Theorising cooperation and conflict in Euro-Russian relations

ABSTRACT

When thinking about Euro-Russian relations, IR scholars focus on why conflict has replaced cooperation. The “geostrategic debate” excludes the possible coexistence of cooperation and conflict. In this Introduction to the special issue, we track the evolution of conflict and cooperation patterns in three zones of contact (Estonia, Kaliningrad, Moldova) between 1991 and 2016. Our findings show that, although the standard narrative remains compelling, in several cases patterns of cooperation/conflict are largely autonomous from the geostrategic level. This diversity justifies the elaboration of theoretical propositions distinguishing fluid, rigid, and disputed symbolic boundaries which are constructed in and through geopolitical fields.

KEYWORDS:

• Europe
• Russia
• Moldova
• Kaliningrad
• Estonia
• symbolic boundaries

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all the participants in the workshop “Theorizing Relations Between Europe, North America and Russia”, held at the Montréal Jean Monnet Centre on November 17, 2017, for their contribution and feedback on a first version of the articles included in this special issue. In particular, we thank Anastasiya Shtaltovna, Tringa Bytyqi, Emma Smeyers and Félix-Antoine Cloutier who have provided invaluable research assistance. We acknowledge funding from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council (Insight Grant #CF133847) as well as the European Commission (Erasmus+ program).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes on contributors

Frédéric Mérand is Professor of Political Science and Scientific Director of CÉRIUM, the Centre for International Studies at Université de Montréal.

Magdalena Dembińska is Professor of Political Science and Academic Director of CÉRIUM, the Centre for International Studies at Université de Montréal.

Dr. Dominika Kunertova is a senior researcher in the Global Security Team at the Center for Security Studies, ETH Zürich.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada: [Grant Number CF133847].