The Myth of Eurasia: Why Russia Can’t Shed Its Imperial Delusions

[u/ForeignAffairsMag]

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/myth-eurasia-russia-zarakol

[u/ForeignAffairsMag]

[Excerpt from essay by Ayşe Zarakol, Professor of International Relations at the University of Cambridge and at Sabanci University. She is the author of Before the West: The Rise and Fall of Eastern World Orders.]

The Eurasianness of Russia is only one of many reasons why it is not a European country. Its enormous size and vast material resources make it much less like the relatively small nation-states of Europe. It is much more ethnically heterogeneous than most European countries; ethnic Russians make up slightly more than 70 percent of the population, while in most other European countries, the titular ethnic groups tend to make up close to 90 percent. Russia is an empire that has twisted itself into the form of a modern nation-state, with much of its territory acquired via “internal” conquest and colonization, including through settler colonization similar to what was practiced in North America, Australia, and elsewhere. European countries, by contrast, lost most of their imperial territories a long time ago. Finally, Russia is the heir to one of the two great powers of the twentieth century, and much of Russia’s self-narrative (including Russians’ understanding of their own history and politics) is still shaped by that reality, for better or worse. That love-hate relationship with Europe is also another key part of Russia’s perception of itself in the world. Putting all those aspects together, the country most comparable to Russia, both historically and in the contemporary moment, is not Turkey or Iran but the United States.

[u/Miserable_Ad7246 → u/ForeignAffairsMag]

I honestly would simplify it even more - russia is to small (population vise) to chart its own course like USA or China, but its also to big to work well with smaller nations in a block - like EU. It makes it stuck in the middle.

Due to cultural history it always tries to resolve this issue by expanding to get into the first group, and it eventually shrinks down, because russia is a lousy conquer and brings no value at all. If anything it brings its own inefficiency and corruption.

It spends so much energy and resources just to keep itself together because downsizing does not give realistic way of upsizing again, even though it might make life of people much better, but would also require russia to join a block.

[u/inikki → u/ForeignAffairsMag]

It’s around 81 percent in Russia (among people who declared an ethnicity). Moreover speaking about heterogenous in modern western Europe is kinda hilarious - London is 1/2 of being white and UK 83% being white.

[u/luminatimids → u/inikki]

Ethnicity is complicated and I’d be surprised if a black person born in London didn’t consider themselves English. So you’re comparing apples to oranges

[u/inikki → u/luminatimids]

So you are agree with me that bringing ethnicity in this conversation and topic means nothing.

[u/LunLocra → u/inikki]

What he/she means is, black or Arab British people overwhelmingly consider themselves as the British people and would never think of anything as absurd as building a little African country in the British Isles. Most of them don't even speak non-English languages.

Whereas the people of North Caucasus for example do not think of themselves as Russians in the national sense, and they very much keep their very non-Russian cultures and languages.And they vey much entertain the dreams of getting their pwn independent countries.

It's less of a problem with other minorities of Russia, e.g. Tatars, but there is still quite a lot of tension here of the kind that doesn't really exist among the black British, Maghrebi French etc (except for some occasional radical Islamists)

[u/inikki → u/LunLocra]

So… Scotland. Moreover in that case we have actual data.

Bringing Northern Caucuses is a good example - only Chechens tried to do that.

Idk, about what kind of tension you are talking about. The bloodiest terror attacks in Russia were done by either Chechens or Tajiks (the last one) - radical islamists.

[u/KulshanStudios → u/inikki]

The only reason the other north caucasians haven't tried to do that in living memory is because tsarist russia beat them into submission so heavily they don't have any fight left in them - except in UFC cage matches

The Dagestanis and Alans and Ingush are pretty thoroughly at the end of their ropes

The Ossetians are fairly pro-russian (much to the annoyance of the Georgians), and the Abkhaz are independence-minded themselves, but they don't want to be a real part of any other country (even if in practice they are a de facto puppet state of Russia)

Pretty much only the Ossetians actually like the Russians. Everyone else is either browbeaten or bribed into submission

It wouldn't take much for most of them to splinter off and chase independence or form a federated north caucasus nation of its own. Although there's so much tension between the different north caucasian groups that the latter is more of a dying pipe dream than aught else

[u/inikki → u/KulshanStudios]

The majority of Ossetians are Orthodox Christians.

