Russia and the "West" a useful paradigm or an imagined actor? /

by Martin, Jeremy Andrew.

RUSSIA AND THE “WEST:” A USEFUL PARADIGM OR AN IMAGINED ACTOR? By Jeremy Andrew Martin In much of the post-Soviet literature on Western-Russian international relations, it is argued or assumed that post-Soviet Russia is too weak to challenge the “West” and its policies and plans regarding former Soviet states. This paper will argue that the “West” is not monolithic, and examine the limitations this places on Western influence within the post-Soviet space. The paper will divide the West into two primary entities, the European Union and the United States, and compare the influence and limitations these entities have against Russian foreign policy interests in the former Soviet space. Using journalistic accounts of several highly referenced conflicts, this paper will offer a case study analysis of the causes of Russian foreign policy successes and failures during periods of opposition to either one or both of these Western entities, and discuss the implications of these causes.