During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are witnessing a surge of nationalism throughout an ostensibly globalized world. In this article, we focus on the “narrative battle” over COVID-19 that has escalated between two competing major powers – China and the US. Guided by a cultural sociological approach, we reveal the meaning-making processes behind the narrative battle… Continue reading The Politics of Blaming: the Narrative Battle between China and the US over COVID-19
A new policy paper based on research undertaken by the MapInfluenCE project reveals the evolving nature of Chinese propaganda, both overt and covert, in Central Europe. Bolstered by collaborative research across the Visegrad nations, ongoing shifts in propaganda strategy are revealed in the paper, with cyberspace becoming the battlefield of choice more and more often.… Continue reading China’s propaganda and disinformation campaigns in Central Europe
The unique study of China‘s employment of ‘sticks’ and ‘carrots’ in its outreach towards Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary is now also available in the form of an accessible handbook for stakeholders. The handbook presents the most important takeaways and recommendations from the study. To access the full-length study, click here. The study was undertaken by… Continue reading Handbook for stakeholders: China’s sticks and carrots in Central Europe
The coronavirus pandemic has shown how important the media are – an essential tool for communication between citizens and government in the time of crisis. In the new policy paper, Matej Šimalčík and Ivana Karásková (Association for International Affairs, Prague) analyze tools which can be used to safeguard media from hostile foreign influence. The coronavirus… Continue reading Limited welcome: Protecting the media from hostile foreign influence
A new comparative study of the MapInfluenCE project has revealed that China has been using a targeted mix of ‘carrots’ and ‘sticks’ to increase its influence in Central European countries. Findings reveal that China does not use a ‘one size fits all’ approach towards the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia, instead relying on varying… Continue reading China’s Sticks and Carrots in Central Europe: The Logic and Power of Chinese Influence
