Supranationalism in the Era of Nationalism: Civilizational Approach From N.Ya. Danilevsky To V.I. Lamansky
The notion of «civilization» entered the public discourse in the 18th century and changed significantly in the next century. In Western Europe, outlined the process of nationalization of that concept, as the result of which the idea of civilization began to be associated with particular countries. In Russia the idea of civilization as a universal level of progress that could be reached only through the joint efforts of all mankind was preserved for a long time. However, after the defeat in the Crimean War, there appeared the idea that Russia was not a part of Europe, which made it impossible to apply there the European notions about the level of progress. Biologist N.Ya. Danilevsky formulated the main principles of the new approach to studying history, which made the subject of historical process not mankind but local civilizations consisting of several nations. At the same time, there were certain contradictions between civilization and private nationalism. Later Danilevsky's ideas were further developed by K.N. Leontiev and V.I. Lamansky, who supplemented the concept of civilization with ethno-cultural and geographical content.