Euroopa Liidu – Venemaa uuringute õppekava magistritööd – Master´s theses

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Deconstructing contemporary Russian national Identity: analysing discursive reactions to crisis situations
(Tartu Ülikool, 2016) Kuzmiankova, Aliautsina; Morozov, Viatcheslav, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
The following thesis addresses Russian identity in times of crises and the differences between the official pro-government discourse and the discourse in the public sphere. In order to trace contemporary Russian national identity, I use discourse analysis of three cases of crises: the war in Syria, the conflict in Ukraine and the refugee crisis in Europe. As conflict situations, crises and wars involve opposition between two or more sides. Therefore, drawing on Hopf’s idea that identities are relational, identities become more explicit in crises situations as they are shown in relation and opposition to each other. The other aim of this research is to find differences between the official discourse and the discourse in the public sphere. This is done through discourse analysis of the pro-government popular media outlets (for the official discourse) and pro-government bloggers (for the discourse in the public sphere). I argue that discourse differs in those too. Drawing on Foucauldian ‘truth regime’ and concepts of body and power, I contribute another topic for the analysis - body control through homophobic sentiments. Based on the notion that the state needs to take control over the human body, fertility and demography (which is particularly important during the time of crisis), I argue that biopolitics is a leitmotif for the other aforementioned topics and has to be taken into account. I also argue that strong support for the promotion of traditional values is used as a tool to strengthen identity building.
Lustration in Post-Soviet Ukraine: a study on unsuccessful transitional justice
(Tartu Ülikool, 2016) Saltan, Galyna; Pettai, Eva-Clarita, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
Shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a number of countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) implemented lustration procedures. Ukraine was not among these countries, as it took until 2014 to pass any laws regarding lustration, or any other aspects of how the state would deal with or sanction former KGB agents or informers. Building on existing theoretical models for explaining lustration policies in CEE, this work develops an analytical framework that clearly identifies two sets of factors, namely structural and elite-actor-based factors, and their relative value for explaining the absence or failure of lustration legislation in Ukraine at two critical moments in time: right after the dissolution of the Soviet Union (1991-1993) and after the Orange Revolution (2004-2006). The study thus engages in an intro-case comparison and uses the method of process-tracing to track and explain the development of actor decisions and elites behaviour in the broad context of political events. The main data for the study was collected from documents of the Ukrainian parliament and its media archives. The study concludes that the failure of the Ukrainian political elite to adopt lustration measures akin to other CEE states during the first window of opportunity (the immediate transition period around 1991) can be best explained by structural factors. While some of these still apply later, the post-2004 failure to engage in lustration is best explained by via actor-based explanations. Moreover, the analysis of parliamentary debates and public (media) reports demonstrates that the very term “lustration” underwent considerable semantic changes, increasingly shedding its original meaning to denote all kinds of anti-corruption measures in contemporary Ukraine.
Russia's quest for international status during Vladimir Putin's third presidential term
(Tartu Ülikool, 2016) Gigitashvili, Givi; Makarychev, Andrey, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
The following thesis aims to research Russia’s status-seeking strategy after Putin’s return to power in 2012, which marked the emergence of state’s aggressive foreign policy. Shortly after the annexation of Crimea, Russia made an extraordinary move and first time after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Moscow projected its military power outside of post-Soviet region – in Syria. In addition to this, during Putin’s third term as president, discourses about Russia’s unique civilizational identity and state’s commitment to defend traditional values worldwide appeared in the Russian politics and public space. Drawing upon the social identity theory, this thesis seeks to examine whether Russia’s recent military campaigns coupled with resurgence of civilizational and conservative discourses can be considered as the main constituencies of its desire to enhance state’s international status and standing. The following work pays a particular attention to socio-psychological factors, such as need for positive social identity and national self-esteem, subjective perceptions, status-related emotions, while analyzing Russia’s status-seeking behavior. It also tries to address the current debates about the status markers in a contemporary international system and the concluding part of thesis sets out to review the specific markers of Russia’s international status from the point of view of its ruling elite. The overall implication of this work is to research and unpack the foundations of Russia current assertiveness that can contribute to a better understanding of its goals and future activities.
