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Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991, in most post-Soviet societies a variety of religious groups emerged offering alternative moral discourses and practices that clearly challenged the atheist policies created under socialism broadly understood as ‘scientific atheism’. Consequently, both institutional and ideological aspects of religion emerged as distinct factors in the social and political life of most-post Soviet countries. Rediscovering religion in most of these societies meant regaining not just historical memory and heritage but also reconstructing national identity. In the political vocabulary of post-Soviet Russia, the concept of ‘spiritual security’ gained currency. It is significant that in the official documents of Russia, spiritual security is listed as a sub-set of national security and encapsulates a number of key political undercurrents and trends in contemporary Russia. Most importantly, it is also shaping its religious diplomacy and soft power projections. This chapter aims to understand why the state-sponsored scientific atheism propounded during the Soviet era had a limited impact and how the reimagination of religion in post-Soviet Russia has impacted Russian policymaking both domestically and internationally and has become the cornerstone of what is being described as spiritual security.

As a century-old idea, the ideological relevance of the Eurasian geopolitical system, complete with its political, social, economic and ethno-cultural ideas, has been affirmed by many subsequent sociohistorical processes and events. The term emerged and re-emerged in different stages of history as a powerful idea set in motion by philosophers, historians, nationalists, individuals and political leaders. Although the concept has branched into different forms, each of them holds its particular view on the distinct geopolitical identity of the region stretching across Asia and Europe and including other constituents that define the Eurasian landscape. However, as a term ‘Eurasia’ is both contested and debated and has different meanings attached to it, both in time and space. Significantly, the geopolitical concept of ‘Eurasianism’, along with its political-ideological and philosophical underpinnings, continues to be a dominant narrative in both academic and policymaking circles. The chapter provides a broad overview of the evolution of the concept of Eurasia and Eurasianism, the interpretations and the policy debates surrounding the concept and its geopolitical underpinnings in domestic, regional and global affairs.

No other event of the past century can match the far-reaching impact of the Russian Revolution of 1917 in transforming lives far beyond the geographical confines of the actual theater of the revolution. The establishment of the Soviet Union, subsequent to the victory of the socialist revolution in Russia under the leadership of V. I. Lenin, had ramifications that went far beyond the events of the period. Not only did it politically radicalize the working class throughout the world, it also offered the possibility of an alternative model of development—an alternative to capitalism and imperialism. Unlike other political revolutions in the past that were confined to a single country and resulted in the replacement of one regime with another or at best could strike a chord with a single community and its diaspora, the Russian Revolution was an international revolution in the sense that its impact and reach was truly global. Not only did it resonate internationally, it also set into motion political and social process that impacted every aspect of human life. It marked the advent of a new historical era with new political possibilities and thus profoundly changed the way historical processes came to be understood. The chapter broadly reflects upon the significance of the emancipatory narratives of the Russian Revolution in transforming the political systems, ideologies, culture and economic structures across different continents.

The Russian Revolution of 1917 had a profound impact on the anti-colonial struggles all over the world. Its impact on the Indian Freedom Movement was also far reaching. None other than Gandhi described it as “the greatest event” of the century and a “great lesson” for India. The Revolution brought home to the Indian freedom fighters and the revolutionaries, the efficacy of alternative means to resist autocratic ways. This was a marked departure from the Gandhian notion of non-violent resistance. The Russian Revolution and the post revolution ideologies increased the velocity of the Indian national movement by providing an ideological umbrella to both the moderates and the extremists viewpoints within the freedom movement. It played a very positive role in successfully transforming the character of the freedom movement from an elite-driven movement to a movement led and inspired by the concerns of the workers and peasants. The chapter highlights the influence of the Russian Revolution on significant ideological developments within the Indian freedom movement and its impact on the course of Indian politics during that period.

Russia’s March 2018 presidential elections need to be analysed and understood in the context of the inherited political culture of the Soviet times. The undeveloped political culture of participation clearly stands out as the dominant feature of the Russian political landscape. Political processes and institutions have been tailored to serve national goals shaped by the ambitions, demands and successes of the dominant leader. It is against this background that Russia’s personality-centric politics has evolved and continues to function. The outcome of the 18 March 2018 presidential elections is an affirmation of this reality.

The collapse of the USSR marked the end of the multiethnic ‘Soviet Nation’. Consequent to the moving out of the republics from the federation, Russia and Russians faced the challenge of defining their own identity and that of a new, multinational, multi-confessional state—the Russian Federation. Towards this end of regenerating identity, religion proved to be a very potent instrument. Religion and religiosity in Russia is closely interconnected with ethnic self-awareness and consolidation of political identities that go beyond religion. It has been employed to foster both inclusive and exclusive identities and have also impacted crucial decisions of the state. Its social and political role is profound and so is its engagement with the institutions of the state. It is significant that both the institutional and ideological aspects of religion have emerged as distinct factors in contemporary Russian politics. The re-emergence and the consolidation of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) in the social and political life of contemporary Russia has submerged smaller religious identities in all spheres of social and political life. Given Russia’s religious diversity, this has impacted intergroup relations and generated tensions in the society, resulting from both the ‘politicization of religion’ and the ‘desecularization’ project from above.