The essay discusses Russian interference with the Ukraine crisis. Theoretically, I use Morgenthau's classical realism to examine the events that led to the annexation of Crimea and finally to the ongoing upheavals in Donbas. By analyzing applicable international law and bilateral treaties, I find that, in the early stages of the crisis, Moscow tried to exert influence on Ukrainian politics by exercising economic and political pressure. This may be due to an urge to prevent a weakening of its power position in the shadow of the – then impending – association between Ukraine and the EU. Russia thus pursued a policy of the status quo. However, later in the crisis, it annexed Crimea and resorted to military force and unconventional warfare. It has been found here that, after February 2014, Russian policy towards Ukraine shows essential features of a policy of imperialism.
Table of Contents
Preface
Chapter I - The Concept of Classical Realism
Realism According to Morgenthau
The Struggle for Power
Chapter II - Russia’s Intervention in the Light of Classical Realism
Applicable International Law and Ukraine’s Relevance
Endangered Status Quo or Unrestrained Power Expansion?
Chapter III - Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper aims to analyze the Russian intervention in Ukraine and the subsequent annexation of Crimea through the theoretical lens of Hans J. Morgenthau’s classical realism. It explores how Russian foreign policy shifted from maintaining a status quo to an imperialistic approach, testing the explanatory power of realist theory in the context of contemporary international crises.
- The theoretical foundations of Hans J. Morgenthau’s classical realism
- The definitions and applications of status quo versus imperialistic policies
- The geopolitical significance of Ukraine as a transit country and security buffer
- The violation of international legal frameworks and territorial integrity
- The shift in Russian strategic behavior before and after the 2014 Maidan events
Excerpt from the Book
The Struggle for Power
Morgenthau distinguishes between three types of politics. “A political policy seeks either to keep, to increase or to demonstrate power.” (Morgenthau, 1948, p. 21) A nation whose foreign policy attempts to retain power pursues a policy of status quo, while one that seeks a favorable change in the status of power pursues a policy of imperialism. A nation whose international policy aims to demonstrate its power, either to keep or to enhance it, pursues a policy of prestige (ibid., p. 21-22). The policies of the status quo and imperialism are particularly relevant to the understanding of the events observed within this paper.
a. Policy of the Status Quo
A policy of the status quo refers to a currently recognized distribution of power that a nation seeks to maintain by preventing other states from changing it. According to Morgenthau, this form of policy is mostly pursued after the end of a war, in that attempts are made to secure the new existing power relations through peace treaties and international organizations (ibid., p. 22).
b. Policy of Imperialism
Opposed to this is the policy of imperialism. However, according to Morgenthau, a foreign policy aimed at increasing power is not automatically a policy of imperialism. Nor can any striving to maintain a states supremacy in certain areas be seen as imperialism (ibid., p. 22). A policy of imperialism, however, is likely to be given when a state intends to change the status quo by force through its actions (ibid., pp. 34-35). The means of this power expansion policy can be military, economic, or cultural (ibid., p. 38-40) and are often justified by ideology (ibid., p. 38-49).
Summary of Chapters
Preface: This chapter provides historical context regarding the 2014 political crisis in Ukraine and outlines the paper's intent to apply classical realism to Moscow’s intervention.
Chapter I - The Concept of Classical Realism: This section introduces Hans J. Morgenthau’s theory, defining key assumptions such as the nature of man, the struggle for power, and the distinction between status quo and imperialistic policies.
Chapter II - Russia’s Intervention in the Light of Classical Realism: This chapter applies the realist framework to Russia's actions in Ukraine, analyzing the violation of international law and the transition from exerting economic pressure to military annexation.
Chapter III - Conclusion: The concluding chapter summarizes the study's findings, affirming that Russia’s post-2014 behavior toward Ukraine exhibits the core characteristics of an imperialistic policy as defined by Morgenthau.
Keywords
Classical Realism, Hans J. Morgenthau, Russia, Ukraine, Crimea, Annexation, Power Politics, Status Quo, Imperialism, International Relations, Foreign Policy, Geopolitics, Territorial Integrity, Conflict, International Law
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic work?
The work examines Russia's foreign policy toward Ukraine, specifically focusing on the 2014 annexation of Crimea through the theoretical framework of classical realism.
Which theoretical school of thought is utilized?
The paper utilizes Hans J. Morgenthau’s classical realism, emphasizing his concepts of power struggle, status quo policies, and imperialistic expansion.
What is the main research question?
The paper seeks to determine if Russia’s behavior during the Ukraine crisis can be theoretically explained by classical realism, and specifically, what type of power politics Russia practiced.
How is the Russian intervention categorized theoretically?
The author argues that while Russia’s initial actions represented a policy of maintaining the status quo, the post-February 2014 events, including the annexation of Crimea, transitioned into a policy of imperialism.
What role does international law play in this analysis?
International law serves as a benchmark for the established status quo, which the author demonstrates was violated by Russia's use of military force and support for insurgents.
Which key political figure’s theory is the centerpiece of the analysis?
The analysis is centered on the political theory developed by Hans Joachim Morgenthau, particularly as articulated in his work "Politics among Nations".
How does the author define "power" in the context of this study?
Following Morgenthau, the author defines power as the ability to influence the minds and actions of others for one's own sake.
What specific events are cited as a violation of international agreements?
The paper cites the deployment of armed forces in Crimea, the unconstitutional referendum, and the violation of the Budapest Memorandum as clear breaches of international obligations.
What conclusion does the author draw regarding Russia's strategic goals?
The conclusion suggests that Russia sought to prevent a shift in regional power towards the West and eventually adopted aggressive, imperialistic measures to reassert its influence over Ukrainian territory.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Dominik Stojkovic (Autor:in), 2020, Vladimir vs. Volodymyr. Crimea’s Annexation and its Role in the Light of Classical Realism, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/950786
