The Concept of «Traditional Values» in Contemporary Russian Politics: a Literature Review
Abstract
Since its emergence in official discourse following the 2011-2012 protests, the concept of «traditional values» has become the backbone of the Russian political regime. This article presents a critical review of recent academic literature regarding this phenomenon. Moving beyond the customary dichotomy between instrumental and ideological interpretations, this study proposes a synthesis thesis: traditional values have evolved from a tactical tool for crisis management into a consolidated mechanism of «moral securitization.» The analysis is structured around two axes: internal legitimacy, which demonstrates the hybrid fusion of the Soviet legacy and authoritarian legal codification; and external projection, wherein Russia mobilizes transnational religious and political networks to assert itself as a «Civilization-State.» The article concludes that Russian conservatism is not merely rhetorical ornamentation, but rather the ontological structure underpinning the sovereignty of the contemporary state.
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