Historic Mission Research Articles

Let’s see the whole picture: a multi-platform visual analysis of historic Mission San José on Instagram, Pinterest, Flickr, and TripAdvisor

ABSTRACT Tourists frequently research, plan, and reflect on their travel experiences online via social networking sites (SNSs). While past tourism research suggests that differences exist in the type of content shared by tourists on different SNSs, there is little research comparing the tourist-generated content (TGC) or user-generated photographs (UGPs) from multiple SNSs. To address this gap in literature, the current study utilized a visual content analysis of tourist-generated social media images from Instagram, Pinterest, Flickr, and TripAdvisor in order to compare these platforms and the messages they communicate about the heritage tourist destination of Mission San José located in San Antonio, Texas, United States. Employing a case study approach of a single tourist destination allowed for the exploration of how a destination can be visualized differently by tourists across different SNSs, how different SNSs are used in different ways by tourists, and how historic visual narratives are communicated in contemporary online spaces. Study findings establish the importance of analyzing visual content from across multiple SNSs because each site offers a unique perspective on the destination. These findings have implications for tourism marketers and researchers attempting to leverage user-generated online content to better understand perceived destination image, particularly in heritage tourism spaces.

"НАРКОМИНДЕЛ СТАВИТ БОРЬБУ ЗА РЕВОЛЮЦИЮ ВЫШЕ ИССЛЕДОВАТЕЛЬСКИХ ИНТЕРЕСОВ НЫНЕШНИХ И БУДУЩИХ АРХИВНЫХ СПЕЦИАЛИСТОВ…" (НАРКОМ НКИД Г.В. ЧИЧЕРИН И СОВЕТСКИЕ АРХИВЫ)

The article carries out research on the individual stories reflecting the interdepartmental contradictions between the NKID (represented by its head G.V. Chicherin) and the Central Archives (headed by M.N. Pokrovsky) on the issue of using the archival documents of the imperial diplomatic institutions. Based on the previously unpublished Central Archives materials of the years 1926–1927 stored in the special depository of the Russian Civil Aviation, Chicherin’s general position on the use of the documentary heritage of the Imperial Foreign Ministry is revealed; the paper also describes the essence of the contradictions concerning the procedure for the collecting, systematizing and using the documents. There is a detailed study of Chicherin’s attempts to build business relations with the representatives of the Soviet archival department and of Pokrovsky’s opposition to that. The arguments of both sides in defense of their own position are discussed separately. Particular attention is paid to the “revolutionary” ideological component of Chicherin’s argumentation, to the assumption that the archives are a tool for Soviet Russia to realize its own global historic mission. A conclusion is drawn about the nature of the established cultural practices of the new bureaucracy.The study of the emerging access mechanisms of various government departments to the process of extracting historical facts broadens our understanding of the Soviet experience of the political-ideological “conveyor” and leads the authors to the conclusion that the resource approach to archival, documentary heritage is a typical element of the political culture of the Soviet period, and it has effectively migrated to the modern era.

Charismatisation of the Salvation Army, Ghana: Challenges and Way Forward

Until recently, the Salvation Army of Ghana was widely considered the only historic mission Christian denomination that has managed to ward off the onslaught of the main features of the charismatic movement in Ghana. Through information derived from the historical and phenomenological methods, particularly interview schemes and observation, this paper discusses the main reasons for a gradual introduction into the mainstream of the Salvation Army Ghana’s unique prayer groups, which are bringing hitherto “restricted” spiritual gifts to the forefront. The paper further argues that despite the popularity of the prayer groups and their activities among the grassroots membership of the Salvation Army, the groups are facing internal and external challenges that could jeopardise their spiritual and material benefits. The paper attempts to examine some of the immediate measures that could be undertaken, not only to incorporate the prayer groups and retain their membership in the Salvation Army, but also to ensure the continuous survival of the Salvation Army in Ghana and the rest of Africa.

No Turning Back? Assessing China’s Intent to Use Force to Resolve the Taiwan Issue After 2018

This paper collects and analyzes the speeches of top Chinese leaders on Taiwan, the relevant remarks of Taiwan-related ministries and commissions, and important documents concerning Taiwan. It takes the visit of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan as an example to observe China’s current policy toward Taiwan and its intent to employ force. This paper argues that although the outside world has repeatedly emphasized that “Taiwan is the most dangerous place on earth” and that China will invade Taiwan by force, peaceful unification is still the main axis of its strategy toward Taiwan. Military force is an avenue for China to force unification and prevent international interference in the Taiwan issue. The results of our analysis of Taiwan-related remarks by top Chinese leaders and relevant ministries and commissions are also highly consistent with the political report of the 20th Party Congress, and there are two noteworthy points. First, China has linked “opposing independence” with “opposing interference by external forces” and the principle of “never renouncing the right to use force over Taiwan.” From Beijing’s perspective, the Taiwan issue is no longer one simply involving cross-strait relations but is embedded in China’s domestic national rejuvenation and the strategic competition between itself and the United States. Moreover, Xi Jinping is the most critical factor affecting cross–strait relations. As a strong leader with a historic mission, how Xi regards the Taiwan issue will affect both the destiny of Taiwan and the security of the entire Asia-Pacific region.

The Concept of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels on Proletarian Internationalism in the "Communist Manifesto" and the Construction of Proletarian Internationalism in the Current Context

Proletarian internationalism, the important theoretical system of Marxism-Leninism on the principles and mottos of action in carrying out the working class's worldwide historical mission - the factors that ensure the successful implementation of the historic mission of the working class. In the current context, the impact of the modern industrial revolution, the globalization process, the "new liberalism" and modern nationalism... has made human labor workers and the working class's interest relationship with the national interest closely linked in terms of productive forces. Still, there is also a deep division in production relations. This practice poses new requirements for continuing to build Proletarian Internationalism to meet the tasks of the new situation.

In the Shadow of the Spanish Fantasy Heritage

This article presents an overlooked chapter in San Gabriel’s history as it examines the Mexican experience in the historic mission city during the early twentieth century. In the 1910s, enterprising Anglo-American commercial and civic leaders romanticized the city’s Spanish heritage, especially in the area around old Mission San Gabriel, hoping to draw tourists to the newly incorporated city. Simultaneously, the arrival of Mexican immigrants to San Gabriel sparked concern among local leaders who, ironically, viewed the growing Mexican population as a threat to the city’s Spanish fantasy heritage. This article reveals how San Gabriel’s Mexican community harnessed civic leaders’ merchandizing of the city’s history, subverting the Spanish fantasy narrative to celebrate their Mexican history and presence in a city seemingly determined to deny both. It uses Spanish-language accounts, church records, and contemporary local histories to reveal a Mexican community asserting pride in its culture and history. In the process, it illustrates the interplay between San Gabriel’s Mexican community and the Roman Catholic parish at Mission San Gabriel, and the ways in which Mexican radicalism and grassroots mutualistas (mutual-aid societies) shaped the colonia (Mexican neighborhood).

From Epic Stories to Epos of the King Erekle II

Temur Jagodnishvili’s scope of research and interests is truly vast and remarkable. The various publications, monographs and textbooks penned by him exceed 150 units. Amomg them are Rapiel Eristavi and Folklore, 1979, At the Beginning of Georgian Folklore, 1986, Spare me, the Old Man (Folklore and Literature Studies, 1990, Georgian Art of Oratory, 2000, Nodar Tabidze (Life and Works) 2009, Mentor of Numerous Generations, 2011, Khandzta, the Old, the New, 2014, Spoken and Written Communications, 2017 (co-authored), New Technologies of Rhetorics, 2018 (co-authored), Linguocriminalistics, 2020, Epos of the King Erekle II, 2021. The works by the prominent scientist embrace literature studies, folkloristics, communicology, journalism studies, methodology of teaching the Georgian Language. From this incomplete list of publications, we would like to highlight Epos of Erekle II. The book was first published in 2005 and later in 2021 the author presented the reader with a new completed edition. Its English translation was released in 2023. The significance of the book is great. It has enriched Georgian folk epos. It has taken a deserved place next to the classics of the genre, such as Epos of Amiran, Eteriani and Poem of Arsena. The Georgian folk epic consciousness became full and complete as along with mythological and love epos we have epic-historical as well. Temur Jagodnishvili was the first in Georgian folklore, who was able to identify the texts of the heroic-historical epic of Erekle II on the basis of existing folk songs. The work offers not only a profound analysis of theoretical foundations of epos of Erekle II and essential issues of epos studies but also the epic structure of King Erekle’s adventures depicted in folklore. And, most importantly, the book enables us to perceive the epic adventure of King Erekle II preserved in the folk narrations as something whole, to gain a better knowledge of the heroes of “Patara Kakhi” (meaning the Small Kakhetian, a loving nickname for the King) cycle (such as Prince Levan, Tamar of Vashlovani, Tina of Tsavkisi, Dzaglika Khimikauri, Paata Temurishvili. Gela Natelashvili, etc) and to realize their historic mission against the background of the tragic lot of Georgia.

A Diachronic Study on Language Policy of Laos

The purpose of this research is to examine the language policies of Laos in different historical periods: the Kingdom of Lan Xang and the vassal state of Siam, the French colonial period, the monarchical period, and the socialist period. Based on the three-dimensional model of language policy research proposed by Lo Bianco and Aliani, "Text", "Discourse", and "Practice", through analyzing the Lao policy documents that state the position of language use in different periods, unscrambling the literature on the interpretation of policy documents, and investigating the actual use of language, the following conclusions are drawn: during the period of Kingdom of Lan Xang and the vassal state of Siam, the original Lao was similar to the Yue language spoken by the Baiyue people in the history of southern China. The Lao script is alphabetic writing created from Sanskrit and Pali. More than a century of Siamese rule over Laos resulted in a high degree of similarity between the Lao and Thai languages today. During the French colonial period, the Language policy of assimilation, standardization, and “de-Siamization” was implemented in Laos. In the meantime, French had been the official language, working language, and instruction language, while Lao was an optional subject in the education system. During the monarchical period, it was a transitional period in terms of language policy in the Kingdom of Laos. The Royalist Government of Laos continued the language education policies and spelling rules of Lao formulated by the “Comité Littéraire” of French colonial authorities and established Lao as the official language in the Constitution. During the socialist period, the government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic adopted the language policy of monolingualism by taking Lao as the official language, national language, and instruction language. The monolingual policy aroused opposition from other ethnic minorities, but it played a role in cultivating Lao national consciousness and constructing a national identity for an emerging multi-ethnic country. While fulfilling this historic mission, the Lao government has gradually improved the monolingual policy, adjusted the policy of minority languages, and implemented the policy of the coexistence of multiple languages.

The Nexus Between German Pietism and the Mission, Theology, and Spirituality of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana

While the Pentecostal Christianity on the continent of Africa in general and Ghana, in particular, continues to attract growth in terms of membership, the same cannot be said of the historic mission churches in the same breath. This development is partly because the Christianity introduced by the nineteenth-century European missionaries was enveloped in European culture making it almost impossible to resonate with its religio-cultural milieu. As a result, converts have great difficulty in identifying with their newly found faith as it also struggled to address their existential challenges. This development had translated into a situation where the Christian faith as introduced at the time failed to attract new converts while some of the existing ones made their way back into their former religion (syncretism). Other developments besides syncretism experienced by the historic mission churches were schism(s) as well as the emergence of Pentecostal Christianity in Ghana.