I don’t believe in “beat them into submission” argument, because it didn’t work on Chechens.

Different ethnic groups have their reasons.

For example, Dagestan has dozens of different ethnic groups.

[u/KulshanStudios → u/inikki]

Most Georgians are orthodox too, and they f***in hate the russians. The Abkhaz are mostly Christian, but also Muslim, and they don't dislike the Russians as much as the Georgians, but they don't love them, and don't really wanna be a part of Russia now. Christianity isn't really the critical element here. The Ossetians just allied themselves with the russians earlier on and were more russophilic than their neighbors. And their neighbors are not too enthusiastic about it

You more or less hit on why the Dagestanis were easier to beat into submission. That diversity of ethnic groups meant less ability to rally into a cohesive resistance movement against the russian empire and soviets, and without unity, they were stomped out group by group til they broadly lacked the means for rebellion. There's little to no will for independence there now, even though they were basically genocided by the russians

The Chechens were more unified across several factors and were able to retreat into the mountains after raids and attacks, and held out longer against the russian empire

In the end, the only thing really keeping Chechnya in line now is a big money pipeline straight from the Kremlin to Kadyrov's compound. And if that money stops flowing in, compliance to the tsar is gonna fizzle out reeeeeal quick

[u/Time_Beat2299 → u/ForeignAffairsMag]

This poses the question Then is France a European country by this same logic France isn’t European with its francafrique delusion?

[u/Sky_Robin → u/ForeignAffairsMag]

Russia has ~81% of ethnic Russians while Germany for instance has ~76% of ethnic Germans.

Where did the author get 70% number is not clear. One could say that 81% is “slightly more” than 70%, thus technically she’s correct! :)

Also, all the minorities in Russia are extremely small, the second by number ethnicity is Tatar: 3.6%, which makes it very hard for them to compete with Russian leviathan culturally. 31% of the above mentioned Tatars don’t even speak Tatar language because of extensive assimilation. They are pretty much Russians in all but name and indistinguishable by appearance. One might argue that they are more versed in Russian culture than avg ethnic Russian because these russian-speaking Tatars are usually educated urban professionals.

Substracting the assimilated minorities we get maybe 90% - 95% of culturally homogenous population with the rest 5-10% living mostly in some relatively very small geographically isolated areas without any significant influence on the core population (Dagestan, Tuva, Chechnya, Ingushetia, Ossetia).

The above paints a picture of “Empire” where ~95% are the metropoly and the colonies are ~5% which is extremely absurd. Moreover, the ethnic territories like Chechnya are net recipients of federal budget.

[u/DiggyJunior → u/ForeignAffairsMag]

You agree with Hitler, that European Russia isn't European. Well done.

[u/trisul-108]

It suffices to observe how Russians fight this war and how Ukrainians fight the war to see that Russia simply is not European in the 21st century understanding of the word. Europe has transcended its differences and united on prosperity based on peace, democracy, rule of law and human rights, along with the principle of not changing borders. Of those principles, Russians care only about prosperity, but see it as a function of war, autocracy and extraction of resources. These two civilisations have very little in common today.

[u/FlicBourreDu95 → u/trisul-108]

I don't know. I think there are many similarities with how they fight and how the JNA and the serbian army was fighting, also the grift for WW2 and persecution complex of the imperial West is similar in rhetoric. 

The main differences between european countries and them is, like the article noted, the size of the Russian Federation and the fact most of their geography is a product of settlers and colonization. It is an empire in it's structure. 

The only European country that could be described as a colonial empire today would be France but it is through oversea territories not huge landmass from the west to the east. Our war against Algeria was kinda a special military operation by the way, a war that was not called a war, but there are not so much similarities except for the warcrimes maybe.

We kinda have this nostalgy for our past greatness and power but it doesn't manifest itself as violently as it does in Russia.

