Mongolia: A land between the Bear and the Dragon

• Název práce v češtině: Mongolsko: země mezi medvědem a drakem
• Název v anglickém jazyce: Mongolia: A land between the Bear and the Dragon
• Klíčová slova: Mongolsko, geopolitka, Rusko, Čína
• Klíčová slova anglicky: Mongolia, geopolitics, Russia, China
• Akademický rok vypsání: 2021/2022
• Typ práce: diplomová práce
• Jazyk práce: angličtina
• Ústav: Katedra politologie (23-KP)
• Vedoucí / školitel: PhDr. Michael Romancov, Ph.D.
• Řešitel: skrytý - zadáno vedoucím/školitelem
• Datum přihlášení: 10.05.2022
• Datum zadání: 10.05.2022
• Datum a čas obhajoby: 15.09.2023 07:00
• Místo konání obhajoby: Jinonice - U Kříže 8, Praha 5
• Datum odevzdání elektronické podoby: 29.07.2023
• Datum proběhlé obhajoby: 15.09.2023
• Oponenti: Mgr. Bohumil Doboš, Ph.D.

Předběžná náplň práce v anglickém jazyce

Master Thesis Proposal
Institute of Political Studies
Faculty of Social Sciences
Charles University in Prague Date: 03.05.2022

Author: Owen Sutherland Supervisor: Michael Romancov
E-mail: [e-mail] E-mail: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone] Phone:
Specialisation: GPS Defense Planned:
Proposed Topic: Mongolia: A land between the Bear and the Dragon

Registered in SIS: Date of registration:
Topic Characteristics:

Mongolia, independence, Russia, China, buffer-state.

Working hypotheses and Research Questions:
Hypothesis: That Mongolia is able to remain an independent country due to its democratic and domestic policies which have attracted interest from foreign countries in ensuring that Mongolia remains independent.
Methodology:
A realist theory will be used throughout this thesis so as to properly examine the topic through a geopolitical lens. The methodology will slightly differ through each section of the thesis, corresponding to the subject of the section. The first section will be on the history of Mongolia, in analysing this I will look at the various ruling parties of the country and any treaties or laws that were enacted in regard to the sovereignty of Mongolia. The methodology will also consist of any important policy papers that relate to the history of Mongolia. The second section of my thesis will focus on the Chinese influence, to study this I will examine various governmental policies from Beijing aimed at Mongolia. I will also look at Chinese foreign policy initiatives and proposed trade deals between the two countries and Mongolia’s reliance on Chinese exports. The third section of the thesis will focus on the Russian influence in Mongolia. The methodology in this section will be quite similar to that of the last section, however, will also examine agreements around the Lake Baikal region, and other security agreements between the two countries.
After the sections on Chinese and Russian influence in Mongolia, the fourth section will be looking at Western and other international influence on the country. To successfully do this it is important to study the military agreements that Mongolia has with the USA and other countries. Also, to analyse Mongolia and its involvement in international institutions like the United Nations and the role that it plays in these organisations. On top of this it will be important to look at what countries supported Mongolia’s ascension to these organisations. The final section of the thesis will look at Mongolia itself and its respective democratic policies, foreign policy, in particular focusing on Russia and China, and the sale of mining rights. To do this I will look at various foreign policies they have initiated since 1991, and the agreements that have been made between the countries. I will also look at the sale of mining rights and the effect it has had on the Mongolian economy. Finally, I will study the various anti-corruption laws that have enabled the country to remain relatively free from corruption since the end of the USSR.

Outline:

