A Brief History of Russian Imperialism – with Donnacha Ó Beacháin

May 27, 2025

Donnacha Ó Beacháin, an Irish political scientist and professor at Dublin City University, discusses the intricate history of Russian imperialism and its impact on Ukraine. He highlights the brutal conquests from the 16th century and the ongoing effects on local identities. They explore how recent conflicts have shifted national security perspectives in Finland, Sweden, and Moldova, reflecting on the cyclical nature of authoritarianism in Russia. Ó Beacháin also connects Ireland's colonial past to Ukraine's struggle, emphasizing shared experiences that foster empathy.

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INSIGHT

Russia's Unfinished Empire Ambition

Russia considers itself an unfinished empire, longing to regain lost territories from the Soviet Union collapse.
Neighboring countries share apprehensions about Russia's unclear and expansive border ambitions.

INSIGHT

Rapid and Violent Russian Expansion

Russia's imperial expansion was rapid and unprecedented, stretching across 11 time zones by 1917.
This expansion involved violent conquests and colonization of indigenous peoples across vast regions.

ANECDOTE

Brutality in Caucasus and Central Asia

Circassians faced near-genocide with 95% killed or expelled after resisting Russian conquest.
Central Asian uprisings resulted in mass killings, with some groups losing up to 40% of their population.

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Unfinished Empire

Russian Imperialism in Ukraine and the Near Abroad

Donnacha Ó Beacháin

This book examines Russia's imperial ambitions, particularly in Ukraine and neighboring regions, highlighting its ongoing impact. It argues that Russia views itself as a truncated country after the Soviet Union's collapse, seeking to regain lost territories. The book explores how Russia's neighbors perceive its territorial designs and the blurred lines of its international boundaries. It also delves into Russia's historical narrative and its instrumentalization of anti-colonialism to pursue a colonial agenda. The analysis provides context to understand the present-day challenges posed by Russia's imperialistic tendencies.

Paulo Freire

Paulo Freire's educational philosophy emphasizes critical consciousness and the importance of empowering marginalized communities through education. His pedagogical approach centers on dialogue, reflection, and action, challenging traditional teacher-student hierarchies. Freire argued that education should enable learners to critically examine their social realities and actively participate in transforming them. His concept of 'conscientization' involves developing an awareness of social, political, and economic oppression. By fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills, Freire aimed to equip individuals with the tools to challenge injustice and create a more equitable society. His work remains highly influential in education, social justice, and liberation movements worldwide.

To the Slenderers of Russia

Alexander Pushkin

Black skin, white masks

Frantz Fanon

In 'Black Skin, White Masks,' Frantz Fanon presents a critical analysis of the psychological and social effects of colonialism and racism on black individuals. The book, written in an autoethnographic style, combines Fanon's personal experiences with a historical critique of the dehumanizing impacts of colonial domination. Fanon uses psychoanalysis to explain the feelings of dependency and inadequacy that black people experience, highlighting how colonialism corrupts the psyche of both blacks and whites. He argues that the internalization of white cultural norms leads to a profound inferiority complex among black people and advocates for a rejection of these norms to achieve true self-consciousness and freedom.