A Lesson from the Russian history
Volodymyr Kukharenko
Why Russian society often appears passive and submissive to authority. Why do they have no voice? Some attribute it to fear or systemic repression — and that’s partly true. But a deeper question is: how did it get this way?
2/ The truth lies in centuries of historical development. Unlike Western Europe, which gradually evolved through stages of agriculture, industrialization, and the rise of individual rights, large parts of Russia were geographically isolated and politically centralized.
3/ As a result, many democratic and humanistic ideals never took root.
4/ For example, on the territory of modern Ukraine, there were advanced cultures like Trypillia thousands of years ago, and later, European values were shared through the Scythian and Sarmatian kingdoms, early urbanization, and even early democratic practices.
5/ Meanwhile, much of northern Russia remained tribal or under Mongol influence for centuries longer.
6/ Peter the First only introduced forks and beard shaving to his nobility in the 18th century — a symbol of how late certain societal norms arrived.
7/ Institutions like universities, parliaments, and constitutional rule came to Ukraine and Europe far earlier than to Moscow-centric Russia.
8/ Some values, such as the rule of law, individual rights, and open societies, emerge only through time, experience, and painful transformation.
9/ Societies that haven’t passed through those stages often see things like kindness or transparency not as virtues, but as weaknesses.
10/ This doesn’t mean individuals can’t change; a small percentage of Russians do oppose the current regime, but they are exceptions, and the system and society treat them as deviations. Understanding this historical mindset helps explain why systemic change is so difficult.
11/ Modern behavior is rooted in historical experience. And unless there is a societal reckoning, some worldviews remain centuries behind — no matter how modern they may appear on the surface.
Author: Volodymyr Kukharenko
