Historical and political features of Russian civilization development

A comprehensive analysis of the historical and political factors that led to forming an original path of the Russian civilization development has been carried out. The complex of interrelated reasons has been considered, from Russia’s unique geopolitical position between East and West to the deeply rooted Orthodox worldview, which influenced national identity and the spiritual and moral guidelines of society. Considerable attention has been paid to the study of the power relations specifics, in particular, the steady trend towards a centralized management model and the dominant role of the state as the main source of order and legitimacy. The key historical cycles have been analyzed, which manifest themselves in alternating phases of modernization breakthroughs and periods of conservative return, which has been interpreted as a characteristic feature of Russian political dynamics. The importance of the phenomenon of the state’s priority over the interests of individual and civil society, reflected in historical memory, political culture, and institutional practices, has been emphasized. The research has been carried out using an interdisciplinary approach that combines political science, historical, and socio-cultural analysis. This approach provides an opportunity to understand more deeply the nature of Russian statehood and the specifics of its evolution over the centuries. The issue of historical management models’ continuity and their impact on modern political processes in Russia has been considered. The emphasis has been placed on the deep cultural codes that determine the attitude of society to power, freedom, and justice. The conclusions presented in the paper will be useful for understanding the stable features of Russian political culture and forecasting its further transformation in the context of global modern challenges.

1. Kovalenko V.I. General historical imperatives of social development and Russian civilization. Social and political sciences. 2022;3(12):13–16. (In Russian). https://doi.org/10.33693/2223-0092-2022-12-3-13-16

2. Mchedlova M.M. Russian identity: civilization, values, state. Moscow: Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia; 2024. 126 p. (In Russian).

3. Kurbanov M.G. Development of Russian civilization: from opportunities and ambitions to trends and prospects. Questions of Philosophy. 2025;2:16–26. (In Russian). https://doi.org/10.21146/0042-8744-2025-2-16-26

4. Kabytkina I.B., Chaplygina A.R. The influence of the Baptism of Rus and the Orthodox Church on the formation of Russian civilization and statehood. Trends in the development of science and education. 2021;74-8:103–106. (In Russian). https://doi.org/10.18411/lj-06-2021-320

5. Kvasov O.N. Paradigm of Russian civilization. In: Spiritual and moral education and patriotic education: traditions and prospects: Proceedings of All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference, Voronezh, April 20, 2023. Voronezh: Voronezh State Forestry Engineering University named after G.F. Morozov; 2023. Pp. 207–211. (In Russian). https://doi.org/10.58168/SMEPU2023_207-211

6. Gabbasova K.R. Russian state: from fragmentation to centralization. In: Humanitarian readings at the Polytechnic University: Proceedings of All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference, St. Petersburg, May 13–14, 2021. St. Petersburg: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University; 2021. Pp. 8–11. (In Russian).

7. Chalenko A.S., Gridnev D.I., Plotnikova E.V. The Influence of the Time of Troubles on the Evolution of Russian Statehood. International Journal of Humanities and Natural Sciences. 2022;5-1(68):91–94. (In Russian). https://doi.org/10.24412/2500-1000-2022-5-1-91-94

8. Yaryga V.G. The Crisis of Ideology as an Integral Component of the Time of Troubles in the Russian State of the Late 16th – Early 17th Centuries. In: International Scientific Student Readings – 2023: Proceedings of III International Scientific and Practical Conference, Petrozavodsk, December 18, 2023. Petrozavodsk: International Center for Scientific Partnership “Novaya nauka”; 2023. Pp. 292–296. (In Russian).

9. Belkin A.I., Chashina Zh.V. Spiritual Unity or Disintegration? (On the Role of the Russian Orthodox Church at the Turning Points in the Development of Russian Civilization). Bulletin of the Research Institute of Humanities under the Government of the Republic of Mordovia. 2022;1(61):25–33. (In Russian).

10. Devochkin N.M., Vinogradova N.V. The spirit of national unity as a decisive factor in the Victory of the Russian people in the war of 1812. In: Proceedings of All-Russian (National) Scientific and Practical Conference with international participation dedicated to the founding day of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Agricultural Academy named after K.A. Timiryazev, Kaluga, December 5–15, 2022. Kaluga: Yakunina V.A.; 2023. Pp. 283–288. (In Russian).

11. Kupriyanova V.V. Collectivism as a type of sociality of Russian society. Eurasian Law Journal. 2024;3(190):558–560. (In Russian). https://doi.org/10.46320/2073-4506-2024-3-190-558-560

12. Sachev R.S. The era of Russia’s formation after the collapse of the USSR. R. S. Sachev // Bulletin of science. 2022;2(12):281–285. (In Russian).

13. Bedenkova A.S. Russian civilization: the problem of definition and specificity of developmentNauka.me. 2020;4. (In Russian). https://doi.org/10.18254/S241328880013303-7

14. Kazanina L.Yu., Koltsov D.E. The Special Historical Path of Russian Civilization in the Context of the Modern World Order. Social and Political Sciences. 2023;5(13):62–71. (In Russian). https://doi.org/10.33693/2223-0092-2023-13-5-62-71.