The Russian World as a legitimation strategy outside Russia: the case of Gagauzia

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Russian World, or Russian civilization, is an ideology proclaiming the existence of an imagined transnational community of people living primarily in the post-Soviet area and identifying themselves with Russia in various ways. Since the 2000s, it has been employed by the Russian authorities to procure legitimacy domestically and in the international arena. This study argues that also leaders of various communities in the post-Soviet area outside of Russia use the Russian World ideology as a legitimation strategy. This study argues that not only the Russian leadership but also leaders of various communities in the post-Soviet area use the Russian World ideology as a legitimation strategy. It includes making declarations about belonging to the community of people identifying themselves with Russia as well as demonstrating this identification through words and deeds. Employing the Russian World-based legitimation strategy, leaders may seek internal legitimacy from their populations by referring to people’s demands or sentiments. They may also look for external legitimacy from Russia. In this case, the Russian World-related legitimation strategy derives from the demands of the Russian authorities who seek confirmation and consolidation of the Russian World. These arguments are illustrated with a case study of Gagauzia under Governor Irina Vlah in 2015–2019, her first term of office. The region is a sub-state autonomous entity located in Moldova and dominated by the Gagauz, a people of Turkic origin.