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Presidency of the Council of the EU and energy security. Comparison of Austrian and Czech EU Presidency
Králík, Zbyněk ; Šlosarčík, Ivo (advisor) ; Binhack, Petr (referee)
The diploma thesis "Předsednictví Rady EU a energetická bezpečnost" (The presidency and the energy security) deals with factors relevant for the presidency of the EU. The current debate is highly focused on the size of the presiding country, which leaves very little space for an alternative explanation. The main task of this thesis is therefore to enrich the debate. The main method is comparing the two presidencies on the basis of the concept of energy security. The energy security was a relevant topic due to the context of the presidencies given by the interruptions in gas supply from Russia. Both countries differed in three relevant factors: the foreign orientation (relationship to Russia), the presidency style and the type of coordination mechanism. This diploma thesis tests the relevance of these factors on the presidency.
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Current diversification scenarios of the Russian Federation on one side and the V4 countries on the other with respect to the interdependence theory
Záhradníková, Lea ; Holubcová, Jitka (advisor) ; Kučerová, Irah (referee)
The thesis focuses on current diversification scenarios in the field of gas supply the Visegrad Group (V4) and the Russian Federation relying on the model of asymmetrical interdependence. Russian Federation, the main supplier of natural gas to this region, has lost its status of a reliable partner due to the gas wars with Ukraine in 2006 and 2009, which have negatively affected the supply of natural gas to the EU countries. The research focuses on the current diversification options of V4 countries related to their suppliers and supply routes with respect to their relationship with the Russian Federation; the diversification options for the purchasing markets of the Russian Federation are also analyzed. The author validates the hypothesis that energy relations among the Visegrad countries and the Russian Federation in the field of gas supply are largely controlled by the asymmetric interdependence that is currently exacerbating tensions among the set actors. Current diversification scenarios are presented and evaluated, with the aim of assessing the importance of the projects with regard to actors' energy security. Keywords: interdependence, energy security, diversification, gas supply, gas interconnector, V4, Energy Union, Russian Federation, Nord Stream II, LNG
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China's energy security and policy towards Africa
Harmašová, Natálie ; Kučerová, Irah (advisor) ; Karmazin, Aleš (referee)
The goal of the thesis was to shed light on the ways in which the People's Republic of China secures its energy security and identify the role of Chinese investments in Africa. The economic development results in increased demand for energy resources. In 1993 China became a net oil importer. Conceptualization of energy security in China consists in strengthening relations with oil-rich countries. In certain areas such as industry, transportation and military oil represents for now to that extent of use an irreplaceable source of energy. Therefore I will focus on activities of the People's Republic of China. More specifically, I will focus on investment activities of China in Sudan/South Sudan and Libya. Compared to the West, China seems to be a convenient business partner as it abides by the noninterference into another state's affairs rule. The rationale behind this principle is that every state has a right to choose its model of governance development while taking into consideration its unique conditions. Additionally, China puts emphasis on mutual benefits of South-South cooperation and does not condition investments with the request for changes in political system and banking sector of a recipient state. China chooses its partner countries based on political and stability and state of security...
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Energy Security of the United States of America
Jappel, Ctibor ; Kozák, Kryštof (advisor) ; Calda, Miloš (referee)
JAPPEL,
Ctibor.
Energy
Security
of
the
United
States
of
America.
Praha,
2012.
74
s.
Diplomová
práce
(Mgr.),
Univerzita
Karlova,
Fakulta
sociálních
věd,
Institut
mezinárodních
studií.
Katedra
amerických
studií.
Vedoucí
diplomové
práce
PhDr.
et
Mgr.
Kryštof
Kozák,
Ph.
D.
Abstract
The
thesis
deals
with
the
energy
security
of
the
United
States
of
America
at
the
beginning
of
the
21st
century.
The
first
part
of
the
thesis
identifies
energy
security
as
a
relatively
new
concept
in
political
discourse,
whose
meaning
is
not
yet
firmly
defined.
The
goal
of
this
part
is
therefore
to
refine
the
definition
of
energy
security
using
an
analysis
of
the
content
of
relevant
academic
sources.
The
second
part
of
the
thesis
focuses
specifically
on
the
situation
of
the
United
States
of
America.
It
identifies
the
challenges
to
energy
security
the
country
faces,
mainly
the
high
level
of
dependence
on
petroleum
products,
and
provides
an
overview
of
available
solutions.
The
third
part
is
a
case
study
that
deals
with
the
presidential
election
campaign
of
2008.
This
campaign
took
place
during
a
period
of
extremely
high
energy
prices,
and
the
energy
security
proposals
made
by
the
major
candidates
...
