The Impact of Rising Ultra-Nationalism on Global Humanitarian Assistance
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THE IMPACT OF RISING ULTRA-NATIONALISM ON GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE BY KIMEU JOSEPH NZAU A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTERS OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATION (MIR) UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY-AFRICA SUMMER 2019 DECLARATION I hereby declare that all the information in this thesis is my original work and has not been presented in any other institution other than the United States International University- Africa for academic credit. Signed: ————————————————– Date: —————————————— Kimeu Joseph Nzau – 638385 This thesis has been presented for examination with my approval as the appointed supervisor. Signed: ————————————————– Date: —————————————— Dr. Fatuma Ahmed Ali Supervisor Signed: Date: Prof. Martin C. Njoroge Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) Signed: Date: Ambassador. Prof. Ruthie Rono Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs i COPYRIGHT PAGE This work is the product of the author and no part of this paper shall be reproduced or transmitted electronically, mechanically including photocopy, reprinting or redesigning without the prior permission of the author. Copyright © 2019 ii DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to the hundreds and thousands of unnamed souls who lost their lives in the Mediterranean journey seeking a better life. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT First and foremost all thanks and praise goes to the Most High for making this academic journey bearable and possible, there were nights where I spent asking God to make this a reality and after this journey I am reminded that God is eternally faithful. I would like to give a special acknowledgement to my loving parents John and Mary Kimeu for facilitating my education and being supportive and committed to the accomplishment of my degree. My mother many times made me feel as though she was doing this study alongside me, she provided everything without question and at this point she has given me something that cannot be taken away and that is knowledge. I am eternally grateful to her. Special recognition goes to the invaluable role of my supervisor, Dr. Fatuma Ali without whom it would be impossible to carry out this study. My professor has taught me a lot of things during this process, her character and personality are to be admired. Aside from the academic guidance, Dr. Ali impacted in me a sense of moral and ethical conduct that I will carry with for the rest of my life. She made me realize the importance of having honour. Throughout the process Dr. Ali was patient and still thorough and if I had to undertake a doctorate it would be because of her inspiration. I would like to thank the role played by my thesis reader, Dr. Elijah Munyi who also guided me over the last six months. I still remember coming to his office to discuss my topic and he greatly helped in developing the topics and areas of study. Dr. Munyi was like my second supervisor, working with me in complementarity with my supervisor and I appreciate all the insights he revealed to me. Additionally, thanks to the head of our Humanities and Social Sciences Professor Cassandra Veney, who also played a key role to placing the foundation for this study, Prof. Veney was the first to assist me to narrow my topic, she had iv frankly told me my initially topic would not have worked. Without her initial insights I would not have gotten far in this thesis. Finally I would like to acknowledge specifically the USIU-Africa library staff for being supportive during the process of the work. In particular I would like to thank the lady at the library top floor in the printing office. She was very kind and helpful to me when on two occasions I explained to her that I had to print the work but had no access to my student‟s account. She allowed me to send her the work and printed it from her office, afterwards she wished me luck and I cannot forget her kindness and assistance. Special thanks to Trevor Mahiri for his eagerness to read my work right from the start and I had to disappoint him by telling him he will not see it till August. Thank you, Ian Raititi for your support and encouragement, I will forever remember the confidence you showed in me, having congratulated me well before my defence of the thesis. And I would not forget to thank my other supportive friends who pushed me on; Nashon Mwangemi, Daniel Njuguna, Ian Collins, Ludwig, Cynthia. God bless you all. v TABLE OF CONTENT Declaration……………………………………………………………………….…………..i Copyright Page………………………………………………………………………………ii Dedication……………………………………………………………………………….…...iii Acknowledgment……………………………………………………………………………iv List of Abbreviations and Acronyms……………………………………………….……...ix Abstract…………………………………………………………………………….