СБОРНИК -Россия 21 век
.pdf5.President's letter of RK – Leader Nation of N. A. Nazarbayev to the people of Kazakhstan. Strategy "Kazakhstan –2050": a new political policy of the taken place state.//Thought. – 2013. - No. 1. – page 19
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Bezgina Antonina
Saint-Petersburg State University
The rise of China’s “Soft Power” in the 21st century
Fast economic growth that China has been revealing for at least two last decades has caused as much worry to the whole world as if it had been growth of its military power. It has lead to the growing fears all around the globe that the expansion of Chinese economy will eventually result in China’s global hegemony. To shatter this myth of “Chinese threat” Beijing uses “soft power”. Today Russia extends collaboration with this neighboring state so the means China uses to affect other countries must be recognized and the entity of its power must be taken into account.
The term “soft power” was coined by Harvard University professor Joseph Nye in 1990. His definition of “soft power” is: “the ability to influence others to get them do what you want” by attractiveness and persuasion rather than by coercion or payments. [1]. The principal moment is that the dividing line between “hard” and “soft” power lays not in the kind of resources involved, but in the way they are used. Military force, economic power or even culture can serve both as “hard” and as “soft” power. For example, if the country’s military power that is traditionally seen as a “hard” power resource inspires other country or political regime it is “soft power”. And to the contrary, if the state tries to spread its moral or political values overseas by intruding in inner affairs of the other countries, it is “hard power” [2].
China’s soft power rests on two major pillars: its successful economic growth and unique culture. Chinese successful economic growth has become an attractive element of China’s power. The
fast growth of GDP, the national currency strengthening and rapidly growing trade turnover are vivid results of China’s economic reforms that has been undertaking since the end of 1970s. China’s development model was coined by Joshua Cooper Ramo as “Beijing consensus” [3]. “Beijing consensus” means market-oriented reforms in conjunction with preserving authoritarian rule. China’s development model is widely seen as been effective and rapidly becoming popular amongst developing countries.
Aside from China’s successful development model there is other topical factor that leads to the strengthening of China’s “soft power” – Beijing undertakes efforts aimed at the establishment of new financial institutions under the auspices of China and at elevating the role of China’s national currency. For example, China works hard to establish the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the regional expansive Free Trade Zone – the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership that excludes the US [4].
China has also formulated its first complex foreign policy concept - “Harmonious world” concept [5]. Posed by China “Harmonious world” is multipolar world characterized by multeity of civilizations and development patterns, mutually beneficial collaboration and cooperation. The concept is based on principles of multilateralism, supremacy of international law and collateral security being maintained by
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United Nations. “Harmonious world” doesn’t admit offence against sovereignty, force based policy, “cold war” mentality. “Harmonious world” meets support among developing countries.
The second major pillar of China’s soft power is its unique culture. Beijing spends significant portion of its national budget to promote Chinese language and culture overseas. For example, the network of Confucius Institutes established to popularize national language and culture are intended to grow up to 1000 all over the world by 2020 [6]. Chinese language has already become a lingua franca for Asian region [7]. Today the most Chinese media giants hold 24-hours broadcast in English and other languages, for example “Renmin ribao” provides access to on-line news on 10 languages including English, Russian, Japanese, French and Arabian. Thus in 2013 China exported about 19.9 million books [8] and 21270 hours of TV programs universally [9]. Chinese culture both traditional and modern is admirable all over the world: in 2012 Chinese writer Mo Yan was awarded by Nobel Prize in literature for “combining folk stories with modern literature” [10]. Chinese athletes’ achievements are also recognizable in global society. Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 showed the potency of Chinese athletes – according to IOC data China headed the list of team ranking with 51 gold medals won [11].
China perceives education and educational exchanges as a significant source of “soft power”. According to the QS 2014 Asian University Ranking 4 in 10 first positions belong to universities of China [12]. Chinese educational programs have high reputation all over the world. In 2013 more than 170000 foreigners were enrolled to Chinese universities [13]. Chinese government holds cross years directed to promote mutual understanding and facilitate further collaboration with foreign countries. Thus Chinese-Russian years of students exchange directing in 2014-2015 include realization of more 150 joint activities [14].
