Dear internet, help me choose a dissertation topic
Below I’ve listed the four options I’m contemplating writing my MA dissertation on. I currently have no effing clue which one to do, could be something completely different but if you lovely people could have a read and tell me what you think it would be greatly appreciated. Thanking you, Tom
Should the EU be a global leader on climate change?
Given the EU’s position as the world’s largest trading bloc should the EU be actively pursuing renewable energy sources and reducing C02 output when the emerging industrial nations such as China and India as well as the already established superpowers of the USA seem unwilling to co-operate? What impact would investment in green energy have on global C02 emissions and are green campaigners fighting a losing battle to convince EU governments to peruse environmentally friendly policies given the precarious economic position which the Eurozone finds itself in at the present time?
What is the democratic impact of the highly politicised nature of football in Italy?
Football in Italy has been highly politicised since the rise of fascism in 1936. Mussolini felt that the national football teams’ success on the field reflected the success of the fascist nation and actively encouraged the building of many modern stadiums and investment in player development throughout Italy. Although the fascist rule of Mussolini has long since been removed the highly political nature of football in Italy remains. Silvio Berlusconi owns a majority share in AC Milan, Livorno are currently owned by a cartel of trade unions and the two main Rome teams, Lazio and Roma both continue to represent the historic divide between fascists and communists respectively. Given the traditionally close relationship between politics and football in Italy can any link be established between the supporters of a particular club and their voting behaviour? If so what are the implications for the democratic process in Italy?
Why was anti-Thatcher popular culture unable to influence electoral results from 1979 to 1997?
Throughout her tenure as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was widely considered a target of ridicule and hatred from many strands of popular culture. The punk scene of the eighties was in part born out of a frustration and disillusionment with the Thatcher government and many popular comedians and sit-coms such as Ben Elton and “The Young Ones” gained popularity and in some cases notoriety for their strong anti-Thatcher sentiment. Despite this popular culture backlash Maragaret Thatcher was the longest serving British PM of all time (11 years) winning three elections in the process. Why did the strong anti-Thatcher leanings of popular culture throughout the eighties fail to effect voting behaviour?
http://louderthanwar.com/blogs/top-13-anti-margaret-thatcher-songs
What influence does the EU have in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and why has it been unable to provide a framework for peace?
There is no doubting the strategic advantage which stability between Israel and Palestine would bring, both from an economic and security perspective, yet the European Union and it’s individual member States rarely take action or indeed comment on the ongoing conflict.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the most volatile and long running conflicts in contemporary global politics. Given the EU’s relatively close proximity to the contested region why has it been unable or unwilling to provide a platform for peaceful negotiations between the two sides when the USA, despite its relative distance from the conflict, is seen to have far greater influence in the region? Does the problem come from a lack of legitimacy from the EU or lack of a coherent policy formulation? Are the Member States unable to agree on an appropriate course of action to bring stability to the region or do the EU and Member State leaders simply lack the political will to become involved in such a complex and violent conflict?
