Contributors: Peter Rutland, Janusz Bugajski, Gordon Hahn, Dale Herspring, Vladimir Frolov, Andrei Tsygankov, Eric Kraus, Patrick Armstrong, Ira Straus and Donald Jensen
Peter Lavelle: The term Post-Soviet Space is used a lot in Russia, although the meaning is not always immediately clear. Does the term apply only to the geographic area that was once part of the Soviet Union or regimes that have yet to completely free themselves from the Soviet mindset (i.e. style of rule)? Often among Russian political thinkers, the post-Soviet space is another term used under the rubric of Eurasianism a non-Western imperial project that will allow small former Soviet republics to retain their identity under Russia's big umbrella.
First, is it time to retire the term post-Soviet space for something much more refined? After all, many of the new independent states that were part of the Soviet Union have taken very different developmental (political and economic) trajectories.
Second, and in brief, does Eurasianism as part of Russias foreign policy (as opposed to some kind of messianic civilizing mission) make any sense under conditions of globalization?
Third, wouldnt it be better to use the appellation post-Soviet economic development zone? There is always a lot of media heat, but little light, when it comes to military bases and pipelines. Not nearly as much attention, however, is devoted to the economic development of the former Soviet states. During Vladimir Putins presidency, Russia has very aggressively pursued policies to integrate its neighbors usually by use of energy exports and mineral resource extraction technologies. This makes perfect economic and business sense a countrys national interests simply demands that it take advantage of competitive advantages.
Thus, shouldnt we be more focused on economic development as opposed to over-dramatized and easy to over-play political developments? Would this approach basically undercut the terms post-Soviet space and Eurasianism?
The replies:
http://www.untimely-thoughts.com/index.html?cat=3&type=3&art=1974
__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <../attachments/20050923/c052c234/attachment.htm>