Central and East European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (CEERES) – Master’s Theses

Selle kollektsiooni püsiv URIhttps://hdl.handle.net/10062/66593

Sirvi

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The essence of Jadidism in Turkestan. In search of anti-colonialism and liberation in the Jadid literature
(Tartu Ülikool, 2020) Yakhshiboev, Utkurjon; Dadabaeva, Gulnara, juhendaja; Anceschi, Luca, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
Jadidism and the Jadid literature have been subject to various interpretations by the western and nativist scholars. The Jadid literature is often perceived as anti-colonial resistance literature that aimed at liberating Turkestan from the Russian domination. This thesis would argue that overstating the Jadids’ role and contribution, crediting Jadid literature as anti-colonial resistance/liberation literature should not invent a ‘liberation movement’ which was not there. Instead, the thesis proposes to deconstruct Jadidism by analyzing the literary works of Makhmudkhoja Behbudi (1875-1919), Abdulla Avloni (1878-1934), Hamza Hakimzoda Niyozi (1889-1929), Abdurauf Fitrat (1886-1938), Abdulla Qodiri (1894-1938) and Abdulhamid Sulaymon og’li Cho’lpon (1897-1938) on individual basis. The author analyzed and summarized the mainstream literature and the publication works of the six Jadid thinkers in search of anticolonial resistance, liberation narratives. The analysis showed that only Fitrat and Cho’lpon’s certain literary and publication works manifested anti-colonial, liberation narratives. This has been achieved through thematic groupings of the Jadid works about Islam, different social issues, and the class and gender struggle. The content-based analysis has been chosen together with simplistic, minimalist interpretation to avoid generalization and exaggeration concerning the Jadid literature and Jadidism. The author chose to work with text in the domain of classical history to provide freedom to a reader to decide on the essence of Jadidism in Turkestan.
“Feeling of returning home”: myths and narratives in Hungarian Turanism and Kazakhstani Pan-Turkism in 2010-2025
(Tartu Ülikool, 2025) Nurgazinova, Dana; Molnár, Csaba, juhendaja; Anceschi, Luca, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
This study investigates the construction of pan-nationalisms of Turanism and pan-Turkism via reinforcement of myths and narratives in their discourse. Particularly, this research tackles the problem of divergence between the ideological foundations of Turanism and pan-Turkism and their discursive affinity. In this thesis, myths are understood not as falsified accounts but rather as conceptual phenomena that explain the social environment and selectively narrating the past, which becomes a model for the future. To resolve this, this study compares Turanism in Hungary and pan-Turkism in Kazakhstan and conducts qualitative abductive thematic analysis of 48 primary and secondary sources. Using the ethno-symbolist approach, the results show that Hungarian and Kazakhstani political actors mythologize ancestry, geographical origin, continuity, and ethnolinguistic predecessors, the Huns, to construct their respective pan-nationalisms. At the same time, narratives are somewhat different between Turanism in Hungary and pan-Turkism in Kazakhstan, except for the partial similarity in narratives on diplomacy. While Turanists in Hungary employ the narratives of exceptionalism, emancipation, and Other, pan-Turkists in Kazakhstan mostly rely on cultural narratives. This study also showed that myths and narratives legitimize international activities and domestic decision-making and serve as an inspiration for future actions. The semantic analysis demonstrated the prevalent similarity in myths and partial similarity in narratives that construct the respective pan-nationalism discursively. Based on the example of Turanism in Hungary and pan-Turkism in Kazakhstan, this indicates that the employment of common myths and not necessarily narratives can mutually affiliate pan-nationalisms despite their foundational differences.
Paving a new way for regional integration in Central Asia? Analysing Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan relations in the areas of political cooperation and bilateral trade
(Tartu Ülikool, 2023) Ropeter, Kilian; Niyazbekov, Nurseit, juhendaja; Anceschi, Luca, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
This thesis examines the dynamics of Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan relations concerning political cooperation and bilateral trade, as well as their influence on regional integration in Central Asia. By reviewing political and economic factors that have historically hindered progress in achieving regional integration in Central Asia, the thesis analyses recent development in Kazakhstan- Uzbekistan relations, revealing an emerging positive trajectory in regional cooperation. In doing so, the thesis explores cooperation initiatives and agreements within the realms of political, security, and economic cooperation, with a particular focus on the development of Kazakhstan- Uzbekistan bilateral trade. Based on the findings from this analysis, five key implications concerning regional integration in Central Asia are derived by the end of this thesis. The findings demonstrate a notable shift in bilateral relations since President Mirziyoyev’s assumption of office in Uzbekistan in 2016. This shift has manifested in various aspects, including