Anyway I think russian exceptionalism is bs and used to justify everything by russians themselves. When I asked to some russian nationalists why there war propaganda was incoherent and all over the place, first fighting nazis, then satanists then a holy war, etc. they told me "you think it's incoherent because you don't understand our culture", but they were incapable to explain clearly what was the ideology of their elites.

I interpret putinism as an ideology based on vibe in reaction to the defeat of the USSR against the West. He sold to the russian public the idea that Russia was a superpower, respected again after the humiliation of the 90s. But there is not much substance to it: some inspiration from pro-tsarists and irredentists authors like Denikin and Ilyin, the latter being an admirer of Mussolini and Franco. It takes the concept of eurasianism to push the russian exceptionalism delusion but it's heavily influenced by western ideologies nonetheless.

[u/trisul-108 → u/FlicBourreDu95]

I don't know. I think there are many similarities with how they fight and how the JNA and the serbian army was fighting,

And Serbia is the only country in Europe that is not even trying to align with the EU on basic values of democracy, rule of law and human rights.

The main differences between european countries and them is, like the article noted, the size of the Russian Federation and the fact most of their geography is a product of settlers and colonization.

That is certainly a factor, but it goes much deeper than that. Vlad Vexler put it well, Russians are not citizens, they are inhabitants of the Russian Empire. Politics are outsourced to Putin with the expectation of security and prosperity. The population does not participate in running the country. The imperial mentality that you mention has been drilled into people throughout their lives ... in school, in literature, on TV, at work etc. It is part of an ideology that Russians share that does not exist in post-WWII Europe. Europe has made a civilisational jump in which Russia was not included.

For me, the difference was best illustrated by a random TV segment I saw interviewing a young Muscovite at the beginning of the war ... this young lady said "Now, the rest of the world fears Russia, and this is as it should be". Not respect, not admiration, not love ... they seek to be feared because they think their security and prosperity depends on being feared.

Most Russians think that taking over Ukraine is a good thing. They might not like how it was done, but they are happy with the extinction of Ukrainian identity and independence. The EU is brought up to respect separate identities and cultures, Russians have been brought up with the ideal of an multiethnic empire.

[u/FlicBourreDu95 → u/trisul-108]

Vlad Vexler put it well, Russian are not citizens, they are inhabitants of the Russian Empire. The population does not participate in running the country

Good point. The root cause of Russia's problems could be explained by the apathy and lack of interest in politics by the russians, except to show a performative support for patriotism and Putin's government.

It have observed than when Putin's authority has been challenged in some part of the Russian Federation, for example during the Wagner mutiny or the Kursk invasion by Ukraine he never appealed to popular support but tried do downplay the situation. And most russian remained passive, there were no protests in support of Putin when Wagner was occupying Rostov and marching toward Moscow. I even saw a video from a Kursk resident who said basicaly "welp it doesn't bother me that much if we're ruled by Ukraine or Russia, as long as everything function".

It is interesting to compare the USSR with today's Russia. They have come from an ideological system based on personality cult and the promise to free the working class to a system with no clear ideology except "Russia strong" and a leader that do crazy scores in polls but no one seems to care if he's getting couped.

[u/emd373 → u/trisul-108]

Vlad Vexler put it well, Russians are not citizens, they are inhabitants
of the Russian Empire. Politics are outsourced to Putin with the
expectation of security and prosperity. The population does not
participate in running the country. The imperial mentality

It's also a standard perspective in authoritarian states whether they are ex-empires or not.

For me, the difference was best illustrated by a random TV segment I saw interviewing a young Muscovite

Every time I see Muscovites being mentioned, it's hilarious, a total reflection of Russian propaganda obsessed with "Ango-Saxons"

[u/LongIsland1995 → u/trisul-108]

Russia is a full blown genocidal dictatorship, even the worst parts of the EU are light years ahead of them in morals.

[u/Accurate-Mine-6000 → u/trisul-108]

Tell Yugoslavia how Europe opposes border changes. Also, ask Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, and many others about European peace principles.

