EURASIAN INTEGRATION PRIORITIES AND FACTORS IN VIEW OF THE IDEAS OF EURASIANISM CLASSICS AND THE ROLE OF SIBERIA IN SHAPING A PROMISING MODEL FOR CIVILIZATIONAL FUTURE
Yu.V. Popkov
Institute of Philosophy and Law, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
Keywords: Eurasianism, socio-cultural space, cross-border interactions, integration, public policy, Eurasia, Russia, Siberia
Abstract
This article emphasizes the importance of Eurasian ideas in the current global upheavals and the need to determine Russia’s prospects for development. These ideas are not clearly defined, so we focus on the classic Eurasianism teachings, specifically on what Eurasia is, the essence of Eurasianism, and Eurasian integration. The paper critically evaluates the Greater Eurasia project, which advocates for the whole Eurasian continent from Lisbon to Vladivostok as a strategic direction for Russia’s geopolitics. It is argued that Russia ’s internal development and intra-Eurasian and cross-border interactions are crucial for strengthening Russia’s potential and successful Eurasian integration. This should be a priority of state policy and consistent with the fundamental ideas of the founders of Eurasianism, an ideological and political movement, as well as Russia’s current and future interests, including national security. We identify institutional, economic, socio-cultural, and informational factors necessary for successful intra-Eurasian integration. The paper also suggests the spiritual-ecological model of development as a promising strategy for the civilizational future of Russia and the entire Eurasian sociocultural space, with Siberia playing a key role in the upcoming transformations. The sociocultural approach is the primary methodological tool used to address these issues, utilizing the resources of its two main interpretations: valuative and reflexive. The study utilizes the findings from a secondary analysis of earlier sociological research conducted under our supervision in different loci of the Eurasian world, along with an online survey administered to university students in five major Siberian cities. These data are employed to support specific overarching conclusions regarding respondents’ value orientations and perceptions of civilization. The conclusions presented may be of interest to legislat ive and executive authorities in reformatting Russia’s domestic and foreign policy priorities in the current geopolitical situation.
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