St Andrews Research Repository

St Andrews University Home
View Item 
  •   St Andrews Research Repository
  • International Relations (School of)
  • International Relations
  • International Relations Theses
  • View Item
  •   St Andrews Research Repository
  • International Relations (School of)
  • International Relations
  • International Relations Theses
  • View Item
  •   St Andrews Research Repository
  • International Relations (School of)
  • International Relations
  • International Relations Theses
  • View Item
  • Login
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

Decaying beauty? : image(s) of the European Union in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

Date
25/06/2019
Author
Arynov, Zhanibek
Supervisor
Gentry, Caron E.
Costa Buranelli, Filippo
Funder
Kazakhstan (Government)
Metadata
Show full item record
Altmetrics Handle Statistics
Altmetrics DOI Statistics
Abstract
This thesis comparatively examines perceived images of the European Union (EU) in two countries of Central Asia (CA): Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The study departs from the point that the literature on Central Asian geopolitics, as well as on EU-CA relations in particular has paid little attention to the role that the Central Asians play in international interactions in the region. Taking a constructivist approach as an umbrella framework, the thesis argues that how Central Asians perceive the EU is an integral part of its identity and its roles in the region, as well as of the outcome of its policy. Therefore, examining the Central Asian perspective to the EU and EU-CA relations should be an equally important aspect of scholarly attention. Having justified the importance of studying perceived images, the thesis goes on to draw from Image Studies to conceptualize the notion of ‘image’. It claims that the image is a complex phenomenon consisting of various internal components, but the core of image in International Relations is constituted by two components: (1) perceptions of the Other’s power/capability and (2) perceptions of whether the Other poses a threat or represents an opportunity. The empirical analysis of the thesis develops around these two aspects. The objective of the thesis, however, is not just to reveal what the perceptions are, but also to answer how these perceptions come into being by identifying the factors influencing perceptions. Finally, as images are relative notions and become fully meaningful only through comparison, this thesis also analyzes self-images of the EU and reflects on to what extent the EU’s perceived images contrast to its self-images. The thesis concludes by arguing that in many respects, the EU is perceived positively in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. However, this positivity is being slowly diminished as a result of an increasing image of ‘Decaying Europe’.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.17630/10023-18864
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
Rights
Embargo Date: 2024-03-21
Thesis restricted in accordance with University regulations. Print copy restricted until 21st March 2022. Electronic copy restricted until 21st March 2024
Collections
  • International Relations Theses
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10023/18864

Items in the St Andrews Research Repository are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.

Advanced Search

Browse

All of RepositoryCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateNamesTitlesSubjectsClassificationTypeFunderThis CollectionBy Issue DateNamesTitlesSubjectsClassificationTypeFunder

My Account

Login

Open Access

To find out how you can benefit from open access to research, see our library web pages and Open Access blog. For open access help contact: openaccess@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Accessibility

Read our Accessibility statement.

How to submit research papers

The full text of research papers can be submitted to the repository via Pure, the University's research information system. For help see our guide: How to deposit in Pure.

Electronic thesis deposit

Help with deposit.

Repository help

For repository help contact: Digital-Repository@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Give Feedback

Cookie policy

This site may use cookies. Please see Terms and Conditions.

Usage statistics

COUNTER-compliant statistics on downloads from the repository are available from the IRUS-UK Service. Contact us for information.

© University of St Andrews Library

University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013532.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter