Published: Air & Space Power Journal - Winter 2003

The Russian People and Foreign Policy: Russian Elite and Mass Perspectives, 1993–2000 by William Zimmerman. Princeton University Press (http://www.pupress.princeton.edu), 41 William Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540-5237, 2002, 250 pages, $65.00 (hardcover), $19.95 (softcover).

Melding quantitative methodologies with precise writing, eminent political scientist William Zimmerman sheds light on one area of post-Soviet governance: the link between, and disparities among, social elites and the masses in formulating foreign policy in contemporary Russia. Using data collected during the tumultuous decade following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Zimmerman explores how various major groupings in Russian society develop their respective opinions toward a variety of foreign-policy positions. Tracking and interpreting data at different points in “democratic” Russia, The Russian People and Foreign Policy explores how an individual’s politics relates to his or her market orientation; how the elites influence the masses’ development of foreign policy; how one’s view of the international system links with electoral behavior; and how Russians reacted to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) expansion into Eastern Europe. This book stands out among modern works on Russian society, making significant academic contributions in the areas of democratic consolidation, development of a solid theoretical foundation, and enlightened implications for Western practitioners of foreign policy.

Employing a variety of graphs understandable to readers who have a basic foundation in statistics, Zimmerman offers unique interpretations that are consistently engaging. Readers not interested in the empirical minutiae can read the chapters’ conclusions and implications, which shed bright light on the previous extrapolations. Of course, this book is of great interest to Air Force members who interact with the Russian government and people; however, Zimmerman’s devotion of an entire chapter on the Russian elite and mass reactions to NATO expansion appeals to a broader military audience. After orienting themselves to the main players, as laid out in the first chapter, military members could skip to chapter 6. The lack of general Russian awareness of NATO’s expansion plans as late as 1997, shortly before the three Visegrad states were offered membership, actually proved quite disturbing. After 1999 and NATO’s advance eastward, Russian awareness of NATO’s growth increased, with a concomitant rise in Russian perception that NATO posed a real threat to Russia’s security. Zimmerman’s conclusions that NATO’s actions in Eastern Europe have had both positive and negative effects on Russia are sure to interest both members and aspirants of the alliance. Overall, The Russian People and Foreign Policy is worth thoughtful perusal for US policy makers as well as the people who carry out that policy.

Joe Derdzinski
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Disclaimer

The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.

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