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Mongolia: A land between the Bear and the Dragon
Sutherland, Owen ; Romancov, Michael (advisor) ; Doboš, Bohumil (referee)
This study delves into the geopolitics of buffer states, using Mongolia as a case study, providing a comprehensive analysis of its role in geopolitics. The research focuses on how Mongolia's interactions with Russia and China have shaped its pursuit of democracy. By exploring the interplay between recent and historical events, Mongolia's Third Neighbour Policy, and its extensive mineral wealth, this study offers a unique perspective on the role of buffer states in geopolitics. Employing a multidisciplinary approach that combines soft power and buffer state political theories, the research aims to dissect the complex dynamics of Mongolia's foreign policy. The central argument of this thesis is that a nation's recent past plays a crucial role in influencing its aspirations for democracy. Through examining Mongolia's historical context, this research demonstrates how experiences under Russian and Chinese influence have not only shaped the country's political landscape but have also impacted its commitment to democratic ideals. Moreover, the study highlights the significance of Mongolia's Third Neighbour Policy and the strategic utilisation of its vast mineral wealth as key factors in shaping its pursuit of democracy.
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Czechia between 'the East' and 'the West': Critical geopolitics of international relations and economic flows
Fiřtíková, Eva ; Lepič, Martin (advisor) ; Jelen, Libor (referee)
In this thesis, I deal with the context of international relations and economic flows of the Czechia towards the USA and China in the period 2002-2022. Using individual indicators in the field of trade, direct foreign investment, and in research and development, I examine the dependence of economic flows on foreign connections. Foreign bilateral meetings play a significant role in the subsequent reaction of the state's economy. I examine how foreign connections affect different types of economic flows, as well as their development and variability. The course of economic flows is often greatly influenced by events (such as the global financial crisis or Covid-19), which can affect the state in a number of negative consequences. However, thanks to the efforts of government representatives, diplomatic representatives and important businessman, the subsequent development of the political- economic sphere of states can lead to successful growth, using conclusions and agreements from foreign meetings or proven procedures in mutual cooperation.
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Comparison of Successfulness of China's and Taiwan's Mask Diplomacy in the Case of the Czech Republic
Svatoňová, Kateřina ; Bahenský, Vojtěch (advisor) ; Riegl, Martin (referee)
This bachelor's thesis examines the perceptions of Chinese and Taiwanese mask diplomacy (deliveries of medical supplies and related events) in the Czech Republic. The thesis aims to answer the research question "How and why did the perception of Chinese and Taiwanese mask diplomacy differ in the Czech Republic" through the analysis and interpretation of data obtained using qualitative content analysis of articles focused on medical supply deliveries, and semi- structured interviews with selected journalists who published some of these articles. Findings from content analysis and interviews with journalists are interpreted through the theories of public diplomacy and soft power by American political scientist and international relations theorist Joseph Nye. The thesis also discusses the limitations of applying these theories to Asian countries with different political systems compared to Western countries.
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Economic and Public Diplomacy of China and Taiwan in Central America
Jabůrek, Štěpán ; Soukup, Jaromír (advisor) ; Karmazin, Aleš (referee)
This thesis is concerned with the topic of the Sino-Taiwanese diplomatic struggle in Central America. Specifically, it analyses 4 countries, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, which abandoned their longstanding relations with Taiwan in order to establish relations with China between 2017-2023. The work aims to find out, whether the reasons for these diplomatic switches were purely economic, or if non-economic motivations played a role as well. The main analytical section of the work consists of 4 case-studies, which analyze the relevant motivations behind the switches. In conclusion, the author finds out that economic motivations played a major role in all cases. At the same time, however, there was at least one other non-economic motivation observed in every case. Specifically, in every case we can observe power related motivations aiming to maximize strategic power of the respective country and at the same time limit the influence of the US in the region. In two cases ideological motivations in the form of ideological closeness of the domestic government with the Chinese Communist Party were uncovered. Finally, in two cases motivations regarding domestic politics and election campaigns were detected.
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David and Goliath: Aspects of Air Warfare in the China-Taiwan Confrontation
Maxa, Jaroslav ; Kofroň, Jan (advisor) ; Ludvík, Jan (referee)
The prospect of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan and the impact it would have on the region has been a subject of concern for many years. The aim of this thesis is to analyze the potential outcome of air warfare in such an event, focusing on changes in Chinese and Taiwanese military capabilities over time. Drawing on previous RAND Corporation research published over the past two decades, this thesis examined two aspects of a potential Chinese invasion, the possibility of a disarming strike against Taiwanese air defenses and air bases, and the possible outcome of air warfare. To accomplish this, the critical variables from previous studies were examined and the development of their values was assessed through a mixture of quantitative and qualitative analysis. The thesis finds that China currently has the upper hand in military capabilities, making it unlikely that Taiwan could sustain a full-scale air war without U.S. support. The study also discusses possible future developments in the contest for air superiority over Taiwan in the next decade and offers policy implications for Taiwan to maintain close ties with its allies and invest in its military capabilities, especially air defense.
