|
|
Transpacific Partnership as a component of America's "Pivot to Asia" strategy and its impact on South Korea.
Srpová, Laura ; Bečka, Jan (advisor) ; Sehnálková, Jana (referee)
Bachelor thesis deals with the topic of Transpacific partnership (TPP) as a component of America's pivot to Asia strategy. It focuses on the evaluation of the relationship between South Korea and the USA. The TPP, as the economical component of the policy, is a newly planned free trade area among countries of the Asia-Pacific region. China and the U.S. are the largest countries and major economical powers of the Asia-Pacific. Their rivalry raises concerns among countries of the region including South Korea. The current rapid rise of China's political and economical power strongly influeces the relationship between both traditional allies, the United States and South Korea. Therefore, the text deals with the issue of Chinese influence in the decision- making process of South Korea in joining the TPP. South Korean alliance with China, although it is economically beneficial, forces her at the same time to join the Transpacific partnership led by the United States. Thereby, Korea can mitigate China's rising influence and adopt balanced approach to both regional powers. South Korea will profit from this position and from the economical integration in the Asia-Pacific region. Politically, South Korea will remain China's ally but it will stay under the protection of the United States against Chinese...
|
|
|
Analysis of the Decision-Making Process of the Kennedy Administration During the Second Berlin Crisis in 1961
Procházková, Michaela ; Sehnálková, Jana (advisor) ; Smetana, Vít (referee)
The second Berlin crisis represents one of the important milestones in the development of the Soviet-American relations during the Cold War. After the World War II, Berlin was divided into four occupation zones. Following the establishment of the two German states, this situation resulted in the city being split into the Western and the Eastern part. At the end of 1958, the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev threatened the Western powers that he would sign a peace treaty with the German Democratic Republic and hand over the control of access routes to the Western Berlin to the East German officials. The following four-power negotiations failed to find a solution to the Berlin question. After the 1960 presidential election, John F. Kennedy became the president of the United States and thereby inherited the Berlin question from his predecessor. The Bachelor's thesis "Analysis of the Decision- Making Process of the Kennedy Administration during the Second Berlin Crisis in 1961" concentrates on two key events of the crisis development - the first meeting of Kennedy and Khrushchev in Vienna in June 1961, and the closure of the borders between the West and the East Berlin followed by the construction of the Berlin Wall in August 1961. It aims to analyze the U.S. responses to these events using three...
|
|
|
The issue of race in the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court of the United States : the evolving interpretation of the Equal Protection Clause
Martinec, Tomáš ; Sehnálková, Jana (advisor) ; Kozák, Kryštof (referee)
This thesis entitled The Issue of Race in the Jurisprudence of the Supreme Court of the United States: The Evolving Interpretation of the Equal Protection Clause analyses the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court of the United States concerning Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, in particular the following decisions: Plessy v. Ferguson, Sweatt v. Painter, Brown v. Board of Education, Topeka, Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, Grutter v. Bollinger, Gratz v. Bollinger, Fisher v. University of Texas and Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action. The analysis of the above- mentioned decisions illustrates the evolution of the philosophical background of the Supreme Court. After the Second World War, the natural-law legal philosophy began influencing the Justices and slightly overshadowed the positive-law current that was predominant in the pre- War era, in particular in the 19th century. This new philosophical background of the High Court help to constitutionally entrench the affirmative action policies by Justice Powell's opinion in Bakke and particularly by Grutter. However, the natural-law current has never become as dominant as the positive-law one in the 19th century, and as shown in Grutter's companion case of Gratz...
|
|
|
The Impact of China's Engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa on U.S. Political and Economical Interests on the Continent (2000-2012)
Kindl, Lukáš ; Sehnálková, Jana (advisor) ; Bečka, Jan (referee)
The rigorous thesis deals with China's increased engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa after 2000 and its impact on U.S. political and economic interests on the continent. In the first decade of the new millennium, China's search for natural resources, especially oil, to satisfy its growing demand, need to find new markets for exports, as well as China's aspiration to enhance its position at the international stage led Beijing to pay greater attention to Africa. China started to engage African countries through a combination of development assistance with no strings attached, except for the one-China principle, and high-profile diplomacy. The United States has become concerned that China might jeopardize its programs on democratization and governance and become a fierce economic competitor in Africa. In the first two chapters, the thesis describes the interests of China and the U.S, respectively, the main actors involved in the countries' respective Africa policies, and strategies and concrete policies these two world powers implement in Africa. The third chapter compares the U.S. and China's engagement in three case studies - on Nigeria, Angola and Sudan. The fourth chapter provides a comparison of the general features of the American and the Chinese policies towards Sub- Saharan Africa. The chapter...
|
|
|
Triangular Diplomacy - Mutual Influence of American-Chinese and American- Soviet Relations During the Nixon Administration
Pečeňa, Michal ; Sehnálková, Jana (advisor) ; Pečenka, Marek (referee)
This paper examines the concept of triangular diplomacy, i.e. Nixon's and Kissinger's strategy, which deliberately works with the interconnectedness of Sino-American rapprochement and détente with the Soviet Union. We decided to collect information on the topic from many different sources and synthesise it into a clear and coherent picture. We analyse the international context which preceded triangular diplomacy, explaining the key aspects of the relationship between the players at hand - the USA, the USSR and communist China. The paper also pays attention to the creators of the concept - Henry Kissinger and Richard Nixon - and their relationship with one another. We analyse all the key aspects of triangular diplomacy, the principles it is founded on, its mechanism and its aims. We also explain ways in which it is in line with the previously adopted foreign policy strategies and, more importantly, we describe the ways in which it deviates from the former strategies. Finally, the paper provides a wide range of examples - backed by many citations and direct quotes - which illustrate the way in which the mechanism of the "triangle" played itself out. Through this process, we came to a conclusion that the basic principles of triangular diplomacy do work, i.e. that the rapprochement with China did alter...
