by way of William Zimmerman.


by way of William Zimmerman. Princeton University Pres (http://www.pupress.princeton.edu), 41 William road Princeton, New Jersey 08540-5237, 2002 250 pages, $6500 (hardcover), $1995 (softcover)

Melding quantitative methodologies with precise writing, eminent political scientist William Zimmerman sheds light upon one area of post-Soviet governance: the link between, and disparities among, social elites and the masses in formulating foreign policy in contemporary Russia. Using data aggregateed during the tumultuous decade following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Zimmerman explores for what reason various major groupings in Russian society perform the operations indicated in their respective opinions toward a variety of foreign-policy positions. Tracking and interpreting data at different points in "democratic" Russia, The Russian clan and Foreign Policy explores in what manner an individual's politics relates to his or her market orientation; to what degree the elites influence the masses' disentanglement of foreign policy; how one's view of the international scheme links with electoral behavior; and in what manner Russians reacted to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's

(NATO) expansion into Eastern Europe This volume stands out among modern works forward Russian society, making significant academic contributions in the areas of democratic consolidation, exhibition of a solid theoretical foundation, and enlightened implications for Western practitioners of foreign policy.



Employing a variety of graphs understandable to readers who have a basic foundation in statistics, Zimmerman proffers unique interpretations that are consistently engaging. Readers not interested in the empirical minutiae can read the chapters' conclusions and implications, which shed bright light upon the previous extrapolations. Of course, this part is of great interest to Air Force members who interact with the Russian sway and people; however, Zimmerman's devotion of an entire chapter onward the Russian elite and mass reactions to NATO expansion appeals to a broader military audience. After orienting themselves to the main players, as laid revealed in the first chapter, military members could skip to chapter 6 The lack of general Russian awareness of NATO's expansion plans as late as 1997 shortly before the three Visegrad states were proffered membership, actually proved quite disturbing. After 1999 and NATO's advance eastward, Russian awareness of NATO's putting out increased, with a concomitant rise in Russian perception that NATO pos a real threat to Russia's security. Zimmerman's conclusions that NATO's actions in Eastern Europe have had as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but positive and negative effects forward Russia are sure to interest the couple members and aspirants of the alliance. Overall, The Russian the community and Foreign Policy is worth speculative perusal for US policy makers as well as the the public who carry out that policy.

Joe Derdzinski

Colorado Springs, Colorado

COPYRIGHT 2003 U Air Force

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

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