In this research paper the central issue to be treated will not be the external factors but if and how far internal factors within the Russian Federation can explain Russian bearing in the Ukraine crisis. The focus will lie upon four fields to be examined.
Firstly the situation of the country will be described in terms of its current economic state but also its present self-image and self-confidence within the international system.
Secondly the category of individual actors having an impact on the implementation of Russian foreign policy shall be investigated which will manly focus on Vladimir Putin and his conception of power as well as his personal experiences which could have marked his attitude in international affairs.
Thirdly, closely linked to Vladimir Putin, the Russian governmental system and its role in Russian foreign policy will be characterised.
Lastly the role of the civil society, especially of the media and economic actors shall be examined. In the conclusion the final results will then be summed up and connected in order to answer the initial question.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The situation of the Russian Federation – economic boom and restauration of international power or illusionary giant trying to cover his weaknesses?
3. The Russian governmental system and its role in Russian foreign policy
4. Individual actors – Vladimir Putin as the rehabilitator of Russian magnitude or as the originator of Russian isolation driven by the will to secure his claim of power?
5. The impact of the civil society upon Russian foreign policy - focus on the media and important economic actors
6. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This paper examines whether and to what extent internal factors within the Russian Federation can explain the country's conduct during the Ukraine crisis. The research focuses on the intersection of domestic political structures, individual leadership, and civil society influence to determine their role in shaping Russian foreign policy decisions.
- The economic state of Russia and its impact on foreign policy.
- Vladimir Putin's leadership style, power conception, and personal history.
- The role of the Russian governmental system in centralized decision-making.
- The influence of state-controlled media and economic actors in shaping public sentiment.
Excerpt from the Book
The situation of the Russian Federation – economic boom and restauration of international power or illusionary giant trying to cover his weaknesses?
Vladimir Putin took office as the President of the Russian Federation in 2000 and his first term ended in 2004. During this time the Russian economy grew by rates between 4.7% and 10% annually. During his second term as President (2004-2008) these figures oscillated between 5.2% and 8.5%. Ever since growth rates between 2010 and 2013 have fallen under 5%. According to the former Russian minister of Finance, Alexei Kudrin, 2 to 3 percentage points of annual economic growth came from the oil and gas sector. So on the one hand Russia made crucial steps in terms of economic growth ever since the beginning of Putin’s reign but this progress depended very much on the very high level of oil and gas prices during these years.
Apparently too much, as has been shown since the decline of the oil price, plummeting from 140$ per barrel in 2008 to only 48$ in 2015 (see chart 2). At the end of 2013 and the first months of 2014 they oscillated around 100$, way below levels reached afore thus already announcing that the Russian economy could face serious trouble along with the budget of the Russian Federation. Taking also into account that the Russian industry had not undergone a process of modernisation and diversification as it could have thanks to huge foreign exchanges deriving from the selling of natural resources, this sector could not compensate for the reduction in oil and gas sales revenues.
Some observers have therefore made clear that Putin’s intervention in Eastern Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea might have been a gamesmanship in order to detract from his failure in economic politics and to focus national attention in Russia towards external affairs thus strengthening his claim to power against an enemy abroad.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the origins of the Ukraine crisis, the initial protests, and the scope of this research paper regarding internal Russian factors.
2. The situation of the Russian Federation – economic boom and restauration of international power or illusionary giant trying to cover his weaknesses?: Analyzes Russia's economic reliance on oil and gas and how economic instability may have influenced foreign policy decisions.
3. The Russian governmental system and its role in Russian foreign policy: Examines the centralized power structure of the Russian government and the supremacy of the President in determining foreign policy.
4. Individual actors – Vladimir Putin as the rehabilitator of Russian magnitude or as the originator of Russian isolation driven by the will to secure his claim of power?: Investigates Vladimir Putin's background and his intent to consolidate power through the management of internal and external threats.
5. The impact of the civil society upon Russian foreign policy - focus on the media and important economic actors: Discusses the role of state-controlled media propaganda and the strategic support of the oligarchs in legitimizing government actions.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, concluding that internal factors like authoritarianism and propaganda facilitate the execution and justification of Russia's aggressive foreign policy.
Keywords
Russian Federation, Ukraine crisis, Vladimir Putin, Foreign Policy, Crimea, Economic Growth, Governmental System, Civil Society, Media Control, Oligarchs, Political Power, Authoritarianism, Nationalism, Sanctions, Geopolitics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research focuses on analyzing internal factors within the Russian Federation, rather than external factors, to explain Russia's behavior during the Ukraine crisis.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
The central themes include Russia's economic reliance on resources, the centralization of the Russian political system, the role of Vladimir Putin as a key actor, and the influence of civil society through media and economic elites.
What is the core research question?
The core question is whether and to what extent internal factors within the Russian Federation can explain the country's bearing in the Ukraine crisis.
Which methodology does the author use?
The author uses a qualitative analysis approach, examining political, economic, and social structures within Russia to contextualize state actions.
What is covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body covers Russia's economic state, the centralized governmental system, individual leadership dynamics, and the role of the media and business oligarchs in sustaining the regime's policy.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Russian Federation, Ukraine crisis, Vladimir Putin, authoritarianism, geopolitical power, and state propaganda.
How does the author characterize the Russian political system?
The author characterizes the Russian political system as a "managed," "illiberal," or "defective" democracy with a highly centralized chain of command dominated by the President.
What role does the media play in the context of the Ukraine crisis according to the paper?
The media acts as a tool for the state to disseminate propaganda, creating a sense of fear and external threat among the population, which in turn justifies government actions like the annexation of Crimea.
What is the significance of the relationship between Putin and the oligarchs?
There is an interdependence where the oligarchs support Putin to protect their assets and freedom, while Putin relies on their economic and political backing to maintain his power base.
- Quote paper
- Benedikt Weingärtner (Author), 2015, Russia’s policy in the Ukraine crisis. The role of internal factors, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/373629
