The Conception of Civilizational State in Contemporary IR

This discussion examines the concept of the civilizational state in contemporary Russian and Chinese political and legal discourse. Moving beyond the Westphalian nation-state model, this concept points out at a historically continuous, culturally coherent polity with a distinctive civilizational mission to protect and to develop traditions in its region. It represents an open challenge to many of the Western assumptions about democracy and human rights and the total rejection of globalism.

The speakers will explore how this concept is mobilized in Russian and Chinese political narratives to articulate leadership claims, challenge Western hegemony, and advocate multipolarity and decolonization of knowledge. Particular attention will be paid to both ideological convergences and emerging tensions between the two powers, as well as to the broader implications of the civilizational state narrative for international law and international relations theory.

Introduction by Dr. Ksenia Radchenkova (University of Graz)