Derzhavnost' is a Russian term that descibes thinking in terms of idenity and action as a Great Power. Conceiving of Russia as a Great Power dates from the period when Tsarist Russia emerged as one of a handful of states that could play a major role in European balance of power politics. Derzhavnost' explains much of the recent behavior of Russia in international affairs.
- Jeffrey Mankoff. 2009. Russian Foreign Policy. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 61-62.