Sexual exploitation of children in the context of travel and tourism (SECTT) has been described as a serious and growing problem. This study critically analyzes political debates and policy... Show moreSexual exploitation of children in the context of travel and tourism (SECTT) has been described as a serious and growing problem. This study critically analyzes political debates and policy measures proposed by the Dutch government between 1995 and 2020 to combat SECTT. To understand how SECTT is framed in Dutch political discourse, Bacchi's ‘what's the problem represented to be?’ approach guided a systematic critical discourse analysis of over 200 political documents. Our analysis shows that SECTT has, over time, predominantly become framed as a crime problem. Offender detection, international cooperation, awareness raising, public–private partnerships, and prevention targeted at known sex offenders are the most commonly proposed solutions. Despite the focus on apprehending offenders, the political discourse offers no concrete clues as to who they are; still, conducting research or evaluating policies' effects is seldom proposed as a response. This problem representation overlooks the connections of SECTT with structural issues, such as victim vulnerabilities, colonization, and global inequality on the one hand, and mental health, sexual expression, and cultural values on the other. Show less
Government has a special responsibility for its military. This research is about the care of veterans by government, parliament and society in the period 1945-2015. Therein the central matter is... Show moreGovernment has a special responsibility for its military. This research is about the care of veterans by government, parliament and society in the period 1945-2015. Therein the central matter is the development of the Dutch veteran policy (1945-2015) and in which way did the government met its responsibilities? To answer the main question, the theory of civil-military relations was used as a theoretical framework. This civil-military relationship concernsthe relationship between society and armed forces as well as the relationship between government and armed forces. Which roles did parliament and society fulfil in the care for veterans? Using six military missions, we researched in what ways the government met their duty of care towards (ex-)military personnel in practice before, during and after a mission.Until 1990 the government had no definition for a ‘veteran’. The military personnel who were deployed in the Dutch East Indies, Korea and the Lebanon as well as smaller missions, did not have veteran status before 1990.When viewing the period 1945-2015, we can conclude that the government did not meet fully its special responsibility to its veterans. Show less
Interest groups are often described as transmission belts that connect the preferences of their members with public officials in policymaking processes. Through this linkage, public officials can... Show moreInterest groups are often described as transmission belts that connect the preferences of their members with public officials in policymaking processes. Through this linkage, public officials can obtain relevant information and gain legitimacy from those affected by public policies. However, this important intermediary function is not a straightforward endeavor as interest groups often struggle to reconcile their dual function of representing their members while being politically active. This dissertation unpacks interest groups mobilized at the European Union level and examines how they are organized so as to function as transmission belts. Subsequently, it analyzes the effects of this transmissive role for the level of access and influence obtained by groups in policymaking processes. The findings shed light on the difficult task of groups in balancing member involvement while being politically active and the implications for the legitimacy of our governance systems. Show less
Western Europe has been confronted with several terrorist attacks over the past years. This dissertation investigates what happens after such attacks. Scholars emphasise that terrorism is not just... Show moreWestern Europe has been confronted with several terrorist attacks over the past years. This dissertation investigates what happens after such attacks. Scholars emphasise that terrorism is not just about killing, as terrorists want to capture the attention of the audience. Yet, what these audiences do after attacks has remained understudied. This dissertation looks into the meaning-making process after jihadist attacks in Brussels, Nice, Berlin and Manchester (2016-2017). The study focuses on two core actors groups - the authorities and citizens - and the use of frames, rituals and symbols. Special attention is paid to the first day, the first week and the first anniversary of the attack, for which the author has visited the commemorations. Overall, this dissertation shows how terrorism is not a successful communication strategy. After performing the opening acts, the terrorists are quickly pushed off stage, doomed to stand behind the curtains and watch a different play unfold. Show less
Nagelhout, G.E.; Willemsen, M.C.; Gebhardt, W.A.; Putte, B. van den; Hitchman, S.C.; Crone, M.R.; ... ; Vries, H. de 2012
