dissertation questions examples politics

Research Topics & Ideas: Politics

100+ Politics-Related Research Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation or thesis. If you’ve landed on this post, chances are you’re looking for a politics-related research topic , but aren’t sure where to start. Here, we’ll explore a variety of politically-related research ideas across a range of disciplines, including political theory and philosophy, comparative politics, international relations, public administration and policy.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas. This is the starting point, but to develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. Also, be sure to sign up for our free webinar that explores how to find a high-quality research topic from scratch.

Overview: Politics-Related Topics

• Political theory and philosophy
• Comparative politics
• International relations
• Public administration
• Public policy
• Examples of politics-related dissertations

Topics & Ideas: Political Theory

• An analysis of the impact of feminism on political theory and the concept of citizenship in Saudi Arabia in the context of Vision 2030
• A comparative study of the political philosophies of Marxism and liberalism and their influence on modern politics
• An examination of how the Covid-19 pandemic affected the relationship between individual freedom and collective responsibility in political philosophy
• A study of the impact of race and ethnicity on French political philosophy and the concept of justice
• An exploration of the role of religion in political theory and its impact on secular democracy in the Middle East
• A Review of Social contract theory, comparative analysis of the political philosophies of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau
• A study of the concept of the common good in political philosophy and its relevance to the ongoing refugee crisis in Europe
• An examination of the relationship between political power and the rule of law in developing African countries
• A study of the impact of postmodernism on political theory and the concept of truth, a case study of the US
• An exploration of the role of virtue in political philosophy and its impact on the assessment of moral character in political leaders

Topics & Ideas: Comparative Politics

• A comparative study of different models of federalism and their impact on democratic governance: A case Study of South American federalist states
• The impact of ethnic and religious diversity on political stability and democracy in developing countries, a review of literature from Africa
• An analysis of the role of civil society in promoting democratic change in autocratic regimes: A case study in Sweden
• A comparative examination of the impact of globalization on political institutions and processes in South America and Africa.
• A study of the factors that contribute to successful democratization in authoritarian regimes, a review of the role of Elite-driven democratization
• A comparison of the political and economic systems of China and India and their impact on social development
• The impact of corruption on political institutions and democracy in South East Asia, a critical review
• A comparative examination of the impact of majoritarian representation (winner-take-all) vs proportional representation on political representation and governance
• An exploration of Multi-party systems in democratic countries and their impact on minority representation and policy-making.
• A study of the factors that contribute to successful decentralization and regional autonomy, a case study of Spain

Topics & Ideas: International Relations

• A comparative analysis of the effectiveness of diplomacy and military force in resolving international conflicts in Central Africa.
• The impact of globalization on the sovereignty of nation-states and the changing nature of international politics, a review of the role of Multinational Corporations
• An examination of the role of international aid organizations in promoting peace, security, and development in the Middle East.
• A study of the impact of economic interdependence on the likelihood of conflict in international relations: A critical review of weaponized interdependence
• A comparative analysis of the foreign policies of the EU and the US and their impact on international stability in Africa
• An exploration of the relationship between international human rights and national sovereignty during the Covid 19 pandemic
• A study of the role of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAO)s in international politics and their impact on state behaviour
• A comparative analysis of the effectiveness of international regimes in addressing global challenges such as climate change, arms control, and terrorism in Brazil
• An examination of the impact of the rise of BRICS on the international system and global governance
• A study of the role of ideology in shaping the foreign policies of states and the dynamics of international relations in the US

Tops & Ideas: Public Administration

• An analysis of the impact of digital technology on public administration and the delivery of public services in Estonia
• A review of models of public-private partnerships and their impact on the delivery of public services in Ghana
• An examination of the role of civil society organizations in monitoring and accountability of public administration in Papua New Guinea
• A study of the impact of environmentalism as a political ideology on public administration and policy implementation in Germany
• An exploration of the relationship between public administration and citizen engagement in the policy-making process, an exploration of gender identity concerns in schools
• A comparative analysis of the efficiency and effectiveness of public administration, decentralisation and pay and employment reform in developing countries
• A study of the role of collaborative leadership in public administration and its impact on organizational performance
• A systematic review of the challenges and opportunities related to diversity and inclusion in police services
• A study of the impact of corrupt public administration on economic development and regional growth in Eastern Europe
• An exploration of the relationship between public administration and civil rights and liberties, including issues related to privacy and surveillance, a case study in South Korea

Topics & Ideas: Public Policy

• An analysis of the impacts of public policy on income inequality and poverty reduction in South Sudan
• A comparative study of the effectiveness of legal and regulatory, economic and financial, and social and cultural instruments for addressing climate change in South Korea
• An examination of the role of interest groups in shaping public policy and the policy-making process regarding land-use claims
• A study of the impact of globalization on the development of public policies and programs for mitigating climate change in Singapore
• An exploration of the relationship between public policy and social justice in tertiary education in the UAE
• A comparative analysis of the impact of health policies for the management of diabetes on access to healthcare and health outcomes in developing countries
• Exploring the role of evidence-based policymaking in the design and implementation of public policies for the management of invasive invertebrates in Australia
• An examination of the challenges and opportunities of implementing educational dietary public policies in developing multicultural countries
• A study of the impact of public policies on urbanization and urban development in rural Indonesia
• An exploration of the role of media and public opinion in shaping public policy and the policy-making process in the transport industry of Malaysia

Examples: Politics Dissertations & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a politics-related research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various politics-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• We, the Righteous Few: Immoral Actions of Fellow Partisans are Judged as Less Possible (Varnam, 2020)
• Civilizing the State: Civil Society and the Politics of Primary Public Health Care Provision in Urban Brazil (Gibson, 2012)
• Political regimes and minority language policies: evidence from Taiwan and southeast Asia (Wu, 2021)
• The Feminist Third Wave: Social Reproduction, Feminism as Class Struggle, and Contemporary Women’s Movements (Angulo, 2019)
• The Politics of Immigration under Authoritarianism (Joo, 2019)
• The politics of digital platforms: Sour Dictionary, activist subjectivities, and contemporary cultures of resistance (Okten, 2019)
• Vote choice and support for diverse candidates on the Boston City Council At-Large (Dolcimascolo, 2022)
• The city agenda: local governance and national influence in the policy agenda, 1900-2020 (Shannon, 2022)
• Turf wars: who supported measures to criminalize homelessness in Austin, Texas? (Bompiedi, 2021)
• Do BITs Cause Opposition Between Investor Rights and Environmental Protection? (Xiong, 2022)
• Revealed corruption and electoral accountability in Brazil: How politicians anticipate voting behavior (Diaz, 2021)
• Intersectional Solidarity: The Political Consequences of a Consciousness of Race, Gender and Sexuality (Crowder, 2020)
• The Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Coalitional Representation of Latinxs in the U.S. House of Representatives (Munoz, 2019)

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. In other words, to create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

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Politics Dissertation Topics

Published by Carmen Troy at January 9th, 2023 , Revised On August 16, 2023

Introduction

Politics is such a vast phenomenon that several dissertation topics can be selected from political issues. However, that selection must have some strong basis and importance in the practical field. Another fact to be kept in mind when choosing a dissertation topic is that some political issues are highly controversial, and they may not be of much value in terms of research and writing.

It should be noted that it is important that the researcher thoroughly enjoys the dissertation topic they are working on.  A boring and dry topic can later trouble them, and they might feel like regretting their selection. The following description enlists some of the dissertation topics that the researcher can select as their politics dissertation topic.

PhD qualified writers of our team have developed these topics, so you can trust to use these topics for drafting your dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting  a brief research proposal  from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an  introduction  to the problem,  research questions , aim and objectives ,  literature review  along with the proposed  methodology  of research to be conducted.  Let us know  if you need any help in getting started.

Check our  example dissertations  to get an idea of  how to structure your dissertation .

You can review step by step guide on how to write your dissertation  here.

View our free dissertation topics database.

2022 Politics Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: politics in a digital age- assessing the impact of social media on public participation and political campaigns..

Research Aim: This study aims to find how the public has utilised social media during elections or political campaigns. This study will also focus on the impact of social networking sites on popular participation in the electoral vote and political debate. This research study will also investigate the effects of new technologies and the digital era on media and political party campaigns and media activities during elections.

Topic 2: Investigating the reasons for the Central African Republic's Rebellion.

Research Aim: This study aims to find the reasons for the central African republic conflicts and different historical factors involved in this conflict. Furthermore, it will also focus on the dynamics of the conflict and how it has resulted in violent clashes between different religious parties. This study will conduct an in-depth analysis of this conflict to give a better understanding.

Topic 3: Investigating the influence of politics on Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality.

Research Aim: This study will provide us with a detailed evaluation of the present state of gender equality and women empowerment in developing nations and the influence of politics. It will also provide an understanding of how men, women, politicians, and other powerful individuals view gender equality and women empowerment.

Topic 4: Investigating the Impact of Neo-Fascism on Twentieth-century Europe.

Research Aim: The present study will analyse the impact of neo-fascism on twentieth-century Europe. We will also focus on the history, crisis, various proposals, and methods. We will also analyse how it has helped reproduced their ideologies and formed different legislation in Europe.

Topic 5: Assessing the change in Americans Political perspectives from Trump to Biden Eras.

Research Aim: The election of Joe Biden as a president of the US has resulted in a drastic shift in US’s foreign image. This study aims to investigate the change in the political perspective of people from the Trump to Biden eras. This study will focus on many things, including social, political, and economic factors, to help understand the perspectives of people, and will also look into the country’s situations during these both eras.

Covid-19 Politics Research Topics

Topic 1: impacts of covid-19 on global politics.

Research Aim: This study will highlight the impacts of Coronavirus on international politics.

Topic 2: Politics during Coronavirus pandemic

Research Aim: This study will focus on providing a deep insight into the political agendas during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Topic 3: Indian religious politics during Coronavirus pandemic

Research Aim: The research aims to analyse how the Indian media provoked a religious conflict amid the Coronavirus pandemic and the role of the government in overcoming it.

Topic 4: The role of the UK government or any country of your choice during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Research Aim: This study will identify the contributions of government across the world in combatting COVID-19.

Politics Research Topics 2021

Topic:1: evaluating outcomes of the 2007 procurement act transparency of officers in public service of state (abc).

Research Aim: This research will explore the connection between corporate governance and business efficiency. The dynamic collection of relationships between a business and its Board of Directors, managers, owners, employees, customers, creditors is analysed through analysis processes and how effective corporate management can benefit an organisation.

Topic 2: Management intergovernmental ties on local governance in country ABC

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse corporate governance’s compatibility in the state’s local government tiers.

Topic 3: Financing problems and opportunities in the delta state (a case study of ABC local government areas)

Research Aim: this project aims to explore the challenges and opportunities in the funding of Delta State Local government accounts, cost management, and income problems of local governments.

Topic 4: The effect of corporate governance on the competitiveness of a business of corporate management

Research Aim: This study is intended to examine corporate governance compatibility at the state’s local government levels.

Topic 5: Analysis of youth service corps (NYSC) United States effective leadership and success organisational

Research Aim: The research will assess successful leadership’s influence on organizational success in Nigeria through the Kogi State Office of the National Youth Service Corps.

Topic 6: The introduction of e-governance in country ABC

Research Aim: This research aims to introduce E-governance in not only the pandemic conditions but also in the daily governance operation to ease the system of governance of Country ABC.

Dissertation Topics: Impacts of 9/11 on World Politics

The 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center are an unforgettable phenomenon in the history of politics. It contributed immensely to strengthening relationships between some countries and making bonds weaker between the others.

Dissertation topics can be based on the events related to these attacks because this discussion has always been influential and surely can provide a sound basis for your research. Some of the dissertation topics that can be extracted out of the 9/11 terrorism catastrophe are listed as follows:

• Analysis and significance of the most catastrophic event – The terrorist attacks of 9/11
• In what ways the international relations between the Middle East and the West were affected after 9/11. A critical analysis.
• Lessons learnt on political grounds after the terrorist attacks of 9/11—a debate on the positive and negative impacts.
• 9/11 and its linkages to the world of trade. Critically analyze.
• The actual events that led to the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Critical analysis.
• Development of strategies and improvements in the political system after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Review Our Best Dissertation Topics complete list.

Dissertation Topics: Problems Related to Africa

Contradictions in the policies and politics of Africa can be subjected to various dissertation topics. The researcher can find a focus point on which the dissertation can be based. Some dissertation topics related to the politics of Africa are listed below:

• Reasons for Western contradictions with African policies and politics.
• Traditional beliefs and old rituals of African nations cause their problems with other countries—analysis of the past and future trends.
• Colonial rule and political issues in Africa. Critical Analysis.
• Contributions from the rest of the world in resolving problems between African nations.
• Future trends and projections regarding the relationship of Africa with the rest of the world.
• Forces stopping the West to snatch African weapons. Critical analysis.

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China Politics Dissertation Topics

It is a known fact that China’s laws and policies are quite different from the rest of the world. Still, this fact twisted later in the 21st century when China started incorporating Western thoughts and views in technology and other areas related to economic development and increasing urbanization.

