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Geopolitics of Border Hardening: Protecting Statehood through Re-territorialisation
Mičko, Branislav ; Romancov, Michael (advisor) ; Doboš, Bohumil (referee) ; Lepič, Martin (referee)
The presented dissertation seeks to answer why states construct barriers on their borders. In order to provide an answer, a new theoretical approach is proposed based on re-reading the works of Carl Schmitt. The offered theory builds upon existing scholarship and is centred around the concept of nomos, defined as a political order consisting of a performative way of life and land division that is underlying the political existence of states. The basic argument advanced here is that border barriers are constructed against hard-to-identify strangers to this order. Seven case studies are offered where the process of barrier construction is tracked back- to-back with various developments pertaining to the identified nomos. The results confirm the existence of hard-to-identify strangers challenging the respective nomos in different ways and their role in the process leading to the barrier construction. For the study of border barriers, this implies the importance of the issue of strangeness and identification in predicting barrier construction. The work also demonstrates nomos' potential usefulness as an analytic prism for geopolitical research.
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Russian threat through the prism of British competitive liberalism
Samborskyi, Artem ; Riegl, Martin (advisor) ; Hynek, Nikola (referee)
1 CHARLES UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Institute of Political Studies Department of Security Studies Master's Thesis 2023 Artem Samborskyi 2 CHARLES UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Institute of Political Studies Department of Security Studies Russian threat through the prism of British competitive liberalism Master's thesis Author: Artem Samborskyi Study programme: International Security Studies Supervisor: doc. Martin Riegl, Ph.D. Year of the defence: 2023 3 Abstract The thesis is aimed at addressing the existing lack of academic understanding of the United Kingdom's foreign policy towards the Russian Federation, which stems from insufficient conceptualization of the current posture of Britain on the international stage and lack of in- depth research of the reasons behind the apparent animosity between London and Moscow. Specifically, the work answers the question of why the Russian Federation is designated the most acute direct threat to the United Kingdom and its "most urgent" foreign policy priority. The thesis is comprised of three major parts, each dedicated to a specific source of explanations of the mentioned research problem. Namely, the first two chapters constitute a document analysis of governmental, publicly available British thinking on the matter and academic literature...
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Developing SpaceX's Grand Strategy Amidst A New Cold War
Tigmo, Christopher ; Doboš, Bohumil (advisor) ; Landovský, Jakub (referee)
The Current Cold War poses a significant threat to SpaceX's terrestrial and extraterrestrial operations. This thesis aims to develop a SpaceX grand strategy with geopolitics and geoeconomics as the primary motives. The goal is analyze how this corporate grand strategy can be aligned with U.S. foreign policy ambitions, so that there is a symbiotic relationship and stable growth for both of them. By utilizing strategic coordinated investments the US can help SpaceX diversify and improve its economic/logistical resilience to foreign power influence, while simultaneously accomplishing US foreign policy ambitions.
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NORTHERN EUROPE AND THE LOOMING RUSSIA: IS EUROPE (NOT) ENOUGH? Different approaches to a European integrated defence: the cases of Norway and Finland.
Bertoldini, Raul ; Kofroň, Jan (advisor) ; Riegl, Martin (referee)
RAUL BERTOLDINI MASTER'S THESIS ABSTRACT 08/2023 NORTHERN EUROPE AND THE LOOMING RUSSIA: IS EUROPE (NOT) ENOUGH? Different approaches to a European integrated defence: the cases of Norway and Finland This master's thesis investigates Finland and Norway's geopolitical landscape and security strategies amid Europe's evolving security environment. The research scrutinises how these Nordic nations have managed their relations with the European Union (EU), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and Russia, set against the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and escalating tensions in the Arctic region. An in-depth analysis of historical contexts, paths to EU membership, and debates on NATO affiliation underscore the intricate balance these countries maintain in preserving their unique national identities and sovereignty while engaging with regional structures and alliances for security. The study illustrates how the Ukraine conflict prompted strategic realignments, with both Finland and Norway opting for closer ties with the EU and NATO to protect their sovereignty, yet they perceive the security guarantees offered by these two organisations differently. Ultimately, the thesis offers valuable insights into the adaptive and proactive strategies these countries employ in response to current...
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The water resources of the Nile basin in the context of conflicts and peaceful cooperation
Hošková, Lucie ; Jelen, Libor (advisor) ; Frajer, Václav (referee)
This thesis deals with the issue of water resources in the Nile basin in the context of conflict and peaceful cooperation. The main aim of the work is to assess the hydropolitical potential, whether conflictory or rather cooperative is relevant. Following this goal, subsequently identify the main geopolitical actors in the Nile basin and see if the two tributaries of the Nile, blue and White Nile, differ in terms of hydropolitical potential. The theoretical framework of the work is defined by international-political concepts of neo-realism, i.e. whether disputes are primarily between states in the form of the demarcation of interests and power, or neoliberalism, which presupposes mutual cooperation in the framework of the management of resources. Furthermore, the thesis deals with the definition of the geographical-historical context with a focus on the East African region and the Nile basin following its character and history. A systematic review was chosen as the method of processing this work.
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The GIUK's gap Geopolitical Importance
Prášil, Matěj ; Riegl, Martin (advisor)
The following thesis is focusing on the geopolitical as well as geostrategic significance of the GIUK Gap. In addition to an overview of the realist theories of international relations used in the analysis as such, the thesis includes a section devoted to the historical development of the geopolitical and geostrategic significance of the GIUK Gap, but above all an analysis of the current geopolitical and geostrategic significance of the once mentioned specific North Atlantic region. The analysis of the current geopolitical situation is written with an emphasis on the increasing importance of the area for NATO and the Russian Federation, whose interests have increasingly clashed in recent years, not only in this region. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate a causal relationship between the generally deteriorating relations between NATO and the Russian Federation following the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the growing importance of the GIUK Gap.
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Linking China's hegemonic intentions through its institutions in Southeast Asia
Ambekar, Sankalp ; Karásek, Tomáš (advisor) ; Bejkovský, Jan (referee)
Asia's Machtpolitik Linking China's hegemonic intentions through its institutions in Southeast Asia Sankalp Ambekar Abstract Since pre-colonial times, the major powers in the region contesting and vying to influence Southeast Asia and South China Seas. However, in modern times things did not change much, though China came out as a revisionist and status quo power. And Chinese-led multilateral institutions are the new provider in this business. It rapidly became a first choice and alternative option to West-led institutions with long-term expertise in DFI. Moreover, certain ASEAN states are divided politically and economically, not having a unified stance on how they should approach China's behaviour. Although China's encroachment over the South China Sea and issue with Taiwan became severe concerns over the region's stability. Hence, China is an element of passive-aggressive and hegemonic intentions in its behaviour. But it is difficult to predict how it will shape the future of the region and Asia, as the region's dynamics change rapidly. Thus, a link with grave ambtions connects to China's behaviour. Keywords: China; free trade agreement (FTA); hegemony; multilateralism; maritime trade; regional powers; Southeast Asia; South China Sea; trade blocs
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