The Russian Idea and the Ideology of Russian Great-Power Chauvinism and Imperialism

Abstract

"The paper analyses the concept of Russian Idea used by Russian nationalists. A concept that is at the core of the identity of the Russian people. Accordingly, the analysis is based on a theoretical framework that draws attention to the controversial concept of the Russian idea that is reviewed considering changes in the history of the Russian state. Whether formulated by church hierarchs, statesmen, philosophers, ethnologists, or contemporary politicians, various stages in its conceptualization have helped build patriotism in the country. Moreover, in addition to the theoretical framework, the paper focus on a case study: the February Revolution, known as February Bourgeois Democratic Revolution or the March Revolution (8-16 March 1917). Keywords: Russian Idea, ideology, post-Soviet, chauvinism, imperialism"