Births on January 7

Aleksandr Dugin, Russian sociologist and philosopher

Aleksandr Gelyevich Dugin (Russian: Александр Гельевич Дугин; born on 7 January 1962) is a highly influential, albeit controversial, Russian political analyst and strategist. He is widely recognized for his radical, anti-Western views, which are frequently characterized by scholars, journalists, and various governmental bodies outside Russia as fascist or neo-fascist. Dugin's extensive body of work and his involvement in various political movements have established him as a key ideologue within Russia's intellectual and political landscape.

Throughout his career, Dugin has played a central role in shaping and promoting specific political organizations in Russia. He was a primary organizer of the National Bolshevik Front and the Eurasia Party. Notably, he co-founded the National Bolshevik Party (NBP) alongside controversial writer Eduard Limonov. The NBP was a radical political group that blended extreme nationalism with elements of Bolshevism, advocating for a revolutionary transformation of Russia and often engaging in provocative actions. The party was eventually banned in Russia.

Despite his often fringe ideological positions, Dugin has demonstrated significant, albeit indirect, influence within mainstream Russian political circles. He previously served as an advisor to Gennadiy Seleznyov, then the speaker of the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian Parliament. Furthermore, he was associated with Sergey Naryshkin, a prominent figure and leading member of the ruling United Russia party, highlighting his connections to the political establishment.

Key Ideologies and Influential Works

Dugin is a prolific author, with more than 30 books to his name, which delve into geopolitical theory, philosophy, and political ideology. Two of his most seminal works are:

• Foundations of Geopolitics: The Geopolitical Future of Russia (1997)

  This book is widely considered one of the most influential texts for a segment of the Russian military, intelligence, and foreign policy elite. In it, Dugin advocates for a radical restructuring of global power dynamics. He proposes the re-establishment of a vast Eurasian empire under Russian hegemony, extending its influence across the Eurasian continent. Key tenets include advocating for strategic alliances, particularly with Germany and Iran, to counterbalance American power, and the systematic destabilization and dismemberment of rival powers, notably the United States. The book posits that Russia's destiny is to lead a new "Eurasian" civilization that stands in opposition to what he calls "Atlanticism" – the perceived hegemonic influence of the United States and NATO.

• The Fourth Political Theory (2009)

  In this work, Dugin attempts to construct a new political ideology that transcends and replaces the three dominant political theories of the 20th century: liberalism, communism, and fascism. He argues that all three have failed or are inherently flawed. The Fourth Political Theory seeks to offer an alternative, often drawing upon concepts from Heideggerian philosophy (such as "Dasein") and conservative revolutionary thought, emphasizing a unique collective identity rooted in tradition, spirituality, and anti-globalism as the basis for a new social and political order.

Dugin's complex and often esoteric ideas have led to comparisons with Grigori Rasputin, the controversial mystic and self-proclaimed holy man who exerted significant influence over the late Imperial Russian royal family. This comparison often stems from Dugin's perceived mystical or spiritual undertones in his writings, his role as a shadowy, intellectual advisor influencing power brokers without holding formal governmental positions, and his highly controversial public image.

Dugin's Vision for Eurasia and Ukraine

Aleksandr Dugin is regarded by many analysts as a key ideologue whose concepts have significantly shaped, or at least provided a theoretical framework for, certain aspects of Russian foreign policy, particularly concerning Ukraine. He has long advocated for Ukraine to become "a purely administrative sector of the Russian centralized state," a concept he refers to as "Novorossiya" (New Russia).

His vision of Novorossiya encompasses the historical southern and eastern regions of Ukraine, which he believes should be re-integrated into a greater Russian sphere of influence. This perspective has led many to believe that Dugin's long-standing geopolitical advocacy contributed significantly to the intellectual justification and rationale for Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, and its subsequent support for separatist movements in eastern Ukraine.

Fundamentally, Dugin calls for the creation of an illiberal, totalitarian Russian Empire that would exert control over the entire Eurasian continent. His ambitious geopolitical blueprint envisions a sphere of influence stretching "from Dublin to Vladivostok," symbolizing a vast landmass united under a Eurasian, anti-Western hegemony. This grand geopolitical project is explicitly designed to challenge the global dominance of America and its "Atlanticist" allies, aiming to establish a multipolar world order led by a resurgent Russian-Eurasian bloc.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aleksandr Dugin

What are Aleksandr Dugin's core ideological beliefs?

Dugin's core beliefs are rooted in a radical form of Eurasianism, advocating for a unique Russian-led civilization distinct from the West. He is fiercely anti-liberal, anti-Western, and anti-globalist, promoting traditional values, an illiberal state, and a multipolar world order where Russia plays a dominant role in a unified Eurasian continent.

What is "Eurasianism" as promoted by Dugin?

In Dugin's context, Eurasianism is a geopolitical and philosophical doctrine that asserts Russia's unique destiny as a Eurasian power, distinct from both Europe and Asia. It envisions a vast Russian-dominated geopolitical bloc stretching across the continent, uniting various peoples under a shared anti-Western and traditionalist ideology, ultimately challenging the "Atlanticist" (Western, US-led) world order.

What is the significance of Dugin's book "Foundations of Geopolitics"?

Published in 1997, "Foundations of Geopolitics" is considered a highly influential text within certain circles of the Russian military, intelligence services, and foreign policy establishment. It outlines a detailed strategy for Russian imperial expansion, advocating for specific alliances (e.g., with Germany and Iran) and the destabilization of rival powers to create a Eurasian sphere of influence, directly challenging American global dominance.

How influential is Aleksandr Dugin in Russian politics?

While Dugin does not hold formal government positions or direct executive power, his influence is largely ideological and intellectual. His ideas have resonated with and shaped the thinking of various political, military, and intellectual elites in Russia. He is regarded as a key ideologue whose concepts provide a theoretical underpinning for certain elements of Russian foreign and domestic policy, especially concerning anti-Western sentiment and the concept of a greater Russian or Eurasian sphere.

What are Dugin's views on Ukraine and its future?

Dugin views Ukraine as an artificial state and a geopolitical construct used by the West to weaken Russia. He advocates for Ukraine's dismemberment and its integration, particularly its southern and eastern regions (which he refers to as "Novorossiya"), into a larger Russian-controlled centralized state or Eurasian empire. He sees an independent Ukraine as an existential threat to Russia's geopolitical ambitions.