On the Way to Nuclear Isolation: a case study of the Astravyets Nuclear Power Plant in Belarus

BcA. Valiantsina Atroshkina

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Civil nuclear power has been a highly discussed topic and divisive issue since the second part of the twentieth century. Decisions on nuclear energy are usually divided into two poles – countries that are phasing-in or phasing-out. Despite a common contemporary trend to oppose nuclear energy, Belarus had started a construction of its first nuclear power plant that led to mutual disagreements with neighbouring Lithuania. This Master’s thesis focuses on causal mechanisms that explain the opposition of Lithuania and describe the peculiarities of this case with a help of process-tracing analysis.

Abstract:

Civil nuclear power has been a highly discussed topic and divisive issue since the second part of the twentieth century. Decisions on nuclear energy are usually divided into two poles – countries that are phasing-in or phasing-out. Despite a common contemporary trend to oppose nuclear energy, Belarus had started a construction of its first nuclear power plant that led to mutual disagreements with neighbouring Lithuania. This Master’s thesis focuses on causal mechanisms that explain the opposition of Lithuania and describe the peculiarities of this case with a help of process-tracing analysis.

Keywords

Astravyets Nuclear Power Plant, anti-nuclear movement, nuclear isolation, Belarus, Lithuania, bilateral relations

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 27. 5. 2019

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 19. 6. 2019
• Supervisor: PhDr. Tomáš Vlček, Ph.D.
• Reader: Mgr. Hedvika Koďousková, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Social Studies

Master programme / field:
International Territorial Studies / Energy Security Studies (Eng.)