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Geopolitics of Oil
Odintsov, Nikita ; Kučerová, Irah (advisor) ; Binhack, Petr (referee)
The aim of the Geopolitics of Oil is to find a theoretical conceptualization of oil trade regime evolution and its changes during the period between the end of the World War II and 2011. This thesis builds on the two major theories of international relations: neorealism and interdependence theory. The theoretical part of the paper analyzes their main contributions and weaknesses. This enables to formulate the new approach to political economy of oil with a special emphasis on geo-economics. This thesis seeks to answer two main research questions: 1) "Under which conditions do oil exporters consolidate their energy sector?" and 1) "What is the reason for engagement of foreign powers in the oil regions?" This thesis examines relations between exporters from the Persian Gulf and the United States. Interdependence theory is tested by a calculation of symmetry or asymmetry in interdependent relationship between importers and exporters, which is done by a comparison of the market shares between the two during the period of changes in the oil trade regimes. Neorealist theory and political economy of oil approach are examined through detailed case studies that inquire how oil importers and exporters have tried to use oil to pursue their own power interests. This thesis concludes that the geopolitics of oil...
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A Common European Energy Policy: Perspectives and Limits of Cooperation
Kupka, Jiří ; Jireš, Jan (advisor) ; Polášek, Martin (referee)
A Common European Energy Policy: Perspectives and Limits of Cooperation ABSTRACT (Jiří Kupka) The aim of the work is to assess the prospects and limits of cooperation in the area of European Union Energy Policy and it primarily from the perspective of the Member States. To this purpose, there is a research of an evolution of integration in the energy field (pointed contemporary development - i.e. mainly the last twelve years), approach of the European Commission and in particular there are attitudes and the energy policies of the two EU Member States - France and Germany. The whole work is divided into two main parts - a theoretical section and an empirical analysis. In the first part, the author seeks to define the terms "Energy security" and "Energy Policy" from the perspective of several authors. Subsequently, it is carried out the examination of the development of Energy policy of EU - the European Commission initiatives are researched in particular. Besides, it is examined and evaluated the current status of the implementation of the Union's actions (policy) - especially in area of the individual systems of energy markets of the aforementioned states.
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Energy Security and U.S. Middle East Geopolitics
Vaculíková, Eva ; Střítecký, Vít (advisor) ; Kučerová, Irah (referee)
Decades of cooperation between the United States and its Middle Eastern partners have come to a turning point. The 2008 Shale Revolution has brought the United States heretofore unknown scale of energy independece. The Revolution has created an unprecedented increase in United States' unconventional cost-effectively extractable energy reserves. It is estimated that within next two decades the United States should change from net importer of hydrocarbons to net exporter. There is a lot of speculation, whether due to possible energy independece, the foreign policy towards its Middle Eastern partners would change and whether the United States would isolate itself. Aim of this work is to explore the impact of the Shale Revolution on energy security of the United States and its implications for future geopolitics towards the Middle East. The main question to be explored is whether it would change United States' geopolitics at all and if yes, how would it look like. Since domestic oil prices are based on global energy prices and since Middle Eastern partners are unique in their capability of supplying global energy markets with large quantities of oil in the long run, even after the Shale Revolution it will be essential for the United States to continue its cooperation with its Middle Eastern partners....
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Comparison of U.S. and China's Policy Towards Africa 1990-2010 With a Special Focus on Angola and Sudan: Resources and Geopolitics
Kindl, Lukáš ; Sehnálková, Jana (advisor) ; Raška, Francis (referee)
The Master's 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...
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Legal aspects of alternative fuels' use in transport
Straka, Jakub ; Fiala, Zdeněk (referee)
Legal aspects of alternative fuels' use in transport Abstract What connects solar energy, palm oil and the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline? All these topics have one common denominator, i.e. alternative fuels. This group of fuels, which is represented by electricity, hydrogen or biomethane, has the ambition to replace fossil fuels and reduce the negative environmental effects of the sectors of the economy where fossil fuels are used - in transport and energy. This thesis focuses on the transport sector and pursues two lines. The first part of the text examines, by using the example of biofuels, natural gas and electricity, whether and to what extent alternative fuels fulfill the purpose of the alternative in relation to oil-based fuels. The principle of energy security and the principle of sustainable development in its environmental and economic aspects are used as a benchmark. In the second part, this thesis pays attention to legal instruments that determine the future of alternative fuels. Specifically, emission limits for passenger cars and light-duty vehicles and financial support for alternative fuels at all stages of their life cycle are analyzed. The purpose of this work is to capture the momentum of the ongoing legislative development in the field of alternative fuels, to try to...
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