Conceptual Development of Strategic Culture in the Post-Soviet Dimension

The article aims at conceptualizing the notion of strategic culture in the context of the post-Soviet space. The author traces the evolution of the concept from classical works to third and fourth generations approaches. In the post-Soviet context, key factors in the formation of strategic cultures are identified: de-Sovietization, liminal states, post-imperial mentality, and collective memory (the historical myth of the Great Patriotic War). Using the Baltic states, Ukraine, and Moldova as examples, the authors describe the diverse strategic cultures of small states: from “shelter” to a “culture of fatalism” and asymmetric alliances. Conclusion dwells upon the fact that historical narratives and memory act not only as passive constraints but also as tools for legitimizing countries’ foreign policy choices. Their use in conceptually enriching strategic culture clarifies the current foreign policy orientations of post-Soviet countries and makes it possible to predict their future actions in the international arena.