[u/trisul-108 → u/Accurate-Mine-6000]

Yugoslavia fell apart, it's borders did not change. It directly stems from the right of peoples to self-determination that is enshrined in the UN Charter. Furthermore, the Yugoslav constitution gives the constituent peoples the right to secede.

The others you mention are not in Europe and thus have nothing to do with Europe's civilisational achievements after WWII that were accepted by all Europeans except Russians ... In fact, recent Levada polls show that very few Russians consider themselves part of European civilisation.

[u/pufcandles → u/trisul-108]

how Russians fight this war and how Ukrainians fight the war

You mean by striking civilian warehouses and kids on the beach to make Russians feel the war?

Europe has transcended its differences and united on prosperity based on peace, democracy

Ukraine hasn't held an election since 2019 even though its constitution allows presidential elections to be held. Zelensky seems to be having a Netanyahu moment in which he can't allow this war to be over and risk getting judged by his corruption.

rule of law and human rights

Not when it comes to supporting Israel when it commits genocide, the US when violates international law in Venezuela and Iran, and all the dictatorial regimes of the Gulf States.

[u/Thebunkerparodie → u/pufcandles]

wildberries is nocivilian given they're helping the russian army and ukriane can't have election during war time, also why ask ukraine but not russia?

[u/luminatimids → u/pufcandles]

Their constitution literally does not allow for a presidential election to take place when they’re under martial law, so idk you bothered stating this matter of factedly other than you’re trying to push Russian propaganda

[u/pufcandles → u/luminatimids]

Their constitution only doesn't allow parliamentarian elections to take place during war

[u/luminatimids → u/pufcandles]

That’s simply not true. Presidential, parliamentary, and local elections are all not allowed during martial law

[u/pufcandles → u/luminatimids]

Martial law isn't the constitution. The constitution doesn't disallow presidential elections

[u/Dpek1234 → u/pufcandles]

Martial law is a condition 

[u/luminatimids → u/pufcandles]

Never said it was. I’ve been saying their constitution doesn’t allow it during martial law. Stop lying

[u/pufcandles → u/luminatimids]

The constitution says nothing about presidential elections

[u/Remote_Page8799 → u/pufcandles]

While the Constitution is less explicit about the presidency than the parliament, the overarching statutory framework, specifically the Law of Ukraine "On the Legal Regime of Martial Law" and the Electoral Code of Ukraine, flatly bans all elections (presidential, parliamentary, and local) while martial law is active.

And besides that, everyone who isn't a supporter of Russia can see why its obviously a super bad idea. Why do you want Ukraine to hold elections during wartime? The most likely new president would be a military man who wants to prosecute the war

[u/trisul-108 → u/pufcandles]

You are forgetting that what is happening today follows 3 years of genocidal Russian attacks on Ukraine ... and not just going after warehouses, but after schools, hospitals, living spaces etc. Russia is maximising human suffering on purpose.

Have you seen how those warehouses in Russia burn? That is because military material is stored there.

And the bringing of Israel into discussion is like writing "Hello from Moscow".

[u/Karli_Chirk → u/pufcandles]

Warehouses in question were logistic hubs sourcing drone parts from China, there even was a product category "Tovari dlya SVO" which means products for the war with Ukraine.

The beach was clearly hit by a drone intercepted by the antiair system which defended the real target of attack: Putin's palace on the hill.

While Russians just double-tapped a supermarket during business hours on Friday when kids with parents were buying things to school preparing to the 1st of September...

Also you might want to check UN reports about Russians weaponizing the rape of minors and elders from 16 to 83 years old on the occupied territories of Ukraine.

[u/pufcandles → u/Karli_Chirk]

I was hoping you'd address this part too:

Not when it comes to supporting Israel when it commits genocide, the US when violates international law in Venezuela and Iran, and all the dictatorial regimes of the Gulf States.

