From Peter to Putin: The Russian Pursuit of Global Recognition

Sarah Mills
College of Arts & Science
Class of 2012

Throughout his terms as Prime Minister and President, Vladimir Putin has been credited with bringing political stability, rule of law, and economic growth back to Russia. Putin’s intense efforts to strengthen Russia politically and economically can be attributed to a desire to be ranked among the world’s superpowers. Since the reign of Peter the Great, Russia has vied for a place among the top powers in the global community, and Putin is continuing in this endeavor. He wants to reestablish the Soviet “Empire,” not through Communism or direct invasions, but through influence and power over the regions surrounding Russia.
Originally, Putin pledged to bring Russia into the 21st century by implementing European democratic ideals into Russian politics, but unfortunately, not all of Putin’s decisions are truly democratic. For example, after he was elected President, he took control of the major news media, so no one could speak out against him (http://www.kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2010/03/09/11577.shtml and there are examples of Russian journalists being mysteriously murdered after criticizing the Russian government). Through the Kremlin, Putin has secured his power by ensuring that there can be no real opponents to his position. Rumors abound that he may reclaim his former presidency in the 2012 election, securing his position for a possible 12 years. His power and high approval ratings have combined to establish Putin as an unstoppable force in Russian politics. Now, following his improvements to the Russian quality of life, he has turned his focus to reviving a former geopolitically-influential Russia.
The Russian invasion of Georgia serves as a recent example of Putin’s desire to spread Russian control throughout the Soviet breakaway nations. In summer 2008, Georgia was petitioning to join NATO in order to align itself with the US. In Georgia, there are separatist groups, like South Ossetia and Abkhazia, with strong Russian ethnic allegiances. The Georgian Army moved into these provinces to stop the separatists groups, but the Russian Army came to the separatists’ aid. After a short conflict, Georgia withdrew its forces, and now the areas are Russian-occupied territories. The aid to the Pro-Russian separatist groups displays Russia’s desire to establish influence and authority in the breakaway nations. Putin believes that the more influence a country has, the more power it will secure on a global scale. As an example, the occupation of Georgia shows Putin’s desire to expand Russia’s global power.
To be considered a major political force in the world, countries need the recognition of the United States. The Cold War can partially be described as Russia’s attempt to prove to the United States that they could compete at the same level as the U.S. and its allies. Since the Cold War, the United States has failed to fully recognize Russia’s global power and influence, and this could be detrimental to U.S. interests. If Russia never receives the recognition it desires, it may turn to other nations for the recognition it desires. The countries that Russia allies herself with could be directly aligned against U.S. interests. For example, North Korea and Iran would be eager to gain the support of a powerful nation with immense natural resources and nuclear technology, like Russia. Russia wants to be included in the superpowers of our world, and currently it is unclear how extreme Putin will act to make this a reality.