The Long Telegram 2.0: A Neo-Kennanite Approach to Russia - Softcover

Eltsov, Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1793602409 ISBN 13: 9781793602404

Publisher: Lexington Books, 2022

Synopsis

The Long Telegram 2.0: A Neo-Kennanite Approach to Russia lays out an original argument for understanding Russia that goes deep into its history, starting with the tri-partite dictum “orthodoxy, autocracy, nationality,” formulated in 1833 by count Sergey Uvarov. The author explores Uvarov’s triad in the context of modern Russia, adding five more traits: exceptionalism, expansionism, historical primordialism, worship of the military, and glorification of suffering. The author argues that, as presently constituted, Russia cannot become a democracy, and, sooner than later, it will disintegrate, replicating the fate of the Soviet Union. The key reasons for these, according to the author, are: weak mechanisms for the transition of power, poorly developed institutions of the state, feeble economy and education, frail ideology, and, most importantly, the lack of a unified national identity.

Following this assessment, the author defines a strategy for dealing with Russia, based on a combination of offensive realism and realpolitik, recommending that the West copes with Russia in a more pragmatic manner. The book includes the author’s translation of a unique historical document from the 1860s: a pamphlet calling for the independence of Siberia on the example of the American revolution.

About this title

About the Author

Peter Eltsovis assistant professor of international security affairs at National Defense University.

Edition details

• Publisher: Lexington Books
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1793602409
• ISBN 13: 9781793602404
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 198