A construção da identidade russa e a sua projeção na política externa para a Ásia Central

Abstract

Since its origins, Russia has followed expansionist policies, and quickly became a multi-ethnical Empire, making it difficult to build a national identity. The processes of Russification, Westernization and Asiatization attempt to build that identity. The twentieth century brought to Russia a communist revolution in which russification and westernization merged into what we can call sovietization. Sovietization became the basis, in which a new identity was forged, not only for Russia but for Central Asia as well. An intense process of Nation-Building was applied into this geographical area and new States were created for the first time. The downfall of the Soviet Union allowed these States to become independent, and they began to build a new identity away from Moscow. On this new century, Russia wishes to regain its place as a major player of the international community. In order to achieve it, is imperative to construct a new identity for itself, and be able to sustain a leadership position on the Central Asian region, in which most of the energetic resources needed can be find. The correct use of hard and soft power tools, as well as the ability of dealing with new strategic adversaries – USA and China – will be crucial in order to achieve its goals.

Date of Award	2012
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Raquel Vaz-Pinto (Supervisor)