In China’s concept of soft power an important role plays the development of science and technology. With constantly rising expenditures on R&D (from 1.7% of GDP in 2009 to 2.08% of GDP in 2013[15]) China intends to become leading exporter of technologies. In recent years there were plenty of fairs organized by China in order to promote “made in China” goods overseas. As an example “China-Russia Expo 2014” was held in Harbin, ”Chinamachinex 2014” fair took place in Astana, Chinese fair of oil production “CIPTC 2014” was held in Beijing. All those exhibitions are aimed to demonstrate Chinese cutting-edge technologies and attract investments.
Thus, we can conclude, that China has been undertaking great efforts to accumulate “soft power” in order to use it in fulfilling its grand foreign policy plans and goals in future. At the current state Beijing for the most part prefers to attract other countries by its successful economic model and various economic benefits it can provide, and by its unique rich culture, rather than by putting pressure on other countries in order to achieve its foreign policy aims.
References
1.Nye J. Soft power // Foreign Policy, №. 80, Autumn 1990, P. 153-171.
2.Radikov I., Leksyutina Y. “Myagkaya sila” kak sovremennyi atribut velikoi derzhavy // Mirovaya economica I mezhdunarodniye otnosheniya, 2012, №2, с. 19-26
3.Joshua Cooper Ramo,The Beijing consensus, London: Foreign Policy Center, 2004 p.12
4.Kitay v pyatnitsu oficial’no otcroyet Aziatskiy bank infrastrukturnih investitsyi // URL: http://www.warandpeace.ru/ru/news/view/95096/
5.Li Mingjiang China Debates Soft Power, Chinese Journal of International Politics, Vol. 2, 2008, 287 – 308
6.Confucius Institute: promoting language, culture and friendliness // Xinhua news URL: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-10/02/content_5521722.htm
7.Alan Hunter, Soft Power: China on the Global Stage // Chinese journal of International Politics, Vol. 2, 2009, 373-398
8.Statistics on Imports and Exports of Books, Magazines and Newspapers // URL: http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/2014/html/Z2306E.jpg
9.Statistics on Imported and Exported TV Programs // URL: http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/2014/html/Z2319E.jpg
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10.Literature Nobel Prize 2012, Mo Yan // URL: http://www.nobeliat.ru/laureat.php?id=860
11.People’s Republic of China // URL: http://www.olympic.org/people-s-republic-of-china
12.QS University Rankings: Asia 2014 // URL: http://www.topuniversities.com/university- rankings/asian-university- rankings/2014#sorting=rank+region=+country=+faculty=+stars=false+search=
13.Number of Students in Higher Education Institutions (2013) // URL: http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/2014/zk/html/Z2113E.htm
14.Sovmestnyi plan meropriyatiy po molodezhnim obmenam mezhdu Rossiei I Kitaem // URL: http://ru.china-embassy.org/rus/ztbd/l20140331/t1151030.htm
15.Basic Statistics on Scientific and Technological Activities // URL: http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/2014/indexeh.htm
Bulatova Alina
Volgograd State University
The Russian Federation, NATO and the UN cooperation in combating international terrorism
The question of international terrorism has a long history. We can say without any doubt that this issue has become critical in 2001. Since then the international community, has been trying tackle this problem. But year after year we can see that we actually cannot solve the terrorism problem, but it is spreading out even faster. The issue of combating terrorism is now up-to-date more than ever. The terrorism is a real and serious threat to every nation in our world. So, let us see what has been done.
