Understanding Belarus and How Western Foreign Policy Misses the Mark

In this fascinating study of unfinished nation-building in Belarus, Grigory Ioffe draws on his two dozen research trips to the country to trace Belarus's history, geography, political situation, society, and economy. The ambivalent relationship between Russia and Belarus results in an identity crisis that is not understood by the West, which leads to Western policies toward Belarus that are based on a fallacy of geopolitical thinking. This book will lead readers to a deeper understanding of Belarus, its relationship with Russia, and its still-forming national identity.

List of contents

Chapter 1: Questions of Language
Chapter 2: A Search for Identity
Chapter 3: Culture Wars, Soul Searching, and Belarusian Identity
Chapter 4: Belarusian Economy
Chapter 5: Belarusian Political Landscape
Chapter 6: Alexander Lukashenka and His Detractors
Chapter 7: Opinion Polls and Presidential Elections in Belarus
Conclusion

About the author

Grigory Ioffe is professor of geography at Radford University.

Product details

• Authors: Grigory Ioffe, Grigory V. Ioffe
• Publisher: Rowman and Littlefield
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 06.08.2014
• EAN: 9781442242128
• ISBN: 978-1-4422-4212-8
• No. of pages: 286
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; European History, HISTORY / Europe / General, Belarus, Belarus (Belorussia), u.s. foreign policy