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The role of state governance in GVCs - the example of the globalization of the Czech automotive industry after the 1990s
Tian, Yu ; Svoboda, Karel (advisor) ; Nigrin, Tomáš (referee)
The dynamics of governance is one of the most active topics of debate in the GVC and global production network debate, yet attention on the subject of governance has been largely focused on TNCs, with less attention paid to the state and public governance aspects. In recent studies, the role of the state in GVC governance has received more attention, and following in-depth analyses some scholars have proposed three key governance functions: facilitative, regulatory and distributive. Against this background, this paper will analyze the history of the Czech automotive industry in the development of GVCs after 1990 and the role of the state in the automotive industry's participation in GVCs based on the theory of the three roles of the state in GVC governance: facilitator, regulator and distributor. Keywords National governance; global value chains; global production networks; Czech cars; political economy; privatisation
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Renewable Energy Sector in The Republic of Serbia: Constraints in Renewable Energy Market Development
Drobnjak, Marina ; Svoboda, Karel (advisor) ; Šístek, František (referee)
This thesis analyzes the challenges associated with the countries in socioeconomic and political transition when on the path of integrating into the developed world unions or on the path of fulfilling projected renewable energy targets. As an example country, or as a study case here, The Republic of Serbia has been selected. The thesis addresses the question of how the Renewable Energy Market in Serbia is developing and how are the challenges being addressed. Thesis reveals that main obstacles come from the ownership of the energy and the power gird assets which are still entirely owned and controlled by the State. Due to this fact it is hard to introduce the planned renewable projects, mostly to be developed and owned by foreign entities, and at the same time to be forced to reduce domestic power production out of the thermal power plants. However, by being on the path to the EU, the renewable energy targets and the RES (Renewable Energy Sources) market have to be accomplished and the government has to show full legislative and policy support. It is also realized that there is a significant discrepancy between the "say and do" in the case of The Republic of Serbia, at least so far. The thesis highlights the important driving factors that, despite of the local resistance and sluggishness,...
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The Developments of the Rentier State Model in Saudi Arabia
Tomaštík, Karel ; Gombár, Eduard (advisor) ; Ťupek, Pavel (referee)
Saudi Arabia, along with other Gulf oil monarchies, represents an original politico- economic system. Huge revenues in the form of oil rent, flowing to the Treasury since the oil boom in the early 70's, have fundamentally changed the socio-economic structure, which was in literature termed the rentier state. The origin, development and description of typical characteristics of rentier state are the main topic of this thesis. The first section discusses the theoretical foundations and approaches to the issue. The second chapter provides a historical background in order to position the study in the context of previous political, economic and ideological development. In an analysis of the formation of state structures, the work deals with the relationships between members of the ruling house of Saud, between the government and social elites, with functioning of clientelist structures and interactions within the bureaucratic apparatus. Based on the study of these relationships the thesis marks out particularities of the Saudi politico-economic system that distinguish it from the classical concept of rentier state model. The main distinctive feature is the diminished autonomous ability of state to regulate the functioning of state institutions and to encourage individual agencies to cooperate actively...
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Geopolitics of Oil
Odintsov, Nikita ; Kučerová, Irah (advisor) ; Binhack, Petr (referee)
The aim of the Geopolitics of Oil is to find a theoretical conceptualization of oil trade regime evolution and its changes during the period between the end of the World War II and 2011. This thesis builds on the two major theories of international relations: neorealism and interdependence theory. The theoretical part of the paper analyzes their main contributions and weaknesses. This enables to formulate the new approach to political economy of oil with a special emphasis on geo-economics. This thesis seeks to answer two main research questions: 1) "Under which conditions do oil exporters consolidate their energy sector?" and 1) "What is the reason for engagement of foreign powers in the oil regions?" This thesis examines relations between exporters from the Persian Gulf and the United States. Interdependence theory is tested by a calculation of symmetry or asymmetry in interdependent relationship between importers and exporters, which is done by a comparison of the market shares between the two during the period of changes in the oil trade regimes. Neorealist theory and political economy of oil approach are examined through detailed case studies that inquire how oil importers and exporters have tried to use oil to pursue their own power interests. This thesis concludes that the geopolitics of oil...
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The birth of The Economist
Váňa, Tomáš ; Köpplová, Barbara (advisor) ; Jungová, Eliška (referee)
Bachelor thesis "The birth of The Economist" deals with the birth and evolution of the weekly newspaper The Economist. That is from 1843, when it was founded, to 2007, when John Micklethwait became its editor. The main emphasis is laid on the birth of The Economist. The atmosphere of those times, the social situation in England in the middle of the nineteenth century and the pass and repeal of the Corn Laws is dealt with in order to describe the birth of The Economist more accurately. The situation at the media market is also described. A part of the thesis is dedicated to the economical thinking of Adam Smith, Thomas R. Malthus and David Ricardo. And to the doctrines of laissez-faire and free trade, which were the main motive, or more specifically their pursuit, for the foundation of The Economist. A longer part of the thesis is dedicated to the lives and personalities of the founder of The Economist James Wilson and his son-in-law Walter Bagehot, who was the third editor of The Economist. These two men are the most important figures in the history of The Economist, and have contributed like nobody else to its development. A part of the thesis is describing the first numbers of The Economist and its readers, supporters and opponents. The last part of the thesis is dedicated to a brief description...
