The concept of the Union State of Russia and Belarus as an alternative to modern neo-Imperial projects

Relevance. In the context of transformations of the multipolar world, the issue of the most effective ways and methods of interstate integration of countries and peoples of the planet is becoming more relevant.

The purpose of the study is to analyze the conceptual basis of modern international integration projects with the participation of the Russian Federation.

The objectives of the study are: systematization of scientific ideas about the methods and directions of interstate integration in the context of a multipolar world, determination of the potential and prospects of neo-imperial geopolitical projects in the period of globalization, clarification of the meaning of the concept of the Union State in building a new world order.

Methodology. In solving the problems of the study, structural-functional, historical, comparative methods were used. To clarify the role of neo-imperial geopolitical projects in the evolution of the modern world order, a dialectical approach, principles and provisions of conflictological and constructivist scientific methods were used. For the purpose of analytical processing of empirical sources, content analysis methods were used.

Results. The clash of political and economic interests of the leading world powers and transnational actors encourages participants in the world political process to search for effective forms and technologies of geopolitical struggle. One of them is the application of the concept of neo-imperial hegemony for the purpose of consolidating allied and controlled states around one of the contenders for global or regional hegemony. A number of researchers argue for the presence of neo-imperial potential in the implementation of the project of the Union State of Russia and Belarus.

Conclusions. Significant differences have been identified between the projects of neo-imperial foreign policy initiated by the Atlantic elites and the format of modern Russian-Belarusian integration. It has been determined that the fundamental parameter for the creation of the unification of Russia and Belarus is compliance with the principles of equality and pragmatism in bilateral relations. The prospect of turning the experience of creating the Union State into an example for the formation of integration initiatives in various regions of the globe is argued.

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