An investigation into instability in post- Gaddafi Libya, Mali and Nigeria: a comparative theoretical approach
- Authors: Chindoga, Melody
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Terrorism Insurgency Terrorism -- Government policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sci
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2667 , vital:27982
- Description: Since the ousting of Gaddafi from power in 2011, Libya, Mali and Nigeria have experienced high levels of instability. An investigation into the causes of instability is employed in the study to gain insights into the major cause of conflict in post-Gaddafi Libya, Mali and Nigeria. The study considered instability as a consequence of a combination of existing exogenous and endogenous factors which were examined according to various theoretical lenses. A comparative theoretical analysis was used so as to interpret and analyse data. The analysis was subjected to theoretical scrutiny according to four mainstream International Relations theories namely; realism, critical theory, constructivism and the “clash of civilizations” hypothesis, in order to determine whether they could effectively explain post-Gaddafi violence and instability. The research findings revealed that the distinction between internal and external variables is artificial and the various causes cannot be exclusively differentiated from one other. The research also identified constructivism as the best possible explanation of instability in the particular context under investigation, through its recognition of the significance of normative as well as material elements, and the emphasis placed on the role of identity and ideas in shaping political actions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Chindoga, Melody
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Terrorism Insurgency Terrorism -- Government policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sci
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2667 , vital:27982
- Description: Since the ousting of Gaddafi from power in 2011, Libya, Mali and Nigeria have experienced high levels of instability. An investigation into the causes of instability is employed in the study to gain insights into the major cause of conflict in post-Gaddafi Libya, Mali and Nigeria. The study considered instability as a consequence of a combination of existing exogenous and endogenous factors which were examined according to various theoretical lenses. A comparative theoretical analysis was used so as to interpret and analyse data. The analysis was subjected to theoretical scrutiny according to four mainstream International Relations theories namely; realism, critical theory, constructivism and the “clash of civilizations” hypothesis, in order to determine whether they could effectively explain post-Gaddafi violence and instability. The research findings revealed that the distinction between internal and external variables is artificial and the various causes cannot be exclusively differentiated from one other. The research also identified constructivism as the best possible explanation of instability in the particular context under investigation, through its recognition of the significance of normative as well as material elements, and the emphasis placed on the role of identity and ideas in shaping political actions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
An investigation into the interaction effects of simultaneous physical and cognitive task execution on performance, perceptual and physical responses
- Authors: Ross, Natalie
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3562 , vital:20525
- Description: Many modern day work environments require some degree of dual tasking, particularly the simultaneous performance of cognitive jobs alongside physical activity. The nature of such tasks is often job dependent and may require cognitive functions such as perception, decision making, memory, or response selection/execution in conjunction to task specific physical requirements. Previous research has indicated a possible relationship between concurrent physical and cognitive demands and task performance, safety and efficiency. However, this research is limited and inconsistent. The current study aimed to identify the interaction, if any, between concurrent physical and mental demands, and determine the impact of sensory modality and stage of information processing on this interaction, with specific focus on the performance, perceptual and physical responses during different types of cognitive tasks performed concurrently with a lifting task. 20 (10 male, 10 female) Rhodes University students participated in this study. Each participant performed 9 test conditions - a physical lifting task, a visual and an auditory memory task, and a visual and an auditory decision making task in isolation, as well as the lifting task concurrently with each of these cognitive tasks. Performance was recorded via accuracy and work output of cognitive tasks and the number of lifts for each condition. Perceptual measures were obtained via the Borg RPE and Subjective Workload Assessment Technique. Spinal kinematics were measured using the Lumbar Motion Monitor, while muscle activity of the Erector Spinae, Rectus Abdominis, Rectus Femoris and Biceps Femoris muscles were recorded using the Biometrix Data Logger surface EMG equipment. Mean results were analysed using a dependent T-test to observe any general interaction, and a Two-way ANOVA for the impact of sensory modality and stage of processing. Individual responses were also considered to gain better understanding of both intra and inter-human variability under the various test conditions. Results showed a significant decrease in cognitive performance, increased perception of physical effort, time pressure, mental effort and psychological stress under simultaneous physical and mental demands, while no significant differences in physical responses were observed. Further observations included increased dual-task interference during visual and decision-making tasks when combined with physical demands compared to that of auditory and memory tasks respectively. Individual responses showed large variability between individuals indicating the presence of positive, negative and non-responders to concurrent physical and mental demands. Results therefore imply an individual specific interaction between concurrent physical and mental demands that may or may not be detrimental to worker productivity, job error, injury rates and worker well-being, and that the type of cognitive task performed may impact this interaction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Ross, Natalie
