Elite opinion and foreign policy in post-communist Russia

White, S. (2007) Elite opinion and foreign policy in post-communist Russia. Perspectives on European Politics and Society, 8(2), pp. 147-167. (doi: 10.1080/15705850701322418)

Abstract

Russian elite opinion on matters of foreign policy may be classified as ‘Liberal Westerniser’, ‘Pragmatic Nationalist’ and ‘Fundamentalist Nationalist’, terms that reflect longstanding debates about the country’s relationship with the outside world. An analysis of press statements and election manifestoes together with a programme of elite interviews between 2004 and 2006 suggests a clustering of opinion on a series of strategic issues. Liberal Westernisers seek the closest possible relationship with Europe, and favour eventual membership of the EU and NATO. Pragmatic Nationalists are more inclined to favour practical co-operation, and do not assume an identity of values or interests with the Western countries. Fundamentalist Nationalists place more emphasis on the other former Soviet republics, and on Asia as much as Europe, and see the West as a threat to Russian values as well as to its state interests. Each of these positions, in turn, draws on an identifiable set of domestic constituencies: Liberal Westernisers on the promarket political parties, Pragmatic Nationalists on the presidential administration and defence and security ministries, and Fundamentalist Nationalists on the Orthodox Church and Communists.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Russia, elite, foreign policy, Liberal Westernisers, Pragmatic Nationalists,Fundamentalist Nationalists.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: White, Professor Stephen
• Authors: White, S.
• Subjects: D History General and Old World > DK Russia. Soviet Union. Former Soviet Republics; J Political Science > JA Political science (General); J Political Science > JZ International relations
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Politics
• Journal Name: Perspectives on European Politics and Society
• ISSN: 1570-5854
• ISSN (Online): 1568-0258
• Published Online: 01 June 2007
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2007 Routledge
• First Published: First published in Perspectives on European Politics and Society 8(2):147-167
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher