Russia in Globalizing World

Abstract

Globalization threatens cultural values and institutions. The obvious way to withstand cultural “invasion” from outside while avoiding conflicts between the different cultures and preventing the clashes of civilisations, is to promote a dialogue between the cultures. The challenges of globalization Russia is facing are aggravated by political, economical, social, and ideological transformations still on their way. A further complication is brought about by certain concepts originating from Russia’s historical past and dominating, to a large extent, the public consciousness, namely, the idea of Russia’s special mission first as the “Third Rome”, and then as socialist superpower. The peoples inhabiting Russia have to acquire a new collective identity in place of the former and now lost collective identity known as “the Soviet people”. To escape marginalisation in search of the new civilisation paradigms, it is high time for Russia to proclaim her own cultural values, especially those which could be attractive and useful for others. Owing to the richness of her cultural heritage, Russia is capable to enter the dialogue of cultures in the role of a cultural “donor”. But to achieve this, Russia has to articulate a valid “national idea” such as to guide her development, and to promote the corresponding values such as may prove constructive in a global process.