Russian Federation
The Russian Federation is one of the first countries to be affected by terrorist attacks. So, Russia has a strict and clear position. It does serious work inside the country. But we will dwell on foreign activity in this sphere. Russia has put forward the initiative on the forming Global strategy for countering new threats and challenges on the international law strong base under the UN. Solving the terrorism problem is one of key points in cooperation with the EU, NATO, G7, G20, Latin America countries and the Arab league. Moreover, it is common to have mutual consultation between Russia and particular country in antiterrorist activity. Russia pays serious attention to establishing counter-terrorism cooperation within the regional structures such as the CIS and its antiTerrorist center (ATC), CSTO, SCO, etc. The unity of all antiterrorist forces, including the interaction of states at the international level will be necessary to adequately respond to the global terrorist threat. [3, 5]
NATO
After the terrorist attacks on the United States of September 11, 2001 NATO referred to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty for the first time in its history. So, NATO has been actively engaged in the fight against terrorism. Since then the Organization has increased consultations on terrorism issues among its members. Dialogue and cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism are priorities in relations with NATO partners. Information-sharing and intelligence-sharing are key aspects of this exchange. Bilateral cooperation with NATO in the area of counter-terrorism is encouraged in all relevant documents, such as the Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme (IPCP), Individual Partnership Action Plans (IPAPs) and Annual National Programmes (ANPs), according to their specific interests and needs. [1, 7]
NATO-Russia dialogue
Combating terrorism was among the main drivers behind the creation of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) in May 2002 and has remained a key aspect of NATO’s dialogue and practical co-
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operation with Russia. An NRC Action Plan on Terrorism agreed on in December 2004, sets out areas of cooperation. It aims to enhance capabilities to act both individually and jointly in three critical areas: preventing terrorism, combating terrorist activities and managing the consequences of terrorist acts. Furthermore, they will explore areas of technological and scientific cooperation, including improved explosive detection under the Stand-Off Detection of Explosives (STANDEX) Programme. Finally, NRC nations will contribute to international efforts to promote stability in and around Afghanistan and, thus prevent the spread of terrorism in the region. But on April 1, 2014 NATO Foreign Ministers emphasized that «NATO does not recognize Russia’s illegal and illegitimate attempt to annex Crimea». As a result, NATO Foreign Ministers decided to suspend all practical civilian and military cooperation between NATO and Russia, including the area of counterterrorism cooperation. [4, 7]
United Nations
The UN has had great and productive experience in combating terrorism by now. The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy was adopted by Member States on September 8, 2006. The strategy, in the form of a resolution and an annexed Plan of Action (A/RES/60/288), is a unique global instrument that will enhance national, regional and international efforts to combat terrorism. For the first time all the Member States have agreed on the common strategic approach to fight terrorism, not only sending a clear message that terrorism is unacceptable in all its forms and manifestations but also resolving to take practical steps individually and collectively to prevent and combat it. Those practical steps include a wide array of measures ranging from strengthening state capacity to counter terrorist threats to better coordinating United Nations system counter-terrorism activities. The adoption of the strategy meets the commitment made by world leaders at the 2005 September Summit and builds on many of the elements proposed by the Secretary-General in his May 2, 2006 report, entitled Uniting against Terrorism: Recommendations for a Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Moreover a lot of resolutions, decisions and meetings take place at the UN level. [8]
The threat of terrorism
But despite all these facts about counterterrorist activity performed by countries and organizations, the situation is not considerably improving. According to the Global Terrorism Report, the number of terrorist attacks around the world has increased dramatically. Just not to sound groundless: in 2014 terrorist attacks 17958 people were killed (61% more than in the previous year). In 2013, majoring of all terrorist attacks were caused by four terrorist groups: the Taliban, Boko Haram, ISIL and al-Qa’ida. The crucial fact is that Russia was ranked No. 11 spot in the Global Terrorism Rankings in 2013. The first European country in this list is the UK (No. 27). The USA is ranked 30th in this rating. [2, 6]
So we are facing a really strange situation. All the counties demonstrate unanimity in combating terrorism; they have many documents and strategies. But instead of following the common strategy they are more and more separating. Terrorism poses a real and serious threat to the security and safety of the whole world. It is a global threat that knows no border, nationality or religion – a challenge that the international community must combat together. We should always remember that all our countries have more in common. There is one simple issue – indivisibility of security at least. So we should find ways of understanding and dialogue to live in a peace world.