THE UKRAINIAN RUSSIAN STUDIES: WHAT SENSE THEY HAVE AND HAVE THEY ANY SENSE AT ALL?

«Les Écrivains francais et le mirage allemand. 1800–1940» by Jean-Marie Carré was not just an emotional reaction of the French Germanist and Comparativist to the World War II, but a critical study of «the German Idea» in the context of 19-20th cent. cultural heritage. The proposed article of the Ukrainian Rusist addresses «the Russian Idea» on the basis of Carré’s methodology. How does academic Russian Studies look in history, theory, and practice in the context of the Carré syndrome? What did it mean for Ukraine, what does it mean for Ukraine now and is it going to matter for Ukraine in future? When did Ukrainian intellectuals start to study the phenomenon of Russia and what system of stereotypes have they shaped?? These questions are bound to take us back to the 17th c. when the sense of national identity started superceding the religious identity of European communities. As to the Russian Empire, it was virually non-existent until mid-17th c., when Ukrainian and Belarussian clergy designed it and translated their design into life through making it known to the Russian tzar. As any artificial formation, Russian empire was badly in need of a myth about its historic mission and high origin. This myth featuring the Romanovs’ derivation from the Kyiv prince Volodymyr who baptized «the three fraternatal nations» justifying the Russians’ manifest destiny was provided to the Romanovs by the Kyiv school religious activists, and later writers, such as Hohol and Dostoyevsky. While Dostoyevsky’s contribution into «the Russian Idea» is generally acknowledged in cultural historiography, detailed studies remain scarce. In fact Hohol and Dostoyevsky were in many ways the interpreters of the spiritual heritage of Simeon Polotsky and Lazar Baranovich.Ukrainian Russian studies have accumulated invaluable expertise in studying the nation characterized by Pushkin as «devoid of common sense and mercy». To begin with, it is a unique source for European Russian Studies providing a specific angle of vision of its subject. Then, since it was Kyiv school thinkers of the 17th c. who invented a certain code bringing to life the Russian Empire, their descendants must be capable of deptiving this Golem on the feet of clay of its «magic» powers. Since this Golem has gotten out of control and began its destructive crusade, the time has come to show the world its rotten essence, making him eventually weaken, decline, and come to dust.

Charismatic theology of the blood in Ghanaian Christianity

There are several independent Charismatic churches in contemporary West Africa, where worshippers carry communion wine and olive oil to be prayed upon, and sanctified as sacramental substances and tokens either for spiritual protection or for dealing with various existential problems. However, the belief in tokens is an African phenomenon and not something attributed only to a group of Christians labeled African Charismatics. It is an irony, that while the leaders of the historic mission denominations and classical Pentecostal traditions often dismissed these resources of supernatural succor as demonic and discouraging their use in their sermons and publications, most of their own members secretly visit these prophets who give them tokens and symbols like holy water, soaps, handkerchiefs, olive oil, apotropaic baths, candles, concoctions, magical rings, magical creams and many more. Sacred statements, words and songs can also be considered as tokens. Some scholarly works have been done on African Christian songs. These include Hayfron and Quayesi-Amakye.155 However, their focus is not on the place of the blood of Jesus in African Christian songs.