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3562 , vital:20525
- Description: Many modern day work environments require some degree of dual tasking, particularly the simultaneous performance of cognitive jobs alongside physical activity. The nature of such tasks is often job dependent and may require cognitive functions such as perception, decision making, memory, or response selection/execution in conjunction to task specific physical requirements. Previous research has indicated a possible relationship between concurrent physical and cognitive demands and task performance, safety and efficiency. However, this research is limited and inconsistent. The current study aimed to identify the interaction, if any, between concurrent physical and mental demands, and determine the impact of sensory modality and stage of information processing on this interaction, with specific focus on the performance, perceptual and physical responses during different types of cognitive tasks performed concurrently with a lifting task. 20 (10 male, 10 female) Rhodes University students participated in this study. Each participant performed 9 test conditions - a physical lifting task, a visual and an auditory memory task, and a visual and an auditory decision making task in isolation, as well as the lifting task concurrently with each of these cognitive tasks. Performance was recorded via accuracy and work output of cognitive tasks and the number of lifts for each condition. Perceptual measures were obtained via the Borg RPE and Subjective Workload Assessment Technique. Spinal kinematics were measured using the Lumbar Motion Monitor, while muscle activity of the Erector Spinae, Rectus Abdominis, Rectus Femoris and Biceps Femoris muscles were recorded using the Biometrix Data Logger surface EMG equipment. Mean results were analysed using a dependent T-test to observe any general interaction, and a Two-way ANOVA for the impact of sensory modality and stage of processing. Individual responses were also considered to gain better understanding of both intra and inter-human variability under the various test conditions. Results showed a significant decrease in cognitive performance, increased perception of physical effort, time pressure, mental effort and psychological stress under simultaneous physical and mental demands, while no significant differences in physical responses were observed. Further observations included increased dual-task interference during visual and decision-making tasks when combined with physical demands compared to that of auditory and memory tasks respectively. Individual responses showed large variability between individuals indicating the presence of positive, negative and non-responders to concurrent physical and mental demands. Results therefore imply an individual specific interaction between concurrent physical and mental demands that may or may not be detrimental to worker productivity, job error, injury rates and worker well-being, and that the type of cognitive task performed may impact this interaction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Landscapes of division: social movements and the politics of urban and rural space in the Grahamstown region of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: O’Halloran, Paddy
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3950 , vital:20572
- Description: This thesis investigates the politics of two grassroots social movements, the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM), based in Grahamstown, and the Rural People’s Movement (RPM), based in the rural areas near Peddie, forty miles east. Observing that urban and rural are political designations, the primary question of this thesis is: Do the politics of these social movements challenge the conception of urban and rural as discrete political spaces? To some extent, it responds to and complicates Mamdani’s theory of a bifurcated state in post-apartheid South Africa in which urban zones are the site of civil society and rural zones the site of traditional authorities, and only the former a democratised space (1996). Three themes—race, space, and citizenship—are employed and interrogated in the process of answering the principal question. Broadly historical in nature, and understanding the present political context to be a product of historical processes, the thesis begins with an historical study of the Grahamstown region from the time of the town’s founding in 1812 until the end of apartheid in 1994, keeping the three key themes in focus. Then the politics of UPM and RPM are explored through a series of interviews aimed at understanding the context and experience of movement members and seeking their insight into the question of urban and rural space. Their responses are presented as a dialogue employing a theoretical strategy from Aguilar (2014) that distinguishes between and provides a framework to measure the ‘practical scope’ and the ‘interior horizon’ of movements. The thesis concludes with a discussion of important themes arising in the interviews: citizenship, NGOs, and political parties, and, of course, space. The backdrop to this concluding discussion is the xenophobic violence which occurred in Grahamstown in October 2015, helping situate the research and themes within the broader context of South African politics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: O’Halloran, Paddy
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3950 , vital:20572
