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Postmodern Philosophy and its Influence in Russia
Karela, Jan ; Krámský, David (advisor) ; Hogenová, Anna (referee) ; Blažková, Miloslava (referee)
The first part of this thesis describes the development of philosophy in Russia up to the so- called diamat, that is, to the period of Lenin's philosophy of dialectical materialism. In the second part it is described postmodern issues in contemporary Western thought, including the contexts in historical development. The last part deals first with the general features of Russian postmodern thought. Next part of the last chapter deals in more detail with the thought of M. N. Epstein and his view of the development and state of postmodern thought in Russia. Russian thought was marked by a long isolation from Western thought. In an effort to quickly catch up with the West, features of messianism are emerging. Russia is convinced that the West will quickly catch up and has the potential to overtake the West and become the thought leader of Europe. Said leads to the acceptance of the idea of communism and the subsequent further isolation of Russia. Nevertheless, in 1991 is rapidly coming to terms with postmodern thinking. M. N. Epstein concludes from this that there are identical features in communist ideology with postmodern thought, and therefore it was postmodernism in Russia much earlier than in Europe. KEYWORDS Ideology, information explosion, communism, postmodern thought, freedom, Russia, the West.
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Causes of the Ukraine crisis
Bartáková, Aneta ; Kazharski, Aliaksei (advisor) ; Laryš, Martin (referee)
A liberal understanding of international politics is currently dominant. However, it is important to note that there are still states that have not adopted this understanding, yet, which brings complications here. The current clash of these two understandings, i.e. liberalism and realism, thus constantly forms the security environment. Probably the most obvious case of the present seems to be the case of Ukraine and the related Ukraine crisis. The aim of this diploma thesis is to give a picture of the causes of the Ukraine crisis in a broader context than is generally interpreted across individual media, using an offensive-realistic framework. The motives of the individual actors of the conflict, especially Russia, will be examined in an attempt to present those motives as not primarily offensive but to some extent as defensive. Several research questions will serve me to fulfil the above-mentioned goal - How can the main causes of the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine be explained from the perspective of offensive realism? According to offensive realism, what actor is responsible for the outbreak of conflict? In terms of offensive realism, how can the motives of the key actors (i.e. Russia, the West) be explained?
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Western Music in the Post-1968 Czechoslovakia
Havlík, Adam ; Pullmann, Michal (advisor) ; Rákosník, Jakub (referee)
This paper addresses the peculiar topic of western music in post 1968 Czechoslovakia with emphasis on the official music scene. It shows how western music was actually treated in Czechoslovakian society and how the image of western music was shaped within the public discourse , including many significant ambiguities. It also follows various ways (legal and also illegal) in which ordinary people used to obtain foreign music records in the era of late socialism. An analysis of actual impact of western music on Czechoslovak popular music and the role of institutions within that is also present. This paper could thus be considered as a modest contribution to the social and cultural history of socialist dictatorships.
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Securitization of an imaginary threat as an authoritarian legitimation instrument: The cases of Belarus and Uzbekistan
Akromov, Otabek ; Ó Beacháin, Donnacha (advisor) ; Kučera, Tomáš (referee)
Securitization of an Imaginary Threat as an Authoritarian Legitimation Instrument: The Cases of Belarus and Uzbekistan. July 2021 GUID: 2458329A DCU ID: 19108281 CU ID: 22199053 Presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the
Degree of International Master in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies Word Count: 22 451 Supervisor: Donnacha Ó Beacháin Date of Submission: 31.07.2021 Abstract This research explores how the securitization of imaginary and exaggerated threats is used as a legitimation instrument in hegemonic authoritarian regimes. Approaching the task through the cases studies, this thesis will situate the securitization practice within the performance mechanism of authoritarian legitimation and apply it in two hegemonic autocratic regimes - Uzbekistan of Islam Karimov and Belarus of Alexander Lukashenko. This dissertation picks qualitative research design. Methodologically, discourse and content analysis will be used to test the theory that will be developed in this project. The arguments presented in the thesis draw upon the primary sources such as speeches, official statements, and memoirs. The dissertation will also refer to the secondary sources in order to synthesise arguments provided by the existing literature related to the issue in question. This research project...
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Causes of the Ukraine crisis
Bartáková, Aneta ; Kazharski, Aliaksei (advisor) ; Laryš, Martin (referee)
A liberal understanding of international politics is currently dominant. However, it is important to note that there are still states that have not adopted this understanding, yet, which brings complications here. The current clash of these two understandings, i.e. liberalism and realism, thus constantly forms the security environment. Probably the most obvious case of the present seems to be the case of Ukraine and the related Ukraine crisis. The aim of this diploma thesis is to give a picture of the causes of the Ukraine crisis in a broader context than is generally interpreted across individual media, using an offensive-realistic framework. The motives of the individual actors of the conflict, especially Russia, will be examined in an attempt to present those motives as not primarily offensive but to some extent as defensive. Several research questions will serve me to fulfil the above-mentioned goal - How can the main causes of the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine be explained from the perspective of offensive realism? According to offensive realism, what actor is responsible for the outbreak of conflict? In terms of offensive realism, how can the motives of the key actors (i.e. Russia, the West) be explained?
