Seminář UNCE/HUM/037

Řešitelský kolektiv Univerzitního výzkumného centra FSV "Spojení člověk-stroj a jeho vliv na mezinárodní řád" zve všechny zájemce na seminář s prezentacemi výsledků juniorů.

Christofer Berglund (Periculum / Human-Machine Nexus and International Order)

Sons of the soil or servants of the empire? Profiling the defenders of de facto statehood in Abkhazia and South Ossetia (lecture with Q&A)

Who are the defenders of de facto statehood in Abkhazia and South Ossetia? Some present these contested territories as the site of indigenous national projects. Others see them as expressions of Russian imperialism. We arbitrate between these scripts using a biographical dataset that profiles officials in charge of protecting the separatist project. Our findings demonstrate that most officials are “sons of the soil,” who are rooted in the region. But Abkhazia’s defenders are more diverse than South Ossetia’s and involve not just titular natives but also territorial locals and adopted sons. Since 2004, “servants of the empire” control central posts in the power structures of both de facto states. These figures lack roots in the respective region and possess clear ties to the Russian Federation. Their influence makes it difficult for the de facto states to engage in autonomous decision-making.

Date: 14 December 2021, 15:30-16:50

Venue: hybrid - Pekařská 16, room no. 308 (subject to epidemiological regulation) & meet.google.com/ham-xbky-xhv