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Not on speaking terms, but business as usual: the ambiguous coexistence of conflict and cooperation in EU–Russia relations

Casier, Tom (2020) Not on speaking terms, but business as usual: the ambiguous coexistence of conflict and cooperation in EU–Russia relations. East European Politics, 36 (4). pp. 529-543. ISSN 2159-9165. (doi:10.1080/21599165.2020.1756784) (KAR id:81180)

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Official URL:
https://doi.org/10.1080/21599165.2020.1756784

Abstract

Since the crisis over Ukraine erupted, relations between Russia and the EU have been characterised by the coexistence of competition and cooperation. How can we explain this ambiguity? First, a distinction is made between the multi-actor structure of low politics versus polarised discursive positions in high politics. Construal-Level Theory is invoked to explain how low politics is characterised by concrete images, while high politics is characterised by abstract, ideologised images. Second, the article considers the interaction between both levels and argues that the contagion from more cooperative low level practices to the defrosting of EU-Russia relations is unlikely.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1080/21599165.2020.1756784
Uncontrolled keywords: Russia, European Union, Construal-Level Theory, cooperation, conflict
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Politics and International Relations
Depositing User: Tom Casier
Date Deposited: 12 May 2020 11:08 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Dec 2022 03:23 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/81180 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)
Casier, Tom: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5156-7862
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