Is Nationalism Rising in Russian Foreign Policy? the Case of Georgia

摘要: Western discussion during the last half-decade has increasingly focussed on an ''assertive" and even ''aggressive" Russian foreign policy that underpins ever more confident global position. From a Russia could only say "yes" in 1990s, West is apparently now confronting can, will, "no."1For many analysts, this assertive stance been associated with distinct ideational underpinnings have sought to challenge liberalism. Although ''sovereign democracy" most obvious example, also argued anti-Western nationalism moved from margins mainstream of discourse Putin era.2 Moreover, had, apparently, begun ineluctably influence deepen rhetorical cognitive dissonance between West. Indeed, as Edward Lucas argued, ''the ideological conflict New Cold War lawless law-governed multilateralism." 3However, role might played Russia-Georgia August 2008 largely ignored. One influential authors conflict, Ronald Asmus, did argue ''by summer ... nationalistic revisionist was rebelling against system it felt no longer met its interests had imposed moment temporary weakness."4 Neither he nor other examined depth. Yet his contention can support narrative ''lawless nationalism." Russia's recognition Abkhazia South Ossetia defiance Euro-Atlantic positions be seen tipping-point when began substantiate rhetoric export highly internal values attempt revise post-Cold order.Nevertheless, hindsight perhaps confounds view. consensus wanted planned war, Georgian mistakes mean ''good" versus ''evil" (implicit Lucas's account) cannot convincingly maintained.5 More widely, US-Russia ''reset" involved marked change climate de-escalation rhetoric. itself focused modernization, immediate fear pursue overt annexation contested regions like Crimea Transnistria receded. Finally, President Dmitry Medvedev's modernization increased efforts control domestic nationalist excesses via greater law enforcement.6In article, I will trace Medvedev eras, focussing specifically arguments for reactions conflict. The main questions focus are: (1) What are basic dynamics relationship under Medvedev?; (2) play War? Was significant motivating factor conduct Asmus indicated?; and, (3) Overall, war corroboration or deviation general relationship? end some observations about whether indeed decreased since presents obstacle ''modernization" ''resetting" policy.I typical complex one-it simply not case inherently expansionist militarist, classic accounts argue.7 Even Medvedev, authorities generally promoted based ''statist nationalism" conservative opposed reactionary, orientated toward pragmatism, ideology. …