References
1.Countering terrorism // NATO official web-site. URL: http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_77646.htm
2.Global Rankings 2013 // Terrorism Index. URL: http://www.visionofhumanity.org/#page/indexes/terrorism-index/2013
3.International cooperation / National Anti-Terrorist Committee // Research and information portal. URL: http://nac.gov.ru/international-cooperation.html
4.NATO-Russia Council Action Plan on Terrorism 15 Apr. 2011 // NATO official web-site. URL: http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/official_texts_72737.htm
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5.Russia in countering international terrorism / Ministry of Foreign Affairs // Official portal. URL: http://www.mid.ru/ns-vnpop.nsf/osn_copy/1166C55233F5FC2CC32570430031542B
6.Terrorism Index Report // Terrorism Index. URL: http://www.visionofhumanity.org/#/page/our-gti-findings
7.The Secretary General's Annual Report 2014 // NATO official web-site. URL: http://www.visionofhumanity.org/#page/indexes/terrorism-index/2013
8.United Nations Action To Counter Terrorism / UN official portal. URL: http://www.un.org/en/terrorism/index.shtml
Vetlugina Asya
Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University)
The three pillars to unite the international society: fighting terrorism, drug trafficking, mafia
Even the eternal rivals and countries situated on the different edges of the planet do have several common threats. “9-11” and “The Nord-Ost” can probably serve as the thing to unite the USA and Russia. Burma resembles Afghanistan from the point of suffering from the Illegal drug trade. And finally, Italy and China, which seem to have nothing in common apart from rather good cuisine, both gave birth to extremely powerful national criminal organizations1.
Not only the world feeling sore about the natural disasters and epedemy, but it is as well being torn apart with the disasters of the human origin, such as mafia, terrorism and drug trafficking. The only opportunity for the global community to overcome those threats is coming together2. Neither the UN and UNODC efforts to fight those dangers nor the restrictions and limitations imposed on their activity is a secret for anybody all around the world.
The biggest issue is the comparison of what is being done to fight terrorism, drug trafficking and mafia, will be done and could have been done in terms of world powers cooperation. And, unfortunately, the difference between the three is absolutely dramatic due to the criminal lobby, the unwillingness of some countries to recognize the problem and to unite.3
Vorontsova Ekaterina
Military Educational Research Center of Air Force Academy
of N.E Zhukovsky and Y.A. Gagarin
The role of patriotism in coping with terrorism
According to the researchers the beginning of the 21th century was marked by the emergence of an entirely new type of military conflict.To the western classification [1] it is a fourth-generation warfare, replacing the military conflicts using high-tech armament.
In terms of the investigators the new generation of wars characterized by the absence of the usual military confrontation between two or some more states. We speak about emancipative armies, fighters with drugs, religious fanatics and revolutionists.
1Lintner, Bertil. Blood Brothers: The Criminal Underworld of Asia. Allen & Unwin.
2"World Drug Report - Global Illicit Drug Trends". UNODC.
3Mallory, Stephen L. (2007). Understanding Organized Crime. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
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Nowdays the most number of the conflics in the world are not interstate. Let`s remember the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA),the Kosovo Liberation Army (Ushtria Çlirimtare e Kosovës), The Islamic Salvation Front, terrorists of Ben Laden, the sect of Aum Shinrikyo, etc.
The investigators told about the trend of empowering of terrorist organizations, their enlargement, development of their structure, increasing the military power, the actions of joining with criminal business, the establishing contacts between them. It was clear when all world was surprised by detection of Arabic coaches in the Chechen bands of hitmen, chehen hitmen in Kosovo, springs of criminal money in the melting pot of international terrorism.
There are about 190 – 200 terrorist organizations [2], lots of them are united in transnational communities and had powerful force. About 40 organizations or every fifth of them profess radical Islam and mostly achieve their goals by armed violence.