Incorporation of article 5, 12 and 13 of UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities into notariate law of the Republic of Latvia
(Tartu Ülikool, 2016) Ilves, Anete; Braghiroli, Stefano, juhendaja; Kučs, Artūrs, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
United Nations (hereafter – UN) adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities (hereafter – CRPD) on 13 December 2006, and this is the first international human rights treaty which EU joined as a party (in 2010), according to Article 37 of Treaty on European Union. CRPD gives the rights and voice to persons with disabilities in all areas of life, therefore setting the obligation for CRPD States to provide possibility for persons with disabilities to use their rights. As CRPD is relatively new treaty, there are not enough scholarly articles, especially on the Notariate law of Republic of Latvia in the relationship with the CRPD. The lack of consistent research results in lack of consistent rights of persons with disabilities. Therefore more researches are needed. The research aim is to investigate whether the Articles 86 (rights to be witnesses) and 94 (rights to be a party) of Latvian law fulfill the rights of persons with disabilities set in Articles 5, 12 and 13 of CRPD. There are four research methods used in the research: grammatical method; systematical method; historical method; theological method. In order to inquire how the practical implementation is made, the interviews with representatives of Baltic notary systems were made. Additionally comparative approach was used to compare Notariate laws of all three Baltic States. During the analyses of Notariate law of the Republic of Latvia it was concluded that the current version of Notariate law does not reflect equality principle of CRPD as unequal attitude is stipulated between persons with mental/ sensor disabilities and persons without disabilities and persons with other type disabilities regarding the rights to be witnesses and rights to be parties. Additionally the terminology used in Notariate law regarding persons with sensor/ mental disability is insulting and thus does not reflect CRPD terminology. The rights of persons with mental disabilities are limited the most, also in other procedural laws – Civil procedure law and Administrative procedure law of the Republic of Latvia – when active legal capacity can be deprived regarding the rights to be witnesses in proceedings. Therefore it is possible to agree with UN that Article 12 of CRPD is the most challenging. Thus it is necessary to make amendments in Notariate law of the Republic of Latvia to reflect better CRPD principles, especially equality principle which is one of the cornerstones of the European Union.
Secure or otherwise: Lithuania's ontological security after EU and NATO accession
(Tartu Ülikool, 2016) Šalkutė, Brigita; Linsenmaier, Thomas, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
This Master‘s Thesis analyzes the Lithuanian foreign policy narrative. The analyzed time frame begins with Lithuania‘s entry to the EU and NATO in 2004 and ends with the outset of the Euromaidan protest movement in 2013. It seeks to identify the principal drivers in the Lithuanian foreign policy narrative that lead to a persistently belligerent approach towards Russia. More specifically, this study examines why despite the favourable circumstances Lithuania chose to maintain a considerably sharper policy line towards Russia instead of following a more pragmatic path. This thesis is built on existing scholarship on ontological security which argues that physical security is not the only type of security states are concerned about. It suggests that states also seek for the security of consistent Self. The study reveals that despite a certain relief in the country’s immediate security concerns after the EU and NATO accession, Lithuania experienced deep uncertainty which threatened its identity. Thus, in order to increase cognitive and behavioural certainty, Lithuania routinized its relationship with Russia. Lithuanian foreign policy makers chose clung to a confrontational rather than a pragmatic policy line towards Russia, because such a routinization of adversarial relations helped to secure Lithuania’s identity. The findings confirm that Lithuania tends to pursue a value-based and morally driven foreign policy, where Russia is frequently portrayed through the Self/Other constellation and activation of memory politics. This becomes particularly visible in the analysis of Lithuania’s policies regarding attending Victory Day celebrations in Moscow and the demands to compensate for Soviet damages.
Application of the European Union's human security approach to the European Union Monitoring Mission to Georgia
(Tartu Ülikool, 2016) Apriashvili, Mariam; Linsenmaier, Thomas, juhendaja; Vits, Kristel, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
This Master’s thesis explores the way in which human security agenda has found its way into the security practices of an emerging security actor, the European Union (EU). In this context, while the work introduces the human security concept in the realm of the EU, in particular in the framework of Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM Georgia) is being examined as a case where human security is put in practice. Thesis puts forward a set of three interrelated questions: Firstly, whether human security approach was followed by the EU in EUMM Georgia and secondly, how it was implemented. For this purpose, the six principles of human security, defined by Madrid Report of 2007 will be scrutinized and will be used as an indicator to measure practical implementation of the EU human security approach on the ground, in case of EUMM Georgia. And thirdly, it goes on to explore what was the rationale for the EU to opt for this approach. In order to account for this latter, the thesis applies both Constructivist and Rationalist theories along the human security concept in the framework of the EU’s CSDP, and argues that it is the combination of rationalist calculation and considerations of appropriateness that leads the EU to adopt a human security approach in CSDP, in this case in EUMM Georgia.
