Hunger as political weapon – case study Ukraine

Valeriia Kulyk

Master's thesis

Abstract:

The thesis explores the use of hunger as political weapon in a single case study of Ukraine. The concept of hunger as a political weapon is considered in the example of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 and the modern deliberate hunger in Ukraine in 2022. With the help of qualitative analysis, the main motives, the instruments used by the Russian authorities, as well as the impact of these two events on the Ukrainian people are deeply examined. The analysis of these elements allows to answer the main research question of the thesis, how do the Holodomor in 1932-1933 and artificial hunger in Ukraine in 2022 differ? The conducted analysis of the findings concludes the similarities and differences between these two events, where special attention is paid to internal and external impact. In conclusion, specific differences are claimed to answer the research question, namely, focusing on the presence of external international influence on the events of Ukrainian hunger in 2022, in contrast to the Holodomor of 1932-1933. This indicates a change in the concept of using hunger in Ukraine as a political weapon by the Russian authorities. In the example of Ukraine, this research emphasizes the importance of such a concept as hunger and its deliberate use since, through the years, hunger is still used against the civilian population and brings colossal deaths. And the events of Ukrainian hunger in 2022 are still ongoing and carry the danger of world hunger.

Abstract:

The thesis explores the use of hunger as political weapon in a single case study of Ukraine. The concept of hunger as a political weapon is considered in the example of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 and the modern deliberate hunger in Ukraine in 2022. With the help of qualitative analysis, the main motives, the instruments used by the Russian authorities, as well as the impact of these two events on the Ukrainian people are deeply examined. The analysis of these elements allows to answer the main research question of the thesis, how do the Holodomor in 1932-1933 and artificial hunger in Ukraine in 2022 differ? The conducted analysis of the findings concludes the similarities and differences between these two events, where special attention is paid to internal and external impact. In conclusion, specific differences are claimed to answer the research question, namely, focusing on the presence of external international influence on the events of Ukrainian hunger in 2022, in contrast to the Holodomor of 1932-1933. This indicates a change in the concept of using hunger in Ukraine as a political weapon by the Russian authorities. In the example of Ukraine, this research emphasizes the importance of such a concept as hunger and its deliberate use since, through the years, hunger is still used against the civilian population and brings colossal deaths. And the events of Ukrainian hunger in 2022 are still ongoing and carry the danger of world hunger.

Keywords

the Holodomor, political weapon, deliberate hunger, Ukraine, world hunger

Keywords

Ukraine, world hunger, deliberate hunger, political weapon, the Holodomor

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 28. 4. 2023

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 1. 6. 2023
• Supervisor: Pavel Přikryl
• Reader: Jan Martin Rolenc

Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze

Master programme:
International and Diplomatic Studies