Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - PA, D.O. Candidate (Sigma Sigma Phi)
-Harvard University, Bioethics/Medical Ethics -Post-Baccalaureate, Thomas Jefferson University -M.A. alumnus, San Francisco State University, Department of International Relations & Immigration Law (Summa Cum Laude, Sigma Iota Rho) -B.A. alumnus, University of California Santa Barbara, Departments of Global Studies, & French/Italian (Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa)
California State University, Social Science Research Symposium, 2019
The rise of Right-wing, populist leaders raises concerns for Hungary’s democratic future (Levitsk... more The rise of Right-wing, populist leaders raises concerns for Hungary’s democratic future (Levitsky and Ziblatt, 2018). Hungary’s turning to Viktor Orbán’s populist leadership reflects a sui generis political departure worth examining. This paper offers the most holistic examination inside Hungary’s current, Right-wing discourse. What factors have led to both Orbán’s and populism’s rise in Hungary; what are its micro-, meso-, and macro- level implications; how are public opinion, leadership style, foreign and domestic policy inextricably related in this populist discourse? In summation, via a discursive and linguistic analysis, the following paper (1) closely uses Orbán’s 2011, 2016, 2018 “State of the Nation” addresses to show how he rose to fame by capitalizing off of Hungarian anger, fear, and sadness; (2) and explicates populism as political style. This allowed him to assert an idealized future—one that not only aligns with Hungarians’ interests, but one that continues to threaten democratic paradigms.
San Francisco State University, Masters Thesis Archive, 2019
The purpose of this thesis is to examine Italy’s and Germany’s contrasting, discursive and physic... more The purpose of this thesis is to examine Italy’s and Germany’s contrasting, discursive and physical responses of today’s “European refugee and asylum-seeking crisis.” While some argue that Europe is a full-fledged, securitized garrison, others argue that it is liberalizing and embracing cosmopolitan liberal ideals. This thesis argues that the European Union is doing both. Particularly, it dissects both Angela Merkel’s and Germany’s desecuritization narrative as well as Matteo Salvini’s and Italy’s securitization narrative vis-à-vis the “European refugee and asylum-seeking crisis” between 2016 and 2019. Italy’s liberalism crisis has led to the securitization of refugees and asylum seekers; in contrast, Germany’s spreading of cosmopolitan liberalism has led to the desecuritization of refugees and asylum seekers. The purpose of examining these two approaches is to help us better understand the geopolitical divergences within the European bloc. This thesis develops from the Copenhagen School and supplements their existing de/securitization theories with proximization theory. Last, via both contextual and narrative analyses, this thesis also examines identity(s) (i.e. German-ness/Italian-ness), and how ontological, physical, cultural, or economic (in)securities engender the de-/securitization of immigrant bodies.
Much literature continues to highlight how the Philippines has emerged as
a critical actor in glo... more Much literature continues to highlight how the Philippines has emerged as a critical actor in global trading and how it has witnessed dramatic and positive structural changes. While this is true to a certain extent, such scholars have not only mistakenly overlooked these so-called “successes,” they have even glossed over more important problems. Thus, by adopting a holistic lens of the Philippines’ socioeconomic development, I am able to deduce more qualifiable conclusions for both the domestic and national levels. This has led me to explore the following questions: how has the Philippines succeeded in improving its socioeconomic sectors; who and at what levels are these successes felt; and what does this mean for its future socioeconomic growth? I argue that the Philippines has witnessed paradoxical successes. That is, many lives have been spared, gender disparities have decreased, and national poverty levels have improved; conversely, however, invisible and physical structures such as poor accountability, corruption, poverty, and vested interests continue to hamper growth at both the domestic and national levels—hence, yielding vicious and self-perpetuating cycles of inequality. It is important to remain critical of the Philippines’ socioeconomic development because it will yield more insight on their future and on more important issues, structures or agents, and factors which are—or are not—stymying their overall socioeconomic and aggregate growth.
Over the past two decades, millions of immigrants have begun to seek refuge within the European U... more Over the past two decades, millions of immigrants have begun to seek refuge within the European Union due to its open economy, stable job market, and security. This paper will help readers better understand the motives behind the current “European Immigration Crisis.” It highlights EU legislation and systems that have been proposed or have been put into effect throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, and their effectiveness. In particular, it examines the Commission’s efforts as well as individual member states’ responses within the Council and to the Commission. There have been growing internal concerns regarding the ongoing crisis, which many believe may be threatening the EU’s stability and identity. As a result, some member states have responded with reluctance to aid crisis relief efforts. Nonetheless progress has continued and various political shifts have occurred within the EU. For these reasons, the Commission and member states have begun to reassess their roles and put the European immigration crisis at the top of their agendas. This opens up entirely new prospects, raises new questions, and presents new efforts towards the preservation, protection, and promotion of global integration, cooperation, and unity.
