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

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Browsing Central and East European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (CEERES) – Master’s Theses by Subject "Armeenia"

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    Neoclassical realism: foreign policymaking in the South Caucasus
    (Tartu Ülikool, 2020) Gill, Jack; Gvalia, Giorgi, juhendaja; Aliyev, Huseyn, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
    The states of the South Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan) each have remarkably different interests and orientations when it comes to their foreign policy. One would think that 3 small Post-Soviet states occupying the same geographical region, with common histories of domination by neighbouring powers, would have operate in similar ways towards their larger neighbours and the rest of the world. In point of fact, the opposite is true – each state has its own unique orientation, which can be seen clearest in the way each state conducts its own foreign policy. There is, of course, a multitude of reasons explaining this divergence in foreign policy. Using a neoclassical realist theoretical basis, this study aims to examine foreign policy by identifying both system- and unit-level variables that have influenced foreign policy in the countries of the South Caucasus since gaining their independence while testing the applicability of a theory for small state foreign policy analysis. Drawing upon information gathered from primary interviews with foreign policy experts in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, the study shows that unit-level intervening variables do have some influence on foreign policy making at various times and under various conditions. As such, the study demonstrates the utility of neoclassical realism in small state foreign policy analysis.
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    Righting the wrong? Illustrating and understanding post-authoritarian transitional justice in Georgia and Armenia
    (Tartu Ülikool, 2021) Pfeilschifter, Veronika; Pettai, Vello, juhendaja; Meladze, Giorgi, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
    The thesis explores why post-authoritarian transitional justice (TJ) is implemented and why not and which factors influence governments’ decisions on initiating TJ after transitions. It examines post-2012 Georgia and post-2018 Armenia as small-n case studies and compares the extent of TJ implementation based on a combination of Vello and Eva-Clarita Pettai’s transitional justice matrix and Dustin Sharp’s economic violence approach. This framework enables the illustration of different patterns of TJ implementation in four dimensions – legal-judicial, political-administrative, socio-economic and symbolic-representative – which combine 16 indicators to form the explanandum (dependent variable). Based on the author’s theoretical three-factor model of TJ implementation, the thesis presents evidence that the phenomenon can be understood as the result of governmental responsiveness to civil society activism, the TJ pressure of external elites and the ideological and structural prevalence of an authoritarian legacy (independent variables). Within the time periods under analysis (2012 to 2015 in Georgia and 2018 to 2020 in Armenia), it was found that the Georgian government was comparatively less active in initiating TJ measures than the Armenian government, particularly with regard to the symbolic-representative and socio-economic dimensions. The thesis frames Georgia’s TJ patterns as a consequence of the continuation of an authoritarian legacy, a lack of external TJ pressure and conflicting relationships with civil society. By comparison, Armenia’s broader level of TJ implementation can be understood as a result of resistance to an authoritarian legacy, an initially higher level of external TJ leverage and the government’s cooperation with civil society.
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    Young Armenian diasporans in the fight for genocide recognition
    (Tartu Ülikool, 2020) Rippberger, Renée; Zajączkowska-Drożdż, Agnieszka, juhendaja; Kilp, Alar, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
    One cannot underestimate the historical and political implications of genocide and its denial have had on the trajectory and formation of the Armenia diaspora. Armenians have used every kit in the toolbox to try and accomplish the recognition of the Armenian genocide and obtain justice such as symbolic, monetary and territorial reparations. Yet after 105 years the responsibility of this calamity continues to be denied and justice withheld. Drawing on the literature developed by genocide scholars, this thesis investigates what genocide denial is, how it manifests in the Armenian case and denialist rhetoric’s consequences on the fight for justice and on descendants of the victims. To do this, young Armenian diasporans voices are centralized to conduct a thorough review of their interpretations of denial, the attempts to rectify justice lacking, and the future of this battle. As a result, the research finds that the systematic denial of the Armenian genocide and absence of justice has created a situation in which these painful memories have festered for years. It has concurrently been the glue keeping together the diaspora but while the demands for justice are loud, young diasporans admit the impracticality or even impossibility of justice.