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Protestné hnutia v Hongkongu
Chodúrová, Dominika
The bachelor thesis deals with a topic of the protest movements in Hong Kong, which took place in year 2014 and 2019. The first part of the thesis presents the historical and political context that preceded the protests in 2014. This part also describes a theoretical overview related to social and protest movements. In the analytical part of the thesis, both of the protest movements are analyzed through two separate case studies. Using a comparative method, the thesis compares the essential elements of both movements and analyzes whether they have undergone a change or not. He analyzes the causes of the change with the help of the authors dealing with the issue of protests in Hong Kong and the theory of social movements. The results of Bachelor thesis is the finding that the nature of the movement in 2019 was distinct in various aspects, especially in the form of tactics and actions of its participants. The biggest change in the movement in 2019 was the radicalization of some of its groups and their actions. Persistent political problems and the frustration of some participants, who believed that nonviolent means were ineffective, were identified as the main causes of radicalization. The movement's radicalization and change in tactics was also a response to repression by the Hong Kong government and police. The leadership of the movement also underwent a change. This time it was not represented by any publicly known leaders. The main reason for the non-existence of leaders in the 2019 movement was the fact that the leadership of the 2014 movement was prosecuted after its ending.
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Založenie Ázijskej infraštruktúrnej a investičnej banky ako nástroj čínskej zahraničnej politiky
Neščivera, Jakub
The bachelor thesis deals with the circumstances of the establishment of the Chinese-initiated bank AIIB and initially presents the background of its establishment important for understanding the next part of the thesis dealing with the description of possible ways of misusing the establishment of the bank to meet the goals of Chinese foreign policy from the position of several authors and perspectives. The work deals with the conditions and examination of the motivation under which important members decided to join the bank and its relatively successful launch will be described on the examples of the first projects and cooperation with other banks.
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Ekonomický vplyv Číny v Latinskej Amerike
Čech, Michal
The bachelor's thesis deals with China's current influence in Latin American countries. Closer, however, is the work focused on the area of mining of mineral resources, with which the Chinese presence is often associated. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of mutual trade relations, but also the influence of China's influence in the region. We also deal with direct foreign investments and the export market in our work. The aim of the bachelor thesis is to find out what is the economic importance of China for Latin America, especially what is the role of Chinese trade and Chinese investments for the economy of Latin American countries. As attributes, we set exports and investments in selected Latin American countries, specifically in Chile, Mexico and Peru. The presented work consists of a theoretical and an empirical part. In the theoretical part, we focus on the research of professional literature through which we will process theoretical knowledge about the foreign-political relations of China and Latin America. Based on the available literature, we will theoretically process the economic relations between China and Latin America, which we will apply to the empirical part. The empirical part of the work will consist of case studies of selected Latin American countries, namely Chile, Mexico and Peru. The attributes of the comparison that will be described in the thesis within the mentioned countries are export and foreign investments.
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The Belt Tightens: China's Learning Curve on Employing Soft Power in Sri Lanka
Tizard, Will ; Hrishabh, Sandilya (advisor) ; Romancov, Michael (referee)
The Belt Tightens: China's learning curve on employing soft power Sri Lanka Will Tizard Master's Thesis Department of Geopolitical Studies January 2018 Abstract As China's ascendency in the geopolitical order accelerates, lesser powers are increasingly critical to the growth of its economy, trade relationships and international prestige. Sri Lanka, long a useful entity for the Middle Kingdom, has benefited substantially from Chinese investment and cordial relations. During the hardline Rajapaksa regime and 26-year civil war in Sri Lanka, Chinese largesse allowed the island nation's power structure not just to sustain itself but to consolidate and to stand astride impressive development projects even as it faced sanctions from the West over its human rights record and authoritarian rule. Nine years on from the end of the destabilizing civil war, I examine how the Eastern embrace evolved from soft power into increasingly strategic hard power in Sri Lanka. I also consider the limitations of this success: Although it was clearly more effective than the more traditional hard-power economic sanctions from the West in achieving its goals, the still-evolving skills of China and Sri Lanka in converting resources into effective soft power have resulted in behaviors that are hardly projecting a glowing, attractive...
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