The support for Right-wing, populist leaders continues to gain significant electoral traction on ... more The support for Right-wing, populist leaders continues to gain significant electoral traction on every continent of the globe. On the one hand, this is a notion that backfired to the global community and, on the other hand, it should not have happened nor can be explained under traditional, liberal orthodoxy. Since his popular electoral win in 2016, Philippines President, Rodrigo Duterte, has wasted no time spearheading a controversial, illiberal agenda to combat the Philippines’ opioid crisis—one filled with unprecedented, unjustified, and unaccounted sums of death. Among many names, this contemporary discourse has been dubbed as “unconstitutional,” “immoral,” and “necessary.” This paper (1) takes a closer look at Duterte’s political battle against drugs, such as his opposition and supporters; (2) dissects its potential evolution; and (3) posits its likely projection. Although Duterte faces strong international opposition from human rights organizations and supranational institutions, domestically and regionally speaking, however, Duterte boasts a growing support from China and the United States. In summation, this paper argues that these killings are likely to persist, as his domestic and regional support is still quite strong, institutional checks and balances remain weak, and opposing agents are still frail and fragmented.
California State University, Social Science Research Symposium, 2019
The rise of Right-wing, populist leaders raises concerns for Hungary’s democratic future (Levitsk... more The rise of Right-wing, populist leaders raises concerns for Hungary’s democratic future (Levitsky and Ziblatt, 2018). Hungary’s turning to Viktor Orbán’s populist leadership reflects a sui generis political departure worth examining. This paper offers the most holistic examination inside Hungary’s current, Right-wing discourse. What factors have led to both Orbán’s and populism’s rise in Hungary; what are its micro-, meso-, and macro- level implications; how are public opinion, leadership style, foreign and domestic policy inextricably related in this populist discourse? In summation, via a discursive and linguistic analysis, the following paper (1) closely uses Orbán’s 2011, 2016, 2018 “State of the Nation” addresses to show how he rose to fame by capitalizing off of Hungarian anger, fear, and sadness; (2) and explicates populism as political style. This allowed him to assert an idealized future—one that not only aligns with Hungarians’ interests, but one that continues to threaten democratic paradigms.
San Francisco State University, Masters Thesis Archive, 2019
The purpose of this thesis is to examine Italy’s and Germany’s contrasting, discursive and physic... more The purpose of this thesis is to examine Italy’s and Germany’s contrasting, discursive and physical responses of today’s “European refugee and asylum-seeking crisis.” While some argue that Europe is a full-fledged, securitized garrison, others argue that it is liberalizing and embracing cosmopolitan liberal ideals. This thesis argues that the European Union is doing both. Particularly, it dissects both Angela Merkel’s and Germany’s desecuritization narrative as well as Matteo Salvini’s and Italy’s securitization narrative vis-à-vis the “European refugee and asylum-seeking crisis” between 2016 and 2019. Italy’s liberalism crisis has led to the securitization of refugees and asylum seekers; in contrast, Germany’s spreading of cosmopolitan liberalism has led to the desecuritization of refugees and asylum seekers. The purpose of examining these two approaches is to help us better understand the geopolitical divergences within the European bloc. This thesis develops from the Copenhagen School and supplements their existing de/securitization theories with proximization theory. Last, via both contextual and narrative analyses, this thesis also examines identity(s) (i.e. German-ness/Italian-ness), and how ontological, physical, cultural, or economic (in)securities engender the de-/securitization of immigrant bodies.
Much literature continues to highlight how the Philippines has emerged as
a critical actor in glo... more Much literature continues to highlight how the Philippines has emerged as a critical actor in global trading and how it has witnessed dramatic and positive structural changes. While this is true to a certain extent, such scholars have not only mistakenly overlooked these so-called “successes,” they have even glossed over more important problems. Thus, by adopting a holistic lens of the Philippines’ socioeconomic development, I am able to deduce more qualifiable conclusions for both the domestic and national levels. This has led me to explore the following questions: how has the Philippines succeeded in improving its socioeconomic sectors; who and at what levels are these successes felt; and what does this mean for its future socioeconomic growth? I argue that the Philippines has witnessed paradoxical successes. That is, many lives have been spared, gender disparities have decreased, and national poverty levels have improved; conversely, however, invisible and physical structures such as poor accountability, corruption, poverty, and vested interests continue to hamper growth at both the domestic and national levels—hence, yielding vicious and self-perpetuating cycles of inequality. It is important to remain critical of the Philippines’ socioeconomic development because it will yield more insight on their future and on more important issues, structures or agents, and factors which are—or are not—stymying their overall socioeconomic and aggregate growth.
