Forced Attraction?

Abstract

The “Bolotnaya” protests of 2011–2013 and the ongoing Ukraine crisis have brought to the forefront of Russian politics an increased preoccupation with soft power. Official discourse and directives seek to both avoid risks and exploit opportunities in using soft power toward state ends. This dichotomous approach to the “power of attraction” demonstrates significant differences in the perception of soft power by Russian officials and their Western counterparts. The present article focuses on Russia’s efforts to control and instrumentalize the sources of soft power in its “near abroad.” It argues that such an approach has been counterproductive for Russia. By looking at empirical data from six former Soviet republics, the analysis reveals that Russia, by instrumentalizing its soft power resources in the former Soviet republics, has diminished their potential for generating attraction.