Russia and the world in the Putin era: from theory to reality in Russian global strategy

Abstract

Russia and the world in the Putin era addresses the political, economic and strategic dimensions of Russian foreign policy under President Vladimir Putin. The book shows how the country is engaging with different actors on the global stage and aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the western understanding of Putin's Russia. Deliberating on Russo-western relations, the contributors demystify the Kremlin's creation of its image as a great power, which has historically inspired its engagement with the West (p. 35). Furthermore, this has shaped the country's ontological security based on internal factors, such as internal identity coherence and unlimited political power in the hands of the ruler (p. 11). Therefore, an ‘ontological trap’ represents a recurring trend, promoting a more aggressive response from the Kremlin to achieve its ends vis-à-vis the West (p. 35). Following similar lines, the book also elaborates on Hedley Bull's conception of the image in international relations to explain why Putin pays special attention to the centrality of the state: to avoid an anarchic situation inside Russia (pp. 71–4).