From Eurasianism to Realpolitik: Ideational Borrowing in Russia’s State Development Strategy
https://doi.org/10.24975/2313-8920-2025-12-3-264-280
Abstract
In the face of limited reciprocal engagement with Russia’s pro-Western diplomatic efforts and mounting strategic pressure from the European Union and NATO in the post-Soviet space, Russia has experienced a significant shift in its ideological paradigm. This article examines the ideological transformation embedded in Russia’s contemporary state development strategy, focusing on the evolution of Eurasianism from a theoretical discourse into a practical framework of state policy under Vladimir Putin’s administration. Domestically, this ideological project is grounded in a threefold critical reconstruction: a systematic critique of European radical individualism; a reassessment of the role of Mongol imperial governance traditions in shaping Russian statehood; and a genealogical analysis of Turanian civilizational elements that underscores the normative function of the Russian people’s subconscious philosophy in shaping modern social norms. Externally, Eurasianism promotes a paradigmatic shift in Russia’s geopolitical orientation — from maritime to continental — and advocates the construction of a regional economic and security community with Russia as a strategic hub, supported by the modernization of Eurasian transport corridors. Ultimately, this model seeks to challenge the US-led unipolar global order and foster the emergence of a multipolar world structure. The article argues that this process of intellectual borrowing and creative adaptation constitutes an ideological reconfiguration through which Russia is pursuing alternative pathways for development in response to contemporary modernization challenges.
About the Author
Jiawen He
Shanghai International Studies University
China
China
Jiawen He
1550 Wenxiang Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai, 201620, China
References
1. Lu Ping. Analysis of Russia’s «European Choice». Russian, East European & Central Asian Studies. 2021;6:59–60. (In Chin.)
2. Prokapalo O. M. The Russian Far East: Implementation of Program Measures in 2010. Spatial Economics. 2011;1:152–165. (In Russ.)
3. Li Xin. On Russia’s New Strategy toward Asia-Pacific. Contemporary International Relations. 2013;2:13–20. (In Chin.)
4. Wang Xiaoqian, Cong Xin. The Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation and the Adjustment of Russian Foreign Strategy. Russian Studies Journal. 2023;13(5):5–26. (In Chin.)
5. Xu Bo. The Domestic Political Factors of Russia’s «Pivot to the East» Strategy: Strategic Culture, Central--Local Relations and Political Structure. Contemporary Asia-Pacific. 2019;6:47–66. (In Chin.)
6. Maslin M. A.Reforms of Peter the Great in the Assessment of Eurasianist Classics. Bulletin of the Russian Christian Humanitarian Academy. 2020;21(4–1):139–153. (In Russ.)
7. Panarin I. N. Philosophy of Politics. Moscow: Arktogeya; 2004. 114 p. (In Russ.)
8. Chen Xunming. Alexeyev and His Eurasianist State Thought. Studies of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. 2002;1:54–57. (In Chin.)
9. Belchevichen S. P. The Theory of Progress in the Philosophical Heritage of N. K. Mikhailovsky. Value System of Modern Society. 2010;(10–1):59–63. (In Russ.)
10. Trubetskoy N. S. On the Turanian Element in Russian Culture. In: Russia between Europe and Asia: The Eurasian Temptation. Anthology. Ed. by L. I. Novikova, I. N. Sizemskaya. Moscow: Nauka; 1993. p. 67–68. (In Russ.)
11. Li Yanlong. The Conservative Turn in Contemporary Russia: Causes, Knowledge Networks and Core Ideas. Russian, East European & Central Asian Studies. 2023;2:36–58. (In Chin.)
12. Kolomyts D. M., Kolomyts O. G. The Mythology of Turanism in the Cultural Project of the Eurasianists. Bulletin of Kazan State University of Culture and Arts. 2018;1:13. (In Russ.)
13. Lyuks L. «Eurasianism». Eurasianism and the World. 2018;1:3–15. (In Russ.)
14. Lebedev S. N., Zamaraeva E. I. The Problem of the State in Eurasianist Doctrine. Bulletin of Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia. Series: Sociology. 2016;2:426–437. (In Russ.)
15. Savitsky P. N. Affirmation of the Eurasianists. In: Savitsky P.N. Continent Eurasia. Moscow: Agraf; 1997. p. 81–82. (In Russ.)
16. Semenov-¬Tyan-¬Shansky V. P. Region and Country. Moscow: Ripol Klassik; 2013. p. 160– 163. (In Russ.)
17. Barakhvostov P. A. Greater Eurasia: Challenges and Opportunities. In: Greater Eurasia: Challenges and Opportunities. Proceedings of the International Round Table on Innovations in International Studies, Minsk, 4 April 2019. Ed. by E. A. Dostanko, A. M.Baichorov, S. A. Kizima. Minsk: Belarusian State University; 2019. p. 5–10. (In Russ.)
18. Kong Yuan. The Return of Eurasianism and Global Revolution: Alexander Dugin’s Geopolitical Views. Cultural Review. 2015;5:88–95. (In Chin.)
19. Granin Yu. D. Vadim Tsymbursky’s «Island Russia» and the Geopolitical Project of Greater Eurasia. Problems of Civilizational Development. 2022;4(1):107–124. (In Russ.)
Review
For citations:
He J. From Eurasianism to Realpolitik: Ideational Borrowing in Russia’s State Development Strategy. Post-Soviet Issues. 2025;12(3):264-280. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24975/2313-8920-2025-12-3-264-280
Views:
159
JATS XML
Email this article 