Civil Society,the Economy,and Educational Assistance in Former Soviet Republics

Abstract

Liberal democracies throughout the world are committed to civil society in support of market economics and democratic politics. Through educational assistance programs, the U.S. government demonstrates this commitment by attempting to reinvigorate civil society in former Soviet republics and Eastern European countries in support of their economic and political reform efforts. Of particular interest are the Community Connections and Partners in Education programs conducted by the U.S. Department of State for interns from the former Soviet republics or now Eurasia, who participate in business and other professional internships in various locations in the U.S., including Northern Alabama.     

Russia's Post-Orange Revolution Strategies to Increase its Influence in Former Soviet Republics: Public Diplomacy po russkii

The role of public diplomacy in Russian foreign policy has grown in recent years. There are two distinctive strands of Russian public diplomacy: one directed mainly towards Western states, and one towards the former Soviet republics. Despite the rhetoric of mutual interests and high respect for state sovereignty, the post-Soviet strand of Russian public diplomacy has more in common with the Soviet practice of ‘active measures’ than with the soft power of attraction commonly connected with public diplomacy. Russia's current policy runs the risk of eating away the soft power potential that Russia still enjoys in many post-Soviet states.     

Ethnic Identification in the Former Soviet Union: Hypotheses and Analyses

The article seeks to ‘measure’ the concept of ‘identification as titular’ in regard to the members of five ethnic groups in the former Soviet Union (Bashkirs, Karels, Komis, Tatars and Yakuts) and the factors which strengthen, or conversely weaken, such identification. In order to do this it uses multigroup confirmatory factor analysis and multigroup structural equation modelling. Identification is mainly associated with a sense of national superiority and duration of residence in the home republic. The pattern among Yakuts, however, differs from that of the other ethnic groups and would require further detailed analysis.     

Post-Communism and Female Tobacco Consumption in the Former Soviet States

Existing studies emphasise the important roles played by negative health lifestyle practices in the health situations of the countries constituting the former Soviet Union, and the role of smoking has attracted a considerable body of research. This article analyses female smoking behaviour in eight former Soviet states and seeks to more closely identify the roles of psychological distress and political ideology in relation to tobacco use in these countries. Results suggest that, in these populations, distress and ideology are associated with smoking practices in specific, observable, and sometimes unexpected ways. Findings are discussed within the context of changing gender constructions and dynamics following the post-communist transition.     

苏东地区“现实社会主义”的垮台和当前社会主义计划的重新制定

前言自社会主义作为理论和政治实践出现以来,一直是人们思考和分析的问题。在整个20世纪,不同国家的社会主义革命补充了社会主义计划具体形成的根本问题并对已经出现的社会主义经验做出评价,其中一些经验继续朝着乐观的方向发展。