|
|
|
The Comparison of the U.S. Security Policy Measures in Relation to the DPRK's Nuclear Program Adopted by the Administrations of Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama
Vítková, Kateřina ; Sehnálková, Jana (advisor) ; Anděl, Petr (referee)
The Comparison of the U.S. Security Policy Measures in Relation to the DPRK's Nuclear Program Adopted by the Administrations of Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama monitors the responses of Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama and their Administrations to the North Korean nuclear tests carried out in 2006, 2009 and 2013. It seeks to identify similarities and differences between these Administrations and prove the thesis that the steps taken by the United States under Barack Obama were in effect just as inefficient as those taken by his predecessor. The paper concentrates on the time period beginning with the situation before the first North Korea's nuclear test until the autumn 2014. The methodology includes a qualitative approach and comparison. The reactions are divided into several groups: rhetoric, strategic documents, legislation, economic aspects etc. In conclusion it notes that while the attitude of both Presidents and their Administrations was in certain aspects similar, number of factors that distinguish them might be indentified as well. Barack Obama focused more on the region of Asia. His attitude towards the DPRK appeared to be more balanced but it still did not lead to the coveted breakthrough in the negotiations.
|
|
|
China tries within the current internationl framework dominated by the US to gain more power in the IMF
Liehmann, Viktoria ; Lepš, Jakub (advisor) ; Sehnálková, Jana (referee)
This thesis analyses whether China tries to gain more power in the IMF staying within the current international U.S.-dominated system. The analysis focuses on China's behavior in the IMF during the reform process of the last decade. The thesis examines the ways in which China can gain more power staying in the IMF. However, current power structures make it difficult to implement changes and China might therefore use political groups such as the BRICS and their New Development Bank to exert pressure. But the intention of the BRICS is not to overthrow the system but to reform it. Using official statements and speeches delivered by Chinese, U.S. or IMF staff in the IMF as well as articles published in newspapers Chinese claims and US reactions were analyzed. The results suggest that China stays within the international system and does not try to overthrow it. Nevertheless, pressure is created through the establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank (AIIB). The intention of this thesis is to give a current account of Chinese behavior in the international community, supporting the understanding of underlying dynamics. Keywords IMF, China, Reforms, BRICS, New Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank, international system, challenge
|
|
|
Legalization of Cannabis for Non-medical Purposes in the United States: Discrepancy between Federal and State Laws
Vlach, Tomáš ; Sehnálková, Jana (advisor) ; Calda, Miloš (referee)
This thesis focuses on the issue of cannabis legalization in Colorado. Legislation adopted at the federal level prohibits production, distribution and consumption of cannabis. Through public ballot initiatives, use of cannabis for non-medical purposes was legalized on the state level. This approach represents a fundamental change in drug policy and, in the future, it could affect federal drug policy regarding cannabis. This thesis uses the example of Colorado to illustrate the inconsistency in the legal approach to cannabis between some of the U.S. states and the federal government. By describing and analyzing the control measures in Colorado, this thesis aims to identify various regulatory risks, which might cause conflicts with the federal government. The thesis points to the liberal aspects of the regulation in Colorado and confronts the discrepancy with the directive of the federal government to establish a strong regulatory framework that is consistent with federal priorities in the area of law enforcement. The thesis contains a set of recommendations that contribute to reducing potential negative effects. Even though the federal government did not interfere with state's cannabis legalization, these recommendations could prevent a possible clash with the federal government, which still de jure...
|
|
|
American Occupation of Japan: Goals and Means of the U.S. Foreign Policy During the First Phase of Occupation 1945-1947
Štverková, Iva ; Sehnálková, Jana (advisor) ; Sýkora, Jan (referee)
The thesis "American Occupation of Japan: Goals and Means of American Foreign Policy During the First Term of the Occupation 1945-1947" analyzes the way of implementation of the U.S. occupation of Japan between 1945-1947, its structure and development, and the diplomatic steps of the United States to ensure that it would be the main and in practice the only power deciding the course of the occupation. The goal of this analysis is to answer how important Japan was for United States: was it only a defeated enemy from whom the US tries to secure reparations, possible economic partner or was Japan considered as a possible strategic ally in Asia? What was the aim of the US in Japan? To answer these questions, it is crucial to look in detail at alternative scenarios of the occupation, why the U.S. decided to carry out the occupation of Japan in the fashion it did, and what means the U.S. used to reach their goals. To this end, the work will examine why the United States struggled to ensure that they were the only power with influence over the post-war reconstruction of Japan, and why they decided not to create occupation zones or why they did not cede responsibility to carry out the occupation to the League of Nations. Another goal is to examine from the U.S. perspective whether the occupation was...
|
|
|
U.S. - Chinese relations during Obama's first term: 2009-12.
Michaláková, Markéta ; Bečka, Jan (advisor) ; Sehnálková, Jana (referee)
Obama's administration approach towards People Republic of China (PRC) has changed during its first term from a very benevolent view to a tougher line. At first Obama used a concept, which had been established during the Bush administration - concept of viewing China as a "responsible stakeholder". This concept portrayed China as a country responsible towards international system. Later Obama's administration introduced a concept of "pivot to Asia", which deepened American engagement in the region and which should have posed a counterweight to Chinese growing influence in this area. The main purpose of this thesis is to describe and analyze foreign policy concepts of Obama's administration towards PRC as well as description and analysis of Chinese foreign political concepts (peaceful development and harmonious world). The next part of this paper focuses on analysis of two aspects of relations between these two countries: diplomatic relations and human rights issues, which both prove the assumption that Obama's approach towards PRC has changed during his first term in office.
|
guest ::
