On Generalized Opinions About a People (the Russians)

[Alik Bahshi]

Alik Bakhshi


On Generalized Opinions About a People (the Russians)

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One often hears that generalizations are improper, even wrong. However, if an individual lies frequently, it is natural that people form an opinion of him as a liar. And this opinion, whether you like it or not, is a generalization. All scientific laws, by the way, are nothing more than generalizations. I mention this because in comments to my articles “The People’s Fate, or Every Cricket to Its Hearth” (1), “Great Russian Chauvinism, and Putin Its Führer” (2), and others, I am reproached for generalizing.

If the majority in Russia—an overwhelming majority—supports Putin’s aggressive policy toward Georgia, Ukraine, and along the entire perimeter of the empire, is this not a reflection of the imperial worldview of the Russian people? To say this is an incorrect generalization? No, it is a fact. It is the worldview of the majority. Why should Russians care about what happens in another independent country? I am speaking of Ukraine. Ukrainians overthrew their corrupt president—does that justify the invasion of Russian troops? And this happens with the full, unanimous support of the Russian people. This is precisely the case when, in Fazil Iskander’s words, “the universal stench is mistaken for the unanimity of the people.”

I rely on facts. Among my Russian acquaintances, all support the annexation of Crimea. This is a fact consistent with the imperial worldview of the people. And these facts are enough for me to form an opinion not only about my acquaintances but about the people as a whole. If it were otherwise, Putin would have no one to rely on. Remember the jubilation with which the Russian people greeted the invasion of Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea.

Yes, there are Russians who understand that the “military defense of the Russian world” in other countries is a fabricated pretext to justify revanchism, but they are far fewer. I personally do not know any. Perhaps someone has been luckier, which gives grounds for optimism—optimism I do not share.

I see that for the majority of Russians, the other peoples of the empire are “khokhly,” “tatarva,” “churki,” “black-asses,” “slant-eyes,” and other such slurs. And “pindosy.” These labels are extremely common in Russian popular discourse. You may call this a generalization, but that does not change the essence. And the essence is that the Russian people have lived their entire lives in falsehood and cannot imagine any other life (3).

1. https://alikbahshi.livejournal.com/#post-alikbahshi-28564
2. https://alikbahshi.livejournal.com/?skip=50#post-alikbahshi-21133
3. https://alikbahshi.livejournal.com/?skip=50#post-alikbahshi-22317

03.06.17

 

[CBHype]

Russian manifest destiny.

 

[Alik Bahshi]

Russian manifest destiny.

Unfortunately, this is true.

 

[Hawkeye10]

Unfortunately, this is true.

The Russians are slow to saddle up, but when they do they ride fast.

 

[Alik Bahshi]

The Russians are slow to saddle up, but when they do they ride fast.

In this case, what matters more is where to go and for what purpose, and here the Russians have a big problem.

 

[Matt Dillon]

They can't take Ukraine. I was thinking the goal was stopping Ukraine's BS strikes all willy nilly over the borders n stuff.
We'll get to that after Iran and Cuba.
Cuba is going to be American, brah.
Uhm, as far as Ukraine, that will be figured out in the near future, and Russia will most likely be pleased with the outcome.
Zelensky's over there going all in with a pair of deuces. Or Aces and 8s.
I know Trump wanted to fix it, but that's over a decade of fuckuppery. It won't be instant.

 

[Ichabod Stain]

The Russians are slow to saddle up, but when they do they ride fast.

Mongolians, tartars, chipchacks, Turkomen.

 

[Ichabod Stain]

They can't take Ukraine. I was thinking the goal was stopping Ukraine's BS strikes all willy nilly over the borders n stuff.
We'll get to that after Iran and Cuba.
Cuba is going to be American, brah.
Uhm, as far as Ukraine, that will be figured out in the near future, and Russia will most likely be pleased with the outcome.
Zelensky's over there going all in with a pair of deuces. Or Aces and 8s.
I know Trump wanted to fix it, but that's over a decade of fuckuppery. It won't be instant.

yes.

we are taking Cuba.

somethings are reasonable. some are not.

 

[NiftyNiblick]

@Cypress is Russian.
I'm waiting for his take on this.

 

[Ichabod Stain]

on the Russians as a people.

basically there is no one Russian people.

it's historically a truly multicultural hodge podge of many different cultures and peoples, especially after enfolding nearly the entire tartarian empire and it's peoples.

russia is a political creation.

and that can be ok sometimes.

mostly it comes with lots of genocide and historical revisionism.

 

[Ichabod Stain]

Search Assist
Russia is home to over 190 ethnic groups, with significant sub-ethnicities including Tatars, Chechens, Bashkirs, and Avars. These groups have distinct languages, cultures, and histories, contributing to Russia's rich ethnic diversity.

Wikipedia​

Fandom​

Overview of Russian Sub-Ethnicities​

Russia's vast territory is home to a multitude of sub-ethnic groups, each with its own unique cultural and historical background. These groups contribute to the rich tapestry of Russian identity.

Major Sub-Ethnic Groups​

Key Sub-Ethnicities​

Tatars	~5.3 million	Turkic	Tatarstan
Chechens	~1.4 million	Nakh-Daghestanian	Chechnya
Bashkirs	~1.6 million	Turkic	Bashkortostan
Avars	~0.9 million	Northeast Caucasian	Dagestan
Chuvash	~1.4 million	Turkic	Chuvashia
Ukrainians	~1.9 million	East Slavic	Various regions
Armenians	~1.2 million	Indo-European	Various regions
Dargins	~0.9 million	Northeast Caucasian	Dagestan

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Sub-Ethnicity​

[/th][th]

Population Estimate​

[/th][th]

Language Family​

[/th][th]

Primary Region​

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[Ichabod Stain]

Cultural and Linguistic Diversity​

• Languages: Many of these sub-ethnic groups speak languages that belong to different language families, such as Turkic, Northeast Caucasian, and East Slavic.
• Cultures: Each group has its own traditions, customs, and religious practices, contributing to the overall cultural diversity of Russia.

Historical Context​

The historical origins of these sub-ethnicities are complex, often involving migrations, conquests, and cultural exchanges. Over centuries, many groups have maintained their distinct identities despite the overarching influence of the Russian state.

• Integration and Autonomy: Some groups have been granted autonomy within the Russian Federation, allowing them to preserve their languages and cultures.
• Demographic Changes: The population dynamics of these groups are shifting, with some experiencing growth while others face decline, impacting the overall ethnic composition of Russia.

Understanding these sub-ethnicities is crucial for grasping the intricate social fabric of Russia and its historical evolution.

Wikipedia​

Fandom​