After The Breakup Of A Multi-ethnic Empire: Russia, Successor States, And Eurasian Security (praeger Security International)

The relationship between the Russian Federation and the 14 non-Russian successor states is unequal, with Russia the dominant power. This power imbalance is a hold-over from the Soviet era in which the RSFSR was first among equals. Empires, like the Soviet one, are specific types of political systems that differed from modern states. The centralized, multi-ethnic and non-democratic character of empires explains the continued dominance of the Russian Federation. It also explains the absence of alternative economic arrangements and political contacts between the former republics. The Soviet system was structured so as to establish Russian control over non-Russian republics. The political structure was centralized so that all decisions, including investment, production, and distribution decisions were made in Moscow. Economic planning dictated a complex network of production and distribution that rendered the former republics dependent on Russia in a variety of ways. Soviet patterns of government administration and economic management are still evident in all the former republics. Continued dependency on Russia has compromised the state-building efforts of the former republics. Political rhetoric trumpeting new foreign investment, the expansion of diplomatic relations, the signing of trade agreements, and the imminent entrance into international organizations masks the fact that none of these new contacts have been able to replace the old Soviet production and distribution networks. Scholars and students involved with comparative politics and Russian (post-Communist) Studies will find the work of particular value. Annotation. Birgerson examines the endurance of economic and political institutions established during the Soviet period and how their endurance has comprised the independence of the former republics. These successor states are struggling to establish stable, independent states against a backdrop of economic decline, and, in some cases, civil unrest. The role of Russia remains that of the dominant power in the region Contents Introduction Chapter 1 The Dissolution of Empires Chapter 2 Empires and the Case of the Soviet Union Chapter 3 The Historical Origins of the Russian Nation Chapter 4 Russia: National Interests and the Near Abroad Chapter 5 The Slavic Successor States: Belarus and Ukraine Chapter 6 The Central Asian Successor States Chapter 7 The Baltic Successor States Chapter 8 Conclusion Selected Bibliography Index Annotation Examines how economic and political institutions established during the Soviet period have comprised the independence of the former republics Susanne Michele Birgerson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [195]-200) And Index.