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How a Realist-Constructivist Theory Can Contribute to Understanding the 2014 Ukraine Crisis
Rigby, Sophia ; Šír, Jan (advisor) ; Wilson, Andrew (referee) ; Svoboda, Karel (referee)
How a Realist-Constructivist Theory Can Contribute to Understanding the 2014 Ukraine Crisis Abstract Realism has been the predominant paradigm for analysing Russian foreign policy in recent times, however, it can sometimes appear lacking in convincing power. Constructivism offers some explanation for the motivation behind policy, however, again appears lacking in convincing power alone. Realist-constructivsm has been suggested to bridge the gap, as it were, between traditional notions of power, and cultural influences. The main argument for realist-constructivism is that some of the basic principles of realism must have a constructivist base, for example, in order to define the 'us' and 'them' in international politics and to determine with whom one is competing for power and influence, there first must be an understanding of how one defines the 'us'. This analysis examines the realistconstructivist theory as put forward by Barkin (2004; 2010), analyses its advantages and disadvantages, and seeks to view the Ukraine crisis of 2014 through a realist-constructivist lens, hoping to contribute something to the still young and developing discussion around a realist- constructivist theory. Keywords Realist-constructivist theory; NATO; national identity; Ukraine; Crimea; the EU; 2014; annexation
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A Neoclassical Realist Analysis of the Russian Annexation of Crimea in 2014
Synczyszyn, Zenko ; Morgado Albino, Nuno (advisor) ; Romancov, Michael (referee)
Neoclassical realism has the ability to advance our understanding of foreign policy responses through the recently designed neoclassical realist model. However as international relations have proven, a theory is not a concrete motionless design. Improvements can be made and the fluidity of theory allows social sciences to adapt and advance. This thesis introduces developments to neoclassical realism by stating that the individual factors and intervening variables hold varying degrees of importance that alter between each foreign policy decision. There is no overarching set of instructions for 'foreign policy', rather an adaptable model that takes into consideration the geopolitical arena, the state and the statesman. The case study chosen for this thesis is the Russian foreign policy response to annex Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Analysis and comparisons of the variables resulted in three factors standing out as most significant. The most important influence within the systemic stimuli was the nature of the strategic environment and the window of opportunity that arose in Crimea due to Ukrainian political and military instability. The intervening variable leader images proved to be the decisive factor, as the consolidation of power by Vladimir Putin allowed the annexation to be completed...
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Novorossiya: comparison of its perception in Czech and Russian environment from 2013 through 2016
Švarc, David ; Köpplová, Barbara (advisor) ; Miessler, Jan (referee)
This Bachelor thesis concerns itself with the internationally unrecognized confederation known as Novorossiya. This political entity emerged between 2014 and 2015 during the Ukrainian crisis. The ultimate goal of this work is to map out how the emergence of said state was reflected by four Czech and four Russian media platforms. The research itself is preceded by a chapter dedicated to the historical context of the geographical region. The content of this chapter includes important geopolitical and historical events that preceded the rise of the confederation which ventures back to the rule of Catherine II. up to the eventual Ukrainian Crisis. The parameters of the media inquiries made regarding the crisis are closely examined and include a year of research around said crisis in both directions (2013 & 2016). This is done in the hope to provide a wide enough scope of time and information to be able to clearly state if and when the idea of Novorossiya was present in any form and in what measures was it present. The research done is both quantitative and qualitative terms in order to have sufficient data to reach a conclusion.
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The Soviet annexation of the Baltic states in 1940 and the Western reaction
Prokopová, Zuzana ; Švec, Luboš (advisor) ; Smetana, Vít (referee)
This bachelor thesis deals with the international reaction to the occupation and following incorporation of the Baltic States into the Soviet Union in 1940. The main aim of this thesis is to answer question "What was the attitude of two western powers, the USA and the United Kingdom, regarding the annexation?". This thesis focuses on foreign policies of the USA and the UK towards the Soviet Union during the Second World War, both western countries decided to refuse the legitimacy of the annexation. This thesis also explains under which circumstances the governments and leaders of both states had to make decisions. In the analysis of the US foreign policy this thesis also deals with the Stimson Doctrine from the year 1932, which was important for the formulation of the US policy of non-recognition of forcible seizure of territory. The Doctrine was used in the case of the Baltic States, as well. Thesis further focuses on the formation of the Grand Alliance, also known as Big Three, and conferences of three allied leaders. The Baltic question had been an issue during the negotiations but at the Tehran Conference western leaders agreed to accept Soviet annexation de facto. However, de iure recognition has never been granted. This thesis also explains the events in the Baltics from August 1939 until the...
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The Role of the United States of America in the Overthrow of Regime in Hawaii in 1893
Vondřich, Marek ; Anděl, Petr (advisor) ; Raková, Svatava (referee)
This bachelor thesis deals with role of the United States of America and their citizens during overthrow of the Hawaiian government in 1893. Hawaiian Islands represented strategic location for the United States for further expansion into the Pacific region. Americans, living in Hawaii, were interested in close cooperation with the United States to empower their own positions. Efforts of American expansionists and Hawaiian Americans resulted in two reciprocal treaties, approved in 1876 and 1887, which provided duty-free import of Hawaiian sugar in the United States in exchange for partial loss of sovereignty. Hawaiian economy reoriented to sugar trade and was vulnerable against any changes in American import policy. As a result of McKinley tariff bill's approval in 1890 Hawaiian Americans lost their advantages in sugar imports into the United States. Their last resort to save their property and sugar business was to annex the Hawaiian Islands to the United States. The thesis aims to evaluate the role of American groups in Hawaii which participated in the overthrow, as well as the United States' governments and their attitude towards the overthrow and the annexation afterwards which differed based on party affiliation.
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The Problem of Acquisition of State Territory
Antoš, Jakub ; Romancov, Michael (advisor) ; Riegl, Martin (referee)
This Bachelor thesis "The problem of acquisition of state territory" is concerned with the modes of acquisition of state territory at present and in the past. The first part of the thesis introduces the definition criteria, as is explained by the modern public international law, and makes reference to international treaties, which codified these criteria. The second part clarifies the three-dimensional scope of state territory (terrestrial space, air-space and sub- terrestrial space), as well as it outlines the classification of state territory according to their size and shape. The main part of the thesis is devoted to individual modes of territory acquisition - original (effective occupation, accession, accretion) as well as derivative (cession, prescription, adjudication, annexation). The thesis presents specific examples of every above mentioned mode. In the case of accession, it is shown on the volcanic island Sabrina in the Atlantic Ocean, dating back to 1811; accretion is described by the example of Macao in far-east Asia; cession is demonstrated by the case of Alaska, purchased by the United States from Russia in 1867. Prescription and adjudication are shown via the case of Las Palmas Island next to the Philippines archipelago. Finally, the thesis briefly mentions annexation, which is...
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