This thesis examines the use of the word 'Londongrad' in four British national newspapers and draws extensively upon the approach to Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) outlined by Richardson [2007]....Show moreThis thesis examines the use of the word 'Londongrad' in four British national newspapers and draws extensively upon the approach to Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) outlined by Richardson [2007]. The study compares the use of 'Londongrad' in a sample of articles from two time periods: 2005-8 and 2011-14, defining how it is used and how its use has changed over time, with reference to wider social, political and cultural contexts. Results indicate that 'Londongrad' is particularly prevalent in the right-wing press, and that its use has become more prominent over time. The thesis puts forward the argument that 'Londongrad' lacks concrete definition but carries implicit meaning that allows for the reinforcement of negative stereotypes with regard to Russian activity in the UK. In highlighting this, the intention is to draw attention to the way in which patterns of discourse can encode prejudice.Show less
Within the emerging geopolitical frameworks of the global energy market, the concept of energy security has become a vital part of state strategies for implementation, both by consuming and...Show moreWithin the emerging geopolitical frameworks of the global energy market, the concept of energy security has become a vital part of state strategies for implementation, both by consuming and producing countries. Based on the trade relations between consuming and producing actors, one of the dominant ideologies in the political sciences (neoliberal interdependence theory) argue that economic interdependence between actors leads to co-operation on the bases of mutual benefits which decreases the emergence of conflicts. This thesis intends to shed a light on EU-Russia energy relations, specifically in terms of natural gas linked to energy security of EU as the biggest energy consumer and Russia as the biggest supplier of natural gas to EU. By comparing the energy policy strategies, current energy statistics and emerged interdependence, this thesis argues that the securitization of EU energy (gas) policy is experiencing serious challenges due to (increasing) European dependence on Russian gas resources which have not resulted in further co-operation but rising tensions. The main argument of this thesis therefore is that the nature of EU-Russia gas relations is too complex to be explained by the optimism of mutual interdependence between these actorsShow less
As artistic ideas move from one context to another, they change in context-specific ways with each adaptation. This has happened in Russia regarding adaptations of self-harming conceptualist...Show moreAs artistic ideas move from one context to another, they change in context-specific ways with each adaptation. This has happened in Russia regarding adaptations of self-harming conceptualist performance art, a genre originally derived from the Conceptualist movement that began with Marcel Duchamp’s creation of Dada in the early 1900’s. Conceptualist performance first began in the Soviet Union in 1976, and for the next several decades continued to develop in the Russian context; through the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the chaos of the post-Soviet nineties, and the restoration of strong central control that has marked the Putin era. Most recently, Russian conceptualist performance was thrust into the international limelight with the controversial arrest of the punk-rock collective Pussy Riot, in 2012. Pyotr Pavlensky, whose work can be seen as one of the newest iterations of Russian Conceptualist performance art, began his performance career in response to Pussy Riot’s arrest, and the majority of his work has involved self-harming performances. From the perspective of interest in the translation of artistic principles from one context to another, this thesis attempts to analyze the extent to which Pyotr Pavlensky’s work adheres to Western frameworks of self-harming performance art and the extent to which it diverges from these frameworks.Show less
The question of Russian national identity has become quite significant again after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Especially after Vladimir Putin came to power and the country regained its...Show moreThe question of Russian national identity has become quite significant again after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Especially after Vladimir Putin came to power and the country regained its political and military strength, the Russian state embarked on the (sometimes ambiguous) road of nation-building. Scholars of nationalism and Russian national identity have tried to analyze this ‘Russian Question’, whereby most concluded that there is not a coherent Russian national identity. In this sense, it is useful to look at national identity in some of Russia’s specific regions. This thesis analyzes this process in the case of Russia’s most-western region, Kaliningrad. This so-called exclave has only been part of Russian since the Second World War and due to its German history and geographical distance from homeland Russia, it occupies a special position inside the country. In the process of nation-building by the Russian state, officials cannot solely use ‘common’ Russian markers of identity but also have to take Kaliningrad’s ‘particular’ circumstances into account. This thesis therefore argues that the Russian nation-building process in Kaliningrad lies ‘between commonality and particularity’. It will analyze this two-sidedness through the symbolic, military and anti-Western dimensions of nation-building in Kaliningrad; the speeches and statements of Russian officials in this light are used as the main points of analysis.Show less