Islamic terrorism is a reaction of a part of Islamic society on the crisis. That crisis is a result of globalization. The crisis is not means the death of that civilization. It means that condition of the Islamic society is transitive now.
Terrorism is commonly defined as violent acts (or the threat of violent acts) intended to create fear, perpetrated for a religious, political, or ideological goal, and which deliberately target or disregard the safety of non-combatants (e.g., neutral military personnel or civilians). Another common definition sees terrorism as political, ideological or religious violence by non-state actors. Some definitions now include acts of unlawful violence and war [3]. The use of similar tactics by criminal organizations for protection rackets or to enforce a code of silence is usually not labeled terrorism, though these same actions may be labeled terrorism when done by a politically motivated group. Usage of the term has also been criticized for its frequent undue equating with Islamism or jihadism, while ignoring non-Islamic organizations or individuals [4].
In the 20th Century terrorism was a prevalent instrument of a struggle of revolution and counterrevolution in the period of deep social shocks of society. The level of political culture every of confrontational sides means only one end – liquidation of the opponent.
Nowdays we can see escalation of terroristic activity of extremist organizations, their character is has been complicating, their cruelty has been rising.
In the end of 20th Century terrorism came to the political life of Russian society. The forms of the manifestation of terrorism are the taking of hostages, stealing of airplanes, acts of genocide in the ethnic and religious conflicts, straight threats through the political fight, etc. The cause of terrorism is in the growth of the crisis facts, the disability of the society to control social and political processes, the fast shift of the systems of human and political ideals and values, in the connection to the active political life of the wide masses of the population which have the lacking political experience. As a result the aspiration to use the weakness of the political and public systems is has been promoted thanks to way of violence and terrorism.
The international nature of terrorism and Russia's leading role in world affairs determines the need for adequate building measures to counter the anti-terrorism in the Russian national frameworks. In the Russian anti-terrorism politics the main role is devoted to the questions of international partnership.
There is a lot of information how to resist the threat of terrorism. Many scientists tell about the next steps: the suppression of attentive inspection of freight containers, improving information exchange between customs, police and other emergency services.
We think that there is another one opportunity to overcome terrorism. It is the patriotic education of the young generation in every country and especially in Russia.
Patriotism is cultural attachment to one's homeland or devotion to one's country, although interpretations of the term vary with context, geography and political ideology [5]. Patriotism (from Greek πατριώτης (patriōtēs) "countryman", from πατρίς (patris), "fatherland" or "motherland") is love to the motherland, the trueness to the native country, the commitment through the actions to serve interests of the native country. Patriot is the same man, who never raise a hand to people of other nationalities and cultures, because he really understands that such behavior will put him and
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his native country to the status of a savage, and this behavior discredits and disgraces the motherland in the eyes of the civilized world.
To cultivate a feeling of pride by Russia, the desire for a better future for it, the desire to contribute to the development of the motherland, empathy and tolerance towards others, can only be a good example of the older generations, particularly – contemporaries of the Great Patriotic War. They are very old now, but they contribute a lot for education of us, and we must learn from them and be grateful.
Complex processes that occur in the sphere of international relations today, the increased activity of terrorist organizations, international conflicts – all this can be overcome, if we remember the lessons of the past, to form respectful position to military service and tolerant attitude to people of other nationalities, colleagues and co-workers. The faith in our strength, understanding the value of life around people you, the ability to integrate the Russian society into a single nation, into a single civilization and socio-cultural community, will contribute to the effectiveness of internal and external transformation of Russia.
