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Climate Skepticism in the Czech Republic: Countermovement and Its Strategies
Vidomus, Petr ; Loužek, Marek (advisor) ; Strmiska, Maxmilián (referee) ; Vráblíková, Kateřina (referee)
The climate change skepticism has been becoming a more and more distinct and apparently increasing social phenomenon. To date, western scholars have described the different forms it can take and the factors supporting its increase. In the recent years, we've been observing some signs of a similar trend in the Czech Republic because the number of people who find the anthropogenic climate changes significant has been decreasing and the proportion of the "skeptic population" has been growing. Although in the first part of this paper I present an overview of data concerning the "public climate change skepticism" (available poll data), its primary focus is on the research of activities carried out by individuals and groups that relativize the importance of climate changes constantly, publically and in a more or less organized manner. In such case we can talk about a certain form of a countermovement against the environmentalism and the mainstream climatology. This paper draws mainly from a qualitative study conducted between 2011 and 2014 by means of semi-structured interviews with active Czech climate change skeptics. The goal of the study was to describe the strategies of climate change skeptics actions in the changing political and discursive environment, the forms of their organization and the...
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Irish and Swiss approach to their neutrality after February 2022
Kloužková, Eliška ; Weiss, Tomáš (advisor) ; Šlosarčík, Ivo (referee)
After Russia's aggression in 2022, many countries, including the neutral nations of Switzerland and Ireland, had to reconsider their approaches to European security. This work examines how the neutrality and approach to NATO and the EU of both countries changed following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and simultaneously compares the two countries. The text is a comparative case study that explores and compares these states using a custom model. The model has three factors: the legal framework, the relationship with the EU and NATO, and public opinion. The results showed that Ireland intends to change the triple lock mechanism, but neither state plans any intervention in their neutrality. Changes in relations with the EU and NATO indicate that the countries are aiming for more integrated and deeper cooperation, with these changes being both qualitative and quantitative. A common theme is defense, while other topics are more specific. Similar conclusions are drawn from public opinion surveys. Respondents in both countries have a positive attitude toward neutrality, do not wish to abandon it, but understand the need for cooperation with other states. It can be concluded that neither country has undergone major changes, such as joining NATO or altering their neutrality, after February 2022, nor are...
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War on Terror: How did war on terrorism change american society and political events?
Sobotka, Tomáš ; Szobi, Pavel (advisor) ; Raška, Francis (referee)
This paper focuses on the social and political background of the American War on Terror policy, specifically on the operation Neptune Spear leading to the targeted killing of Osama bin Laden, one of the leading personas of the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda. The introductory part states the research questions, the hypothesis and methodology and defines the term terrorism. It also outlines the problematics of obtaining relevant sources, since many of them still fall under top secret classification and have never been published. Furthermore, it informs about the historical background of War on Terror, reminds about the events of 11. September 2001 and describes the process of searching for and killing of Osama bin Laden. It also serves as a foreword to the research part. The research part itself then analyzes available source materials related to Neptune Spear. Primary sources include the official statement of the then President Barack Obama, the stance of the government, press conference and comments of Obama's predecessors, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, the original initiator of the War on Terror policy. Next, it analyzes the mood of American society through academic literature, archives of traditional and contemporary media, published articles, public opinion polls and others. The summary...
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The phenomenon of single motherhood in the online space and public opinion
Němcová, Barbora ; Hájek, Martin (advisor) ; Vocásek, Tibor (referee)
The topic of this thesis is analysing the differences in attitudes towards single mothers in public opinion and media representation. The theoretical part draws on the concepts of feminization of poverty, stigmatization, and agenda-setting theory. The thesis utilizes quantitative methods - factor analysis and contingency table analysis of public opinion (with data from VÚPSV 2019) and content analysis of online articles (326). The analysis of public opinion revealed a diversity of attitudes towards single mothers, with women, single and divorced individuals exhibiting greater support for single-parent parenting and state financial assistance, while men, married individuals, and older respondents tended to disagree. A general tendency to support financial assistance for single mothers was observed. Quantitative content analysis of online articles indicated that the media representation of single mothers is predominantly non- stigmatizing or positive (56%). Despite the prevalence of a non-stigmatizing image in the media, there remains a tendency towards homogenization and stereotyping of single mothers as victims of gender and structural inequalities. The media image reproduces the notion of single mothers as victims dependent on financial assistance, which aligns with the concept of the feminization...
