Croatian Foreign policy as an Instrument of Achieving National Interests

master's thesis

• Title: Vanjska politika Republike Hrvatske kao instrument ostvarivanja nacionalnih interesa
• Author: Matej Kešina
• Mentor: Dejan Jović (mentor)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; The Faculty of Political Science; (Department of International Relations and Security Studies); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2017-09-08, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: SOCIAL SCIENCES; Political Science; International Relations and National Security

Abstract

U radu se polazi od pojmova “mala država“ (država koju karakterizira manjak moći i relativna marginaliziranost u međunarodnim odnosima) te “mala sila” (država koja ima određenu moć i priliku ostvariti svoje interese i utjecati na međunarodne odnose bez obzira na njena kvantitativna ograničenja). Razrađen je pojam nacionalnog interesa kroz tri političke paradigme, te su prikazani razni oblici definiranja nacionalnih interesa Hrvatske kroz povijest. Vanjska politika Hrvatske je od 1992. zacrtala i ostvarila tri nacionalna interesa: međunarodno priznanje, teritorijalnu cjelovitost i euroatlantske integracije. Hrvatska vanjska politika danas, nakon što je ostvarila ove ciljeve, luta na vanjskopolitičkom planu, što je ujedno i direktna posljedica neusuglašenog nacionalnog interesa i izostanka jasne vanjskopolitičke strategije. Upravo zbog toga vlada mora inicirati konsenzus oko nacionalnog interesa i shodno tome definirati vanjskopolitičku strategiju koja bi najbolje ostvarila taj interes, i to na način da razvije specijalne odnose sa SAD-om te da unutar EU bude aktivan podržavatelj Inicijative triju mora, kao i da, da nadopuni, osnaži i pomogne u provedbi europske politike proširenja na Zapadni Balkan koristeći svoje specifične niše. Zapadni Balkan predstavlja neposredno susjedstvo Hrvatske, koje obiluje problemima, i koje u konačnici može dovesti do spill-overa na Hrvatsku. Hrvatska mora raditi na europeizaciji i pacifikaciji Zapadnog Balkana jer jedino tako može biti sigurna i prosperitetna. Ali istodobno, ona mora pokazati i proaktivnu vanjsku politiku, kao što je ona i započela Inicijativu triju mora.

Abstract (english)

This thesis defines and discusses the terms such as “small state” (a state of small importance in international affairs and state which lacks power) and “small power” (which is a state with power and opportunity to achieve its interests and influence the international relations no matter its quantitiy limits). The concept of national interest is discussed and is elaborated along with the various forms of Croatia's national interests throughout the history. Croatia's foreign policy has drafted and implemented three national interests since 1992: recognition as a sovereign state (international recognition), territorial integrity and Euro-Atlantic integration process. Croatia's foreign policy today, after achieving mentioned goals, roams in foreign policy field and does not have a clear, cohesive, strategic vision of where Croatia and its people should be heading. This policy roaming and wandering is a direct consequence of the lack of both the consensual national interest and the foreign policy strategy. Hence, government is obliged to come up with consensual agreement on national interest, as well as to design the finest foreign policy agenda suited for achieving that national interest. That implies building special relations with US, being an active member of EU and the proponent for the Three Seas Initiative. Also, foreign policy should, using created niches, enrich, empower and help in execution of European policy of enlargement in the area of West Balkans, which is a close Croatian’s surrounding filled with problems that could eventually spill over. Croatia has to work on europeanisation and pacification of West Balkans because only through that Croatia can be safe and prosperous. This paper also suggests that Croatia should take a more proactive stance in foreign politics, in a similar way as it was done by becoming an active member of the Three Seas Initiative.

• Keywords: mala država; mala sila; nacionalni interes; hrvatska vanjska politika; Zapadni Balkan; Inicijativa tri mora
• Keywords (english): small state; small power; national interest; Croatian foreign policy; West Balkans; Three Seas Iniciative
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:114:782909
• Study programme: Title: Politologija; Study programme type: sveučilišni; Study level: diplomski; Academic / professional title: magistar/magistra politologije (magistar/magistra politologije)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Restricted access
• Created on: 2017-10-19 12:06:08