O nacionalnom radu Svetog Save

There is no doubt that, when it comes to the spiritual rooting of Serbs, and therefore the estabilishment of a national identity, the key place belongs to Saint Sava. He is the main constant, the spiritual vertical, the central figure in the histiry of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian people. Of all church dignitaries and saints, the cult of Saint Sava always occupied a central place. He is the creator of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the first Serbian archbishop. His role in the creation of the Serbian church, state and nation made him a fundamental figure in Serbian nationa history. Sain Sava began his historic mission by going to Mount Athos. He knew how important it was that his father Stefan Nemanja, the creatoir of the Serbian state from which the Serbs count their historical time, would join him there. And so it was, Nemanja stepped down from power, became a monk and followed in his son's aootsteps to Mount Athos. Together they built the Serbian monastery on Mount Athos - Hilandar, which would become a source of Serbian literacy, education and culture. Sava compiled a biography of his father, a work that is considered the beginning of Serbian literature. And with which the creation of Nemanja's cult, but also the cult of his family - the holy lineage of Nemanjić. Even before Nemanja, Serbs represented a political factor, sreated state unions that had their own cultural basis, legendary and historical traditions, but the real historical life of the Serbian people began with Stefan Nemanja. Sain Sava knew how important the close relationship between the church ant the state is for the future of the Serbian people, he was convinced that the mission of the church requires the support of the state and that the state, if it wants to be strong and stable, needs the support of the church. But it is also tempting to determinate the scope of work for each of them, because he also knew how dangerous it is if they start falling into each other's jurisdiction. The strenght and solidity of Sava's church was showen even after the collapse of the Serbian state, when it lived in foreign countries, because it became the property of the Serbian people with whom it shared its destiny - the church was the people, the people were the curch. These are the reasons for which it can rightly be said that, in addition to being the founder of the Serbian Church, which is the orginator of Serbian culture. Sain Sava is also the founder of the Serbian nation.

Knowing and Feeling the “China Dream”: Logic and Rhetoric in the Political Language of Xi’s China

The Xi era can be characterised as an ambitious and nationalistic one. Aims such as rejuvenating the Chinese nation and fulfilling the country's historic mission to be a great, rich country are often referred to in elite leadership discourse and state produced propaganda. “China Dream” is amongst the most important slogans used in this language. In terms of the context in which this phrase occurs and the actual deployment, it is one that carries broad connotations and implications about an era where, in ways similar to politics in the West, issues around identity are key, and the important thing is to feel, not just to believe. “China Dream” is a form of language that speaks into the public's deeper instincts and sentiments.

Artistry as a necessary component of a teacher's pedagogical professionalism

The article considers the essence of the concept of "pedagogical artistry" as an important component of a teacher's pedagogical skill. That is why the training of pedagogical personnel is so important, as a result of which they must master a high level of professional competence, methodological thinking, general and professional culture, professionally significant personality qualities, and a creative approach to teaching and education.
 Integrating, these qualities form the teacher's pedagogical skill, which ensures a high level of his professional and pedagogical activity on a reflective basis. The fulfillment of this historic mission in the training of pedagogical personnel, so that students mastered the special art of teaching and educating others and self-learning throughout life, was directed by an outstanding scientist, a well-known specialist in the field of new pedagogical technologies of learning and education, economic theory, philosophy of education, the rector of the Kharkiv National Pedagogical University named after G. S. Skovorody from 1980 to 2020 Ivan Fedorovich Prokopenko. He believed that every teacher should possess a set of personal qualities that ensure a high level of self-organization of a teacher's professional activity. Among these qualities, artistry occupies a special place as one of the important professional components.
 Summarizing the views of the authors on the definition of this phenomenon, it was concluded that the teacher's pedagogical artistry is a high level of pedagogical activity, which is manifested in the teacher's ability to vividly, emotionally, uniquely convey the educational material, using all his experience, competence and pedagogical technologies.
 The professional activity of a teacher should include not only friendly communication, harmony of mind and feelings, but also pedagogical mastery at the level of art, which is ensured by a high degree of development of professionally necessary qualities, abilities, skills and, in particular, pedagogical artistry. Therefore, the formation of pedagogical artistry is one of the tasks of training. The result of artistic teaching is the formation of students' motivational and valuable attitude to the content of education. Emotional perception of the material contributes to maintaining sustained attention and interest, deepening the motives of educational cognition, in response to the desire to open up.

