Russia-NATO relations : a study in realism and pragmatism in contemporary international affairs

Abstract

This dissertation deals with the Realist character of the relationship between NATO and Russia. As an International Relations theory, Realism has a pessimistic view of human nature. It supports the view that human beings want to grab as much power for themselves and in turn apply such thinking to the behavior of states. Realists believe that states compete with one another to defend their interests in an anarchic international system. They disagree with the Liberals that states want peaceful cooperation with each other. Realists are also pragmatic and not necessarily aggressive. The dissertation aims to highlight this element in the Russia-NATO relationship whilst providing a historical background for the reader to understand Realism and Pragmatism in Russia-NATO relations. Why is the relationship between Russia and NATO important in contemporary international relations? Russia is the world's largest country, a nuclear power with the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons, energy supplier, a military power, boasts a highly sophisticated weapons industry, and a sophisticated nuclear technology. Russia has worked with NATO against international terrorism, drugs trade and piracy, making Russia an important player in the international society of states. NATO is a multilateral military organisation of European and North American democratic states. These factors highlight the importance these two players have in international relations and an indispensable need for an understanding of the relationship that they share.