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RUSSIA IN AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT IN A BETWEEN XIX-XX CENTURIES

Sergei Spartak

Abstract

Topicality. Russia was always one of the main subjects of political thought as one of influential factor in world policy. The report is focused on the history of American political thought that remains still unknown in this aspect. And attempts to better understanding of the roots of actual negative connotation of Russia and Russians in USA. Aim: to reconstruct the logic and basic political arguments of the negative image of Russia in America. Hypothesis: the negative discursive American practice about Russia is due to the growing of economical and geopolitical appetites of the new coming in the end of 19th century future transnational corporations, changing the classical political order. Discussion: The historical overview of Russian presence in USA in 19th century and its political receipt shows us that there was no negative attitude against Russians. Image of America as a country of open possibilities was working for Russians as well as for others. We depict conflict in the middle of the First World War when USA spontaneously recognized correlations with their own interests and Great Britain’s. Conservative, liberal, socialist and even feminist political movement in USA have contacts with Russians and their own vision of Russia. When we try to evaluate the real prospects for the American struggle for liberation and emancipation, the theoretical backing of which struggle is increasingly coming with the hate for another big and independent country – Russia. The report is focused also on the so-called discourse analysis of texts of American politicians and political thinkers – from Roosevelt to Kennon, from Ericson to Dewey. Method: Historical reconstruction of political theories and real politics in the frame of the USA-Russian policy and strategic communication. Results: despising the systemic communicative crisis between Russia and America there is a potential to remedy the situation. As Henry Kissinger claimed the demonization of President Putin by the West is not the policy but an alibi for its absence.

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