| The central argument of this thesis is that national identity is a key and potent factor in how Russia and Georgia pursue their foreign policies. Theoretical discussions based on nation, nationalism, and ethnic myths are used to situate national identity within a historical context, explaining the Imperial, Soviet and Post-Soviet relationship between Russia and Georgia. The national identities of Russia and Georgia, neoimperialism and resistance identity, are in opposition with one another, affecting their foreign policy orientations. Theoretically, Critical Geopolitics and the National Identity Dynamic are used to explain this. Russia's foreign policy is described as Official Eurasianism, while Georgia's foreign policy is predicated on its desire to join the community of western nations. Georgia's potential for NATO membership is an important point of contention between the two countries, and was a major factor in Russia and Georgia going to war in August 2008, which is extensively discussed in this work. |
