Issue № 48. February 2015

“Soft Power” in Russian Foreign Policy: Origins, Features, Prospects

Ph.D., Consul General of the Russian Federation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Counsellor Minister.
E-mail: consrio@yandex.ru

The paper deals with the content, basic principles and features of "soft power" formation in Russian foreign policy. The paper reveals the multidimensional, multilevel nature of Russian "soft" diplomacy, the framework of which is formed by universally recognized achievements of our country in culture, art, science, education, sports, and by high spiritual and moral values. Russian diaspora abroad, the Russian Orthodox Church and foreign organizations of ex-graduates of Russian (Soviet) universities act as important channels and translators of Russia’s "soft power". The author comes to the conclusion that Russia’s foreign policy is under the process of formation of its own model of "soft power", which is considerably different not only from the Western, but from all the existing alternative concepts.

Keywords

Russia, "soft power", public diplomacy, non-governmental organizations, information, communications, culture, cooperation, influence, interests, Russian diaspora.