Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Departing from the observation that the use of licensed figures is a popular technique to promote unhealthy food to children, this papers tests whether “celebrity spokes characters” (as well as similar, but unknown spokes characters) are also effective in promoting healthy foods. The results of an experimental study among 6-7 year old children in Flanders (Belgium) indicate that adding a spokes character (i.e., a gnome) to a food product increases the appetite, the (reported and wished for) frequency of consumption and the (existing and future) number of parent requests for that product. This finding holds true for healthy foods (such as apples and grapes) as well as for unhealthy foods (like cookies and chocolate). The effect of the celebrity spokes character is in all cases greater than the effect of a similar (but unknown) gnome. Nevertheless, the latter is also capable of promoting the healthy and unhealthy products. These findings suggest that using licensed figures to promote healthy foods to children, might indeed be an effective strategy to change kids’ diets. Even the use of similar, unlicensed (read: cheaper) spokes characters could be quite fruitful.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This paper groups a series of debating manoeuvres of politicians under four main strategies: attacking, selling, defending, and other, based on a literature study, a principal component analysis and a content analysis of 99 nationally televised debates in the 2007 federal Belgian election period, 6 weeks before and 3 weeks after Election Day. Overall, sell strategies are most frequently used, more specifically by politicians referring to their success or by expressing their attitude in the past or telling what they are currently doing. But also attacking tactics such as interrupting and demonstrating inconsistencies or contradictions are frequently used. The majority parties use more selling strategies than the opposition parties, which is in line with earlier findings in other countries. Political parties adopt more attacking and defending strategies in the period before Election Day than afterwards. The selling strategy is equally important in the electoral and post electoral period.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Through a narrative analysis of authoethnography, this essay seeks to provide insight into the disconnect women experience as they navigate their public performances of gender. As such, it is composed of sections dedicated to explaining narrative theory and analysis, feminist traditions of narrative, and authoethnography as methodological tools. It goes on to present my own personal narrative reflecting the time I spent at my site of observation and then analyzes that narrative through such topics as gender performance and the double-bind. The final argument of the essay explores the ways in which hegemonic constraints continue to plague the identity of females, marginalizing women to the private realm and deeming them insignificant actors in society.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This paper provides a theoretical argument for conducting inter-regional comparisons of social mobilisation in Eastern Europe and Latin America within the broader scope of democratization theory. Theoretically, the paper examines how two schools: one of Transitology and the other of Democtratisation or Democratic Development have assigned themselves regional boundaries (the first Post-Soviet Eastern Europe and the second Post Authoritarian Latin America).‘Transitologists’ such as V.Bunce (1995,1997) have fiercely defended the isolation of their study of ‘transition’ in EE from the study of democratic development or democratization in LA basing their theory in the perceived explanatory power of 'legacies' (communist or colonial). More a game of intellectual wordplay then empirical substance, the two schools used different terms and frameworks to discuss the same processes._x000d_Based on initial empirical research, I find that there are similar types, trajectories and developments of social movements in LA and EE, and thus that historical legacies (cultural, political or economic) are not sufficient explanatory variables in predicting participation and mobilization (both understood to be necessary for democracy).

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper analyzes the political behavior of labor unions and masses during the reform era in Latin America. Building on Hirschman, it hypothesizes that, during the rule of labor-based parties in Latin America, a sense of loyalty toward their mother parties in government and a crippled striking capability make labor unions unwilling to strike.On the other hand, economic austerity programs might spur mass discontent and increase the likelihood for tides of popular protests. Thus, this model suggests that, during labor-based parties’ rule in an economically reforming Latin America, we should observe less union-organized protests and more uncontrolled massive protests. To test the hypotheses, I expand on a statistical model constructed by Markus Kurtz but add to it a dummy variable that defines whether or not a labor-based party controls the country governance.