- Description: This thesis investigates the politics of two grassroots social movements, the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM), based in Grahamstown, and the Rural People’s Movement (RPM), based in the rural areas near Peddie, forty miles east. Observing that urban and rural are political designations, the primary question of this thesis is: Do the politics of these social movements challenge the conception of urban and rural as discrete political spaces? To some extent, it responds to and complicates Mamdani’s theory of a bifurcated state in post-apartheid South Africa in which urban zones are the site of civil society and rural zones the site of traditional authorities, and only the former a democratised space (1996). Three themes—race, space, and citizenship—are employed and interrogated in the process of answering the principal question. Broadly historical in nature, and understanding the present political context to be a product of historical processes, the thesis begins with an historical study of the Grahamstown region from the time of the town’s founding in 1812 until the end of apartheid in 1994, keeping the three key themes in focus. Then the politics of UPM and RPM are explored through a series of interviews aimed at understanding the context and experience of movement members and seeking their insight into the question of urban and rural space. Their responses are presented as a dialogue employing a theoretical strategy from Aguilar (2014) that distinguishes between and provides a framework to measure the ‘practical scope’ and the ‘interior horizon’ of movements. The thesis concludes with a discussion of important themes arising in the interviews: citizenship, NGOs, and political parties, and, of course, space. The backdrop to this concluding discussion is the xenophobic violence which occurred in Grahamstown in October 2015, helping situate the research and themes within the broader context of South African politics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The design of offices for the Amathole district council in Stutterheim, Province of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Njoba, Athenkosi Sinoxolo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Office buildings -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Designs and plans Business parks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Designs and plans , Municipal buildings -- Designs and plans
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18896 , vital:28747
- Description: South Africa is 20 years into democracy and it prides itself in the 1994 democratic elections. This document briefly looks into the era of the democratic governance and its impact on the less developing settlements in the Amathole and Amahlathi districts. The meanings and concepts of democratic governance are explored. Consequently, the findings convey that not everyone in South Africa and Eastern Cape are able to practice their right of accessing information or voicing their opinion concerning government in a formal platform. This contradicts the core values to democracy which imply a people centered approach where people lead the country (themselves) through the governing authorities. The frequent protests against service delivery are a clear indication that there is a break down in the communication between government and South African citizens. Material from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) revealed that overpopulation, unemployment, poor education and lack of service delivery are the primary issues that hinder the progress of the region with reference to service delivery. Thus the primary objective of this research is to find ways to rehabilitate communication breakdown by creating a medium of clear dialogue between the government and its people. The architectural aim of this research is to design a district municipality that will be a connector of other municipalities, towns, settlements and precincts. The building aims to be a catalyst for development in the district that celebrates the heritage of the region. The project aims to communicate its fundamental concepts in the expression of the design, for example the permeability of the building will promote transparency, accessibility and integration with the community. In this way, democracy and its core principal of governing with the people will be done with less spatial hindrances.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The design of offices for the Amathole district council in Stutterheim, Province of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Njoba, Athenkosi Sinoxolo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Office buildings -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Designs and plans Business parks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Designs and plans , Municipal buildings -- Designs and plans
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18896 , vital:28747
- Description: South Africa is 20 years into democracy and it prides itself in the 1994 democratic elections. This document briefly looks into the era of the democratic governance and its impact on the less developing settlements in the Amathole and Amahlathi districts. The meanings and concepts of democratic governance are explored. Consequently, the findings convey that not everyone in South Africa and Eastern Cape are able to practice their right of accessing information or voicing their opinion concerning government in a formal platform. This contradicts the core values to democracy which imply a people centered approach where people lead the country (themselves) through the governing authorities. The frequent protests against service delivery are a clear indication that there is a break down in the communication between government and South African citizens. Material from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) revealed that overpopulation, unemployment, poor education and lack of service delivery are the primary issues that hinder the progress of the region with reference to service delivery. Thus the primary objective of this research is to find ways to rehabilitate communication breakdown by creating a medium of clear dialogue between the government and its people. The architectural aim of this research is to design a district municipality that will be a connector of other municipalities, towns, settlements and precincts. The building aims to be a catalyst for development in the district that celebrates the heritage of the region. The project aims to communicate its fundamental concepts in the expression of the design, for example the permeability of the building will promote transparency, accessibility and integration with the community. In this way, democracy and its core principal of governing with the people will be done with less spatial hindrances.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
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