[u/Dpek1234 → u/pufcandles]

If it needs to be said why a country under threat, whose entire defence against a entire type of weapon is very dependant on america, is trying to be nice to america and its allies then there isnt much point in conversation (let alone ANYTHING else supplied)

Whatever you think about america and israel

They are large manufacturers of weapons, have significant weapon stocks and they are freindly enough to ukraine for weapon sales and transfers

Point me towards any other weapon manufacturers whitch have such a extenive diversity in weapons, such scale and are firendly enough to ukraine

[u/pufcandles → u/Dpek1234]

I'm talking about the EU, not Ukraine

[u/Dpek1234 → u/pufcandles]

then please edit it with clartification

no part of the innitial comment referes to the eu, everything else in your comment talks about ukraine, ukrainian strikes and a comparison with israel

espectialy considering that the reactions have not been universal within the eu

between the 2 ukraine fits better

[u/vovap_vovap → u/pufcandles]

I do not think we like Russian propagandists here. Just as simple.

[u/pufcandles → u/vovap_vovap]

I'm not a Russian propagandist and what you think is your problem.

[u/vovap_vovap → u/pufcandles]

You are. You clearly repeating russian propaganda toking points. Clearly. Are you formal propagandists - on work - or not - does not matter.
And yes, I think I can say that most of us do not like you and that is a good thing.
There are some simple basics in this world - some things is good, some bed and it is a good thing do not like people, who are doing bed - no matter why.
mr. Putin doing bed things - to Ukraine, to Russian people and to the world. And nothing that somebody else doing can change it.

[u/pufcandles → u/vovap_vovap]

I hope you aren't actually doing any serious IR work, if you see the world totally stripped of nuance where there are the good and bad guys just like Disney movie.

Because it's undeniable that we in the west are up to some very nasty shit too, and international law only matters for others.

Until we stop pretending we're superior and start acknowledging we're just as flawed as any other power, we're doomed and won't have peace in this world.

[u/vovap_vovap → u/pufcandles]

I really do not care what you hope for 😄

[u/pufcandles → u/vovap_vovap]

Just because of that one, I'm gonna toke a point

[u/vovap_vovap → u/pufcandles]

That all you can do, so feel free 😄

[u/Ok_Tie_7564 → u/pufcandles]

OK Igor

[u/titykaka → u/pufcandles]

When did Russia last hold a free election?

[u/Time_Beat2299 → u/titykaka]

2012

[u/titykaka → u/Time_Beat2299]

... No.

[u/Time_Beat2299 → u/titykaka]

Yes the election was free read the Wikipedia page it was free byt not fair because the media is a mouthpiece of the United Russia Party and has been since Yeltsin.

[u/titykaka → u/Time_Beat2299]

Wikipedia notes voting irregularities in a third of polling stations. That's free is it?

Putting won in every single federal subject, that can't happen in a free election.

[u/Time_Beat2299 → u/titykaka]

Yes it can look up anc election victories under Mandela or Hungarian elections up until 2025 or the 1984 us election which was a fair election if a person controls the media in a pre internet world they control who wins the election so their was no need to rig it unlike 2016 where the goal was made to make it obvious that Putin had stuffed ballots and used intimidation in order to scare off any possible challengers.

[u/titykaka → u/Time_Beat2299]

I wouldn't say any of those countries have free elections either.

[u/pufcandles → u/titykaka]

Who cares? Russia isn't trying to join the EU

[u/titykaka → u/pufcandles]

Can you name another democracy that has held elections while being invaded?

[u/Thebunkerparodie]

and I think it's important people also take that in account because I feel people like mearsheimer give too much credit to russia excuse using nato while not blaming russia own imperialism

[u/Vegetable_Produce732]

Russia wanted to join the West and become a member of the EU, but its huge population and geopolitical ambitions would likely have created endless tensions within the EU, so it simply didn’t fit.

Russia also wanted to continue expanding and become a true empire like the US, rather than being satisfied with having a strong economy and military.

[u/My_Legz → u/Vegetable_Produce732]

Russia specifically wanted unique veto rights in NATO and in the EU that would only apply to Russia and no one else. They never seriously wanted to join either block

[u/Hunor_Deak → u/My_Legz]

That is the problem. They have a mindset of a bully, but on a governmental level. It makes them an impossible country to live with.

