The Sources Provide Background Information And Empirical Dat

The Sources Provide Background Information Andor Empirical Details Ab

The sources provide background information and/or empirical details about the topic, and in most cases come from journals or books that have been refereed (i.e., they were subject to review by experts before being accepted for publication). Articles from news services or blogs have been kept to a minimum. Your paper must include material from at least three of the sources listed here for your topic. You are welcome to add other sources, from scholarly materials. Keep news articles and blogs to a minimum.

After each item listed under “Sources” below, you will see a location, either “Lionsearch,” a call number (if a book is on reserve) or a url. For items with a url -- you can cut-and-paste the url into a web browser to bring up the item. For items that say “see DB” -- please check with me to borrow my copy. The paper should 1) explain why the topic is important; 2) provide a brief outline of what you will cover; 3) present evidence and examples to support your argument; and 4) provide a conclusion. 5) include references to your sources: put the name of the author in parentheses in the text, with a page number, and include a list of your sources at the end.

If you are unsure about how to format your list of sources, see the examples listed below. The paper should not cover material that we are covering in class. The paper should focus on one or more of the post-Soviet countries: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. Checklist for papers 1) Include references to your sources in the text of the paper. Failure to do this will result in a lower grade. 2) Include a bibliography/list of references at the end. See below for the format. 3) Spell-check the paper. Make sure that sentences are complete. 4) Submit a hard copy to me, and post an electronic copy to the Drop box. Use your lastname_firstname for the name of the version in Dropbox. Grading of papers A=the paper reflects clear organization, with an introduction of the topic and why it is important; a logical outline; and a conclusion. It incorporates evidence and examples from readings to support the argument; and includes appropriate references in the text and bibliography at the end. The idea is to persuade the reader, by using evidence and examples to support the argument you want to make. The paper provides a narrative that explains how different ideas/different paragraphs fit together. B=the paper reflects knowledge of subject, but may have some gaps or problems in organization, logic or clarity; may lack sufficient evidence/examples or may lack references; ideas may be presented without explanation of how they are connected. C=the paper reflects some knowledge of the subject, but may omit key issues/arguments, or may be poorly organized or ambiguous, or may lack evidence/examples or references. D=paper does not show understanding of key issues, or reflects little or no analysis, is poorly organized/unclear, or lacks evidence/examples. F=paper does not address the assignment; or does not reflect knowledge of materials; or lacks evidence/examples; or is poorly organized/unclear.

Paper For Above instruction

The relationship between sports and politics in the Putin era exemplifies how large-scale sporting events serve as strategic tools for national identity construction, international diplomacy, and domestic legitimacy in Russia. The bid for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics was driven not only by a desire to elevate Russia's global image but also by internal political motives aimed at consolidating Vladimir Putin's authority and showcasing the country's remarkable return to international prominence after a period of perceived decline (Arnold & Foxall, 2014, p. 1). This strategy aligns with the broader Russian policy of leveraging international sports events as instruments of political soft power, facilitating Russia's integration into global institutions while asserting its sovereignty and regional influence.

The importance of this topic lies in understanding how sports can be manipulated for political purposes and how such events reflect broader geopolitical aims. The Sochi Olympics, in particular, highlighted the complex interplay between modernization ambitions, security concerns, and national prestige. The Russian government anticipated that hosting a successful international event would boost national pride, demonstrate economic and infrastructural development, and elevate Russia’s status on the world stage (Orttung & Zhemukhov, 2014, p. 155). Moreover, the event was seen as a means to project soft power, wrapping political agendas within the spectacle of global sportsmanship, thus creating an image of a resilient, modern, and organized Russia.

However, the preparations for the 2014 Olympics were fraught with challenges and controversies, exposing the contradictions between Russia’s ambitions and the realities of logistical, infrastructural, and security hurdles. The vast scale of the project resulted in widespread corruption, cost overruns, and environmental concerns, which undermined the legitimacy of the event domestically and internationally (Yaffa, 2014). Corruption allegations, particularly related to the misuse of funds, led to public distrust and criticism from opposition groups, casting a shadow over the Olympic legacy. Infrastructural issues, from transportation to security arrangements, highlighted the gaps in Russia's capacity to host a flawless international competition, revealing weaknesses in governance and bureaucratic coordination (Dzutsev, 2011, p. 3).

The security challenges were also significant, given the geopolitical tensions and threats of terrorism linked to the region. The Russian authorities invested heavily in security apparatus, which exemplified the intertwining of security policies with political legitimacy. The extensive security measures at Sochi not only aimed to safeguard participants and visitors but also conveyed a message of strength and control, reinforcing Putin’s image as a decisive leader (Aris, 2011). Nonetheless, these measures often resulted in infringements on civil liberties and heightened tensions among local communities, further complicating Russia’s portrayal of a stable and secure nation.

In conclusion, the nexus between sports and politics in the Putin era exemplifies how international sporting events like the Olympics serve multiple national interests, ranging from diplomatic projection to internal regime consolidation. The 2014 Sochi Olympics, despite its flaws and controversies, encapsulates this dynamic, reflecting Russia's strategic use of sports as a means of geopolitical positioning and domestic legitimacy. Future events and policies will likely continue to demonstrate the intricate dance between sports and political power, underscoring the importance of understanding these connections in assessing Russia’s broader international strategy and domestic politics.

References

• Arnold, R., & Foxall, A. (2014). Lord of the (Five) Rings: Issues at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games. Problems of Post-Communism, 61(1), 13-24.
• Orttung, R. W., & Zhemukhov, S. (2014). The 2014 Sochi Olympic Mega-project and Russia's Political Economy. East European Politics, 30(2), 154-169.
• Yaffa, J. (2014). The Waste and Corruption Behind Vladimir Putin’s 2014 Winter Olympics. Bloomberg Businessweek, January 2.
• Aris, B. (2011). Russia’s Use of Sport in Regional Development Policy. Russian Analytical Digest, 95.
• Dzutsev, V. (2011). The Olympic Games in Sochi: Infrastructural and Security Challenges. Russian Analytical Digest, 95.
• Additional credible sources from peer-reviewed journals and official reports discussed within the paper.