...empire. In Was There Ever An American Empire?, Professor Antony Hopkins evaluates American history from its origins as a British colony to its current status as a world power. In its most basic form, Professor Hopkins’s argument is the United States was never an empire in the classical sense of empires such as the British, French, and Dutch, but due to acquisition and intervention during the Cold War to counter the spread of communism, the United States gained a reputation for being an empire. Essentially, the United States’ involvement across the world did not originate from an expansionist mindset, but the desire to establish temporary, strategic holdings in the geopolitical Cold War. However, the latter half of the 20th century witnessed massive decolonization on the global scale. The world observed America’s interference with new and developing countries and linked such practices to attempting to fill the void colonial powers left. Such accusations continue into the present as the US intervenes in various areas of the world where it holds economic or political interest, such as the Middle...
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...The ‘R’ in BRICs: is Russia an emerging power? S. NEIL MACFARLANE * The notion of emerging powers presupposes a number of characteristics shared by the states in question.1 These include regional preponderance, aspiration to a global role, and the contesting of US hegemony. These characteristics arguably make the group as a whole a useful category in analysis and policy formulation. In particular, cooperation among these states, and possibly with more established powers seemingly equally unhappy with the unipolar configuration of international politics (e.g. France), may create a basis for a coalition having the potential to balance American power.2 There is ample evidence from all of the emerging powers of unhappiness with the existing structure of international politics. There has also been substantial consideration of the potential for cooperation among them and with certain European states to constrain the hegemon—from the suggestion of entente between France, Germany and Russia to the repeated examination of prospects for a SinoRussian–Indian triangle, and the growing Chinese and Russian interest in bilateral cooperation over shared security concerns.3 This article assesses the role of Russia as an ‘emerging power’. How do Russians interpret the international system in which they operate? What kind of system would they prefer? What are they trying to do in the current system and why? How do these considerations affect their relations with the hegemon, with other centres...
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...Arthur THE Cold War Schlesinger, Jr. in its original form was a presumably mortal antagonism, arising in the wake of the Second World War, between two rigidly hostile blocs, one led by the Soviet the other by the United States. For nearly two somber Union, and dangerous decades this antagonism the fears of dominated itmay even, on occasion, have come close to blowing up mankind; the planet. In recent years, however, the once implacable struggle has lost its familiar clarity of outline. With the passing of old is sues and the emergence of new conflicts and contestants, there is a natural tendency, especially on the part of the generation which grew up during the Cold War, to take a fresh look at the causes of the great contention between Russia and America. Some exercises in reappraisal...
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...Delving into the history of the East Ukrainian conflict and recent annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by Putin-led Russia brings one to the scene of Ukraine’s former president, Viktor Yanukovych, facing a difficult choice while his country plowed toward economic cataclysm. He could either opt to form deeper ties with Europe in the form of a long-term, initially challenging deal with the EU to bolster trade, or join the Eurasian Union, for which Putin offered an appealing reward package instantaneously. The pro-Russian president of Ukraine at the time decided not to sign the agreement with the EU in the fall of 2013. This EU agreement wasn’t merely a trade agreement, but also a political agreement through which Ukraine would commit to adhering to certain European values and principles. Following this, widespread demonstrations broke out across Kiev, the city’s capital, in what is considered the Ukrainian Revolution. It is important to note, without overemphasizing, that Ukraine has a history of political and cultural divide, with the West (including the capital of Kiev), leaning more towards Europe, while the East having stronger ties with Russia. In the public’s eye, failure to sign the agreement from EU marked a move away from European principles and values. In the wake of the Ukrainian Revolution, then President Viktor Yanukovych fled the capital, which resulted in the Ukrainian parliament deposing him and appointing an interim President, Oleksandr Turchynov, followed by...
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...Students investigate key features and issues in the history of the Cold War 1945 - 1991 Outcomes Students: H1.1 describe the role of key features, issues, individuals, groups and events of select twentieth-century studies (Extract from Modern History Stage 6 Syllabus Board of Studies NSW 2004.) Key features and issues: • origins and development of the Cold War • influence of ideologies on the Cold War • impact of crises on changing superpower relations • the arms race • reasons for the end of the Cold War This is the transcript of a talk given at a seminar co-sponsored by the History Teachers’ Association of New South Wales and the US Information Service in Sydney on 2 September 1995. From this tutorial you will learn about: • influence of ideologies that led resulted in the division of the world into two opposed camps from 1945 • emerging differences between the superpowers Contents 1. US – Soviet relations were not synonymous with the Cold War 2. Chronology of the Cold War 3. Influence of ideologies of communism and capitalism on the Cold War 4. Soviet Objectives 5. American objectives 6. The Arms Race 7. The Third World was important for the Cold War 8. Why did the Cold War not end earlier? 9. Did the United States win the Cold War? Notes Suggestions for further reading 1. US – Soviet relations were not synonymous with the Cold War While the Cold War was central to post-1945 United States-Soviet relations,...
