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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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No (geo)politics, just altruism: an analysis of the discourses by Serbia's political elite on the successful procurement of COVID-19 vaccines
Harmens, Hans Zdravko ; Žíla, Ondřej (advisor) ; Styczyńska, Natasza (referee)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Serbian government procured COVID-19 vaccines before some of the more prosperous EU Member States could. From the Serbian government's perspective, this success was attributed to its "pragmatic" and "rational" policies. In essence, it leveraged competing geopolitical interests that the Serbian government has benefitted from. Nonetheless, it is through these geopolitical games that Serbia and its political elite have created a narrative that portrays Serbia as a bridge between the West and East. In light of this, this research seeks to understand to what extent these geopolitical discourses were incorporated into the discourses of Serbia's political elite and their transmission in the publications of Danas and Politika.
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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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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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Economic prospects of Kyrgyzstan from a geopolitical perspective
Loboda, Aleksandra ; Romancov, Michael (advisor) ; Aslan, Emil (referee)
This thesis will analyze the economic and political prospects of Kyrgyzstan based on the geopolitics of the country. This thesis will provide data on Kyrgyzstan's political, economic, and diplomatic relations over the past thirty years with the following countries: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, China, Russia, and the United States. Imports and exports between the countries will also be provided and analyzed in the second half of the paper. Using the method of comparing qualitative and quantitative data, conclusions will be drawn as to which direction Kyrgyzstan should take as a small developing country. It is not about minute-by-minute actions, but rather long-term actions that will have a tremendous weight on the economic development of the country in the future. The paper essentially comes to the conclusion that the best development for Kyrgyzstan will be if the country manages to reduce its dependence on Russia and explore other trade routes and other trade partners.
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