References
1.Началась ли война "четвертого поколения?" [Электронный ресурс]: Режим доступа: World Wide Web. URL: http://old.nasledie.ru/terror/25_3/article.php?art=52
2.Международные террористические организации [Электронный ресурс]: Режим досту-
па: World Wide Web. URL: http://www.nationalsecurity.ru/library/00016/00016list.htm
3.Terrorism [Электронный ресурс]: Режим доступа: World Wide Web. URL: http://harunakaze.appspot.com/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism
4.African Politics: Beyond the Third Wave of Democratisation[Электронный ресурс]: Режим доступа: World Wide Web. URL:http://harunakaze.appspot.com/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Joelien Pretorius
5.Patriotism [Электронный ресурс]: Режим доступа: World Wide Web. URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriotism
Garmash Anna
Far Eastern Federal University
Is Russia a partner, which ASEAN Community needs to deal with?
Nowadays existing regional order in the Asia-Pacific is on the verge of constructive changings. The year of 2015 is considered to be a pivotal in terms of regional integration. Actually, socalled mega regional projects such as Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Transpacific Partnership (TPP) are to be accomplished by the end of the year. However, whatever regional order might be introduced in the Asia-Pacific, pro-American or pro-Chinese, establishment
of another regional institute, called ASEAN Community, should not be disregarded.
However, what does ASEAN Community actually mean? Generally, ASEAN Community is a long-cherished idea of the ASEAN to turn Southeast Asian region into deeper integration entity in political, economic and socio-cultural spheres. The project is comprised of a three pillars, namely ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC); in this context, each pillar consists of certain array of actions [1]. Undertaking efforts to accelerate the accomplishment of the ASEAN Community, ASEAN member-states pay great attention to the relations with their external partners.
In the end of the Cold war Soviet leader Gorbachev M. stated that Soviet Union had willingness to develop bilateral ties based on equal and deideological approach with all countries of the Asia-Pacific [2].
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But, practically after the collapse of the Soviet Union there was no evident reason for Russia to embark on strong relations with Southeast Asian states and, subsequently, to be elevated to a full Dialogue Partner of the ASEAN. Furthermore, post-soviet Russia’s political orientation became predominantly pro-Atlantic. However, in 1994 Russia joined ASEAN Regional Forum and in 1996 became an ASEAN Dialogue Partner. So far, Russia has acceded to all necessary treaties with the ASEAN. In addition, the last Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation (2013) declares that Russia intends to enhance its activities in the frameworks of ASEAN-Russia Dialogue, ASEAN Regional Forum, and ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting with Dialogue Partners [3].
Anyway, provided that the ASEAN is becoming more integrated as well as converting into more important economic and geopolitical entity, what the role can Russia play in it?
Key objectives of the ASEAN Political-Security Community include political democratic developments, promotion and protection of human rights, fighting against international security threats, and cooperation in conflict management with the assistance of Dialogue Partners and other external parties [4]. Despite of generally accepted perception that not a single war had happened in the Southeast Asia after the founding of the ASEAN, some sorts of intra-regional tension as well as security threats remain to be on the table.
Political and security cooperation between Moscow and Southeast Asian states had developed rapidly since the establishment of Dialogue Relations. Indeed, according to Russian experts, Russia’s involvement in Cambodian crisis as permanent member of UN Security Council in early 1990- s influenced positively on Moscow’s image among the ASEAN states [5].
In 2004, Russia and the ASEAN signed Joint Declaration on Combating Terrorism. Then, in 2009 ASEAN-Russian Federation Working Group on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime was founded. Furthermore, Russia participates in a series of consultative meetings with the ASEAN under the ASEAN-Russia dialogue relations to discuss and exchange views on political and security issues on regular basis. The Counter-terrorism Training Course for ASEAN Special Service Officers held in Moscow in November 2012 was highly evaluated as a beginning of practical cooperation between ASEAN and Russia in combating terrorism and transnational crime [6].
After all, it should be clear that Moscow, in contrast to Washington or Beijing, do not intend to reshape regional order as well as exert any profound political influence. Russia’s security assistance unlikely to bring about contradictions among ASEAN members, which are known to be polarized in terms of foreign policy orientation.
