Russian anti-Americanism origins and implications

Abstract

After enjoying close ties from 1991-2000, the United States and Russia have seen their partnership deteriorate with post-Soviet relations reaching an all-time low in mid-2008. In principle, the fault for this breakdown of these relations could be traced to Putin, Bush, U.S. policy, Russian nationalism, or Russia's struggle to strengthen its position in the international balance of power. The objective is to identify the main causes of Russian anti- Americanism through the employment of Kenneth Waltz's three levels of analysis. The overall questions that this thesis seeks to answer are: 1) What has caused an increase in Russian anti- Americanism in recent years? 2) What historical, political, and strategic significance can be attributed to this increased Russian dissatisfaction with the United States? The analysis considers possible root causes found at each of the three levels of analysis identified in Kenneth Waltz's framework for studying international relations. These three levels concern the individual, the state (and society), and the international system. At each level, relevant factors are examined that may have contributed to Russian anti-Americanism, the thesis concludes that President Putin and his unique background, world outlook, and desire for power have played the most significant role.