Introduction
The world order is a system of understanding and conceptualizing international relations in the past, present, and the possible future. With the multitude of nations, cultures, and beliefs, the process of interaction and development becomes increasingly complex for each of them. The countries of Russia and Iran have been identified as having a complicated relationship with their own national identity, relationships with the outside influence, and political alignment. It is, therefore, interesting to consider them in a comparative perspective, seeing the growth and changes the nations have experienced. The importance of this discussion stems from an increasingly large need to balance the scales of power in the international arena, and understand the build-up to the current political trends. Additionally, an introspection into both Iran and Russia can provide a framework towards predicting and understanding the actions of these nations.
Russia
Russia’s history is tumultuous and varied, depending on the period in history and other different factors. Coming together as an assortment of peoples living in the areas of modern Russian Federation, Ukraine, and others, the nation was formed under Kyiv as its central capital and source of unity (Kissinger). Russia existed as a distinctly different power from both Asia and Europe, gaining many traditions from its neighbors while maintaining a sense of its own national identity. However, the process of gathering influences from all directions also came to alienate the country from the most recent trends in European or Asian development. This fact was further amplified by the presence and supremacy of the Absolute Monarchy as the ruling form of government organization. The monarchs dictated the direction of Russia’s development, its domestic and international policies (Kissinger). While the system of government has changed after the 1917 revolution and the later dissolution of the Soviet Union, the general national identity of the nation has remained the same. The people of this country are usually aversive to change, requiring the work of a leader to guide them towards a necessary direction (Kissinger). Such a trend can be seen in the monarchs and Soviet leaders of the past, as well as the presidents of the future. Russia possesses great national ambition and a vastness of natural resources only as big as its own insecurities.
Principles of Non-Intervention
The Westphalian system, as it pertains to the sovereignty of nations and their ability to govern themselves, has been an important part of Russian political identity. As a nation that perpetually stays afraid of foreign intervention, it is especially important for Russia to maintain formal guarantees of its own sovereignty and supremacy regarding domestic policy.
Iran and the Middle East
Iran, similar to other nations of the middle east, has historically struggled with maintaining its own combined identity and power. With a variety of different nations, all seeking to use their influence for political and financial gain in the region, the development in the middle east was always driven in a wide range of directions. Interestingly, the region’s people also struggled to find a common point of identification, choosing between religion, culture, history, and tradition to unify a divided territory. European, American, and Asian powers all battled for influence in the area, bringing their own views and systems of governance to the Middle East. By the end of WWI, the area was divided depending on the wishes of foreign nations, which worked to accelerate its development while escalating political tensions (Kissinger). While outside influences sought to “develop” the Middle East and Iran into a profitable ally for the international arena, the countries were still stuck with monarchy-levels of political rule (Kissinger). This fact was changed with several uprisings and military coups, resulting in quick changes of power relations and a further need to form a coherent national or cultural identity to unify the people. Islam has begun emerging as a cultural and religious through line to help people feel a shared sense of identity and self. The importance of this religion can be seen in most nations in the Middle East, as well as the strict influence it has on the politics in the region.
Principles of Non-Intervention
Non-intervention is an important concept to consider in the case of the Middle East. For a region that has struggled to define itself and establish a positive relationship with the outside influences, it is difficult to consider the role other countries must have in politics. The interventions of nations such as the US have worked as a destabilizing factor in the region, while also providing the existing governments the necessary power to maintain their rule. Iran seeks to be able to stand on the political arena as its own entity, without power struggles caused by foreign actors.
Similarities and Differences
Iran and Russia are similar in many regards, most notably in their inability to fit into the established constraints of democratic society. Existing in regions of influence for their neighbors and experiencing international relations as a tightrope of either conflict or benefit, it is difficult for both nations to grow in the direction the major political actors of the time would want them to. Differences in political perspectives and the need for self-identification also fuel the nationalistic tendencies of both nations, giving rise to the desire for absolute sovereignty. However, there are also considerable differences, such as the capacity for Russia’s foreign expansion not being shared by Iran. Additionally, Iran has seen a far wider number of foreign interventions into its growth than Russia.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be said that both Iran and Russia have a number of unique properties connected with their culture, history, and national growth. Both countries exist outside the comparatively European understanding of political structure and tradition, lending themselves to nationalistic and religious tendencies over the values of western world. In learning more about their history, it is possible to understand the present ambitions and problems of these nations more clearly.
Work Cited
Kissinger, Henry. World Order. Penguin Books, 2014.