Imperial identity of the European Union and Russia

In keeping with the logic of empire concept promoted by a number of authoritative European experts, the author of the article undertakes comparative analysis of the European Union and Russia's imperial identity. Based on the criteria of empires suggested in the literature (fuzzy borders, center-periphery dependence, imperial civilizing missions), the article examines common and peculiar features of European and Russian imperial models. The EU and Russia meet the three criteria of empires mentioned above. They possess a sizable territory and at the same time have blurred and fuzzy borders. Both actors interfere in their peripheries and seek to establish control over them, using considerable recourses and applying a variety of instruments. Brussels and Moscow are guided by their imperial missions aimed to 'civilize' their external environment. Trying to justify their policy, they persuade others that their actions are motivated by moral and virtuous intensions. Along with a strong regional foreign policy focus, Russia and the European Union see themselves as key world players striving for peace, stability and multilateral cooperation and willing to make major decisions of global importance. Notwithstanding common imperial characteristics, the two empires also differ greatly and represent opposite imperial models. Forms of government in Russia and in the EU, instruments and mechanisms they apply in their foreign policy, nature of center-periphery relations etc. have little in common. Hard style of Russian imperial policy confronts soft European pattern, Russian authoritarian imperialism opposes European normative one. No wonder that Russia (like other imperial actors - the US and China) is often viewed as European 'other' and as the antipode of the EU. dash of Russian and European imperial models occurs in the area of common 'external periphery'. Two empires compete within the same territory. Moreover, their civilizing missions confront each other in the sphere of values and norms. Imperial model of the EU is quite successful in general. The Union performs as one of the most significant transformative powers in the world. However, its policy has its limits as well: for several reasons European values are diffused in the world unevenly. Russian imperial construction appears to be less stable. Imperial policy has become a major obstacle to the development of a modern, democratic and economically strong state in Russia. Moscow failed to build trusting relationships with the countries of the periphery. Russia as the autocracy will hardly radically change the situation in the short term.

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