![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The largely parallel processes of European integration and NATO enlargement are steeped in respect for all European states regardless of size. With the Helsinki Final Act signed by the West and the Soviet bloc countries in 1975, the imperial logic of doing politics in Europe was laid to rest. In this line of thinking, empires were “better fit” for survival at the expense of weaker and smaller polities. After the end of the religious wars, social Darwinism and geopolitics took over as “modern justifications” of imperial conquests. In the early modern period, such a move would be “justified” through the “necessity” to Christianise “pagans” (or peoples who professed non-scriptural and non-monotheistic religions) and “infidels” (that is, Muslims and Jews), or to spread the “right form” of Christianity, be it Catholicism, Lutheranism or Orthodoxy. Until the mid-20th century, it was deemed “normal” that a state larger than its neighbours in demographic, territorial and military terms may choose to conquer nearby states or their regions. This unprovoked war is a throwback to Europe’s imperial past. To the whole world’s profound shock, on February 24th 2022 Russia launched a full-scale invasion of peaceful Ukraine. Hence, the urgent need arises to reflect on the origins of this strange expression, which would help wean western commentators off it in favour of freer and evidence-based thinking. ![]() Yet, at present this unthinking use of the ossified expression “great Russian literature” in the West facilitates Moscow’s weaponisation of culture. Curiously, no thought is given to the fact that no set phrases of this type exist for talking about English, French or German literature. In English-language publications the set phrase “great Russian literature” pops up quite frequently when Russian culture or the Kremlin’s current abuse of this culture for political ends are discussed. ![]()
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