Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book concerns about American democracy promotion in Russia during the Clinton administration, 1993-2001. It examines the rationale and purpose behind Clinton's Russia policy and its implementation. The book also examines what the Americans thought they could achieve by promoting democracy in Russia. In analyzing the decision-making and implementation process, within a theoretical framework, and applying that to Russia, as a case study for democracy promotion. The book breaks new ground and raises questions about American commitment to promoting democracy elsewhere. It represents a unique attempt to analyse both the formation and implementation of US democracy promotion in Russia using two new frameworks of foreign policy analysis. The book concludes that the Clinton administration pursued sub-optimal choices to achieve short-term national security and market promotion gains rather than the value-maximising outcome of a liberal democratic Russia.