The new stage and mission of researching the history of socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics

PurposeThe aim of this paper is reviewing the discipline development course of the history of socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics and recognising the changes of its development and its historic mission in the new stage will be beneficial to the construction of socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics from the perspective of doctrinal history.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper from the aspect of discipline formation and development, the history of China’s socialist political economy has experienced two stages: emergence and formation (the first stage) and steady development (the second stage). It has explored new research fields and improved the quality of research levels. However, the role of studying the history of socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics has not been fully played regarding satisfying the needs of constructing socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics.FindingsIn this study when the construction of socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics entered a new era, the study of the history of socialist political economy also entered a new stage, showing new features in terms of research objectives, principles, scale and methods.Originality/valueTherefore, the research on the history of socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics should be highly emphasised, and the focus on serving the construction of socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics should be its historic mission and core task. Also, researchers should pay attention to changing ideas, laying a good foundation, highlighting key points, building platforms and broadening horizons.

Power and Participation: How Community Health Centers Address the Determinants of the Social Determinants of Health

Summary The Covid-19 pandemic exposed and intensified health inequities that caused disproportionately higher rates of infection, morbidity, and mortality in marginalized and disadvantaged communities, along with greater social and economic devastation. At the same time, highly visible violence against Black people, including multiple killings by police, highlighted race and racism as a pivotal social determinant of health (SDOH). The authors describe the response of a community health center that serves a largely Latinx population. Brookside Community Health Center adapted and redesigned health care to better address SDOH, reaching beyond the traditional social determinants to address underlying factors, the drivers of those SDOH: fortifying social networks and social cohesion, political power, political voice, and protest. Brookside Community Health Center’s work exemplifies the historic mission of community health centers, which defines health in the broadest of terms and recognizes the connections among health, human rights, and political power and participation.

Przyjaciele, „synkowie” czy tylko podkomendni? Próba analizy więzi Józefa Piłsudskiego ze współpracownikami

Biographers usually focus on the analysis of a person’s life fortunes. According to recognised sociologists, philosophers and scientists – experts on history psychology, rarely do they analyse a selected aspect of interpersonal relations based on available historical resources. What was the essence of the bond between Piłsudski and his close companions? What was characteristic for those relations and what were their determining aspects in various periods of Piłsudski’s activity? Those are the questions that are being answered in this article. The author undertakes to reconstruct the evolution of relations between Józef Piłsudski and his companions based on numerous memoirs by his associates. His assets in competition for the leadership position, his features of character and even physical appearance are being analyzed. Objective factors, like war success, which helped him reach for authoritarian rules in Poland are pointed out. Some important questions are being answered: Who were the people that recognized his authority? Who was able to oppose him? A strong sense of historic mission to rebuild the country within Piłsudski’s circle, originating from common values shaped by national culture, has been pointed out. It is characteristic that despite the changes Piłsudski’s relations underwent, they consistently preserved the commanding character between the leader and his agents. These were formed by numerous factors, but undoubtedly the strong will of Piłsudski remained crucial. He was extremely successful in consistent building relations based on his own authority, which still resonates among his countrymen.

Глобальные вызовы России и некоторые проблемы системы отечественного высшего образования