Some dissertation topics with regards to the incorporation of Western ideas into Chinese politics are listed as follows:

• Incorporation of Western ideas into the Chinese political system. Critical analysis.
• Reasons why China has opted to “open” its economy, which previously was closed in its own distinctive way. A debate on the major reasons.
• Is China a threat to Western ethics? Critical analysis.
• How is the West being affected by Chinese expeditious economic expansion? A detailed analysis.
• The impact of Chinese political principles on Western Politics. A debate on the positive and negative outcomes.
• Human rights and the complexity in the Chinese and the Western political system.

Also Read: Project Management Dissertation Topics

Relationship between the Arabs and the Israelis: Dissertation Topics

The Arabs and the Israelis have such complexity and problems in their relationship, primarily focused upon the Palestinian state. Their journey over the last sixty years also paved difficulties in relationships with other countries.

So, in this context, a researcher can find various issues to investigate in detail as a research topic. Following is the list of some of the suggestions for dissertation topics regarding this phenomenon of politics.

• Reasons behind making the recognition of the Palestinian state so complex. Discuss
• Relationship between the Arabs and the Israelis in accordance with Western politics.
• Long term rivalry between the Arabs and the Israelis. Discuss the reasons.
• Role of the West in resolving the Arab-Israeli issues. Critical analysis.
• Strategies to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict. Critical analysis.
• Considering the events of the past how the UN can be utilized to resolve the Arab-Israeli dispute.

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“British Foreign Policy”: Dissertation Topics

The image of a country in different parts of the world is also dependent on its foreign policy and how efficiently it is maintained. There are many issues from British foreign policy that can make for an interesting topic for your politics dissertation.

• What are the basics of Britain’s foreign policy and how can it be justified. Reasons and critical analysis.
• Is Britain’s foreign policy successful? Reasons, cause and critical analysis.
• In what way Britain’s foreign policy is in close affiliation with the US. Critically analyze.
• Justifications showing the US strong impact on Britain’s foreign policy.
• Britain’s foreign policy in relation to its impact on Europe. Critically analyze.
• In what ways the creation of a “single European Entity” has influenced Britain’s foreign policy principles and goals.
• Britain’s foreign policy goals and principles are usually stern and limited. Give reasons to justify and discuss.
• Is Europe the reason behind Britain’s economic and social disputes? Discuss.

Relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan: Dissertation Topics

Pakistan and Afghanistan share so much in common based on their history, faith, and heritage. In the war against Soviet occupation, Pakistan supported 3.5 million Afghans because it shared certain interests with Afghanistan, but recently the settlement of Afghan refugees in various parts of Pakistan has been considered an undesirable phenomenon due to the increasing threat of terrorism and crime.

In Islamabad, actions are being taken to demolish the illegal Afghan settlements in response to the increasing threat of violence, crime, and terrorism. It is believed that the people involved in various illegal acts settle in these areas and carry out their violent acts from safe heavens. So, this phenomenon has a strong political basis, and certain dissertations can be based on it. Here’s a list of some of the dissertation topics in this regard:

• Strategies are being adopted to demolish the illegal Afghan resettlements in Pakistan. Critical analysis.
• Reasons for the development of hurdles between Pak-Afghan friendly relationships. Discuss.
• To what extent violence and terrorism can be linked to Afghanistan. Discuss and analyze.
• Strategies to resolve Pak-Afghan disputes. Discuss.
• Political history of Pak-Afghan relationships from 1947 till current scenario. Discuss major events and their flaws.
• Demolishing the illegal slums of Islamabad occupied by Afghan refugees. Reasons and justifications.
• “War of independence against Soviet occupation.” Discussion of the major events and the impacts.
• 9/11 terrorist attacks and the Pak-Afghan relationships till then. Discuss
• Pakhtoonistan issue and the challenges faced by Pakistan. Critical analysis.
• Educational opportunities for the Afghan refugees. Discuss the positive and negative impacts.

Politics and Media Dissertation Topics

Modern media is a powerful weapon in communicating what is happening throughout the world to people around the globe. Media has a strong influence on people perceiving different scenarios, which might actually not even be true.

There are certain politics involved in what media has to show and deliver to the people behind the screens. Depending on various external factors, media can either positively or negatively portray different scenarios and facts. Below is the list of some of the suggested dissertation topics if you would like to base your dissertation on media and politics.

• Can media be held responsible for the change in politics? Discuss.
• Politics, media and the ways they affect public opinions and thoughts.Critical analysis.
• The linkage between media and democracy. Discuss.
• Can media be held responsible for the spread of terror among people regarding various threats and crimes? Critical analysis.
• Long term politics is involved behind media impacting youth and children. Critically analyze based on justifications.
• Competition between different news channels and political support behind them. Discuss and critically analyze.
• The US politics behind various features of social media. Critical analysis.
• Politics affecting media in Indonesia. Discuss.
• TV commercials and politics. Critical analysis.
• The role media plays during elections. Discuss.
• Social media and its role in politics. Discuss
• Political debates and social media. Discuss
• Media as a carrier of perceptions. Critical analysis.
• Fundraising by different political parties and support of media.
• Politics and media as a source of exploitation of moral values. Critical analysis.
• Limitations politics impose on media. Critical analysis

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Political Parties Dissertation Topics

Political parties have always been one of the major elements of the development of politics. Any comparison between two or more parties can be worked upon by the researcher, or any other issue in this regard can be studied. Political parties of any country can be selected, and a dissertation can be based on their differences and similarities.

For instance, the two famous political parties of the UK- the Labor Party and the Conservative Party can be compared or individually studied by the researcher. The following are some interesting dissertation topics from this area of politics.

• Which party (Labour Party and the Conservative Party) is working dedicatedly? Critical analysis.
• Reasons that favour the Conservative Party in terms of its dedication towards the betterment of the country. Discuss.
• Which party is better in terms of public acceptance? Discuss
• Role of media in supporting the Labour Party and the Conservative Party. Critical analysis.
• In the future, which of the UK’s political parties will come into power, or which political parties will collapse? Discuss.

US Foreign Policy Dissertation Topics

The US is the most powerful country globally and has a considerable influence on the world’s politics. The following are some of the dissertation topics related to US foreign policy.

• With other nations, are the principles and goals of the US foreign policy justified? Discuss.
• China is developing at a rapid rate in terms of economic growth. Is there any threat to the US regarding Chinese economic development?
• The biggest threat to US foreign policy. Discuss.
• Development of nuclear power in the Middle East with US foreign policy. Discuss.
• US foreign policy aims at policing other parts of the world. Can this approach be termed as “bullying”? Critical analysis.
• Who is the mastermind and behind the control of US foreign policy? Critical analysis.
• What are the current goals of US foreign policy? Are they justified?
• How influential is US foreign policy on various other nations of the world? Discuss.
• What are the similarities and differences between the US foreign policy and the British foreign policy? Discuss and critically analyze.

Also Read: History Dissertation Topics

Politics and Religion: Dissertation Topics

Religion and politics are two separate entities, but they also impact each other, especially in today’s world. Below is a list of the topics related to politics and religion that the researcher can opt to aim his or her dissertation on:

• Religious beliefs and politics must be treated as separate entities. Discuss
• Is religion being used as a weapon on political grounds? Critical analysis
• Terrorism, politics and religion. Discuss the linkage between the three.

Important Notes:

As a student of politics looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment on existing politics theories – i.e., to add value and interest in your research topic.

The field of politics is vast and interrelated to so many other academic disciplines like civil engineering ,  construction ,  law , engineering management , healthcare , mental health , artificial intelligence , tourism , physiotherapy , sociology , management , marketing and nursing . That is why it is imperative to create a project management dissertation topic that is articular, sound, and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic; it is the basis of your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong; your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in writing your dissertation as you may end up in the cycle of rejection at the very initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

While developing a research topic, keeping our advice in mind will allow you to pick one of the best politics dissertation topics that fulfil your requirement of writing a research paper and add to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalizing your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and can also be practically implemented. Take a look at some of our sample politics dissertation topics to get an idea for your own dissertation.

How to Structure your Politics Dissertation

A well-structured dissertation can help students to achieve a high overall academic grade.

• A Title Page
• Acknowledgements
• Declaration
• Abstract: A summary of the research completed
• Table of Contents
• Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can also be added to this chapter.
• Literature Review : This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analyzing published and unpublished literature on the chosen research topic to address research questions . The purpose is to highlight and discuss the selected research area’s relative weaknesses and strengths while identifying any research gaps. Break down the topic and key terms can positively impact your dissertation and your tutor.
• Methodology : The data collection and analysis methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter, which usually includes research design , research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods and data analysis strategy .
• Findings and Analysis : Findings of the research are analyzed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include graphs, charts and tables in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
• Discussion and Conclusion : The researcher presents his interpretation of the results in this chapter and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section is establishing the link between the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regards to the implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
• References : Make sure to complete this following your University’s requirements
• Bibliography
• Appendices : Any additional information, diagrams, and graphs used to complete the dissertation but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

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Home > USC Columbia > Arts and Sciences > Political Science > Political Science Theses and Dissertations

Political Science Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

A Comparative Measure Of Judicial Legitimacy , Rahul Hemrajani

Where the Constitution Is Silent: Indigenous Rights Jurisprudence in the United States , Anthony Wayne Hobert Jr.

Prosecutorial Discretion: District Attorneys, Public Opinion,and the Localized Rule of Law , Yu-Hsien Sung

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Changing Environment. Changing Attitudes? , Lindsey Brooke Hendren

Interstate Rivalry, Domestic Politics, and Economic Coercion , Shaoshuang Wen

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

International Conflict, Political Leaders, and Accountability , William Thomas Christiansen

Liberalization First, Democratization Later: The Linkage Between Income Inequality, Economic Development, and Democratization , Yi-Tzu Lin

Social Trust and Soft Power: The Role of Social Trust in Democratic Countries’ Soft Power Use , Judit Trunkos

Economic Interdependence, Power, and Peace: A Rationalist Study of Commercial Liberalism , Yuleng Zeng

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Essays on the Political Economy of International Trade and Coups , William Akoto

Judicial Legitimacy and the Dearth of State Supreme Court Knowledge , TJ Kimel

Women in the Governor's Mansion: Breaking the Barrier to Competition , Helen Adair King

Causes and Consequences of Police Militarization , Edward Eugene Lawson, Jr.

Dynamic Environments and Judicial Power , Monica Lineberger

The Dynamics of Vote Buying in Developing Democracies: Party Attachment and Party Competition in Southeast Asia , Matthew Louis Wagner

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Deepening Democracy: Inclusion, Deliberation, And Voice In The Grassroots South , Annie L. Boiter-Jolley

Evangelicals, Perceived Marginalization and Expressive Mobilization , Christin E. McMasters

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

The Economic Foundations of Authoritarian Rule , Clay Robert Fuller

Partisan Polarization, Social Identity, and Deliberative Democracy in the United States , Ryan Strickler

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Being Strategic: Black Legislative Representation In The Republican-Controlled South Carolina House of Representatives , Willie James Black

Leaders in Search of the Bomb: Institutional Incentives for Nuclear Decisions , Paige Price Cone

The Three Dimensionality Model Of State Security And Armed Conflict: Internal And External Dimensions And Lessons From The Middle East , Juri Kim

The Impact of Supreme Court Precedent in a Judicial Hierarchy , Ali Masood

How The European Union’s Criteria For Membership Move Public Opinion , Douglas Page

Information Heterogeneity and Economic Voting: A Cross-National Analysis , Chia-yin Wei

Nothing is the Matter with Kansas: White Southern Exceptionalism in American Politics , Paul White Jr.

