Authors

ATSUSHI OGUSHI¹;  ¹ Keio University, Japan

Discussion

This paper discusses the international dimension of Russian authoritarianism. Predominant views on democratic and authoritarian diffusion presuppose the democratic core(s) (e.g. the US and EU) will promote democracy and the authoritarian core(s) (e.g. Russian and China) will spread authoritarianism. Contrary to the predominant views, this paper argues that the Western democracy promotion to the former Soviet states (especially to Ukraine and Georgia) created the threatened feeling among ruling elites, which led to the further authoritarianisation and the rise of siloviki. As case studies, Russia’s domestic reactions to the Orange and Euromaidan revolutions in Ukraine are discussed. In addition, the role of siloviki in policy process is also considered. Thus, this paper tries to shed some light on the research agenda that cuts across the traditional disciplinary boundary between comparative politics and international relations.