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The Question of Restitution of Colloredo-Mannsfeld Picture Gallery from the Perspective of Direct Participants and the Public
Nováková, Alžběta ; Vlnas, Vít (advisor) ; Šmíd, Marek (referee)
This thesis aims to analyse opinions on the case of restitution of Colloredo-Mannsfeld picture gallery. The author describes the history of the Opočno castle as well as the history of valuable collections situated there. The history of collecting of paintings by the House of Colloredo-Mannsfeld is introduced. The author especially focuses on the current case of restitution of the picture gallery. As a part of the thesis, there is a qualitative research dealing with the professional and public response to this case and the way how media informed about it. Keywords Opočno castle, picture gallery, Colloredo-Mannsfeld, restitution, public opinion
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Character of nuclear energy in European Union - history and present
Koryčanský, Roman ; Šen, Hugo (referee) ; Martinec, Jiří (advisor)
The thesis deals with the development and current status of nuclear energy in Europe. The first part focuses on the legislative background in the EU – The Euratom treaty. Next, the thesis describes the history of European companies that are engaged in nuclear energy, in particular the French company AREVA. The largest part of the thesis deals with the relationship of nuclear energy and public opinion, and focuses on the status of nuclear energy in selected countries and the attitudes of environmental organizations. This section also includes a description of the history of the most serious accidents. The conclusion focuses on the economic aspects of nuclear energy and its future.
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Public opinion towards drug compsumption rooms among Prague's inhabitans
Součková, Gabriela ; Janíková, Barbara (advisor) ; Vacek, Jaroslav (referee)
The thesis deals with the issue of establishment of the supervised injecting center for the drug users in the Czech Republic. Target of thesis is monitor public opinion on drug consumption rooms among inhabitants of the capital city Prague. The theoretical part deals with the explanation of terms related to tertiary prevention of addictive behavior, especially the priciples of the Public Health and the Harm Reduction. The theoretical part also includes information about practice of existing grug consumption rooms in the Word and Czech Republic possibilities to the establishment of the supervised injecting center. The research probe detects with questionnaire method the opinion on the drug consumption rooms in the sample of Prague residents. The investigation was partially complemented by an analysis of online discussions of Internet information articles from the year 2013 of the subjekt the establishment of drug consumption room in Prague. The results show that more than half of survey respondents agree with the introduction of drug consumption room in the capital city Prague. The results are significant diferences in the qualitative responses reasons of agreement or disagreement with the establishment of services between respondent of questionaire and debaters of online discussions. Most of...
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Teaching geology from the point of view of the general public
Lacina, Martin Jakub ; Jedličková, Tereza (advisor) ; Teodoridis, Vasilis (referee)
Within the didactics of natural sciences, research on personal attitudes primarily focuses on the attitudes of direct participants in education, namely students and teachers. The opinions of the general public are often overlooked, even though they play a significant role in shaping students' attitudes. As part of a master's thesis, a questionnaire survey was conducted focusing on the attitudes and opinions of the general public towards geological sciences and their education. Additionally, students from the first and second year of secondary school and teachers of natural science subjects, were approached. The collected data was evaluated using selected statistical methods, which allowed, among other things, the comparison of responses from different target groups of respondents. A total of 727 respondents participated in the questionnaire survey (414 respondents from the general public, 201 students, and 112 teachers). The results indicate that the attitudes of the general public are generally positive. Geology is not considered a difficult and boring subject. Despite all three groups rating geology as an unpopular subject, they regard geological sciences as part of general education. Enthusiastic and motivated teachers, mineral and rock samples, field trips, and excursions are considered the...
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