Description
Book SynopsisThis book first proves that the rationale behind Russia's aggressive actions in its neighborhood resides in its goal of achieving certain geostrategic objectives which are largely predefined by the state's imperial traditions, memories, and fears that the Kremlin may irretrievably lose control over lands which were once Russian. In other words, Russia constantly remains an expansion-oriented and centralized state regardless of epochs and political regimes ruling over it. That is its geopolitical modus operandi successfully tested throughout history. This book also scrutinizes Ukraine as a young post-colonial and post-communist state which, unlike Russia, is more prone to democratize and decentralize. To understand the logics of the ongoing Ukrainian transformation, its domestic and international developments are assessed in their connection to the Soviet political tradition and the medieval legacy of the Cossack statehood (1518 centuries). This book outlines differences between the pol
Trade ReviewUkraine and Russian Neo-Imperialism is a timely and thoughtful book about the relationship between Russia and the Ukraine and explains why the two are in conflict today. By juxtaposing Russian and Ukrainian political cultures, Kushnir draws out the similarities and differences between these two countries and how we can understand them. For those who want to know about Russian foreign policy and its relationship to Ukraine, Ukraine and Russian Neo-Imperialism is a book you should consult. * VoegelinView *
Ostap Kushnir provides, with this highly synthetic, well-referenced, extremely informative and wide-ranging account, a comprehensive historical, political, philosophical and geographic interpretation of Ukraine's past, current and future challenges, in juxtaposition to the Russian political tradition. His narrative takes an explicitly Ukrainian perspective, and fruitfully mixes various recent empirical findings with insights from historiosophy, geopolitical analysis, ethnography, collective psychology, cultural studies, and comparative politics. In this learned, yet engaging book, Kushnir does not shy away from sweeping generalizations and bold assertions which makes this a powerful statement that will gain wide attention. This monograph should be required reading for diplomats, journalists, analysts and all others who would like acquire a deeper understanding of Ukraine's specific historic fate, international affairs and fundamental tasks today, as well as of how many Ukrainian intellectuals tend to see, explain and contextualize them. -- Andreas Umland, Institute for Euro-Atlantic Cooperation
Ostap Kushnir's timely and well-written book offers new original insights in the dialectic between Russia's old and new imperialism and Ukraine's struggle to emancipate itself from Russian colonial rule to become a modern, independent nation-state. Highly recommended. -- Marcel H. Van Herpen, The Cicero Foundation
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction Chapter 1: The Nature of Russian Political Culture Chapter 2: Expansionism as Russian Modus Operandi Chapter 3: Imperviousness, Cautiousness, and Adaptiveness of Russian Expansionism Chapter 4: Ukraine’s Interrupted Searches for Justice and Order Chapter 5: Ukraine: the Divergent Conclusion Bibliography About the Author