In this thesis I discuss the development of Soviet fundamental physics from the 1917 October revolution until the end of the thirties of the twentieth century, using the life and career of the...Show moreIn this thesis I discuss the development of Soviet fundamental physics from the 1917 October revolution until the end of the thirties of the twentieth century, using the life and career of the experimental low-temperature physicist Lev Vasil’evič Šubnikov (1901-1937) as a guide through this period. After his graduation in Petrograd Šubnikov spent almost four years from 1926 to 1930 in Leiden, where he worked with the then director of the physics laboratory Wander de Haas and was the co-discoverer of the Shubnikov-de Haas effect. After his return to the Soviet Union he became the head of the first cryogenic laboratory in the Soviet Union at the Ukrainian Physico-Technical Institute in Char’kov, where he embarked on an extensive (very much Leiden inspired) research program that among other things resulted in the discovery of type II superconductivity (Shubnikov phase). The theoretical explanation of this phenomenon earned Abrikosov and Ginzburg the 2003 Nobel Prize. In 1937 at the height of the Stalinist terror the NKVD launched a clamp-down on the Ukrainian Physico-Technical Institute, of which Šubnikov became one of the most important victims. He was shot in November 1937. I discuss the extent of the repression in physics in general and at the Ukrainian Physico-Technical Institute in particular, and put forward arguments for the thesis that this repression was not random, but at least in part a deliberate and carefully planned attack on individuals who were alleged or perceived to be disloyal to the Soviet cause. Apart from Šubnikov’s work I also discuss the work of other Soviet physicists in that period, among whom Pëtr Kapica, Lev Landau, Igor’ Tamm and others, and their experiences in the Soviet climate. I also pay attention to the (re)organization of science, and physics in particular, by the Bolsheviks after the October revolution, the reestablishment of contacts with the West, the influence of Marxism on physics research (the campaign against physical idealism), and the quality of Soviet contributions to physics and the appreciation of these contributions in the West.Show less
The Russian Federation is subject to a high degree of terrorist activity because the instability of the North Caucasus region makes it a breeding ground for terrorism. The main contemporary threat...Show moreThe Russian Federation is subject to a high degree of terrorist activity because the instability of the North Caucasus region makes it a breeding ground for terrorism. The main contemporary threat to the Russian Federation is terrorism linked to the North Caucasus. This thesis is based on Russian counter-terrorism policy in relation to public perceptions of the September 2004 tragedy of Beslan (North Ossetia). In September 2004, a school in Beslan was seized for three days by North Caucasian terrorists which resulted in a massacre with an extremely high number of hostages (1300), fatalities (372) and injuries (747). The Beslan tragedy is considered to be the Russian 9/11 and could, due to its magnitude and impact, theoretically be a turning point in counter-terrorism policy and public perceptions in the Russian Federation. However, the Beslan event has not been a significant turning point in Russian counter-terrorism legislation and laws, despite certain changes and amendments. Furthermore, despite relatively small reforms in the security services, these reforms have been considered to be primarily cosmetic and have not yielded significant results. Also, the perceptions of terrorism and the government’s efforts to combat terrorism among Russian citizens have not improved since Beslan. The rhetoric by the media and government seems to focus primarily on the ostensible success of its counter-terrorism approach. However, despite the qualification of Beslan as the Russian 9/11 and the changes in policy following the event, terrorist activity remains a serious part of daily life within the Russian Federation and any potential improvements in the near future are considered to be unlikely. Keywords: Russia, North Caucasus, Beslan, Terrorism, Counter-terrorismShow less
This thesis examines the role the Ukrainian nationalist Stepan Bandera played in the building of a Ukrainian state. Firstly, it pays attention to Bandera's life and death. Afterwards, attention has...Show moreThis thesis examines the role the Ukrainian nationalist Stepan Bandera played in the building of a Ukrainian state. Firstly, it pays attention to Bandera's life and death. Afterwards, attention has been paid to the 'Bandera myths', the 'Hero of Ukraine' award and the Euromaidan protests.Show less
In this thesis the situation considering national awareness of the Chuvash people is described. The central question in this research is the following: how can awareness of the Chuvash people be...Show moreIn this thesis the situation considering national awareness of the Chuvash people is described. The central question in this research is the following: how can awareness of the Chuvash people be described and which factors are/were crucial in its formation? In order to analyze the problem in greater depth, the historical background of the region and the Chuvash people since the 10th century till post-communist period is studied in the first chapter. Additionally, socio-political awareness of the national elite and its development was studied for a broader understanding of the topic. Particular attention is paid to Ivan Iakovlevich Iakovlev, the pedagogical activist, nationalist, founder of the Chuvash alphabet and first Chuvash national schools. This person played an important role in the development of the national awareness among the Chuvash as his activities contributed to formation of national intelligentsia and thereby to establishment of the Chuvash statehood. The situation considering national awareness among the Chuvash in modern Russia is analyzed in the second chapter. Contradictions in evaluation of the situation are explained there: was it a period of national awakening or rather of “national nihilism”, in other words underestimation of own ethnic group, lack of confidence in the prospects of their development and orientation on other nation. In the third chapter, the results of interviews and current situation are described. Possible economic, political and socio-cultural reasons for the current situation considering national awareness among the Chuvash are discussed there too.Show less
