Russian Domestic Factors and Foreign Policy

Russia is a democratic republic with 83 federal units. The country is bordered by 14 countries including Norway, Finland, Estonia, and Poland. It is one of the largest countries in the world with a land area of 17,000,000 squire kilometers and a population of 143 million people. The country is well endowed with natural resources like minerals, forest cover and water resources. Russian mighty and power was acquired during its membership in the Soviet Union were it emerged as a super power. The country has permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council it is also a member of the Group of 20(G20), Group of 8(G8) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. This paper will critically examine the Russian national purpose and ideology, national power and international relationships as well as foreign policy. The paper will also describe the Russian commitments and its national security relationships with the United States.

Question one. National purpose of Russia
Russia is keen to increase her economic growth, protect the security of her people and safeguard vital markets for her products. The country has managed to use technology in developing military influence to protect her people and enhance power and influence in the international market. However, the Russian economy is still struggling and the focus is to enhance economic expansion. The national purpose is therefore shaped by economic and security interests. To pursue its national interest, Russia has teamed up with other rich nations in influencing global politics and international policy-making processes. Besides, the country has membership in economic blocks to find convenient market for its products (Bowen, 1998).

Question Two.Russian ideology
Since the era of Soviet Union, Russia has been pursuing a socialistic political ideology (Hill, 1978). The Soviet Union was based on Marxism-Leninism theories and the influence was extended to political parties in other countries. Nevertheless, with the fall of the powerful USSR, there was need to build a new strategy to guide the nation. In this regard, there was a re-emergence of nationalistic views since the election of Vladmir Putin as the president. In general, the national ideology is to have a social contract between the people and the government (Hamm, 1995).

Question Three.National interest of Russia and international conflicts
In the pursuit of her national interests, Russia has met challenges and conflict of interest with the other international players. This fact can be explained by the Ukraine-Russian energy crisis of 2006, which affected all parties including the European Union and the United States. Russias negative relationship with Georgia is also an example of how national interest can conflict with international interests. National security and technology dominance is another key issue that the country has been in conflict with other countries. For example, the suspicion that has always been there pertaining to the interests of NATO and the United States in particular. This is about international dominance and influence on security, which Russia is keen to remain relevant (Christian, 1998).

Question Four. Sources of national power of Russia
The Russian national power is derived mainly from its wealth of resources and geopolitical position. Russia is a global leader in technology with massive mineral and water resources. The country has managed to use technology to make sophisticated security systems as well as build a strong and sustainable energy system. In light of the globalization process, Russia has been able to access international markets via membership to trade groups and economic blocks. On the other hand, the country has numerous bilateral agreements with other countries. This in turn has played a big role in strengthening international cooperation and trade.

Question Five.Threat situations confronting Russia
Some of the biggest threats facing the Russian economic lifeline are the existence of internal and external issues that will have profound effect in the energy sector. These issues include poor industry regulation, inadequate guidelines on technology transfer and poor approach on developing the manufacturing sector. In addition, other issues like competition from United States in producing technology gas and the instability of the future of oil prices present huge challenges to the Russian authorities (Krugman, (1988). With the emergence of new economies like china and the Korea, it is very clear Russia is going to cede much of its dominance and influence on the international political and economic platform. Drug trafficking is probably the single largest social challenge facing Russia today. Drug trafficking has increased significantly in recent past due to insecurity and instability in central Asia especially Afghanistan. According to statistics, drug cartels are producing an average turnover of about 32 billion US dollars. There is also a strong indication that this money finances terrorism activities. Demographic catastrophic is the other concern for the Russians.  The total population is falling significantly, since fertility rate and life expectancy are low and this has lead to a demographic catastrophe like shortage of work force. Diseases like HIV and Aids, tuberculosis and other disease conditions have also resulted to high death rates thus worsening the situation.

Question Six. Domestic factors influence on foreign policy.
Russian foreign policy is widely influenced by domestic factors. Her endowment with natural resources has provided the authorities with revenues to support strategic foreign policies. It is also very clear foreign policy and Russian domestic factors are closely interrelated issues. This has led to formulation of foreign policy that favors domestic factors like economic development and national security. For instance if there is a need to expand markets for Russian commodities like security and military equipment or energy, then the government utilizes the foreign policy avenues to access the markets.

Question Seven. Russias commitments
Russia appears to be committed in maintaining a good working relationship with the United States. This relationship with the United States is based on a wide array of issues like national security and nonproliferation policy, global politics and international trade. Russia is also committed in strengthening her position to become a global energy superpower. The country is exploring all avenues to enhance her market competitiveness in a bid to dominate the international market. On the other hand, the country is committed to more cooperation with other countries and international organizations like the United Nations, G8, the G20 and other economic groups.

Question Eight. Military strategy of Russia
Russia has the capacity and willingness to pursue military technical revolution. The Russian military has continued to focus on extensive research, development, and adopting new technologies in information and communications as well. The overall military strategy is to have regional and perhaps international dominance and to keep in pace with the military developments in other powers like United States, china, Korea and European countries. This dominance is critical in securing markets for her products as well as extending her influence to the international scene.

Question Nine. Past and present international strategy of Russia
In the economic front, Russia has concentrated so much on extraction and processing of mineral and other natural resources. The present and future strategies will be based on the need to diversify and modernize the Russian economy to incorporate value addition in the manufacturing sector. Energy efficiency will also take centre stage in Russian strategic positioning to enhance competitiveness and stability of Russian products.

Question Ten. Russian foreign policy
Russian foreign policy is widely influenced by international situations as well as domestic factors. The country is focused on establishing equitable and mutually advantageous collaborations and relations with the rest of the international community. Similarly, Russia is determined to pursue a foreign policy that seeks to create external conditions conducive for her economic development and to have influence on the international scene (Harding, 1984). The countries foreign policy safeguards her interests and those of its individual citizens and fellow compatriots in the Diaspora.

Question Eleven. Russian national security affairs and United States involvement
National security affairs of Russia could lead to an involvement of the United States. The two countries have an arms control treaty called the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) that they intend to renew in 2010. It is therefore evident that Russian national security affairs can easily trigger responses from the United States. United States and Russia have a binding bilateral military agreement. In this agreement, the two countries will cooperate in military exchanges which are a step forward in ensuring global peace.

Conclusions
Based on the above analysis of Russia it is evident that domestic factors play significant roles in shaping countries foreign policy. Economic and security strategies are the key domestic factors that influence foreign policies. Russian ideology coupled with her internal and external situation has made it necessary for the country to implement appropriate foreign policy to safeguard her interests in the international scene.

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