The role of culture and perception in international relations: a case study—Armenian-Russian relationships

Abstract

The purpose of this Master’s Essay is to explore the role of culture and perception in international relations. In addition, the theoretical framework is applied to a specific area of study: Armenian-Russian relationships. Thus, this Master’s Essay is aimed at discussing the theoretical background on the role of culture in international relations, a particular insight into the way the issue can be diagnosed, and a case study devoted to Armenian-Russian relationships. This case study intends to explain how Armenian people traditionally perceived Russia and Armenian-Russian relationships, how they are perceived now in some Russian-language newspapers issued in Armenia, and what is the nature of these relationships in retrospect and now. Therefore, this Master’s Essay has the intention to examine the main hypothesis of this study: in the future the Armenian-Russian relations are feasible to be in a good shape, partly because of cultural and perceptional perspectives since culture and its component—perception—do play a big role in shaping international relations.