https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/12810 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 23:18:11 GMT 2026-04-06T23:18:11Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13455 Title: How have far-right parties in the Mediterranean performed after the end of the Cold war? : a comparative study between France and Greece Abstract: The subject of this dissertation has been fueled by the unprecedented rise of the Far-Right throughout Europe and the rest of the world after the end of the Cold War. Why the end of the Cold War? This particular period in history had completely alienated the world from the traditional way of politics and after the end of the Second World War, there was no space for the growth of ideologies such as the Far-Right. Furthermore, it is also extremely interesting to analyze the realities which brought back the belief in such ideologies. In this dissertation, the individual cases of France and Greece were chosen for a detailed assessment of the different characteristics of their respective Far-Right parties and the tactics they use, which have enabled them to grow into quasi-mainstream parties. Apart from this, the main attributes, political, economic and social positions and faults of these parties were also discussed together with an assessment of how the future of such parties would look like in the coming years. Description: M.A.DIPLOMATIC STUD. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13455 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13434 Title: From Mintoff to Muscat: the role of the Prime Minister in Malta’s foreign relations Abstract: Academic work pertaining to politics in Malta has long been perceived an anathema. Out of fear of prejudice, many Maltese scholars have been hesitant to produce academic works on Maltese politics and its major stakeholders, that is, the politician. This dissertation is thus an attempt to break this taboo and encourage other students and scholars to engage in more academic work in Maltese politics in an unbiased manner which enables others to understand the mechanism of Maltese politics. This dissertation is entitled ‘The Role of the Prime Minister in Malta’s Foreign Relations’, and the aim behind this research project is to examine and establish how the role of the Prime Minister changed, evolved and shifted from 1971 to 2016, hence, ‘From Mintoff to Muscat’. This study further aims to comprehend whether the role of the Foreign Affairs Minister has become obsolete since Prime Ministers and heads of government have been known to take over the scene from their Foreign Affairs Ministers. Finally, this dissertation endeavours to study any future prospects should Simon Busuttil take the helm as Maltese Prime Minister in the probably upcoming 2018 general elections. Description: M.A.DIPLOMATIC STUD. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13434 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13433 Title: The impact of border management on the human rights of migrants Abstract: This thesis explores certain aspects of migration especially within the Mediterranean region and specifically with a focus on the land routes. This study in fact has a special focus upon the interaction between irregular migrants and border management at Europe’s external borders, with a look at how these two factors might impinge on the human rights of migrants. The European Union has repeatedly tried to achieve a coordinated and uniform approach to immigrants through various conventions and treaties. Despite of this, the individual member states have adopted various border management techniques, such as the building of the fences at Ceuta and Melilla. The research thus focuses on the exploration of the situation at the existent border fences protecting Spain’s and Greece’s external borders. The observations of this research are in fact reliant upon the reports written over time by a range of sources such as; non-governmental organisations advocating for migrant’s human rights which include Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The existing reports indicate that there is in fact an existent link between the irregular migrants trying to scale the fences into Europe and the infringement upon their human rights. Despite the existence of such reports, the EU’s protests to the approaches taken by the member states to protect their external borders seem to go unheeded. In fact, Spain’s case shows that the EU’s member states possess a certain degree of discretion with regards to their external borders. The research methods part of the study is completed though a mixed method approach. This consists of two case studies which report the situations experienced by irregular migrants at three border fences. The secondary information represents the recounted events told by migrants who reportedly endured human rights abuses at the fences of; Ceuta and Melilla (at the Spanish/ Moroccan border) and the Greek- Turkish border, located at the opposite end of the Mediterranean. The similar results attained from all three borders show that the two case studies are a partial representation of Europe’s common external borders. The statistical analysis completing the second part of the research methods highlights facts which complement the findings of the case studies but which also showcase the volatility of these land borders and the obscurity of information that is available. Conclusions drawn from this thesis indicate; that the rights of irregular migrants are affected by border management in the studied areas. The information available to policy makers provides a general indication but it is hard for policy makers to prioritise policies regarding this phenomenon which is shrouded by estimates and conflicting reports. The results from the applied research method strongly suggest a replication of the situation at all the three borders, which is indicative that within Europe’s external borders there is in fact a problem of border management which is affecting negatively the human rights of irregular migrants. Description: M.A.DIPLOMATIC STUD. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13433 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13422 Title: Track two diplomacy and conflict resolution : a case study of Israel-Palestine negotiations in the run-up to the Oslo accords Abstract: When speaking about diplomatic processes aimed at resolving a conflict, the first image that generally comes to mind is that of government representatives sitting around a negotiating table and attempting to come up with a solution. This type of practice is known as Track One diplomacy. Whilst it serves as an indispensable channel for government-to-government interaction, Track One diplomacy is often not entirely effective in resolving conflicts. At times government representatives are unaware of the actual situation on the ground, and hold misperceptions about their adversaries. A sustainable peace agreement cannot be found when conflicting parties are unable to recognise the conflict situation and acknowledge each other’s views. Therefore, diplomatic processes are changing in order to address areas in which traditional Track One diplomacy has proven insufficient. One such change has arisen with the emergence of Track Two diplomacy, which constitutes unofficial talks between members of conflicting parties. Track Two participants can be academics and former diplomats to name a few. Unofficial diplomacy provides an informal setting in which participants from both sides can form social bonds and feel comfortable to share their perspectives with each other. It is believed that the results of Track Two talks can be transferred to Track One diplomacy so as to improve peace negotiations. The aim of this dissertation is to evaluate the extent to which this is true. Track Two diplomacy has become a necessary medium for addressing multifaceted conflicts, such as those based on identity. It is for this reason that a case study on past Israeli-Palestinian Track Two processes was conducted. The Israel-Palestine conflict represents one of the most intractable identity-based conflicts in the Mediterranean region. In spite of the hostilities between the conflicting parties, however, the case study analysis found that Track Two talks can bring results even during times of heightened tension. The development of Track Two diplomacy gives private citizens a chance to try and influence their governments’ positions during a wide range of conflict and negotiation stages. Accordingly, this study deems Track Two methods as constituting “direct diplomacy”. Description: M.A.DIPLOMATIC STUD. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13422 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z