Russia and USA Relationship: A Literature Review

This study is focused on a literature review of why Russia (Soviet Union) became an opponent of the USA till date. The study explores the deeply rooted mistrust between the two countries and the constraints and resentment that shape their relationship.

Running head: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Russia and USA Relationship
Name of the Student:
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2INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Introduction
There have been times when Russian and Americans were allies and also there have been
situation where these countries acted as enemies of each other. The relationship between the two
countries cannot be termed as enmity, instead rivalry is the exact term which had both the
negative and the positive effects on the economics, science, politics and culture of the entire
world and helped to shape the world history for over a period of 50 years. This study is focused
on a literature review of why Russia (Soviet Union) became an opponent of the USA till date.
Literature review
According to Tsygankov (2013, 179-188), even after the end of cold war the mistrust
between Western countries and Russia did not ended, the definition of the national interests were
largely incompatible. While the western countries wanted Russia to follow their policies,
however Russia was reluctant to bow down from any external domination. The Author argues
about the deeply lied mistrust between the United States of America and Russia. The mistrust
were based on the grounds of cultural and historical developments having roots deeply
embedded since the Cold War period. The constructivist theory of international relations, guides
in recognizing the relationship of the two sides and also emphasizes on the formation of the self-
identity of both the nations. Both USA and Russia have been allies for only a brief period during
the Second World War. The both sides were unable to overcome the stereotype and the old
perception of viewing each other as dangerous nations. United States emphasized on reshaping
the world according to the neo- liberal policies and NATO based security institutions in Eurasia
and Europe. Russia also based its actions and international policies on the ethnophobic
perception of USA, which later became strong due to the international policies of USA. Russia’s
increased assertiveness towards the US can be viewed as undermining the US predominance.

3INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Russian opposition towards the United States in the United Nations is described as a soft
balancing, which are directed towards the diplomatic bargaining and constraining the dominant
power of United States (Larson, Deborah Welch and Alexei Shevchenko 2014, 269-279). When
United States of Soviet Republic collapsed, certain changes were noticed in the definition of
foreign policy and national interests of Russia. An emotional discourse took place within the
minds of the politicians which was later termed as resentment. The resentment resulted due to the
suppressed feelings of hatred and envy, and inability to satisfy such feelings (Malinova 2014,
291-303). The conflict between USA and Russia are based on the issues of status recognition.
The policies embraced by USA do not properly acknowledge the status of Russia’s concerns and
the identity needs. These have led to endless clashes in the past and is even creating issues in the
present (Forsberg 2014, 323-331).
Conclusion
From the above study, it can be concluded that Russia and American relations are always
in a state of constraint. The reason of constraint are deeply rooting feelings of resentment by the
Russian politicians. The reflection of resentment is seen in the foreign policies and the national
interests. Thus, through study and research of the resentment can lead to further disclosure.

4INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Reference
Forsberg, Tuomas. "Status Conflicts Between Russia And The West: Perceptions And Emotional
Biases". Communist and Post-Communist Studies 47, no. 3-4 (2014): 323-331.
Larson, Deborah Welch, and Alexei Shevchenko. "Russia Says No: Power, Status, And
Emotions In Foreign Policy". Communist and Post-Communist Studies 47, no. 3-4 (2014): 269-
279.
Malinova, Olga. "Obsession With Status And Ressentiment: Historical Backgrounds Of The
Russian Discursive Identity Construction". Communist and Post-Communist Studies 47, no. 3-4
(2014): 291-303.
Tsygankov, Andrei P. "The Russia-NATO Mistrust: Ethnophobia And The Double Expansion
To Contain “The Russian Bear”". Communist and Post-Communist Studies 46, no. 1 (2013):
179-188.