Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
The Turkish Yearbook of International Relations, cilt.53, sa.0, ss.1-19, 2022 (Hakemli Dergi)
Russia, a Eurasian power with an anti-Western foreign policy agenda and a counter-hegemonic discourse, made an important attempt to develop a reliable vaccine, a key to fixing the deadly effects of the pandemic, and a matter of honor and prestige for a great power. While fighting the pandemic could not turn into a global effort because of its nationally organized and politically motivated character, the Kremlin challenged the West, not only in the scientific but also in the ideational arena by promoting a success story that ultimately aimed to undermine the rhetoric of Western normative superiority. Contemporary Russian foreign policy is based on a strategic narrative that questions the strength and permanence of the Western-dominated international system and envisions a greater role for Russia and China. The article falls into four sections. The first part focuses on “the rise of Russia” narrative that questions the superiority of the democratic liberal model. By so doing, the Kremlin not only provides a counter-argument against the oft-raised criticisms of its illiberal authoritarian regime but also takes an offensive stance against the Western democracies arguing that they are outmoded to fight against global problems. The second part discusses the employment of the Kremlin’s strategic narrative during the time of the pandemic. The third part scrutinizes Moscow’s bid to develop the first working vaccine. It is argued that the race for the discovery of a vaccine became a part of the discursive rivalry among great powers for prestige and honor in global politics rather than just a scientific and public health issue. The article concludes with an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the Kremlin’s storyline, which aims to convince domestic and foreign audiences at the time of the pandemic.