Introduction. Russia is currently facing a num- ber of global challenges and threats comparable only to those it faced before the Great Patriotic War. The education system of any country is an indicator of the intellectual capabilities on which its future depends. The article analyzes the state of modern Russian education that has emerged after a number of reforms, its ability to provide adequate responses to modern challenges and threats. The purpose of the article is to analyze the current global challenges and threats to Russia, to consider the features of the existing education system in the country, to show its capabilities to ensure a scien- tific and technological breakthrough, to effectively block existential threats. Methods. Materialistic (the principle of objectivity), dialectical (the principle of development and universal connection), systemic. Scientific novelty. The authors specify the essence of the turning point in the modern history of man- kind, carry out an objective analysis of the state of Russian education, the nature and consequences of the reforms, its possibilities of blocking existing challenges and threats is given. Results. The authors show that at the present stage of Russian history, the role of youth in determining the fate of the country is significantly increasing. The key to the ability of young peo- ple to fulfill this historic mission is the education system. It allows us to preserve historical tradi- tions, national identity, and it is a factor of scientific and technological breakthroughs of society. It is revealed that the reforms in the education system were not focused on preserving historical traditions and the national code of the country. Borrowed educational technologies have led to a significant decrease in the quality of Russian education. As a result of the reforms carried out, the country has lost significant development potential. Conclusions. The reforms in the education sys- tem, as they were carried out, turned out to be counterproductive and did not meet the national interests of the country. Currently, in the condi- tions of existential threats for Russia, there is an urgent need to change the ideology and technology of managing the education system; it is necessary to leave the Bologna system and return to the ele- ments of classical European and national education that have proven their effectiveness. If a country needs a scientific and technological breakthrough, the financing of its education and science cannot be less than those countries that Russia intends to catch up with. To do this, it is necessary to radically change both the volumes and the mechanisms of financing education and science. It is necessary to revise article 13, paragraph 2 of Russia’s Constitu- tion. The state ideology concentrates on expressing the national interests of the country and ultimately determines the goals and objectives of the existing system of education and upbringing. The absence of a state ideology contributes to the desovereigni- zation and desubjectivization of Russian society.

Genocidal processes: social death in Xinjiang

ABSTRACT Genocide is a series of long-term processes emerging from “states of emergency” to convert targeted groups and secure the nation. This paper builds on Critical Genocide Studies literature to historically contextualize China’s “fusion” policy, a narrative of emergency officially explaining extra-legal internment camps and inter-generational separation in Xinjiang. Although China’s policymakers traditionally frame “one-nation-one-state thinking” as Western colonialism, critical approaches to Chinese politics show the party-state frames ethnic identities through colonial binaries of backward/modern and savagery/civilization. How does the party-state’s “historic mission” to overcome colonial “humiliation” promote colonialism? The paper analyses how routine, dehumanizing official narratives of identity and danger enable genocides, conceptualized as planned processes of social death by attrition. It argues that contemporary “fusion” policy interweaves cultural superiority and ethnocentric developmentalism, seeking to resolve China’s “ethnic problem” and decolonize Xinjiang through social death of Turkic Muslims.

Рыцарский идеал Н.А. Бердяева и мировая война

The knightly ideal of N.A. Berdyaev is one of the major components of his creativity: “the spirit of chivalry” is a unique alternative to “the spirit of the bourgeois”, to “world philistinism” and total, self-sufficing, godless statehood. Berdyaev believes in the great historic mission of Russia – to become a connecting link between the East and the West, to unite two streams of world history. The First World War adds an urgency to these themes. The Russian thinker interprets this war as an epoch of great tests, hopes that it will lead to spiritual awakening of Russia, will give courage and nobleness to the Russian people, provide the Russian person with attributes of the knight. Berdyaev is convinced of the necessity of qualitative changes of Russian national consciousness and being. War as a phenomenon of a spiritual order shows that only spiritual power can eradicate violence in the world. According to the well-known concept of “the new Middle Ages”, the barbarity of war overcomes bourgeois decadence and opens the potential of the humane person; war expands culture horizons, opens new resources. Russia needs people of dignity and honour, people who realize the greatness of divine power. Russian society should join the world civilization; internally accept Christian revelations about humanity. Berdyaev confirms that the idea of knightly service is anticipated in Christian morality, it’s crucially important for the history of personal formation. The precondition of success of the historic world mission of Russia is the liberation of the ‘Russian soul’ from domination of womanly, natural, potentially chaotic elements. The problem of choosing between the East and the West, declares Berdyaev, defines the fate of Russia. Russian national consciousness should accept the cultural heritage of the West imminently. Only focusing on the self-forged knightly courage and responsible creative personality will allow Russia to change spiritually, and successfully solve problems on a global historical scale.