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"The 'new right' The English Defence League and PEGIDA"
Radloff, Paul Christian ; Charvát, Jan (advisor) ; Ludvík, Jan (referee)
This thesis is aimed at analysing key similarities and differences of the Englsih Defence League and the German-born social movement PEGIDA. Whereas both movements have a common goal, to stop the perceived Islamisation of their respective countries, and Europe as a whole, the means and methods vary greatly. Moreover, it is argued that the followership of said organisations differ in age, social background and motivation. Both organisations are able to exert a certain amount of influence on their supporters, the rest of the society, as well as policy- makers and the political elite. Both organisations have influenced the societal and political climate of their respective countries of origin and also in the countries in the European neighbourhood with links to individuals and organisations in North America.
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The "Ice" Phase of the Cold War on the Spines of Dikobraz: the Hardest Period of the Cold War (1947-1956) in satirical reflection of the West in the Weekly Dikobraz
Zeman, Kryštof ; Rychlík, Jan (advisor) ; Stehlík, Michal (referee)
The essay is focused on the way the West was being reflected during the most dangerous phase of the Cold War on the pages of the Czechoslovak satirical and humoristic weekly Dikobraz (in English The Porcupine). The observed period 1947 - 1956 is deliniated by two key events in the history of the Cold War, namely the Truman's doctrine in its beginning and the breakthrough 20th congress of the Soviet Union's communist party, which led to a certain relief of the harshest Stalinist course in the Eastern block. The essay seeks to capture main tendencies in creating the content of Dikobraz, who and what were most frequently attacked and why. Together with that the essay touches on changes in the editorial staff and an impact of the changes on its content. The task was, apart from other things, to show Dikobraz as an important instrument of anti-western propaganda in the service of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
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Western Music in the Post-1968 Czechoslovakia
Havlík, Adam ; Pullmann, Michal (advisor) ; Rákosník, Jakub (referee)
This paper addresses the peculiar topic of western music in post 1968 Czechoslovakia with emphasis on the official music scene. It shows how western music was actually treated in Czechoslovakian society and how the image of western music was shaped within the public discourse , including many significant ambiguities. It also follows various ways (legal and also illegal) in which ordinary people used to obtain foreign music records in the era of late socialism. An analysis of actual impact of western music on Czechoslovak popular music and the role of institutions within that is also present. This paper could thus be considered as a modest contribution to the social and cultural history of socialist dictatorships.
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The Western Response to the Russo-Georgian War of 2008: A Case of Securitization?
Michálková, Kateřina ; Aslan, Emil (advisor) ; Weiss, Tomáš (referee)
The Russo-Georgian war, which took place in August 2008, with separatist ambitions of Georgian region of South Ossetia being the casus belli, was not merely understood as a clash between these two countries, but it was also seen in broader terms as a Russia-West dispute or a "new Cold War". This symbolic dimension of the conflict was based mainly on the Russian rhetoric prior to the war, which reacted sharply to the promise of future NATO membership for Georgia. Another reason was the nature of the Russian intervention with its inadequacy raising question whether the aim was solely to consolidate the situation in South Ossetia or if the real intention was to overthrow the Georgian government and reverse the Western foreign policy orientation of Georgia. During the August 2008 and in the following months in the West the relations with Russia became a major political issue. On the one hand the West strongly criticised Russia and condemned its actions on the other hand Western response lacked significant pressure that would persuade Russia to change its practices. The aim of this thesis is to explain the discrepancy between rhetoric and actions of the West, or by other words to answer the question why the West did not intervene against Russia, while at the same calling its steps "unacceptable"....
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"The 'new right' The English Defence League and PEGIDA"
Radloff, Paul Christian ; Charvát, Jan (advisor) ; Ludvík, Jan (referee)
This thesis is aimed at analysing key similarities and differences of the Englsih Defence League and the German-born social movement PEGIDA. Whereas both movements have a common goal, to stop the perceived Islamisation of their respective countries, and Europe as a whole, the means and methods vary greatly. Moreover, it is argued that the followership of said organisations differ in age, social background and motivation. Both organisations are able to exert a certain amount of influence on their supporters, the rest of the society, as well as policy- makers and the political elite. Both organisations have influenced the societal and political climate of their respective countries of origin and also in the countries in the European neighbourhood with links to individuals and organisations in North America.
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