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

The Turkish Foreign Policy Under The Justice And Development Party (AKP): A Paradigm Shift? , Ali Demirdas

The Liberal Commercial Peace, Regional Considerations: International Relations of Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the European Union Countries , Chienwu Hsueh

The Political Economy of Property Rights In China: Local Officials, Incentive Structure, And Private Enterprises , Ingrid Yingxia Li

The Domestic Adoption of International Human Rights Law: the Roles of Regional and National High Courts in Latin America , Rebecca Ann Reid

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

TOWARDS COMMON EUROPEAN ENERGY POLICY , Mariam Dekanozishvili

Essays on Battle Clusters in Internal Armed Conflicts and Insurgencies: Concept, Causes and Consequences , Chifeng Liu

The Effects of Political Control and Institutional Structure on State Ethics Commissions , William Jonathan Rauh

Do Americans’ Perceptions of the Prevalence of Prejudice Impact Their Racial Policy Preferences? Investigating Meta-Stereotypes as a Potential Causal Mechanism , Alexandra Reckendorf

How Much Do Groups Still Matter to Politics? An Examination of Group Influences on Public Opinion , Lauren E. Smith

Microfinance and Poverty Reduction: How Risks Associated With Government Policies Affect Whether Microfinance Alleviates Poverty in Latin-America , Brian Warby

Taking Interests and International Conflict More Seriously , Chong-Han Wu

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Protracted Social Conflict: A Reconceptualization and Case Analysis , Melissa M. C. Beaudoin

Race, Class, Gender, and Linked Fate: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of African American Political Partisanship, 1996 and 2004 , Sherral Yolanda Brown-Guinyard

Holding International Public-Private Partnership Accountable: An Analysis of Sensitivity and Vulnerability Dynamics In Ghana'S Water Sector Reform and Its Impact On the Target Population , Xi Chen

The Impact of Ideology and Attorneys On Precedent Usage: An Analysis of State High Courts , Benjamin Kassow

Environmental Footprints of Violent Conflict , Swapna Pathak

Economic Agreements and Interstate Conflict: A Policy Substitution Model of Coercion , Matthew Daniel-Marion Shaffer

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Religion, Electoral Rules and Women's Representation: A Cross National Examination , Wafaa Adnan Alaradi

Postcolonial and Constructivist Theoretical Explanations of Women'S Traditional Agency In Sociopolitical Participation and Reproductive Rights In Present Day Mali and the Pilipinas , Jennifer Almeda

South Africa In Southern Africa: A Comparative Analysis of Economic Integration In the Southern African Development Community Using Hegemonic Stability Theory , William Andrew Jennings

The Relationship Between State Dissatisfaction and the Level of Conflict In State Dyads: the Revised Power Transition Theory , Hsiao-chuan Liao

Fighting In Space: Understanding the Opportunity and Willingness to Pursue Space Weapons , Michael James Martindale

Capital offenses, Non-Capital offenses, and Party Capability: Habeas Corpus Litigation in U.S. District Courts , Nicholas A. Mostardo

How Rivalries End: Understanding Dynamics of the Rivalry Termination Process , Soonkun Oh

State Implementation of the Children's Health Insurance Program: Analyses of Variation In Policy Adoption , Rebecca Layne Russ-Sellers

Female Legislators and the Power of the Purse: Does Gender Affect Government Spending? A Cross-National Analysis , Jennifer Suzanne Tison

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Judging the Bureaucrats: Understanding the Dynamics of Court-Agency Interaction , Michael P. Fix

La Ruta Maya: The Effects of tourism and the State On the Political Behavior Choices of the Maya , Heather Lea Hawn

Presidents and Terminal Logic Behavior: Term Limits and Executive Action In the United States, Brazil, and Argentina , Genevieve M. Kehoe

The Questions of Compliance With the NPT Regime and Complex Multilateral Nuclear Negotiations: A Comparative Analysis of North Korea and Iran As Defector States , Jihyun Kim

The Rule of Law In Times of War: A Comparative Analysis of the Effect of War On High Court Decision-Making , Susanne Schorpp

Between and Beyond Borders: Conflict, International Response, and Forced Migration , Young Hoon Song

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

The War On Terrorism In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. An Academic Analysis of the Growing Phenomenon of Political Violence In the Kingdom. , Faisal M. Al-Madhi

Re-Defining Public Service In An Era of Networked Governance: An Examination of the Influence of Public Service Motivation On Contractors In Homeland Security , Alexa Haddock Bigwarfe

The Power and Authority of the Committee On the Rights of the Child , Aleksandra Chauhan

Does Foreign Direct Investment (Fdi) Affect Conflict? theIntertwined Relationship Between Multinational Corporations (Mncs) and Nation-States , Yi-Hung Chiou

Counterinsurgency Colonels: The Role of the Practitioner In the Evolution of Modern Counterinsurgency , Garrett Scott DeWitt

The Geometry of Racial Politics: The Role of Policy Entrepreneurs In Fostering Triangulation Among U.S. Racial and Ethnic Groups, 1800-1964 , Athena M. King

Passionate Political Talk: Social Networks and the Emotional Impact of Political Discussion , Bryan Michael Parsons

Judges and Their Loyalties: A Comparative Study Focused On the Venezuelan Supreme Court , Raul A. Sanchez Urribarri

International Law In the Supreme Court of the United States: An Empirical Analysis , Alan Michael Tauber

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

Wolves In Chic Clothing: Gender, Media and the Securitization of Female Suicide Bombers , Mekell Mikell

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UKnowledge > College of Arts & Sciences > Political Science > Theses & Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations--Political Science

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: GEOGRAPHIC QUALITIES OF POLITICAL INSTABILITY AND MILITARY COUPS , William O'Connell

Ruling in the Shadows: Analysis of the Supreme Court’s Use of the ‘Shadow Docket’ and its Effects , EmiLee Smart

Public Justice: Analyzing the Interactions of Supreme Court Justices with the American Public , Abbie Wood

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Welcome Visitor or Nosy Neighbor: Executive Branch Presence in Federal and State Judicial Affairs , Audrey Baricovich

The Spread of Nuclear Technology: The Difficulty of Arms Control and the Consequences of Nuclear Proliferation , Bryce Allen Beschorner

Home Is Where the Heart Is: Rural Residents, Deprivation, and the Impact of PRD on Governmental Representation , Mary Rachael Blandau

Citizen Demand for Cultural Censorship: A Mixed Methods Study , Kelly Grenier

Damsels in Defense: Exploring the Relationship Between Women and Violence Against Civilians During Armed Conflict , Baylee Harrell

Circumvention Theory: Rethinking Gray Zones, Understanding Bounded Competition, and Examining State Response to Unipolar Structure in the Twenty-First Century. , Damian M. Jones

COALITION OF THE ENDING: WHY STATES WITHDRAW FROM INTERNATIONAL MILITARY COALITIONS , Weiss Mehrabi

The UN-Intended Effects of Risky Mandates , Robert Wood

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

NEWS TREATMENT OF THE SUPREME COURT: LANGUAGE SELECTION, IDEOLOGICAL DIRECTIONS, AND PUBLIC SUPPORT , Alexander Denison

STAYING COMPLIANT OR STAYING IN OFFICE? INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, POST-COUP SIGNALS, AND COUP-BORN REGIMES , Jennifer Flinchum

THE INFLUENCE OF THE FEDERALIST SOCIETY ON JUDICAL POLITICS AND LAW IN THE UNITED STATES , Peter S. K. Lynch

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

The Transnational Diffusion of Human Trafficking Policy , Glenn M. Harden

THE POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES OF STATE ACTION ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: HOW VICTIMS AND NON-VICTIMS FORM OPINIONS ABOUT GOVERNMENT , Helen Rabello Kras

International Cooperation Networks and Economic Sanction Effectiveness , Gargi Vyas

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Piecing Together Coalition War: Threat, Politics, and Coalition Structure , Stephen Joiner

BETTER DEVILS OF OUR NATURE: THE ROLE OF VIOLENCE-JUSTIFYING IDEOLOGIES IN OPINION FORMATION , Steven Kaiser

FROM HOBBES TO HABERMAS: THE ANTI-CULTURAL TURN IN WESTERN POLITICAL THOUGHT , Ralph Gert Schoellhammer

Predicting Positive Attitudes toward Immigrants with Altruism , Kati Elizabeth Stafford

Judicial Elections, Public Opinion, and their Impact on State Criminal Justice Policy , Travis N. Taylor

Why Weak States Balance: National Mobilization and the Security Strategies of Post-Soviet States , Eteri Tsintsadze-Maass

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

SEEDS OF SUSPICION: THE PERPETUAL CYCLE OF ANTI-MUSLIM STEREOTYPES, MIDDLE EAST INTERVENTION, AND TERRORISM , Christopher Ledford

PERCEPTIONS OF FAIRNESS AND POLITICAL SUPPORT IN THE FACE OF ECONOMIC INEQUALITY , Gregory W. Saxton

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DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

• Undergraduate
• Honors Thesis

Writing Tips for Theses

Tips for writing a thesis proposal.

1. Find an area (or subfield) that interests you.

Look for a topic that combines personal excitement with scholarly potential. Does  your past work at Northwestern reflect themes that run through the choices you have made? Do you find yourself selecting classes on a general topic or returning to a subject repeatedly? Is there a question or an event that has really captured your attention, or something happening in the world that appears puzzling and that you would like to make sense of?

2. Transforming a topic into a research question

Most first efforts at formulating a research topic are either too specific or too broad.

Questions that are too specific have a yes, no, or fairly easily reached empirical question.  Examples of too specific questions include: Why was smoking in restaurants banned?  What led to President Nixon’s near impeachment? 

Broad questions, by contrast, lack focus and need to be narrowed and framed in a way that makes the topic researchable. The quickest way to make progress is to write a paragraph about the topic, and take it to Political Science faculty member to discuss.

As you reflect, ask yourself what specific concerns led you to the general issue? How did you first see the problem? What events stand out? Around what cases do the discussions revolve? Was there an important book, newspaper article or lecture that piqued your interest? Is there a recurrent argument about current affairs? Formulate questions with these specific facts in mind. Talk with others about the topic, including political science faculty members and TAs.

3. Formulate a research question in a way that widens its appeal.

Merely exploring a topic because it interests you is not enough; the thesis must pose a question that subsequent research attempts to answer or resolve. This question should be framed in a general way that highlights its importance. “Why was John Roberts confirmed to be a judge on the US Supreme Court” is probably too specific. It would be better to ask “What factors lead to success or failure in the confirmation of Supreme Court Justices?” You may end up answering this question by looking at confirmation hearings across time or by a comparison of just two nominees. The key is that the question is important in its own right and that answering it provides insight that is useful beyond the specifics of the case.

Even with a carefully posed question, you still need to highlight its importance. Explain why it matters whether or not someone is confirmed for the US Supreme Court, and explain why confirmation is problematic enough to be worth 60 to 100 pages of analysis.

More advice on selecting a thesis topic and crafting a proposal are available at the following website:

http://www.charleslipson.com/How-to-write-a-thesis.htm

Concerning the Form of the Thesis

The watchword for writing a long research paper is  structure .  The format of your paper should reveal the structure of your thinking. Devices such as paragraphing, headings, indentation, and enumeration help your reader see the major points you want to make.

Headings can convey the major topics discussed in your paper. A research report typically contains four basic components:

• Statement of the  problem  or theoretical question that gave rise to the research, and an explanation of why the problem or question is important to address.
• Discussion of how the research was  designed  to clarify the problem
• Analysis  of the data or information produced by the research
• Summary  and conclusion of the study

Although you could include those sections in your report without separate headings, the underlying logic of your paper will be more readily apparent with headings that identify its basic components: (1) the problem, (2) research design, (3) data analysis, (4) summary and conclusion. Obviously, you can adjust or elaborate on these generic headings depending on your topic.

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• 10 Research Question Examples to Guide Your Research Project

10 Research Question Examples to Guide your Research Project

Published on October 30, 2022 by Shona McCombes . Revised on October 19, 2023.

The research question is one of the most important parts of your research paper , thesis or dissertation . It’s important to spend some time assessing and refining your question before you get started.

The exact form of your question will depend on a few things, such as the length of your project, the type of research you’re conducting, the topic , and the research problem . However, all research questions should be focused, specific, and relevant to a timely social or scholarly issue.

Once you’ve read our guide on how to write a research question , you can use these examples to craft your own.

Note that the design of your research question can depend on what method you are pursuing. Here are a few options for qualitative, quantitative, and statistical research questions.

Other interesting articles

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

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McCombes, S. (2023, October 19). 10 Research Question Examples to Guide your Research Project. Scribbr. Retrieved August 28, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-question-examples/

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Politics Dissertation Topics and International Relations Dissertation Topics

It is absolutely vital to choose the right topic for your dissertation. The correct choice will give you the best opportunity of achieving a high grade. Essentially, you are looking to pick a topic and a question that serves to facilitate an effective critical discussion of the issues at hand, demonstrating original insight and also analysing and evaluating the significance of the literature that has already been produced in your chosen area.

Politics is an interesting area for academic research, especially with the significant political changes happening in 2020-2021, from Brexit to the coronavirus crisis and associated geopolitical changes, to the rise of China, and ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe.

To help you prepare for your politics dissertation, this article discusses international relations and politics dissertation topics related to: the post 9/11 world and terrorism, US foreign policy, British foreign policy, Africa, Russia, Eastern Europe, China, Israel, India, the Middle East, the European Union and international law. The most recent and pertinent geopolitical developments are discussed in the form of questions, to help you formulate your preferred choices.

• The world since 9/11 Dissertation Topics
• US Foreign Policy Dissertation Topics
• British Foreign Policy Dissertation Topics
• Africa Dissertation Topics
• Russia and Eastern Europe Dissertation Topics

Chinese Politics Dissertation Topics

Israel and the middle east politics dissertation topics, india dissertation topics.

