Bear Market Coercion: Russian use of Energy as a Coercive Tool in Central Asia and Eastern Europe (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781249400974)

This study considers the efficacy of economic coercion as a means of securing national interests. It begins by defining coercion as one state using positive or negative efforts to cause another state to alter perceptions of its own interests. These efforts can take the form of deterrence, compellence, or a combination of the two. Using a framework of capability, credibility, communication, and choice, this study considers how different cultures, especially the Russian culture, understand the interactions of these elements through Thucydides' lens of fear, honor, and interest. Russian strategic culture is significantly different from American culture, and this study examines the roots of that difference: geography and history. By looking at recent Russian coercive efforts in two areas, Central Asia and Eastern Europe, this study concludes that Russia, since Putin's rise to power, has engaged in effective economic coercion to further Russian strategic interests. Fear drives Russia to build a buffer zone of Near Abroad countries; honor dictates Russia's concern for international prestige and the rights of ethnic Russians abroad; and economic interest requires Russia defend her dominance in European energy markets. Understanding Russia's coercive methods and the strategic interests it seeks to secure illuminates recent Russian actions and helps predict future coercive efforts.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.