Browsing by Author "Nilsson, Fanny"

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MELLANMÄNSKLIG TILLIT Det sociala kapitalets effekt på valdeltagande i Europaparlamentsvalet 2014
(2019-02-14) Nilsson, Fanny; Göteborgs universitet/Statsvetenskapliga institutionen; University of Gothenburg/Department of Political Science
Direct elections to the European Parliament have been held since 1979, but turnout rates have declined with each election. It is well established that socioeconomic factors play a part in individuals’ decision to participate in elections, but what can be said about social capital and the specific aspect of interpersonal trust? The aim of this thesis is to study if a higher level of interpersonal trust can have an effect on voter turnout to the European Parliament election, and if so, if a higher level of interpersonal trust can compensate for a lower level of socioeconomic status and effect voter turnout. The data used comes from The National SOMstudy 2014. The result show that a higher level of interpersonal trust indeed increases voter turnout. The study also comes to the conclusion that a higher level of interpersonal trust not can be said to compensate for lower levels of socioeconomic status, however, a higher level of interpersonal trust further increases the probability of individuals with stronger socioeconomic resources to participate in the election to the European Parliament.
THE EU’S ALLOCATION OF DEVELOPMENT AID – NORMATIVE OR STRATEGIC? - An analysis of aid distribution to African countries in relation to the inflow of Chinese FDI
(2021-06-22) Nilsson, Fanny; Göteborgs universitet/Statsvetenskapliga institutionen; University of Gothenburg/Department of Political Science
Based on the European Union’s self-image of being a normative power and a ‘force for good’ in the world, this thesis examines the EU's role as an international aid donor. The EU’s development policy has developed during the last decades, and in line with its normative self-image the EU has established a set of idealist criteria that is meant to guide its aid allocation to developing countries. However, the EU’s role in the global arena has been questioned, and the EU has been accused of not always acting according to its normative self-image. As the EU’s role in the world and as a partner to third countries is being scrutinized, new powers with pronounced strategic motives are stepping in as an alternative partner for developing countries. China’s influence on the global arena has grown exponentially the last few decades, and it has become an increasingly important partner to developing countries. This analysis uses panel data to examine how the EU’s self-proclaimed normative aid allocation to African countries are affected by the inflow of Chinese FDI to these same countries. The results presented indicate no significant relationship between Chinese FDI and EU aid allocation. However, both idealist and strategic motives are showcased in significant control variables.