The Great Doctrinal Discord

The West has failed to understand Russia ever since the end of the Cold War. The reason, however, lies in the universalistic pretensions of the West’s worldview.

However, this moment of civilizational unilateralism was short-lived with the rise of several major powers—China, India, Brazil, etc. The early decades of the 21st century also saw the revival of Russia under President Vladimir Putin as a great power. However, the realist school of international politics argues that despite the presence of international institutions, nation-states are the most important actors, and because all countries lay emphasis on the need to enhance their national power for the purpose of bolstering their survival, it creates anarchy in the international political order, thereby contributing to showdowns among important powers.

In that context, offensive realists like John Mearsheimer argue that such anarchy leads to conflict, which eventually worsens. Something of this sort is currently playing out between the West and Russia.

However, it is........

© New Eastern Outlook