EURASIANISM AS A COMPASS OF POWER: FROM IDEOLOGY TO GLOBAL STRATEGY

Abstract

Eurasianism is not merely a Russian ideological construct; it is a multidimensional geopolitical narrative, a worldview that profoundly shapes the foreign policy of the Russian Federation, its cultural identity, and its strategic positioning on the global geopolitical map. Although Western scholars and analysts often interpret it as a tool of revisionism or as an expression of a new Russian imperialism, its theoretical foundations and historical evolution reveal a deeper function: Russia’s need to redefine itself during periods of existential crisis and to cultivate a collective patriotic consciousness capable of unifying its multiethnic nation around shared historical memories and cultural values, thereby safeguarding its territorial cohesion.

Beyond its internal role, however, Eurasianism has increasingly come to serve–particularly in its contemporary form–as the ideological underpinning of Russia’s effort to reshape the international balance of power. This is especially evident in its strategic pivot toward Asia, the strengthening of relations with non-Western poles, and the active contestation of Western unipolar hegemony. The present paper seeks to illuminate the theoretical formation, historical development, strategic applications, and challenges of Eurasianism, examining it as an ideological framework, a geopolitical tool, and a strategic compass for Russian foreign policy.