EXOTIZATION AND "THE ENEMY IMAGE": THE SYNDROME OF "YELLOW PERIL" IN PRE-REVOLUTIONARY RUSSIA
Taking the example of the Russian version of the worldwide syndrome “yellow peril”, formed in the late XIX - early XX centuries, one of the mechanisms of the formation of the “enemy image” is considered. The Russian version of this syndrome, which has absorbed racial discourse, has created a lot of its own, quite original themes. It formed a complex internal structure - from rational analysis of the risk of Japanese expansionism, neighboring with China and dependence on Chinese migrants to the eschatological constructions and images like “Pan-Mongolism” by Vladimir Solovyov and “Scythians” by Alexander Block. The “enemy” and its image form the heart of any xenophobic complex. Here it is formed by the “exotization” of countries and peoples of East Asia. Exotization, i. e. underlining of “quaint, unusual features”, became a mechanism of designing differences and giving them a self-suffi cient value. Combined with the racial approach this lead to the dehumanization and demonization of those who habitually were called “yellow”. The “Cornerstone” design of the syndrome of “yellow peril” was the thesis of the total, natural incompatibility of “yellow” and “white” races.