It is obvious that ASEAN Economic Community is given the priority among other ASEAN projects. The characteristics underpinning the idea of AEC encompass single market with free flows of goods and services as well as with illuminated tariffs and non-tariff barriers in regional trade. All those transformations are supposed to make Southeast Asian market more attractive for foreign investments and turn ASEAN into one of the most prominent economic centers of the world [7]. In this regard, it is also important to resolve such domestic ASEAN problem as huge economic and social development gap between its members.
As for economic relations between the ASEAN and Russia, Moscow is known to significantly fall behind other external partners of the ASEAN. According to the ASEAN statistics, Russia ranks twelve among ASEAN dialogue partners as far as turnover of commodities is concerned [8]. Moreover, Southeast Asian proportion in foreign trade of the Russian Federation is no more than 2% [9]. Subsequently, moderate economic cooperation discourages parties from signing a free trade agreement.
However, as AEC also embraces cooperation in areas of technologies, transportation, and energy industry, Russia stands a good chance to become an essential partner of the ASEAN. Actually, significant progress has been made in ASEAN-Russian collaboration in aerospace technologies, especially with Malaysia and Indonesia. In the sphere of energy, Russian companies are engaged in installing nuclear plants in Vietnam and joint gas and oil exploration activities in Indonesia. Eventually, taking into account that energy demands in Southeast Asia are on the rise, there is no doubt that Moscow will retain its positions as a key partner.
The creation of ASCC is considered to contribute people-centered ASEAN orientation. It is focused on equal access to public health service and education; environmental sustainability; prevent and reduce disaster losses [10].
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Eventually, Russia is able to occupy the niche of assistance in enhancing disaster resilience, as ASEAN and Russia already have solid background in cooperation in this area. For example, Moscow shipped huge humanitarian aid to Indonesia after disastrous earthquake in 2004, a large number of Russian medical workers also were sent to badly affected regions [11]. In the last year Russian navy has participated in multilateral, disaster relief exercises KOMODO-2014, which were being held near Indonesia [12].
To sum up, it is clear that despite of some obstacles, Russia has big potential to become an important partner of the shaping ASEAN Community. It is necessary to notice that not a single country of Southeast Asia imposed sanction on Russia in the light of Ukrainian crisis. Even ties between Russia and Malaysia have not been broken after ambiguity following the downing of MH17 flight. Given troubles Russia faces in the relations with its European partners, Moscow is reportedly turning toward AsiaPacific and looking beyond China in cultivating Asian economic and political partners.
References
1.Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of the Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015// ASEAN.org URL: http://www.asean.org/component/zoo/item/about-asean-overview-cebu- declaration-on-the-acceleration-of-the-establishment-of-an-asean-community-by-2015
2.Khronika vneshnepoliticheskih sobytiy v SSSR 1986 (The chronicle of the international events ib the USSR 1986)// Mezhdunarodny fond social’no-ekonomicheskih I politilogicheskih issledovaniy – Gorbachev Fond (International fund for socio-economical and political researches – Gorbachev Fund) URL: http://www.gorby.ru/archival/expocenter/vneshpolitika/show_29323/
3.Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation 2013// Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation URL: http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/0/76389FEC168189ED44257B2E0039B16D
4.ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint// By the ASEAN secretariat , ASEAN.org, June 2009 URL: http://www.asean.org/archive/5187-18.pdf
5.N. Bectimoriva Obshiy put’ k uregulirovaniyu v Kambodzhhe (Common way toward Cambodian crisis settlement) // Mezhdunarodnaya Zhizn’ (International affairs) №10, 2010.
