Contested Identity and Foreign Policy: Interpreting Russia's International Choices

Abstract

This paper develops a framework for interpreting state international policy by treating national identity as inherently contested. Building on insights from constructivist literature, it proposes a technique for establishing the meaning of foreign policy action on several interrelated levels: state‐based, society‐based, and international. The paper illustrates the benefits of the approach by selecting the example of Russia's European diplomacy under President Dmitri Medvedev. By studying how officials themselves justify their policies and how these policies are then perceived in broader social and international settings, we have an opportunity to develop a rich understanding of a particular state action, as well as tentatively assess the chances of this action's success or failure.

The failed Western challenge to Russia’s revival in Eurasia?

“…It was based, as well, on a consensus that Russia was no longer a major power and, thus, its views could be ignored with relative impunity, since it was in no position to back up its complaints with meaningful action (Kanet and Ibryamova, 2001;Kanet, 2010a). This Western downplaying of Russia's place in the international system directly challenged the sense of honour and status that, in the view of Tsygankov and others, lies at the very heart of Russian foreign policy (Heller, 2012;Tsygankov, 2012Tsygankov, , 2014Moulioukova and Kanet, 2015). Western behaviour fed Russian nationalist paranoia, a paranoia that Vladimir Putin has done much to expand and effectively manipulate (Umland, 2015).…”

Interpreting foreign policy: National, comparative and regional studies

“…In his view, a combination of material capabilities and the layered interactions of all actors involved in and outside the state can create heavily constrained ideational possibilities for decision-makers, 'but not enough to deprive them of meaningful choices'. 34 Suggestively for our purposes Tsygankov pointed out that IR has developed around 'Western'…”

Towards conflict or cooperation? The Ukraine crisis and EU-Russia relations

“…The last tension emphasises the EU and Russia's contrasting understanding of norms, values and legitimacy in the international system (Tsygankov 2014;Rutland 2012;White and Feklyunina 2014). On the one hand, the EU puts emphasis on multilateralism solidarity and ethical behaviour in international relations.…”