Modern Theoretical and Practical Approaches to Multilateralism in International Relations: the EAEU Case

Modern theoretical approaches to interpretations of the concepts “multilaterality”, “multipolarity”, “multi-vector foreign policy” are investigated. Features of multi-vector foreign policy are considered in the countries of the post-Soviet space.

Aim. Determine the basic theoretical and consider practical approaches to multilateralism in international relations.

Tasks. To identify the main differences in the interpretations of the concept of “multi-line” at the present stage. Determine the ratios between multilaterality and multipolarity. Formulate the main differences in views on the versatility between Western and developing countries. Consider the main manifestations of the multi-vector’s external policy of the countries of the post-Soviet space, paying attention to the EAEU countries.

Methods. The main place in the study was taken by the comparison method. Multilateity was seen as the principle of conducting international affairs and making decisions by the state; In other words, the foreign policy process. For this, the model of R. Patema was used, in which foreign policy decisions are made in the logic of a two-level game, with the domestic political and foreign policy levels. Multilateity is the factor of the second level. The factor of the first level is the manifestation of the socio-economic policy of the state.

Results. Modern theoretical and practical approaches to multilateralism have been investigated.

Conclusions. There are no uniform interpretations of the concept of multilaterality. The main differences are associated with a place that occupies the concept of “values”. Whether the values are the basis of multilaterality or vice versa — the versatility of the process of coming to common values. This is a fairly fundamental issue for multipolarity. Multipolarity can exist without multilateralism.

The centuries-old foreign policy in the conditions of the post-Soviet space contributes to the instability of states and leads to economic and political crises in these states.

1. Alekseeva T. A., Kazantsev N. N. Foreign Policy Process. Comparative Analysis : Study Manual for University Students. Moscow : Aspect Press. 2012. 223 p. (In Rus.)

2. Bogaturov A. Three Generations of Russia’s Foreign Policy Doctrines // International Trends [Mezhdunarodnye protsessy]. 2007. V. 5. No. 1. P. 54–69. (In Rus.) EDN: PXAOHZ

3. Kradin N. N. Nomads, World-Empires and Social Evolution // Alternative Ways to Civilization : a collective monograph. Moscow : Logos, 2000. P. 314–336. (In Rus.)

4. Moya Chin. What are Global Public Goods? [Electronic resource] // Finance & Development [Finansy i razvitie] 15.12.2021. URL: https://www.imf.org/ru/Publications/fandd/issues/2021/12/Global-PublicGoods-Chin-basics (accessed: 21.04.2023). (In Rus.)

5. Novikova I. Small States in International Relations: Some Theo retical Aspects. Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. International Relations [Vestnik Sankt-Peterburgskogo universiteta. Mezhdunarodnye otnosheniya]. 2022. V. 15. No. 3. P. 219–242. (In Rus.) https://doi.org/10.21638/spbu06.2022.301

6. Primakov E. A World without Superpowers [Elect ronic resource] // Russia in Global Affairs [Rossiya v global’noi politike]. 2003. No. 3. URL: https://globalaffairs.ru/articles/mir-bez-sverhderzhav/ (accessed: 21.04.2023). (In Rus.)

7. Shkel St. Neopatrimonial Practices and Stability of Authoritarian Regimes in Eurasia [Electronic resource] // Politeia [Politiya]. 2016. No. 4 (83). P. 94–107. URL: http://politeia.ru/files/articles/rus/2016_04_07.pdf (accessed: 21.04.2023). (In Rus.)

8. Hanns W. Maull. Multilateralism: Variants, Potential, Constraints and Conditions for Success. 2020 (SWP Comment, 9 / March 2020). Berlin : Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) German Institut e for International and Security Affairs. https://doi.org/10.18449/2020C09

9. Randall L. Schweller. Bandwagoning for Profit: Bringing the Revisionist State Back In // International Security. 1994. Vol. 19. No. 1. P. 72–107. https://doi.org/10.2307/2539149

10. Robert D. Putnam. Diplomacy and Domestic Politics: The Logic of Two-Level Games // International Organization. 1988. Vol. 42. No. 3. P. 427–460. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2706785