Russian idea

We are all different, but diversity is not only a source of conflict, but also a driving force for development. The necessary unity to this diversity is given by the main thing that brings deep meaning to everyone’s life, that lofty dream that unites us into a single people. This common goal is usually called the national idea. A clear articulation of the national idea is the “panacea” that can destroy most of the prejudices we have inherited from the past. And dividing us into left and right, nationalists and cosmopolitans, internationalists and patriots. The formulation of the national idea, despite the apparent abstractness of the latter at first glance, is the most urgent, primary task of the new wave of socio-political movement, which claims to break out of the captivity of old stereotypes. The range of problems that have accumulated in Russian society is extensive: socio-economic, cultural, ideological, ethnic, demographic, technological. Solved in isolation, without the central, structuring and system-forming function of the national idea, accepted by the whole society as universally valid, we will constantly get lost in particulars, we will constantly imitate someone and, therefore, constantly catch up with someone. Only the highest common goal makes all our daily worries and affairs meaningful, allows us to correctly set priorities, and accumulates the efforts of everyone in the same direction. But the national idea is not a free-floating invention of the mind. It cannot be adopted from someone else or invented. Throughout the entire post-Soviet period, the bureaucracy tried, more than once, to either instill someone else’s experience or invent this idea. And each time these attempts failed. Historical and cultural ignorance, the priority of their selfish, mercantile interests over national ones and usurpation, in the end, the authorities put the hypocritical and thieving ruling regime, ultimately, in the position of occupiers.

The national idea can only be comprehended, not only with the mind, but also with the heart. From the experience of world history. From the experience of Russian History - achievements and mistakes, sometimes catastrophic. From the insights of our great compatriots of the past - public figures, writers, philosophers. Herzen and A.S. Khomyakov, Dostoevsky and Leo Tolstoy, Pavel Florensky and Nikolai Berdyaev. From the achievements of Russian culture and the cultures of all peoples inhabiting Russia. The fact that the World is becoming, as they say today, global is already an obvious, one might say, accomplished fact. But the process of integration, like the entire history of mankind, is a choice between two main alternatives. Unification based on the subordination of some peoples to others, ultimately based on the dictates of force and unification. And unification on the basis of the broadest freedom, diversity of cultures, ways of life and religious experience, melting into a qualitatively new unity. The Russian poet and writer, mystic and philosopher Daniil Andreev , whose tragedy of fate is inseparable from the tragedy of our Motherland in the twentieth century, was probably able to most concentratedly express global trends and Russia’s place in them. D. Andreev, with his gift of a seer, grasped that it was Russia that had the historical mission to demonstrate through its own experience the possibility of such integration. To demonstrate to the whole world an example of the structure of society that allows each person, unique in their individual qualities, to reveal themselves as individuals. Russia was and remains a great power, if only because of its size. And only a great power is predetermined by History to undertake such grandiose tasks.

But Russia is all of us. It depends on the choice of each of us whether we are worthy of the mission entrusted to us by History. We must understand that we simply cannot deviate from our destiny if we want our children and grandchildren to live in a large and united country left to us by our ancestors. Either - or. Or we will have enough conscience, courage and intelligence to build for ourselves a country that would command respect and even admiration from other peoples and would be a role model. Or, as a great power with a distinctive culture, it will cease to exist, disintegrate into “principalities” and, ultimately, be absorbed by others. There is no third option. A state built on hypocrisy, lies, blatant inequality, disrespect for human dignity, and lack of freedom cannot exist in the long term. The experience of past empires is evidence of this. We have everything to rise to the height of the mission entrusted to us. We are the heirs of a thousand-year-old culture that unites us spiritually. The names of our great poets, writers, composers, and artists are known all over the world. We are not lacking in courage. Our people have repeatedly shown miracles of heroism in defending the independence of their Motherland from foreign invaders. The Great Patriotic War is the clearest example of this. We are smart and talented. The mere fact that Russia paved the way to space characterizes it as an intellectual power. Our scientists are in demand all over the world. Nature itself is in union with us. The riches of our mineral resources create favorable conditions for economic development. Everything depends only on us, on our will and determination. We have no right to betray our future.

Russia has always actively adopted the experience of other cultures - East and West. And she melted all the influences into something new, original. It has always been different from either the East or the West. Today we also have a lot to learn from the same West, in the organization of democratic state institutions, in the rational organization of production. There is no shame in learning from others. But copying someone else’s experience according to a template is useless and impossible. The West is also far from perfect. Individualism, which dooms a person to loneliness, the selfishness of corporations, which gives rise to environmental problems, the cult of consumption and money, leading to lack of spirituality, these are just some of the problem areas of Western civilization. We can and must, adopting the best, find our way - creatively combine Western rationalism with Eastern spirituality. It was from this perspective that the remarkable Russian philosopher Nikolai Berdyaev saw the future of Russia. We must understand that no one has prepared ready-made solutions for us. We must find these solutions ourselves. We need to get rid of the inferiority complex and imitation. By imitating someone, even the best, we will always be outsiders. Only by finding our own path, which organically includes the best achievements of others, will we be able to create something better - a model of society where everyone will feel in demand and protected.

Original.