A New Russian Idea? : Neo-Eurasianist Ideas in the Russian Presidential Addressesto the Federal Assembly 2014 – 2016

This essay aims to determine the prevalence of Neo-Eurasianist ideas in the Russian official political discourse be examining the Presidential Addresses to the Federal Assembly 2014, 2015 and 2016. Neo-Eurasianism is understood as a political ideology encompassing narratives, norms and policy suggestions. The study is conducted in two steps. Firstly, it interprets Neo-Eurasianism as conveyed by Aleksandr Dugin and develops an analytical scheme based on his ideas. Secondly, the prevalence of Neo-Eurasianist ideas in the Russian Presidential Addresses to the Federal Assembly 2014, 2015 and 2016 is thematically analysed within the established analytical framework. The study affirms a limited presence of Neo-Eurasianist ideas in the material. Normative notions concerning cultural plurality, a multipolar world order and Russia’s role in the world are present, whereas the underlying assumptions and subsequent policy suggestions cannot be fully affirmed. Contrary, Putin at occasion enacts the Neo-Eurasianist normative notions to articulate other policy suggestions than what Dugin’s ideas prescribe, e.g. counter-terrorism measures. This suggests that the Neo-Eurasianist discourse is used as a rationale to legitimize regime policies, a conclusion that has been drawn in previous studies as well. Regardless of motive, Neo-Eurasianist ideas seem to have taken a limited, but firm, hold in Russian official political discourse