Threat of nuclear war as a tool of foreign policy- case study of North Korea and the US

The aim of the thesis is to analyze foreign policy of North Korea and to compare its goals and results. The thesis also deals with evaluation of effectiveness and efficiency of the foreign policy instruments of North Korea. The effectiveness and efficiency of foreign policy has was judged by whether the country is achieving its foreign policy goals or not. Bachelor thesis deals with the topic of North Korea as a small state. It is characteristic for these states that they are often dependent, must often  adapt their behaviour according to bigger states’ requirements, or make alliance under unfavourable conditions with a stronger state with conflicting goals, because even such an alliance is more favourable for the weaker state than non-cooperation. However North Korea is positioning itself into a state with a superpower status and is trying to act as a state with equal power as USA. The first chapter generally discusses the topic of small states, foreign policy of small states and eventually their definition and characteristics. The second chapter is focused on foreign policy of North Korea. In the beginning it deals with the Korean peninsula development after WW2, which is necessary for understanding the current conflict. Further on in the chapter, the international status of North Korea is discussed with focus on their international policy objectives, which have evolved over time. The internal problems faced by DPRK are explained along with it. The third chapter is devoted to foreign policy instruments of North Korea. The nuclear programme is characterized here along with the role of nuclear weapons for DPRK. Other chapters deal with negotiation, deterrence and blackmailing.