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The perpetuation of Frozen Conflicts by De Facto States to gain International Recognition: Case Studies of Transnistria and Somaliland.
Rochambeau, Mathieu ; Riegl, Martin (advisor) ; Ludvík, Jan (referee)
This thesis has for major aim to present the de facto state through another approach, by placing their intrinsic frozen conflict situation as a rational choice rather than a symptom of the lack of recognition. To do so, the case studies of Transnistria and Somaliland have been chosen since, the de facto state's academic field had, so far, focus more on the Caucasus' cases - therefore lack of similar comparisons. It appears indeed that, both these cases possess numerous similarities - such as not basing their identity on ethnicity or religion. Thus, through an empirical research, it has been possible to approach the establishment of these two de facto states and the reason behind the lack of international recognition; but also the role and influence of the frozen conflict within their internal evolution as well as their role in its perpetuation; and finally, the place of their parent state and the international community in the continuation of the status quo. It seems thus that, if it remains unlikely to find out if Somaliland and Transnistria do use the frozen conflict as a political tool to reach their political goals - namely international recognition but also identity building -, it appears that all actors involved in these conflicts do benefit from the perpetuation of such status quo.
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The impact of geopolitics and the Syrian conflict and status of the Syrian Kurdistan
Kolář, Josef ; Riegl, Martin (advisor) ; Romancov, Michael (referee)
This bachelor thesis is focused on the matter of Syrian Kurdistan. Starting with brief history of the entire Kurdish ethnic group and the development of Kurdish status in Syria in the 20th century, along with Kurdish political parties, it explores the progress of Syrian Kurdistan's since the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War in 2011. It emphasizes the involvement of Syrian Kurds and their supporters in the war, the purpose is to analyse the Kurdish position in the clash and to describe the relationship of the superpowers to the question of Syrian Kurdistan after the end of the conflict. The thesis primarily aims at linking the development of Rojava's autonomy with Kurdish participation in the war and transformation the strength of their position at the regional and international level during and after the war.
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Geopolitics of non-sovereign entities
Dařílek, Petr ; Riegl, Martin (advisor) ; Kofroň, Jan (referee)
This bachelor thesis deals with the topic of non-self-governing territories in a geopolitical aspect. Non-self-governing territories are such which can be found on a specific list created and administered by the United Nations and are considered to be the last remaining official colonies. The list consists of 17 different territories which vary in geographical location, population, size, climate, administrator country, but also political system or administration. Among the best known of these territories are Gibraltar, Western Sahara or the Falkland Islands, but most of the non-self-governing territories are islands in the Caribbean or in the Pacific. A long-term vision of the United Nations is to decolonize all of these territories. This study sets as its goal to explain and also analyze the geopolitical importance of each territory, and its position to the decolonization efforts of the United Nations.
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The Challenges and Prospects of Democratization in the Muslim World: The case of Pakistan
Bari, Mazhar Hassan ; Salamon, Janusz (advisor) ; Riegl, Martin (referee)
CHARLES UNIVERSITY IN PRAGUE FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Bibliographical Registration Form Master thesis in the programme I E P S 1. Given name and SURNAME of the author: Mazhar Hassan Bari 2. Title of the Thesis: The Challenges and Prospects of Democratisation in the Muslim world: The case of Pakistan 3. Subordinate title: 4. Year of defence: 2019 5. Number of pages: 64 6. Summary of the Thesis (extended abstract): Debate on the compatibility of Islam with democracy has gained momentum between academic circles in the recent years often in the context of a "clash" between Western and Islamic civilization. The main objective of this thesis is to contribute to this debate by trying to identify main challenges and prospects of democratization in the Muslim world. The theoretical framework of this thesis will be based on modernist and reformist theories of Islamic political thought. The concepts of Ijtihad (independent reasoning) and Ijma (consensus or agreement) will be applied in order to answer key questions research "Are the key principles of Islam compatible with core values of democracy?" or "Is Islam inherently authoritarian?". The theoretical outcomes will be applied on the case study of Pakistan, country that has just achieved another significant democratic transition of power through general elections....
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Arguing against the Universality of Liberal Democracy: The Case of Singapore
Devillers, Ploy-Païline ; Salamon, Janusz (advisor) ; Riegl, Martin (referee)
Presenting an authoritative one-party rule since fifty years, the case of Singapore does not concord with the various theories of democratization. After proving that Singapore is not a Liberal-Democracy, we argue that the country manages to create a model of stability both in terms of politics and economy, that act as trade- offs to liberal characteristics. The approach uses a qualitative analysis of the electoral framework, a cultural comprehension of contemporary elements and data on its economic success. Ultimately, this thesis aims at studying the idea that Liberal-Democracy is not a model that necessarily needs to be implemented for the functioning of all nations.
