Routledge Russia and the Idea of Europe: A Study in Identity and International Relations

The end of the Soviet system and the transition to the market in Russia, coupled with the inexorable rise of nationalism, brought to the fore the centuries-old debate about Russia's relationship with Europe. In this revised and updated second edition of Russia and the Idea of Europe, Iver Neumann discusses whether the tensions between self-referencing nationalist views and Europe-orientated liberal views can ever be resolved. Drawing on a wide range of Russian sources, this book retains the broad historical focus of the previous edition and picks up from where the it off in the early 1990s, bringing the discussion fully up to date. Discussing theoretical and political developments, it relates the existing story of Russian identity formation to new foreign policy analysis and the developments in the study of nationalism. The book also offers an additional focus on post-Cold War developments. In particular it examines the year 2000, when Putin succeeded Yeltsin as president, and 2014, when Russian foreign policy turned from cooperation to confrontation. Bringing to life the various debates surrounding this complicated relationship in an accessible and clear manner, this book continues to be a unique and vital resource for both students and scholars of international relations. Review ‘With relations between Russia and Europe once again strained, this brilliant analysis provides a powerful historical and philosophical guide to one of the most fateful civilisational encounters of the modern era. This study is essential reading for anyone trying to make sense of contemporary Europe.’ - Richard Sakwa, University of Kent, UK 'If there is only one book to recommend to understand Russia's relations with the West, this is it. Through a beautifully-written and historically rich reconstruction of Russia's Western Other, Neumann provides deep and original insight into this often troubled relationship.' - Ted Hopf, National University of Singapore About the Author Iver B. Neumann is Montague Burton Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and a lifelong associate of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs.