Reference:
Borovskiy Y.V..
International Rivalry: Theoretical and Linguistic Aspects
// International relations. – 2018. – № 3.
– P. 65-72.
DOI: 10.7256/2454-0641.2018.3.23115.
DOI: 10.7256/2454-0641.2018.3.23115
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Abstract: The scientific and broader community has still treated antagonistic interstate relations differently. For example, in recent years, marked by the escalation of international tension in the spirit of the Cold war, Russia and the United States are often called rivals, competitors, opponents, adversaries or conflicting parties. Such a discrepancy is noted both in foreign and domestic publications. The subject of the presented research is an “international rivalry”. It is aimed at determining a scientific meaning of the above concept, relying on accumulated academic experience and considering some similar concepts. The author applies general scientific methods including analysis, synthesis, induction and deduction, analogy and modeling. Conceptual framework and research methods related to the theory of international relations, history, and political science involving the system, comparative, and comparative historical analysis are also used. The novelty of the research lies in the systematization and generalization of scientific understanding of antagonistic states relations with special focus on the concept of "international rivalry". The author arrives at the following conclusions. In a simplistic, utilitarian view, the term "rivalry" can be interpreted as the opposite of "cooperation" and associated with any clash of state interests (or other international actors). In this approach, a researcher can alternate the terms "rivalry", "competition", “conflict”, and “adversary” while describing the opposite positions and actions of states, e.g. Russia and the USA. However, if we turn to academic publications, there are some additional nuances. So, we should consider international competition as an abstract, depoliticized contest of states and other international actors for some limited (mainly economic) benefits. International rivalry is more a political process, necessarily involving some rival pairs of states (or groups of states) that compete with each other not only to get some benefits, but to expand their territory or power. International conflict, expressed either in conflict behavior or conflict of interests, in a certain sense overlaps with the term "international rivalry", but it should be considered an independent concept.
Keywords: international relations, Soviet-American relations, Russian-American relations, international adversary, international conflict, international competition, international rivalry, international enemies, conflict of interests, conflict behavior
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