• European Union Dissertation Topics
• International relations after the Second World War Dissertation Topics
• International law Dissertation Topics

The world since 9/11 Dissertation Topics

The terrorist attacks of 9/11 on the World Trade Centre almost 20 years ago resulted in the creation of new coalitions between Western democracies, while pushing other countries further apart. The resulting ‘war on terror’ has been ongoing ever since, albeit more quietly in recent years and has resulted in a number of complicated geopolitical shifts. This is still a very relevant area that would be ideal to base your politics dissertation topics on. Suggested international relations & politics dissertation topics include:

• To what extent do the events of 9/11 support the ideas of Samuel Huntingdon’s ‘clash of civilisations’?
• Was enough done in the immediate wake of 9/11 to prevent further similar acts of terrorism in the West?
• Were the actions of the United States in the wake of 9/11 legitimate and proportionate?
• In what ways could the events of 9/11 be said to have impacted on international relations?
• How were international relations between the West and the Arab world influenced by 9/11?
• What are the key political lessons learnt by the West since 9/11 and the ensuing war on terror?
• How has trade between nations developed within the overshadowing context of the continuing war on terror?
• What is the definition of terrorism? Is the use of force, such as targeted killings and drone attacks, a legitimate response to terrorist attacks?
• How has the domestic security legislation of Western countries been impacted by the fear of terrorism since 9/11?
• How have countries used the war on terror, ongoing since 9/11, to justify their own security measures?
• Did 9/11 act as a catalyst for the political upheaval of the Arab Spring?
• To what extent has the ongoing war on terror been used to suppress civil liberties?
• Does the spread of terror attacks in multiple countries in recent years mean that the war on terror has failed?
• Has Western security policy begun to move on from the post-9/11 terrorism threat, to more conventional state-based challenges such as Russia and China?

US Foreign Policy Dissertation Topics

In the latter half of the last century, US foreign policy has evolved, with the US electing to involve itself in events far across the world as a means of maintaining its position as one of the key ‘superpowers’ in the world. To discuss US foreign policy in your dissertation, you could research one of the following politics dissertation topics.

• The US has often talked about as the ‘global policeman’ however could such terminology be construed as a cover for mere bullying?
• Are the actions of the US in the pursuit of its national interest always legitimate under international law?
• How, could the US be said to have overstepped its boundaries in intervening in other countries’ internal affairs?
• The relationship between the United Nations and the US is ambivalent: to what extent do the actions of the US undermine the role of the United Nations?
• How does the development of nuclear power in China and other Asian countries serve to reflect the negative aspects of US foreign policy?
• In what ways does the growth of China as an economic and military superpower serve to threaten the US?
• Twenty years of a war on terror, plus tensions with Russia and China have created a militarized US foreign policy that greatly benefits the military industrial complex, which frequently lobbies for foreign interventions. Who actually controls US foreign policy?
• What is the most significant potential external threat to the US? How is this likely to change US foreign policy going forward?
• US foreign policy has traditionally been one of liberal internationalism. In an unstable world where democracy and liberalism are being challenged by the growing power of China, how can liberal internationalism continue to guide US foreign policy?
• Will the current building of the wall on the border of the US with Mexico have detrimental consequences for the global economy?
• What does the increasing geopolitical power and influence of Russia mean for the future direction of US foreign policy?
• How is the US likely to approach Brexit, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union?
• With competing priorities in the Middle East, Western and Eastern Europe, and the Indo-Pacific, does US foreign policy suffer from a lack of strategic focus, and if so, how?
• What are the long-term consequences of the rise of ‘Trumpism’ for the United States’ foreign policy? How will the US deal with the growing isolationist and anti-war trend among its own public?
• To what extent will the Trump policy of economically decoupling from China be continued or reversed by future Administrations?

British Foreign Policy Dissertation Topics

The United Kingdom remains an influential global power, even as its role in the world is in a state of great change due to the challenges of Brexit.  The topics below will help you research further into British foreign policy for your politics dissertation.

• How will Brexit impact the security co-operation between the United Kingdom and Europe, particularly with reference to data sharing on criminal and terrorist suspects?
• To what extent was the free movement of people a driver of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union?
• With the US increasingly focused on the Indo-Pacific, what significance does the UK-US ‘special relationship’ have today?
• On the basis of Britain’s foreign policy, is Britain little more than the “pet” of the US?
• How influential is Britain’s foreign policy on the rest of Europe?
• How can Britain utilise its economic, military, and diplomatic power to improve its position in the global sphere in the wake of Brexit?
• What would be the implications of a Labour government for British foreign policy in the Middle East?
• Is Brexit likely to reduce the influence that Britain still wields in global affairs, and in what ways?
• Post-Covid, is a close UK relationship with China still practical and viable?
• Is the previous interventionist approach of Britain to foreign policy politically and economically sustainable with significant post-Covid economic constraints on the horizon?
• How can the United Kingdom keep itself together in the wake of challenges to the Union from Northern Irish and Scottish independence movements?
• What strategic security approaches should the UK take to minimize the risk of instability in Northern Ireland post-Brexit?
• Does the UK still hold relevance and significance for the US as an ally, with major budgetary cuts to the British Armed Forces coming in the aftermath of the Covid crisis?
• How can Britain’s foreign policy be revitalised through the linking of trade and economic priorities to diplomacy and security?

Africa Dissertation Topics

• Africa’s relations with the rest of the world have historically often been problematic because of the prevalence of state and ethnic conflict, as well as the autocratic nature of many African governments. Growing Chinese involvement in Africa is also a concern. Together with significant developmental challenges, Africa is a rich area for discussion and analysis of many facets of international relations from war to economic growth and the aftermath of colonialism. Have Western interventions only served to make matters worse in Africa?
• To what extent could the political tensions between communities and ethnic groups in Africa today have been affected by colonial rule?
• To what extent could ancient tribal traditions and religious beliefs hold some responsibility for the problems between African nations?
• What are the key causes of problems between African nations and how do they affect their relationships with the West?
• What efforts have been made by the rest of the world to resolve the tensions between warring African nations? How successful have they been?
• How are relations between African nations likely to develop in the future?
• How successful has the African Union been in resolving Africa’s challenges and providing a voice for Africa on the global stage?
• How effective have efforts at negotiation and conciliation between warring African ethnic groups been? How relevant are Western political ideals in an African setting?
• In what ways is Africa a destabilising regional force in global politics?
• In what ways is the rise of an African middle class changing its politics?
• How are Islamist terror organisations exploiting local African conflicts?
• How effective have African counterterrorism efforts been in recent years?
• How has Africa been politically excluded by the international community, and to what extent can this be rectified?

Russia and Eastern Europe Dissertation Topics

Russia remains a critical swing power, as a military peer of the US and a large economy, however the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union has seen some significant changes in Eastern Europe. Countries in Eastern Europe are looking to align more with the West, potentially increasing mutual enmity between Russia and the West. To base your dissertation in this area, you could use one of the following topics.

• How has the collapse of the Soviet Union served to influence international relations between Eastern Europe and the West?
• With the formation of a ‘Single Europe’, has the opening up of the EU to Eastern European countries served to hinder or help this ideal?
• Why were Eastern European countries so susceptible to Soviet rule? What changed?
• How successfully have Eastern European countries been integrated into the EU?
• How will the rise of China impact on Russia’s relationship with the West?
• What are the most significant problems for the EU caused by the entry of Eastern European States?
• Why is Russia still considered to be such a threat to Western ideals?
• Has the Cold War ever really stopped?
• How did Russia’s annexation of the Crimea and support for rebel forces in Ukraine cause a break in relations with the West?
• In the aftermath of the war in Crimea, will ‘hybrid war’ be part of a renewed Russian threat to the West?
• On the basis of past relations, why does Russia still look to distance itself from the West?
• On the basis of relations between Russia and the US, why have they never actually declared war?
• Has the threat posed by Russia to the countries of Eastern Europe been neglected?
• To what extent does Russian influence impact upon an increasingly fragmented European Union?
• In the light of China’s growing power, is Russia’s preeminent role in Eurasian politics and security likely to continue?
• Is a Sino-Russian military alliance feasible, and what are the implications for European security?
• How will Russian hacker attacks on US elections impact on Russia’s relationship with the West? Are such attacks a new method of external political influencing, or merely an extension of Cold War era sabotage?
• Nord Stream 2 is a highly controversial energy project. Does it increase Russian-German mutual interdependence, or does it only serve to enhance Russian leverage as alleged by the US?

In the latter part of the 20th century, whilst the Chinese government still maintained its distinctly communist ideals, the country became increasingly open to Western views on economic growth and technology, blended together with a view to rapid growth. Starting with Deng Xiaoping’s reforms in the 1980s, to the current President Xi Jinping, Chinese economic and political approaches are the subject of much speculation. There is a lot to be discussed here, and below are some suggested topics for your politics dissertation.

• To what extent have Western politics and ideals influenced China?
• Why did China elect to ‘open’ what had previously been a distinctly closed economy?
• In what way can Deng Xiaoping’s reforms be seen to have moved the Chinese economy towards Western capitalism?
• Is China is considered a threat to Western ideals? Discuss.
• How could China’s rapid economic growth be considered a good thing for the West?
• Why have greater efforts not been made by the West to forge closer relations with the Chinese?
• How could Chinese political ideals be said to have influenced Western politics? Has this been for the better?
• Why, when the power of the Soviet Union was considered such a threat, were greater efforts not made to overthrow China’s communist rule?
• How can China be viewed with such suspicion, when the West is largely responsible for its growth? Discuss.
• What impact will the Covid crisis have on the Western relationship with China going forward? How will China’s crackdown in Xinjiang impact relations with the West?
• What are the potential gains and losses for China in trying to take Taiwan by military force?
• How will the growing hostility between China and India shape the global economic, security and political environment?
• To what extent does China’s human rights record make relations with the West complex?
• Is growing Chinese military power a threat to Russia in Siberia?
• In what ways has President Xi Jinping reversed the policies of predecessors such as Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Xemin?
• What impact does Xi Jinping’s appointment to rule ‘indefinitely’ have on the potential for democracy in China?
• Does the Chinese model of state capitalism undermine the western view that capitalism and democracy ‘go hand in hand’?

There have long been significant difficulties in the relationship between the Arabs and the Israelis, mainly centered upon the recognition of a Palestinian State, which has led to many armed conflicts and complications in relationships with other countries. The Middle East also features tensions involving Iran, as well as controversy over the lack of regional democracy. If you are stuck for ideas for your politics on a Middle East centered dissertation, the following topics may be useful for you to research.

• What have been the main difficulties blocking the creation of a Palestinian State?
• How have relations between the Arabs and the Israelis served to influence their relationships with Western States?
• Why has the Arab-Israeli conflict gone on for so long?
• What is the most significant event that most effectively symbolises the breakdown of relations between the Arabs and the Israelis?
• How successful have Western attempts proved to be in resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict?
• To what extent can a two state solution be implemented in Israel and Palestine while settlements are still being built on Palestinian territory?
• With the expansion of Israeli settlements, are the prospects of a two-state solution dead?
• Can a Palestinian State ever be recognised?
• Compare and contrast the recognition sought for a Palestinian State with that of Tibet – which is more likely?
• Why were events not resolved when the Arab-Israeli conflict descended into war?
• What role should the United Nations play in resolving the Arab/Israeli conflict?
• To what extent has former President Trump’s announcement to move the US Israeli embassy to Jerusalem impacted on Israeli/Palestinian relations?
• What impact has the Arab Spring had on Arab/Israeli relations?
• To what extent can the Palestinian Authority be seen as an autonomous state government?
• Is there potential for an Israeli-Palestinian deal, now that many Arabs states such as the UAE have recognized Israel?
• How will the Israeli-Russian relationship impact on Syria and the wider Middle East?
• How has the Arab Spring failed to deliver on its early promise?
• In what ways will ongoing Arab-Iranian antagonism impact on the Middle East?
• Is the Arab world well positioned for a post-oil future?

India is widely regarded as a rising superpower, and a potential democratic counterbalance to China, in the West. The recent Coronavirus crisis, where Indian manufactured vaccines proved pivotal, underscore how Indian capabilities and confrontation with China will play a role in international relations going forward. Check out some useful ideas for India-related dissertation topics below for international relations and politics.

• What learnings are there for the rest of the world from Indian experience of counterterrorism?
• What are the possible gains for the UK in pursuing a close post-Brexit partnership with India?
• How can India contribute to the ‘Quad’ of Japan, Australia, India and the US in balancing China?
• How has the export of Covid vaccines altered global perceptions of India?
• What is the impact of India-Pakistan tensions on UK security?
• Why has democracy succeeded in India?
• How has colonialism shaped Indian attitudes to the West?
• How can India balance development and poverty alleviation with the security challenges in its neighbourhood?
• What contribution could India make to stabilizing Afghanistan?
• How will growing Russian-Chinese relations impact on Indian security?

European Union Dissertation Topics

The EU served to cement relations between the countries that were party to the Union with a view to establishing closer ties between the nations on all social, political and economic matters, for the good of the EU and its many member states. Recent political dissatisfaction with the European Union has caused members to think again about the role and the purpose of the institution, not least with the UK referendum vote to leave. There are many subjects to be discussed and researched for your politics dissertation regarding the European Union.  Some of these are suggested below.

