Between Europe and Asia analyzes the origins and development of Eurasianism; an intellectual movement that proclaimed the existence of Eurasia; a separate civilization coinciding with the former Russian Empire. The essays in the volume explore the historical roots; the heyday of the movement in the 1920s; and the afterlife of the movement in the Soviet and post-Soviet periods. The first study to offer a multifaceted account of Eurasianism in the twentieth century and to touch on the movement's intellectual entanglements with history; politics; literature; or geography; this book also explores Eurasianism's influences beyond Russia. The Eurasianists blended their search for a primordial essence of Russian culture with radicalism of Europe's interwar period. In reaction to the devastation and dislocation of the wars and revolutions; they celebrated the Orthodox Church and the Asian connections of Russian culture; while rejecting Western individualism and democracy. The movement sought to articulate a non-European; non-Western modernity; and to underscore Russia's role in the colonial world. As the authors demonstrate; Eurasianism was akin to many fascist movements in interwar Europe; and became one of the sources of the rhetoric of nationalist mobilization in Vladimir Putin's Russia. This book presents the rich history of the concept of Eurasianism; and how it developed over time to achieve its present form.
#579111 in Books Duke University Press Books 2009-07-29 2009-07-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x .85 x 6.13l; .95 #File Name: 0822345099344 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A wonderful view of cultural tensionsBy George MasonAfter spending time in small towns like Mambrui and more diverse ones like Malindi; this book opened my eyes to some of the dynamics I could not explain on the ground. If you are a visitor or worker on the Coast anywhere from Lamu to Gazi; this book will open a window on a world that you would not normally notice. The author dives well and deeply on the socio-religious segregation that is prevalent along the coast. Similar to the tensions between the Western tribes in Sudan and Nile Arabs; this book is vibrant in its analysis of the attitudes of the marginalized Giriama and their self-styled superiors in the "Swahili" community. While envious of the socially superior Swahili; the Giriama still manage to show disdain with the culture they want to emulate. Great effort and hopefully Janet McIntosh has more to come. Caution: most people either like cultural anthropology or they hate it with not many in between; this book is for cultural anthropology fanatics!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. McIntosh has a wonderful ability to let her subjects speak for themselvesBy Andrew BordenA fascinating; fluid; and tightly reasoned look at faith and identity. McIntosh has a wonderful ability to let her subjects speak for themselves; and leaves you with a question I hope she will answer in her future work--what does it takes to be a true believer; and to be accepted by the other members of a religion or a community? What happens to someone if being faithful in their speech; in their heart; and in their observances; is still not enough?
