Revisiting Eric Nordlinger: The Dynamics of Russian Civil- Military Relations in the Twentieth Century

This paper examines the role that military has played in the political development of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the modern Russian Federation. By utilizing the theoretical tenets of Eric Nordlinger, this paper endeavors to update and hopefully revise his classic work in civil-military relations, Soldiers in Politics. Chapter one of this paper introduces many of the main theoretical concepts utilized in this analysis. Chapter two considers the Stalinist totalitarian penetration model that set the standard for communist governments around the world. Chapter three follows up by addressing the middle years of Khrushchev and Brezhnev. Both reformed the military in its relation to the party and state and made the armed forces a more corporate and professional institution. Chapter four pinpoints the drastic changes in both the state and armed forces during Gorbachev's perestroika and glasnost. The military briefly ventured to a point it never gone before by launching a short coup against the last Soviet president. Chapter five focuses on the last ten years in the Russian Federation. While still a professional organization typical of the liberal model of civil-military relations, the armed forces face great uncertainty, as economic and social problems demand more of their time and resources. Chapter six concludes by speculating on the future of Russian civilmilitary relations and reconsiders the importance of Nordlinger's elegant yet parsimonious work.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2001

Author dc:creator

• Ardovino, Michael

Contributors dc:contributor

• Reban, Milan
• Tan, Alexander
• Tanner, Harold

• Nordlinger, Eric A. Soldiers in politics.
• Civil-military relations -- Soviet Union -- History.
• Civil-military relations -- Russia (Federation) -- History.
• Soviet Union -- Politics and government.
• Russia (Federation) -- Politics and government -- 1991-
• perestroika
• Russian Federation
• civil-military relations
• political development

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Ardovino, Michael
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 51164465
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2918/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc2918

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc2918