Bachelor-Thesis: G8 – Politics, Economics, Energy and Security
In June 2006 I finished my Bachelor-Thesis on the G8 Summit in St. Petersburg and thus finished my Bachelor-Studies at the University of Bayreuth.
Below you find the index:
A – Introduction
- Motivation
- G7 Analysis
- Russia Analysis
- Energy Analysis
- The Question: Why did Russia join the G7?
- Public Claims
- Superpower?
- Global Governance?
- Democracy?
- Market Economy?
- Global Security?
- Benefits and costs
- Approach
- Focus on Institutions
- Rationality
- The‘Russia Company’
B – The Historical Dimension
- Superpower
- Definition
- Western Power
- Russia’s Geography
- Territory and Transport
- Climate and Production
- Population and Ethnicity
- Territory and Security
- The Central Power in Russia’s History
- Challenge of Geography
- Expansionism
- Dominance of Central Power
- Focus on Leaders
- Foreign Policy
- Attitudes and Public Opinion
- Private Economic Activity
- Law
- Is Russia a Western Superpower?
C – The institutional dimension
- Legitimacy
- G7 and Global Transformations
- Reasons for Global Institutions
- Challenges to US-Hegemony
- The Institutional Framework within G7
- Actors
- Decisions and Output
- G7 as a Center of Global Governance
- Reasons for a Center of Global Governance
- Assessment
- Russia’s Involvement in the G7 Framework
- Political
- Background
- Systematic Partnership
- Membership
- Russia and G8 Governance
D – The Political Dimension
- Political Institutions in Russia
- Political Reality in Russia
- Continuing Political Crisis from 1994 until 1999
- Mixed Signals from the Electorate
- Weak Prime-Minister
- Weak Parliament
- Weak President
- Weak Regions
- Government Corruption and Tax Evasion
- Need for External Support
- Political Stability
- The Impact of the G8 on Democracy and Political Stability
- Twofold Approach of the G8
E – The Economic Dimension
- Transition and Economic Integration
- Motives of the G7
- Russia’s Soviet Economical Legacy
- Character of Soviet Economy
- Export Dependence
- Disintegration
- Economic Reforms and their Effects
- Obstacles
- Trade Liberalization
- Price Liberalization
- Insider Privatization (I)
- Public Deficits
- Insider Privatization (II)
- Income Distortions
- Investment Distortions
- Dependence on Export Sector
- Protectionism
- Crash and Resurrection
- G8 and Russia’s Transition
F – The Security Dimension
- NATO Expansion and Western Security Interest
- Russian Security Issues
- Natural Resources and Security
G – The Energy Dimension
- The World Oil and Gas Market
- Availability
- Trade
- An Alternative Story of the G7
- Energy as Motivation for the G7
- Informal or Institutional?
- Trade Disputes
- Interdependency
H – Conclusion
I – Bibliography
- Literature
- Articles
- Internet Resources
- G8 Research Group
- Wikipedia
- IMF
- World Bank
- OECD
- Paris Club
- Other Sites
J – Appendix
- General Data
- Economic Data
- Macroeconomic data
- Trade
- Investments
- Foreign Debts
- Energy Data
K – Notes
Oktober 30th, 2006 at 14:06
[...] The following article I wrote during an hour of low concentration during writing my Bachelor-Thesis. It discusses why the Microsoft Games Hearts, Spider Solitair and Minesweeper are dangerous games and strategies to win them. Unfortunately the text is only in German, if you are interested in a translation, let me know. [...]
Oktober 30th, 2006 at 15:10
[...] At the American-European Summer Academy in 2006 I gave a lecture about the G8 summit in Russia and its implications for the Energy Politics. Since some participants asked for it, the slides can be found here. [...]
Oktober 30th, 2006 at 16:44
[...] However, I wondered whether this is a general or a specific phenomenon. In my Bachelor Thesis, I argued for instance that the Russian Currency Crisis in 1998 was quite healthy for the Russian economy (at least in the long run). It stabilized the currency, stabilized the economy and helped domestic producers. So the question is: what makes a crisis a crisis? [...]
November 2nd, 2006 at 13:23
[...] Currently we work on a concept to present to Dr. Pfaffenbach, the sherpa of the German delegation. The problem is of course finding a balance between a simulation in which the G8 process, which is already difficult to simulate because of its long-term character with various overlapping structures, and a real discussion among the participants about the achievements and failures of the G8 summits and ideas on how to make it better. [...]
Januar 24th, 2007 at 14:15
[...] The glossary and the given literature is good, but still not sufficient. Many relevant scientific institutions, such as the G8 Research Centre in Toronto are not mentioned. Also I think the importance of energy politics in the G8 framework is grossly neglected, even though a lot of factors indicate that energy politics has been the most important informal discussion at the G8 summits. [...]
Oktober 9th, 2007 at 23:38
[...] the American-European Summer Academy in 2006 I gave a lecture about the G8 summit in Russia and its implications for the Energy Politics. Since some participants asked for it, the slides can [...]
Oktober 9th, 2007 at 23:46
[...] following article I wrote during an hour of low concentration during writing my Bachelor-Thesis. It discusses why the Microsoft Games Hearts, Spider Solitair and Minesweeper are dangerous games [...]
Oktober 13th, 2007 at 14:27
[...] this currency devaluation a phenomenon that is always negative? In my Bachelor Thesis, I argued that the Russian Currency Crisis in 1998 was quite healthy for the Russian economy (at [...]