Imperskost’ from Central (Eur)Asian ethnography to the self

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Russian word Imperskost’, which can be translated into English as ‘imperiality’, is a useful theoretical concept for scholarly writing in English that addresses individuals’ and countries’ imperial ambitions. In this note, I explore the meaning and relevance of this concept to our daily lives. Contrary to some existing definitions of Imperskost’ in terms of political economy, history, psychology (as an unconscious bias) and its primordial origins, I argue that this feeling is primarily personal and located in the human body. Imperskost’ is thus embodied as an emotion articulated and expressed as a sense of privilege, superiority and/or entitlement. Confronting Imperskost’ – whether one is a Russian citizen, a Russian speaker or not – is essential for overcoming it. Since scholarly works, including Central (Eur)Asian ethnography, can be sites for the formation and maintenance of Imperskost’, internal disciplinary criticism and reflection are necessary for its undoing. However, this process begins with the individual.