Situating the Russian Advocacy of Traditional Values in the Geopolitical Context

Year 2023, , 416 - 444, 19.10.2023

Gökten Doğangün

https://doi.org/10.53376/ap.2023.16

Abstract

As epitomized by the invasion of Ukraine, the lasting geopolitical power struggle between the West and the rising nations, including Russia, has been dragging the international system towards polarization again. Its epicenter lies in the contest over the meaning of modernity that becomes particularly evident in the antagonistic attitudes towards sexual rights. Linking sexual rights to modernity has been counteracted by the discourse on traditional values. This article aims to critically examine Russia’s advocacy of traditional values in the geopolitical context. Built on the tripartite of cultural authenticity, sovereignty, and anti-Westernism, the discourse of traditional values conveys the resistance to the imposition of liberal values regarding gender equality and sexual diversity as the constitutive parameters of modernity. The investigation extends beyond a simplistic unipolar or bipolar worldview and argues that Russia’s stance is not merely counter-hegemonic against the West but also serves its imperialist aims as evidenced by its invasion of Ukraine.

Keywords

Russia, Traditional Values, LGBT+ Rights, Modernity, Geopolitics

Rusya’nın Geleneksel Değerler Savunuculuğunu Jeopolitik Bağlamda Konumlandırmak

Abstract

Ukrayna’nın işgalinin de gösterdiği gibi Batı ile Rusya’nın da dahil olduğu yükselen ülkeler arasında süregelen jeopolitik güç mücadelesi uluslararası sistemi yeniden kutupluluğa sürüklemektedir. Yakın zamandaki kutuplaşmanın merkez üssünde modernitenin anlamı üzerine verilen mücadele yer almakta ve bu mücadele özellikle cinsellik haklarına dair benimsenen zıt tutumlarda belirginleşmektedir. Modernitenin cinsellik hakları ile ilişkilendirilmesine geleneksel değerler söylemi ile karşı koyulmaktadır. Bu makale Rusya’nın geleneksel değerler savunuculuğunu jeopolitik bağlam içerisine yerleştirerek eleştirel bir bakış açısıyla ele almaya çalışmaktadır. Kültürel özgünlük, egemenlik ve Batı karşıtlığı sac ayağına dayanan geleneksel değerler modernitenin kurucu öğeleri olarak toplumsal cinsiyet eşitliği ve cinsellik hakları gibi liberal değerlerin dayatılmasına karşı çıkışı temsil etmektedir. Makale tek kutuplu veya iki kutuplu bir dünya düzeni anlayışının ötesine geçerek Rusya’nın duruşunu sadece Batıya karşı bir hegemonik duruş olarak ele almamakta; Rusya’nın Ukrayna’yı işgalinin de gösterdiği üzere geleneksel değerler savunuculuğunun Rusya’nın emperyal amaçlarına da hizmet ettiği tartışılmaktadır.

Keywords

Rusya, Geleneksel Değerler, LGBT+ Hakları, Modernite, Jeopolitik

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