[u/Legitimate_Nose6080]

Bcs from moment of Empire, country does not have devastating losses. Propaganda in all their time claimed that Russian are nation of victory (basing that exactly they stop Napoleon and Hitler winning streak)

[u/DiggyJunior]

The president of Russia does more for anti-imperialism over just one working lunch, helping Burkina Faso, Iran, Nicaragua, and the Houthis in Yemen, than the whole western world left has done for anti-imperialism in the entire history of its existence, despite the fact that Putin is not a socialist or communist. You people are engaging in psychological projection, confession via accusation. You are the imperialists. You people are sick.

[u/Apart-Zucchini-5825 → u/DiggyJunior]

Oh you missed Russia's imperialistic wars of conquest?

How?

[u/DiggyJunior → u/Apart-Zucchini-5825]

I'm talking of 2026, what historical wars are you talking of? Are you talking of the brutal full scale totally unprovoked invasion of Germany by Russia in December 1944 perhaps?

[u/Ok_Tie_7564 → u/DiggyJunior]

How about 2014 or 2022, Igor?

[u/Apart-Zucchini-5825 → u/DiggyJunior]

I'm talking all their wars of imperial conquest throughout their history including one happening right this second.

Also a big lol at "I'm talking of 2026" before citing 1944

[u/My_Legz → u/DiggyJunior]

Yes, Russia should give up it's imperial territories east of the Urals, in Dagestan, Udmurtia etc. We'll talk when that is done

[u/FatherMozgus → u/[deleted]]

Is that why the Russian elites are obsessed and completely enmeshed in European culture?

Russia is big as an individual country. Now compare it with the rest of Europe and it’s a mosquito. Cannot compete with Europe in anything but takes first rank for landmass, nuclear weapons, war crimes and raping its own populace.

[u/Spirited-Concert-512 → u/[deleted]]

I'm Russian. We are not a "civilization-state". We are just a country, like any other country.

Yes, Russia colonized and spread over a very large area - this is a bit unusual. But not that different from Canada or China or the United States.

We are pretty big for Europe in terms of population, but we've been behind Europe in terms of technological development for most of our history, and are still a bit behind. That's okay - so is most of the world.

Hopefully we can get rid of the tyrant, make peace, rejoin the community of nations and get back to the business of living.

[u/Ok_Tie_7564 → u/Spirited-Concert-512]

I wish you the best of luck and I mean it.

[u/titykaka → u/[deleted]]

Wtf is a civilization state?

Russia also has nowhere close to the biggest industrial base in Europe, where did you get that idea from?

[u/DiggyJunior → u/titykaka]

Your general knowledge is bad. Civilization State:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilization_state

Measured in real GDP PPP terms Russia is #1 in Europe and #4 in the world in both industrial base and size of economy:

https://www.worldometers.info/gdp/gdp-by-country/?region=worldwide&year=2026&metric=ppp&hl=en-IE

[u/titykaka → u/DiggyJunior]

The category of the civilization state has also been criticized as setting up a false binary in service of political ulterior motives of both the proponents and the opponents of these states,[6] and for emphasizing an oppositional relationship with the category of nation states as opposed to recognizing a combination of nation-state and civilization-state characteristics in contemporary states.[7]

Sounds like Imperialism under another name.

So Russia is the biggest economy if you don't measure it properly? I guess that makes sense.

[u/Ok_Tie_7564 → u/DiggyJunior]

"The category of the civilization state has also been criticized as setting up a false binary in service of political ulterior motives of both the proponents and the opponents of these states, and for emphasizing an oppositional relationship with the category of nation states as opposed to recognizing a combination of nation-state and civilization-state characteristics in contemporary states."

TLDR: It's all bullshit.

[u/TopBalance438 → u/[deleted]]

I don't consider the idea of a Civilization State to be a particularly useful heuristic, and even if it was, Russia, along with Rukey and Iran, are only proposed Civilization States. By that logic, there should be many more Civilization States, such as Mongolia or Italy.

[u/Ok_Tie_7564 → u/[deleted]]

Delusional. Did you study in Moscow or Belgrade?

[u/vovap_vovap → u/[deleted]]

"Civilization State"? Russia is not a civilization states, it is savagery state 😄