Role Theory and Russian Foreign Policy

Damian Strycharz is an assistant professor of Political Science at the Cracow University of Economics. Damian holds a PhD in Politics and International Relations from the University of Edinburgh. His research interests include Russia’s foreign policy and relations with the former Soviet states, domestic political sources of foreign policy, and role theory. He has held positions at the University of Edinburgh and Jagiellonian University, Cracow.

• Introduction 1. Domestic actors in Russia’s foreign policy-making 2. Russia's foreign policy and role theory 3. Methods and codebook 4. Internal development, partnership with the West and the Rose Revolution 5. The Orange Revolution and the dominance of the partner of the West role 6. Russia’s changing self-perception and intervention in Georgia 7. The Ukraine crisis and the defender of compatriots role 8. Shifts in dominant national role conceptions and changes in Russia’s foreign policy 9. Conclusions

WINNER 2023 BEST BOOK AWARD (POLISH SOCIETY FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES)"This is the most systematic application of role theory to Russian foreign policy. It is both an insightful account of critical junctures in the evolution of Russian thinking, and a skilful blending of empirical rigor and theoretical innovation. It represents a go-to volume for students and scholars of Russia alike."Luke March, University of Edinburgh"Damian Strycharz's book is an original and astute contribution to scholarship on role theory and Russian foreign policy. Its theoretical and empirical depth advances knowledge on the crucial question of how powerful states define and think about their place in regional and global affairs."Cristian Cantir, Oakland University