Europe’s Eastern Borders: The limits of the European Union’s external governance and its political relationship with Belarus

Abstract

Chapter 5. Athenian practices: An introduction to democracy. In this chapter it will be explained how the concepts of power and freedom interact with each other and what their definitions are. Furthermore, there will be a focus on social constructivism and the notion where ‘democracy’ and ‘the Western principles’ are just based on imaginary realities. Finally it will be explained what democracy actually is and how this form of government developed during human history. Besides the theories of some pre-modern philosophers, this chapter will be mostly based on my own thoughts about power, freedom and democracy. Chapter 6. The lion and the gnu in post-Cold War Europe. This is an information oriented chapter about the Republic of Belarus and the European Union. This chapter only contains informational facts about these two political entities. There will be no use of philosophical theories or my own thoughts, but the aim is to provide only general information about the main political bodies in this thesis. Chapter 7. The pen is mightier than the sword. This is the chapter where the methods of discourse analysis and deconstruction will be implemented. There will be a comprehensive focus on the use and meaning of symbols and language. Examples of the use of symbols are the crucial differences between Belarusian flags and their colours and symbology. Other forms of ‘symbology’ which will be assessed are examples of architecture and use of statues. One example of use of language is the focus on the crucial role of words and their political charge. There will be a focus on how the EU uses certain words like ‘democracy, liberalism, freedom’ etc. This analysis of words is also implemented on words like ‘totalitarian, dictator, propaganda’ etc. It will be tried to go back to the roots of certain words and to discover their real and original meaning. The use of certain words by the EU will be viewed from a critical perspective. Chapter 8. The Modern European Empire: Democracy in the EU. This chapter will explain how the concept of democracy is viewed from the EU perspective and how it is valued by the EU. In this chapter there will be a critical focus on certain ‘irrefutable’ terminology used by the EU, whereat the thoughts of Karl Popper will be used. There furthermore will be a critical point of view towards the EU in the way how it interferes in foreign countries. There will be a focus on the EU governmentality and modern forms of colonialism and European imperialism. Chapter 9. Neo-Gauls in Eastern Europe: Democracy in Belarus. After the chapter about democracy in the EU, here the focus lies on democracy in Belarus. It will be explained to what extent Belarus has experienced democratic forms of government. Historical background and structures will be taken into account in explaining Belarusian democracy. The focus lies too on the economic and political stability during the regime of president Lukashenko, where finally it will be pointed a revolution started in Belarus in 2020. Chapter 10. Bolshevistic spheres in Minsk. This is also an information oriented chapter, this time about the political situation in Belarus, demonstrations in Minsk and sanctions from the European Union. This chapter is not based on theoretical perspectives or my own thoughts but provides factual information about what is happening in Belarus. Chapter 11. The spreading flame of political change: Revolutions. In contrast to chapter ten, this part is mostly based on my own thinking. I will share my thoughts about revolutions and how they relate to concepts like power and oppression. This will be explicit (and partly simplistic) explained with the aim of arguing that revolutions are a phenomenon of all times and places. It will be emphasized that also ‘political developed countries’ face different revolutions. Therefore there will be a critique on ‘The End of History’ in which Western liberal democracy is the final and most optimal political regime. Chapter 12. Europe’s backyard: The gnu between the lion and the bear. This chapter will take into account the spatial and geographical elements of this political issue. The crucial role of space and geography related to democratic transformations will be explained. It will be emphasized which important role geographical features (coastlines, mountain ranges, climate, etc.) play and what their influence on history and political regime are. One of the theoretical perspectives which will be used for this is the framework of environmental determinism. Furthermore, the focus lies on Belarus’ geographical location and its influence on Belarusian politics. This location is about Belarus’ position between the European Union and Russia. The chapter will be ended with the EU’s dilemma between ‘democracy and stability’ in Belarus, where it needs to take into account the Russian interests. These interests have everything to do with geography. Chapter 13. Dialectical political discourses: Democracy in the EU and Belarus. This chapter begins with a brief overview of the previous chapters. After that, it is in fact the first moment where it is tried to address an answer to the research question. This will be tried in an explicit way where the position of the EU and Belarus in their relationship will be explained step-by-step. The contradictive interests of the two political entities will be emphasized which explains the problem in their political relationship. Chapter 14. Crossing the Belarusian border. This chapter is about my interview and profound discussion together with the ambassador of Belarus Andrei Yeudachenka and Counsellor Stanislav Vassilevsky. This more than three-hour conversation at the Belarusian Embassy in the Hague provided me with insights about the Republic of Belarus from especially the Belarusian perspective. In this chapter I present the results of this discussion, together with the thoughts of ambassador Yeudachenka and my own thoughts about the EU-Belarus relations. This was a very holistic discussion, meaning lots of issues and themes related to Belarus and the European Union have been discussed. This conversation was not a debate but more a discussion with different perspectives which led to new understandings about Belarus.

Chapter 15. Conclusions: This chapter will reflect on the academic journey and will look back to all the experienced adventures. One end conclusion will be drawn, although the conclusion subsequently will be nuanced. There will be furthermore a reflection on the limits of this research and the limits of my own reasoning.