Passions Over Sovereignty

Of the many subjects of political debate in Russia in 2005, the main emphasis has been on national sovereignty.

Invigorating Russia’s Foreign Policy

The Russian Federation should unequivocally and unconditionally define itself as a successor to the millennium-old Russia. It will have to assume responsibility for all of its past sins, including – unpleasant as this may be – the sins of the Soviet era. But the game is worth the candle: Russia will once again become the doer of world history, recognizable and understandable to all.

Torn Between Two Choices

Russia’s move toward the West would be a lucrative decision, as well as nicely matching the psychological orientations of those individuals who cherish the idea of Russia’s great mission. By going West again, we will rescue the entire European project and ourselves.

An Outlook for Joint Countering of Security Threats

For more than three decades, missile attack warning systems have been major spheres of strategic rivalry in relations between the Soviet Union/Russia and the United States. In a new environment, with enough common sense and political will, they could become a no less important factor in the consolidation of efforts to meet global security challenges.

Global Energy Agenda

Global energy security will top the agenda of the Group of Eight’s next summit, to be held in Russia’s St. Petersburg in 2006. If Russia considers itself a full-fledged member of the ‘elite club,’ it must approach this discussion from the perspective of objective interests of the international community, rather than try to use the favorable situation on the market in its own interests.

The Importance of Being Normal

The contrast between Russia and the G7 institutions is so stark as to be uninformative. On the other hand, a comparison with the Big Five group of middle-income large countries – Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and South Africa – is more instructive. A "horse race" between Russia and the B5 group allows a prediction as to who among large non-OECD members is likely to increase its political weight and who will lag behind.

Russia as a European Nation and Its Eurasian Mission

There is a new purpose in the continuation of Russia’s Eurasian civilizing mission within the next several decades. This purpose is to preserve the memory and identity of former Soviet citizens, concerned with its affiliation with the Soviet people, as well as to perform the function as a host country for all those who continue to feel an attachment to Russia and would even prefer to work and live in Russia.

Sovereignty vs Democracy?

By a merciless twist of fate, those who seize power under the slogan of saving Russia are unable to maintain their power and, at the same time, place Russia on the brink of disaster. The unconditional implementation of popular sovereignty through free and honest elections protects the independence and integrity of Russia, together with its inner strength and freedom.

My Perception of Russia

In Russia the State is the strongest concept, the Holy Russian State, whose main task is to defend the Russian nation and Russianness. Society in Russia is a much weaker notion as a consequence of the strong State. Russia has no long tradition of strong, well-developed non-government organizations.

Statehood: The Regional Dimension

Russia clearly needs to rely on a couple dozen big and prosperous cities capable of developing rapidly in some key areas. These cities are located especially near seas and oceans, and at communication hubs in important border areas. It is equally important that they have a business and political elite with a sense of local patriotism; individuals who are not prepared to jump ship and move to Moscow at any moment, while sending their offspring abroad with the bulk of their capital.

North Caucasian Map of Threats

The sweeping economic depression in the Caucasian territories has caused a rapid process of latent separation: the population is developing a steady estrangement from the state power and the rest of the country while simulating superficial loyalty to it.

Russia’s Solitude After the CIS

The instability in some of the CIS countries has been brought about by the failure of the post-Soviet integration process, which in turn was due to the insufficient actions of the present Russian bureaucracy. A new generation of politicians must come to power that would be responsible to their country and capable of modernizing Russia and, finally, carrying out post-Soviet integration.

Democracy by Remote Control

Elections in the CIS countries are turning from an instrument of the people’s will into a convenient pretext for outside multilateral interference. This new environment is aimed at creating international legal conditions for changing a regime by challenging election results, claiming as illegitimate the existing constitutional procedures and provoking an acute political crisis.

Between Assimilation, Irredenta, and Globalization

Russians have had acute difficulties in coming to terms with their status as minorities in the unwelcoming — sometimes openly hostile — successor states of the Soviet Union. Severed mentally, politically, and geographically from their homeland, these “new” immigrants have had to rethink what it means to be part of a diaspora community and to mentally place themselves within that conceptual space.

Fernando Henrique Cardoso: "We Need More Democracy to Tame Markets@

Fernando Henrique Cardoso: "We Need More Democracy to Tame Markets"

You can compare globalization with the beginning of industrialization in Europe in the early 19th century when the workers were prepared to break the machinery because they were against it. To be against globalization is a similar situation, to some extent. If Karl Marx were still alive he would say: "You people are crazy. This is the means to progress."

Restoring Russia’s Future

No kind of sovereignty or law can rely on legislative acts, contracts, coalitions, guarantees or promises if it does not rely on power as well. In the end, the might of a country is the only basis for its sovereignty. The degree of might determines the ability of any state to make and implement sovereign decisions.

New Contours of the World Order

The recent changes in the world situation have brought about several historic challenges to Russia, causing it to amend its policy. The rapid redistribution of forces on the world arena in favor of “New Asia” requires that Russia revise its economic and political priorities.