• How could the EU be considered flawed in forming closer political relations between member states?
• Why could the EU be considered discriminatory to the formation of relations with nations beyond it? How could it be considered little more than a ‘boys club’?
• How has rapidly increasing the number of member countries in the EU impacted on previous ideals and relationships between existing EU members?
• To what extent has the EU’s formation been influenced by the historical understanding of the formation of the US?
• What aspect of the EU could be considered most detrimental to international relations? Why? What does this mean for the political standing of the Union?
• Can the EU’s move towards ‘shared security’ be seen as a threat to the existence of NATO?
• Is the EU capable of being a single actor in the defense and security sphere?
• Are the symbols and tools of statehood, such as flag, anthem and legislature justified for the EU?
• To what extent has a ‘Single European Entity’ been achieved? In the context of international relations, is this a good thing?
• Why was a ‘Single European Entity’ not possible sooner? Why were international relations not previously conductive to it?
• To what extent could the EU be said to be similar to the Soviet Union? Does this mean the Soviet Union was a good thing?
• What impact has the UK vote to leave the EU had on how other member states view the Union?
• How important is the EU in keeping the peace in Northern Ireland? Compare and contrast with the role of NATO in Europe?
• How have far right movements across Europe impacted on the stability of the European Union?
• What role has large scale migration from the Middle East played on satisfaction with EU membership across Europe?
• Is EU foreign policy too heavily weighted towards the interests of Germany and France, at the expense of smaller member states?
• Do energy projects such as Nord Stream 2, and continued scrambles for Middle East oil underscore the need for a renewed sustainable energy policy for Europe?
• How has the flawed Covid response by the EU, especially for the procurement of vaccines, impacted on public perceptions of the EU?
• Has the distribution of Coronavirus vaccines in Europe been equitable, with each member country getting a fair share? What will be the political impact of the delays in vaccine deployment and distribution?
• Can the EU survive the Coronavirus crisis? Has a perceived slow response to Coronavirus damaged the EU?

International relations after the Second World War Dissertation Topics

In the immediate aftermath of World War II, in Europe in particular, many countries faced a great deal of problems as they sought to rebuild. Social unrest and economic instability were particularly prominent, as people struggled to justify their identity and actions, whilst many in authority took advantage of this instability. This was an important time in politics, and a topic relating to international relations after the Second World War would make for an interesting politics dissertation.

• How could the role played by the US in the immediate aftermath of the War be said to be illustrative of the position they took on in international relations and politics?
• To what extent did the US ‘take advantage’ of Europe’s decreased position after the war to increase its own power?
• Was the Marshall Plan ultimately beneficial or detrimental to Europe’s economic recovery?
• To what extent was Germany’s division illustrative of the state of international relations at this time? Would a ‘united’ Germany have led to closer international relations?
• How did the state of Europe in the wake of war make many countries susceptible to the Soviet Union and their communist ideals?
• What was the aim of the Allied Powers in WWII? Did they achieve them?
• How were European relations effectively structured for the next fifty years by the immediate aftermath of the war? Is this still the case?
• How did the ‘Cold War’ start? What were its most significant influences on international relations?
• How did the effects of the ‘Cold War’ spread so quickly? How was it resolved?
• What was the biggest achievement in international relations in the aftermath of War?
• How successful were the reparations provided by the US in securing countries against the threat provided by the Soviet Union?
• Why were nuclear weapons developed? How did they affect international relations?
• To what extent did World War II directly lead to the creation of the EU?

International law Dissertation Topics

International law provides the framework for international relations to function. However it is adhered to only selectively by Great Powers, and sometimes by smaller countries too.  When and where is the application of international law ideal? Here are some great suggestions on international law for your politics dissertation.

• In what ways has the law of the EU served to influence relations between the member states? Has this always been a good thing?
• Why does the law punish some countries when they break it, whilst others are left to their own devices? Discuss.
• How successful has the United Nations proved to be as a law enforcement agency?
• Is the US above the law? Discuss with examples.
• Why are countries like China and Russia allowed to get away with breaches of the law as it stands internationally, whilst Iraq and Afghanistan are punished?
• Were the actions of the US in Iraq and Afghanistan legitimate?
• Is the use of force ever justified by international law?
• What reforms are needed by international law to improve international relations? Are such reforms likely?
• In the face of complex politics, can international law ever be universally applicable?
• To what extent are all countries ‘equal in the eyes of the law’?
• What role does international law have to play in the use of drone strikes?
• Can international law be effective in a digital age?
• Why has international law proven unable to find a resolution to the Syrian conflict?
• How can international law be enforced against Great Powers, many of whom routinely flout it in pursuit of their interests?

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Planning for research, formulate a research question using context, credo reference, encyclopedias, idea to research question to thesis.

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Most students decide on their topic first then try to find out if there has been anything written on the subject. WRONG ! It is necessary to do some planning and preliminary research before deciding! 

The table above illustrates how a research question develops from a broad topic to a focused research question . A concept map should help you identify a sub-topic and possible issues or problems .

Use the resources shared in this guide as well as preliminary research to explore your topic further. Preliminary research will provide some context to help you consider a possible research question.

CREDO Reference is like having a library's reference section in one website. The database contains full-text subject encyclopedias, reference works, dictionaries, and handbooks in all disciplines. Visit the page and search for the main topic you are interested in to get definitions, background information, and pro/con positions.

Some example sources are below:

• Global Poverty  (The Princeton Encyclopedia of the World Economy)
• Kyoto Protocol (Culture Wars in America: An Encyclopedia of Issues, Viewpoints, and Voices)
• Urbanization (The Dictionary of Human Geography)

To find subject dictionaries relevant to your issue, country, or geographic region, search  GALILEO   or the catalog and add "AND encyclopedia" to your search. (e.g. "Global Economy AND encyclopedia")

1. Start with a general subject you think you want to explore

Example: Lone wolf terrorism, electronic surveillance, social media use in emergencies, unmanned systems, suicide bombers. These look more like headings in an Encyclopedia than topics for a paper.

2. Look for particular aspects of the general subject you might want to explore further.

• Look at the texts assigned in class or ones you have used for other classes.
• Read some background sources. You may not use these sources as evidence in your paper, but they can help you find and narrow a topic.
• Look at one or two basic books on the subject. Scan the Table of Contents; Index. Browse the Chapters.

3. Once you have picked an aspect, develop some research questions about the aspect you have selected. You will probably need to find some pre-research and find books or chapters in books on the particular aspect you have selected.

• Avoid questions that can be answered by a simple description
• Avoid yes/no questions
• Avoid questions that are too broad
• Avoid questions like What would have happened if…

4 . Now you may be ready to develop your thesis and start your real research. A research paper is not just a collection of facts or bits of information. It usually takes the form of an argument in support of a thesis. 

• A thesis is not a description of your paper, though it should be clear from your thesis what your paper is about. Example. This paper is about the use of non-violent tactics used to protest the War in Vietnam. This is a description . not a thesis 
• A thesis is not a question, though it comes from a question that a researcher asked. Example: Were non-violent tactics successful in bringing an early end to the war in Viet Nam? This is a question not a thesis
• A thesis is not a statement of fact Example: Many college students were involved in non-violent protests against the war in Viet Nam. - this is a statement not a thesis.
• A thesis is not a statement of personal opinion. Though it should reflect what you have concluded, a thesis is not a mere statement of your own personal beliefs or prejudices.

A thesis is a specific, possible, debatable answer to a question that can be supported by evidence. It makes an assertion that sets up an argument. It is then the writer’s job to supply evidence to prove their point in the rest of the paper.

Example of a Thesis:   The Vietnam War protest movement was more about white, middle-class young men being drafted and then sent into war than it was about stopping an unjust war.

Example of a Thesis:  Although the timber wolf is actually a timid and gentle animal, it is being systematically exterminated because people wrongfully believe it to be a fierce and cold-blooded killer.

Hint:   Use a formula to develop a working thesis statement (which you will need to revise later). Here are a few examples:

• Although  ______ have argued that ______, closer examination shows that ______.
• ______ uses ______ and ______ to prove that ______.
• Phenomenon X is a result of the combination of ______, ______, and ______.
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Digital Commons @ USF > College of Arts and Sciences > School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies > Theses and Dissertations

Government and International Affairs Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Violence, Rents, and Elites: Institutional Determinants of Political Order in Ethiopia, Rwanda, and South Sudan , Kaleb Demerew

Standing Her Ground: Legal Constraints on Women Who have been Victims of Violence , Janae E. Thomas

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Struggling Against the Odds: Social Movements in Pakistan During Authoritarian Regimes , Sajjad Hussain

The Domestic Reality of Foreign Policy: The 1994 Clinton Administration Response to the Crises in Rwanda and Haiti , Camara Kemanini Silver

American Military Service and Identity: From the Militia to the All-Volunteer Force , Andrew C. Sparks

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Decolonizing Human Trafficking: A Case Study of Human Trafficking in Edo State Nigeria , Oyinkansola Adepitan

Borges, el Escritor Italiano: Precursores Italianos en/desde Borges , Sara Boscagli

A Dangerous New Era: Analyzing the Impact of Cyber Technology on International Conflict , Kenneth Brown

Networks in the Norm Life Cycle and the Diffusion of Environmental Norms , James E. Fry

Power, Property Rights, and Political Development: A property rights theory of political development and its application to the study of development in Honduras and Costa Rica , Ricardo R. Noé

Bodily Harm: An Analysis of the Phenomenological and Linguistic Aspects of Harm and Trauma , Grant Samuel Peeler

Mystic Medicine: Afro-Jamaican Religio-Cultural Epistemology and the Decolonization of Health , Jake Wumkes

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

The Humanitarian Gaze and the Spectatorial Nature of Sympathy , Michelle Assaad

The Progressive Transformation of Medellín- Colombia: A Successful Case of Women's Political Agency , María Auxiliadora González-Malabet

Restoring International Justice: Exposing the Limitations of Retributive Justice and Proposing a Restorative Dimension , Nazek Jawad

Human Rights, Emotion, and Critical Realism: Proposing an Emotional Ontology of International Human Rights , Ben Luongo

When Faced with a Democracy: political socialization of first-generation ethnic Russian immigrants in Central and South Florida , Marina Seraphine Mendez

Structure of Turkey-USA Bilateral Relations and Analysis of Factors Affecting Bilateral Relations , Hanifi Ozkarakaya

Soviet Nationality Policy: Impact on Ethnic Conflict in Abkhazia and South Ossetia , Nevzat Torun

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

The Influence of The Armenian Diaspora on The American Foreign Policy , Fatih Aydogan

Discourse, Affinity and Attraction: A Case Study of Iran's Soft Power Strategy in Afghanistan , Hiva Feizi

Becoming Legitimate: How PMSCs are Seeking Legitimacy in the International System , Sommer Mitchell

De Mestizas a Indígenas: Reindigenization as a Political Strategy in Ecuador , Pamela X. Pareja

Star Power, Pandemics, and Politics: The Role of Cultural Elites in Global Health Security , Holly Lynne Swayne

Strategic Negligence: Why the United States Failed to Provide Military Support to the Syrian Resistance in 2011-2014 , Konrad J. Trautman

The Viability of Democratic Governance in De Facto States: A Comparative Case Study of Iraqi Kurdistan and Syria Rojava , Chelsea Vogel

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Cyber Deterrence against Cyberwar between the United States and China: A Power Transition Theory Perspective , Yavuz Akdag

The Role of Elites in the Formation of National Identities: The Case of Montenegro , Muhammed F. Erdem

Measuring Trust in Post-Communist States: Making the Case for Particularized Trust. , Nicole M. Ford

Hidden: A Case Study on Human Trafficking in Costa Rica , Timothy Adam Golob

Latino Subgroups Political Participation in American Politics: The Other Latinos’ Electoral Behavior , Angelica Maria Leon Velez

Re-ethnicization of Second Generation Non-Muslim Asian Indians in the U.S. , Radha Moorthy

Structural Racism: Racists without Racism in Liberal Institutions within Colorblind States , Alexis Nicole Mootoo

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Venezuela, from Charisma to Mimicry: The Rise and Fall of a Televised Political Drama , Rebecca Blackwell

Containment: A Failed American Foreign Policy and How the Truman Doctrine Led to the Rise in Islamic Extremism in the Muslim World , Christopher Jonathan Gerber

The Role of Religion in Mitigating Cancer Disparities Among Black Americans , Samar Hennawi

Where is the Survivor’s Voice? An Examination of the Individual and Structural Challenges to the Reintegration of Immigrant Human Trafficking Survivors , Michelle Cristina Angelo Dantas Rocha

Changes and Challenges in Diplomacy: An Evaluation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Dominican Republic , Yudelka Santana

How Presidents Can Become "Hip" by Using High Definition Metaphors Strategic Communication of Leadership in a Digital Age , Mirela Camelia Stimus

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

At the Intersection of Human Agency and Technology: Genetically Modified Organisms , James Libengood

The Triumvirate of Intersectionality: a Case Study on the Mobilization of Domésticas in Brazil , Kristen Lei Nash

Strategic Missile Defense: Russian and U.S. Policies and Their Effects on Future Weapons Proliferation , Diana Marie Nesbitt

Staring Down the Mukhabarat: Rhizomatic Social Movements and the Egyptian and Syrian Arab Spring , Stephen Michael Strenges

The Effect of Neoliberalism on Capabilities: Evaluating the Case of Mexico , James Paul Walker

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Human Trafficking from Southern Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala: Why These Victims are Trafficked into Modern Day Florida , Timothy Adam Golob

The Effects of U.S. Middle East Foreign Policy on American Muslims: A Case Study of Muslims in Tampa Bay , Mark G. Grzegorzewski

