The thesis examines two central themes in the thought of L.N. Gumilev (1912—92): the theory of ethnogenesis and Eurasianism.
A biographic survey of Gumilev’s life sets his work in a historical context. Gumilev’s background, his personal interests in nomadic history, and the tragic experiences of his life emerge as important factors for understanding his thought.
The three principal concepts of the theory of ethnogenesis are then examined; passionarnost’, ethnos, and phases of ethnogenesis. It is argued that the theory of ethnogenesis at its core is a behaviourist concept of ethnic history.
A comparison with the theories of history of Arnold Toynbee and N.Ia. Danilevskii shows that despite similarities such as a shared anti-cosmopolitan view of history, there are also important differences. In particular, the distinction between social and ethnic history and the emphasis on behavioural, long-term changes distinguish Gumilev’s theory from those of Toynbee and Danilevskii.
Gumilev’s account of Russian history focused on a distinction between Kievan Rus and Muscovite Russia, the role of the Mongols in the formation of the Russian ethnos, and the interpretation of Russian history in terms of phases of ethnogenesis. His views are dominated by a strong anti-Western bias and are not always compatible with the theory of ethnogenesis.
Finally, there is a crucial distinction between Eurasianism and the theory of ethnogenesis. In his works on Russian history, Gumilev developed various aspects of Eurasianism. The theory of ethnogenesis is, however, a radical departure from Eurasian views. It should be seen as a separate theory which stresses non-voluntaristic, behaviourist motives in ethnic history.
Author(s): Alexander Sergeevich Titov
Series: School of Slavonic and Eastern European Studies
Publisher: University College London
Year: 2005
Language: English
Pages: 245
City: London
1. Introduction, 8
—1. Previous works, 9
—2. The objectives of the thesis and an overview of Gumilev’s work, 15
—3. The structure of the thesis, 18
—4. Justification of the thesis, 19
2. A Biographical Overview, 20
—1. Background and Early Life, 20
—2. The University Years, 23
—3. The Gulag, 25
—4. The Post-war Respite, 28
—5. Rehabilitation, 32
—6. The Theory of Ethnogenesis, 36
—7. Recognition, 39
—Conclusion, 41
3. The Theory of Ethnogenesis, 42
—Introduction, 42
—1. Humankind, the biosphere, and passionam ost’, 43
——1.1 Vemadskii and the biosphere, 43
——1.2 The biosphere and ethnogenesis, 47
——1.3 Static and dynamic ethnoses, 48
——1.4 Passionarnost’, 52
—2. Ethnos and ethnic identity, 59
——2.1 Rival theories of ethnos, 59
——2.2 Ethnos and ethnic identity, 62
——2.3 Komplimentarnost’ and the ethnic field, 66
——2.5 Ethnic groupings, 70
—3. Phases of ethnogenesis, 72
——3.1 Behavioural imperatives, 73
——3.2 Phases of ethnogenesis, 75
—4. Relations between ethnic and social, cultural, and biological factors, 82
——4.1 Social development and ethnogenesis, 82
——4.2 Relations between ethnogenesis and culture, 84
——4.3 Ethnic and biological factors, 86
——4.4 Free will and passionarnost’, 87
—Conclusion, 89
4. The Theory of Ethnogenesis and the Philosophy of History, 90
—Introduction, 90
—1. Culture-historical types and ethnogenesis, 90
——1.1 Inspiration, 91
——1.2 Theoretical premises, 92
——1.3 Nature of history, 95
——1.4 Nature of development in history, 99
——1.5 Preliminary conclusion, 104
—2. Toynbee and Gumilev, 105
——2.1 Inspiration and premises, 105
——2.2 The cause of growth, 114
——2.3 The nature of growth, 118
——2.4 Breakdown and disintegration, 120
——2.5 Emergence of Christianity, 123
——2.4 Summary, 131
—Conclusion, 132
5. Russian History and the Theory of Ethnogenesis, 133
—Introduction, 133
—1. The decline of Kievan Rus, 134
—2. Mongolian influence and the beginning of the Great Russian ethnos, 136
——2.1 Alexander Nevskii, 138
——2.2 The Mongol influence, 140
—3. The growth phase, 144
——3.1 The role of the Church, 144
——3.2 The ascent of Moscow, 147
——3.3 The battle o f Kulikovo: the beginning of the open growth phase, 151
——3.4 The end of the growth phase, 155
—4. The acme phase, 157
——4.1 The first peak of the acme phase, 158
——4.2 The first passionary depression of the acme phase, 163
——4.3 The second peak of passionamost and the unification with Ukraine, 165
——4.4 The second passionary depression and Peter the Great’s reforms, 170
——4.5 The last peak of passionamost and the end of the acme phase, 174
—5. The crisis phase, 175
——5.1 The initial period of the crisis phase, 175
——5.2 The communist subethnos, 178
——5.3 The final period of the crisis phase, 181
—Conclusion, 183
6. Gumilev and the Eurasians, 184
—Introduction, 184
—1. The concept of Eurasia, 185
—2. Gumilev’s views on Eurasia, 191
—3. Eurasian attitudes to Europe, 197
—4. Mongolian influence and Russian historical identity, 203
—5. The post-Soviet reception of Gumilev’s ideas, 212
—Conclusion, 222
7. Conclusion, 223
—1. The theory of ethnogenesis, 224
—2. The theory of ethnogenesis in a historical perspective, 226
—3. Russian history, 227
—4. Eurasianism, 229
Final Thoughts, 231
Bibliography, 232
