To the Reader

Abstract

Ab Imperio, 2/2000 7 TO THE READER “Ab Imperio” in Latin means “from empire.” Having selected this title for a new journal dedicated to theory and history of nationalism and nationalities in the post-soviet space, editors did not intend to create a political slogan. Not all the editors and contributors share the view that Russia can or has to abandon its imperial past, neither do we agree on single interpretation of empire. But there is little doubt that the Russian empire and its complex continuity with the Soviet Union are worthy of historical analysis as well as that imperial tradition plays an important role in Russian history. The editors of the journal suggest to approach the post-soviet world in its history and present day through the prism of interethnic relations and the role played by empire in shaping and reconfiguring the interethnic encounter. The second issue of “Ab Imperio” is devoted to explorations of complex relationship between nationalism and religion. We solicited contributions, which would address the issues of ethnic and religious factors in nation-building, church as an agent of nation-building and as an institution, which stood above ethnic differences in the empire, church and confession as markers of national identity, the role of religion in imperial ideology and monarchical representations , proselytizing missions in the context of Russification, last but not least the role of church in contemporary Russia and Newly Independent States. Editors of Ab Imperio: I. Gerasimov S. Glebov A. Kaplunovski M. Mogilner A. Semeyonov ...