Integral cross sections for electron-impact excitation of the 4 2P state in copper

We report integral cross sections for electron-impact excitation of the 4 2P state in copper for incident electrons with energies in the range from threshold to 100 eV. Measurements, based on an optical excitation function procedure, are compared with coupled-channel and coupled-channel-optical method calculations that we have also performed as a part of this study. Agreement between our measurements and theory was generally only modest. The present measurements are also found to be in quite good accord with the early near-threshold integral cross sections of Flynn et al. and the higher energy measurements from Ismail and Teubner. Where possible, comparison of our data is also made with earlier theory

Elite opinion and foreign policy in post-communist Russia

Russian elite opinion on matters of foreign policy may be classified as ‘Liberal Westerniser’, ‘Pragmatic Nationalist’ and ‘Fundamentalist Nationalist’, terms that reflect longstanding debates about the country’s relationship with the outside world. An analysis of press statements and election manifestoes together with a programme of elite interviews between 2004 and 2006 suggests a clustering of opinion on a series of strategic issues. Liberal Westernisers seek the closest possible relationship with Europe, and favour eventual membership of the EU and NATO. Pragmatic Nationalists are more inclined to favour practical co-operation, and do not assume an identity of values or interests with the Western countries. Fundamentalist Nationalists place more emphasis on the other former Soviet republics, and on Asia as much as Europe, and see the West as a threat to Russian values as well as to its state interests. Each of these positions, in turn, draws on an identifiable set of domestic constituencies: Liberal Westernisers on the promarket political parties, Pragmatic Nationalists on the presidential administration and defence and security ministries, and Fundamentalist Nationalists on the Orthodox Church and Communists

The Cold Peace: Russo-Western Relations as a Mimetic Cold War

In 1989–1991 the geo-ideological contestation between two blocs was swept away, together with the ideology of civil war and its concomitant Cold War played out on the larger stage. Paradoxically, while the domestic sources of Cold War confrontation have been transcended, its external manifestations remain in the form of a ‘legacy’ geopolitical contest between the dominant hegemonic power (the United States) and a number of potential rising great powers, of which Russia is one. The post-revolutionary era is thus one of a ‘cold peace’. A cold peace is a mimetic cold war. In other words, while a cold war accepts the logic of conflict in the international system and between certain protagonists in particular, a cold peace reproduces the behavioural patterns of a cold war but suppresses acceptance of the logic of behaviour. A cold peace is accompanied by a singular stress on notions of victimhood for some and undigested and bitter victory for others. The perceived victim status of one set of actors provides the seedbed for renewed conflict, while the ‘victory’ of the others cannot be consolidated in some sort of relatively unchallenged post-conflict order. The ‘universalism’ of the victors is now challenged by Russia's neo-revisionist policy, including not so much the defence of Westphalian notions of sovereignty but the espousal of an international system with room for multiple systems (the Schmittean pluriverse)

The power of civilizational nationalism in Russian foreign policy making

The article draws upon theories of identity to understand Russian foreign policy towards Ukraine since 2000. The article argues that contemporary Russian foreign policy can be best understood as an articulation of ‘civilizational nationalism’ which relies on the myth of cultural superiority. The focus is on not only treating Russia as an imperial power, but on the cultural claims that this relies upon and its configuration within changing historical ideas of ‘Russianness’. Since the Orange Revolution, Russian presidents have accused Ukraine of following anti-Russian policies. This has been aided by a discourse of ‘civilizational nationalism’ where Ukraine is described as being part of a ‘Greater Russia’, rather than as a sovereign territory. This article analyses how imagined civilization and greatness of Russian culture is driving foreign policy making towards the Ukraine. Rather than an external territory, Ukraine is constructed as a ‘little brother’ which renders interventions legitimate

Russia - EU Relations: The Present Situation and Prospects. CEPS Working Documents No. 225, 1 July 2005

What is the real scope of the interdependence and cooperation between Russia and the EU? What do the partners want from this cooperation and how may Russian-EU relations develop in the future? And which of possible cooperation models is the most advantageous to Russia? These were among the salient questions addressed by a group of distinguished Russian experts in Russian-EU relations, government officials and businessmen at a workshop held in January 2005. The group even explored the highly controversial possibility of Russia joining the EU in the future. The present report sums up the conclusions drawn by the participants in the workshop and shows their agreement or disagreement on the issues discussed. Moreover, the report contains recommendations for Russian governmental institutions

Turning to the East: Results and Problems

В статье обсуждаются проблемы социально-экономического развития Сибири и Дальнего Востока. Проведен анализ и дана оценка деятельности органов федеральной власти в отношении разработки и реализации планов развития сибирских и дальневосточных территорий. Показано, что происходит необоснованная трансформация основных инструментов развития (распространение идеи ТОРов на всю территорию страны и др.) и затягивание процессов принятия уже подготовленных решений (создание фондов и других институтов развития)The problems of social and economic development of Siberia and the Far East are discusses in article. The analysis and evaluation of the federal government activities in development and implementations of plans for the Siberian and Far Eastern territories development are conducted. The article shows the unjustified transformation of the development basic tools (dissemination of TPD ideas throughout the country and others) and delaying already prepared decision-making processes (funds and other development institutions establishment