The Blushing Bear: What lessons can be drawn from the French defeat and humiliation in the late 19th century when considering the potential of Russia to scramble for Outer Space?

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International Relations and Diplomacy (MSc)

Van Eynort, Sean Mr (2023)

The Blushing Bear: What lessons can be drawn from the French defeat and humiliation in the late 19th century when considering the potential of Russia to scramble for Outer Space?

Executive master thesis | International Relations and Diplomacy (MSc)

Understanding the motivations of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the ways Russia may respond to its current humiliation there is of paramount importance. To this end this thesis employs status theory to compare modern Russia’s to France’s to its defeat in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71. This comparison allows for the development of our understanding of the importance of status to state’s decision-making processes, as well as making clear the likelihood of a Russian need to re-assert its status. This thesis contends that this is most likely to be done via an expansion in their Outer Space efforts which runs the risk of kickstarting a Scramble for Space among major powers, just as France inadvertently began the scramble for Africa in 1881.

Space Diplomacy, Ukraine, Russia, Status Competition

Author: Van Eynort, Sean Mr

Faculty: Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs

Specialisation: Space Diplomacy & Status Competition

Supervisors: Melissen, J.

ECTS Credits: 120

Language: en

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The Blushing Bear: What lessons can be drawn from the French defeat and humiliation in the late 19th century when considering the potential of Russia to scramble for Outer Space?