https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118825 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:08:49 GMT 2026-04-16T04:08:49Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/132255 Title: Forging a national epic for a newly-sovereign state : narrative, myth and identity in Maltese nation-building (1964 – 2004) Abstract: Purpose: This study seeks to identify whether the narratives of national identity constructed by political actors weakened Maltese nation-building during the formative years (1964 – 2004) of Malta’s existence as a sovereign state prior to the settlement of the main constitutional issues in 2004. It has three-fold research objectives: to identify the role of the intelligentsia and the political class in the creation of political nationalism; to identify the key factors shaping the contending political narratives of national identity. Such narratives were developed, encouraged and propagated by the two main political parties; and to assess how such narratives impacted the political climate in post-colonial Malta and how, therefore, they affected nation-building. Design / Methodology / Approach: This study adopts a qualitative approach based on a theoretical framework formulated through an extensive review of scholarly literature which weaves the different theoretical points of view on nations and nationalism, identity and memory in the context of nation-building, thus producing a coherent framework for analysis. The analysis is based on an extensive review of the narratives propagated in the period 1964 – 2004. Findings: The study concludes that, while divisive, the narratives did not weaken Maltese statebuilding though, paradoxically, they often remain unattached to the state. Moreover, despite the differences, the narratives may have also indirectly strengthened Maltese nation-building. Originality / Value: The study analyses Maltese political development in the period 1964 – 2004, taking political narratives and identity as the main focal point of this analysis, thereby contributing to the literature on the period under consideration. Description: Ph.D.(Melit.) Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/132255 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/131349 Title: A mid-term appraisal of communication as a strategic objective of the Malta police transformation strategy 2020–2025 Abstract: This dissertation investigates the communication capabilities of the Malta Police Force following the publication of the Transformation Strategy 2020-2025. The study employs a mixed method approach, involving interviews with various stakeholders to assess their perceptions of Police operations and the effectiveness of communication with the public. The interviews examine internal and external communication practices, highlighting instances of gatekeeping caused by perceived third-party intrusions. Additionally, a quantitative analysis of the Police’s social media content from 2022 and 2023 was conducted to identify the types of information disseminated to the public. The findings from these methods were compared and contrasted, leading to strategic recommendations utilising the PEST Framework. The outcome is a comprehensive assessment of the mid-term progress of the Transformation Strategy with a focus on communication. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/131349 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/125839 Title: Malta's low fertility rate : the implications for the political economy of the smallest EU member state Abstract: This study investigates the implications of Malta's low fertility rate for its political economy, highlighting the challenges and policy consequences for the EU's smallest member state. Malta's demographic dilemma, characterised by the lowest fertility rate in the European Union, poses significant questions about its future economic sustainability, workforce dynamics, social welfare systems and cultural identity. Through an in-depth analysis that combines secondary sources, quantitative data, qualitative insights from key stakeholders, this study explores the multifaceted relationship between demographic trends and economic policies, labour market transformations, social welfare provisions and shifts in societal norms and gender roles. The research identifies several key factors influencing Malta's fertility rates, including economic development, changing societal values, evolving gender roles and the balance between work and family life. It also examines the broader implications of these demographic trends for Malta's political economy, including the sustainability of social welfare systems, the interplays of the labour market and the potential for cultural shifts in Maltese society. By situating Malta's experience within the larger discourse on population ageing and low fertility rates in developed economies, the study provides a nuanced understanding of the complex factors at play, and offers policy recommendations aimed to address the demographic challenges. The findings underscore the importance of comprehensive policy strategies that integrate economic, social, and cultural interventions to support family life and fertility, ensuring Malta's economic and social sustainability in the face of demographic transformation. Description: M.Sc. (Melit.) Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/125839 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/119556 Title: Political efficacy and youth non-voting : the Maltese context Abstract: This study explores youth non-voting and political efficacy in Malta. It does so by comparing the attitudes and experiences of young voters and young non-voters between the ages of 18 and 25. The study analyses whether political efficacy can be considered a viable conceptual tool for differentiating between their attitudes and whether it can adequately explain why a significant percentage of Maltese youth do not vote. The critical importance of non-voting among young people arises from the fact that non-voters in Malta are continuously on the rise. A quantitative research strategy was adopted, and data was collected through an online administered questionnaire, which was answered by 164 respondents. SPSS was used to analyse the data and the relationships between variables. The data reveals a diverse spectrum of political efficacy levels among Maltese youth, ranging from high to low internal political efficacy. Media consumption, especially through social media platforms, emerges as a significant factor shaping political engagements, underscoring the influence of the digital landscape on political awareness. The data also showcases a notable relationship between higher educational attainment and increased political participation, shedding light on the pivotal role of education in shaping political attitudes. These results offer insights into how young adults perceive voting in Malta, and the reason behind why some voted, and some did not, in the last general election. These findings help to enhance our understanding of the Maltese voting population better and offer the opportunity to devise initiatives that could encourage actual or prospective non-voters to return to the ballot box. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/119556 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z