the signing of the Treaty on the Demarcation of the Kazakh-Uzbek State Border and the Treaty on Allied Relations, the establishment of the Consultative Meetings of Central Asian Heads of State, and a substantial increase in Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan bilateral trade. The analysis demonstrates that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are expanding their cooperation in various dimensions, providing grounds for cautious optimism regarding the future of regional cooperation in Central Asia. Notably, the thesis emphasises the roles played by the new presidents of both states, Mirziyoyev and Tokayev, in promoting a more cooperative approach to foreign policy and regional development across Central Asia. Despite the positive trajectory witnessed in recent years, the analysis highlights persisting challenges in attaining full-fledged integration. These challenges include the dependency of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan on extra-regional countries such as Russia and China. Moreover, Central Asian states display a reluctance towards pursuing integrative steps that involve the creation of binding institutions, preferring loose cooperative frameworks. Overall, the thesis concludes that despite the recent positive developments, regional integration in Central Asia remains at a low to moderate level. Further efforts are needed in order to overcome challenges and propel the region towards robust integration. Central Asian states need to work collectively to achieve more comprehensive integrative steps. While Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan may act as regional leaders in advancing integration efforts, a unified and collaborative approach among all five Central Asian countries is essential to steer the region towards greater cooperation, stability, and prosperity.
Presidentialism, energy sector ownership, and autocratic survival: comparing Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan between 1991 and 2006
(Tartu Ülikool, 2022) Elam, David; Anceschi, Luca, juhendaja; Ibadilin, Nygmet, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
Russkiy Mir discourse: a comparative analysis of Ukraine and Kazakhstan
(Tartu Ülikool, 2024) Appels, Sam; Anceschi, Luca, juhendaja; Dadabayeva, Gulnara, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
This thesis analyses how Ukraine and Kazakhstan are imagined within Russkiy Mir discourse and attempts to answer the question how and why Ukraine and Kazakhstan are imagined differently. As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has illustrated, the Russian narrative does have implications for the post-Soviet space. This thesis seeks to answer the question how and why Ukraine and Kazakhstan are imagined differently within Russkiy Mir discourse through a critical discourse analysis and by using the theoretical framework of critical geopolitics. Ukraine is imagined as being at the core of the Russkiy Mir and therefore being Russian in essence. Kazakhstan, on the other hand, is imagined as belonging to the Russkiy Mir because it owes its existence to the Russians and Soviets. The findings of these thesis foster a better understanding of Russian post-imperial discourse and consequence foreign policy in the post-Soviet space.
Securitisation and human rights discourse: violations of freedom of expression during Covid-19 in Central Asia
(Tartu Ülikool, 2023) Sharipova, Farangis; Ibadildin, Nygmet, juhendaja; Anceschi, Luca, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
The purpose of the research is to analyze the legal criteria for constitutionally permissible methods of restricting freedom of expression when combating a pandemic in Central Asian countries. Central Asian states continue to control the flow of information as well as conceal the scale of damage caused by the pandemic, even at such difficult times. Author argues that states have used the pandemic as an excuse to suppress public debate and criticism and to control the media using securitisation discourse. Therefore, this thesis relies on the framework of securitization to understand how the discourse is constructed to legitimise the emergency measures taken under the pretext of stopping the spread of "false" information about Covid-19. An exploratory approach is used as there is limited information on the topic. The author hopes to contribute to the existing literature on securitisation as well as regional studies in the context of the pandemic. The study shows that Covid-19 and the associated state of emergency have been used to divert attention from passing controversial laws and using emergency measures that would be unacceptable in normal times. Furthermore, study explains that people accept the government's rhetoric without suspicion because of the corollary of the historical memory of the Soviet Union, its legacy and its influence on people's perceptions of power. As a result, the laws passed have led to regulations restricting freedom of speech and expression, and freedom of the press becoming excessive and going beyond what is permissible. The author claims that the main problem is that these laws have no time limit and will have a long-term effect. In essence, the research and its method revealed the hidden aspects of political discourse - identifying opportunities for abuse of power.

Sirvi

Sirvi Central and East European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (CEERES) – Master’s Theses Autor "Anceschi, Luca, juhendaja" järgi