<DIV> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=580 border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD vAlign=top> <DIV style="MARGIN-TOP: -3px">September 23, 2005</DIV> <DIV class=title style="MARGIN-LEFT: -1px">RP’s Weekly Russia Experts’ Panel: Defining the “Post-Soviet Space” </DIV> <DIV style="MARGIN-TOP: 7px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12px">By Peter Lavelle Russia Profile</DIV><CONTENT> 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 Russia’s foreign policy (as opposed to some kind of messianic “civilizing mission”) make any sense under conditions of globalization?   Third, wouldn’t 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 Putin’s 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 country’s national interests simply demands that it take advantage of competitive advantages.   Thus, shouldn’t 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:   <A href="http://www.untimely-thoughts.com/index.html?cat=3&type=3&art=1974">http://www.untimely-thoughts.com/index.html?cat=3&type=3&art=1974</A>  </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid"> </BLOCKQUOTE></DIV>__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com