This book explores Russia's historical and contemporary claims to great power status, analyzing the discourse and rhetoric behind these claims. It examines Russia's interactions with the West, its self-perception as a 'velikaya derzhava' (great power), and its impact on international relations. The author delves into the origins and evolution of Russia's notion of greatness, the theatrical elements of its power display, and the challenges it faces in modernizing while maintaining its identity. The book also discusses the rise and fall of international socialist greatness in Russia and the implications of its great power rhetoric in the post-Soviet era. Aimed at scholars and students of international relations, political science, and Russian studies, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of Russia's quest for global influence. |