The public communication of the Estonian government regarding the refugee crisis in 2015: discourse analytical approach
(Tartu Ülikool, 2016) Niibo, Indrek; Seppel, Külliki, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
The aim of the MA thesis was to analyse the public communication of the Estonian government regarding the refugee crisis in 2015, namely whether the government has taken an active or passive role in the communication and which societal impacts the communication would have. More than one million refugees arriving by sea to EU during 2015 challenged the European unity and the solidarity in many ways. In Estonian society, the increasing polarization caused by the opinions regarding the refugee crisis has put the government under the pressure of different interest groups. The discourse analysis of the government press releases and the news articles reveiled the following: The reaction of the government during the first months of the crisis was critical towards the allocation of refugees and the general communication was inconsistent. After the allocation was decided in July, the position of the government turned favorable towards solidarity with EU and the refugees. At the same time, those groups who oppose the allocation were depicted rather in a negative way from the end of July onwards. From the results one can conclude that the government took over the position of the EU and presented it to the domestic audience in a rational way. One can speculate that the initial passiveness of the communication such as the sudden change in the position makes the refugee problem distant for an ordinary person and might increase the distrust towards the government. In addition, one can speculate that not forming a position towards certain events could trigger off misconceptions in the society which in the later phase are harder to overcome. A further analysis would be needed to reveal the viewpoint of the government regarding the communication since the current analysis only looked at the textual material (news articles and press releases).
Discovering connections between economic and political dependence in the context of Russia-Georgia economic relations
(Tartu Ülikool, 2016) Merebashvili, Lika; Morozov, Viatcheslav, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
This Master’s thesis examines social dimension of the economic dependence and foreign policy compliance of Georgia to Russia in order to explain foreign policy choices of the governments of Georgia. According to the mainstream IPE scholarship, higher the economic dependence, more prone the dependent partner is to make political compromises for the benefit of the dominant. Though, this logic is not applicable to the case of the Georgia-Russia relations which is why economic nationalism - as the construction of set of discourses which define frame for the economic policy decisions - is brought into analysis to suggest better explanation of the connection between economic and political dependence. The 2003-2016 period is chosen as the time frame for the analysis where 2003-2007 and 2012-2016 years are analyzed with utmost scrutiny since they correspond to the periods when the governments of Georgia made contrasting policy actions towards relations with Russia: resisted to make compromises in the foreign policy when the economic dependence on Russia was high in 2006-2007 and turned to the concessions when the economic dependence was the lowest in the history of Russia-Georgia relations. The thesis elaborates a novel methodology combining the quantitative and qualitative techniques and finds that economic nationalism gives relevance to the economic dependence and triggers political concessions from the decision-makers.
The nature of the European Union discourse articulated by the Georgian Orthodox Church
(Tartu Ülikool, 2016) Gordeziani, Zaza; Makarychev, Andrey, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
This Master’s thesis uncovers the discourse of the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) towards the European Union on two dimensions: the official discourse of the GOC and the ongoing discourse among its members (churchmen). The discourse analysis is applied as the methodological tool. In order to find the official discourse, statements of the GOC and its Head Patriarch Ilia II are analyzed. For the identification of the internal discourse the GOC members are interviewed about the topical issues related to the Europeanization of Georgia. Theoretical basis of this research project is formed by analysis of the literature on Normative Power Europe, the role of religion in politics and Constructivism. Empirical data clarify that the general discourse of the GOC is pro-EU, although the internal discourse is heterogeneous and varies between pro-EU and pro-Russian narratives. Based on the interview results, this thesis also suggests the methodological approach for the future research to the in-depth study of the internal discourse of the GOC.
