The uniqueness of 2012 Presidential election campaign lies in some new trends: for the first time Internet played such an important role in influencing voters. It's not just about traditional official websites of the candidates, but first and foremost about campaigning in blogs and social networks. The opposition, including "off-system" one (which is advocating the overthrow of the ruling elite), was much more active in this field. The Internet space became the scene of this conflict, and we should expect that it would only escalate in the future.

First part of the thesis deals with theory of culture, cultural dimensions and standards. Practical part describes characteristics of Russia and its cultural aspects. Application part focuses on analysis of Czech and Russian opinions of Russian society and also verifies hypothesis that Czechs have different opinions and their knowledge of Russian cultural dimensions is insufficient. The last part of the application part are recommendations for Czechs for effective dealing with Russians.

The goal of this Master's Diploma Thesis was to compare the use and perception of the product placement promotion technique in the Czech Republic and in Russia. It focuses mainly on the use of this technique in films and TV shows. First of all, the term product placement is defined, its history and measuring of its effectivity are described briefly, plus some examples of successful and unsuccessful product placement are presented. Subsequently, the legal framework regulating product placement in the Czech Republic and in Russia is compared, together with examples of the use of product placement and with available data from public opinion polls. The practical part presents the results of an online survey among 190 Czech and 190 Russian respondents / viewers. It appears that there are no great differences -- although Czechs watch TV more (and domestic TV shows), and Russians go to the cinema more. However, it does seem that Russian respondents tend to buy promoted products more often. Still, the survey only had a form of a tentative probe.

This work is devoted to the contacts between North-Western Rus' and Scandinavia in the early Middle Ages. The work pays attention to disclosure of the nature of the Scandinavians stay in the territory of Rus'. This is done through the description and evaluation of the archaeological finds in the most important economic centers along the trade routes of the Middle Ages. Information on research in the territory of Russia and found objects is taken from the modern Russian scientific publications. In the work the modern vision of the presence of Scandinavian immigrants is disclosed. The result is the recognition of northerners as permanent inhabitants in several economic centers along with the Finno- Ugric and Slavic population. Keywords Scandinavia, North-West of Russia, archaeological finds, trade and craft centers, early Middle Ages

This paper researches the changes that took place in Crimean economy after March 2014 with respect to the integration policies Russia has applied in that field. Based on the theories of economic integration and Russian regional development programs, economic development patterns of disputed territories and small island economies, as well as the influence of institutions on the economy, we find that ascension to Russia had for the peninsula its positive and negative effects with the prevalence of the latter. We also suggest that the political integration of Crimea was more successful than it was in economic dimension, because the existing investment constraints and lack of proper connection to the Russian mainland remain formidable obstacles on the way of region's successful integration and further development. We find that all economic development in Crimea depends on Russian subsidies and it is likely to remain this way because the region is underdeveloped by Russian standards. This is consistent with the idea that small island economies and disputed territories are over-dependent on the respective sponsor-state for the provision of economic stability.

This dissertation analyses the system of internal passports as a central administrative instrument of controlling migration processes in the Soviet Union and post-Soviet Russia. Specifically, the study focuses on the topic of using the passport system, and the restrictions incorporated in this system, on the territory of Moscow. The aim of the study is two-fold. Firstly, it strives to identify, from a position of historical institutionalism, the factors which allowed Moscow, many years after the dissolution of the USSR, to control migration processes within its borders using distinctively "Soviet" methods, in clear violation of federal laws. On a different level of analysis, the dissertation focusses on the regulatory methods themselves: it examines the genesis and early evolution of the internal passport system and the mechanism of so-called propiska (registration), in the era of Stalinist industrialization, before turning to the process of the system's erosion and partial dismantling during the late Soviet and early post-Soviet years. Finally, the study aims to analyse the methods chosen for controlling migration in Moscow during the rule of mayor Yuri Luzhkov (1992-2010), and the way his policies affected the migration situation in Russia's capital.

This thesis focuses on analyzing the themes that arise from the Finnish energy discourse between the years of 2009-2018. Finland is completely dependent on Russian gas, but as a member state of the European Union (EU), it should consider reducing this dependence and moving towards a common energy policy as a key objective. The EU has struggled to project itself as a unified whole to the global community owing to the fragmented nature of its decision-making regarding the use and procurement of energy. This results in EU member states having bilateral energy relations with Russia. Energy policies differ depending on the member state, also the geographical location of a state plays a significant role. As energy consumption rapidly rises and climate change becomes increasingly evident, non-fossil sources of energy must be taken into use. The development of technology along with the use of renewable forms of energy will further facilitate the battle against climate change. In order for the EU to succeed in one of its major objectives becoming independent in energy matters, it requires to further increase the internal cooperation between member states and to develop an even further consistent energy strategy. With the combination of the chosen theories together with examining the collected research data...

The thesis deals with the reflection of the Ukrainian question in selected works of members of the first wave of Russian emigration. Attention is paid to four major political streams of Russian emigration - conservative, liberal, left-wing and Eurasian. As part of the content analysis of selected works, the historical topics and figures, the existence of the theme of the anti-Russian plot, the plan for the future arrangement of the Russian-Ukrainian relations, or the way in which the ideas were formulated were examined. A thorough analysis of all these currents revealed that, with the exception of the most leftist Socialist-Revolutionary political stream, no one had counted on the full separation of Ukraine from Russia. Though other thought currents could not imagine the separation of Ukraine, some proposed a solution that would bring more equality in the relationship between the Ukrainians and the Russians than in the pre-revolutionary period, be it the territorial or cultural autonomy of the Ukrainians.

The thesis analyses Russian economic statecraft in relation to Armenia. The thesis is focused on two areas, namely the Russian response to the foreign policy orientation of Armenia and its significant internal political changes. The aim of the thesis is to compare the extent to which Russia uses economic mechanisms on both levels. The thesis draws on Baldwin's concept of economic statecraft, focusing on the Russian "carrot and stick" policy. In the foreign policy area, the economic tools that Russia used in attempt to influence Armenia's decision in its dilemma between European and Eurasian integration are analysed. In the internal policy area, the thesis is focused on major events from 2015 to 2018, which to some extent also affected the Russian side. Positive incentives and coercive methods applied by Russia during this period are also examined. An analysis of the Russian "carrot and stick" policy has pointed out that Moscow is more strongly involved in foreign policy of Armenia if it feels an immediate threat to its interests. Russia applies positive incentives in situations when it needs to reduce internal tensions in Armenia, which may also be directed against Moscow. If there are major internal political changes in this South Caucasus republic, yet without serious foreign policy implications,...

The subject of the master's thesis is the Church of the Protection of the Mother of God in the Marfo-Mariinsky Convent in Moscow, the early work from 1908-1912, which has not drawn attention in the Czech scientific literature. A special chapter is devoted to the history of the Marfo- Mariinsky Convent, its founder Grand Duchess Elizabeth and her personality and conventual life. The church is described in an analytical way as a specific Gesamtkunstwerk, which unites architecture, interior decoration, sculptural decorations and iconography. The analysis and the interpretation of the church focus on references to the traditional Russian architecture. Two chapters distinctively explain the place, which the church takes in Alexey Viktorovich Shchusev's and Mikhail Vasilyevich Nesterov's numerous works. The thesis contains documents of the church and exterior and interior photos.