US-Russia relations post-Cold War: Russia left out in the Cold?

Bennett, D (2022) US-Russia relations post-Cold War: Russia left out in the Cold? Masters by Research thesis (MA), Manchester Metropolitan University.

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Abstract

This thesis analyses why US-Russia relations failed to improve post-Cold War. Existing scholarship’s explanation for the cause of this, based on offensive realist theory assumptions is insufficient because it is too focused on structural and materialist determinants. Consequently, it fails to consider the effect Russia’s unique, endogenous identity and interests have on shaping the Russian worldview and Russian policy towards the US. Therefore, a different theoretical approach is needed which takes these into account. This thesis uses a Wendtian constructivist approach which recognises that states possess their own unique identity and interests, informed at a domestic and international level over time. Wendtian constructivism also enables us to consider the role of the value systems that supplement and legitimise these identities and interests. To ascertain what Russian identity and interests are and the key elements that informed their establishment, this thesis undertakes a discourse analysis to critically analyse Russian foreign policy speeches, interviews and texts from Russian leaders and high ranking officials over a thirty year period (1991-2021). As a result, this thesis illuminates the logic behind Russian behaviour and decision making based on its identity and interests to explain the fluctuations in Russian foreign policy during this time. This thesis reveals that to a significant degree, Russian identity and interests have had a marked affect on relations, by shaping the Russian perspective and influencing Russian behaviour, and can thus help explain why US-Russia relations were impaired post-Cold War. Therefore, this thesis offers an alternative, more nuanced explanation than existing scholarship currently does, by illustrating the role Russia’s identity and interests have on preventing US-Russia relations from improving post-Cold War.