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Searching for Relationship with the EU: Turkey and Russia in the Light of the Role Theory
Beneš, Vít ; Drulák, Petr (advisor) ; Krines, Vlastimil (referee) ; Rovná, Lenka (referee) ; Voráček, Emil (referee)
This dissertation starts from the observation that expectations and perceptions of non-members of the EU are usually neglected in the study of EU's enlargement process. In order to better understand the sources of pro-integration (or anti-integration) foreign policies of the neighboring states, I employ the conceptual apparatus of "role theory". This work utilities the concept of "national role conception", defined as domestically shared views and understandings regarding the proper role and purpose of one's own state as a social collectivity in the international arena. On the cases of Russia and Turkey, I show how historically constituted domestically shared ideas about a role, function (or mission) of a particular state within wider international (European) environment inform their respective policies towards contemporary EU. For the Turkish elite's understandings of the proper role of Turkey within broader international environment is typical the dominance of kemalist nationalist discourse of modernization. Modernization and the quest for the status of respected European power form the core of Turkish identity. In light of this perceptions, the EU membership fits into the kemalist discourse as an accomplishment of the historical mission of attaining the standards of contemporary civilization. On the other side, the discourse of Russian elites is embedded predominantly in universalist messianic discourse, which is often spiced with realist and geopolitical concepts. To sum up, if we want to understand why Russia does not even think about the possibility of entering the EU, we have to take into account the burden of universalist tasks which Russia feels obliged to cary in the name of History or God. Moreover, Russia feels the obligation to protect (both from external threats and internal decay) Europe itself. Entrance into the EU would, quite logically, jeopardize the fulfillment of this historical tasks.
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Possibilities of integration of the Western Balkans into the EU
Trajkovska, Ljupka ; Klosová, Anna (advisor) ; Dúbravská, Pavla (referee)
The main objective of this thesis is to evaluate the future prospects for membership of the Western Balkan countries in the European Union. Western Balkan includes the following countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. The main objective of the first chapter is to define the mutual relations between the European Union and the Western Balkan countries, according to their past results since the end of the Cold far until present. The second chapter explains the main features of the political and economic situation in the Western Balkans and the enlargement policy of the European Union. Emphasis was put on the Copenhagen criteria and on some of the main components of the Stabilization and Association Process, such as Stabilization and Association Agreements and EU pre-accession assistance to the Western Balkans. The last chapter deals with the future development and the possibilities for membership of the Western Balkan countries in the EU, based on the evaluation of the results which were achieved by the Western Balkan countries according to the latest European Commission progress report.
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Vývoj, současnost a pespektivy Bulharska a jeho postavení v EU
Vacíková, Lenka ; Jeníček, Vladimír (advisor) ; Abrhám, Josef (referee)
This thesis elaborates the character of Bulgarian Republic development over last years in the view of current situation, which is remarkably influenced by the global financial and economic crisis. The core of this thesis is to map the difficult path for Bulgaria's membership in the European Union, its entry into these structures and the subsequent development during the first 3 years of membership. Finally, I review the present position of Bulgaria in the EU and evaluate the overall benefits for Bulgaria joining the European Union and whether the country was able to complete the necessary reforms and deliver on promises, which it made before the accession to the Union.
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Development of the economy of Croatia at te beginning of the twenty-first century (2001 to 2009)
Vančurová, Petra ; Karpová, Eva (advisor) ; Suchá, Tereza (referee)
This paper will evaluate the economic development of Croatia from 2001 to 2009. The paper consists of three chapters. The first chapter briefly describes the economic development in the second half of the 20th century. The second chapter contains a general characterisation of the contemporary economic and political situation of Croatia and then describes the economic development of Croatia from 2001 to 2009 -- particularly the development of selected macroeconomic indicators and quantities such as GDP, inflation, unemployment, balance of payments and development of the exchange rate. The third chapter discusses the readiness of Croatia for entrance into the EU.
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Processes of real and nominal convergence in enlarged EU
Mikulka, Jakub ; Bič, Josef (advisor) ; Abrhám, Josef (referee)
This bachelor thesis deals with real and nominal convergence in the European Union. Particular attention is devoted to differences in convergence processes between New and Old Member States of the European Union. Beta and sigma convergence is tested at the levels of states, regions NUTS 1 and NUTS 2 during period 1995-2006. The results are put in theoretical background of Solow-Swan model and New Economic Geography. Furthermore, Balass-Samuelson effect and his incidence is presented.
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