The first section of the thesis will be dedicated to examining the history of Mongolia, starting with the Chinese occupation of the country, then moving forward in the Soviet era where Mongolia was used as a satellite state. During this part of Mongolian history, I will note the various regimes that ruled over the country and whether they were pro-Russian, Chinese or nationalist. This section will conclude on the present history of the country which will be dated as the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 until present. This study of the history of Mongolia is important in order to properly analyse how the country has been shaped and how it is able to remain independent today.
Section two of the thesis will then focus on the Chinese influence within Mongolia from 1991 until the present. In order to successfully examine the Chinese, influence it will be important to study the Chinese Han immigration into the region, including Inner Mongolia. The next step will be to look at the One Belt One Road Initiative and how that will affect Mongolian and whether there are any economic incentives aimed at the country. Then it is important to study the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, in which Mongolia is only a neutral observer and not a member, and also to look at the overall Chinese foreign policy aimed at Mongolia, in particular the Southern half of the country that borders China.
After studying the Chinese influence, the next part will focus on the Russian influence from 1991 onwards. In order to analyse these influences, it is important to study Mongolian infrastructure in the North and their reliance on Russian railroads. Then it will be important to look at the politics of the Lake Baikal region and the Russian posturing that is occurring due to it. The last part of this section will examine how Russia have attempted to corrupt and influence Mongolian politicians.
After studying the attempted influence by Russia, the next section of this thesis will look at how Mongolia has reached out to a variety of international institutions to ensure its independence and the reactions by Russia and China. This will include the study of US-Mongol relations and how Mongolia have supported US military interventions and allowed training to occur in their country. The next focus will be the EU-Mongol relations that have been forming for the past decade.
The final section of the thesis will examine Mongolia itself, their respective democratic system which has successfully removed corrupt politicians, and their natural resource policy. This section will particularly focus on the sale of mining rights to a variety of countries including South Korea and Japan. This is an important factor in Mongolian politics. Finally, this section will tie into the above section by examining how Mongolia has reached beyond its immediate region in order to attract support from countries to ensure their independence between Russia and China.

References / Bibliography:

JD Farrington, ‘The Impact of Mining Activities on Mongolia’s Protected Areas: A Status Report with Policy Recommendations”, Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, July 2005, vol 1, pp.283-289.
A Dashnyam, ‘Small States Security and Foreign Policy: A Case Study of Mongolian Permanent Neutral Status’, 5th International Conference on Political Science, International Relations and Sociology, 2018, pp.104-119.
J Enwall, ‘Inner-Ethnic relations in Mongolia and Inner Mongolia’, Asian Ethnicity, 2010, vol 11, pp.239-257.
E Ganhuyag, ‘Russia-Mongolia from the 1990s to 2016: On the way of strategic partnership’, RUDN Journal of Russian History, 2017, vol 16, pp.462-476.
M Malik, ‘Mongolia Policy Options in the Post-Soviet World’, Korean Journal of Defence Analysis, 1995, vol 7, pp.275-301.
Bilskie, J. S., & Arnold, H. M. (2002). AN EXAMINATION OF THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC TRANSITION OF MONGOLIA SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION. Journal of Third World Studies, 19(2), 205–218
SONI, S. K. (2009). China’s Periphery Policy: Implications for Sino-Mongolian Relations. India Quarterly, 65(3), 251–269.
Wachman, A. M. (2009). Don’t Forsake Mongolia. Asia Policy, 7, 57–60.
Soni, S. K. (2016). Emerging Dimensions of India-Mongolia Relations. Indian Foreign Affairs Journal, 11(1), 51–62.
Rupen, R. A. (1982). Mongolia: Pawn of Geopolitics. Current History, 81(475), 215–228.
Ginsburg, T. (1995). Political Reform in Mongolia: Between Russia and China. Asian Survey, 35(5), 459–471.
Mansvetov, F. S. (1945). Russia and China in Outer Mongolia. Foreign Affairs, 24(1), 143–152.
Graivoronsky, V. V. (2014). Russia’s Role in the Exploration and Development of Natural Resources in Contemporary Mongolia. Inner Asia, 16(2), 315–335.
Rinna, A. V. (2014). The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and Mongolia’s Quest for Security. Indian Journal of Asian Affairs, 27/28(1/2), 63–80.
Hipsher, S. (2013). Central Asia: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The Private Sector's Role In Poverty Reduction In Asia, 227-244. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-85709-448-3.50013-9
Roland, G. (2021). China's rise and its implications for International Relations and Northeast Asia. Asia And The Global Economy, 1(2), 100016. doi: 10.1016/j.aglobe.2021.100016
Ma, Q., Wu, J., He, C., & Fang, X. (2021). The speed, scale, and environmental and economic impacts of surface coal mining in the Mongolian Plateau. Resources, Conservation And Recycling, 173, 105730. doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105730

Owen Sutherland
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Romancov . . . . . . . . .
Author Supervisor