In 2005 werd literair Rusland wakker geschud met de publicatie van Pathalogieën, een roman die in het teken staat van de tweede Tsjetsjeense oorlog. De toen nog onbekende auteur Zachar Prilepin,...Show moreIn 2005 werd literair Rusland wakker geschud met de publicatie van Pathalogieën, een roman die in het teken staat van de tweede Tsjetsjeense oorlog. De toen nog onbekende auteur Zachar Prilepin, zelf een veteraan van de Tsjetsjeense oorlogen, maakte onmiddellijk naambekendheid en brak met zijn volgende twee romans Sankja (2006) en Zonde (2007) definitief door in Rusland. Parallel naast zijn schrijverschap groeide Prilepin vervolgens uit tot een populaire, maar controversiële publieke persoonlijkheid binnen het Russische medialandschap. Een belangrijke factor van Prilepins overdonderend succes is zijn imago van traditionele en ‘echte’ Russische man, dat gevoed wordt door zijn verleden als elitesoldaat in Tsjetsjenië, zijn nationalistische overtuigingen en zijn voorkomen van conservatieve familieman. Met dit imago lijkt Prilepin te beantwoorden aan het mannelijkheidsideaal dat in voege getreden is in Poetins Rusland, i.e. de moderne moezjik en dat gekenmerkt wordt door viriliteit, patriotisme en uitgesproken heteroseksualiteit. In tegenstelling tot hun geestelijke vader zijn de helden uit Prilepins vroege proza (Pathalogieën, Sankja en Zonde) echter geen vertegenwoordigers van dit ideaaltype. Ze worden in tegendeel gekenmerkt door onzekerheden en angsten, neigingen tot (zelf-) destructie, emotionele kwetsbaarheid en ze dragen een verward vaderlandsbeeld met zich mee. Hierdoor lijkt Prilepin komaf te willen maken met het keurslijf van de moderne moezjik en te pleiten voor de ontmanteling ervan.Show less
The scholarly debate about the Mongol yoke in Western and Russian circles has been an ongoing discussion since the seventeenth century that particularly revived after the collapse of the Soviet...Show moreThe scholarly debate about the Mongol yoke in Western and Russian circles has been an ongoing discussion since the seventeenth century that particularly revived after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Although the extent to which the Mongol conquest has exerted influence on Russia’s institutions has been widely debated among scholars, no consensus has been reached so far. This thesis has sought to understand how the debate about the Mongol yoke evolved over the past two centuries in order to explain what this reveals about Russia’s current state of self-identification. Three periods proved to be key. During the first period Russian imperial historians formulated a so called ‘black legend’. The second period is characterised by a ‘white legend’ that was created by Eurasianists. The third period proves that the debate has become highly idealized for geopolitical goals. Such diverse outcomes acknowledge that Russians are in search for an identity that is not Western or European. Still, the Mongol legacy is no ideal solution either. The Mongol period solely forms an acceptable solution for the time being. However, since the identity debate is still undecided it is not likely that Mongol ‘yoke’ in academic circles will be lifted any time soon.Show less
The problem of the Genitive of negation is one of the most up-to-date in current Russian linguistic discussion. The nature of the Genitive Rule in Russian is still unclear and the register of...Show moreThe problem of the Genitive of negation is one of the most up-to-date in current Russian linguistic discussion. The nature of the Genitive Rule in Russian is still unclear and the register of papers devoted to this scientific question grows constantly. The Genitive Rule is also popular topic for researchers, whose scientific interest belongs to other Slavonic languages (for instance, Polish) or the same language family (for example, Lithuanian). Considering the relevance of the problem, it was decided to find out if the Genitive Rule also exists in Latvian language. During the theoretical part of the work, it turned out that, it is possible to use the negated Genitive in place of the Accusative with the transitive verbs, however, the use of the negated Genitive is rather archaic; it is stylistically marked, and, as a rule, it occurs in fiction. The negated Accusative shows dominance in modern literary Latvian. However, since literary Latvian is very young (about one hundred years), since the dominance of the negated Accusative in old Latvian was not proved, and, finally, since no special papers devoted to the Genitive of negation in Latvian exist, it was aimed to make a quantitative analysis of the situation in Old Latvian and Latvian dialects. For the above mentioned purposes, Latvian popular songs (dainas) were taken as a main source. The analysis of the work was carried out manually. After analyzing more than 20000 dainas, it was found out, that the negated Accusative was not unambiguously dominant before Latvian was codified. In additon to that, it was proved than in one region of Latvia (Latgale) the negated Genitive occurred even more frequent. The results and the corpus of current thesis could be very useful for further semantic and syntactic research.Show less
In this thesis, the development of the East-Slavic languages has been investigated through the analysis of various written sources on a multitude of morphological scoring criteria. The thesis aims...Show moreIn this thesis, the development of the East-Slavic languages has been investigated through the analysis of various written sources on a multitude of morphological scoring criteria. The thesis aims at finding evidence that can either prove or disprove some of the many theories with respect to the evolution of the East-Slavic languages (these theories are also included in the thesis). The theories that are discussed in the thesis differ with respect to how much credit is given to the Polish language in the development of East-Slavic. Therefore, investigating whether or not Polish did play a role in the language development of the East-Slavic area provides us with material that can make certain theories more plausible than others. Various texts - the oldest dating to 1229 and the youngest texts to the 19th century - were analysed and scored on present and past verb inflection, the use of auxiliary verbs and the declension of the nominative adjective (thereby paying special attention to the possibility of gender distinction in nominative plural).Show less