6.ASEAN-Russia Embark on Capacity Building Activities on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime// ASEAN.org 18.12.2012 URL: http://www.asean.org/news/asean-secretariat- news/item/asean-russia-embark-on-capacity-building-activities-on-counter-terrorism-and- transnational-crime?category_id=27
7.ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint// by ASEAN secretariat, ASEAN.org, 2008 URL: http://www.asean.org/archive/5187-10.pdf
8.ASEAN trade by partner country/region, 2013// ASEAN.org, statistics URL: http://www.asean.org/images/2015/January/external_trade_statistic/table24_asof04Dec14.pdf
9.Tamozhennaya statistica vneshney torgovli RF (Foreign trade statictics of the Russian Federation) // http://www.customs.ru/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13858&Itemid=2095
10.ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint// By the ASEAN Secretariat, June 2009, URL: http://www.asean.org/archive/5187-19.pdf
11.Russkiy most v Asiyu (Russian bridge to Asia) // Rossiyskaya gazeta (Russian newspaper) 12.01.2005 URL: http://www.rg.ru/2005/01/12/pomoshj-cunami.html
12.V Yuzhno-Kitayskom more zavershilis’ mezhdunarodnye voennye uchenia (International military exercises were being held in South China sea) // Interfax 04.04.2014 URL: http://www.interfax.ru/world/369451
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Gurtovoy Gleb, Grishkina Anna
Saint Petersburg State University
Religious Renaissance as New Means of Soft Power in the World Politics
Discussing religion in the world politics we are considering that in current circumstances it has become an inalienable part of public diplomacy.
As Coombs and Holladay define it, ‘Public diplomacy comprises the efforts of governments from one nation to send messages directly to the “people” in another country and is part of soft power’. This is constantly evolving form of communication and interaction, which responds to changes in the political, social and technological environment. [1].
The nature of soft power by Joseph Nye statements was secular. The term ‘soft power’, according to his definition, was initially not essential [2]
Now, however, it is widely accepted not only that various religious actors can directly affect the internal politics of states and thus qualify state power. Therefore, religion in this context, having been historically efficient tool of influencing people’s minds, is now experiencing resurrection in the world politics.
In spite of the growing spiritual crisis of society, at the end of the XX century the so-called ‘religious renaissance’ occurred, which was determined by serious social and political cataclysms. Therefore, in the 1970s religion is again becoming one of the most influential determinants in the world stage[4].
Trying to put under control social institutes, authoritarian regimes in South America (Brazil, Chile, Argentina) came to quarrels with the Church. Catholic Church, having been the bastion of keeping the status-quo in South America in the 1950s, vigorously protested against overwhelming authoritarian states, becoming the pioneer of democratic changes in the region. The similar situation occurred in the Eastern Europe as well, particularly in Poland, where, during the bipolar system, the Church was the only institution free from government control that was enjoying the great authority among population [5]
In June 1967 Israel gained the victory in a Six-Day War. It was this event that initiated strong Judaic Movement in Israel, replacing secular Zionism. The disappointment caused by nationalism gave a powerful impetus to the transformation of Islam to the major political power in the Middle East [6]. Iranian Islamic revolution (1978-1979) was one of the strongest and less expected manifestations of ‘religious renaissance’, that was provoked by ‘westernization’ attempts. The creation in 1990s of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan episode of ‘religious renaissance’ of the 1970s has become the reaction on the Soviet invasion [7]. The growth of Islamism was going along with the split of Islamic world on the basis of dogmatic contradictions that led to regional antagonism between Shiite and Sunni Muslims. The attachment to one of these branches of Islam signifies the identification of individuals with the religious community in the globalized world. It is exactly what drives Shiite Arabs in Lebanon and Iraq to hoist the flag of Iran with the triumph [8].
In the present-day international system the religious factor has an immense impact on the world politics and relations between states thanks to a series of reasons and circumstances:
There are plenty of religious institutions that affect global processes. They are changing the course of world events, sometimes outperforming conventional political players. For them the most effective tool for gaining purposes is a ‘soft power’ capable of using indirect actions to achieve great results. In 1950 Tibet was annexed by China. Dalai Lama in order to preserve Tibetan traditionalism begins missionary preaching the national religion in the West, trying to keep the system of traditional spiritual values, maximizing the number of adherents and getting the sympathy of the international community [9].
Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) is another example of using the soft power by religious institutions. Having a broad representation abroad, the ROC has enormous resources for acting in the international arena as an independent figure. ROC activities are aimed at supporting the image of
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