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American Security Policy towards Failed States with a Special Focus on the Case of Somalia
Kindl, Lukáš ; Sehnálková, Jana (advisor) ; Raška, Francis (referee)
During the 1990s, the United States gradually came to recognize that failed states emerged as a new threat to international security as they could become safe havens for terrorist or criminal groups, destabilize entire regions, and also provoke humanitarian crises. This thesis starts with an analysis of the general trends in the U.S. security policy towards these states since the early 1990s. Subsequently, it focuses on the concrete case of the U.S. policy towards Somalia, probably the most typical example of a failed state. Somalia has lacked a viable central government since 1991 and is internally fragmented as a result of a struggle between various clans. In the aftermath of negative experience from a humanitarian intervention in the midst of Somali civil war, the United States disengaged from Somalia and reevaluated its approach to such interventions in general. However, with regard to the War on Terror, the U.S. focused on this country once again and supported a newly created central government in hopes that it could restore order and prevent Somalia from becoming a breeding ground for terrorists. However, the government turned unable to govern, as it was challenged by an armed resistance. The aim of this thesis is to assess the most suitable approach toward Somalia the United States should implement...
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The VA: A Political Solution to a Societal Problem
Henceroth, Nathan William ; Raška, Francis (advisor) ; Hrishabh, Sandilya (referee)
Thesis Abstract The thesis of this project is that the United States' Department of Veteran Affairs, the VA, is a political creation, since its foundations were not charitable, economic, faith-based, ethnic, etc. Its foundation was purely on the political wherewithal and expediency that the Federal Government in Washington, DC felt during the interwar years, and the threat to American society that many WWI veterans posed as a result of their being angry at not receiving advanced payments on their bonuses. This is the central thesis, albeit nuanced, that pre determined whether the VA had any chance at succeeding at its goals. Secondarily, this paper outlines why the VA has been able to become the relative success that it has been. With regards to the starting point at which many veterans enter into the VA health care system, the results have been nothing less than a minor miracle. This aspect is analyzed and outlined within the body of the paper, and specific examples are given in support. In addition, the VA's health care system is explained, and its organization is presented in the form of maps and charts to expedite the reader's knowledge acquisition. To fully understand the VA's outreach, its organization must be understood. It is important to understand the context in which the VA was created, and the...
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Abortion as the Driving Force Behind the Christian Right
Pštross, Samantha ; Kozák, Kryštof (advisor) ; Raška, Francis (referee)
The aim of this dissertation is to investigate into the causes and the long term durability of Atlanticism in the Czech Republic. During the Iraq War the Czech Republic was labeled as part of ' "ew' Europe, a title given to all those states who sided with America over the European powers led by France and Germany . Over the past 6 years the Czech Republic has been subject to the process of Europeanization while major changes in the external environment have occurred. The research methods employed to answer the effect of these changes of the orientation of Czech Foreign and Security policy consisted of a wide review of the relevant literature, case studies and open ended interviews with policymakers and academics involved in the process. The findings of the research are that Czech Atlanticism is rooted in the nation's geo-political history but is also a strategic calculation on the part of Czech elites. However with a decline in Atlanticism has already begun to take place within Czech society as a result of decreased American interest in the CEE region and Russian activities in its near abroad. In conclusion current trends point to a future decline of Atlanticism in the Czech Republic the extent to which will be determined by four key variables, What type of EU emerges, which political party/coalition is in...
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The role of civil society in the process of democratic transition in Mexico and Belarus
Kramko, Natallya ; Krausz Hladká, Malvína (advisor) ; Raška, Francis (referee)
Civil society has emerged as a challenging concept in political development theories. As researches claim, economic restructuring has undermined the political hegemony of authoritarian regimes and set up a scene for different autonomous associations. The selection of the two countries (Mexico and Belarus) was conditioned by the fact that they both are representatives of "third wave" democracies and have striking similarities in the post-authoritarian development, assuming there is a undeniable possibility to learn the lesson from the differences as well. From the viewpoint of the citizen, civil society is first and foremost a channel for protecting and promoting personal values and interests. In the authoritarian regime, however, civic freedoms rarely exist and there are limited possibilities for an independent society to function. The main goal of the civil society in the country, which is undergoing the democratic transition, should be to promote change and create all the conditions for the proper functioning of open and public civic movements, which will eventually reflect the views of the citizens through governmental actions. Another important sphere in the democracy building is free media - it helps encouraging citizenry by giving different sides of the event to people, but is often commercial, as...