Does Revolution Breed Radicalism? An Analysis of the Stalled Revolution in Syria and the Radical Forces Since Unleashed , Ryan King Little

The United States Prison System: A Comparative Analysis , Rachel O'connor

Fair Trade in Transition: Evolution, Popular Discourse, and the Case of the CADO Cooperative in Cotopaxi, Ecuador , Robyn Michelle Odegard

Challenging the Democratic Peace Theory - The Role of US-China Relationship , Toni Ann Pazienza

Continuation in US Foreign Policy: An Offensive Realist Perspective , Bledar Prifti

The Syrian Civil War: Four Concentric Forces of Tensions , Majid Rafizadeh

Key Ingredients in the Rule of Law Recipe: The Role of Judicial Independence in the Effective Establishment of the Rule of Law , Lauren A. Shumate

Leges, Plebiscita, et Rogationes: Democratization and Legislative Action, 494 - 88 BC , Eric Wolters

An Analysis of State Building: The Relationship between Pashtun 'Para-State' Institutions and Political Instability in Afghanistan , Rebecca Young Greven

Accessibility's Influence on Population Location near Light Rail in the Denver Region , Christophe Michael Zuppa

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

A Comparative Study: How Educational and Healthcare Preparedness Affected Marketization of the Chinese and Indian Economies , Cindy Arjoon

Accidental Detention: A Threat to the Legitimacy of Venezuelan Democracy , Mabel Gabriela Durán-Sánchez

European Union Institutions, Democratic Discourse, and the Color Revolutions , Lizette G. Howard

The End of Anarchy: Weapons of Mass Destruction and the States System , Gregory Edward Johnson

Trends in the Contracting out of Local Government Services , Cristiane Carvalho Keetch

Framing Colombian Women's Beliefs, Values and Attitude Towards Sex and Sexual High-Risk Behaviors , Rosa Ore

Impacts of U.S. Foreign Policy and Intervention on Guatemala: Mid-20th Century , Patricia M. Plantamura

Maximizing Citizenship with Minimal Representation: An Analysis of Afro-Argentine Civil Society Organizing Strategies , Prisca Suarez

From Zaire to the DRC: A Case Study of State Failure , Adam Zachariah Trautman

Guanxi, Networks and Economic Development: The Impact of Cultural Connections , Patricia Anne Weeks

Comparative Political Corruption in the United States: The Florida Perspective , Andrew Jonathon Wilson

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Modernization From Above: Social Mobilization, Political Institutionalization and Instability: A Case Study of Iran (1953-1979) , Jeffrey Robert Cobb

The Relationship between the Social Construction of Race and the Black/White Test Score Gap in , Toriano M. Dempsey

The Causes and Effects of Get Tough: A Look at How Tough-on-Crime Policies Rose to the Agenda and an Examination of Their Effects on Prison Populations and Crime , Cheyenne Morales Harty

Hegemonic Rivalry in the Maghreb: Algeria and Morocco in the Western Sahara Conflict , Michael D. Jacobs

The Politics of Pentecostalism; Does it Help or Hinder Democratic Consolidation in Brazil? , Amber S. Johansen

Women's Political Representation in Europe: An Analysis of Structural and Attitudinal Factors , Jenna Elaine Mcculloch

Examining the Relationship between Participatory Democracy and Nonwhite Domestic Workers in Porto Alegre, Brazil: Issues of Race, Class and Privilege , Alexis Nicole Mootoo

The Indigenous Movement and the Struggle for Political Representation in Bolivia , Angelica T. Nieves

MAS and the Indigenous People of Bolivia , Maral Shoaei

Cyberwar and International Law: An English School Perspective , Anthony F. Sinopoli

The Homegrown Jihad: A Comparative Study of Youth Radicalization in the United States and Europe , William Wolfberg

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

The State and the Legalization of Dual Citizenship/Dual Nationality: A Case Study of Mexico and the Philippines , Pamela Kim Anderson

The Integration of African Muslim Minority: A Critique of French Philosophy and Policy , Amber Nichole Dillender

Elections and Tensions and Constitutions! Oh, My! A Process-Oriented Analysis of Bolivian Democratization from 1993 to 2009 , Laurel Kristin Dwyer

Cuban Medical Internationalism: A Case for International Solidarity in Foreign Policy Decision Making , Eric James Fiske

The Threat to Democracy in Brazil's Public Sphere , Daniel Nettuno

Prospects for Political Reform in China , Jody Lee Tomlin

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

The Positive- and Negative-Right Conceptions of Freedom of Speech and the Specter of Reimposing the Broadcast Fairness Doctrine ... or Something Like It , Adam Fowler

The Christian Zionist Lobby and U.S.-Israel Policy , Mark G. Grzegorzewski

An Analysis of U.S. Policies Targeting the Iranian Nuclear Program , Bryan T. Hamilton

Religion and Resistance: The Role of Islamic Doctrine in Hamas and Hezbollah , Matthew Lawson

Prospects for Nuclear Non-Proliferation: An Actor-Oriented Case Study of Iran’s Future , James Martin Lockwood

Impact of Globalization on Socio-Economic and Political Development of the Central Asian Countries , Karina Orozalieva

Mubarak’s Machine: The Durability of the Authoritarian Regime in Egypt , Andrea M. Perkins

International Society Cosmopolitan Politics and World Society , Kimberly Weaver

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

From China to Cuba: Guerilla Warfare as a Mechanism for Mobilizing Resources , Jorge Barrera

Neoliberalism and Dependence: A Case Study of The Orphan Care Crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa , Christine Concetta Gibson

City Level Development New Key to Successful Development , Gina Herron

The neoconservative war on modernity: The Bush Doctrine and its resistance to legitimation , Ben Luongo

The Security and Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran: An Offensive Realism Perspective , Bledar Prifti

Transdiscursive cosmopolitanism: Foucauldian freedom, subjectivity, and the power of resistance , Joanna Rozpedowski

Making and Keeping the Peace: An Analysis of African Union Efficacy , Nicholas Temple

Social Implications of Fair Trade Coffee in Chiapas, Mexico: Toward Alternative Economic Integration , Joseph J. Torok

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Politics and International Relations: Theses and Dissertations

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Introduction

Theses and dissertations are documents that present an author's research findings, which are submitted to the University in support of their academic degree. They are very useful to consult when carrying out your own research because they:

• provide a springboard to scope existing literature
• provide inspiration for the finished product
• show you the evolution of an author's ideas over time
• provide relevant and up-to-date research (for recent theses and dissertations)

On this page you will find guidance on how to search for and access theses and dissertations in the Bodleian Libraries and beyond.

Theses and dissertations

• Reading theses and dissertations in the Bodleian Libraries
• Theses and dissertations in the Social Science Library

The Bodleian Libraries collection holds DPhil, MLitt and MPhil theses deposited at the University of Oxford. You can also search for theses and dissertations associated with other universities online, or request them via inter-library loan.

Help with theses and dissertations

To find out more about how to find and access theses and dissertations in the Bodleian Libraries and beyond, we recommend the following:

• Bodleian Libraries theses and dissertations Links to information on accessing the Bodleian Libraries collections of Oxford, UK, US and other international theses.
• Oxford University Research Archive [ORA] guide For searching, depositing and disseminating Oxford University research publications.
• Submitting your thesis to ORA Information on copyright, how to deposit your thesis in ORA and other important matters
• Guide to copyright The Bodleian Libraries' Quick guide to copyright and digital sources.

The Social Science Library holds hard copies of dissertations (usually MPhil and MSc) that departments have sent in according to their own selection criteria.

The library holds dissertations from the following departments: Criminology, Economics, Geography and the Environment, International Development, Politics and International Relations (note that MPhil Politics and International Relations dissertations are held in the Bodleian Library), Socio-Legal Studies and Social Policy and Intervention.

These dissertations are on the shelves opposite the Print and Copy Room, arranged by department, course and year. They are all indexed on SOLO, and they are for consultation in the library only. They cannot be borrowed.

Depositing your thesis

It is mandatory for students completing a research degree at the University of Oxford (registered to a programme of study on or after 1st October 2007) to deposit an electronic copy of their theses with the Oxford University Research Archive (ORA) in order to meet the requirements of their award. To find out more, visit the Oxford University Research Archive guide.

• Oxford University Research Archive guide

Definitions

Terms you may encounter in your research.

Thesis: In the UK, a thesis is normally a document that presents an author's research findings as part of a doctoral or research programme.

Dissertation: In the UK, a dissertation is normally a document that presents an author's research findings as part of an undergraduate or master's programme.

DPhil: An abbreviation for Doctor of Philosophy, which is an advanced research qualification. You may also see it referred to as PhD.

ORA: The Oxford University Research Archive , an institutional repository for the University of Oxford's research output including digital theses.

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Politics Dissertation Topics: 25+ Great Examples to Explore

by  Antony W

December 6, 2022

There are many potential political dissertation topics to explore. You just have to determine what a good fit for your assignment is and you’re good to get started. Our guide for choosing dissertation topics for any field remains unchanged. With this respect, it’s important to consider a topic that gives you an opportunity to explore an area you love or find interesting to study so you can easily score the highest grades.

Politics has always been an interesting subject from the very beginning. Issues such as Brexit, the Covid-19 global pandemic, Russia-Ukraine invasion, the rise of China, and tensions in the Eastern Europe raises political concerns to explore.

There seems to be no limit to the topic you can explore in this division. But while there’s a lot you can talk about, we strongly suggest that you pick a topic that will allow you to offer critical analysis of the existing literature and offer original insight to the subject.

Politic Dissertation Topics

We understand how frustrating it can be to think of topic ideas from off of the top of your head and not be able to find good examples to explore. To make your work easy, here are some ideas that you can start to investigate right now:

Russia and Eastern Europe Dissertation Topics

• How has the disintegration of the Soviet Union affected international ties between Eastern Europe and the West?
• What are the most serious issues for the EU as a result of the accession of Eastern European countries?
• How much influence does Russia have on an increasingly divided European Union?
• How well have the nations of Eastern Europe been incorporated into the EU?
• Why were the countries of Eastern Europe so vulnerable to Soviet rule?
• How did Russia’s annexation of Crimea and assistance for Ukrainian rebel groups produce a schism in ties with the West?
• Why, based on prior interactions, does Russia continue to seek to isolate itself from the West?

Political Dissertation Topics on U.S. Foreign Policy

• The United States has frequently been referred to be the “global policeman,” but might such nomenclature be interpreted as a cover for simple bullying?
• What does Russia’s growing geopolitical strength and influence signify for the future course of US foreign policy?
• To what degree will future administrations maintain or alter Trump’s agenda of economic separation from China?
• How is the United States likely to treat Brexit, the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union?
• Will the ongoing construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border have a negative impact on the global economy?
• What is the most serious possible external danger to the United States? How will this affect US foreign policy in the future?

The 911 Politics Dissertation Topics

• Was enough done in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 to avoid additional terrorist atrocities in the West?
• Were the United States’ actions in the aftermath of 9/11 justified and proportionate?
• How has international trade evolved in the shadowy environment of the ongoing war on terror?
• How have countries utilized the ongoing war on terror, which began on September 11, 2001, to justify their own security measures?
• Does the current proliferation of terror incidents in numerous nations imply that the war on terror has failed?
• Is Western security strategy shifting away from the post-9/11 terrorist danger and learning towards traditional state-based adversaries such as Russia and China?

British Foreign Policy Research Topics

• To what degree was free movement of people a factor in the United Kingdom’s decision to exit the European Union?
• Is Britain only a “pet” of the United States based on its foreign policy?
• What would a Labor administration mean for British foreign policy in the Middle East?
• What strategic security methods should the United Kingdom employ to reduce the possibility of post-Brexit insecurity in Northern Ireland?
• How might the United Kingdom’s foreign policy be revitalized by integrating trade and economic interests to diplomacy and security?
• What impact will Brexit have on security cooperation between the UK and Europe, particularly in terms of data sharing on criminal and terrorist suspects?

Africa Dissertation Topics

• What are the root reasons of conflict among African states, and how do they influence their interactions with the West?
• How are African nations’ ties likely to grow in the future?
• How has the international community politically ignored Africa, and how far can this be remedied?
• To what degree may ancient tribal customs and religious beliefs be blamed for issues between African nations?
• To what degree did colonial authority influence political disputes between communities and ethnic groupings in Africa today?
• In what ways is the emergence of an African middle class altering the country’s politics?

Chinese Politics Dissertation Topics

• Why did China choose to ‘open’ what was previously a very restricted economy?
• How can China’s fast economic expansion be deemed beneficial to the West?
• Can we regard China with distrust since the West is primarily responsible for its expansion? Discuss.
• What are China’s probable rewards and drawbacks from attempting to annex Taiwan militarily?
• What effect does Xi Jinping’s appointment to govern “indefinitely” have on China’s democratic potential?
• To what degree does China’s record on human rights complicate relations with the West?
• Does the Chinese model of state capitalism question the Western belief that capitalism and democracy “go hand in hand”?

