Contempt, fear, and hubris: the 2008 Russian–Georgian war through the lens of affect
Journal: International Politics
Year: 2024

Three affective phenomena epitomise the downturn in Russian–Western relations and shed light on a watershed moment—the invasion of Georgia in August 2008: contempt, fear, and hubris. Each promotes distinct appraisal patterns and action tendencies. Following a shift in the construction of Russian identity vis-à-vis Europe, elite attitudes towards the West turned contemptuous. Faced with a security crisis in the Caucasus, the perceived consequences of inaction fostered the decision to attack Georg