08
Jun
2012
Études de l'Ifri Russie.Eurasie.Reports
Alicja CURANOVIĆ

The Religious Diplomacy of the Russian Federation Russie.Nei.Reports, No. 12, June 2012

The Russian Federation is shaping its religious diplomacy (i.e., in brief, the use of the religious factor in foreign policy) and exercises it with a growing efficiency. This is, to a certain degree, a consequence of processes taking place in Russia, namely, first and foremost, the solving of the crisis of identity and values, and, closely connected with this, the renaissance of religion in Russian political and social life.

The Religious Diplomacy of the Russian Federation

For many Russians, including the political elite, religion is a crucial component of tradition and as such the foundation of values for spiritual recovery of Russian society and Russia's regaining its power status. These internal processes have consequences for Russia's external activity. Religion appears in the state concepts of Russia's policy: Russia is depicted as a “civilisational pole” with its own cultural space (russkiy mir) and mission (i.e. promoting interfaith dialogue). Both (russkiy mir and interfaith dialogue) are connected with state security and soft power.

 

The Religious Diplomacy of the Russian Federation
Keywords
diplomacy religions soft power Russia
ISBN / ISSN: 
978-2-36567-027-2