This thesis examines the first post-Soviet interplay between the US and Russia—the Clinton Administration's policy toward Russia from 1993 to 1997 (the “Clinton Policy”). The thesis uses Rational Action Theory and a unique combination of widely-proven and accepted perspectives on US presidential administration bureaucratic processes, presidential decision-making, political elite perceptions, the effects of bureaucratic organisation on policy decisions, and temporal effects to examine this critical point in US foreign policy. The thesis validates the point of view that the Clinton Policy was formulated and implemented with a myopic view of both Yeltsin and Russia as a result of personal histories and bias, bureaucratic inertia, and temporal dynamics. It further highlights that the Clinton Administration continued to resource and reinforce this unsuccessful policy despite objective indicators that its trajectory was not as desired or predicted. In a broader context, the thesis suggests that future US presidential administrations seeking to influence another country at so deep a level as to effect a major socio-political and structural change such as the implementation of democracy must have a significant resolve and commitment for an extended period, an initial and continuing assessment of the affected nation that is as complete and impartial as possible, and the mechanisms and will to discontinue an unsuccessful policy.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1971. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A. in National Security Affairs)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2005. / Thesis Advisor(s): Mikhail Tsypkin. Includes bibliographical references (p. 85-93). Also available online.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1961. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [127]-132).

Thesis (M.A. in National Security Affairs)--Naval Postgraduate School, Sept. 2004. / Thesis Advisor(s): Peter R. Lavoy, Mikhail Tsypkin. Includes bibliographical references (p. 51-56). Also available online.

Thesis (M.A. in National Security Affairs)--Naval Postgraduate School, September 2001. / Thesis advisor(s): Mikhail Tsypkin, Frank Teti. Includes bibliographical references (p. 41-44). Also available online.

Thesis (M.A.)--Ohio University, June, 2005. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 67-71)