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Washington Consensus in Latin America
Volfová, Kateřina ; Kučerová, Irah (advisor) ; Parízek, Michal (referee)
In order to restart economic growth in Latin America after the so-called "lost decade," most countries in the late 1980s began implementing neoliberal reforms aimed at economic transformation. The most important economic rules, which were summarized by John Williamson and named Washington consensus, aimed at providing macroeconomic stability and much needed economic growth. At first, the transition to market economy seemed successful. After years of economic stagnation, the economy began to grow again, inflation was reduced, privatization provided much needed funds to the state treasuries and the attention of foreign investors turned towards the region. However, the initial success did not last long. Economic growth was far smaller, than what was originally expected, and many countries were failing in dealing with unemployment, poverty, and growing income inequality. Growing scepticism was then fuelled by a series of economic crises in the second half of the 1990s. Comparing the impact of neoliberal reforms on the economies of individual countries is problematic because the way in which they were carried out has differed in many countries. Countries have undergone reforms at different time, different speed and with different intensity. The scope of the implemented reforms also differed. In the...
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Inherent instability of financial markets
Hladík, Jan ; Buben, Radek (advisor) ; Znoj, Milan (referee)
The main aim of this presented diploma thesis is to help build a systematic understanding of the political and social foundations of global financial markets, their operations and impacts on the global power affairs. The thesis highlights the dynamic complexity of the post financial crisis state of the World with its itra- and inter-social features. It instrumentaly uses critique of a free market agenda and neo-classical economy which contrasts the Efficient Markets Hypothesis with Hyman Minsky's Financial Instability Hypothesis (FIH), taking into account the dynamic complexity of financial markets. This approach offers analytical tools that can account for crisis through processes endogenous to contemporary financial capitalism. I shall argue that a financially complex system is, according to the FIH, inherently flawed and unstable. After a theoretical and historical review, the thesis discusses various aspects of the process of austerity regime and its social consequences. This provides an opportunity for analyses of the ongoing existence of interstate competition, of militarised foreign policy, and of other international, at times violent conflicts. In an effort to make sense of some of these phenomena, I instrumentaly use the study of geoeconomics that builds on some fundamental assumptions...
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Renewable Energy Sector in The Republic of Serbia: Constraints in Renewable Energy Market Development
Drobnjak, Marina ; Svoboda, Karel (advisor) ; Šístek, František (referee)
This thesis analyzes the challenges associated with the countries in socioeconomic and political transition when on the path of integrating into the developed world unions or on the path of fulfilling projected renewable energy targets. As an example country, or as a study case here, The Republic of Serbia has been selected. The thesis addresses the question of how the Renewable Energy Market in Serbia is developing and how are the challenges being addressed. Thesis reveals that main obstacles come from the ownership of the energy and the power gird assets which are still entirely owned and controlled by the State. Due to this fact it is hard to introduce the planned renewable projects, mostly to be developed and owned by foreign entities, and at the same time to be forced to reduce domestic power production out of the thermal power plants. However, by being on the path to the EU, the renewable energy targets and the RES (Renewable Energy Sources) market have to be accomplished and the government has to show full legislative and policy support. It is also realized that there is a significant discrepancy between the "say and do" in the case of The Republic of Serbia, at least so far. The thesis highlights the important driving factors that, despite of the local resistance and sluggishness,...
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Geopolitics of Oil
Odintsov, Nikita ; Kučerová, Irah (advisor) ; Binhack, Petr (referee)
The aim of the Geopolitics of Oil is to find a theoretical conceptualization of oil trade regime evolution and its changes during the period between the end of the World War II and 2011. This thesis builds on the two major theories of international relations: neorealism and interdependence theory. The theoretical part of the paper analyzes their main contributions and weaknesses. This enables to formulate the new approach to political economy of oil with a special emphasis on geo-economics. This thesis seeks to answer two main research questions: 1) "Under which conditions do oil exporters consolidate their energy sector?" and 1) "What is the reason for engagement of foreign powers in the oil regions?" This thesis examines relations between exporters from the Persian Gulf and the United States. Interdependence theory is tested by a calculation of symmetry or asymmetry in interdependent relationship between importers and exporters, which is done by a comparison of the market shares between the two during the period of changes in the oil trade regimes. Neorealist theory and political economy of oil approach are examined through detailed case studies that inquire how oil importers and exporters have tried to use oil to pursue their own power interests. This thesis concludes that the geopolitics of oil...
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