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...Bennett, Edward M. Recognition of Russia. Blaisdell Publishing Company, 1970. Pp 226 Edward Bennett was a professor at Washington State University. It appears that he had other works published, which followed the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Bennett used many sources for this book from a mix of primary and secondary sources, but appeared to use more secondary sources to support his thesis. Edward Bennett examines the U.S. policy of recognition and non-recognition during the time from President Woodrow Wilson administration through Roosevelt’s and the recognition of Russia and its effects on the American society. Bennett shows that a student must realize a states right to deny recognition to another state. He shows during Wilson’s administration the move away from the de facto policy. Bennett then try’s to show how effective Wilson’s non-recognition doctrine had been since its adoption to its abridgement in 1933. During this period he illustrated the differing view from Wilson’s non-recognition to Roosevelt finally extending diplomatic recognition to Russia and the effects that ensued. Prior to 1913 the United States practiced a de facto recognition towards governments of other countries. The U.S. practiced this form of recognition mainly on the basis it was the way that they had gained diplomatic recognition from France. During the time before the non-recognition the US had used the de facto (functional control) form and then the diplomatic recognition...
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...events developed in such way that in August 2008 military conflict launched in South Ossetia. The nature of this conflict had significant implications for regional and international power politics. According to the American scientist Kenneth Waltz “peace is the one among a number of ends simultaneously entertained… To explain how peace can be more readily achieved requires an understanding of the causes of the war”. After the war between Russia and Georgia the whole world was concerned about what was the reason of the August war? This paper attempts to review some literature about this topic trying to answer this main question and create even a little understanding of the views that were expressed during or after the war. According the literature reviewed, views about causes of the war can be divided in two parts. First part is about interests’ contradiction between Russia and the USA and the second – about “Matter” of Saakashvili. Interests’ contradiction – Russia and the USA The views about Russia’s interest are express by Riho Ühtegi in his article “the 2008 Russia-Georgia war five years later”, that was published in Estonian analytical journal Diplomaatia. As the author explains situation in the Caucasus, “the area has been in Russia’s sphere of influence already for a couple of hundred years. Having a say in the transit of local oil and natural...
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...fact that Moscow’s policies within its “sphere of influence” have not be static, and have been characterized by sweeping modifications. Since the breakup of Soviet Union, Russian policy in Central Asia has gone through drastic transformations and its influence in the region has varied over time. At present, Russian authority in Central Asia is weakening, yet the Kremlin continues to utilize number of political, institutional and economic strategies to prolong its presence there. Multilateral as well as Bilateral arrangements, and economic and energy leverages combined with cultural instructions are widely implemented in order to maintain Russian influence in Central Asia. Considering the fact that states in the region most importantly though not solely Kazakhstan, have begun to search for diversification and partnership with other great powers, they have gained a certain degree of independence from Moscow. Besides, in recent years China has emerged in Central Asia as an important rival to Russia in terms of influence, and has already established multiple agreements and investments with all of the states in the region. The degree of independence that Central Asian states have managed to gain due to their conviction to act separately from Moscow and to grab Western opportunities, as well as the Chinese presence in the region, suggest that Russian influence there is decreasing and will continue to do so in the near future. Russia has not lost its ambition to remain the main player...
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...Throughout the history United Stated and Russia have had multiple touching points. US and Russia had been competing for economic and political influence for decades, even centuries. In 19th century US and Russia even shared a land border when Russia had a settlement at Fort Ross. Russia's relations with US date all the way back to mid 19th century when Russia sold Alaska to the US. Also, Russia support of US during the Civil War was of great value. As the 20th century roled on US and Russia had seen some tension with US not recognizing Soviet Union until 1933. Nevertheless two countries still deiced to help and aid each other especially humanitarian assistance during the famine in 1921. In 1991, after the breakup of the Soviet union and the...
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...Preface The Cold War was a struggle for global influence between the United States and the Soviet Union. To that end, the two countries employed a variety of methods, all short of a direct, all-out attack on each other's homelands. The methods they used included the creation of rival alliances, the extension of military and economic aid to client states and would-be client states, a massive and expensive arms race, propaganda campaigns, espionage, guerrilla warfare, counterinsurgency warfare, and political assassinations. The Cold War was one of the longest conflicts in human history, over seventy years in duration, with periodic lulls in the level of hostility. It was also the widest in scope of all the world's wars; it was fought on every continent on the globe and, considering the space race, over every conti- nent as well. The Cold War was also one of the costliest of the world's conflicts, not only in numbers of lives lost but also in resources expended. In the end, the Soviet Union collapsed, and communism, at least in the form that existed in the Soviet Union, expired. But, as Mikhail Gorbachev pointed out, both sides lost much in the Cold War. The United States lost many lives and consumed huge financial resources as well, and the demo- cratic principles on which it was founded were endangered. For decades, historians have argued about the origins of the Cold War. Who, or what, was primarily responsible? Was it inevitable? One...