…….....xii Chapter One: General Introduction …………………………………………………....... 1 1.0 Introduction……………………………………………………………………... 1 1.1 Background of the Study……………………………………………………….. 3 1.2 Statement of the Problem……………………………………………………….. 9 1.3 Objectives of the Study…………………………………………………………. 10 1.4 Research Questions………………………………………………...…………… 10 1.5 Justification and Significance of the Study……………………………………... 11 1.6 Theoretical Framework…………………………………………………………..12 1.6.1 Liberalism …………..…………………………………………………13 1.6.2 Primordial Theory...…...…………………………...…….……….....…16 vi 1.7 Literature Review……………………………………………….….…………... 19 1.7.1 The Philosophical Background of Nationalism in Europe…………….19 1.7.2 Humanitarian Action in Europe……………………………….….…....25 1.7.3 Forced Migration and Rising Ultra-nationalism...……….……..……...27 1.8 Research Methodology…………………………………………………...….…..34 1.9 Organization of the Thesis ………………………………….……….…....…..…36 Chapter Two: Contextualizing the European Union’s Role within the Global Humanitarian System…………………………………………………………………....…38 2.0 Introduction………….……………………………………………………………….......38 2.1 The European Union‟s Impact on Humanitarianism……………………………..………41 2.2 The Ideological Context of Humanitarian Aid in the European Union……….…………49 2.3 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………..60 Chapter Three: The Role of the Right-wing Leadership on Humanitarian Assistance: the Case Study of Austria…………………………………………………………...……...62 3.0 Introduction………………………………………………………………………….......62 vii 3.1 The Background of Nationalist Politics in Austria……………………………………....65 3.2 Austria‟s Humanitarian Aid System…………………………………………………..…70 3.3 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….....…74 Chapter Four: The Contemporary Global Humanitarian System………………...…...76 4.0 Introduction……………………………………………………………………….……..76 4.1 The Current Trends and Challenges of the Humanitarian Aid System………………….79 4.2 Politicization of Humanitarian Assistance……………………………………………....88 4.3 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………….....93 Chapter Five: General Conclusion…………………………………………………....…..95 5.0 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………….95 5.1 Recommendations………………………………………………………………….…....99 5.2 Suggestions for Future Research Areas…………………………………………...…….105 References………………………………………………………………………..………...106 viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ADA Austrian Development Agency AfD Alternative for Germany ALNAP Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance AMISOM Africa Union Mission in Somalia AU African Union BBC British Broadcasting Corporation CAR Central African Republic CDU Christian Democratic Union CI Categorical Imperative CoE Council of Europe CRED Centre of Research on Epidemiology of Disaster DAC Development Assistance Committee DRC Democratic Republic of Congo EC European Commission ECHO European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office EDF European Development Fund EU European Union ix EUCAP European Union Capacity Building Mission EUTM European Training Mission FN Front National FPO The Freedom Party GNI Gross National Income HRP Humanitarian Response Plan HRW Human Rights Watch ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross IHL International Humanitarian Law INGO International Non-Governmental Organizations IOM International Organization for Migration IOs International Organizations MNJTF Multi-National Joint Task Force MSMEs Micro Small and Medium Enterprises NGO Non-Governmental Organization ODA Official Development Assistance OECD Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development OeEB Austrian Development Bank OVP Austrian People‟s Party x PPV Parti Voor de Vrijheid/ Dutch Party for Progress R2P Responsibility to Protect SDGs Sustainable Development Goals SNA Somalia National Army SPO Social Democratic Party of Austria TCCs Troop Contributing Countries TFEU Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union UK United Kingdom UN United Nation UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNDRR United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction UNHCR United Nations High Commission for Refugees UNOCHA United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs US United States of America USSR United Soviet Socialist Republic VdU League of Independents WEF World Economic Forum xi ABSTRACT The rising phenomenon of European ultra-nationalism has signalled a significant shift in the continent‟s politics, as more radical right-wing leaders and parties come into power. Many of the ideologies of these radical parties and individuals have often been viewed as discriminatory and exclusionary; more so toward non-European groups, arriving in the continent and fleeing conflict at home and thus threatens Europe‟s intervention in humanitarian action. This research explored the issues of rising ultra-nationalism in Europe, the influx of immigrants from other parts of