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Conceptualizing Location - One term, many meanings, a lot of problems
Kopanja, Mihajlo ; Morgado Albino, Nuno (advisor) ; Riegl, Martin (referee)
Mihajlo Kopanja Conceptualizing Location - One Term, Many Meanings, a Lot of Problems Master thesis Supervisor: Nuno Morgado, M. Pol. Sc., Ph.D. Abstract Location as a geopolitical concept is one of the most fundamental variables being used in research since the beginning of geopolitics itself. Yet, usages of the concept in geopolitical literature point to different conceptualizations of location which, in turn, provide different explanations of causal properties this concept has on the state's behavior. This logical inconsistency imbedded in the concept of location sets up a fundamental question: what location, as a concept, is and how does it produce causal effect onto a state? Following that another question arises: can this inconsistency be resolved through reconceptualization? By identifying the set of different attributes assigned to the concept of location in existing literature determination of inconsistency has been made and used as a basis for reconceptualization of location. Through the introduction of a model with four secondary concepts using the radial approach to concept formation an attempt has been made to resolve internal inconsistencies of location as a concept and as a variable while increasing its explanatory power in understanding and analyzing its effects on states as shown in the...
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Third parties' role in the frozen conflicts of the South Caucasus. The Cases of Nagorno-Karabakh, South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Ganjaliyeva, Farahkhanim ; Střítecký, Vít (advisor) ; Riegl, Martin (referee)
The thesis aims to discuss effectiveness of the international conflict resolution in the region of the South Caucasus, analyzing the challenges to international efforts to solve the three conflict cases: the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is among the frozen disputes in the region, the others Abkhazia and the South Ossetia are nominally independent states, however de facto occupied by Russia. It is the fact that three regional players Russia, Turkey and Iran and global players Russia, US, EU have different type of impacts to conflict settlements in the region which directly relate to their political and economic interests. Therefore, after two decades of mediation by powerful states provided no final resolution with numerous attempts at mediation, wherein the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has taken the lead. The complicated and interdepended relations of states make this region highly sensitive area for war and peace in the world theatrical chessboard. Author also analyzes the effectiveness of conflict management between the parties by focusing on conflicts in the South Caucasus region mentioning their historical, political, security and ethnic dimensions, where international organizations, namely OSCE, UN, EU involve.
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New Middle Ages - Geopolitics of Post-Westphalian World
Doboš, Bohumil ; Riegl, Martin (advisor) ; Hnízdo, Bořivoj (referee) ; Romancov, Michael (referee)
The thesis applies the neomedieval theoretical framework on the contemporary political map of the world. The thesis argues, that the contemporary international politics cannot be understood by an application of the unified geopolitical setting and that the key divergencies in the geopolitical environment play a crucial role for the actors operating in different regions. As an outcome of the theoretical works dealing with the selected theory, a three-world model is being presented dividing the political map among these settings - Durable Disorder (defined by networking and privatization), Westphalian System (defined by a dominant position of strong centralized state), and Chaotic Anarchy (lacking stable political power and control over means of violence). This model is consequently applied on the global political map with the consequent analysis of the strategies of different actors located inside specific environments and mutual interactions of these three worlds.
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The impact of the involvement of hired military units on the course, outcome and consequences of conflicts in Afrika
Šebek, David ; Riegl, Martin (advisor) ; Bureš, Oldřich (referee)
This research is focused on detecting the impact of rental units on internal conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa. The thesis is based on the discussed issue of the legitimate possibility of engaging such units in a conflict. As part of the academic discussion, there are many arguments for both for and against the usage of such units. The aim of the thesis is investigating if there are any and possibly what are the impacts of rental units are on the course, outcome and consequences of the conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa. During the work, firstly, there is division of rent units into private military companies and mercenaries of the classical style and their delimitation is based primarily on the point of view of international law. Here is the lack of internationally legal anchoring and regulation of private military companies. It is also necessary to distinguish between mercenary from other foreign participants in the conflict, defined as volunteers for this work. Due to the inadequacy of post-war recovery theory, it was necessary to develop parameters describing post-war development, a set of macroeconomic indicators aimed at developing both the economy and the quality of life of citizens. The development of these indicators is examined within ten years after the end of the wars. Part of the thesis is...
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China's Geopolitical Aspirations and Serbia's Role in the One Belt, One Road Initiative Analyzed Through the Context of the Heartland Theory by Halford John Mackinder
Kuljanin, Vedran ; Riegl, Martin (advisor) ; Doboš, Bohumil (referee)
The aim of this thesis is to provide an in-depth analysis on the projected nature of China's One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative through Chinese engagement in Eastern Europe, with a particular focus on Serbia. The current geopolitical situation provides a unique opportunity for the use of the Heartland Theory, first presented by Halford John Mackinder in 1904, which outlines and justifies state expansion across Eurasia. The main objectives of this thesis are to discuss possible outcomes for Serbia following increased Chinese investment and to provide a recommendation for a European response. Being an adjacent nation of the Heartland, a potential future member of the European Union, and currently balanced between Europe's and China's pull, Serbia has became a unique and important state to consider when assessing China's intentions in Europe. China's continued economic and political rise in recent years has allowed them to become influential in nations previously untethered to China, and has ominously begun to follow the footsteps that Mackinder had predicted a century prior. Although the theory suggests a nation's intent to rule the world, which one could argue China is pursuing, the aim of this thesis is in fact to uncover and illustrate the effects that China's potential advance to world...
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