Israel & Middle East Political Dissertation Topics

• How have ties between Arabs and Israelis influenced their relations with Western states?
• How effective have Western efforts been in settling the Arab-Israeli conflict?
• Contrast the recognition sought for a Palestinian state with that sought for Tibet.
• To what degree can the Palestinian Authority be regarded as a self-governing state?
• What effect will the Israeli-Russian connection have on Syria and the Middle East as a whole?
• In what ways will the ongoing Arab-Iranian conflict affect the Middle East?
• How has former President Trump’s decision to relocate the US Israeli embassy to Jerusalem affected Israeli-Palestinian relations?
• Is the idea of a two-state solution gone with the development of Israeli settlements?

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Dissertation examples

Listed below are some of the best examples of research projects and dissertations from undergraduate and taught postgraduate students at the University of Leeds We have not been able to gather examples from all schools. The module requirements for research projects may have changed since these examples were written. Refer to your module guidelines to make sure that you address all of the current assessment criteria. Some of the examples below are only available to access on campus.

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Past Dissertations

Below are the titles of dissertations completed by last year's finalists. For older examples, please click on the appropriate year in the list at the end of the page.

Dissertations of Finalists 2020

• Memes + urban planning
• A response to #takebackcontrol: is increased national parliamentary involvement the answer to the democratic deficit in the EU? The case of the Bundestag and EU affairs.
• Refugee law
• Richard Arkwright, Early Industrialists, and the Changing Relations between State and Economic Regulation in the Long Eighteenth Century.
• Environmental Human Rights: the emergence, evolution and diffusion of a new norm.
• Applying deterrence theory to economic cyber conflict: Evaluating the strengths and limitations of a deterrence framework for mitigating conflict in economic cyberspace
• Economic insecurity, cultural clash, or politics of disillusionment? Explaining the success of the AfD in Germany.
• Humanitarianism and the case of Venezuela
• The Spanish and German transitions to democracy.
• Critical aspects of the EU asylum policy
• L'écriture inclusive: Gender neutrality in a gendered language
• Climate Security
• Democratic theory
• Something is Rotten in the State of Denmark: The 2015 Refugee Crisis and it’s Role in the Neo-Liberalisation of the Danish Welfare State
• Visible vexation: charting the evolution of the Yellow Vest movement through visual data (working title)
• The response of the EU to populism
• The relationship between autocratic repression and education development in Africa
• Foreign Policy of the European Union
• The evolution of France and China diplomatic relations: the EU as a mediator?
• Music in society, and how music is used as a tool of social change
• The failed democratization of the DRC (Congo)
• How do gendered assumptions affect discourses about global citizenship, and what implications does this have for the roles envisaged for women and girls within it?
• Does the domestic Euroskeptic narrative of populist parties carry through into a  coherent voting behaviour in the European Parliament?
• A comparative approach to the High Representatives of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
• Human rights in post-conflict situations
• German immigration policies from a socio-economic and demographic approach.

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Politics Dissertation Topics

Info: 3725 words (15 pages) Dissertation Topic Published: 16th Aug 2021 in Dissertation Topic

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Tagged: Politics

We have provided a selection of example politics dissertation topics below to help and inspire you.

British Politics

You may want to take a look at British politics for your dissertation. This is a topic with lots of research available and could be an interesting avenue to take. Take a look at our examples below:

Example British politics dissertation topic 1:

A critical analysis of New Labour’s ‘Third Way’ on social policy

The rejection of Clause Four and the rebranding of the Labour Party as ‘New Labour’ was prefaced by the suggestion that the new Government would, if elected, adopt a ‘Third Way’ to managing the economy and the welfare state. There would be no return to ‘Old Labour’ whilst the unchecked monetarism of the Thatcher era would be softened. Central to the image that secured election and the ideology underpinning the new Government’s approach to social policy was the work of Gidden’s ‘The Third Way’. It is now over five years since Tony Blair left office and three years since the New Labour project was proclaimed ‘dead’. Accordingly this dissertation reviews Labour’s use of the ‘Third Way’ in office and seeks to assess the extent to which the ‘Third Way’ has created a lasting legacy within both British social policy and party politics.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Heffernan, R. (2011) ‘Labour’s New Labour legacy: Politics after Blair and Brown’, Political Studies Review, Vol. 9(2), pp. 163-177.
• Powell, M.A. (ed.) (1999) New Labour, new welfare state?: The” Third Way” in British social policy. Bristol: Policy Press.

Example British politics dissertation topic 2:

Governing without government: An exploration of the effects of policy networks on the governance of the UK post-Major

The arrival of Blair in Downing Street in May 2010 was seen by many political commentators (such as Hennessey and Riddle) to usher in a new system of governance. This dissertation explores the interlinking concepts of ‘core executive’, ‘policy networks’ and ‘governance’ and questions the extent to which a series of informal networks and cross departmental initiatives changes the face of Whitehall during the Blair premiership. It also questions the extent to which such modes of government were foreshadowed by the co-ordinating initiatives developed by Heseltine and Major and through so doing seeks to question the assumption that Blair’s approach was revolutionary, proposing instead that it represented a further evolution of that which had gone before.

• Coates, D. (2000) ‘New Labour’s industrial and employment policy’, in, Coates, D. and Lawler, P. (eds) New Labour in power. Manchester: Manchester University Press, pp. 122-135.
• Hennessy, P. (2000) The Prime Minister: The office and its holders since 1945. New York: Palgrave.

Example British politics dissertation topic 3:

Elected mayors: a reinvigoration of local government? A comparative study of Hartlepool and Middlesbrough

Though the primary constitutional reforms of the Blair years are seen to centre upon the GLC and devolution, it was also a period in which elected mayors were introduced to a number of British cities. In the case of Hartlepool, H’Angus the Monkey (the mascot of the local football team) was not only elected but subsequently re-elected. Such an election confounded traditional party political expectations of elections at a local level and was repeated by the election of an independent mayor in Middlesbrough (a further traditional Labour heartland). This study uses primary and secondary data to assess the extent to which the election of these two mayors has reinvigorated democracy and local accountability in the traditional labour heartland and what lessons their elections may hold for further mayoral contests nationwide.

• Copus, C. (2004) ‘Directly elected mayors: A tonic for local governance or old wine in new bottles?’ Local Government Studies, Vol. 30(4), pp. 576-588.
• Moss, R. (2012) ‘Directly elected mayors fall foul of councillor power’, BBC News, available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17197586 [accessed 26 May 2012].
• Orr, K. (2004) ‘If mayors are the answer then what was the question?’ Local Government Studies, Vol. 30(3), pp. 331-334.

Example British politics dissertation topic 4:

‘A bulwark against effective regionalism’ – a discussion of the place of county councils within English local government

The present administrative county councils of England date back to the Local Government Act of 1888. Though they have been altered (notably in the 1974 Local Government Act), with some being abolished and thereafter restored (for example, Rutland), they have, as an instrument of local governance remained virtually unaltered (in size) for over 100 years. In contrast, urban and rural district councils, municipal boroughs and non-municipal boroughs along with single tier governments for conurbations have come and gone; to be replaced by, amongst other forms, district and borough councils. Given the plethora of innovations within the lower tier of regional government and the continued failure to establish convenient and elected regional bodies across England, this dissertation asks how county councils have managed to maintain their position within local government for so long when so much around them has altered.

• Elcock, H., Fenwick, J. and McMillan, J. (2010) ‘The reorganization addiction in local government: Unitary councils for England’, Public Money & Management, Vol. 30(6), pp. 331-338.
• Leach, S. and Game, C. (1991) ‘English metropolitan government since abolition: An evaluation of the abolition of the English metropolitan county councils’, Public Administration, Vol. 69(2), pp. 141-170.

Example British politics dissertation topic 5:

Regional government for the north: A ‘post-recession’ rejoinder

The plan for devolution for the north as espoused by John Prescott when Deputy Prime Minister was overwhelmingly rejected by voters in the north. Nevertheless, a decade later and faced with a seemingly ever-widening gulf between the economics of the north and south of England, a growing body of academic opinion within the north has called for the question to be re-opened. It is perhaps no coincidence that this call has come at a time when not only is the Scottish Parliament is asking for more devolved powers but also that ‘life over the border’ for those within the English borderlands seems relatively more appealing given policies relating to prescriptions, elderly care and tuition fees. This dissertation charts not only the rise and fall of the Prescott plan for northern devolution but asks whether the time is now right for the question to be put to the public again.

• Morgan, K. (2006) ‘Devolution and development: Territorial justice and the north-south divide’, Publius: The Journal of Federation, Vol. 36(1), pp. 189-206 .
• Tickell, A., John, P. and Musson, S. (2005) ‘The North East Region referendum campaign of 2004: Issues and turning points’, The Political Quarterly, Vol. 76(4), pp. 488-496.

Example British politics dissertation topic 6:

The case for an English Parliament

The clamour for greater devolved powers for Scotland, a revitalised Welsh assembly and a Tory majority within English parliamentary constituencies has once again given rise to the question of whether the English should have their own parliament. In addition, the steady rise of alternative political parties suggests that issues of English nationalism need to be addressed by the ‘big three’ political parties. Set within a context of voter apathy and devolution this dissertation not only addresses the conceptual theories that underpin the suggestions that England should have its own parliament but also asks what effects such a body would have upon the state of the union.

• Hazell, R. (2006) ‘The English question’, Publius: The Journal of Federation, Vol. 36(1), pp. 36-56 .
• Marquand, D. and Tomaney, J. (2001) ‘Regional government and sustainability: Taking devolution in England forward’, New Economy, Vol. 8(1), pp. 36-41.

Example British politics dissertation topic 7:

Engaging with community stakeholders in local government: A case study of flood prevention strategies in Doncaster and the role of community volunteers

This dissertation evaluates the effectiveness of the existing flood prevention awareness schemes undertaken by Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council in conjunction with local stakeholder groups. In so doing, it undertakes primary research in three distinct manners First, house to house surveys with flood victims will be conducted. Secondly, interviews with risk management and local government experts and practitioners will be undertaken. Thirdly, a forum will be held with the local flood awareness groups within the Borough. In so doing it highlights ways in which Doncaster’s existing policies can be further enhanced and also proffers the suggestion that Doncaster could be a role model for other local authorities faced with surface water flooding problems.

• Cabinet Office (2008) ‘Qualitative research undertaken during October 2007 in areas affected by the 2007 summer floods’, The Pitt Review: Learning lessons from the 2007 floods. Cabinet Office: London.
• Eiser, J.R. (2004) ‘Public perception of risk’. Report paper prepared for Foresight Office of Science and Technology . Centre for Research in Social Attitudes, University of Sheffield: Sheffield.

Example British politics dissertation topic 8:

An analysis of the Boundary Commission’s proposals for the future parliamentary electoral divisions of England

The systematic review of England’s parliamentary constituency boundaries has resulted in a number of recommendations. Chief amongst these are a reduction in the number of seats so as to enable a closer assimilation in numbers of electors per constituency. This has resulted in the proposed creation, in areas such as Northumberland, of ‘super constituencies’ in terms of acreage. This dissertation questions, given rising levels of voter apathy and a perceived growing gulf between voters and politicians whether the creation of larger constituencies is desirable in such a political environment.

• Johnston, R., Rossiter, D. and Pattie, C. (2008) ‘Far too elaborate about so little’: New parliamentary constituencies for England’, Parliamentary Affairs, Vol. 61(1), pp. 4-30.
• Johnston, R. (2011) ‘Equalise and reduce: A new electoral map for the UK’, Political Insight , Vol. 2(1), pp. 18-21.

Example British politics dissertation topic 9:

Beyond traditional party politics – a review of the rise of the Respect Party under George Galloway

The election of George Galloway in Bradford has been described as ‘the Bradford Spring’ and resulted in the maverick MP being returned to power. Given the socio-economic characteristics of the constituency and the ethnic diversity of the constituency, this dissertation charts not only the rise of the Respect Party but also seeks to understand what it is about the party (beyond Galloway himself) that appeals to voters. Consequently this dissertation will gather an array of primary source data from the constituency itself as well as grounding the study in perceived academic knowledge through a thorough review of existing literature upon issues affecting voting intentions and behaviour.

• Peace, T. (2012) ‘All I’m asking, is for a little respect: Assessing the performance of Britain’s most successful radical left party’, Parliamentary Affairs, not yet published.
• Pidd, H. (2012) ‘George Galloway hails ‘Bradford spring’ as Labour licks its wounds’, Guardian [online], available at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/mar/30/george-galloway-bradford-spring-labour?CMP=twt_gu [accessed 26 May 2012].

Example British politics dissertation topic 10:

Geoffrey Howe, Michael Heseltine and Liverpool – a review of Conservative Government Policy with especial reference to primary sources

The dispatch of Michael Heseltine to inner-city Liverpool in the early 1980s brought with it an urban regeneration policy the effects of which are still felt today. At the same time, however, recently disclosed papers from the National Archive at Kew, suggests that there was a contrary opinion within cabinet that the declining traditional industrial areas of Britain should be left to decay. This dissertation reviews minutes, policy initiatives and public perceptions of the effects of both to present a discursive analysis of the Conservative Government’s policies towards in the inner-cities in the Thatcher years.

