Renowned Russian philosopher Aleksandr Gelyevich Dugin advocates for civilisational revival and the decolonisation of the mind
Aleksandr Gelyevich Dugin, the Russian philosopher, presents a compelling vision of a multipolar world that seeks to restore balance and harmony to international relations. His recent visit to India, during which he delivered an insightful speech at the Russian Centre in New Delhi on November 19, highlighted his ideas on the importance of civilisational revival. Listening to Dugin was a profound experience, as he articulated the need for great civilisations such as Bharat (India), Russia, and China to assume their rightful roles in shaping a new global order. Dugin’s philosophy is deeply intertwined with the concept of State-Civilisation, which transcends the boundaries of the Nation-State model imposed by the Westphalian system. In this framework, civilisations are not merely political entities but repositories of spiritual, cultural, and historical identity.
For Dugin, Bharat exemplifies this notion as it represents a civilisation rooted in ancient wisdom, from the teachings of the Vedas and Upanishads to its rich traditions of Dharmic philosophy. He argues that this heritage uniquely positions Bharat to lead a process of decolonisation—not just politically, but mentally and spiritually. Decolonisation of the mind, Dugin asserts, is essential for nations seeking to reclaim their civilisational sovereignty. Bharat’s re-engagement with its Vedic and Upanishadic traditions is not merely an academic exercise but a means of reconnecting with eternal principles that transcend the temporal constructs of modernity. In his view, traditional spiritual processes should be revived as living, evolving frameworks that can guide contemporary governance and social organisation.
He draws a parallel with Russia’s return to Orthodox Christianity, which he sees as a similar act of reclaiming spiritual identity in defiance of Western liberalism.The philosopher emphasises that the post-Cold War unipolar world order, dominated by Western hegemony, has exhausted itself. Dugin critiques the universalisation of liberal values, arguing that they are inherently tied to the Atlanticist worldview and therefore unfit to govern the plurality of human cultures. Liberalism, he contends, prioritises individualism and market ideology at the expense of collective, spiritual, and civilisational values.
As he wrote in The Fourth Political Theory, “Modernity is a project that has exhausted itself. The future lies in the revival of traditional societies, metaphysical truths, and spiritual values.” For Dugin, multipolarity represents an alternative to this unipolar dominance, offering a framework for civilisations to engage with one another as equals.
This vision is rooted in dialogue rather than conflict, with each civilisation contributing its unique insights and values. Bharat, China, and Russia, he argues, form a natural triad that can anchor this new world order. He views these three civilisations as distinct yet complementary, with Bharat’s Vedic traditions, China’s Confucianism and Taoism, and Russia’s Orthodoxy providing diverse philosophical and spiritual foundations for a balanced global system. Dugin’s ideas resonate with contemporary geopolitical realities, as platforms like BRICS demonstrate the potential for collaboration among major civilisational powers.
He sees BRICS not merely as an economic bloc but as a symbolic embodiment of multipolarity—a round table where civilisations can cooperate without succumbing to Western hegemony. Drawing on the Arthurian legend, Dugin suggests that the multipolar world should function as a round table, where all participants, including the West, have an equal seat, provided they relinquish hegemonic ambitions. Bharat’s renaming from India, in Dugin’s view, exemplifies the philosophical and cultural depth of this multipolar project.
He perceives this act as a profound rejection of the colonial narrative imposed by Western powers. For Dugin, names carry immense metaphysical significance, and “Bharat” embodies a self-affirmed identity that reclaims the spiritual and cultural essence of the civilisation. This aligns with his broader advocacy for civilisations to transcend the artificial constructs of modernity and rediscover their historical and spiritual cores. The philosopher also stresses the strategic importance of Eurasia in achieving this vision.
He argues that the geographic, cultural, and economic ties between Bharat, China, and Russia make them natural allies in reshaping global power structures. By aligning their civilisational and strategic interests, these three powers can mediate international conflicts and create a more equitable world order. As Dugin writes in Foundations of Geopolitics, “Russia’s mission is to unite the peoples and nations of Eurasia into a single geopolitical space that rejects Western domination and promotes a multipolar world.” Central to Dugin’s vision is the rejection of Western universalism.
He critiques the West’s attempt to impose its values globally, arguing that this approach erases the distinctiveness of other cultures and leads to alienation. In contrast, the multipolar world Dugin envisions celebrates diversity, recognising the plurality of human experience and thought. Civilisations, he asserts, should engage in dialogue while preserving their unique identities. As he states in ‘The Great War of Continents,’ “The salvation of humanity lies in preserving the plurality of cultures and civilisations.”
This rejection of universalism extends to Dugin’s critique of modernity, which he sees as a destructive force that undermines traditional values. He identifies a global trend toward the revival of traditionalism, noting that civilisations are increasingly turning to their spiritual roots in response to the moral and cultural relativism of liberalism. From Bharat’s Vedic revival to Russia’s Orthodox resurgence and China’s embrace of Confucianism, Dugin sees a worldwide movement toward reclaiming heritage. “The return to tradition,” he writes, “is not an act of nostalgia but a necessity for survival in the face of cultural erosion.”
Dugin views Bharat as a cornerstone of this traditionalist resurgence. Its ability to mediate tensions, whether between China and the Islamic world or within the broader multipolar framework, highlights its potential as a stabilising force. Bharat’s emphasis on spiritual heritage and cultural unity, he argues, sets an example for other civilisations seeking to harmonise their internal diversity with their external roles. The path to a multipolar world is not without challenges. Dugin acknowledges that the West’s resistance to relinquishing its dominance could lead to conflicts, even escalating to dangerous levels. However, he remains optimistic about the long-term prospects of multipolarity, which he sees as a natural evolution of global history. This optimism is grounded in his belief that civilizational revival offers a more stable and equitable alternative to the power struggles of unipolarity.
In Dugin’s analysis, the future lies in the hands of civilisations willing to reclaim their spiritual and cultural identities. Bharat’s role is pivotal in this transformation. By embracing its Vedic heritage and fostering partnerships with other great civilisations, Bharat can help shape a world that values harmony over domination. As Dugin wrote in The Fourth Political Theory, “The multipolar world is not a competition of powers but a symphony of civilisations, each contributing its melody to the greater harmony.”
Dugin’s vision challenges conventional paradigms of International Relations, offering a deeply philosophical and civilisational approach to global politics. By placing spirituality and tradition at the core of his analysis, he provides a framework for a world that celebrates diversity while striving for collective progress. Bharat’s role in this vision is both profound and indispensable, symbolising the potential for civilisations to lead humanity toward a more balanced and equitable future.
(The writer is an Assistant Professor at Bennett University; views expressed are personal)
