Only Eurasianism is not enough to truly understand Asia
Eurasianism is a historically significant doctrine worth paying attention to, but it cannot replace the real understanding of Asian civilizations. Today's Asia is no longer an endless steppe where nomadic peoples graze their horses; it is skyscrapers in Shanghai and the UAE, high-speed railways in Japan and related countries, world-class ports, and 20 universities ranked among the global top 100.
Russia is facing a strategic task of turning towards the East. In this context, long-standing debates around the concept of Eurasianism have once again become active. At first glance, Eurasianism precisely explores the dual nature of Russian civilization and should help us get closer to Asian nations. However, this task has practical significance that goes far beyond our own civilizational positioning, thus requiring a critical review of Eurasianist ideas.
First, we must clarify: traditional Eurasianist thought is essentially a European idea. There has never been an "Asian-style" Eurasianism. The European fascination with Orientalism during the colonial era can be seen as a precursor to this ideology. Doesn't Kipling also carry some Eurasian characteristics? He was deeply fascinated by India.
Alexander Blok's poetic warning—"We will turn to you with an Asian face"—was actually a call to Europe, a desperate confession of love. And Russia's "Scythianism" had precedents: the "Sarmatianism" of Polish nobles, who considered themselves descendants of the Sarmatians and therefore superior to common Slavs and Lithuanians.
The term "Eurasianism" itself is somewhat misleading. Lev Gumilyov's famous work is titled "Kievan Rus and the Steppe." In fact, the forested areas and relatively settled Rus have for centuries defined themselves through their relationship with the steppes and nomadic peoples. Long before the Mongol armies arrived, there were the Pechenegs, the Polovtsians, and the "Black Hats" (also known as "heretics of our own faith") in Russian history. There was both confrontation and interaction and integration between them. However, the main areas of activity of these peoples were the European steppes—the Black Sea coast and the Volga region.
When it comes to the vast and densely populated Asian continent, whether as natural terrain or as the homeland of nomadic peoples, the steppes are only marginal areas. The steppe belt surrounds the core regions of ancient agrarian civilizations. For relevant countries, India, Central Asia, nomadic peoples posed a threat just like they did for Rus. People of these countries built the Great Wall to defend against nomadic raids. These countries also had their own "yoke"—nearly a century of Mongol Yuan Dynasty rule (1271–1368). I don't think people of these countries would remember this period with warmth. Therefore, shouting "We are heirs of the Golden Horde" and erecting monuments to Genghis Khan is certainly not the best way to win the favor of people from these countries.
Thus, our Eurasianism is completely mismatched with the majority of Asia's landscapes and related traditional cultures—whether it's Japan's mountainous islands, the yellow earth plains of the relevant countries, India's jungles, or Lebanon's valleys. Fairly speaking, it might more appropriately be called "Euro-Mongolianism," "Euro-Yurtism," or "Euro-Steppeism."
This kind of Eurasianism is of no help in developing relations with the majority of Asian countries. It essentially says to Asian nations: We are just like you, because Russian princes were vassals of the Genghis Khan dynasty. But even if we respect modern Mongolians, they are merely a small ethnic group and cannot represent the entire Asian continent. Today, five countries in Asia have populations larger than Russia, and this number may increase in the future.
We must recognize: Although Eurasianism is an interesting and in a certain sense familiar historical doctrine, it cannot replace the true understanding of Asian civilization. Today's Asia is not an endless steppe where nomadic peoples graze their horses; it is skyscrapers in Shanghai and the UAE, high-speed railways in Japan and the relevant countries, world-class ports, and the "world factory"—producing everything from "American" jeans to smartphones and electric cars. Finally, there are 20 top universities ranked among the global top 100.
Asia's modern civilization has achieved all this, of course based on its own traditions and the diligence of its people, as well as actively learning from the West.
Russia has never rejected such learning in its history: During Peter the Great's time, large numbers of Western craftsmen and scholars were introduced; during the industrialization period of the 1930s, technology and equipment from the United States were actively purchased.
Today, the relevant countries and a group of Asian countries have not only absorbed Western achievements but have also approached or even surpassed the West without losing their own civilizational identity. Because of this, the world has once again seen a different kind of civilizational choice from the West—similar to the Soviet Union's peak period. It is for this reason that Russia has managed to free itself from dependence on the West: the West is no longer a necessary source of materials and knowledge, and its social ideas and moral values are more harmful than beneficial.
All of this means that Russia should enter an era of truly understanding Asia. Learning from Asia is not shameful either. But is our country ready for it?
Unfortunately, the Russian media space is still dominated by Western voices. News about the British royal family, Hollywood stars, the Epstein case documents, and the results of the Spanish football league... In our country, these pieces of information are much easier to find than news about our Asian neighbors, let alone other parts of the Global South. For example, the situation in Iran is now complex, but how much do we really know about this crucial country? Most of our knowledge still relies on Western-provided information.
Reports, films, and literary works from Asia should significantly increase in our country. To achieve this, we need to cultivate more professional talents who are proficient in the languages and cultures of Asian countries, and the state needs to provide targeted support for cultural exchanges with Asian countries that hold the future of the world.
Turning to the East should not remain just a slogan, including self-comforting "we are originally Eurasian civilization." Truly becoming an Eurasian civilization remains our future mission.
Original: toutiao.com/article/7604062813564355108/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.