Bücher von Natalie Zufle

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2008 in the subject Politics - Other International Politics Topics, grade: 1,7, Free University of Berlin (Center for Global Politics), course: Migration, language: English, abstract: Transnational migration and the creation of transnational social spaces is not a new phenomenon as such. It has existed long time before it has become a fashionable desired study subject. However, when globalization took off in the 1980s, transnational ties have changed quantitatively as well as qualitatively, and thus the topic has gained in importance. Various revolutionary technical innovations facilitated to maintain transnational contact between country of origin and the new destination on an instantaneous basis. Currently hence, such ties can be as intense as ever. The new thing about transnational migration is rather ¿ in compliance with Glick Schiller ¿ that scholars provided the social sciences ¿with a vocabulary and a framework to analyze the way in which migrants and their descendants participate in familial, social, economic, religious, political, and cultural processes that extend across the borders of nation-states¿ enabling scholars to ¿conceptualize simultaneity, the ways in which individuals settle into a new locality and also maintain various kinds of social relationships that extend into other nation-states (2006, p. 8).

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject Politics - General and Theories of International Politics, grade: 1,5, Free University of Berlin (Center for Global Politics), course: IR & Culture, language: English, abstract: As to understanding contemporary international relations, all three of the presented frameworks matter to a certain degree and respectively to certain groups of people. In the end it is to say that ¿how each of us sees international relations depends on his or her own theoretical lens¿ (Mingst 2004, p. 80). It should however be noted that, and as Murden concludes, ¿it is difficult to look at the world and not see culture¿ (2008, p. 420). In particular since the Cold War is over, the soft power of culture constitutes a very important factor in shaping mindsets, hence specific policies regarding the Other in the broader sense, and thus international relations. Last but not least, it is vital ¿ also for a more equal treatment (especially when it comes to many parts of the non-Western world), to recognize that cultures are not static and fixed entities.

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2009 in the subject Politics - Region: Near East, Near Orient, grade: 1,0, Free University of Berlin (Center for Global Politics), course: Conflict Management, language: English, abstract: As the analysis of the most recent conflict in Lebanon has shown, there have been successful efforts to solve two of the three major conflict issues by means of a mediation approach. However, several spoiling factors complicate a peaceful solution, and in particular the long-term aim of creating a durable and ultimate peace in the troubled country. However, additional approaches within the peacemaking as well as peacebuilding frameworks help to stabilize the country and can set examples for a stable and promising future. The upcoming elections in June 2009 will show, if Lebanon will carry on its way towards a sustainable and peaceful future in national unity.

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject Politics - Topic: Peace and Conflict, Security, grade: 1,3, Free University of Berlin (Center for Global Politics), course: International Security, language: English, abstract: The causes of the Gulf War are numerous. On each level of analysis, different reasons can be stated, be it in the personal character of a ruler, the national interest of the state or systemic constraints. From my point of view, there is no single cause that can be made out, but rather every illustrated explanation (and there are many more) accounts for the eruption of the Gulf War. In addition, I want to mention that within this level of analysis approach some important aspects (like values or norms etc.) are neglected, being taken into consideration by other theoretical schools like constructivism.

Seminar paper from the year 2007 in the subject Politics - General and Theories of International Politics, grade: 1,6, Free University of Berlin (Center for Global Politics), language: English, abstract: The state in the developed Western world is undergoing a transformation causing a diminishing meaning of borders and a fading extent of sovereignty. The world is, as Jackson and Sorensen conclude, still a territorial world, but we can observe a weakening of ¿Westphalian parameters¿ (2007, p. 2, p. 25). Even though the Westphalian order in terms of the territorially defined sovereign nation state is still the dominant form, it faces several profound challenges through the irresistible processes that globalization brings about. Economic developments, first and foremost with reference to the area of finance, account for a decline in the meaning of national borders, which have come increasingly under pressure after the end of Cold War. The revolution in information and communication technologies contributes its share. Looking at the political dimension we can realize a shift of various aspects of state sovereignty as regards the regulative rules to other levels, in the case of the EU-example to the supranational level.From the absolutist state in the 17th century to the current order it has been a long way: with the Peace Treaty of Westphalia the modern state emerged and became global after the end of the Second World War. Now it¿s a mixed actor model, which requires the adaptation of states to cope adequately with these new collective challenges of the 21st century.