• BBC News (2011) ‘Thatcher urged ‘let Liverpool decline’ after 1981 riots’, BBC News [online], available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16361170 [accessed 26 May 2012].
• Parkinson, M. and Duffy, J. (1984) ‘Government’s response to inner-city riots: The Minister for Merseyside and the task force’, Parliamentary Affairs , Vol. 37(1), pp. 76-96.

Political Parties

Maybe you would like to concentrate on a specific political party for your dissertation! If so, take a look at some of our examples below for inspiration.

Example political parties dissertation topic 1:

History teaches us that, when faced with the political wilderness, the Conservative Party is the most radical when it comes to electoral reform. Does this still hold true?

The Reform Act introduced by Disraeli was more radical than that introduced in 1832. In a similar way, the Catholic Emancipation Act introduced by Peel and Wellington was designed not only to protect Tory interests but also to outflank their political opponents. Now, as part of a coalition and with an SNP majority government in Edinburgh, the Conservative Party faces the opportunity once more to show its radicalism with regards to the constitution and issues of electoral reform.

• Ensor, R. (1952) England: 1870:1914 . Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Norris, P. (1995) ‘The Politics of electoral reform in Britain’, International Political Science Review, Vol. 16(1), pp. 65-78.
• Woodward, L. (1938) The age of reform. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Example political parties dissertation topic 2:

Does the election of David Cameron as both Conservative Party Leader and Prime Minister suggest that the party has returned to its roots in the nature of who it chooses to lead itself?

The election of David Cameron as Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister has restored the lineage of old Etonians to the top job in British politics. Moreover, not since before Macmillan’s ‘night of the long knives’ have so many Old Etonians served in either Cabinet or ministerial positions. This dissertation accordingly evaluates the changing nature of the candidates for ‘Leader of the Party’ from Macmillan to date and asks whether the election of Cameron marks a retrograde step or the renewed continuance of a longer-standing tradition within Conservative Party politics.

• Crone, S. (2011) ‘Contrary to recent assertions, the British political class is not becoming more exclusive to public school and Oxbridge types, but there has still been a remarkable resilience in the presence of the privileged in the post-war period’, LSE Research [online], available at: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/33445/ [accessed 26 May 2012].
• Gamble, A. (2011) ‘The return of the Conservatives’, Working paper, University of Bourgogne.
• Walter, D. (1984) The Oxford Union: Playground of power. London: MacDonald.

Example political parties politics dissertation topic 3:

‘A man for all seasons’ – a study of the changing policy positions of Nick Clegg from Leader of the Liberal Democrats to Deputy Prime Minister

In opposition the Liberal democrats were vociferous in their attacks upon the proposed increase in tuition fees. The Liberal democrats were also vehement in their demands for electoral reform. In power they voted for the former whilst, faced with public apathy and rejection, no further proposals for electoral reform have been mooted. Moreover, as the most Europhile of the main three political parties the Liberal Democrats are in power at a time when the single currency seems doomed to failure. The change from opposition to power has been a difficult one for both Nick Clegg and his party. Reviewing policy documents, conference papers, voting records and actual legislation passed this dissertation asks whether or not there is coherence within the policy positions adopted by the Liberal democrats within power and, if not, what it may tell us as to their future likely electoral strength.

• Evans, E. and Sanderson-Nash, E. (2011) ‘From sandals to suits: Professionalisation, Coalition and the Liberal Democrats’. The British Journal of Politics & International Relations, Vol. 13(4), pp. 459-473.
• Parry, K. and Richardson, K. (2011) ‘ Nick Clegg’s rise and fall as a celebrity politician highlights the Deputy Prime Minister as a victim of the increasing personification of British politics’. British Politics and Policy at LSE, available at: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/39890/ [accessed 26 May 2012].

US Politics

If you are more interested in US politics, it would be a good idea to focus on that for your dissertation. If you are not sure how to narrow down your topic, these examples may be useful:

Example US politics dissertation topic 1:

Only in foreign policy does the President enjoy primacy of action – a critical review

With a divided Congress, presidential elections in the offing and battle over budget deficit reduction programmes as well as welfare initiatives, this dissertation contrasts the seeming lack of power that the US president exhibits in the domestic political arena against his powers in foreign matters. Contrasting his relationship with Congress to his powers relating to the signing of treaties and the War Powers resolution this dissertation reviews the presidencies of Clinton, Bush and Obama using a range of secondary sources as well as interviews with key political players of each administration.

• Viotti, P.R. (2010) American foreign policy. Cambridge: Polity Press.
• Wittkopf, E.R., Jones, C.M. and Kegley, C.W. (2008) American foreign policy: Pattern and progress (7th edn). Belmont, CA: Thomson Higher Education.

EU Politics

Maybe EU politics is more your thing? If so, take a look at some of these examples to see if they can help you with your own dissertation topic:

Example EU politics dissertation topic 1:

Increasingly detached from the public – what the fall of governments in Spain, France and Greece tells us as to nature of present day political engagement with political leadership in the mature democracies of Western Europe

Contemporary voter dissatisfaction with the political elites of Western Europe is self-evident. This dissertation charts the rise of the movement against the governments in Greece, Spain and France and asks three questions. First, what does their removal tell us of the nature of political participation in the three countries? Secondly, what does it imply as to the state of European integration from a voter (rather than professional politician’s) perspective? Thirdly, what do the answers to these questions suggest will happen to the Coalition as Britain enters a double dip recession?

• Ezrow, L. and Xezonakis, G. (2011) ‘Citizen satisfaction with democracy and parties’ policy offerings’, Comparative Political Studies, Vol. 44(9), pp. 1152-1178.
• Wilson, A.B., Mair, P. and Beddock, C. (2012) ‘Institutional change in advanced European democracies: An exploratory assessment’, EUI Working Paper No. RSCAS 2012/11 .

For further guidance on dissertation topics see our guide on  how to choose a dissertation topic .

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Politics Dissertation Topics : In the time of globalization, where the market economy is getting increasingly slanted towards exchange progression, it is getting fundamental for legislatures of nations over the globe to fall back on the standards and structure of big government. Consequently, as politics dissertation topics, the tendency towards setting up a nearby relationship between private enterprise and majority rule government ought to be given a lot of significance.

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Best dissertation topics on politics for college students

A dissertation on politics could involve a variety of topics, depending on your specific interests and the focus of your research. Some possible topics for a politics dissertation might include:

International Relations:

• The impact of globalization on state sovereignty.
• Power dynamics in international organizations: A case study of the UN Security Council.
• Conflict resolution strategies in the Middle East.
• The role of non-state actors in shaping international relations .
• Nuclear proliferation and its implications for global security.

Comparative Politics:

• Comparative analysis of democratic systems: Westminster vs. Presidential.
• Political institutions and economic development: A comparative study of East Asian countries.
• Party politics and electoral systems in multi-party vs. two-party systems.
• The impact of colonial legacies on post-colonial political structures.
• Comparative study of welfare state policies in European countries.

Political Theory:

• The concept of justice in contemporary political theory.
• Feminist perspectives on political power and representation.
• Environmental ethics and political responsibility.
• Postcolonial critiques of Western political thought.
• The role of ideology in shaping political movements.

Public Policy and Administration:

• Analyzing the effectiveness of anti-corruption policies.
• The politics of healthcare reform: A comparative study.
• Policy responses to climate change: A case study of national strategies.
• Public-private partnerships in infrastructure development.
• The role of bureaucracy in policy implementation: Challenges and reforms.

Political Economy:

• Globalization and income inequality.
• Economic sanctions as a tool of foreign policy.
• Neoliberalism and its impact on state welfare policies.
• The politics of trade agreements: NAFTA vs. TPP.
• The role of multinational corporations in shaping global governance.

Security Studies:

• Cybersecurity threats and state responses.
• Humanitarian intervention: Legal and ethical considerations.
• Terrorism and counterterrorism strategies in the 21st century.
• Arms control and disarmament efforts: Successes and challenges.
• The role of intelligence agencies in national security policymaking.

Political Sociology:

• Social movements and political change: The role of social media.
• Identity politics and its impact on political mobilization.
• Political participation and youth engagement: A comparative study.
• Gender, race, and representation in politics.
• Social inequality and its implications for democratic governance.

Political Psychology:

• Understanding voter behavior in the age of populism.
• The psychology of political persuasion: Case studies from election campaigns.
• Authoritarianism and personality traits: A cross-cultural analysis.
• Political polarization and its consequences for democracy.
• The role of emotions in political decision-making.

Human Rights and Justice:

• Transitional justice mechanisms: Truth commissions vs. criminal trials.
• The effectiveness of international human rights law.
• Gender equality and women’s rights: Progress and challenges.
• Indigenous rights and self-determination movements.
• Refugee rights and the politics of asylum.

Environmental Politics Dissertation Topics:

• The politics of climate change adaptation vs. mitigation strategies.
• Environmental justice movements and marginalized communities.
• International agreements on environmental protection: Successes and failures.
• Renewable energy policies and their impact on economic development.
• The role of corporations in environmental conservation efforts.

Political Communication:

• Framing effects in media coverage of political events.
• Social media and political polarization: Evidence from electoral campaigns.
• Public opinion polling and its influence on political decision-making.
• Political advertising and its impact on voter perceptions.
• The role of political satire in shaping public discourse.

Governance and Democratization:

• Democratic transitions in authoritarian regimes: Case studies from the Arab Spring.
• Civil society and democratization: The role of NGOs and grassroots movements.
• Electoral integrity and the challenges of free and fair elections.
• Decentralization and local governance: Lessons from devolution reforms.
• The role of international actors in promoting democracy: Successes and limitations.

Conflict Studies:

• Ethnic conflict and identity politics in multi-ethnic societies.
• Peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts in post-conflict societies.
• The role of religion in fueling or mitigating conflict.
• Humanitarian interventions in civil wars: Ethical and practical dilemmas.
• Conflict resolution mechanisms: Negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.

Political Geography:

• Borders and border disputes: Case studies from contentious regions.
• Geopolitics of energy resources: Strategic implications and conflicts.
• Territoriality and nationalism: The politics of secessionist movements.
• Urban politics and governance: Challenges and opportunities in city planning.
• Environmental geopolitics: Climate change and resource competition.

Election Studies Politics Dissertation Topics:

• Electoral systems and their impact on representation and governance.
• Voter turnout and political participation: Factors influencing electoral engagement.
• Electoral fraud and irregularities: Detection and prevention measures.
• The role of political campaigns in shaping electoral outcomes.
• Electoral forecasting models: Accuracy and limitations in predicting election results.

Good Politics Dissertation Topics

• An analysis of the role of political parties in shaping policy agendas
• A study of the impact of gerrymandering on democratic elections
• An examination of the influence of lobby groups on political decision-making
• A review of the impact of political instability on economic development
• An analysis of the role of campaign finance in democratic elections
• A study of the influence of media coverage on public opinion
• An examination of the impact of voter suppression on democratic elections
• A review of the role of public opinion in policymaking
• An analysis of the influence of political leadership on policy outcomes
• A study of the impact of social media on political polarization
• An examination of the role of political ideology in political attitudes and behaviors
• A review of the influence of public opinion on foreign policy decisions
• An analysis of the impact of political institutions on policymaking
• A study of the role of corruption in democratic governance
• An examination of the influence of political campaigns on voter behavior
• The impact of social media on political polarization
• The role of campaign finance in democratic elections
• The influence of media coverage on public opinion
• The impact of political parties on policymaking
• The role of public opinion in policymaking

Trending Politics Dissertation Topics

• The influence of lobby groups on political decision-making
• The impact of voter suppression on democratic elections
• The role of political ideology in political attitudes and behaviors
• The influence of political leadership on policy outcomes
• The impact of political instability on economic development
• The role of corruption in democratic governance
• The influence of public opinion on foreign policy decisions
• The impact of political institutions on policymaking
• The role of political parties in shaping public opinion
• The influence of political campaigns on voter behavior
• The impact of gerrymandering on democratic elections
• The role of political campaigns in shaping public policy
• The influence of political ideology on policy preferences
• The impact of political polarization on policymaking
• The role of political parties in shaping policy agendas

Hot Dissertation Topics on Politics

• A review of the role of political parties in shaping public opinion
• An analysis of the impact of political polarization on policymaking
• A study of the influence of personality traits on political attitudes and behaviors
• An examination of the impact of cultural values on political attitudes and behaviors
• A review of the influence of political socialization on political attitudes and behaviors

In conclusion, the diverse array of politics dissertation topics presented here reflects the multifaceted nature of the field. From international relations to election studies, each category offers a rich tapestry of research avenues for students to explore.

By delving into these topics, scholars can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities inherent in political phenomena and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the discipline.

Whether investigating the role of non-state actors in shaping international relations or examining the impact of electoral systems on democratic governance, researchers have the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to scholarship in politics.

By engaging with these topics, students can develop critical thinking skills, hone their analytical abilities, and cultivate a nuanced understanding of political dynamics.

Ultimately, through rigorous inquiry and scholarly investigation, the exploration of politics dissertation topics serves as a catalyst for intellectual growth and academic excellence.

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