Representations of the European Union in German and UK secondary school textbooks - a comparative analysis
(Tartu Ülikool, 2016) Borchardt, Gesche; Pettai, Eva-Clarita, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
The current thesis observes secondary school textbooks from the UK and Germany from a comparative perspective and evaluates how the European Union is represented in them. For doing so, a methodology of qualitative content analysis along with a sociosemiotic analysis of the visual materials is conducted. The UK and Germany have been chosen as countries for the analysis since they take very different approaches towards EU integration, Germany strongly supporting EU integration, and the UK being apprehensive towards enhanced integration. Along with their significant political influence in EU decision-making Germany can be seen as a driver and the UK as a critic of EU integration. Based on the theoretically supported assumption that textbooks have a political dimension and are subject to political control and influence, it aims to understand if and how the narratives, presented in the textbooks, reflect government positions towards the EU in both countries. The analysis reveals a quite low standing of EU teaching, especially in the UK textbooks. These mainly emphasize the institutional structure and economic aspects of the union. Furthermore, the risk of losing too much sovereignty is regularly mentioned which goes along with the British approach of “cooperating” with the European states rather than “integrating”. The UK’s relationship with the EU, which is represented, can be described as ambiguous. German textbooks, on the other hand, mainly emphasize institutional aspects and the Monetary Union. The EU is usually represented as an unfinished process with an undefined end, e.g. the enlargement discussion takes an important position in the German textbooks. This goes along with the German government's active engagement in integration processes. Furthermore, the EU is presented as something incontestable. The solution for problems is generally seen in ever further political integration. Altogether, the discourse by political élites and governments is quite strongly present in the observed textbooks. However, perspectives of other political actors may also be presented.
Casting votes digitally: examining the Latvian national position on Internet voting
(Tartu Ülikool, 2016) Beitane, Anna; Braghiroli, Stefano, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
Assessing Russian impact on the Western Balkan countries' EU accession: cases of Croatia and Serbia
(Tartu Ülikool, 2017) Zorić, Bojana; Braghiroli, Stefano, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
The matter of EU enlargement to the Western Balkans has become overshadowed by pressing issues such as Brexit, the rise of the radical right and international terrorism. Notwithstanding the pressure to address these issues accordingly, increasing tensions and ethnic outbursts across the Western Balkans are reason enough for the European Union to devote significant attention to accession talks. This thesis addresses the Western Balkan countries’ Europeanization process with consideration of Russia as an external actor. The inclinations of Western Balkan countries toward the EU incite Moscow to increase its presence in the region with the aim of diverting countries from the path to European integration. Drawing on the theory of liberal intergovernmentalism and a rational approach to European integration, the research argues that the rational and pragmatic impetus behind the Europeanization dynamic brings to the forefront long-term economic, security and geopolitical benefits for the Western Balkan countries. By assessing the candidate countries’ progress amid EU negotiations, the thesis suggests that the countries’ bilateral ties with Russia have an impact on the Europeanization process. This tendency is particularly visible in Chapter 31 Foreign, security, and defence policy of the acquis communautaire. The broader geopolitical framework comprises the multifaceted relationship between the EU and Russia that is crucial for understanding the dynamics of EU-Western Balkans-Russia triangle.
Impediments to the development of European Union's common security and defence policy
(Tartu Ülikool, 2017) Nozadze, David; Braghiroli, Stefano, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
The global geopolitical rift has presented challenges as Russia's revisionism policy, a spread of Islamic extremism and terrorism, instability in Eastern and Southern neighbourhood causing migration crisis, the rise of ultranationalist populism igniting Euro-scepticism. The situation requires a coherent and comprehensive approach from the European Union, however, we observe the lack of motivation and sufficient instruments to react. The European security initiatives finally resulted into Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), however, Europeans inability to deliver an effective response to existing challenges is encapsulated into impediments derived from differences of views and goals of leading EU members. Therefore this work is designed to explore European security and defence initiative focusing on problem why CSDP failed to expand and develop deeper, and respond to the research question what are such a wide differences of views on CSDP of leading European countries such as the UK, France and Germany? Our tasks in the dissertation are at first to identify major strategic divergences of leading EU member states such as the UK, France, and Germany and secondly to identify and describe key factors that have contributed to those strategic divergences. To respond stated research tasks within dissertation has been used case study method exploring three EU state to see differences in their motivations and goals and trace the process in order to identify key ruptures which facilitated impediments to European security initiative. During research, we identified stumbling blocks which have been generalised into conclusion. It emphasises major problem of post-World War II European order inherited in modernity where the USA holds hegemonic power and plays the decisive role in foreign and security affairs of Europe preventing the emergence of European power core. The nature of EU and its internal settings are also causing for the imperfection of system which cannot overcome obstruction and develop the common defence. In addition, some states perceive European integration in foreign and security area as a threat to own sovereignty inducing them to act it in opposition.
