In this thesis, I have found that while China claims to remain neutral between Ukraine and Russia, China’s news media, "Xinhua News Agency" and "China Daily", seem to present a clear antagonist...Show moreIn this thesis, I have found that while China claims to remain neutral between Ukraine and Russia, China’s news media, "Xinhua News Agency" and "China Daily", seem to present a clear antagonist between the countries, namely the U.S. Through several discursive techniques, the two news organizations present the U.S. as a cunning actor that drags others into a ‘proxy war’.Show less
The period under Brezhnev has long been considered a period of stagnation, wherein economic growth came to a full stop, the leadership grew old, and the dream of socialism became a disappointment...Show moreThe period under Brezhnev has long been considered a period of stagnation, wherein economic growth came to a full stop, the leadership grew old, and the dream of socialism became a disappointment for many. Films that echoed this disappointment did not seem at odds with anything. However, historians have debated over the idea of stagnation for decades and have increasingly come to the conclusion that it may not have been grounded in reality after all. Life under Brezhnev was ‘normal’ for many with objectively less and less to complain about. So then why did these pessimistic films emerge?Show less
This thesis examines the extent to which civil society in Russia engages in formal decision-making processes by analyzing the case of the development of the Zenit Arena in Saint Petersburg....Show moreThis thesis examines the extent to which civil society in Russia engages in formal decision-making processes by analyzing the case of the development of the Zenit Arena in Saint Petersburg. Throughout the thesis, an understanding of public interest in participating in governance processes, as well as the attitude of the authorities towards including civil society actors, has been obtained.Show less
The question of historical revisionism has long been a subject of discussion especially during the Soviet period of Russian history. In recent years, after the Russian annexation of Crimea and the...Show moreThe question of historical revisionism has long been a subject of discussion especially during the Soviet period of Russian history. In recent years, after the Russian annexation of Crimea and the civil war that is raging in the eastern parts of Ukraine, the issue has gained new interest. Within the cultural domain, a reflection of the politics of the Russian government can be perceived. The purpose of this thesis is to determine the presence of historical revisionism in the cinema of modern day Russia. Film has risen to be one of the leading art forms of the last century, in terms of its influence and popularity, and has remained this position until the present day. This paper establishes the presence of historical revisionism in of two recently produced Russian films, and indicates elements of revisionism in the other. Purposeful falsification of historical facts and the reinforcements of false narratives are shown to serve the political goals of the Kremlin, and are designed to influence public opinion domestically and abroad. This sadly indicates a broader problem in the Russian film industry, a fact that may warrant the need to further study and test the narratives that are presented to us by Russian film.Show less
The case of the Gulag Museum at Perm-36 is especially suitable to discuss the (im)possibilities and motivations of civil society during the last 25 years in Russia, since it shows all the...Show moreThe case of the Gulag Museum at Perm-36 is especially suitable to discuss the (im)possibilities and motivations of civil society during the last 25 years in Russia, since it shows all the turbulence Russian civil society went through in these years. This study gives a detailed overview of the aims of the Gulag Museum demonstrated through their actions and activities. Next to that this study will show how the museum tried to embed the local and (inter)national civil society in the museum as a part of their mission to develop the Russian civil society. In addition, this study of the Gulag Museum involves the official state policy on the Commemoration of the Victims of Political Repressions implemented by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in 2015. In this way, this study will show an interesting power struggle over Russian history between civil society and the Russian state.Show less
Recent developments such as the Syrian civil war and the Ukraine conflict have put Russia and the U.S. at opposing sides just as Japan increasingly sought relations with Russia over the Northern...Show moreRecent developments such as the Syrian civil war and the Ukraine conflict have put Russia and the U.S. at opposing sides just as Japan increasingly sought relations with Russia over the Northern Territories. The influence of the U.S. on the Russia-Japan relationship and thereby the Northern Territories dispute has been insufficiently researched. Using the Syrian Civil war and the Ukraine crisis as two case studies, the influence of the U.S.on the Russia-Japan relationship will be analyzed in this thesis. The theoretical framework will reflect on prevalent models with which to study Japan in international relations, considering Japan being either a reactive or adaptive state. To analyze the U.S.’ influence on the Russia-Japan relations and by proxy, the Northern territories issue, discourse analysis will be used. The discourse analysis will be looking for uses of discursive power: the ability to pressure another actor by the dominant power through the use of discourse. What is meant by discursive power and its significance to this research will be discussed in the methodology. This research will specifically look for forms of pressure, either explicit or implicit, that pressure Japan in the Ukraine or Syria case studies to sanction or take actions against Russia despite Japan’s interests in good relations with Russia because of the Northern Territories issue. Lastly, changes in the U.S. administration will be discussed briefly. The change from President Obama to President Trump has already caused a stir in the media discourse about the relationship between the U.S. and Russia, and between the U.S. and Japan. A brief speculation about the implications the change in administration might have is therefore necessary, since it is then established that the United State-Russia relationship will have an effect on the Russia-Japan relationship.Show less
