Midterm Study Guide: Soviet and Russian Foreign Policy

Liberals

A political tendency that emphasizes individual rights, democracy, and free markets.

Nationalists

A political tendency that prioritizes national interests and identity, often advocating for sovereignty and self-determination.

Great Power Activists

A political tendency focused on maintaining and enhancing a country's status and influence as a major global power.

Realists

A political tendency that views international relations primarily in terms of power and national interest.

Assertivists

A political tendency that advocates for a strong and proactive foreign policy to assert national interests.

Terrorist Attacks of September 11

A significant event that prompted various political tendencies to analyze its causes and implications for Russia's international response.

US-led Invasion of Iraq

A military action that elicited diverse responses from different political tendencies regarding its justification and consequences.

NATO Expansion

The process of NATO's growth, which has been viewed differently by various political tendencies in terms of its impact on Russia.

Color Revolutions

Popular uprisings in post-Soviet states that have been interpreted differently by the five political tendencies regarding their implications for Russia.

Nuclear and Conventional Arms Control

Policies and treaties concerning the regulation of weapons, which are viewed differently by each political tendency.

Missile Defense System in Eastern Europe

A military initiative by the US and NATO that has been met with various responses from the five political tendencies.

Invasion of Georgia

A military action by Russia that representatives of the five tendencies would analyze and defend based on their political views.

Support for Separatist Rebels in Ukraine

Russia's backing of factions opposing the Ukrainian government, which would be evaluated differently by each political tendency.

Occupation of Ukraine

The military presence and control by Russia in Ukraine, subject to various interpretations by the five political tendencies.

Fundamental Beliefs

Core principles that guide the political tendencies of Liberals, Nationalists, Great Power Activists, Realists, and Assertivists.

Influence of Political Approaches

The varying degrees of impact that each political tendency has had on Russian foreign policy at different historical moments.

Intellectual Sources

The theoretical foundations that inform the beliefs and strategies of the five political tendencies.

Historical Sources

Past events and contexts that shape the perspectives of the political tendencies on foreign policy.

Political Sources

The political context and actors that influence the development and advocacy of each political tendency.

Emergence of Approaches

The factors that led to the development of the five political tendencies in Russia and their responses to global events.

View of Russia's Role

How each political tendency perceives Russia's position and responsibilities in the international arena.

View of the West

The perspective each political tendency holds regarding Western countries and their influence on Russia.

Potential Allies and Threats

The countries that each political tendency identifies as either supportive or threatening to Russia's interests.

General Policies for Russia

The overarching strategies that each political tendency advocates for Russia's international conduct.

Specific Actions for Implementation

The concrete steps that each political tendency suggests Russia should take to realize its foreign policy goals.

CIS

Commonwealth of Independent States, a regional organization formed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Shanghai Cooperation Org.

A political, economic, and military organization aimed at fostering cooperation among member states in Asia.

Eurasianists

Advocates of a geopolitical concept emphasizing the importance of Russia's role in Eurasia.

INF Treaty

Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, an agreement between the US and the USSR to eliminate certain categories of missiles.

Atlanticists

Individuals or groups that advocate for strong ties between Russia and Western countries, particularly the US and NATO.

Collective Security Treaty Org.

A military alliance of former Soviet republics aimed at mutual defense.

Liberals

Political groups in Russia that promote democratic governance and market-oriented reforms.

Siloviki

Individuals in power structures (military, security services) who influence Russian politics and foreign policy.

Realists

Political theorists who emphasize national interest and power in international relations.

Kozyrev

Andrei Kozyrev, a Russian politician known for his liberal foreign policy during the early 1990s.

Great Power Activists

Individuals or groups advocating for Russia's status as a major global power.

C[A]FE Treaty

A treaty related to the Collective Security framework among former Soviet states.

Nationalists

Groups that prioritize national sovereignty and interests in foreign policy.

Assertivists

Political actors who advocate for a more aggressive and assertive foreign policy.

START I

Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty I, an agreement between the US and the USSR to reduce nuclear weapons.

START II

Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty II, a follow-up agreement aimed at further reducing nuclear arsenals.

Genghis Khan

The founder of the Mongol Empire, known for his invasions and conquests across Asia and Europe.

Golden Horde

A Mongol khanate that ruled over parts of Russia and Eastern Europe in the 13th to 15th centuries.

Kto-kogo [kto-kavo]

A phrase meaning 'who is who' often used in political contexts.

Brest-Litovsk

A treaty signed in 1918 between the Bolshevik government and the Central Powers, ending Russia's involvement in World War I.

New Economic Policy

A policy implemented by Lenin in the 1920s to stabilize the economy through a mixed economy approach.

Comintern

The Communist International, an organization aimed at promoting worldwide communism.

Socialism in one country

A Marxist-Leninist doctrine asserting that socialism can be built in a single country without international revolution.

Nazi-Soviet Pact (Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact)

A non-aggression treaty between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed in 1939.