Framing Brexit: a comparative study on agenda and frame building in coverage of the United Kingdom’s EU referendum
(Tartu Ülikool, 2017) Green, Daniel; Makarychev, Andrey, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
Impact of location on website-based ICT mobilization strategies of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Alexei Navalny during Russian parliamentary election 2016
(Tartu Ülikool, 2017) Tretiakova, Iryna; Pettai, Vello, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
'Frozen conflicts' in associated Eastern partnership countries: Georgia and Moldova. A comparative case study
(Tartu Ülikool, 2017) Gogaladze, Ketevan; Groenendijk, Nico, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
Examining variation in counter-terrorism listing regimes
(Tartu Ülikool, 2017) Worth, Andrew; Linsenmaier, Thomas, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
Describing Russian-speaking youngsters as Estonian citizens
(Tartu Ülikool, 2017) Parksepp, Anette; Kõuts-Klemm, Ragne, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
Original language and volume of paper: English, 132 pages The Russian-speaking community in Estonia has remained less active in politics than Estonian-speakers for more than 25 years, regardless of integration strategies aiming to tackle this problem. As youngsters are more receptive, it is important to understand how Russian-speaking students could be engaged in the civic life. To analyze this, the thesis draws upon the changing citizenship theories and the new modes of civic engagement and political participation of youngsters. The thesis aims to give a complex understanding of young Russian-speakers as citizens, compared to Estonian-speaking students. The research uses a combined method of quantitative and qualitative data analysis, which shows that Russian-speaking youngsters can be divided into three general categories: political activists, civil participants, and passive citizens, whereby ¾ of the respondents belong to the latter group. Russian-speaking students are demotivated by the lack of civically active friends and the disbelief in being able to change something in the society. The fear of being excluded by getting into conflicts also hampers the political participation of the ethnic minority. Meanwhile, school setting and international projects can be effective ways to involve and integrate Russian-speaking youngsters.
(In)consistency in the application of the European Union accession conditionality in the context of the migration crisis: the case of Turkey
(Tartu Ülikool, 2017) Tiitinen, Tuuli; Linsenmaier, Thomas, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
Representations of the refugee crisis in the Russian media
(Tartu Ülikool, 2017) Tikhonova, Ekaterina; Braghiroli, Stefano, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
The current refugee crisis in the European Union already represents the largest movement of people that Europe has seen since the end of the Second World War. It is impossible to ignore the role of journalism in influencing public opinion and the elite’s political attitude towards asylees and immigrants. Media can set agendas, frame debates, facilitate decision-making process, and provide real-time information on ethnic relations. The Russian media also takes part in shaping public opinion and raising public awareness towards the refugee crisis in Europe. The objective of this study is to establish what is being written about the refugee crisis in Russian print media – what are the discourse narratives, including frames, of refugees and the refugee crisis in the Russian media. The central research question is - How do Russian quality newspapers portray refugee crisis in Europe? Answering the main research question, the method of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) of media text will be applied. Theoretical and methodological frames of this research are predominantly based on Teun A. van Dijk’s earlier works on discourse. The analysis is based on the assumption that the closer a newspaper’s affiliation appears to governmental structures, the more the narrative reflects the ownership structures; while when the media appears further from the governmental structures the explanatory power of ownership declines, and the relative power of editorial position and specialization increases. For the purpose of this research four Russian major daily nation-wide quality broadsheet newspapers – Kommersant, Vedomosti, Novaya Gazeta, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta – are selected. Newspapers are analysed based on the content of their websites on the topics regarding refugee crisis in Europe, during January 2016 — December 2016, which comprises of 148 articles in total. Within the discourses of four analysed newspapers, there are seven most common frames of refugees that are highlighted during the analysis: Refugees as a source of crimes and terrorism, Refugees as a threat for the social stability and political security, Refugees are not welcomed in Russia, Refugees as victims, Refugees are not welcomed in Europe, Helping refugees, Struggling refugees, Refugees as illegal immigrants, Refugees as abusers of the international law. Despite multiple similarities, each of the analysed newspapers dealt with the refugee crisis issues differently which reflects in the frequency of publications, utilization of the information sources, and emphasis on different ideas within the narratives. In light of the outcomes of this thesis, further research can focus on exam of similarities and differences in refugee discourses of different types of Russian media; what kind of visual and linguistic technics and approaches have been utilized in order to create certain framing patterns. Further research may also be directed at the exploration of impact of the media discourse of refugee crisis on the audience.

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