellors and children responded to a series of vignettes within focus groups and semi-structured interviews. The use of vignettes produced a context of safe participation for participants. This method supported participants’ confidence and trust with both the research process and their relationship with the researcher. As understandings were shared, enquiry brought forward further ideas and experiences from participants. Many readily disclosed more personal information, telling stories of child sexual activity: about themselves; their own children; family members; or stories of other children known to them.
A social constructionist framework underpins this research: children’s experiences are multi-storied and multiple meanings are available in understandings of sexuality. Foucault’s concepts of the genealogical method are used in the analysis of the literature, policies and practices on childhood sexuality, together with discursive positioning from the participants’ narratives.
Vignettes gave a safe entry into discussions about childhood sexuality, beginning with less problematic stories and then further examples of developing complexity. They provided stories to be viewed at a distance, then allowing for closer and more personal sharing of experiences. Awareness and understanding multiple social and cultural discourses shaping constructions of childhood sexuality is useful for teachers, parents and counsellors.

text: Researching perceptions of childhood sexuality: Using vignettes in interviews with teachers, counsellors, parents and young children Adults interpret children’s actions from their own positionings within culture and gender discourses. Children’s ‘sexual’ actions or ‘sexualised behaviour’ is responded to from ideas of innocence and indifference to moral panics and protective interventions. Adults express discomfort and uncertainty about how to understand and respond to young children acting this way.
Researching sexuality traverses social and cultural environments in which people live. Frayser (2003) refers to ‘shifting cultural maps’ as constructions of sexuality move from reproductive to relational and recreational understandings. “An expanded view of sexuality has meant an expanded interpretation of what is sexual; Words, looks, touches, pictures, and movements can all be construed in sexual ways” (Frayser, 2003, p. 267). Mitchell (2005), researching children’s sexuality in the Australian context, noted limitations in the literature, including the conceptualisation of sexuality; the difficulty of defining ‘normal’ sexual development when children’s sexuality is not considered in a wider, social and cultural context; and the dearth of research about children’s understandings of sexuality.
This paper describes a New Zealand doctoral study exploring discourses shaping constructions of sexuality in childhood. In particular, the paper focuses on the methodological approach of using vignettes.
Primary school teachers, parents, counsellors and children responded to a series of vignettes within focus groups and semi-structured interviews. The use of vignettes produced a context of safe participation for participants. This method supported participants’ confidence and trust with both the research process and their relationship with the researcher. As understandings were shared, enquiry brought forward further ideas and experiences from participants. Many readily disclosed more personal information, telling stories of child sexual activity: about themselves; their own children; family members; or stories of other children known to them.
A social constructionist framework underpins this research: children’s experiences are multi-storied and multiple meanings are available in understandings of sexuality. Foucault’s concepts of the genealogical method are used in the analysis of the literature, policies and practices on childhood sexuality, together with discursive positioning from the participants’ narratives.
Vignettes gave a safe entry into discussions about childhood sexuality, beginning with less problematic stories and then further examples of developing complexity. They provided stories to be viewed at a distance, then allowing for closer and more personal sharing of experiences. Awareness and understanding multiple social and cultural discourses shaping constructions of childhood sexuality is useful for teachers, parents and counsellors.

year: 2014

title: Kaitiakitanga: protecting New Zealand's native biodiversity

authors: Morad, Munir

subjects: geography

abstract: Species diversity is a very important component of a healthy ecosystem, and a necessary condition for long-term sustainable development. However, it is widely recognised that species extinction is on the increase in New Zealand, as biological diversity comes under pressure from landuse activity and environmental change.

text: Kaitiakitanga: protecting New Zealand's native biodiversity Species diversity is a very important component of a healthy ecosystem, and a necessary condition for long-term sustainable development. However, it is widely recognised that species extinction is on the increase in New Zealand, as biological diversity comes under pressure from landuse activity and environmental change.

year: 2000