Marxist-Leninist ideology, Soviet foreign policy and the structure of the international system of states.

This work examines the relationship between Marxist-Leninist ideology and Soviet foreign policy in the context of the contemporary structure of the international system of states. To what degree does the ideology of a state shape the course of foreign policy pursued by that state? How does the structure of the international system influence a state\u2019s international behaviour? What happens if the ideological "foreign policy blueprint" comes into conflict with the requirements dictated by the structure of the international system? This work will attempt to provide answers to these questions and to outline how structural constraints imposed on Soviet international behaviour during the 20* century diminished the role of Marxist-Leninist ideology as a determinant of Soviet foreign policy. It will demonstrate that, far 6om being "unorthodox" and "unique", Soviet foreign policy was governed by some of the same factors as were policies of other states in the contemporary international system.