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...the initial widespread enthusiasm about these changes has dimmed in most of the countries surveyed; in some, support for democracy and capitalism has diminished markedly. In many nations, majorities or pluralities say that most people were better off under communism, and there is a widespread view that the business class and political leadership have benefited from the changes more than ordinary people. Nonetheless, self reported life satisfaction has risen significantly in these societies compared with nearly two decades ago when the Times Mirror Center1 first studied public opinion in the former Eastern bloc. The acceptance of — and appetite for — democracy is much less evident today among the publics of the former Soviet republics of Russia and Ukraine, who lived the longest under communism. In contrast, Eastern Europeans, especially the Czechs and those in the former East Germany, are more accepting of the economic and societal upheavals of the past two decades. East Germans, in particular, overwhelmingly approve of the reunification of Germany, as do those living in what was West Germany. However, fewer east Germans now have very positive views of reunification than in mid-1991, when the benchmark surveys were conducted by the Times Mirror Center for the People & the Press. And now, as then, many of those living in east Germany believe that unification happened too quickly. One of the most...
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...Why did the Grand Alliance fall apart so soon after the victory in Europe and Japan? [Listen to Owen talk about choosing his topic] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The three great allies of the Second World War, the United Kingdom, the United States and Russia together destroyed the Axis powers and shattered their imperial ambitions. Their "shotgun marriage" 1 was always unlikely, given the history of antagonism between them. The union was to be short lived, with the ideological and political differences leading to the collapse of the Grand Alliance within five years of the end of the war. Despite wartime hopes that the great allies may be able to continue in their relationship in peace and provide stability to the world community, the diplomatic and military relationship between the two dominant powers, the United States and Russia, quickly degenerated into the so-called 'Cold War' which was to dominate world politics for the next half a century. [Listen to Owen talk about presenting an argument] [Listen to Owen talk about writing intros] During the war the allied leaders were aware that victory in Europe and the Pacific meant much more than just the abolition of an intolerable political regime. Talking in 1944, Stalin said: "This war is not as in the past; whoever occupies a territory also imposes on it his own social system. Everyone imposes his own system as far as his army has power to do so. It cannot be otherwise...
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... strong economy and better foreign relations. In this regards her neighboring country china also there to fulfill the huge needs of energy, to contain U.S. influence in this region, counter terrorism, and make this region as strong economic market, china’s make better policies to achieve these goals and try to enhance better relations with these Central Asian States. The disintegration of Former Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1991 and the five independent central Asian republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan opened up phenomenal opportunities for china to exercise its influence in the central Asian region. These states attracted the world, primarily for its vast energy resources and other raw materials. The geo-economic and geo-strategic im to enhance its economic ability, strengthen its security to fulfill the Chinese principle of foreign policy “independence”. China, like other states bordering the central Asian region faced a changed geopolitical situation on its borders. The Chinese Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous (XUAR) shares a long and common border with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Central Asia was the arena of the “Great Game” in which Russia and the British Empire competed for strategic primacy. Today, the U.S.,...
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...conditions increased the likelihood of the third world war. The United States accused the USSR of seeking to expand Communism throughout the world. The Soviets, meanwhile, charged the United States with practicing imperialism and with attempting to stop revolutionary activity in other countries. Each block's vision of the world contributed to East-West tension. The United States wanted a world of independent nations based on democratic principles. The Soviet Union, however, tried control areas it considered vital to its national interest, including much of Eastern Europe. Through the Cold War did not begin until the end of World War II, in 1945, U.S.-Soviet relations had been strained since 1917. In that year, a revolution in Russia established a Communist dictatorship there. During the 1920's and 1930's, the Soviets called for world revolution and the destruction of capitalism, the economic system of United States. The United States did not grant diplomatic recognition to the Soviet Union until 1933. In 1941, during World War II, Germany attacked the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union then joined the Western Allies in fighting Germany. For a time early in 1945, it seemed possible that a lasting friendship might develop between the United States and Soviet Union...
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...culture plays from one area of the globe to the next. An in-depth look will be taken on the obstacles that may arise due to culture, adjustments that need to be made, and any ethical conundrums that may arise due to different cultures. Literature Review D. Elenkov and d. Kirova, state that “MNCs should not underestimate the importance of the cultural specificity of the host countries because different staffing, selecting, training, motivating and compensating practices should be applied in accordance with the characteristics of the local cultural context,” (2008, p. 71). A unique perspective on culture is taken by Hill, Hynes, and Johnson by analyzing the international student in the American business culture. “A relatively unrecognized challenge is knowledge of contemporary American business customs and culture. International students enrolled in two business schools formed focus...
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