A New Military Policy

Abstract

Military power has always played an important role in Russia and it has a long tradition in Russian history. A fact rarely mentioned is that the status of a superpower and the position of an equal among the great world powers, has not just been achieved by the Soviet Union since the end of the Second World War, but by Imperial Russia at the beginning of the eighteenth century (Cooper 1989, p. 22). Russia’s geographical location which made her the object of constant invasions, coupled with constant expansion and colonisation essential for her survival, was a powerful factor in establishing a powerful military organisation. Russia’s military tradition is, therefore, as ancient as her history. In the historical context it can be seen that the role of the military and generally the impact of wars, was incomparably stronger in Russia than in the West. Military power and wars were important factors in shaping Russia’s society and politics of the Empire. From the early days, following invasions from the East, Russia has adopted a system of government and administration suitable for a large and expanding state, especially in the essential area of military affairs (Szamuely, 1974, p. 20).