Over the past two decades, millions of immigrants have begun to seek refuge within the European U... more Over the past two decades, millions of immigrants have begun to seek refuge within the European Union due to its open economy, stable job market, and security. This paper will help readers better understand the motives behind the current “European Immigration Crisis.” It highlights EU legislation and systems that have been proposed or have been put into effect throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, and their effectiveness. In particular, it examines the Commission’s efforts as well as individual member states’ responses within the Council and to the Commission. There have been growing internal concerns regarding the ongoing crisis, which many believe may be threatening the EU’s stability and identity. As a result, some member states have responded with reluctance to aid crisis relief efforts. Nonetheless progress has continued and various political shifts have occurred within the EU. For these reasons, the Commission and member states have begun to reassess their roles and put the European immigration crisis at the top of their agendas. This opens up entirely new prospects, raises new questions, and presents new efforts towards the preservation, protection, and promotion of global integration, cooperation, and unity.
The support for Right-wing, populist leaders continues to gain significant electoral traction on ... more The support for Right-wing, populist leaders continues to gain significant electoral traction on every continent of the globe. On the one hand, this is a notion that backfired to the global community and, on the other hand, it should not have happened nor can be explained under traditional, liberal orthodoxy. Since his popular electoral win in 2016, Philippines President, Rodrigo Duterte, has wasted no time spearheading a controversial, illiberal agenda to combat the Philippines’ opioid crisis—one filled with unprecedented, unjustified, and unaccounted sums of death. Among many names, this contemporary discourse has been dubbed as “unconstitutional,” “immoral,” and “necessary.” This paper (1) takes a closer look at Duterte’s political battle against drugs, such as his opposition and supporters; (2) dissects its potential evolution; and (3) posits its likely projection. Although Duterte faces strong international opposition from human rights organizations and supranational institutions, domestically and regionally speaking, however, Duterte boasts a growing support from China and the United States. In summation, this paper argues that these killings are likely to persist, as his domestic and regional support is still quite strong, institutional checks and balances remain weak, and opposing agents are still frail and fragmented.
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Papers by Joshua Salazar
a critical actor in global trading and how it has witnessed dramatic and positive structural changes. While this is true to a certain extent, such scholars have not only mistakenly overlooked these so-called “successes,” they have even glossed over more important problems. Thus, by adopting a holistic lens of the Philippines’ socioeconomic development, I am able to deduce more qualifiable conclusions for both the domestic and national levels. This has led me to explore the following questions: how has the Philippines succeeded in improving its socioeconomic sectors; who and at what levels are these successes felt; and what does this mean for its future socioeconomic growth? I argue that the Philippines has witnessed paradoxical successes. That is, many lives have been spared, gender disparities have decreased, and national poverty levels have improved; conversely, however, invisible and physical structures such as poor accountability, corruption, poverty, and vested interests continue to hamper growth at both the domestic and national levels—hence, yielding vicious and self-perpetuating cycles of inequality. It is important to remain critical of the Philippines’ socioeconomic development because it will yield more insight on their future and on more important issues, structures or agents, and factors which are—or are not—stymying their overall socioeconomic and aggregate growth.
Drafts by Joshua Salazar
a critical actor in global trading and how it has witnessed dramatic and positive structural changes. While this is true to a certain extent, such scholars have not only mistakenly overlooked these so-called “successes,” they have even glossed over more important problems. Thus, by adopting a holistic lens of the Philippines’ socioeconomic development, I am able to deduce more qualifiable conclusions for both the domestic and national levels. This has led me to explore the following questions: how has the Philippines succeeded in improving its socioeconomic sectors; who and at what levels are these successes felt; and what does this mean for its future socioeconomic growth? I argue that the Philippines has witnessed paradoxical successes. That is, many lives have been spared, gender disparities have decreased, and national poverty levels have improved; conversely, however, invisible and physical structures such as poor accountability, corruption, poverty, and vested interests continue to hamper growth at both the domestic and national levels—hence, yielding vicious and self-perpetuating cycles of inequality. It is important to remain critical of the Philippines’ socioeconomic development because it will yield more insight on their future and on more important issues, structures or agents, and factors which are—or are not—stymying their overall socioeconomic and aggregate growth.