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Canada's Influence on Future U.S. Oil Security
Opatrny, Martin ; Hnízdo, Bořivoj (referee) ; Raška, Francis (advisor)
The global supply of oil will closely match the demand for oil over the foreseeable future. The critical role oil plays in national economies, combined with the tight global oil supply, means that oil security is a vital concern for every country, and in particular the United States. The United States currently ranks as the largest oil consumer and oil importer, forcing them to rely on unstable sources of oil. This has resulted in the United States becoming one of the least energy-secure nations in the world. This thesis will evaluate Canadas capacity to improve American oil security to the year 2030. Canadian oil production will increase substantially in the next 20 years with most of the growth in output coming from the "oil sands". The majority of this future oil production will be exported to the United States and by 2030 Canadian oil imports will account for a large proportion of American total petroleum imports. NAFTA provisions have de-politicized the North American energy trade; this guarantees American access to Canadian oil supplies and ensures that Canada can sell to the American market. This liberal framework, therefore, increases American oil security despite a complete dependence on Canadian oil exports.
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Financial Hedonism: American Consumerism and the Financial Crisis
Metzger, Andrew Michael ; Raška, Francis (advisor) ; Kozák, Kryštof (referee)
The American character is defined by a bigger, higher, faster mindset. Throughout its history, this has been the United States' great strength. In the 20th century, the bigger-higher-faster mentality produced a parade of American successes, attracting talented immigrants from across the globe and spurring a century of unparalleled invention and ingenuity. Two generations ago, bigger-higher faster stood for innovation: the jet airplane, the towering and beautiful skyscraper, or the efficiency of the assembly-line automobile. In today's America, defined by its consumeristic excess, biggerhigher- faster means bigger houses, higher debt, and faster gratification. The bigger-higher-faster mentality that has always defined America has cross-pollinated with another strain of Americana-consumerism-to calamitous results. The global financial crisis stands as example one of the disastrous results of Americans'consumeristic excess. While popular lore holds that the financial crisis is the product of greedy Wall Street bankers, avaricious speculators, and mendacious mortgage brokers, the primary perpetrator is the average American who lusted after a house far beyond his means, furnished it with fixings he could not afford, and paid for everything using easily available credit. For nearly a decade, banks gave platinum...
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The Role of the Military in the United States Foreign Policy Process
Paták, Jiří ; Raška, Francis (advisor) ; Anděl, Petr (referee)
The aim of this thesis is the Role of the Military in the United States Foreign Policy Process. In the midst of the American military engagement in Iraq, Afghanistan and the escalating crisis with the Iranian regime, arguments are often raised that the Military has acquired too much power over the U.S. foreign policy. More than 100.000 troops on the ground and the mounting casualties in the war on terror frequently give the outside spectators a feeling that the foreign policy is only about the armed forces and furthermore, that the Military has a free hand in most important issues. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
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Eisenhower Administration and Guatemala 1954-1961
Měřička, Daniel ; Nálevka, Vladimír (advisor) ; Raška, Francis (referee)
The aim of this diploma thesis is the U.S. effort to build a "showcase for democracy" in Guatemala during the Eisenhower administration that was doomed from the beginning. The U.S. government itself lacked both the continuous commitment at the top and the unify of purpose necessary to mount such an undertaking. Guatemalan leaders had their own interests, which did not always coincide with those of their U.S. sponsors. Although the United States certainly had leverage and did use it, at same time, it was attempting to create political stability. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
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