ORAC
6th Sep 2007, 15:05
Excellent article on relations between Russia and Europe and dwelling on the Russian concept of "Sovereign Democracy", also forecasting problems ahead as it sees the EU and Russian differences as being based on fundamentally incompatible ideologies.
Very timely in view of the upsurge in various disputes of late. I found this statement particularly worrying:
"The contrasting nature of political elites in Russia and Europe today is one more reason for concern over the future of the relationship. The new Russian elite, winner of the zero-sum games of the transition, is very different from its late-Soviet predecessor - whose members were bureaucratic, risk-adverse and competent when it came to international relations and security policies. The new elite's cadres are highly self-confident, risk-prone and immensely wealthy. Europe does not know how to deal with these people. European political elites, which made their careers in practicing compromise and avoiding conflicts, are facing elites that are proud of not taking hostages. Mutual misperceptions and misunderstandings seem unavoidable."....
Russia vs Europe: the sovereignty wars (http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/globalisation/institutions_government/russia_europe)
Very timely in view of the upsurge in various disputes of late. I found this statement particularly worrying:
"The contrasting nature of political elites in Russia and Europe today is one more reason for concern over the future of the relationship. The new Russian elite, winner of the zero-sum games of the transition, is very different from its late-Soviet predecessor - whose members were bureaucratic, risk-adverse and competent when it came to international relations and security policies. The new elite's cadres are highly self-confident, risk-prone and immensely wealthy. Europe does not know how to deal with these people. European political elites, which made their careers in practicing compromise and avoiding conflicts, are facing elites that are proud of not taking hostages. Mutual misperceptions and misunderstandings seem unavoidable."....
Russia vs Europe: the sovereignty wars (http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/globalisation/institutions_government/russia_europe)