Status and Identity after the Cold War

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the varying responses of China and Russia to the collapse of communism and the breakup of the Soviet Union—the most serious threats to Chinese and Russian identities and status since the First World War. Frustrated with lack of recognition and respect by the United States and other Western powers, both China and Russia briefly pursued policies of social competition, but learned that efforts to compete with the United States were embarrassingly futile. China and Russia then adopted social creativity strategies for acquiring prestige—China as a responsible world power, and Russia as a partner with the United States in the War on Terror. China's “peaceful rise” strategy was welcomed by the United States, whereas Putin's cooperation after 9/11 was not reciprocated. Russia began to assert its right to a droit de regard in neighboring areas and to advocate a multipolar order, culminating in the 2014 takeover of Crimea and destabilizing of Ukraine.