FSS-Russian Centre Guest Lecture | “For the Future”: The “East-West” Debate in Russian History
Speaker: Prof. Haiting FEI, tenured Associate Professor, Research Center for Chinese Politics, Peking University
Date：25 Oct 2024 (Fri)
Time：10:00 – 11:30
Venue: E21B-G002
Language: Mandarin
Register: https://isw.um.edu.mo/evmapp/register/feiht
Abstract: The “East-West” debate is a key theme in the study of Russian history. As a country straddling Europe and Asia, Russia’s views on the “West” and “East” are unique and have evolved over time. From a global historical perspective, discussions surrounding the “East-West” concept reflect Russia’s ongoing adjustments to its understanding of the world order and its identity, embodying its struggle for a better future. Each discussion on this topic in Russian history is often tied to significant social transformations, starting from the formation of a unified state in the 15th-16th centuries, through the reforms of Peter the Great and Catherine the Great, to the debates between the Slavophiles and Westernizers, and ultimately the establishment and development of the Soviet Union. Today, Russia’s discussions on “East-West” have gradually crystallized into two core issues: Eurasian civilization and the Global South, which are bound to profoundly influence its global strategy. Reflecting on the evolution of Russia’s “East-West” concept can provide valuable insights into understanding its history, present, and future.
