| ID | 155319 |
| Title Proper | Putin, the state, and war |
| Other Title Information | the causes of Russia’s near abroad assertion revisited |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Götz, Elias |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Moscow’s annexation of Crimea and meddling in eastern Ukraine are the latest signs of Russia’s increasingly assertive behavior in the post-Soviet space. Not surprisingly, Moscow’s actions have become the source of much debate. This article maps the fast-growing literature on the subject and assesses four types of explanations: (1) decision-maker explanations focusing on Putin’s personality traits and worldviews; (2) domestic political accounts emphasizing the Kremlin’s efforts to deflect attention from internal failures; (3) ideational accounts explaining Russia’s near abroad assertion with reference to its national identity and desire for international status; and (4) geopolitical accounts highlighting power and security considerations. The article shows that each approach offers some valuable insights but fails to provide a convincing stand-alone explanation. It is argued that to overcome the identified shortcomings, scholars need to devote more attention to building synthetic accounts. A theoretical model is outlined that specifies how geopolitical pressures, ideas, domestic political conditions, and decision-maker influences interact in shaping Russia’s near abroad policy. |
| `In' analytical Note | International Studies Review Vol. 19, No.2; Jun 2017: p.228–253 |
| Journal Source | International Studies Review Vol: 19 No 2 |
| Key Words | International Relations Theory ; Russian Foreign Policy ; Analytical Electicism |