Belarus Between the East and the West

Abstract

:This article attempts to explain who the Belarusians are and what historical, cultural, and political conditions have contributed to the present geopolitical location of Belarusian society between the East and the West. It provides a characterization of this society, comparing it to societies of East-Central and Western Europe. Soviet ideology and identity did not develop in Belarus aside from national ideology and identity but in their place. Almost unique in Europe, modern Belarusian society was formed around a core of Soviet values instead of a core formed by national identity and solidarity. Adoption of Russian as the society’s common language, a sensitivity to social class issues, and social egalitarianism together with the country’s dependence on Russia are the most essential features resulting from Russian and Soviet historical heritage. Another related fact is that the Belarusians own language and culture are commonly perceived by society in regional-ethnographic rather than national categories. Belarusian dependence on Russia is explained in historical, political, and cultural terms together with basic options for the future. Soviet and Russian options for Belarus are compared and contrasted with the national option, oriented not only toward the national self but also toward the West and Western democratic values. These options are presented within the framework of the Belarusian political situation, particularly as a result of the presidency of Alaksandr Lukashenka and the political attitudes of Belarusian society.