Russian Imperialism Revisited: From Disengagement to Hegemony

TY - BOOK

T1 - Russian Imperialism Revisited

T2 - From Disengagement to Hegemony

AU - Sagramoso, Domitilla

PY - 2020/3/25

Y1 - 2020/3/25

N2 - This book examines the nature of Russia’s relations with the former Soviet states (FSS), in particular with countries which formed the Commonwealth of Independent States, in order to assess whether there has been a resurgence of Russian imperialism since the collapse of the USSR.The book sets out to determine whether Russian leaders have attempted to restore a sphere of influence over the former Soviet republics or whether Russia’s policies reflect a genuine desire to establish normal state-to-state relations with the new states. It adopts a comprehensive approach, analysing Russia’s policies towards the FSS across a broad range of areas: energy, trade and investment; military assistance, security provision and peacekeeping; conflict management, political support, and alliance formation. While not denying the Kremlin’s assertive role in the FSS, this book challenges the assumption that Russia has always intended to restore a sphere of influence over its ‘Near Abroad’. Rather, it argues that Russia’s policies are much more complex, multi-faceted, and often more incoherent than is often assumed. In essence, Russia's actions generally reflect a combination of legitimate state interests, enduring Soviet legacies, and genuine concerns over events unfolding along Russia’s borders. This book also shows that, at times, Great-Power nostalgia and a real difficulty with discarding Russia’s imperial legacy shapes Russia’s behaviour towards the FSS.This book will be of great interest to students of Russian politics and foreign policy, east European politics, and International Relations in general.Table of Contents

AB - This book examines the nature of Russia’s relations with the former Soviet states (FSS), in particular with countries which formed the Commonwealth of Independent States, in order to assess whether there has been a resurgence of Russian imperialism since the collapse of the USSR.The book sets out to determine whether Russian leaders have attempted to restore a sphere of influence over the former Soviet republics or whether Russia’s policies reflect a genuine desire to establish normal state-to-state relations with the new states. It adopts a comprehensive approach, analysing Russia’s policies towards the FSS across a broad range of areas: energy, trade and investment; military assistance, security provision and peacekeeping; conflict management, political support, and alliance formation. While not denying the Kremlin’s assertive role in the FSS, this book challenges the assumption that Russia has always intended to restore a sphere of influence over its ‘Near Abroad’. Rather, it argues that Russia’s policies are much more complex, multi-faceted, and often more incoherent than is often assumed. In essence, Russia's actions generally reflect a combination of legitimate state interests, enduring Soviet legacies, and genuine concerns over events unfolding along Russia’s borders. This book also shows that, at times, Great-Power nostalgia and a real difficulty with discarding Russia’s imperial legacy shapes Russia’s behaviour towards the FSS.This book will be of great interest to students of Russian politics and foreign policy, east European politics, and International Relations in general.Table of Contents

KW - Russia

KW - Foreign relations

KW - Foreign policy

KW - Military policy

KW - Economic policy

KW - Former Soviet republics

KW - Post-communism

KW - Territorial expansion

KW - Commonwealth of Independent States

KW - Geopolitics

KW - Imperialism

KW - Hegemony

KW - International relations

KW - Vladimir Putin

U2 - 10.4324/9780203861806

DO - 10.4324/9780203861806

M3 - Book

SN - 9780415562270

T3 - Contemporary Security Studies

BT - Russian Imperialism Revisited

PB - Routledge

CY - London

ER -