“Decolonizationˮ and “Deimperializationˮ: Modern Western Policy Towards Fragmentation of Russia

Abstract

Introduction. Multinational Russia at various stages of its existence faces the playing out of the national question by opposing geopolitical centers. The discourse of “decolonization” and “deimperialization” of Russia has acquired a new level of relevance in the international arena after February 24, 2022. The purpose of the article is to identify and investigate the features of the destructive form of ethno-political mobilization in the regions of the Russian Federation through the construction and promotion of the discourse of “decolonization” and “deimperialization” of Russia by Western states. Materials and Methods. The materials used in the study include U.S. legal documents, resolutions of the European Parliament, publications and speeches of representatives of the Western political elite and scientific and expert community, materials of the United States Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, content of various organizations, foreign mass media and media foreign agents. The methodological basis of the study is represented by systemic, geopolitical and instrumentalist approaches, as well as such methods as monitoring, discourse analysis and content analysis. Results. The narrative of “deimperialization” and “decolonization” of Russia in the publications of the Western scientific and expert community and media materials is studied, and the political technologies of Western states oriented at the actualization of ethnic nationalism and, as a consequence, separatist tendencies in the regions of the Russian Federation are revealed. Western projects of practical policy oriented at actualization of national contradictions in the Russian Federation are implemented mainly through the following initiatives: holding events dedicated to “decolonization” and “deimperialization” of Russia; using representatives of Western-oriented national elites to actualize separatist tendencies in the regions of the Russian Federation; adopting declarations on “liberation” of the peoples of Russia from “colonial” dependence; popularization of information about the need for “decolonization”; and the use of the “decolonization” of Russia. Discussion and Conclusion. “Decolonization” and “deimperialization” of Russia are focused on the implementation of a destructive form of ethno-political mobilization and fragmentation of the Russian Federation along national lines of settlement. The authors identify five technologies for the formation of ethnic nationalism in the regions of the Russian Federation, which are used by Western states in the process of modern confrontation with Russia. The results of the study will be useful for public authorities at both regional and federal levels to develop a set of measures aimed at countering the playing of the “national card” on the territory of Russia by competing geopolitical centers.