Russian Territorial Expansion and the Patterns of Traditional Colonization in the Altay Region:
A Comparative Analysis
(66th Annual Meeting of the PIAC Göttingen, 2024)
The question of whether Russian territorial expansion constitutes colonialism has long been a subject of debate within both Russian and international academic circles. The related theoretical interpretations of the concept of colonization are not merely abstract exercises, but significantly shape the depth and perspective of analyses concerning the evaluation of Russia’s territorial expansion. The various interpretations of this expansion as either colonial or distinct from traditional colonialism reflect broader debates about historical narratives and power relations.
This research has a twofold aim: first, it intends to shed light on these elements by reviewing and synthesizing various interpretations of Russian colonization, focusing on the contradictions that have incited the academic debates over its applicability. Second, it argues that while Russian expansion shared certain characteristics with European colonialism, it also presented distinct patterns shaped by Russia’s unique historical trajectory and geopolitical imperatives. These patterns emerged in various ways in the different periods of Russian territorial expansion, creating combinations of traditional and specifically Russian practices.
By examining the historical context, the geopolitical imperatives, and the socio-economic dynamics of Russian territorial expansion in the Altay Region, this research seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding and periodization, which transcend oversimplified categorizations and reach beyond the long-time pressures to decide whether it qualifies as colonization or not.