Russia in a Changing World

"This wide-ranging volume presents a range of views from Russia, provided by some of the leading scholars from the region. The book provides a unique insight into Russian thinking, revealing its diversity as well as the over-riding common perspectives."

-Richard Sakwa, University of Kent and Higher School of Economics, UK

"Russia and the Changing World is an excellent summary of the country's global priorities by leading experts of a top university"

-Andrei P. Tsygankov, San Francisco State University, USA

This book explores Russia's efforts towards both adapting to and shaping a world in transformation. Russia has been largely marginalized in the post-Cold War era and has struggled to find its place in the world, which means that the chaotic changes in the world present Russia with both threats and opportunities. The rapid shift in the international distribution of power and emergence of a multipolar world disrupts the existing order, although it also enables Russia to diversify it partnerships and restore balance. Adapting to these changes involves restructuring its economy and evolving the foreign policy. The crises in liberalism, environmental degradation, and challenge to state sovereignty undermine political and economic stability while also widening Russia's room for diplomatic maneuvering. This book analyzes how Moscow interprets these developments and its ability to implement the appropriate responses.

Glenn Diesen is a Professor at the National Research University - Higher School of Economics in Moscow, and an editor at the Russia in Global Affairs journal. His research focuses on the socio-economics of Greater Eurasia and the emerging strategic partnership between Russia and China.

Alexander Lukin is Director of the Centre for East Asian and Shanghai Cooperation Organization Studies, at Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO-University), Head of Department of International Relations and International Laboratory on World Order Studies and the New Regionalism at National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia, and Chair Professor in the School of Public Affairs of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.

Auteur
Glenn Diesen is a Professor at the National Research University - Higher School of Economics in Moscow, and an editor at the Russia in Global Affairs journal. His research focuses on the socio-economics of Greater Eurasia and the emerging strategic partnership between Russia and China.
Alexander Lukin is Director of the Centre for East Asian and Shanghai Cooperation Organization Studies, at Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO-University), Head of Department of International Relations and International Laboratory on World Order Studies and the New Regionalism at National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia, and Chair Professor in the School of Public Affairs of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.

Résumé

This book explores Russia's efforts towards both adapting to and shaping a world in transformation. Russia has been largely marginalized in the post-Cold War era and has struggled to find its place in the world, which means that the chaotic changes in the world present Russia with both threats and opportunities. The rapid shift in the international distribution of power and emergence of a multipolar world disrupts the existing order, although it also enables Russia to diversify it partnerships and restore balance. Adapting to these changes involves restructuring its economy and evolving the foreign policy. The crises in liberalism, environmental degradation, and challenge to state sovereignty undermine political and economic stability while also widening Russia's room for diplomatic maneuvering. This book analyzes how Russia interprets these developments and its ability to implement the appropriate responses.

Contenu

Chapter 1: Russia's Foreign Policy Responding to Global Changes

Sergey Karaganov

Sergey Karaganov, the Dean of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs at HSE and Honorary Chairman of the CFDP, deliberates on an evolving Russian foreign policy that has responded to global and regional changes over the past decades. Karaganov is a staunch advocate for Russia to align itself with China, India, Iran and other non-Western powers to construct a constrained multipolar world. The pivot to Asia is intended to also restructure Moscow's relationship with the West. Russia should prevent a further drift towards a major war among great powers by using its new Eurasian position to mitigate tensions with the West rather than intensify existing conflicts.

Chapter 2: Moving Beyond the Failed New World Order

Fyodor Lukyanov

Fyodor Lukyanov, the editor of the influential journal Russia in Global Affairs and Chairman of the Presidium of the CFDP, posits that a stable international order never established itself after the Cold War defined as a shared commitment to status quo of the basic rules and organisation of the international system. The post-Cold War world order was intended to transition into a system where the world was no longer divided because of their support for either the US or Soviet Union, and instead come together to resolve the most pressing problems of the world. The Western-centric world order failed as the imperative of preserving the unipolar distribution of power undermined the ability to address and solve the world's problems. While the unipolar world is coming to an end, a multipolar system has yet emerged. There is a multipolar distribution of power, yet the unilateralism of the unipolar era still prevails. Lukyanov posits that due to its size, geopolitical location, resource potential, great power tradition, and aspirations - Russia finds itself in the middle of the most important trends shaping the next world order. Global demand for a stable and balanced model is intertwined with Russia's quest for its new international identity. Reassessment of the past quarter of a century is needed in Russia both internationally and nationally to pave a way to the future.

Chapter 3: Russia's Pivot to Asia

Alexander Lukin

Alexander Lukin, the Department Head, Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs at HSE and Director of the Center for East Asian and SCO Studies at Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, explores Russia's pivot to Asia. While Russia's pivot to Asia has its successes and setbacks, the pivot is a reality that appears to be 'irreversible'. Supported by both economic and political strategic interests, Russia has made formidable investments to rewire global value chains by linking itself to the Asian giants. With a growing number of states across the massive continent embracing some format for Eurasian integration, Russia is finding partners to enhance economic connectivity and develop new political realities. The growing sentiment among the Russian political class and society is that the West has less to offer and new opportunities await in Asia. Yet, a formidable struggle awaits as Russia is less experienced in the political, economic and security environment of Asia and nobody is waiting for them with open arms.

Chapter 4: Russia's Economic Restructuring

Leonid Grigoryev Leonid Grigoryev, tenured professor at HSE and Russia's former deputy minister of economics and finances, argues that the Russian economy has continued it historical dependence on export of raw material exports. Russia's energy curse has been defined by de-industrialisation as energy exports became Russia's comparative advantage in the free market. The energy curse is now sought to be broken by using revenue from energy exports to finance a domestic high-tech sector and education, instead of using this revenue impo…